Dearest Theressa (Tarasia),

Click for more photos of Tessi's Chrismation

My love, thank you. Thank you for allowing me to be a participant in your entrance into God's Holy Church. Your tender heart, your spiritual vigor, your humble preparation, your tears of joy streaming into the fragrant Chrism on your cheeks, and (at last!) your genuine joy of the receiving of "the Pearl of Great Price." This single event, this complete offering of yourself and your life is more precious to God than anything else you will ever do or achieve.

I am honored, energized, and inspired by your love for Jesus Christ. I pray (and will soon pray kneeling next to you in our home!) that we can make this a daily, hourly, constant dedication of our life to the Giver of Life. I love you, and will willingly spend every day of the rest of my life learning what it looks like to love you "just as Christ loves the Church." May God allow us to understand fully, and make us worthy of the Crowns of Martyrdom in His Kingdom.

Congratulations, my dear, and may God grant you many, many years!

With all my love,
Joel