Dear Beloved Courtney

It's late, my tummy hurts, my eyes blister, and my heart yearns. I am torn between here and there. My life is here and my life is there. My future is here and my future is there. My old faith is here and my new faith is there. Dad's blue eyes are here and Faith's blue eyes are there. I am torn between here and there. I want you here, but I need you there.

I know that these past two weeks have been a whirlwind. It's sad that I have to write these words, but our phone calls are too short and too seldom. The best I can say right now is that we will prevail through these trials. You are such a strong, Godly woman! You see lots of kids calling Mommy/Mommy....I see you building a future of believers. You see a cluttered house.....I see a love-worn home. You see exhaustion of body....I see refinement of spirit.

When we said, "I do," please remember our deal, promise, agreement, covenant....that life would not always be easy, but that we would always be together for life. Earlier I said that I was here and I said that you were there. But now I know, we are here and there.

Good night my beloved.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Note: If you are spying on our love affair by reading this personal note to my wife, I guess that's okay. But please do me a favor and send Courtney an email wishing her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY . . . She turns 30 (that's right, 5 kids before 30) tomorrow, September 25th, 2008. Even if you don't know her, send her a note for me. Click here!]