Hello everyone,
What a wonderful remembrance there was for Nadia in celebration of her life. As most of you know she disappeared three years ago on November 3, 2008. The remembrance was held at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on November 5th with the coming together of about 50 of Nadia’s family, friends and supporters. We were so blessed to have Nadia’s closest friend Jacquie join us. She shared some of the most touching words about her…it warmed our hearts and left us teary eyed. The photo is of her and Nadi at school. Jacquie and Nadi graduated high school together and remained close until Nadia disappeared. Nadi is blessed to have such a dedicated and loving friend. Thank you all for coming, especially those close to her. Nadi would’ve been very touched.
On Veteran’s Day (November 11th) the military customarily holds a ceremony setting a table, an empty place for missing veterans, those missing in action and those who have died, reminding us of their great sacrifice so we can have the freedoms we possess in this country. As we watched the ceremony we’re reminded once again of Nadi and her son. This year as in the past three we set our Thanksgiving table and leave two places empty in their absense and honor.
We ask you all not to forget our daughter Nadi and her son. We ask you to lift them up in prayer. We pray for the darkness to be lifted, we ask for protection and safety and we ask for the courage to more forward. Our pastor reminds us that “courage is an aspect of hope we don’t often dwell on. We think of the possibilities of hope, the desired outcome of hope, even the distractions of hope that are often a diversion in the midst of diffcult moments. Courage…is vital to hope, for it sustains the dream when all else fails and empowers meaningful action when settling for so much less would be much easier.” I believe as Christians we’re called to come together in this effort of intersessionary prayer. We especially ask you to devote a special time for our daughter and grandson until they can come home to us.
In His loving Grace,
Nancy
Seeing this picture of Jacqui and Nadia brought back so many memories for me. I went to Victory with both of them, and considered myself pretty close to Nadia at one point in time.
Things that stick out to me about Nadia is how kind she was. I don’t think there was a mean bone in her body- beautiful inside and out. I also remember how she used to pronounce “jalapenos” exactly like it was spelled, it made me smile every time. After VCA we reconnected via MySpace and now I wish I stayed in contact with my little Russian friend.
I miss her, and I’m sure you do too. You are in my prayers.
Much Love,
Jenn