Dear Leadership Workshop, You were not just a couple of days of class time—you were a match that ignited something on fire inside of me. You pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me see myself not just as a student, but as one capable of leading others. You taught me that leadership is not about titles or control, but influence, vision, and service. Through your classes, I gained strength that I never knew I had. Speaking my mind in class discussions, providing recommendations, and proceeding when my mind said I should step back, all became acts of growth. You instilled in me the lesson that confidence is not the lack of fear, but the decision to proceed in belief despite fear. Teamwork was another gift you gave me. In group projects, I saw how different perspectives make answers stronger. I learned to listen as I learn to speak, and that a leader really makes people stronger rather than darkening their figures. The friendships I formed in those moments of cooperation are those I still cherish, for they make me remember the path we made together. Most importantly, you taught me the power of vision. A leader not just sees what is, but what could be. You showed me how to dream bigger, how to set goals that matter, and how with perseverance and hard work, those goals can be realized. Looking back, I realize you were the turning point. You planted me with curiosity, with courage, and with confidence that have bloomed in every step of my life. Thank you for opening the door to leadership in my life, for remodeling not only the way I look at others, but the way I look at myself. With gratitude

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” — Ecclesiastes 3:11

To the one who feels alone and undervalued, There are times in life when it feels as though all is quiet and empty. When your world is small and the people you trust are even smaller, it can feel as though no one really sees you or values what you bring to the world. This can be a heavy weight on your heart, causing you to question your own worth. But know this: your loneliness is not a reflection of your worth. I truly believe that sometimes we are put in a season of loneliness not because we are somehow better than everyone else, but because God is protecting us. He is removing distractions, shielding us from harm, and giving us a season of growth that we have not yet seen. What feels like being left out may actually be God pulling you closer to Himself. You may not always see who believes in you. Some people will carry that belief silently, praying for you when you do not even know it. You will never know who is standing in front of God the Father, praying for you, asking God to strengthen you, to guide you, to carry you through tough times. You may not feel appreciated, you may not hear voices, but you are not forgotten. You are seen, you are appreciated, and you are loved, not only by God but by people you may not even know yet. Hold on. Your story still matters.

Dear Psalm 23, You are my comfort, my guide, and my daily reminder of God's unfailing love. Whenever I read your words, I feel a deep peace that nothing else in this world can provide. You remind me that the Lord is my Shepherd—that I am never alone, that I am tended to, and that in Him I have all that I truly need. Thank you for reminding me that even when I walk through the darkest valleys of life, I need not fear, for God is with me. Your words remind me that His rod and His staff protect and guide me, and His presence gives me courage when I am fearful, hope when I am lost, and rest when I am weary. You are the steady reminder that God's goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life. You encourage me to trust in God's leading, even when the path forward is uncertain, and to follow in His ways in surrender and obedience. You show me that He not only provides for my needs but also restores my soul, refreshing me when I'm weary and renewing me when I'm worn out. You remind me that His love is abundant, His table is full, and His house is one in which I will always dwell forevermore. I pray that I will keep your lessons near my heart. Enable me to live in trust, gratitude, and confidence of God's care. May I pass on the peace and assurance you give to others, that they, too, may know God's love, the Shepherd's love. Your words are more than words—a promise, a lifeline, and a strength that I can return to again and again. With gratitude and love,

Today at church, Pastor Kris spoke about the act of mourning our sin and receiving the comfort of Jesus Christ. He asked a simple but searching question: What brings you comfort?

Dear Bible, You are not just a book bound with sewn pages—you are my way, my comfort, and my anchor. In your chapters and verses, I find wisdom for the day, hope for tomorrow, and God's eternal love and faithfulness promise. You speak truth to my life when the world becomes too much, and You soothe my feet when I do not know the direction to turn. When I am rejoicing, You remind me to give thanks and lift my heart in praise. When I am struggling, You are my refuge, my strength, and my reminder that I am never alone. Thank You for revealing lessons I might otherwise miss, for giving me hope when despair would otherwise gain a foothold, and for pointing me always back to Jesus—my Savior, my Redeemer, and my Friend. Your words illuminate where my thoughts are confused and courage when my heart falters. You challenge me to live honestly, to love and be patient, and to extend grace similarly as I have been extended grace. Through You, I can hear the words of God's promises, discover His truth, and experience His never-ending love. I ask that I never take You for granted. Help me open Your pages with reverence and humility, starving to learn and willing to be transformed. May I read Your words not only but live them daily—let Your truth penetrate my heart, shape my mind, and guide every step. Thank You, Bible, for being a living light unto my path, a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my way. Through You, I can hear God's voice, His guidance, and His infinite grace. In love and thankfulness,

