Jasoon.

My purple duck friend!! <= purple

Jason, you're one of the funniest people I know. Sometimes I don't think you even realise it; sometimes you're just so random. Like the time at supper in Box Hill when you were telling us about your aunty with the 'unfortunate name' as JerP put it. I don't even remember what the name was but I remember that it was indeed unfortunate. And I remember not being able to breathe because I was laughing so hard as you mimicked your mum talking to her on the phone. What was the name again? Some awkward coagulation of consanants beginning with G and ending with K, if I remember correctly...

Jason, you have a true heart for worship. You've been doing a really good job at worship leading and you take it seriously, not just as some set of 'holy' songs. You've really grown as a worship leader. I think most of us start out concentrating on just trying to do the signals and coordinate that with singing the right notes but now I really believe that you are well past that stage and you've developed into a worship leader, not just a song leader.

Some things about you just baffle me. Like all the times you've talked to me about how things were going wrong, the things you were struggling with and yet you always ended the conversation with how you trust God and you know that all things will work out because He's in control and you'll just keep worshiping through it all. Things like that really amaze me because I myself tend to just turn into some self-centred hermit when troubles come my way. So hearing you say these things encourages me. Keep it up! Another thing you've taught me and that I really admire is your humility and your ability to ask for help when you need it. I have never seen even a glimpse of pride or arrogance in you at youth (though I'm pretty sure you're not perfect - none of us are :p) but my point is that pride isn't a major issue with you as it is with some others.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my Master Uguay-ong for teaching me soccer skills like feinting and giving me tips like, 'it's important to be confident so find something that you like doing', and this led us to sing a midnight rendition of Twinkle Twinkle in the single-digit degree temperatures of Albury during MYC. And then we ate biscuits. So thankyou for taking me under your wing as JaneLee-kenobi.

Jasoon purple duck, you are such an important part of Impact. Though we may tease and poke fun at you (as well as just poke you in general) we all love you so so much! And we would definitely all notice and miss you terribly if you broke your leg and weren't able to come on Friday nights. So moral of the story is, don't break your leg. Arm is okay.

Rechil

I can't even BEGIN to explain how proud I am of this girl! I have known Rachel for as long as I can remember because our parents are friends from the Stone Age. I've seen her grow exponentially as Christian in the past few years and I am SO PRIVILEGED to have been able to watch her and walk beside her.

Rachel, you are amazing, really you are. I've said most of this to you before in some form or another but I'm going to say it again here so that everyone can read it and know just how awesome you are! Your heart to serve is such a blessing to everyone around you, especially at IMPACT. You've been doing a great job at making the birthday cards and you're very organised with it as well, doing your best to make sure they get signed and are given to the person on time. Also with supper duty, you've been very organised and faithful with that as well.
I see how you look after people and how you are so good at following up on them and keeping in touch. I know sometimes you worry that you aren't doing enough, but believe me, what you do to keep in contact with people is at least ten times mroe than the average person.
I truly believe that as you live your life for God, people will and can already see that there's something different about you. You do have a heart for people and you notice them. And not only do you notice them, you love them and you go out of your way to talk to them and spend time with them. I know I'm older than you and all, but watching you love others really does motivate me to want to look after people more as well.
You've been doing an amazing job with kids' church. From what I remember, you stepped up to help out with it only because there wasn't anyone else, but that's what makes it extra special. I think you went a little bit out of your comfort zone but you've really done so well with it and you've made a lasting impression on the kiddies just by loving them and taking the time and energy to be involved in their lives. I'm so proud of you!!
You just have such a heart and a willingness to serve in the church and outside as well (like Mustard - I'm so excited for that!!) that it really shines through. The Kingdom of God needs more people like you. People who see the needs around them and who step up to meet those needs. That's what a true leader does. You're also very teachable (though I remember a time once when you weren't :p) and I love how you ask questions to find out more or to be able to answer someone else's questions.

