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´¯`

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

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

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.

Happy Birthday Wendy - Thank You For The Memories!

From Shiva

Dear sweet wendy,

Happy birthday! On your beautiful birthday, I'd like to pray the Lord may continue to bless your life as a wife, mom, and dear friend. I've been so blessed to know you and admire your kind heart and love to serve the Lord.

You have always been ready to help us and others in any possible ways and you always do everything with a great sweet smile that is contagious. So, I'd like to thank you again and again for being such a great role model and faithful sister-in-Christ.

I hope once the girls become a little less dependent on me, we can get together more often.

My love and prayers for you always,

Shiva

From Ade

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WENDY,

I hope you have a great day. I thought I'd tell you a few things that I especially appreciate about you if that's OK.

The reason I ask if it's OK is because you are a person of true humility. “Blessed are the humble for they shall see God..”

I'm sort of amazed at how willing you are to open your home to any and all. “Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality.” (Rom 12:16) You are a genuine example of that.

You're willing to get involved with needy people - even when it's messy. You comfort the discouraged, help the weak, and are patient with people. (1 Thes 5:14)

You go way out of you way for people and you seem to always do it cheerfully. (Rom 12:8)

You're enthusiastic in your service to the Lord. (Rom 12:11)

You're are a gentle lady, which is a lasting beauty that's precious to the Lord. (1 Pet 3:5)

There should more women like you around.

I'm proud to know you,

Ade

From Frannie

Dear Wendy,

I'm so happy to celebrate your 50th birthday. I appreciate so many things about you. Thank you for opening your home for house church for so many years. Your hospitality amazes and blesses me. Along with that, I appreciate your generosity--giving of your time, energy and

money, wherever there is a need. I love riding with you to Marlys' house on our ladies' prayer night! Your kind and humble servant heart encourages me to follow Jesus more closely. Your love of family and God are very real and tangible. May God watch over you, bless and keep you in the next season of your life. May He draw very near to you and hold you close to his heart. May He use you to extend his kingdom wherever He leads you.

With love and wishes for a very happy birthday and year to come,

Frannie

From Felicia

Dearest Wendy,

I have known you for 45 years (lacking one month). In fact, this past six years in Tennessee is the longest we have ever lived apart. You have always supported me and encouraged me. Given me good advice (whether I have taken it or not). You have been infinitely patient and forgiving, listening to me moan and complain, helping me out of difficult situations; even those I created myself! You are not only my sister but my best friend.

I admire the love, joy, and kindness that you so willingly and seemingly effortlessly share with others. You give of yourself to others no matter how tired, busy, or sick you are. You are intelligent, compassionate, empathetic, steadfast, and so many more wonderful things that words fail to do you justice. I really don’t know how you do all you do with such a patient, calm and loving spirit.

But now you’re 50, over the hill, the big 5 0. Not really! (However, it does bother me that people have to ask which of us is older and you have less grey hair than I do!)

I wish I could be there for your birthday. I will be there in spirit. I love you very, very much! I hope you have a fabulous birthday.

Love always,

Felicia

From Heather Wright

Happy Birthday Wendy!

I am so thankful for my friend and sister in Christ !  I don't think I really ever met or knew someone as trustworthy and faithful before I met you, Wendy.

When asked about whom I would look to for example and learn from, it would be you.  Your humility and servants heart inspire me as I have meager portions of those attributes. Your heart towards me and my family has been unwavering.  I count myself blessed among women to know such an example of pure beauty untainted in this world. 

I love you so much dear Wendy and I thank you for loving me and enduring trials and tribulations with me. You are among my closest and dearest of friends

In Christ we are bound, sisters and friends.

I love you so,

Heather Wright (and family)

From Marlys

Dear Wendy,

Happy Birthday dear Friend! You are such a blessing in my life. You are the truest example of love that I have ever seen. You love so faithfully and so well.

You are also wise. You are quiet, but when you speak, pearls of wisdom come from your mouth.

