To my parents who made me to go to church every single Sunday, who dragged me out of bed early in the morning and made me put on my Sunday's best, who raised me in a Godly home of praying before every meal and before bedtime--Thank you.

The rituals made it monotonous and sometimes aggravating. Of course I wanted to sleep in on my day off of school. Of course I wanted to enjoy a day at home with no responsibilities. But without the love and determination of you, I would have no desire to go to church on my own now. I'm finally old enough to make that decision for myself, but thanks to you, the choice is clear for me. I don't have to battle the guilt every week of thinking, "I know I should go to church, but I could sleep in instead.” Thanks to you, I have a church family who knows me at my best and loves me at my worst. Thanks to you, those Bible verses and songs from Sunday School are drilled into my head--and they really help me on a rainy day when I need them. "Jesus loves me" this I do know, for the Bible tells me so.

Thanks to you, I grew up in the church. I was raised there. I know every nook and cranny of that building--every seat, every classroom, every square inch. I even know how to get on to the roof, because as a middle school "church kid," my friends and I made memories in that church. Of course I never actually had the guts to climb the ladder because I knew better than that.

Because of the example you set, I now want to do the same for my children one day. I want them to have my first Bible that you gave me as a babe. I want them to sing kids worship songs in the car. I want them to never know what it's like to not be a part of the church

You've made it to where I've never gone a day without knowing who Jesus is--and for that, I am forever grateful.

Thank you.