Rhondelle Moldenhauer said . . .

Dearest Leon and Susan,

I thought it might be good to share with you a time when Stephen ministered me when he was "just" a kid.

I was working at Vacation Bible School (VBS) one summer when Stephen was about 10 years old. I think it was the summer when I was very pregnant and probably very emotionally sensitive (hormones). The kids were divided into teams for some sort of relay and Stephen's team was one person short. I was pressed into service as the final member and was concerned that I wouldn't be able to do whatever the task was so as not to slow that team down.

I said something like, "I hope I can do that OK."

Stephen turned around, looked me in the eye and said very deliberately and compassionately, "All you have to do is your best. Don't worry about the rest."

That touched me deeply—that a young man of ten was more concerned for a pregnant lady's feelings than for winning the relay (which most kids his age are more focused on). He showed maturity beyond his years, while still being "all boy". I have carried that with me all these years and the memory still blesses me.

Love and Hugs,