I love how you love family, and that you consider me as part of yours.

I love you and hope we are still taking hikes and sharing prayer requests when we are 85!



Marlys

From Lo Loughner

Dear Wendy,



It is your 50th birthday, and when I think about you, your heart, and your life I need to share how much I am grateful to our dear Lord for you and the blessings and gift you are and have been to me and my life.



Your unfailing steadfast friendship, support, care, and love of me has deeply impacted my heart, Wendy. You always send words of encouragement right at the right time when I have been in doubt of the Lord's faithfulness, or been confused about things in my life which do not make sense to me.



I cannot begin to express in words how grateful I am to your sensitivity and to your heart towards our Lord and to me, and your commitment to Him and me as you take the time to send yours and His encouragement in the midst of all the things you have on your plate at any given moment. Whenever you hear of a need I have you are usually the first one to respond and share your desire to help in any way you can, and always willing to pray. I am so grateful to you and your committed heart to serve and help me and others in such relentless practical ways.



Your unfailing steadfast friendship, support, care, and love of others has deeply encouraged my life with others too, regarding your life example as reminders of how to love others in my life when I grow weary ...with God always reminding me how to love through an example of what is going on in your life right at the right time when I just feel done and ready to give up on someone. You are a true example of what Jesus calls us to, in how to serve and love Him and others without expecting or wanting anything in return. You capacity to love and your steadfast faithfulness to me and others bears and has bore great fruit in my heart and then in the lives of others in my life as you and your life example encourages me to love as Jesus loves.



And your joy and humor blesses my socks off, I must say! Your sweet presence and the aroma of Jesus you carry, in all of His and your Love of others, the Joy in your Humorous ways, Gentleness, Patience, Kindness, Goodness and Faithfulness you and He pour out upon me and others forever impacts us in beautiful and priceless ways, in the ways only He can move when one is so humbly submitted to Him in the ways you are, dear friend. Thank you!



I celebrate you and your life with our Jesus and our Papa in Heaven, and with all of your loved ones in great glee on this special day, your 50th birthday!



Happy Birthday, dear sister and friend!

Love,







Lo

From Lito and Ruthie

Dearest Wendy,


Happiest of birthdays to one of the most amazing women I know!

The big 50, huh? That is totally awesome! I hope your day is filled with much love, laughter, and treats!

Some of the best times of our lives have been spent with you and your precious family. We remember all things Wendy today, and celebrate you...

I remember the home made bubble concoction you made for the kids, the truly keepsake cinnamon and glue Christmas ornaments that we made together, when you visited us after we had Aidan and you brought us Costco size amount of newborn diapers (and chocolate for new mom and dad!), how much love and care you put into making such fabulous meals, all the ice cream for coffee (and just to have on hand!), how you pay such close and personal attention to each person when you talk to them, and how you truly listen to each of us, how your flowers bloom under your tender care and attention, how you love unconditionally, how patient you are, how you get down to a child's level to truly let them know that they are "seen" both in physical space and connect with them on emotional level, how your smile lights up a room, how you never fail to ask how you can help, how you help to heal those in need, all the Thanksgivings we spent with you, and how you love God with all your heart.

And that's just off the top of my head!! :) There are many other special things we remember about you, Wendy.

For all these special, wonderful memories and recollections and smiles you have given to us, we celebrate YOU... you are a rare gift, dearest Wendy!

It is said that a man's (woman's) worth can be measured by the company he/she keeps. By that tenet, we are worth 1000x more than our weight in gold because of our being fortunate to hold you as one of our dearest friends.

~All our love, xoxo, Ruth, Lito, Aidan and Nadia

From Carol Ott

Happy Birthday, sweet Wendy!


You are constantly a blessing and an example in my life.


Even though we live a continent apart, I know you are always praying for me and my family. Know that I am doing the same for you.

I pray that God pours blessings on you today, and the year to come.

Love always,

Carol