From Andi Greene

Dear Kim,

Happy birthday to you, a dear and special lady!

I love that your family is allowing us to write you notes expressing why you are dear to us. I'd like to start with your warmth and friendliness. You're an easy person to approach, and you are consistently friendly when someone does approach you. Not just giving a greeting, but smiling, cheerful and open hearted. Your whole face smiles when you smile.

Another quality about you that I admire and am exhorted by is that you don't seem to waste time. You get busy with the work of the church and fill in where needed, including bringing many people to church. You seem to have a passion for bringing people to church. You are known in our body for service and for doing good, not for standing by and waiting to be coaxed.

Finally, I see your active and living trust in God. You believe him in truth and cling to him because of that truth. You often take him at his word because you are convinced that he is trustworthy. That kind of faith draws others to the Lord and helps us to see that he is good and can and ought to be trusted.

God bless you this year, Kim—I'm following you to 50 in February. I'll let you know how it goes!

With much love to you,

Andi Greene

From Anna Peery

To the amazing and beautiful Kim Weirich!

Happy 50th Birthday!!! I have been blessed by you ever since I met you a couple of years ago. You are so full of wisdom, generosity and love for everyone you meet. Your heart and your home (Lol) emanates a spirit of tranquility, rest and well-being. God's love shines through your life. Your amazing ability to cultivate beautiful gardens reflects your more precious ability help others grow in truth and love. I admire you very much. I hope you have a blessed day!

Love,

Anna Peery

From Kristie Foster (just got it 5 mins ago!)

Kim! You are a wonderful woman of God and I'm thankful God put us in each other's lives! You have a joy in being in His creation that's contagious from gardening and having dirt from your toes to your nose to flying and getting to know each person God puts in your path. It spurs me on to love others more intentionally when I see you take the time to find just the right gift for someone or put a time together with someone in a way that will bless them. I have to laugh when someone makes a comment about flight attendants not having a lot of education. I share about you flying with your masters because it's what you love to do. Most of all, I'm thankful for our many long and short chats. I love you! Kristie Foster

From Julie O'Herin

May you enjoy the most joyous of birthdays, dear Kim! Congratulations on being a young lady in your 50s now -- it's the best decade ever. (I have enjoyed my 50s for 5 years so far, and it feels great!)

Kim, this is a good opportunity to thank you for the many ways you use your gifts of friendliness, generosity, and great communication to serve, delight and bless those around you. With your caring, compassionate and thoughtful spirit, combined with your passion for truth and for Christ, you share the aroma of Jesus with your neighbors and friends -- which you have in many places around the world. I have seen you minister to children and to the most senior of our seniors, with gentleness, sweetness and grace. I also see you honor your parents with a love that most families can only imagine. It is touching and inspiring.

I love your adventurous curiosity and your love of people and nature and new experiences, Kim. I love that you raise butterflies and flowers and huge healthy vegetables. Whether reading your Facebook posts, seeing pictures from around the world, walking the neighborhood in the morning with you, or sharing in the ministries of Grace, I am grateful to be one of the people you share life with. May your birthday be special and your year be wonderful.

Love in Jesus,

Julie O'Herin

"May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."

I Thessalonians 5:23-24, 28

Your Birthday Gift from all of us...

It's finally the official day! As you well know, my love language is WORDS, so I decided to get you as many words from as many of the people who love you as we could! Below are blessings, tributes, memories, thanks, and expressions of love from more than 50 of those people. You are so loved, Kimberly Darlene Weirich, because you are so good at loving! Happy, happy birthday!!!!

From Howie

ok...todays theme is happy sweet 16-ish to my dear Kimberly...hope u have @ least 1 more so I can do this again next year...as long as i'm still here next year.

