When I began brainstorming what I wanted to do for this I had a great vision of what I wanted to tell you and write about you: I wanted it to highlight what a wonderful woman of God you are. I wanted it to emphasize just what kind of shining example you’ve been to me and every other person who has been in your life. I wanted it to show just what kind of impact you’ve had in my life and how the way you’ve modeled your life after Christ can now be found in pieces of me.

I wanted it to illustrate what a loving mother you’ve been and what great things God has used you for in that. Raising four children who have gone out and given that same love you instilled in them to their own children.
I wanted it to tell of what a servant-like spirit you have and what obedience you have to your Savior. I wanted it to explain how you genuinely invest yourself into the lives and hearts of others out of a pure love that comes from the Lord.

And most of all, I wanted it to show how thankful I am to have a woman like that in my life. I’ve been given such a true example of what it means to live as woman rooted in Christ’s love and mercy. Through your life I am able to see those things. I wanted it to show how grateful I am to have you in my life.

So I continued to brainstorm how I could convey and present all these things to you. I thought I could illustrate them with verses from the Bible or different metaphors and memories. I thought I could use cute quotes, old photos, or creative themes…

But in the end I simply decided to tell you these things. I could tell you a hundred different ways how much you mean to me and what you’ve taught me over the years but in the end it all just comes down to how much I love you and what a extraordinary woman you are.

With love and thanks,

Ashley Rose