God has blessed me so much this past year, and the amount of times He has hauled me back onto my feet is amazing. A few of the ways that He has shown his love for me is by bringing people into my life that I never would have known on my own. Most of them won't probably ever see this, but I would still like to thank them.

To Gracie:

I can remember the very first day I met you. I know it's only been a year, but somehow it feels like a lifetime since I've known you. You were the first person God introduced to me this year, and you have been one of my best friends from day one. Your family has latched onto ours in an intertwined bond that no one could have seen coming ('cept for God of course.) I know that you and yours have gone through a lot these past few months, and I want you to know that I will be here for you when you are ready for me. My sister in Christ, I pray that you find His friendship to be sufficient for you in your time of loneliness and questioning.

To My Warrior:

You are truly the most amazing and wondrous introduction that I have had all year, possibly for several years. Everything about how we met now seems impossible in hindsight. God wanted to save you from yourself, and I am so blessed that I was the one he chose to speak into your darkness. Even though I now find that my love for you has turned into a friendly fondness, it is still love, my friend. May God be your truest lighthouse in your darkest storms and may he guide your every step.

Salme 16:1-2

Bevar meg trygg, min Gud,

for til deg søker jeg tilflukt.

Jeg sier til Herren: Du er min Herre;

bortsett fra deg har jeg ingen god ting.

To Amora:

I still can't believe that we've been going to the same church since we were in utero, and I've never known that your favorite color is green, or that you were left handed. It may have taken several years and a nudge from Gracie, but I am so thankful that we have been able to connect so easily in the short amount of time since we have really known each other. I'm proud to call you a friend. My dear sister, may God  show you His truth and may the truth drown out the lies of the enemy that have corrupted our world.

To Abby:

You were honestly not high on my list of people that I might get to know this year, but I'm glad I was wrong. Your genuine joy in helping with the kids is inspiring and so blessing. I'm so sorry that your heart has been broken, and I know how it feels. I pray that God's healing hand will be on you and that you will find peace in His unfailing love.

To Mrs. Donna:

You have been through so much, and I am so honored that you have shared your experiences with me. Thank you for the advice and praise and help that you have given me. May God bless you and your husband and may He see you both through many years of peace and blessings.

To Tori:

You are one of the most energetic people I know and have genuinely enjoyed working with. I never really thought that I would be working the job I have now, yet I am so glad I am, especially because it introduced me to you. I may seem weird and conservative,(although I am not sorry I invited you to youth group:P) but I hope that despite many scheduling mishaps and unruly preschoolers, we will become greater friends. May God show Himself a wonderful counselor and friend in your life.

I also am deeply grateful for the people whom I have known before this year, but to talk about them would take all day. So to the friends and relations who have been in and out of my life thus far: Jenna, Makennah, Dominic, Addy, Abbi, Sofia, Grace, Alex, Monica, Ally, Maddy, Olivia, Shayla, Autumn, Alison, Jessie, Corin, Kali, Chesnie, Bri, Abby, Sophie, Noelle, Maddi, and Charlie; you have helped to shape who I am today. You might not have done much, but by simply being a name on this page, you have made a difference in my life and you represent an era(or two) in my growing up. Thank you for being here today.

May God bless you and keep you.

I always thank God, the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, when I pray for you.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversary.

Proverbs 14:12 17:17

Jude 1:24-25

Psalm 116:7

1 Corinthians 13:1-13