From Gaylene

The first time I remember meeting you was when I was around eight. I would go to Arnette and Kelly’s house to play and eventually we would venture down to your house.  I really didn't know you that well then, but God had a plan to bless me with a true and special friend. I remember how your family was different than mine in certain ways.  I’ll never forget you taking the phone off the hook during meal times. That made such an impact on me. I felt like the kid from the wrong side of the tracks, and your family seemed to have it all together, but I'm not talking about just things. When you invited me into your home and heart I saw how your family invited me in too.   The tea party you prepared just for me has never left me. The humility and kindness is what I remember most. I felt at home and I felt safe. In fact, since then I have hosted countless tea parties, and have made them a standing tradition in my home and you are always in my thoughts as the perfect example of what a hostess is like.  During high school, you were always there for me. All the memories of concerts, parties, gatherings, TN, Bible Studies, Football games, helping your family move, just would not have been the same without you! As we grew (as the story often goes) we found ourselves traveling in different directions, but you were never far from my thoughts.  I'm so glad we reconnected. I remember how you have come to support me in times of sorrow; and I remember how you have been there to share my joy. To say that you are a true friend is not strong enough. You're my sister, because sisters are able to pick up a conversation, after many years, as though no time has passed. It was wonderful having you at my wedding, and it's wonderful every time you fly into Dallas so we can continue our conversation without missing a beat. I love you and it is an honor to be your friend.

From Pam Bowman Mitchell

Some of my favorite childhood memories are with you guys! Love you!!! Happy fifty lady!!!  You look fantastic!  Have the best day cuz!!!Love,  Pam

From the Stranskes

Kim has been such an evangelist in our church.  I remember her bringing Jeremy, Hannah and Channel to Sunday School when they lived next door to her.  Then when the children moved away or Kim moved, she drove many miles to continue to bring them to Sunday School.  She prayed for them and counseled them and loved them for Jesus.  When she was away from town, she found a way to have someone else assist her to bring them to church.

Though she jets about the world, she has greeted people in our church and has picked up a man who needed a ride so he could come to church.  When she was unavailable to do these things, she recruited others to help her meet the needs of her friends.  

She served as a stewardness for the children's missions program taking them to virtually meet our missionaries around the world.  For as long as I can remember, she has taken care of little babies in the nursery when she was available.  Kim is a loving, nurturing young lady and has a servant's heart.  What a gift she is to all of us at Grace Evangelical Free Church.

Tim and Mary Stranske

From the Banks

Happiest of birthdays, Dearest Kim!!  Your life beautifully reflects the love of Christ. When we think of you...love, joy, encouragement, and hospitality come to mind. You are a delight to know. We love you and your dear family and cherish the memories of time spent with you! Happy 50th!!!! Love, Vince and Nina

Dad and Mom

Before I type my first word to my precious daughter Kimberly on her 50th Birthday my tears begin to flow.  How do I begin to express in words what is in my heart, but I will give it a  try.

November 24, 1965 our precious Kimberly was born.  With overwhelming love and joy we held Kimberly for the first time.  Our times are in His Hands not knowing what our future would hold.

Never dreaming that we would be writing this note 50 years later and still experiencing the same

overwhelming love and joy . We Praise our Lord with Thankfulness for His Grace to give us these 50 years.

Kim, you were an active bundle of joy as a baby and toddler and very affectionate. Walking and talking early.  Excited when your sister Keri was born. You wanted to hold her and were such a good helper. At 5 years old your brother Kevin was born.   So many precious memories. What happy joyful times we had.  You loved singing, putting on plays and so creative playing with Keri and Kevin.  God was so Good to us to allow us to be your parents.

Our home on Bonnie Brae the door was always open to others and you loved company.  

We always  had the neighbor children in.  You loved being outdoors.  Dad remembers you loved going with him to the lumber yard and helping build a tree house.  Starting school at Pomona First  Baptist became a second home for our family.   Loved Spring programs, holidays, class parties and Choir.   When you were 7 years old I tucked you in bed and Kissed you good night.  I was in the kitchen doing dishes and turned around and you were standing there and said “Mommy I want to ask Jesus to come into my heart”. I immediately stopped and we went into your bedroom and we talked about what it means to “ask Jesus into your heart”  You prayed, asked forgiveness for your sins and asked Jesus to come into your  life. You had the faith of a little child.  God heard and answered your prayer. You have always followed our Lord and told others that Jesus was your Savior for all these years and wanted others to know Jesus.

You loved our small poodle Cindy Lou.  So many close friends came to visit.  You loved gymnastics and cartwheeling across the playground.  Seldom walking always running. Sad day

when you fell from the high bars, compound fracture of your arm.  Howie coming to sing to you as you were healing.  Richards living with us and Mary and Ron.  All going to school with you.

