Those Who Walked Beside Me

To the many people who walked alongside me while this book was being written, thank you.

While many of the foundations of this book were laid over the years, much of the Heart Connection and Heart Reflection sections were completed during one of the most refining seasons of my life. During that season, God faithfully brought people into my path at just the right moments, reminding me that His care is often reflected through the kindness, encouragement, prayers, and presence of others.

To my students, friends, family, and fellow believers, thank you. Your encouragement, prayers, kindness, practical support, and conversations became part of this journey in ways both seen and unseen. Thank you for faithfully walking beside me and remaining part of this journey to the completion of this book.

To the Miles family, thank you for walking alongside me. Miles, your steady fatherly presence and willingness to listen whenever I needed someone to talk to were a tremendous gift.

Thank you to the Rodger family, especially Susan, for your friendship and practical help. Thank you also for your beloved little Bentley, whose quiet companionship filled many late nights while the Heart Connection chapters were being written. He witnessed many tears and faithfully kept me company through that season.

Thank you to my church families, CCV and Calvary, my small groups, Vonda, Larrie, James, Cecelia, the Banings, and the Galison group, for the many ways you reflected God's care throughout this season. Special thanks to the Lawrence family, whose friendship and ministry became a meaningful part of my journey of growth, restoration, and serving together.

To my dear friend Stella, thank you for your steadfast friendship and the countless conversations we have shared over the past decade. Thank you also to my newer friends, Ai Lin, Cindy, and Sheila, whose regular encouragement became part of the final stretch toward completing this book.

Thank you to the Kuyatt family for helping me find the strength to keep writing, even through some of the hardest moments behind these pages. Alan, thank you for reading through the manuscript and offering thoughtful feedback throughout the process.

Special thanks to the Hilker family for your companionship and for the many ways you made difficult moments feel less lonely. Your friendship was a gift throughout this season. Rae, thank you for your thoughtful editing suggestions and for helping refine the English throughout the manuscript.

To the Tan family, thank you for your generosity, faithful encouragement, and for walking alongside me in my teaching and writing journey from the very beginning. Your practical support, including providing the tools that helped make much of this book possible, has been a lasting blessing.

To Florence, Jenny, and Melissa, thank you for faithfully walking beside me through these years and for remaining part of this journey to its completion.

I am also grateful for the many unexpected voices along the way that encouraged me to keep writing. Though not every name appears here, every kindness has been remembered.

Most of all, thank You to my Lord and Savior, the Author of every letter, every word, and every breath of life.