As I recall, I first met you when your were either 2 or 3 years old. I was on a business trip in southern California and had made advance plans with your mom (who is my first cousin) to come over that evening to see her and to meet both you and your dad for the first time. Your mom, along with your dad and you lived in Long Beach at the time. I had not seen your mom in several years.

Upon my arrival, your dad greeted me warmly at the front door as we introduced ourselves to one another. I can still feel your dad’s warmth he showed me then and throughout the evening all of these years later. Your dad invited me into the living room. A few seconds later in came your mom who gave me big warm hug. Shortly afterwards, you woke up from a nap. Your mom quickly disappeared and seconds later she returned with a sparkle in her eyes and you in her arms. You were all smiles and a very happy little girl. I could see the deep love both of your parents had for you by looking into their eyes when they looked at you.

After a few minutes, your mom placed you with your feet on the floor and introduced me to you as your “Uncle” Rob. Obviously we are technically first cousins once removed but my heart immediately warmed when your mom referred to me as your “Uncle” Rob, even though it was a honorary title, I took that as a great honor.

As soon as your mom placed you on your feet on the floor I quickly dropped down to the floor on my knees, knowing you could walk and stretched out my arms to you. As soon as your mom released you, you immediately headed straight into my arms. While still on my knees, with you in my arms, you looked into my eyes and stole my heart. That is the first time I said “Hello Sarah”. I picked you up and sat back down on the couch with you on my lap and held you. I instantly felt an incredibly warm and a mysterious presence about you, yet I could not understand what it was. I can still distinctly remember you were such a very happy bubbly little girl that entire evening I was there.

Later your Grandma Georgia came over and we all had a wonderful visit but with you as the center piece of course.

Because my family and your family have always lived in different states, we did not see one another for a long time. Even so, I always kept in touch with your mom and later you too, with letters, e-mails, and occasional telephone calls. The next time I saw you and your mom was 14 or 15 years later in 2000. I again was on a business trip, this time in Santa Cruz, California, nearby where you and your parents had moved to years before.

I met you, your mom, and a family friend of you and your mom’s, whose name escapes me at the moment, at a restaurant for dinner. You and your Mom gave me big warm hugs and your family friend gave me a warm hearted hand shake. Much to my delight, you insisted on sitting next to me at the dining table. Again I instantly felt that incredibly warm and mysterious presence about you as I did in 1985, however, this time the feeling was much stronger. Before, during and after the dinner, you were bubbly, very talkative, and very excited about my visit, which warmed my heart to no end since you were too young to remember my first visit. You made me feel extra special. Your presence lit up the whole area surrounding us that night. I warmly remember that you and I visited, laughed, and joked along with your mom and your family friend. I also remember that you and I hugged each other many times while we were all laughing throughout the dinner and afterwards. The 14 to 15 year time period we had not seen one another had simply disappeared for me. I felt an immediate bonding with you that remains with me today and a feeling of love for you as if I had seen you everyday of your life.

The four of us visited long after we finished our dinner and we had a delightful and laughter filled time that evening. Upon my departure, I again got big warm hugs from you and your mom and another warm hearted handshake from your family friend.

Before I share with you what I am convinced is the warm and mysterious presence I feel when I’m around you Sarah, you need to understand something about me. I am not a religious person like you and your mom, although I highly respect that in both of you. I do believe in a God whom I think of as a Supreme Being and I also believe all living creatures have souls that live forever. Lastly, I believe in angels, but not the type with wings necessarily.

While driving back to my motel that evening in 2000, I finally discovered what that incredibly warm and mysterious presence was that I felt 14 or 15 years before and again that evening in 2000 when I was with you. Both times I have been around you, I was actually in the presence of an angel in a human form, and that angel was / is you Sarah.

It has been ten years since I last saw you Sarah, and I have continued to keep in touch with you and your mom. To this day Sarah, I still have no doubt that you are actually an angel disguised as a human being. I believe that with all of my heart. I mean that in a literal sense and am humbled to know you are a true angel Sarah. You are a great inspiration to me and obviously to many other people too. I also have great admiration for both your mom and dad who I know love you very much.

Always know I love you dearly Cousin Sarah and I am so very proud that you are my Cousin.

Love Cousin Rob

Praise God for introducing us through Joyful Noise. I’ll never forget when you introduced yourself to me during Joyful Noise orientation. It has been many years since then and i am so honored to be your friend. You have taught me that God loves unconditionally and that “nothing is impossible with God”. When you ask me if i have a prayer request, i know you are sincere and will pray for me. Through your joyfullness and trust in The Lord, I have grown in my Christian walk. Love you lots Sister in Christ, Karen

Your story has encouraged me to pray; believe; and love.
God bless you, Sarah.

I can’t begin to tell you how much reading this article has touched my heart…tears fill my eyes as I read it! GOD IS SO AMAZING, ISN’T HE, SARAH!!

You have such a special mom – I love her so much, I love your dad, and I LOVE YOU SO much!!

GOD IS USING YOU IN BIG WAYS, and HE IS NOT NEARLY FINISHED with ALL HE HAS FOR YOU TO DO!! HE LOVES the love you have for Him!! I can feel how much YOUR LOVE towards God touches His heart!!

People’s lives are being changed because of you, Sarah, and your heart of love for Jesus. Way to go!! High Five!!

I am sending my LOVE through this, even now!
Love you, sweetheart!

As a friend of your mother’s-before you were a twinkle in your parents eyes-my heart was stirred and deeply touched by your powerful story. It reinforced to me how God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. God used all the suffering and pain you endured to mold you into His character and reflect his great love and compassion for all mankind. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope to meet you some day.

Kathy

You truly are a “giant oak” among the rest of us mere acorns when it comes to being filled with the Holy Spirit and Christ-like joy!

You’re a gift to the Church and the world, Sarah!

I am so grateful to know you and to have the weekly opportunity to be blessed by you!

Try to stay out of jail,

Paul

Thank you so much for your faithfulness throughout all of the STORMS and STRUGGLES of LIFE you’ve gone through, and still come out smiling with the JOY of GOD on your face.

Grace, Mercy, Peace and Love Multiplied to you (Sarah) from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

Your Friend and brother in Christ Jesus – Keith

In Him,
Melissa