January 20, 2011- Ellie Thomas

My dearest Ellie, this letter is far overdue. I cannot believe that it has taken me this long to respond to the letter you wrote me this summer, but better late then never I suppose. You, are absolutely incredible. Ellie, I didn't tell you that nearly enough this past summer, but I hope I got my point across for how wonderful I think you are. Ellie Thomas is hands down one of the most beautiful girls I have ever known. I got the pleasure of being her counselor this past summer, and getting insight into her loving heart through devotions and just fellowship. If you ask Ellie about how we first met, she will bring up the fact that I couldn't remember who she was; this story, however much true, is INCREDIBLY exaggerated. The real story is that I had her sister in one of my classes and she mentioned that I had Ellie in my cabin and it just took me a minute to place a name with a face. In case I haven't said it enough, I'm sorry about that...


Ellie is the type of girl you want to get to know. She has a spirit about her that is irresistibly contagious, exciting and lively; who wouldn't want to be around her!? Truly though, from the moment I met Ellie, I knew there was something about her I wanted to know and a heart so loving, it deserved to be shown off to the world. I mentioned before, in a past entry, about God placing people on your heart just because He wants you to love them. Ellie Thomas is certainly one of those people. Her charismatic attitude towards life is so much fun to be near, and her unfailing devotion to her friends is one that few can compare to. She has a way of loving others that simply consists of building others up and encouraging them in their strengths. Watching Ellie was sometimes like looking at myself at her age. I don't mean that at all in the sense that I am as cool as Ellie,(because we all know I'm not) but in the sense that her struggles and battles were uncommonly similar to my own. When Ellie was joyful, so was my heart; and when she wasn't, my heart broke because I knew exactly how she felt. 


My favorite memory of Ellie was the night we did a devotion on beauty. For a moment, after we talked about how precious we all are to Jesus, there was sheer vulnerability in the crowd of fifteen year old girls. They didn't have to fake a smile or put on a pretty face for a boy they wanted to notice them. They didn't have to cover up their emotion because society has made it unacceptable to be weak in front of others. Ellie had a moment that changed my summer; a moment that may have been the entire reason I worked at camp. Ellie showed me how beautiful it is to be exactly who the Lord created you to be, and gave me such hope for girls to realize how incredible they are without the makeup, boys, gossip and perfect hair. It was an indescribable sight to see those girls, Ellie included, completely vulnerable and flawlessly beautiful in the Lord's eyes. 


Ellie Thomas is one of those people who has the spirit to save an immeasurable amount of people. She is a leader, and a bold daughter of God who will one day change the world. Ellie, never forget how stunning you are. Life is so hard and there will be mountains you don't think you can, or even desire to climb, but I pray continually that you will. You have the influence and courage to change the world you know to be so cruel and unforgiving, and I pray that you don't shy away from those gifts you have been blessed with. Know that I will always be here for you and that I will never give up on you. I love you forever Ellie.


Ephesians 2:8-10
"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."


P.S. I realize how ridiculous this picture is of us, but it cracks me up to think about this night!