God is good in so many ways. Today started like most Saturdays do for me — spending time in God’s Word. I was reading Psalm 34, and verses 11 and 18 stood out to me. Verse 11 says, “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” (NIV) Verse 18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (NIV) These verses stood out to me because they show us how to be and who God is. Verse 11 reminds us to come humbly, to listen, and to be teachable. The fear of the Lord isn’t about being afraid — it’s about reverence, obedience, and choosing to walk in His ways even when it’s hard. God invites us in as His children and patiently teaches us when we are willing to listen. Verse 18 brings comfort to those of us who are hurting. It doesn’t say God is distant from the brokenhearted — it says He is close. When our spirits feel crushed, when life feels heavy, God doesn’t turn away. He draws near and He saves. Together, these verses remind us that we are called to listen and trust, and we are promised that God meets us right where we are — especially in our brokenness. We don’t have to have it all together to come to Him. We just have to come.  I encourage you to find a place where you can truly listen for God — no matter where that is. It might be in the middle of the barnyard, out in the hay field, in the woods, sitting in a tree stand, or even in your house or car. God isn’t limited by location. He meets us wherever we are when we slow down and listen. 

I began pondering time while welding today. On average, we have approximately 70 years on this earth. Then each year has 365 days, each day has 24 hours, each hour has 60 minutes, and finally each minute has 60 seconds. That’s a whole lot of time when you sit down to think about it. I began to ponder how much time we are actually spending for the glory of God out of our allotted time on this earth.

Dear Work Friends, You make the job place more than a place to earn a paycheck—you make it family. Thank you for the support, collaboration, and camaraderie that help us survive the long days. Work is overwhelming, stressful, and downright draining sometimes, but with you around, even the most challenging situations become easier to handle. We've shared a million moments as a coworkers—those mornings early enough for coffee to be our closest companion, and those nights late enough to yearn to beat hammers against TVs just so we could release the fury. There were instances when nerves were frayed, when everything went awry, and when the hustle and bustle felt like a never-ending marathon. Yet through all of these, we never failed to find reasons to smile, to keep moving, and to spur one another forward. Your friendship has illustrated to me that an shop life does not have to be antiseptic or unkind. It can be a group of people where others truly care for one another, where smiles appear on even the most chaotic of days, and where relationships are formed that will last far longer than the job itself. Every laugh that was shared, every gripe session, and every high-five when a difficult project was finished reminded me that I was not alone. Thanks for standing with me through the stress, for shouldering the slack when I faltered, and for celebrating even the small victories. You've taken the work from just tolerable to meaningful, turning daily tasks into special moments and co-workers into loved ones. Wherever life may lead me, I will never forget to thank you for the season we shared. The endless days, the maddening moments, the outbursts of laughter - they're my story now, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. Gratefully

Dear Church Family, I want to take a moment to express how truly thankful I am for each of you. You are more than friends or fellow believers—you are my family in Christ. Through your prayers, encouragement, and demonstrations of love, you have been a living reminder of God's presence and care. In times of rejoicing, you have rejoiced with me. In times of stress, you've stood alongside me, offering comfort, cheer, and hope. I am truly thankful for this. You've been a faith friend, walking alongside me, cheering me in victories small and big, reminding me of God's promises when life is tough. Your kindness, your patience, your serving nature have shown me what it means to live as the body of Christ. Being a part of this church family has not only strengthened my faith but challenged me to dig deeper into my walk with the Lord and encouraged me to serve others with love. I thank you for the fellowship we share—the laughter, the prayer, the worship, and the encouragement. Together, we show the love of Jesus, and that togetherness is something more valuable than words can ever say. My prayer is that God would continue to bless this church family abundantly. We would still hold up one another, pray for one another, and let His light shine to all those around us. We would still be bound in love, steadfast in faith, and bold in the hope of Christ expanding abroad to the world. I thank God every day for this community and for each of you who make it so great. In love and gratitude,

It's 2:00 in the morning again—the time when the world is still, and Your voice is heard loudest in the quiet. Maybe that's why I'm standing here. Maybe You were calling me to step back slow enough to listen. I'd been going so fast in life, trying to keep up, trying to make it happen on my own time. But there You are, whispering softly, "Slow down. Remember Me.".

Life is often a roller coaster ride of highs and lows—one day you're climbing the heights of hope, and the next you're crashing into the unknown. When your career becomes more than you can manage, when your body won't do what you ask it to, and when relationships seem to change in ways you can't understand, you can be quick to feel lost and without a grip. But breathe, dear one, and remember this: you never were meant to do it all alone.