"My Monica"

I call you my Monica because I couldn't love you more even though I didn't have the privilege of giving birth to you. But I do have the blessing of being your mother-in-law. What a scary word, mother-in-law. I hope I don't fit the evil description the world attaches to that name. Did I ever tell you that when our son John was born, I immediately started praying for "you". A special little girl to be born who would someday be his wife. Over the years as we prayed for John to grow and become a man of character and have a compassionate heart, we prayed the same for that certain woman who would become the love of his life. The Lord has truly blessed us. I love your sweet spirit and your gentleness. I love how you love our son, even when he is unlovable at times. (that will probably get him mad but I don't care, he knows I always take your side). I feel your personalities compliment one another. You bring out the best in each other and work together towards the rest. I love that you give each other "space" when you need it and allow the other to try something new even if it doesn't work out. I am so glad he found out what a great golfer you are so you could join him on the golf course. I think it is so cute, the way he likes to cook and entertain and he lets you clean up after. I am not so sure who has the better deal...Most important of all, I wish you both a lifetime of happiness and fun and love. Lord willing, He will bless you with babies!!! But most of all, let God be the center focus of your home, your life and your love. To you both, that is my daily prayer. Love Mom

"Larry"

Today I felt led to write about my sons-in-law. Now it is your turn. Yesterday was your birthday. I wish we were there in Florida to celebrate with you. I just wanted to tell you "thank you" for loving our daughter Danielle, the way you do. That is very comforting for a mother and father-in-law, especially living so many miles away. I appreciate your many qualities that I've notice over the years. I hope you know that. Besides your quiet sense of humor, you have a gentle and giving spirit. You have been a blessing to John and I in so many ways and often in time of need. I want you to know that John and I pray for you everyday. Our prayer is for the blessings of the Lord to be upon you and that you will recognize them when they come. I really feel that you do know the times when the Lord has answered prayers in your life and blessed you on your job. We don't take those things for granted. God knew you before you were born. He created you and all the good things in you. You and Danielle have a good life. I pray for many, many years ahead full of wonderful times and events. So go ahead and enjoy life, and don't forget to give thanks to the one who gave you life. Love, your mother-in-law

"Dave"

Do you know that the first time I ever saw a picture of you was over the fax machine? It was the picture of you and Jess sitting at a table at your friends wedding. I'm sure you know which picture it was, the one where you both look like you were meant for each other. I remember Jessica couldn't wait for me to see the man who she knew God was preparing her heart for. I didn't know anything about you at the time, but I knew that God was "birthing" a relationship as only He could. I remember thinking how awesome you two looked together. Your looks complimented one another. A great match I thought. The picture was black and white but I remember Jessica telling me you had red hair. All I kept thinking about was how much my mother loved guys with red hair. I wished she was alive to meet you. You would have liked her alot. As we finally got to meet you (remember the trip from H---?) Final-Four weekend, I knew that this was really serious. We trusted Jessicas decisions, but most of all we trusted in our Heavenly Fathers plan for your lives. The rest was the beginning of your story. We have been very proud and blessed to have shared in your lives together. Now we see how well you compliment each other in your walk with the Lord. As we turn the page to continue your story, we await the new chapter. Our little Caroline Hope, an addition to Gods awesome plan. We love you, John and Janet

The Hair Cut

When we think of my Danielle, one of the most striking things about her looks, is her hair. Not only the great way she styles it but also the variety of shades of color she chooses. She likes to change often and it seems like fun. If you know Danielle well, then you know that she would always make us late for functions because of her hair. It had to look just so perfect... and it usually did. No matter where we went together, the Mall, doctors office, restaurants or just social gatherings, people would always come up to her and compliment her color or style of cut and ask her "who does your hair?" Well let me tell you who did her hair at about six years of age. We were scheduled to take a "Family Portrait" at our church. I had all of our clothing picked out so carefully so we would all match and look like we belonged in a magazine. All of a sudden, out comes Danielle from the bathroom. Did you guess it? She had taken the scissors and cut her bangs so close to her head that they looked like a long mustache. Guess what, we all got in the car and proceeded to the church and got our Portraits taken. Remember, BEAUTY is only skin deep and Danielle, you are beautiful. Love Mom

"SWIMMIES!"

