Love Letters Part Four

Continuing with the love letters for Valentine's Day Week, I move on to some notes from people at the church I attended for most of my life, so far.

I have countless notes and cards and messages from Pastor Mark and his beautiful family. There's no way I could include them here, but just wanted to recognize them first!

In a Confirmation card from a friend and her family, Melanie wrote, "Anna ~ We made it! Thanks to Confirmation, we've become so much closer. You've helped me to become more outgoing and taught me to always be myself. And if you ever have something to say, we can go on a hike and talk about it! (That was an inside joke.) I hope you know I am always here for you. God will keep us together no matter where life takes us. And remember, God is always with you! Love, Melanie"

When I had mono, the youth group sent me a group card as well. They all pretty much said, "Get Well" in various ways. Signed by: Pastor Mark, Melanie, Elizabeth, Nicole, Ronnie, Staci, Josh, Codi, and Melissa.

Just before college began, I got a letter from Pastor Rick, a pastor that worked closely with Pastor Mark and had gone to several summer camps with our church youth groups.

"Dear Anna, What a surprise and what a blessing your card was to me. You are so thoughtful and for someone who is so busy with so many valuable things, I'm honored that you thought of me. Anna, I have never met anyone who combines so much talent, so much energy, and so much love and caring in the same person. You are so special, I am so inspired by who you are and what you offer to so many others. Anna, if I could be of any help to you please call upon me. Even though we see each other rarely you will always hold a special place in my heart. I consider you a partner and sister in faith. Love, Pastor Rick"

In fact, several years later, when I was done with college and had moved back home for a short time, I became the youth leader back at church and organized a trip to San Diego. Part of that trip was doing a service project for Pastor Rick's new church home. We didn't even see each other much, but our group stayed at his church and prepared items for their church's vacation bible school.

At the end of that trip, I got a card from the group.

"Anna, Thanks for planning this stuff out while doing the wedding and all. Love, Andrew"
"Anna - This trip has been really fun! You've done a great job with the kids. Next year...Cuba! Love, Susan"
"Thanks for a wonderful week. You are an awesome leader. Eric"
"Anna, Thank you very much for planning and leading such a great youth event for our youth! You've done a fantastic job. Brenda and Alan"
"Anna- Thanks for making this a great trip! Let's do it again next year. David"
"Anna- Thanks for everything you do. This trip was a blast. Luv ya. -Amanda"
"Anna- Thank you so much! Kelly"
"Anna-I love you! Thanks for everything...you are so great! Love, Brittany"
"Anna- I can't believe that you are leaving me, literally bare-handed. Thanks for all of the fun times that we have had together. Congrats! Love, Staci"
"Thank you Anna for all the stuff. Deric"
"Thanks for everything Anna. Travis"
"Anna - Luv u lots. Thanks for everything! Love Always, Andrea"
"Anna, Thanks for being such a great leader throughout this trip. We'll miss you next year! Geoff"

The same group made "Anna's Wedding Staff" t-shirts and had a goodbye party for me just before our wedding. (Plans ended up changing on our honeymoon and I wound up staying in Phoenix for four more months after that before actually moving!) It was a great time! Here are notes from the card:

"Thank you Anna for everything you've done for us. We'll miss you. Come back from Cuba sometime. (For San Diego at least) -Amanda"
"A wise man once said, "E=mc2", Happy Birthday...I don't know what that means but I thought it was cool. -Eric"
"Anna, Thank you for being you! Love, Joe, Cheryl, Hannah, and Lebo"
"Anna, you've been such a great leader for the kids. Thanks so much. Susan S."
"Merry Christmas! -Geoff"
"We Will Miss You!! -Dad"
"Anna, Many thanks for making youth group such a great program. Lots of happiness! Brenda"
"Ditto. -Alan"
"Anna, You're really going to be missed! You've done a wonderful job. Best wishes for your future! Susan D."
"Thanks Anna! We're gonna miss you...Best wishes always! The Ball Family"
"Thanks for accelerating my belief in God. -Travis"
"Thanks for teaching us, Anna. We'll miss you! -Deric"
"Thanks for being with us. I think you're the best thing that happened to our youth group. You'll be missed! Love Always, Andrea"
"Anna, Take care of yourself - you have much ahead of you. But you should be proud of all you have done to help the youth at church. We will miss your enthusiasm and happy smile! Love, Linda H."
"Thanks! - Frank"
"Wishing you the best now and always. I'm going to miss that smile! Love, Kelly B."
"Anna - Thanks for everything, especially all your hand-me-downs and your dresses when I need them for a dance. I'm gonna miss you a lot, really. he he he. Write me to tell me how your new life is going with Jesse! You better! -Kelly G."
"Anna- You are the very best youth leader and friend and I'm going to miss you so so so much! We'll still have all of our memories from San Diego! I can't wait to be your bridesmaid at the 9am service! Make sure when you're in Cuba that once you have your first kid that I am most definitely going to be the Godmother! Got that? OK, good. But anyways...thanks so much for making this year an awesome one. All of your hard work made our year great! No more drinking alcohol on the beach at church functions! We have pictures to prove it! Alright, well I think I have to stop writing now...people are becoming crabby pants about it! Ha Ha. I love you! Your bridesmaid, Brittany" (She wasn't a bridesmaid and isn't a Godmother of one of our children, inside jokes...and I don't believe I was drinking alcohol on the beach...that time!)

Last, but not least...a love note from one of my best friends through church over the years. We are Godparents to her second child and sort of adopted the first child as a Godson too. When we were moving to Germany, she gave us a farewell card.

"Anna and Jesse, I can't express how I feel about you leaving. I am so excited and happy for you! Selfishly - I am devastated! My boys need both of you in their lives and Anna, we are just starting to get back what I almost destroyed! I don't want you to leave! Thank you isn't enough to say how grateful I am to you for being the definition of a true friend! I love you and will miss you more than you know. Have a blast and know that you are loved and will be missed! Love, Nicole"

Ahhh...my church family back home! Gotta love them!