A Tribute to an Awesome Father on his birthday

This is Hannah.  I also wanted write up a post about the wonderful man I have the privilege of calling father - in honor of his birthday.  I do not have the gift of writing, like my sister, but I'll do my best to convey my thoughts and feelings into words easily understood.
A little over 3 years ago, near the end of March 2007, we were all sitting around the breakfast table one Wednesday morning, when daddy announced that he and I would be heading to Georgia for the Father/Daughter Retreat the next day.  I was very surprised and didn't exactly know what to expect.  Late Thursday night we started our travels.  We arrived at Calloway Gardens around 11:30 a.m. on the next day. That afternoon we played games and ate a dinner on a big green hill overlooking a small lake.  Later that night the sessions began.  I had never heard such encouraging and convicting words in my life.  The next day the sessions continued and around 10 o'clock p.m. they had sharing time.  During this time many fathers and daughters stood up confessing things to each other and encouraging each other.  As the testimonies continued I felt the Lord tell me to stand up and publicly give my heart to my daddy...so I did! 

Since that wonderful night my daddy and I have grown in our relationship so much!!  As I've grown older I've observed many other father and daughters and have realized how very blessed I am to have daddy as my father.  Papa is caring and thoughtful, selfless and kind.  He's strong physically but most important spiritually.  He loves the Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength and showed me the Way I should walk.  I would not be the woman I am today if it weren't for my daddy's loving counsel and advice.  I was almost 13 when daddy started reading "Before You Meet Prince Charming" by Sarah Mally, which introduced me to courtship and saving your heart for the one the Lord will bring to you.  I shudder to think where I could be right now if it weren't for daddy searching and praying for another method other than the failed option of dating.  Daddy loves each of us equally and tries wholeheartedly to get to know each of us first as individuals and to appreciate the different gifts and personalities the Lord's given us.

Well, I could go on and on but I really should stop before I lose some of you (if I haven't lost you already ;-).  This is my tribute to the awesome man I have the privilege of calling father!!  Happy 41st Birthday!

I love you daddy!

Your daughter forever,

Hannah

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Somebody at church once asked me why I smile so much. At that time I just shrugged my shoulders and smiled some more, but, after I thought about it, I know why I smile so much.

#1:  I have a wonderful Lord and Savior.  Jesus is so beautiful and wonderful, it's hard for me to not keep smiling when He walks with me everyday (some days I think I can actually feel Him!).  It's just absolutely wonderful!  Everything He created is so gorgeous and I'm blessed beyond all measure.  Blessed to live in America, blessed to be homeschooled, blessed to live in the country, blessed to be able to spend time with the God of the Universe, blessed to be in such a wonderful church, blessed to know like-minded believers, blessed to be a sister to 7 people (soon to be 8!), blessed to be a daughter, blessed to be a lady, blessed to be able to read the Word of God, and the last one...

#2:  Blessed to be in such a wonderful family and have such a wonderful father (and Mama!).  I really think that having Mama and Daddy as my parents is half of the reason why I smile so much.  I couldn't imagine life where no one in the family smiles, laughs, jokes, or anything.  Waking up every morning and seeing Daddy tumble down the stairs, half-asleep, to give us a kiss on our foreheads (with his eyes barely opened), is so funny and wonderful.  Hannah and I look at each other in amusement every morning.  Watching Daddy go to the computer, pull up one of his favorite songs on Youtube and dance with Mama in the kitchen, as he smiles down into her face, is absolutely precious.  Seeing Daddy contort his face into many different shapes, keeps conversation alive and joyful.  For those of you who know Daddy, you know he cares for people.  He doesn't just ask "How are you?" he asks, he talks, and he exhorts you.  He doesn't write people off as moody or just plain weird, he talks to them and gets to know them...and then he prays for them.  In the fall and winter, after kisses and hugs were given before bed, I'd look out our big picture window and see Daddy sitting on a log, rusty chair, or anything available, staring into our wood furnace...and I knew he was praying and talking to Jesus, as the fire lit up his face.  Talking to Jesus about his children, his wishes, his desires, people he knew - anything.  Daddy also isn't afraid to cry.  Every now and then, when we're all cuddled up on the couch, with ice cream in hand, preparing to watch a movie, Daddy's eyes search our eyes.  I see the tears well up and start to flow and Daddy chokes out words like these, "I was just looking around and thinking how blessed I am and how much I treasure these moments.  Because I only have a short time with you all, and then you'll be gone.  Gone getting married, having babies" and here he laughs.  Am I not blessed with a Daddy like this?  He makes mistakes - sure - but then he comes back and asks forgiveness.  There is no Daddy like my Daddy.

And that is one of the reasons I smile so much.

Happy birthday, Daddy!  I love you with all my heart!

Kimber :)

"...the glory of children is their father..."

Proverbs 17:6