Do you remember Jess, swimmies? They were bright orange blow up bands, that were used to keep you afloat in the pool. They were bigger than your arms were at that time. You were so confident in the water as long as you were wearing your "swimmies". You were so comfortable wearing them, that you left them on all the time you were running around in your bathing suit. I clearly remember the time when you were four years old, we were vacationing at the PTL grounds in North Carolina. We had gone there with about fifteen families from our church. We rented a beautiful cabin with the Pierros and the Calabreses and the LaBellas. What a great time we had, especially in the evenings. We would have all of you young ones singing and dancing to whoever brought out their guitar that night, the worship was wonderful. What I remember most of all, was the day we were all swimming in the Olympic size pool. Dad and I didn't worry about you or Danielle around the pool because you had your "swimmies" on. Well, wouldn't you know, dad and I were in the shallow end (because I didn't have my swimmies on) and there we see you running towards the BIG diving board. Before we could scream out to anyone for help, there went Jessica with a flying leap off the diving board into the deepest end of the pool. You immediately popped up to the surface and all we could see were two orange "swimmies" and two pig-tails between them. I think that that day, Jesus was in the pool also. Love Mom

"OPEN DOORS"

To my children: I just wanted to share with you a dream I had about one week ago. I have been asking the Lord to show dad and me direction in our life, an open door so to speak. Well about a week ago I did have a dream. I was walking in a building with alot of hallways and doors. I thought I was actually looking for a bathroom. I was knocking on the doors, they were locked but no one answered and I couldn't open them. Dad came beside me to try to help me find an open door. We knocked on a few more and nothing opened. Then a man came along side us with a key and he followed us as we knocked and knocked on the door. He tried the key and nothing opened up. Finally we came to another door, which the man used his key to open up. The door opened wide and a glorious bright light shone through. The man put his hand on my back and gently led us through to the other side. When I woke up, it was clear to me that the man in my dream was Jesus showing us the open door. We haven't gone through the open door yet, but I know that the Lord was showing me in His time, it is coming! So my wonderful children, I guess what I want you to know is that, look for the open doors, make sure they are from the Lord, and boldly walk through them. Love Mom

Danielle-Sweetie Pie

You have so many qualities that I see now that you are a grown woman. You are stronger than you ever gave yourself credit for. We see how you have emerged as a great leader on your job, you handle crisis very well. You take charge when no one else comes forward to take the task and you can calm an unruly crowd. Where and when did this all happen? As a little girl you were so sweet and shy. Sometimes you ran away from opposition. You didn't like confrontations and you became a peacemaker to all who were troubled. You always were a great listener, now you have "alot to say". I remember when you were growing up and started with your "marathon" conversations with dad. He would gently say "Danielle, go talk to your mirror". Not because he wasn't interested, but because you would get to the point, then repeat it over and over again. There was a time in Middle School, we were at a teachers conference when he told us how you would be sitting around the desk in the classroom with three other children. The other children would be leaning their heads in their hands listening intently to what you had to say as you went on and on telling a story. You would be getting your work done as you were talking, the only problem was that the others were not doing their work because they were consentrating on what you had to say. Well I guess that was a good thing, because now you have become a wonderful communicator. You are very perceptive of people and their personalities. I love the way you know how to say a comforting word when it is needed. Use these talents God has blessed you with. There are many people out there in need of a kind encouraging word. Love Mom

Jessica-The Gift or the Giver?

Did you ever realize how proud we were to watch your gift unfold through the years? How wonderful it was to attend all of your Middle and High School performances. You were such a natural on stage. You took the lead in many, if not most of the school musicals. Dad and I would sit up front beaming with pride at the way you used your vocal talent. Year after year you were picked to have the leading vocal part, remember Luann and Pajama Game? I have just found out that you always desired to learn how to dance ballet. I'm sorry I never let you pursue that dream. We always felt your gift was in singing. You then developed a desire to sing in Church and turn your voice towards praises to the Lord. We were very excited about the new direction you chose to venture into. Jessica, you worked hard at entering competitions and joining Christian travel groups. After High School, you desired to enter Belmont University to expand your vocal training and pursue a possible career. Sometime between entering college and graduation, your focus turned from the "Gift" to the "Giver". Your heart turned to the greater rewards in life, not being in the lime-light, but allowing the Lord to take His rightful place as the Glorious Giver of your Gift. Whether it be singing, praying, mentoring or just being "you", I see the Love of the Lord shine through. Always keep His song in your heart. Love Mom