My DadWhen my internet was down my dad had a birthday, 57, on July 15th. Just two days before Luke's birthday. I want to share a little bit about my dad. I happen to be one of those blessed women who has grown up with a dad who is very involved, plugged in, invested, in my life. My dad is larger than life, at least that's what I thought when I was a little girl. He stands 6 feet 8 inches tall. He's tall! I remember as a young girl bragging at how tall MY dad was! He was always so huge to me and he could be the only one to give "dad hugs". My dad became a Christian in his late teen years, after he met mom. He made a promise to God that if he could see without his bottle thick glasses he would serve Him. After my dad got contacts he met my mom, who was involved in a church. She took my dad to church. The way the story goes is that dad would drive mom to and from, then it was suggested that he just stay. He'd sit there with his head hung, pretending to not be interested, but not long after he gave His life to Christ and was baptized. My dad is a passion man. He's passionate about know the Word. When he was in his early 20's he read about the qualities of an elder and set out to grow those in his life. Growing up my dad was always studying, learning, and talking to others about what he was learning. He was never afraid to step outside the "norm" and go against the flow. He also has been known to stir a few pots and not be okay with unsettled questions or situations. My dad is also a thinker. He said when he was a paper boy he'd spend the entire paper route thinking about how he wanted to raise a family, what changes he wanted in his life, and how to make it all happen.Even now I know my dad reads about 30 to 50 books a year...at least! I remember when I was a young girl (I can still remember where I was sitting in the back of the powder blue station wagon) dad asked me and my sisters, "Are we good parents? What would you change if you could in the way we parent you?"
Maybe those weren't his exact words, but I remember him longing for excellent in raising his daughters. My dad began to spend some one on one time with each of his girls when we were pre-teens and teenagers. Tuesday nights were dad and daughter time (mom got a Tuesday night once a month as well). He take us out for dinner and talk to us about boys, life, manners, being a woman, the bible, raising a family, and many other topics. My dad is also a man of integrity. He's honest, hardworking, and doesn't cut corners! I grew up watching him suffer for not cutting corners or being full of integrity. He's in the construction field and there are plenty of shady carpenters. But not my dad! I've watched dad take a rather large cut in pay so he could spend more time with his family. It took him years to recover that income, but he knew his family was more important than making money. His integrity has paid off and just this year the company he works for has rewarded him in amazing ways! My dad is man of conviction! He is not conformed to this world, but transformed. He doesn't impose his convictions on others, but he's not afraid of hard convictions that completely and totally radically alter his life! My dad is not afraid of emotions. Now don't get me wrong he's not crying all the time. But I've seen my dad on his knees weeping as he confessed sin to us girls. He knew having a good relationship with his kids would require honesty, so honest he was, even if it hurt him to share. I am so thankful for that because it gave me the vision of being honest with my kids. Dad always said, "If you want a good relationship with your kids, you'll have to be willing to tell them everything you've done!" This helped keep me on the straight path. I wanted to have no secrets from my kids. My dad is an amazing grandpa. Of course, us three girls have come to realize dad doesn't really care for the baby stage, but he enjoys the kids as they get older and as he can have conversations with them. He gets excited when he talks about retirement. He can't wait to have "grandson" time and take the boys out and share with them what it means to be a man: a man of integrity, who walks closely with Christ, and knows what it means to provide and protect their families. For now, my dad is taking one Saturday morning a week with John. They get together for an hour and a half to talk "guy stuff". At our wedding when dad gave me away it was not, "I give her away" response, but a full charge to John to be the man of our household, to provide and protect the family God was giving him. It was a highlight of our wedding day. I am thankful for my relationship with my dad as a mom and an adult. I love that I can still call him when he's on a business trip and he takes time to talk to me. I love that he comes over after his trip and spends 30 minutes telling me about the most expensive meal he's ever eaten! I am thankful that he loves to be plugged into my life, willing to offer advice only when asked! I also am thankful that he still gives me dad hugs! Happy Birthday dad! I am so glad God gave me you as a dad and that you are my son's grandpa! May they bring you much joy! 
Oh and don't forget this video of my dad:
Happy belated birthday dad! I love you! | 
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