From Tiffany Wright

Dear Craig,

I first met you during the summer of 2006…almost 6 years ago! We were in Myrtle Beach, SC for Summer Project. Sadly, this was the last summer project that would be held in Myrtle Beach for ECU. That was almost 6 years ago! A lot has happened in the last 6 years, right? I am so thankful for that summer for many reasons.

One of the big reasons why I am so thankful for the summer of 2006 is because I had the opportunity to meet you and your lovely family! Since then my friendship with you, Kim, Caleb, & Lydia has grown tremendously. Over the past 6 years, we have cried, laughed, & most importantly smiled ;-). It’s like a movie! Haha. I have a lot of memories with you and your family and I want to take some time to talk about a few of them.

One of the first memories I have of you was during summer project. I remember it because I was very challenged by the topic of discussion. During our weekly meeting we all met to discuss “testimony training.” I was so challenged by this discussion and it caused me to take time to reflect on my life and how God had changed me. I had to work through my pride and it was that point when I discovered that I had truly become a believer during the fall semester that year (2005). You were discussing testimony training with the whole group, but little did you know that you challenged me personally that day!

Another memory that I have and will never forget is the day that I decided to go to Lebanon on STINT. I was in Black Mountain, NC at kick-off weekend when I made the decision to change my route from ECU to Lebanon. I know it is a sensitive topic. Haha. But, when I made my decision that day, I wanted to tell you & Kim first! I knew that y’all would be excited and encouraging, even though it was very hard for all of us. I remember feeling like you were being protective of me and asked me a lot of questions to be sure that God was in fact leading me to serve in such a hard, scary place. While I raised support, you offered wisdom, encouragement, and challenged me to be obedient in the process. Shockingly, in September 2008, I was getting on a plane heading to Lebanon. I honestly don’t know if I would have made it through the year without all the love, support, and prayers I had back in the states. I am so thankful that you & Kim made time to communicate with me during that year. And also for making sure Caleb & Lydia didn’t forget “Tiffy.”

After Lebanon, I was thankful to have a place to come back to in Greenville. You & Kim provided a place for me to stay during my transition back. I’m so thankful because if I would have had to stay at home, I would have gone insane. Haha. During that time, we had some great conversations, we watched crazy shows like “Dating in the Dark” and laughed our butts off, and we even had some struggles. I have always said that friends who have to work through difficult things end up being better friends after they worked through it.

There are so many memories that I have of you & your family. Babysitting your children, y’all coming to my graduation party, fall conferences, winter conferences, bible studies, weekly meetings, meetings with you & Brad, Caleb/Lydia’s birthday parties, leadership meetings, leadership retreats….the list goes on. Oh…..I cannot possibly forget the day me, you, & Kim jumped in the car to go see Candi Manning sing at her home church. WOW!!! What a funny adventure to see you dancing while driving down the road. That was the first time I saw that side of you! Haha. Most importantly, from all of these memories, I want you to know that your friendship means a lot to me and you have impacted my life in a big way! I have had the opportunity to learn so much from you and I’m sure I will learn a lot more.

Craig, I want to thank you for your love & commitment to the Lord. It is evident that you love God and want others to love & obey Him. You have challenged me, encouraged me, supported me, prayed for me, and have been a very special friend to me. I do not overlook the fact that you have sacrificially invested in my life. I cannot thank you enough. I have also had the opportunity to see you invest in other student’s lives. Thank you so much for your heart for ECU students. You have had a great ministry at ECU and have impacted so many lives because of your love for the Lord. Over the past 6 years, I have even had the opportunity to see you grow in your relationship with God. I am so grateful to know you and your family and to call you friends! Thank you so much for allowing me to be involved in your family’s lives--to learn & grow from how you lead your family, encourage your family, challenge your family, teach your children, and love your wife. Regardless of where life takes us, your family will be a family I will NEVER forget and will FOREVER cherish.

In Christ,
Tiffany “Tiffy” Wright
ECU May 2008