Friday, February 20, 2015
From Leigh
Wendy,
I believe it has been almost two decades since we first met. It's hard to remember back to those days back at Newport Vineyard and when Keith and I worked together, but I think back so fondly to those early days when our boys would play so happily together. You and your family have remained faithful friends to us over the years and we consider you part of our family. I love that our boys have all remained such great friends too! As you celebrate your 50th birthday, I hope you know how special you are to so many. When I think of you, I can say so many wonderful things. But I will narrow it down to the three first words that come to my mind: gracious, faithful and kind.
You have shown grace to so many people. As my friend, you have stood by my side with so much grace. No matter what the situation, I know I can call you for help. Not only are you willing to help, but you do so without judgment. Even when people don't deserve it, you demonstrate the grace of God in your actions because you give unconditionally to me and to so many. Thank you for standing with me through all the ups and downs and never tiring of "being there". There are those who do tire of it. Some become weary of showing grace, but God has given you a special strength to show grace time after time. That quality is a gift because it becomes a blessing to those around you. I am so glad I am one of those people.
Also, you are faithful. I have seen your faithful commitment to your boys and how you have poured into them all of their lives. You are a faithful and supportive wife. You are faithful to the people in your church. You are faithful to your community. You are faithful to God and His word. You are faithful to your friends and family. You are one of those people that others always know they can rely on. This is an inspiring quality, and I'm so glad you are my faithful friend.
Lastly, you are so incredibly kind and thoughtful. I have been the lucky recipient of more than one delicious birthday mud pie! Yum! But you are so thoughtful and caring to all of your friends, to those in your neighborhood, and to those in your church. You always try to make people feel special and are always willing to open your home to anyone needing care. You are always putting others first. That is an amazing quality.
Wendy, you are a true shining example of the love of Jesus. Truly. I have never met anyone else who puts into action the attributes of God's love the way you do. These gifts have touched so many people. I am so blessed that you are my friend, and I hope you know how much you are loved and appreciated on this day, your birthday, as well as every other day of the year!
Happy Birthday, my dear friend! Here's to 50 more amazing years!
Love you!
Leigh
From Karen
My dear Friendy,
I hope you're waking up today feeling loved and content, that you are encircled by family and friends. I hope you look forward to the next 50 years, or whatever number we are blessed to have you with us.
I hope you look back with joy, knowing that you have lived a life in submission to God, and as a blessing to those fortunate enough to be within your sphere.
I love you lots, and look forward to seeing you in a few short weeks.
´¯`Karen´¯`
I hope you're waking up today feeling loved and content, that you are encircled by family and friends. I hope you look forward to the next 50 years, or whatever number we are blessed to have you with us.
I hope you look back with joy, knowing that you have lived a life in submission to God, and as a blessing to those fortunate enough to be within your sphere.
I love you lots, and look forward to seeing you in a few short weeks.
´¯`Karen´¯`
From Julie
Wendy, you have been such a blessing and role model to me. I appreciate how you listen, care, and pray for me and for others. Love you, and happy birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WENDY!
My dearest Wendy,
Today we celebrate your Fifty Years on this planet.
I am so thankful to God for allowing me to spend at least half of those years with you as my wife.
You've taught me so much about what it means to follow Jesus, and to love others, and to sacrifice and to give, and to serve. Without you I'd still be a selfish, egotistical, narcissistic buffoon.
You've made my life so beautiful. Without you I wouldn't know what it was like to be a Father, or how much I could love those two wonderful boys you gave me.
We've been through so much together, some of it harder and more painful than either of us expected, but you stood beside me through it all. Your support, and your love, and your faith in me and in the Lord during those times sustained me and carried me more than you will ever know. You were my rock, Wendy. You kept me sane. I'm so grateful to you for believing in me when no one else did.
I know it can be challenging to live with three boys. You don't always get to watch what you want, or to do what you want, or to go where you want, or to eat what you want. But, like everything else you do, you handle it with grace and a smile.
To be honest, I'm a little obsessed with you. I love waking up early in the morning, when you're still asleep, and to just look at your gorgeous face as you sleep. I wish I could take a picture of you like that, sleeping so peacefully, radiating such breath-taking beauty.
I marvel at my good fortune. How did I find you? What made you fall in love with me? Why do you get better looking and more sexy every day?
These are the questions I ask myself every morning as I gaze at your lovely face.
I don't really need the answers, really. The questions themselves reveal God's amazing goodness to me. I don't understand how or why. I just know that God loves me so much that He made someone like you and then He made sure to put us together.
Please don't worry about getting older, Wendy. My love for you is already over the moon. I would love you even if you lost every tooth in your head. I would fawn over you even if every hair on your head fell off tomorrow.
I love you. I love you. I love you. Forever and ever. I love you.
I can't wait to spend another 25 years with you, my love. You're the best thing that ever happened to me.
Happy Birthday, my sweet Wendy.
I love you,
Keith
Thursday, February 19, 2015
From Liz
My dearest, sweetest, loveliest Wendy lady.
