Thank You from the Van Rees Family

To paraphrase the words of Jerry McGuire, ‘You had us at the applause’. Our initial response to your recognizing our 20 years of ministry and marriage was surprise…in the stunned sense of the word. As parents of teens and a tween, we’ve grown accustom to not always being in the information loop, but this was something else! One might actually call it Shock and Awe! The Ridge knows how to keep a secret…we had no clue. We can’t believe in the comings and goings of life in these last months, not a word was uttered, not a smile slipped, nothing!

As the surprise of being appreciated through your applause on Sunday followed by the gift of a family trip to Israel was unveiled, our surprise transformed into being overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by you. By your thoughtfulness. By your care. By your grace. By your generosity. How can we describe what we are feeling? Inspired, encouraged, valued, humbled, grace-filled…all in the same moment. We can honestly say we’ve never experienced anything like this in our lives! We are deeply grateful to be a part of The Ridge and honored to have you as our spiritual family. You’re family that we choose, and we’re glad you’ve accepted us! You are a grand blessing to us!

As this ‘big surprise’ has had a little time to sink in, surprised and shocked are no longer the first words we use to describe it. There is another word. A thicker word. A deeper word: loved.

Prairie Ridge Church, we love you.  And we are thankful for you.

In Him,
The Van Rees’