What Do You Think?

Below is my last letter to Delia. It was hard to write. It's one thing to write about everyday kind of things. It's quite another to write to say "Goodbye." What do you think? Is it too much? Too little?

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My dearest Delia,

I received your letter from July 16^th today. I am glad to know that you and your family are well. I love knowing that you love flowers. Your name sounds like a lovely flower to me. I do not think there is a “Delia” flower, but if I could imagine one it would be a beautiful as you! My favorite color is purple. I think a Delia flower would be purple and gold and bright and beautiful.

At the end of July I learned that you are no longer going to be a part of the Compassion program. I am so very sorry to hear that. It makes my heart very sad to know that I will not be able to write to you any more. I did contact Compassion. They said they would gladly get one last letter to you. I did want to write one last time to let you know that you are very special to me and even more special to God.

I wish that I could sit down and have a long talk with you. If I could this is what I would tell you:

· I have loved being your sponsor. I have loved getting your letters and hearing about your life in Ecuador.

· I believe that God brings people together sometimes for a short time and sometimes for a long time. I do not know why He gave us such a short time to get to know each other. But I do know that He allowed us to be friends to bless us. And I do feel blessed to have known you. Whenever I look at your picture it makes me smile. And I have the picture you drew for me hanging in my home.

· Study hard. I know that studying and concentrating takes lots of work but studying will be important for your future.

· I think that you are already a kind girl, but since this is my last letter to you, I want to encourage you to be kind to others. Say nice things. Share. Help. Encourage. If you do these things, you will find that others are nice to you as well and that you are doing what Jesus would want. Be the first to do these things and you will find that kindness follows you where ever you go.

· These are all things that give hope to people. As you know I think hope is a huge thing. Here is my word picture of hope. When I was a child I was disappointed to discover that the moon is really a big rock in the sky. It does not have any light of its own. Instead it reflects the sun’s light. Did you know that? I think that God gave us the moon to reflect the sun’s light so that even in the darkest night we would be reminded that the sun is still shining. So, when you go out at night and see the moon think of hope and hold onto hope.

· This is God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:11

o “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

o I know that God has his hand on you and your future. You have every reason to hope.

I do not know that we will meet while we are on earth unless God decides to surprise us! But I will pray that we will meet in heaven and that Jesus would be the one to introduce us.

I will continue to pray for you and your family. I will remember you because you will forever be in my heart.

Many blessings. I love you and so do Katy and Mali!