You may be turning 50 but your soul and spirit are 20!
I wanted to send you a little note to tell you how precious you are to me. We have been down a long road together, you and I. I have been through my lowest lows and highest highs to date, in the presence of your friendship.
I have cherished the hours we have spent together serving the Lord, going to Second Harvest, worshipping, sharing, praying, and teaching each other.
I want to try to communicate to you how much you mean to me, though words fall short and are far from the breadth and depth of what I feel.
During our years together - it’s been at least eight - I have seen the Lord do such a work in your life and your heart. I love to watch your love in action.. You are quiet and humble, but your acts of service speak so loud that all around it hear the Lord’s message.
As I have watched you, you have challenged me to be more loving, more humble, and more gracious. I’ll never forget the time you told me, quite casually, when I thought I had messed something up, “There’s grace for you.”
I cannot tell you how your words affected me. There’s grace, forgiveness,, understanding,, love) for me,? In my moments when I mess up, or feel less than others, or beat up by life, or incompetent, there’s grace for me!
I can’t tell you how I’ve used that and said that to myself over the years.. I now give that gift to others and tell them as well,, ““There’s grace for you!” Wendy says so!
I treasure your times of comfort and understanding when I have hit my lowest lows, when all I could do was cry. One time that comes to mind is at the separation from Josh and again as I tried to parent my son, and so many more times I can’t begin to recall them all.
You prayed with me, you comforted me, you loved me, and I felt it. You've been there to soothe physical hurts (stinking shoulder) and emotional and spiritual ones as well. I value your perception of situations and your understanding and graciousness.
You have been there through the high points in my life as well.. My wedding of course! It would not have been complete without your heartfelt and sincere prayer at my wedding, you’re family.
Hannah’s baptism was another amazing time to see your love for me and my family in action.. Your support, your kindness, your care, shine in everything you do.
I knew that I could get through the hard times if I had you in my corner and I knew you would be the first to celebrate me in my all of my joys.
I remember all our times of celebration as well. Whether it be Christmas present wrapping, birthdays, (like today)) Easter in the park, German food, game night and the like, we've had so many great times of fellowship and community.
You have taught me how to truly be the body of Christ - not just His hands and His feet to those in need, but His heart as well.
I love you to the moon and back,
Elizabeth Marymee
You may be turning 50 but your soul and spirit are 20!
I wanted to send you a little note to tell you how precious you are to me. We have been down a long road together, you and I. I have been through my lowest lows and highest highs to date, in the presence of your friendship.
I have cherished the hours we have spent together serving the Lord, going to Second Harvest, worshipping, sharing, praying, and teaching each other.
I want to try to communicate to you how much you mean to me, though words fall short and are far from the breadth and depth of what I feel.
During our years together - it’s been at least eight - I have seen the Lord do such a work in your life and your heart. I love to watch your love in action.. You are quiet and humble, but your acts of service speak so loud that all around it hear the Lord’s message.
As I have watched you, you have challenged me to be more loving, more humble, and more gracious. I’ll never forget the time you told me, quite casually, when I thought I had messed something up, “There’s grace for you.”
I cannot tell you how your words affected me. There’s grace, forgiveness,, understanding,, love) for me,? In my moments when I mess up, or feel less than others, or beat up by life, or incompetent, there’s grace for me!
I can’t tell you how I’ve used that and said that to myself over the years.. I now give that gift to others and tell them as well,, ““There’s grace for you!” Wendy says so!
I treasure your times of comfort and understanding when I have hit my lowest lows, when all I could do was cry. One time that comes to mind is at the separation from Josh and again as I tried to parent my son, and so many more times I can’t begin to recall them all.
You prayed with me, you comforted me, you loved me, and I felt it. You've been there to soothe physical hurts (stinking shoulder) and emotional and spiritual ones as well. I value your perception of situations and your understanding and graciousness.
You have been there through the high points in my life as well.. My wedding of course! It would not have been complete without your heartfelt and sincere prayer at my wedding, you’re family.
Hannah’s baptism was another amazing time to see your love for me and my family in action.. Your support, your kindness, your care, shine in everything you do.
I knew that I could get through the hard times if I had you in my corner and I knew you would be the first to celebrate me in my all of my joys.
I remember all our times of celebration as well. Whether it be Christmas present wrapping, birthdays, (like today)) Easter in the park, German food, game night and the like, we've had so many great times of fellowship and community.
You have taught me how to truly be the body of Christ - not just His hands and His feet to those in need, but His heart as well.
I love you to the moon and back,
Elizabeth Marymee
From Kathleen
Sweet Wendy,
You've been the sister I never had.
You loved me when I was drowning and helped me stay afloat.
Joining you for so many holidays when I felt paralyzed created memories and
dreams for Megan, which we will both be eternally grateful for.
Your exude grace and peace and your hugs give me strength.
Even if we haven't talked for months I can call you crying and you're there for
me.
When we haven't seen each other in years we still have a
deep heart connection.
A friendship like ours will go the distance.
Happy birthday precious Wendy. I love you.
Love,
Kathleen.
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