Happy Birthday.....

....to two of the dearest people in the world!!!!

September 4, 1989

Beth Anne Tonning

Beth has been one of the sweetest friends I've ever had! When I first met her over three years ago, I could have never known how much God would do in our lives and how close we would be! She balances me out perfectly....and always impresses me with her godliness and ability to stand with me through thick and thin.

She has so many amazing qualities!!! She can start interesting and rousing discussions, and yet is also a great listener. She can be adventurous, and also has a great spirit of meekness and femininity and graciousness. She's an amazing pianist, but she doesn't boast or act prideful about her many skills.

We've been through so much together. Church conflicts, family issues and friendship difficulties have only served to bring us closer to one another and to the Lord. Sundays--the days I normally see her--have come to be a definite highlight of every week for me!! She's the type of person who can run around and challenge your oldest brother and his five best friends to a fight and win, and yet can sit and discuss practical matters with eloquence for two hours.

Only God could have orchestrated our friendship! Beth's amazing godliness and the qualities that make her such an incredible friend are all His doing. I rejoice often that God has seen fit to allow me to be friends with Beth Tonning!!!

I love you, Beth!!!! You're such an inspiration and encouragement to me.

....and....

Elizabeth "Connie" Cheryl McCauley

September 6, 1989

Connie has been an amazing friend! I never guessed, when I met her last October, that she would become such a good friend. I also never guessed that we would actually meet in person, and God saw fit that we were able to. What an amazing God He is!!!

Connie is my greatest fan and encourager. If I'm having a bad day, she'll always look at things optomistically and enthusiastically. Her trademark smilies and bright ways of viewing life are always such a balance to me, especially when I tend to get a little sarcastic.

She shares many interests with me, and we have a mutual love of our family, ATI, CDF and How They Kept the Faith!! We've been encouraged to discover that we have almost identical standards in many of the practical issues of life, and agree almost across-the-board on theological issues.

We were privileged to meet this year in Sacramento. The story unfolded quite interestingly.....she had just moved from Arizona and was really disappointed about not being able to come to an ATI conference. I was so encouraged by her disposition regarding the whole thing, though. She was determined to have a great week during the week of Sacramento, even going as far as hosting a little CI for her brother David. I was amazed! At the last minute, God provided the opportunity for Mrs. McCauley, David and Elizabeth to come out to Sacramento. Then I persuaded them to stay in our hotel! I was getting excited. Finally, the day of their flight came. I asked my parents if we could please, pretty please, meet them at the airport as a surprise. Through various circumstances, it looked like we wouldn't be able to, but, again, at the last second, God made provision. We went to the airport, and I discovered that their flight had already come in! I started running towards baggage claim, and slowed suddenly when I saw a girl standing there in a black skirt and hot pink shirt. It had to be Connie!!!!! I was suddenly shy, then yelled, "ELIZABETH!"

She whirled and I remember her clutching at her chest and looking a bit ready to faint.
"Nicole?!"

"Connie?!"

And our hearts have been echoing it ever since!!!!!

I love you, dear Connie. Thanks for being my greatest supporter, a godly example to me, and one of the dearest and most precious friends I've ever had!!!!!