Carla, 

We started as Fruitdale Ave. neighbors, and became family friends. How lucky I feel when I think back to the Fruitdale gang and the memories we created. Not many people get to have the neighborhood family we did. I roller skated in your driveway, played pretend driving in your car, played with your kids, and hopped back and forth from my yard to yours countless times. We had the BEST neighborhood holiday parties. Our Halloween parties were my favorite. I fondly remember how all of the adults would plan such an amazing time for the families. Apple bobbing, Anne's piñatas, games, and SO MUCH FOOD!

I have already told you this, but you are the first person I looked up to that made me want to be a stay-at-home mom. I am forever grateful for that gift you gave me because it is the best thing I've ever done. As early as 10 years old you entrusted me to babysit Faith, Jared, and Jacob from the time they were born and included me in your daily routine. Those were some of my best memories! I'll never forget the Fruitdale neighborhood going away party when your family left San Jose and moved to Sisters. I had already married and moved into my own place, but it was so surreal saying goodbye to the Merrells. Who would've known what was to come....

I cherish the road trip Doug and I took in June of 1998 to visit you guys and the Opies. You opened your home to Doug, me, Trevor (2yrs), and Luke (10 months) and treated our boys like your own. You showed us around Sisters and made us feel right at home. 

You were an answer to prayer when Doug and I were looking at moving from California to Oregon back in the summer of 2000. I had 3 prayer requests, and one of them was asking God to provide Doug a job before we made the big leap to move our little family of 5 to a new state. On our way to the airport after visiting Bend you offered Doug a job. It was the 3rd prayer request we were waiting on an answer for. Thank you for allowing God to use you in such an incredible way to bless our family, and increase my faith in my walk with God. 7 months later you, and Vicki showed up the day we moved in with food for an army and took care of us so very well! 

Carla, you are loved and cherished by many and a blessing to us as well. Your children and grandchildren are incredibly favored to have you as a mother and grandmother. My prayers will ever be with them in this life. 

I am grateful that I have ties to you with our Fruitdale gang, and also ties to mutual friends in Sisters. But the best tie of all is the one we have in Jesus! What a wonderful day that will be when we see each other again! 

With love and gratefulness,

Sandi (Inman) Hull