Taking in The Phillips 3 children for 3 months when their mother left them saying “Mom we will take care of them.”  From the time you were very little you cared for others.

 

High School, Cheer Leading, many activities.  After graduation heading to Germany as a family to live for 6 months.  Going to South Africa to be a Nanny.  You loved adventure. Came back home started college.  After awhile you wanted to take a break from college and become A flight attendant. You talked to Dad  and he said OK  just promise me you will complete your degree.  You promised and in just a few weeks you were off to American Airlines.   Living in New York, skating in Central park, taking a flip and taken by ambulance to hospital and being released you walked back to your hotel with swollen forehead.  After a couple of years your came back to complete your degree while working part time.  Following graduation you gave your diploma to Dad.  Meeting so many people who had questions, about God.  You applied  (Dad was right, you needed a degree) to attend Talbot Seminary to get your Masters in Theology.  You continued to work and went to  Talbot part time. and Graduated. You set your goals and didn’t not turn back.

During these years you became to best Aunt to your precious nieces and nephew.  Loving to spend time with them and loving to shop and give them the best gifts.  

A joy to watch you become a homeowner and rent to other students.  You love gardening,being

hospitable, reaching out to children over the years.  Helping others, Colleen, Nikki, Nadia, and faithfully serving Duke for nearly 12 years.

Kim the years have flown by.  We love living close to you and attending Grace EVFree Church

together.  You have served so many over the years. Now in our Senior years you serve us so unselfishly.    Thank you for your shining example of honoring your parents.  We love you dearly precious Kim.  What a blessing you are to us.  50 years of  God’s Grace and Faithfulness

to us all.  Words fail to express how deeply we love and appreciate you. Happy Birthday!Love, Dad and Mom

From Gina Cooper

Kim,

Your friendship has meant so much to me over the years!

You've always stayed in touch.  Your effort to come for a visit, or just meet for lunch, is so appreciated.

Thank you for loving Megan like you have!

Your cards filled with kind encouraging words have always come at the right time!

Your consistent, gentle, graceful guidance to God, is Heaven sent!

You are an incredible friend, and simply an outstanding person!

Happy 50th Birthday!

Love you girl!

50 Things We Love About You!

Happy 50th, my beautiful sister! To celebrate 50 years, we are listing 50 Things We Love About You...youngest to oldest, so to start us off, here is Katherine, age four in her very own words:

1. I love her that she is so nice.
2. I love her that she gave us our fairies
3. (This is going to be awesome) And I LOVE being at her house!
4. And so, one more thing, I LOVE her taking us places!
5. I love her and I hope you have a Happy Birthday, and I love you. Happy Birthday!

From Emma, age six and a half, also verbatim:

6. I love Aunt Kim because she always gives us awesome presents
7. And because I love her house
8. She’s good at doing things like shopping for birthday things
9. And being nice
10. Because she always looks on the bright side of things
11. Her house is so nice and neat
12. And it’s pretty
13. She’s awesome
14. She presents presents nicely
15. She chooses awesome housemates
16. Because she didn’t mind when we built the fairy garden
17. Because she gave us our fairies and fairy boxes
18. And I like that big bunch of toys you bought for us to play with at your house last time we came.
19. And I’m glad she lets us watch movies, like Little House on the Prairie
20. She lets us eat sweets and have tea parties
21. She’s always willing to come and do lots of driving and flying so she can do fun things with us in Arkansas

Cody and Sophia have each written their own, so I will round off the list of 50 myself, in no particular order:

