Gratitude Shout-Out

After the holidays, when Ben and I returned to Omaha I was going through some of my old books and such and came across my collection of journals. As it turns out, since my junior year in high school I have written in over 15 journals. 15! Flipping through a few of them I've realized so much has happened in my life and most of those events, memories, struggles and joys are captured within the pages of those journals. Being the curious person I am, I began to think back and wonder how I even started to become a reflective individual. All it took was finding the first journal I began... an older, almost antique looking journal from high school that was given to me by the lovely Sarah Ramthun. I remember being in your house, either for a FAT sleepover or some other gathering, and you generously offered this journal to me, telling me you had recently received it from an aunt or family member who had passed away. I felt honored to receive such a gift and had knew it was marking a new chapter in my life.

It wasn't just that gift that really established a reflective lifestyle for me. It was the steno pads that were a tradition at each mission trip. The questions of, "where did you see God today?" or the consistent, "how is your relationship with God going?" that I knew were always going to be asked every time I was with you, Sarah. You pushed me to be prepared with answers, to really examine my life and strive to improve. Journaling has become one of my favorite pastimes and one that has literally saved me in situations where I've felt hopeless, lost or drowning in despair. These books are a gift I will always treasure, not just for their contents, but for what they represent - your love, gentle guidance, and consistent care for me. Thank you, Sarah, for truly looking out for my best intentions, and the best in everyone you meet.