Thinking of You, My Dear David,

[mom]

Hey David,
I imagine you are busy having fun. I'm halfway reading your dad's book. He talks a lot about heaven, and the Lord, and you, of course... So far, I like chapter 26. It talks about if I could take your place if there were any consequences to any wrong actions, I would have; but Jesus beat us to it. He took your place so you could be with him forever. I believe he died for that very reason, and I sooo believe in the resurrection. I've not worried about you, but I sure miss you. I turned a certain number in age this year, but I know you would have said "Happy 29th" again. I miss your joy and laughter.

I saw Perry while he was on break and then spoke to his mom also. The Nakaos came to the little gathering last month, so did Tony, Anna, Esme, Cilla and Deeanna. Got a sweet message from Laura. Her mom is sweet, as usual. I got to go to MBCS and talk about missions earlier this year. I talked to some 5th graders. It reminded me of times when you were there for a performance or for their carnival.

I'm a little better at handling times when I hear people nice things about you. It used to give me more pain, but now I enjoy hearing their memories of you.

I've talked about you more this year and to a lot of people I don't know well. Losing someone so special and close is what I do have in common with those I shared about you. I know four other women who have lost their sons as well. At first I would sometimes limit how long I would listen to their pain because it was bumming me out too, but now I seem to hear their pain and not take it so hard. I testify to God's grace and His presence all throughout the time we have been apart. I also now thank Him again for letting me be your mom and for giving me such a really GOOD gift in you.

If you get to pray for us down here, do so!! miss you and love you, son.

mama

[mom]

oh, btw, Deeanna got a tatoo on her arm about you as she celebrated her 18th bday. It is written in Tagalog about seeing our beloved in heaven. Your cousins got tatoos also - superman themes. fyi...I will not be getting a tatoo anywhere on my skin any time soon. You are already tatooed all over my holey heart.

[mom]

Unpacking at my new home, and I find all sorts of goodies from you, about you, and for you. I love things you've written. Here's one of the papers you submitted. You must have been 9 or 10...

I drove in my super, super car. you know, one of those 007 agent cars. Of course, with my secret agent driver's license. Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you...my name is Ryan Smith. I am 10 years old, and I am a secret agent! (Really cool introduction/action music playing NOW).

It all started when I was five. I wasn't a secret agent yet, but that is when I started yo do judo. I beat everybody I fought, and I won about a million trophies, until I got tired of judo when I turned nine. So I quit judo, and my life was A lot easier for awhile until one day, some bully was picking on me I showed him not to pick on someone who is smaller than him. After school a black fancy car was parked outside. It was a fancy car that you don't see every day. My house was right across the street from school so I had to walk by the car. Once I got close to the car, I was ready for anything.all of a sudden, someone leaped out of the car, tied me up, put a blindfold over my eyes, and drive for aboutn30 minutes. I would have s reamed my head off, but they put something in my mouth, somI could not speak. They took me put of of the car and kept saying that they weren't going to hurt me, and that they worked for the S.A.T. - Secret Agent Training. We walked in a building, and they took off the blindfold. I saw a bunch of high tech rooms and gadgets. They said that I could be a secret agent if it was okay with my parents. "How could I be a secret agent," I said. Well, you know. All the trophies you won." said one guy who was holding me. "yeah?"

"The first kid you fought against S.A.T.was impressed, and every other kid you fought against - they were the best trained kid agents in the business."

"So you guys were just testing me."

"Basically!"

All of a sudden, a man walked up to me and untied me, and brought me into his office. " Hi my name is Bryan Adams, president of S.A.T. You don't need to tell me your name. I got word from your parents. They said you can be a secret absent as long as you're home for dinner, and your homework before you do a mission. Now there is only one more thing. "Do you want to be a secret agent?"

"Ummm...sure! I'd love to!!!! Wait, I'm just going to become a secret agent without having to do anything...anything?"

Well, actually, you have to go through six months of training before it is official."

[mom]

"Oh..kay...."

"So starting tomorrow, let the training begin."

So I spent six months training day in and out. Every month, a different routine. For example, the firsts month, wee covered stealth, second month, driving. So here comes where we left off. I was driving in a secret agent car on my way home to rest.

Well, David, you continue to amuse me. I love the part you had to eat dinner and finish your homework before you got into your mission. I didn't have to nag you about that kind of thing. It seemed innate. Ahhh, David. I miss you and love you more than I can ever express....Mama