22. You took care of me when we were little. There is photographic evidence!
23. You continued to take care of me as we got older.
24. My strongest memory of that is running to find you on Western’s campus when I’d been horribly hurt by a Jr. High mean girl! You defended me so vehemently and comforted me so tenderly!
25. You continue to care for so many and have all your life!
26. I think of the children: Austin and Christian, Chanel, Hannah and Jun, and now our girls (but more on that below…)
27. And the elderly, especially Duke and Ruby.
28. You are an amazing Aunt to our three girls. You love on them, spoil them, model Christ to them, affirm them, celebrate them.
29. Last week you travelled longer than you were even here to support your nieces in their dramatic endeavors!
30. Because of all this, they are CRAZY about you! (See their entries above) :-)
31. You are a lover, creator, and sustainer of beauty.
32. Your home is a beautiful example of this.
33. As is your lovely garden.
34. And, as noted by my girls above, you give lovely, thoughtful gifts.
35. Like the time you replaced my sorely worn red slippers as a Christmas gift
36. And our recent “C” and “K” mugs which are our favorites!
37. You search for gifts all over the globe, and bless the receivers so much with your thoughtfulness!
38. You are so faithful in your love for our Lord.
39. You are an amazing servant of His Church.
40.  You are tireless in your service of people, pursuing them relentlessly with your love and service.
41. You are a lover of His Word, especially evidenced in your pursuing a Master’s Degree in Theology while continuing to work full time!
42. You are an amazing daughter to our parents, living near them, sharing life with them, caring for them.
43. You are an ardent evangelist. Only heaven will show how many know our Lord because of your witness, but I know several have told you.
44. You will certainly hear, “Well done, My good and faithful daughter!”
45. You have such a heart of hospitality, opening your home at every available opportunity.
46. You are willing to sacrifice time, money, vacation, and convenience to travel to be with us, in Arizona, Arkansas, and even Kansas!
47. You did that Kansas trip after travelling all the way to Israel and Ethiopia! You are amazing!
48. You are a faithful giver to the poor, as evidenced by your lifetime of giving to your Compassion children.
49. You are flexible in living with so many different people over the years and serving so many different kinds of people in your job.
50. No matter what you’re doing, you look lovely doing it, such attention to detail in your appearance as in every other area of your life!

I could go on, but we must get this blog published to celebrate you tomorrow morning. What a rich, wonderful life you’ve led in your half century! You are loved by so many and most especially by us! All our love, my dear sister, CKSEK

From Tracy Manson

Dear Kim,

I have so enjoyed getting to know you better this last year on Women's Ministry Team. I admire you for so many reasons. You are one of the most compassionate and caring people I know. You go above and beyond in loving people who are on the margins. You are a faithful servant of Jesus in your dedication to the ushers ministry and women's ministry (where I get to see you in action:) You are always smiling and gracious, and it's a pleasure to be in your presence. If there were more people like you in the world it would be much improved. I'm privileged to know you!

Happy Birthday! And may this next decade of your life be one of happiness, adventure, peace, fruitful ministry, and growth in the knowledge of our Lord!

May God richly bless you!

Your friend,

Tracy Manson

Quite the investor

Kim,

Of the many things there are to admire about your character, one that stands out to me is your ability to see potential and invest until it is realized. Your job was an early example--you stayed with demanding schedules until you reached a place in the company where you have a remarkable degree of flexibility enabling you to pursue other investments--such as your house. I remember seeing it for the first time, with its dingy, dark ceiling, dated and dusty kitchen, and dirty bedrooms. But you saw the potential and carefully, persistently invested your time and money to produce a lovely living space that is an oasis of peace in your busy world.

And then, of course, there are all the people in whom you have seen potential and invested. La Mirada EV Free was a struggling congregation when you joined, invested as a deacon with myriad responsibilities, and now it is Grace. bustling and bursting at its already-let-out seams. Many of the people contributing to this blog have benefited from your investments in their lives, but I remember particularly Duke, Chanel, Colleen, and Hannah and Jun. I know there have been many others.

I am especially partial to three of your beneficiaries who live in Arkansas. You have loved our girls with all your heart since each of them joined the Weirich family, investing hundreds of hours and dollars flying to be with them, shopping for them, praying and playing with them. They adore you. You serve as a potent example to them of a Christian compassionate to the vulnerable and a successful woman of faith working in corporate America. Thank you for seeing their potential and for continuing to invest, even at great expense, in their development. Your investment is already paying high dividends.

Here's to another fabulous fifty!

Cody

From the Talleys

Kim,

Congrats on 50 years of life!

The Talleys want you to know how much we love you on this special day in your life. Your life has been an encouragement to us through the years as we have observed you selflessly serving people in our church, your job, and in our community. The ways you have ministered have challenged us to seek to be more faithful in our own lives. So thanks for providing us an example to observe and emulate. May the Lord bless you in the days ahead and may you continue to be faithful to his call on your life. May the Lord bless you and keep you and cause his face to shine upon you and give you peace.

Love,

Dave and Joni (Amanda and Andrew....and Bama)

From Kim Le

So Very Dear Kimberly,

CONGRATULATIONS on your 50th!

