July 16th, 2018

This will be a long post! 😘💗

The word thank you means ‘a polite expression used when acknowledging a gift, service’. Thank you cannot begin to express how grateful our hearts are for each and everyone of you. 

The events that happened one week ago today have forever changed the trajectory of my life, and the life of my family.  Yet, God continues to give us peace in knowing he IS going before us, making a way.  

Appropriate thank you notes will be going out in the next few weeks, however I wanted to publicly share our thankfulness. (In no particular order)

Maple Grove police department-all 9 squad cars that responded 1st

North Memorial EMT’s-the 2 ambulances that arrived 

University of Minnesota Medical Center east bank—Cardiac & Neurology team

Kyle-our nurse who was simply amazing!! We were SO blessed having him walk this journey with us from start to finish

Pastor Jim Comfort and his precious wife Terri.  Pastor Jim arrived at the hospital immediately and he stayed with us the entire 1st night until we were able to see Tim for the 1st time at 5am Tuesday morning.  His prayers, comfort, and just having someone there meant the world to Andrew and I.

The love, care and support Pastor Jim and Terri provided us EACH day has truly been an anchor.

My parents......there are no words!! Those who know them will not be surprised that they dropped everything and immediately came and not only have been by my side every step of the way, but they sat in Tim’s ICU room everyday praying and believing for a miracle.  

Our extended family——-

The Alberts family -(our son in laws family) thank you for having us ALL over for dinner......sharing hugs, laughter, providing a place to stay for Ash and her family, watching ALL of our grandchildren so we could focus on Tim, and then the funeral arrangements, use of vehicles, helping with the celebration service....and just being there, supporting, praying and giving hug! Your family is the real deal!  When you say.....let us know anything you need.....I know you mean it.😉

The Lojovich family (our daughter in laws family) thank you for all your encouragement, love, support, prayers, and continuing to support us as family. I was blown away by your extended family who came to the Celebration service to honor Tim! You are loving us well! 

My brothers Jeff & Roman and niece Tiffany and nephew Romie. Thanks for attending the celebration service. A special thanks to Jeff for coming even though his daughter was in labor expecting his 1st grandson! Congrats on baby Thomas William’s birth yesterday afternoon!!

Faithbrook Church (the church I attend) - I’m in awh of each and everyone of you, and your sacrificial giving to my family. Taylor, Katie and Nicole, thank you for leading worship!!! Teri S, thank you for rallying everyone for the meal.....and to all the guys who helped with set up and tear down. There are no words. And lastly, Pastor Jim....thank you for overseeing the celebration service, your words and your message blessed our hearts. I am BLESSED to call you pastor, and I KNOW Tim is confident I’m sitting under amazing leadership! 

Life Assembly (the church Andrew & Rachel attends)- your hearts towards our family has truly been a gift. Thank you for opening your doors to hosting the service, creating the programs, participating in the service and ministering greatly to our family!  Your church truly sacrificial ministered to us and we know God will BLESS you!!

Family Innovations (Tims employer)- the tender, graceful manner in which you’ve been working with my family and I has been simply amazing!!  It was TRULY an honor to meet many of you and put a face to a name.  Tim loved his FI family and talked with high regard about each of you! My prayer is that FI continues to minister healing balm to those who enter your doors.

Padilla (my employer)- Thank you for the emails, texts, love and support. A special thank you to:

Heath R-he was the 3rd person I called last Monday and he stayed on the phone with me through the frantic arrival of the police and paramedics. He tried to keep me calm until Andrew arrived at my home.  Heath....you know how much I love you, Bex and your children, and I’m SO grateful to know you are there for me.  Thank you for continually checking in to make sure I’m ok, and to see if I need anything.

Katina, Nancy & Carrie- Thank you for caring for me this week....your calls, text messages have truly been life giving. You are more than co-workers to me! 😘

Karen, Heather & Amy- the 3 of you make me laugh like none other. Thanks for coming to the hospital within the first 24 hours and providing much needed comic relief. Having each of you in my life for 15+ years has been a gift!  🙈👍🏻😍

Tamra P-there are no words to express my love and thankfulness for all you’ve done.  The meal plan, text messages, showing up at my home with coffee, and just sitting with me at my dining room table offering comfort and joy!  You are the REAL deal!! 💕

Beth S and Lynn L- love you both so much and your love, support, and checking in has been so sweet! God has truly blessed me with an army of people who love and care for me well! 💓

Dawn J- my 1st boss when I entered the corporate world 21 years ago. Thank you for staying at our home while we all attended the celebration service! 

Lastly, my children Ashley, Joe, Andrew & Rachel.  I’m amazed at your leadership, wisdom, and counsel that you’ve provided me this week.  You are truly your fathers children. 😜 You have extended much grace to me to walk thru this as you’ve jumped in and picked up all the pieces from insurance, to finances, to figuring out what to do with dad’s vehicles, and helping me figure out my next!  Dad is SO proud of you, and he’d expect nothing less of you to follow in his foot steps.  With that said, Andrew he won’t expect you to follow me around Hobby Lobby! 🙈😂

Today’s a new day.  The celebration service is over.....life will continue to go on....and I KNOW that Jesus will carry us!  His abiding peace is tangible and I’m SO comforted in the knowing that God will never leave, nor forsake us! 

A friend text me this thought....and I’ve  found great comfort in knowing God knows our beginning from our end. Resting in knowing this is all part of God’s glorious plan:

“There is no faith that could’ve been strong enough to override what God knew from the very beginning… ❤️ “🙏🏻🙌🏻

Love,

Kim