Dearest Susie, you are such a beautiful soul, so honest and contemplative in this sorrow. Thank you so much for your intense vulnerability. My heart aches with you. When the time comes to celebrate Steve’s life in community, what an outpouring there will be, tears and joy in the remembrance of your lives well lived, and yours still going on here, and his still going on in the heavens. You are very much loved Susie! Prayers for you all!

Saw this app and remembered Steve again. Susie, may God’s hands continue to hold you. You are in my prayers.

Thank you for sharing with us your heart, your journey, your vulnerability, your wisdom and insight, as you walk through unspeakable grief. How lucky we all are to call you friend.

Susie, your words are so beautiful. We think about you and the family, and pray for you all regularly. Thank you for your thoughtful words. We love you all....

So beautifully written Susie.....I saw that you had posted this as we were heading out of town to go camping and I was SO sad I didn't have internet access to read your journal entry. Now we are back and I am grateful for your words as I've had you on my. mind and in my prayers so much. Thinking of your wonderful wedding and what a TREAT it was to be a part of it. Cannot believe it has been 30 years and yet it also seems like you've been together forever. I love the lists....so creative and reflects the two of you. The details are wonderful to hear and yet also reveal how deep and all encompassing your loss is. Thank you for letting us share in this. Love you much.

Susie, you and the kids continue to be on our hearts and in our prayers. Thank you for sharing so honestly the tension of living with our ultimate Hope while lamenting the shattering of some many little hopes and dreams. Praying the tender care of Jesus is expressed to you in both big and small ways, when you are with others and when you are alone. Every tear you shed is precious and means something, counted and known by the One of Many Sorrows: “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” - Psalm 56:8 (NLT) Love you all.

Susie - in the midst of this you remain a inspiration to all of us. Thank you for your thoughtful words. Praying for you often.

What tender words and layered images. Grateful for the sustaining Hope walking with you amidst the so many losses and griefs. Love from here, L

What a beautiful reflection, Susie. Thanks for sharing and stirring the invitation to reflect for all of us. With love, Dave and Kim

What a beautiful and profound reflection on your anniversary, Susie, thank you for your courage to share it. Your transparency and vulnerability allow the truth of the gospel to shine through powerfully, just as it has for the previous 30 years. I think of Steve often as he and I began, in the last couple of years to dream about future ministry partnerships together. I was looking forward to many faith-filled and joyous conversations. It was such fun to tease him about his quirks and he would dish it right back. I am sure you and Steve enjoyed that dynamic a thousand fold. Yet, he thought and felt deeply about Jesus and had a zeal for the Word that inspired me. I was hoping we would continue to discuss the scriptures and how to apply them in many different cultural contexts. His breadth of experience in missions made him a deep well of insight. I guess those are a few more broken shells on the beach that you mention. I look forward to the time when we can be together to grieve those lost dreams. For now, I find comfort in the fact that you already have the gift of a pearl for your 30th anniversary, the Pearl of Great Price. Thank you for taking Him out of your jewelry box and sharing Him with us.