Dear Vision Forum Team,

I just wanted to take a moment to send a million “thank you” notes your way. My daughter Allison and I attended your Father Daughter weekend last week. On Saturday night, Allison had to leave the session early. She had come down with what turned out to be a stomach bug. By the next morning, she could not get up and move around without getting sick. Needless to say, she was heart broken that she would not be able to attend the High Tea. She also kept lamenting the fact that Mom (Amy) had spent so many hours on making such a special dress that she wouldn’t be able to use.

Just before time for the Tea, I went to where they were setting up the tables to see if I could get a “to go” box of lunch for myself and to see if they would mind saving our cups and saucers so that we would still have a special souvenir. I tapped the lady who appeared to be in charge on the shoulder and told her my request. When Mrs. Keen heard of our dilemma, she simply melted right there in front of me. Her heart was broken for Allison and she immediately sent me to Mrs. Turley behind the book counter with instructions to write down our names and room number. Listening in as I did this was Mrs. Brown. One by one, the women who were told of our situation melted with compassion just as Miss Keen did. Within minutes, I was brought a box of food, a bouquet of flowers in a Tussie Mussie, a stack of books for Allison and I to read while stuck in our room, and a promise that they would gather some more things and get them to us in our room.

By about 3 o’clock that afternoon, Allison felt well enough to go to the birds of prey exhibit and then to the Butterfly House and we were able to be there for the evening session. There, I was told by Mrs. Turley that Mrs. Keen had it worked out for us to have our own private High Tea after the Sunday Morning service and that Mrs. Keen’s daughter Jeanine would be taking our picture! All these things were done just as they told us they would be. Mrs. Keen also sent the Botkin girls over to our table to introduce themselves to us.

In short, Mr. Keen, Mr. Brown, Mr. Turley and Mr. Phillips, your wives, daughters and staff truly lived up to the example of the Proverbs 31 woman. They were in every way wonderful ambassadors of your own homes and ministries. They were truly Christ’s Church acting as it should - by loving one another. What a powerful example to a sick 14 year old girl and her father! This was our first Vision Forum event. My family had been blessed already by your books, CDs and fun things for our boys but you all confirmed for us in vivid fashion that the heart of your ministry beats in time with the heart of Christ. May God continue the work he is accomplishing through you and may you all be richly blessed!

Sincerely,

Russell and daughter Allison