Courtney's Birthday - August 9

Dear Courtney, 

This Sunday you would have been 26 years old. You have spent the last two glorious years in heaven. Your gain is certainly our loss. As we remember your birthday, we grieve afresh but not without hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). ​

We miss you, Courtney. This weekend we reflect on sweet memories of you. We will open photo albums and gaze upon the memory of your face. When God called you home, it was His perfect time, and it was precious in His sight (Psalm 116:15). It was not about our timing. If that were true, we would never have let you go. 

As we celebrate your birthday, we thank God upon every remembrance of you (Philippians 1:3). We celebrate your life, even in death. Today we would desire to be giving you gifts, but instead we will take the time to reflect upon the gifts God gave us through you.

• As a daughter-in-law, we could never be more thankful for the godly, treasure you were to Chad. You truly completed him. You were priceless to him (Proverbs 31:10), he trusted fully in you (Proverbs 31:11), and he praised you often (Proverbs 31:28b).
• As a sister-in-law, you were a cheerleader and always interested in the details of our lives. You are missed at the birth of babies and upcoming weddings. You made each occasion extra special.
• As our loving Aunt Coco, your nieces and nephew miss the way you made each one of us feel loved in our own way. You helped to plan and make family gatherings delightful.
• As a mommy, you are not missed by anyone more than Chase. Daily we talk about you, and he sees multiple pictures of you. We promise to remind him of your love. Thank you for being such a good mother. 

Courtney, we hold these memories and many more close to us. Our lives are fuller and better because of the many gifts God gave us through you. 

With hearts of love and gratitude until we meet again, 


The Phelps Family