Dear God,

Today is Thanksgiving and I have so much to be thankful for. I think its sad that people have only one day out of the year where they give thanks and they are completly satisfied with that, but I guess thats just how corrupt the world is. Anyway. God I am thankful for the family you have given me, the greatest friends who have been there through it all and my amazing pastors and leaders you have put in front of me. I am thankful, Jesus, for the greatest love story ever lived. I am thankful Holy Spirit for Your residence in my heart and I am thankful Father for Your desire to form me into the best I can be. My gratitude for Your mercy and grace is something words cannot give enough weight to. You took away my fears and sheltered me with love. 'You called me out of death, You called me into life,' my favorite lyrics :) Annnd of course God there are smaller things I am thankful for like sushi, netflix, laughter, Nike shocks, Clorox, high heels, teeth, strawberries and coffee. I am most greatful for the ability to have a real relationship with You. You are my everything and I know You will always protect me. I love you.
Love, Sam

Dear Mom,

Today is your birthday! We went out to eat with Sarena and some friend and on my way home I was just thinking about how amazing you really are. You are one of the strongest people I know, a true survivor. Looking back at our childhood, I now realize how much you must have been hurting through the divorce, but never once did you let your own emotional termoil affect our lives. You were the rock of our family when dad left, our comforter. You are such a good mother. You taught us how to love eachother and instilled dreams in us, always telling us that we can become anything we desired. I never realized how poor we grew up because you made everything so fun! You always expressed your unconditional love for us, even when we were in the wrong. Fastforward to a few months ago when I had to move back home. Eventhough my actions were in the wrong, you never judged me. You took me in and held me just like you use to when I was 5 years old and sick. You helped me see that your love for me is like God's, there is no end. There is nothing I could do to make you not love me, eventhough this had been one of my greatest fears since dad left. I hope I can be as great of a mother as you. I am so so so blessed to call you 'my mom' and I thank God for you all the time. Your my hero mom. I love you. Happy Birthday.
Love, Sam