Dear Hope,
As I reflect on 2015, I am awed with gratitude for all of you. Thank you, faithful followers of Jesus, for mowing, serving meals, listening to guests, caring for one another, running technical equipment, singing, teaching children, taking teens out for burgers, visiting hospitals, fixing bikes, praying for the sick, giving consistently and sacrificially, stocking paper towels, comforting those in the valley of the shadow of death, rejoicing at new births, baptizing, filling the baptism tank, stuffing Easter eggs, hiding Easter eggs, hosting kids’ camp counselors, holding babies, calling the friend whom you haven’t seen in a while, praying for missionaries, emptying trash cans, telling your story, hosting small groups, leading groups, apprenticing, walking faithfully through suffering, playing instruments, painting, researching, shepherding, identifying mentors, vacuuming, writing notes, shoveling snow, sending encouraging texts, listening to the voice of God, donating turkeys, contributing shoes and clothes for those in need, speaking the truth in love, vacuuming water from the flooded basement, preparing communion, serving communion, heavenizing among co-workers, stopping by to check on one another, befriending refugees, dropping off bacon and eggs, hosting parties and providing hope to so many in so many ways.
I am blessed to be in this family of God. Thank you, Father.
Thank you, Hope.
Love,
Dean