Acknowledgements page

      I began to put the words of these stories onto pages almost 20 years ago. 

     There were seasons when I was so full of God's presence on the mountaintops of life, that I overflowed. Lots of stories were written in those seasons. But there were also times when life got really hard and I had nothing. I was dry and empty, so I did not write. I had nothing to give. 

     Many of these stories, however, came from the things God showed me, and what He did in me, when I was in the mire and darkness of those hard seasons.  

     I have been an avid reader of stories my whole life, and as a young woman, I began to love writing my own. This book however, was never part of my plan until God made it my plan. What I wanted to write was a fabulous novel, and I worked long and hard to hone that skill.

     All this being said, these stories and photographs are what came from my 20 year journey walking with God.  They are a love story. A beautiful love story between me and the creator of the world. My Father, my Savior, my Jesus. 

     I want to thank everybody who supported me in this process. There are so very many of you. Thank you all for your encouragement. Thank you for liking my pictures. Thank you for reading the stories I sent you, and for encouraging me to write more. It was all those things that gave me the courage to continue with this vulnerable project. 

     Thank you, Paul,  for walking through this beautiful, challenging, and redemptive, journey by my side. You were always my biggest encourager. 

     Thank you, ReAnnon, Michael, and Chandler for making me a mother and showing me what true love is. I love you all so very much. 

     Thank you, Mom and Dad, for my precious childhood. It formed me and made me who I am.

     Thank you to my brother and sisters, who knew me when my love of God's creation began, and who love and live life with me still. Ron, Lori, and Kay,  I love you all. 

     And to my precious nieces and nephews. We have lived so much life together. The laughter, the vacations, the memories. I have watched you grow and become caring, loving adults. What a gift that is. And your precious children. Wow.

     And thank you to Savannah and my team at Oscar Ghostwriting for your help in getting my life into this beautiful book.

     Jude, one day we will have to count how many pictures I have of you in files. I think I could win the prize for the most "first grandchild" photographs. Maybe we can get into, "The Guinness book of world Records."  You were my world,  and the second boy to steal my heart. Keep it safe inside you and remember that love. And your Yoyo and Kendama skills?! Come on!

     And Reed, you were, and are still, the Charming one.  You were the one who walked with me. You were the one who stopped with me beside flowers, and bugs, and baby cows and thought they were as fabulous as I did. And I'll never forget the time when you told me I was beautiful. I think you were almost four. And you always picked flowers for your Mom. 

     And last but not least, Gideon.  I just wanted to hold you all the time. You were the baby, and I didn't want you to grow out of my lap. I'll never forget ReAnnon putting you in my arms after I got home from the hospital after my accident. The comfort you gave me, the sweet baby snuggle as you settled into me. You held me tight, and it was like a balm to my spirit. And now, you are wise beyond your years. You're vocabulary from the time you could talk astounded me. I learn something every time we have a conversation.  The amount of information you have in your head blows my mind.  

     And so...

     The older I get the more I realize how lucky I am to have a family who loves each other because I know this is not always the case. But I believe that God chose when we would be born, he chose our people, our family, and our path. He placed each of us on our own unique path, in His time, for His purpose under Heaven. 

     So when we say, "No." When we we chose to take our own road, when we decide to do it our own way, God just waits. He waits. He calls us back. He woos us. He loves us.    

     So Thank you for that, Lord. Thank you for that. You are the reason this book exists. May you receive all the glory captured in these photos, and feel my praise from the stories on these pages. And most of all, may you feel the love I have for you and know I feel yours. 

Pam