It's really been an amazing privilege to be your friend and to watch you grow and become involved in ministry. I know this is such a cliche phrase, but you have SO MUCH POTENTIAL and I really believe you are well on your well to reaching it :D :D

You are my boo.

albert latte

Albert. Here's one especially for you.

You inspire me with your honesty and openness. We've had some pretty deep and meaningful conversations, usually about religion and philosophical issues. You're not afraid to ask questions (though sometimes you say you are, you always end up asking them anyway) - and then I try my best to answer them. You're willing to accept a opposing point of view when it makes sense to you, but you're also not afraid to speak out when it still doesn't make sense to you or you disagree with it.
You inspire me because you're so grounded and down to earth. You're humble enough to admit when you don't know something or when you're wrong. Your apologies are always genuine (though unfortunately it usually doesn't stop you from doing the same thing the next day).

There. I expect a nice present the next time I see you.

inspire.

I was thinking recently about how pointless a eulogy actually is. (For those who don't know what a eulogy is, or as Zoolander says, 'a eugoogly', it's a little speech at someone's funeral saying what an awesome person they were). Perhaps a eulogy makes others feel better, and I'm sure it does. But wouldn't it be amazing if we could say those things to the actual person before they passed away?
At IMPACT youth we have discussed a few times about how we don't affirm and encourage each other enough. At Melbourne Life Christian Church they encourage each other in front of the entire church, on stage - "Hey everyone, didn't Lauren do a wonderful job this morning?" Affirmation is a powerful thing - it can totally change someone's day around. It's both curative and preventative for a wounded heart. Obviously it needs to be said with genuineness and it's not a failsafe treatment. But imagine a young girl, told everyday that she's beautiful. Doesn't it make sense that she's less likely to develop an eating disorder later in life? Or a husband told by his wife that she thinks he's an amazing man and that she trusts him to provide - isn't he less likely to turn to alcohol or gambling (or other women) because he feels inadequate and insufficient for her?
So I begin here, before it's too late for me to tell you what I really think of you. Pre eulogy. This is what a wonderful person I think you are. Not were. This is real and this is honest, in no particular order. Those I don't mention, don't be sad. I may have just not thought of it at the moment. Or maybe you're just too inspiring for words. Or maybe you just don't inspire me :P

+Rachel, you inspire me to study the Bible more. You tell me about how you read something the other day and you want to understand it better, and it makes me want to read the Bible more often because firstly, I should be doing that anyway, and secondly, so that I can answer your questions. You inspire me to be creative.
+Carlson, you inspire me to reach out to nonChristians. You're so passionate about what you believe in and you always depend on God to give you the words to say when you need to say it.
+Jem, you inspire me to keep worshiping and praising even when things are going horribly wrong and when I don't feel like I can. You inspire me to put people first.
+Peebee, you inspire me to look after other people. And to want to talk more to others, check up on them, and keep them accountable. You inspire me to be honest and open. Thanks for being such a wonderful, genuine friend and leader.
+Sarahpea, you inspire me to look after other people as well. I see how you take care of the younger girls at youth, and you do an awesome job at it.
+Brybry, you inspire me to be more patient and slower to anger. I have never ever seen you angry or impatient with anyone, even if they're being difficult. You're always smiling and gentle.
+Ashley, you inspire me to be a passionate worshiper and to trust God at all times.
+JonT, you inspire me to be more easygoing and to look after others. Thanks for the times you've called to check up on me.
+Ida, you inspire me to cook. Unfortunately this is one inspiration that will only ever come to fruition should I have no money, can't steal any, and the house is empty of all microwaveable food and pizza shapes.
+JackjackYao, you inspire me to care for others more. I know how you feel when people say you're so nice, but I do see something in you, how you are capable of caring for those around you, and it amazes me. Thanks for looking after me the past one and a half years.
+Robbie and Alby, you inspire me to study harder, only so I can answer your questions when you start panicking the night before the exam.
+those who have hurt me, you inspire me to never want to do to anyone what you did to me, because I never want to be the one who made someone cry like you made me cry.
+Jesus, you inspire me to live and love.