Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Note from Kent Wood

My dad asked if I could post the following note:

My dear family and friends,
I just want to express my love and appreciation to each of you. My life, and the lives of my children, have been blessed due to the outpouring of love, concern, and service that have been offered to us so liberally by so many. We have felt the impact of your fasting, faith and prayers. Meals have been prepared, dogs have been walked, beds have been delivered, books have been offered, notes of comfort have been provided, etc. . . all, it seems, at just the right moment. It has reminded me that there is a symphony of service being conducted by God as He inspires each of us to act on impulses planted by Him. The result is blessings in each of our lives. I pray that God may bless each of you for your kindness.

This has been a most challenging chapter in my life. It is hard for me to articulate how much I loved my wife Kathy. She was my dearest friend and sweetheart. I feel as though part of my heart has been taken from me for awhile. Yet, I will also add that these last few weeks have been remarkable as I have felt such an outpouring of spirit, love, understanding, light and comfort, which are helping to fill the void in a significant way. I am very grateful for the grace and compassion of our Father in Heaven and our elder Brother, Jesus Christ. My heart has been turned toward them as never before and I desire to do their will and hopefully join them and my dear wife some day in the future. In our faith, we believe that marriages and families are eternal, when joined through priesthood ordinances. I thank God for the great hope in my heart, born from these temple covenants, blessings and promises.

Of all the people I would like to thank, it is my children. They have made countless sacrifices to be by my side during my hour of need while each one of them continues their private journey to become comforted and reconciled with God regarding the loss of their mother. Their strength and faith have been an inspiration to me. We have felt the grace of God pulling us together, helping us be more unified and of one heart. I thank God for this wonderful gift.

May God bless each of you for all you have done and continue to do to bless our lives.

16 comments:

  1. We love you, President -- and your family.

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  2. We love you and your family, President Wood. Wish we could have been there in person, but we are continually present in spirit. May the Lord continue to bless you and yours, and may the future be ever brighter.
    Love,
    Chris and Tiffany and the boys

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  3. Dearest cousin Kent,

    Thank-you so much for that beautiful letter. Our family has been so impacted by all that has occurred this summer and we continue to pray for you and your beautiful children. We know that our Heavenly Father is acutely aware of your needs and desires, and that angels in heaven are watching over you as never before. Once again, if there is anything at all that we can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask. We hope that you are feeling better and better each and every day. We love you.

    Ken and Regina Jordan and Uncle Don in San Diego

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  5. Dear Kent,

    What an honor and privilege to hear from you! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and especially your witness and testimony of eternal things. I look forward to the day when I can meet Kathy. It is comforting to read your words and to know that you continue in your faithful walk and I promise you that you will feel Kathy's spirit reaching for you and your children. Heaven is so close by.

    You remain in our prayers, as well as your family.

    Sincerely,

    Rebecca Carter (formerly Rebecca Harvey from Concord stake)

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  6. Dear President Wood,
    What sweet thoughts! Thank you for taking the time to share them with us. We are so sorry for the terrible trials you have endured, and for the traumatic loss of your beloved Kathy. We continue to pray for you and your family that you may be healed, strengthened and uplifted in your time of need. Your faith is remarkable and an eduring example to our family. We will never forget the sweet peace your brought to our home when you came to visit several months ago--you (and the Spirit) left a lasting impression. May you be blessed with continuing healing and peace in the time ahead. Love, Kim and Scott Wheeler

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  7. President:
    We too have been touched by the love of your children. We are grateful to have had all of you in our lives. What an example to us all. We love all of you dearly and will miss the strength Kathy brought to all of us. We look forward to seeing her again and know she is organizing "something" on the other side. May you have the comforter with you. May you continue to heal and the doctors be able to meet your needs. Our prayers are with you and the kids.
    Much love,
    Mike & Marie

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  8. It was wonderful to see you out and walking around. I hope you feel as good as you're looking! Always willing to help, so let us know. Tess

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  9. We love you and your family and Kathy so much, Pres. Wood. I can't come to this site without my heart overflowing through my eyes. You are so much in our thoughts and prayers - you and your family. It has been our great privilege to be associated with your family these past 16 years. What an impact you have all had on us! I still can hardly take in Kathy's being gone from our presence. I can only begin to imagine what this means for your life each day and your children. Please know that our prayers and thoughts continue to be with you, and how grateful we are to hear of each step forward you make in your recovery. We sense how much your children need you here, and are grateful for your continued presence in their lives and ours. Much love to you all.

    Jerry & Cindy

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  10. Dear Kent,
    You will never know what an impact your words and perspective of the eternities have on our lives and all those who are privileged to read of your love and testimony. You and your family and Kathy's parents (who are dear and longtime friends), and all who are connected to you and Kathy have been and will continue to be in our prayers. May our Father's tender mercies continue to be with you, to heal you and give you comfort as you walk the rest of this mortal existence without the physical presence of your beloved Kathy.(We know she will be with you in spirit.)
    Elder and Sister Robert E Wells

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  11. We love you and your family! You are all continually in our prayers and on our minds. Kathy made a HUGE impact on me as a teenager and young woman. And then going to your home to leave on my mission to Portugal and, a year and a half later, returning to report...such an honor to be in your home and feel the Spirit so strongly. You and Kathy made your home a place that felt like the temple to so many of us. There was always a strong feeling of love and peace and respect there that I've tried to have in my own home. Thank you for your continued example. It is a strength to so many. I'm sure Kathy and my grandmother (Rosalind Crosby) as they were musical friends, are part of some very beautiful music in the heavens :) Thank you, Daniel, for this beautiful blog.

    Your friend,
    Summer (Crosby) Adams

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  12. Wood Family,

    It was amazing to see and visit with all of you while in town for the amazing service. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your lives and that day. We still speak with fond memories about the many laughs and conversations we had when we were able to re-connect with your family. I loved how we were all just like one big family. Your family is amazing and a wonderful example to me and my entire family. We continue to have you all in our thoughts and prayers daily.

    Much Love, Molly Pickett

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  13. Dear Kent, I just heard about your accident and loss. I am so sorry but know that you are comforted through your great faith in our Savior. Please know that I still think of you and your family often and give my love to your mother and sisters and brother. Love, Jeanne Thomas Nelson, your ever faithful babysitter.

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  14. I could not help by cry reading this. It is so good to hear from you President Wood and I am so sorry for your loss and yet feel such a sense of strength from you, your family, and the Folsom Stake. Always know that you are loved by all of us!
    Brittany (and Tyler) Boyce

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