Wish I could be there to take you out for a special celebration!

I am very grateful to my Heavenly Father for His provision of places to live wherever He has taken me all around the world.  However, I admit with JOY that living at your home during the first 4 years of my study at Biola had been the best J! It was truly home sweet home! I could truly…sleep well, study hard, work efficiently, exercise almost daily on my rebounder, appreciate your lovely touch of decoration and gorgeous orchids, enjoy your beautiful and your exquisite garden (my favorite place for relaxing, reading my Bible, spending time with God, as well as relishing meals by myself or with friends), prepare healthy meals and share them with you (and you appreciate my foods, too J!), etc…etc…. Thank you, dear Kim, for your love shown to people and me through your hospitality as well as in how your home was planned out, organized, and well-kept.

How can I say thank you enough, again, dear Kim for your generous heart in hosting my private graduation celebration from Biola in your lovely garden—what a dream place to share the special day of my life with my precious dear friends!

The Lord has lovingly put our paths crossed and you have tenderly welcomed me to your heart and your home! I will always treasure you as my God-sent friend and faithful, loving sister-in-Christ!

Blessings…Blessings…Blessings from our Heavenly Father, King Jesus, and Mighty Spirit upon you!

My deep gratitude and love to you! Miss you lots!

Kim Le  

From Paul LaRue

Kim,
This is Paul LaRue...just wanted to wish you an Amazing 50th!!!

You're an amazing woman of God.

Carolynne and I love your heart...may this year be Way Overly blessed.

Happy Birthday Kim!!!

From Dave and Judy

Dear Kim,

How can we describe you, dear one, and the blessing you have been to so many lives.  I think the word "Stewardess" is an apt word.  In 1 Corinthians 4:2 Paul states, "The prime requisite of a steward is faithfulness," and someone has said of that verse that, "...stewardship is the act of organizing your life so that God can spend you."  That is a word that marks your life.  Not only are you a faithful "Stewardess," you ARE a faithful stewardess of the word and life of God.  You give of yourself so willingly and lovingly to serve others' needs.  God's life shines in and through you.

Happy birthday, dear Kim.  Be blessed in His love.  Dave and Judy

From Sophia

Why you are one of the five best aunts in the ENTIRE WORLD!

Dear Aunt Kim,

You are most definitely one of the five best aunts in the world! I feel so sorry for all those kids who don’t have you as their aunt. It must be terrible. You are the best example I could ask for. You are: kind, loving, generous, gorgeous, and a great gift giver! Every time I see you, you give me something awesome. Great clothes, fun things from your travels, or just something fun that happens to become one of my most treasured possessions. Once my sisters and I stayed in California while my parents went to Alaska. Well, I’m not sure who had the most fun, I think it was the kids though. Every day there was something fun. Our awesome aunt took the time off and took us to amusement parks, the flower shop to get milkweed so we could raise monarchs, and countless other places. Then we would all go to her house, sit down and watch Little House on the Prairie. Then at my grandparents’ anniversary she let my cousins, sisters, and me make fairy gardens in her backyard that she planted and kept going. And got buckets of, toys, stuffed animals, and art supplies for us to play with. Oh and, one of the biggest signs of love, my aunt shares her bacon and her chocolate ice cream with me. As you can see my aunt is absolutely one of the five Best aunts in the world. And I absolutely want to be like you when I grow up. :)

your adoring niece, Sophia           

From Nancy Jesudass

Dear Kim,

  Thinking of you today with wonderful memories of a person you have been to me and my family. You had served Logos for a few years, assisting Moses and me while we were in mission of reaching out to Muslims in CA. I remembered how you were giving yourself so sacrificially just like your mother and like Jesus! Soon after I met your mother Geri you invited me over to your home in Alta Loma.

It was for a surprise private tea you set up in the dining room just for your mom and I. What a surprise when your Mom got up, and there I was at the dining room table! You wanted to give us an opportunity to visit without any interruptions. After serving, you left so we could be alone. I became a part of the Weirich family, and your mom has been one of my closest friends. Thank you, Kim, for the encouragement and memory of that time.

  Thank you being a blessing to me personally, Kim !

Happy Birthday Kimberly !!

     Love you,

      Nancy