Sunday, Apr. 10, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Thank you
This will be my last column in The Sunday Citizen. My family and I will soon move to Knoxville, Tenn., where I will begin teaching at Johnson Bible College. I've enjoyed the opportunity to write over the last couple of years, and have appreciated the encouragement and feedback many of you have offered. I want to take this opportunity to say thanks. Thanks to Cal and Crissi, and to others from The Citizen who've offered help and support along the way. Thanks to you who have read and commented. Thanks to the police, fire fighters, and other emergency workers in Fayetteville. In our almost seven years in the community, my family and I have always felt safe and protected. You work long hours and are paid far less than you're worth. I presume you do so because you care. Thank you for caring. Thanks to Gold's Gym and to The Palmer Course at Starr's Mill. Your programs for ministers gave me numerous opportunities to clear my mind with a good workout or a round of golf; opportunities I'd have had difficulty taking advantage of without your help. Thank you for your generosity. Thanks to the staff and volunteers at Fayetteville's First United Methodist Child Development Center, especially Miss Jean, Miss Billie, and Miss Heather. I'll never forget the first morning I dropped Peyton off for preschool. I pulled up to the curb, you led him into the building. I cried as I watched his excited little legs scurrying inside. We entrusted Peyton to you for a few hours a day; your love and nurturing far exceeded what we could have hoped for or expected. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thanks to our friends. You know who you are. You welcomed us into your homes and hearts. You laughed and wept with us. You taught us how to make sweet tea, to talk a little slower, and to hug a little more often. You've become family: brothers and sisters, and grandparents to our sons. Thank you for loving us. Thanks to Fayetteville Christian Church. Six and a half years ago you hired a wet behind the ears 25-year-old (who looked only 17). God bless you for taking a chance on me. Thank you for giving me room to make mistakes, and for loving me even more after I made them. Thank you for challenging and encouraging me. Thank you for accepting my family into yours. Thank you for teaching me, for loving me, and for releasing me with such grace. Carrie, Peyton, Tyler, and I love you. Most of all, I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he has considered me faithful, appointing me to his service (1 Timothy 1:12).
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