An Encouraging Letter
Judy and I received a letter yesterday with a box filled with 100 skipping stones like the one pictured above. A family that came to Smile Again Ministries two years ago wanted us to know how much SAM's ministry has meant to them. They have graciously agreed to allow us to share their letter with you. Their 9-year-old son, Derek, died from an asthma attack. Please remember this family, and many, many others this holiday season as they "celebrate" with one less member at their family gatherings.
Dear Pat and Judy,
In this box you’ll find 100 “Pocket Crosses,” that I made for your ministry to families having lost a child. Feel free to pas them out as you like. I made these from Lake Superior “skippers” that me and my family handpicked for this purpose.
Our visit to your lodge just a few short months after Derek died meant so much to me and my family. For me personally, the visit with you both nudged me into a relationship with Jesus for which I learned quite quickly is the one and only thing that eases the pain of our great loss. Another thing that blossomed from that visit was the art side of me that I didn’t even know existed before that visit. Today, I love art, and carving rocks is now a big hobby of mine. I have made many carved rocks for our memorial garden for Derek, as well as for other people in my community and for my church.
When Pat took me and Mitchell out ice fishing, that was Mitchell’s first time ever, and my first time in decades. It was so much fun and memorable. Well, as a result of Pat taking the time for us that weekend, the healing that fishing has brought to both Mitchell and I, this year we have invested in an ice fishing house and gear for Mitchell and I so we can go as much as possible together. He has turned into quite the fisherman and teaches many of his friends how to fish.
For all of this and more, I say Thank You. That weekend meant so much to our family. We’ll cherish it forever. Your ministry is exactly what we all needed, and it came at the right moment. God bless you both for what you do for the hurting.
Love Rob and Tracy, Mitchell (12) and Megan (12).
