Hello friends,

Thank you for your prayers, calls, texts, and words of encouragement today and every day for the past year.  When I think of the way we spent April 12, 2021 and I think of where we are today, I cannot help but praise.  We serve an incredible, miracle working God!

Rob is doing so well and continues to amaze us all by his progress.  He has graduated physical therapy, and he will graduate occupational therapy this week.  God is using Rob to share his testimony of courage, faith, and perseverance.  He has been asked to share his testimony at eleven churches, on two television news interviews, on a podcast, with the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office, and has been honored by our community, by Governor Brian Kemp, by Georgia State Patrol Commissioner Colonel Chris Wright, and by the Georgia Tactical Officers Association.  I've even had to create a website just to keep up with all of the things God is doing in our lives because I don't want to forget a thing.  We have so much to be thankful for.  We have made incredible friendships, met so many interesting people, and a bond has been formed between Gordy, Repetto, and Robbie that cannot be described.  God has used hundreds of people and businesses to shower blessings on our family, and He has knitted our community together stronger than ever before. 

While it seems counterintuitive to be thankful for April 12th, we are truly grateful.   Psalm 40:1-3 reads, "I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord."  There have been moments over the last year where we felt like we were in a horrible pit and stuck in miry clay, and we have learned to wait patiently and trust in our Lord to pull us through.  He heard our cries, and the cries of our community and loved ones. He worked miracles through them, and now we are sharing a new song of praise. 

While our lives will never be the same, we are grateful for His grace, mercy, and healing power.  We are grateful for how much deeper our relationship has grown with our Heavenly Father and with each other.  We are grateful for the lessons of April 12th. This day taught us that in an instant, everything can change.  It taught us that the things that matter most in life are not things.  So, put down your phones.  Quit working so much.  Turn off the TV.  Take a break from social media.  Cherish every single second you have with those you love.   Live undistracted and in the moment.  

May God richly bless you and your family tonight.

Love,
:-) Steph