[Garrett Update: Page 3]

Finally I was blessed to see the church for what it truly is; not a Sunday service or a building dedicated to religious rituals, but rather as the very hands and feet of the living God. I encountered our Living Lord this week through the hands of His servants, the words of His encouragers, the feet of his messengers, and the heart of His earthly body. Thank you for being the Body of Christ. It is truly amazing how much good God can do through His church when we yield to His call to love.

I experienced love and service like I never have before. My eyes were often filled with tears as I watched Carrie serve me without flinching or being frustrating. She showed me what it meant for Jesus to wash His disciples feet (John 13) and how we are supposed to “do just as I have done to you.” She is a wonderful blessing, but not only because she is my bride to be, but because she was simply living out what Jesus called his followers to. I saw this same love in the visitors who slipped in, the cards I received, and so much by the visits and postings on this site. I praise my God for each of you who will read this final update and for all those who blessed me and I do not know how to thank.

In closing I want to offer a final prayer to our Lord …

Father, I thank you from the deepest recesses of my soul for Your abundant mercy. You have showered upon me graces unending and I am ever more thankful for the breath I have in my mouth than ever before. Thank you for the men and women who have blessed me through my call to suffer and I pray for each of them to have courage if they are ever called to face such a challenge as this. I pray for You to extend Your gracious hand of blessing upon each of their lives and remind them often of Your glorious Son whom we all seek to imitate. Thank you for showing me Jesus in them these past few days. I pray that soon we will see the true Jesus face to face, but until then, help us to be faithful in what You call us to. We love you and praise You. In Christ’s Name… Amen.