June 18, 2007

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  I didn’t get a chance to post this on Saturday, so that it would show up on Father’s Day, but wouldn’t you all agree … it’s never, ever, too late to honor those special Dads in our lives, right?!  Well, this is a little shout-out to my sweet hubby who’s been the “Bestest Dad” in the whole wide world to our precious son!  I’m so blessed to be married to the one whom God chose to be a father to Ian!  Thank you, darlin’, for guiding him to know who his Heavenly Father is … for leading him on paths of righteousness … for your loving discipline … your never ending tenderness toward him … for always telling him what a precious gift he is from God … for all those hugs, past, present and those to come!  I know he misses you on this special day, and I know you talked to him earlier, but I just wanted to thank you for both of us … for loving him, and for being the Greatest Dad and Godly example that you have been for him these past 22 years … {23 on July 12}! 
  
  Happy Father’s Day, Sweetie, we both love you! 
  

  
  ~ Teeny Tiny ~
  {but only for awhile … see last picture!!}
  
  
  
  

  
  ~ Gentle Loving Papa ~
  
  
  
  

  
  ~ Christmas Play … Joseph & Baby Jesus ~

  
  
  

  
  ~ First trip to “The Mall” ~ 
  {Look at that face…typical guy when it comes to a trip to the mall!}
  
  
  
  

  
  ~ Back Pack with free back rubs ~
  {He taught him young!}
  
  
  
  
  ~ Learnin’ to strum ~
  
  
  
  

  
  ~ Smiley Faces and lots of love ~
  
  
  
  

  
  ~ Lean on me … with a smile ~

  
  
  

  
  A gift of “LOVE” to Papa!

  
  
  

  
  Buddies eatin’ lunch at King’s Island.

  
  
  

  
  Lumberjack Lew … and Sidekick Son!

   
  
  

  
  ~ Sharing Life Lessons Together ~

  
  
  

  
  ~ 2006 ~
  All grown up & a little older!
  I love these guys!

  
  I sure hope these pictures all come through!  Let me know which ones might have that little face that says “Image Not Found!  I could have put up so many more pictures, but this is a start, and we’ll save the others for the next slide show!!  Let’s be honest, we all love those family slide shows, don’t we!!  :0)  And those pictures from their trip should be here soon … I know, I know, I keep saying that, but they really will get here, eventually!  As for our weekend … we went to my SIL’s for a combination Father’s Day, and welcome home party for her daughter.  She came home from Hawaii to stay until mid July.  That is where both her, and her husband are stationed, but he is right now serving over in Iraq … she said he is in a fairly safe place, but you could see the concern in her eyes.  We are praying!  We had a great time together eating BBQ spareribs, chicken, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, brocolli salad, the best cheesy bacon potato casserole ever, lettuce salad, veggies and dip, cold sweet ice tea, brownies, and cherry dump cake {which I brought}.  Everyone wanted to know about Ian, and how he was doing.  We shared videos from Ian and Tim’s work that’s here on Xanga.  Then Lewis headed to the prison ministry for the evening … and I headed home.  When Lew got home, he said the inmates were really on fire and the LORD was moving on their hearts!  A revival behind bars … with singing and praising God! 
  
  As for Sunday … a dear friend stopped by to borrow a book, and we enjoyed talking for awhile!  We had planned to go out to dinner, but after she left, we realized we’d rather just stay home and have a home cooked meal!  We had simple meal of baked lemon herbed fish, wild rice pilaf, and a green veggie … then we just sat around and enjoyed a quiet afternoon.  It was 93* here, and we opted to stay home in the air conditioning!  I guess we are spoiled!  Thank you, LORD, for air conditioning!  How blessed we are!  We will celebrate Father’s Day in real style when the ONE who made him a dad gets back home!  Oh, Lewis loved the 2 shirts he sent him!  He looks quite nice in them, if I do say so myself!   Well, you all have a wonderful Monday!  I’m going to do some visiting on here … catch up, say hi, see how you’re all doing!  
  
  As for me, and my earthly father … I read this devotion on Sunday, and it was as if this person had looked into my heart, then began to write about my life!  So I thought I’d share … { *my notes } …
  
  ~ My Father’s Eyes ~
  
  Father’s day brought up some memories for me this year since my father has been deceased for a long time.  {*He died when I was 8 years old.}  I hesitated to speak on this subject because I do not have the fondest recollections of my father. Yet, as a Christian I have forgiven him for his neglect, and have realized how he suffered much torment as a nonbeliever and as an alcoholic. 
  
  I forgave him long, long ago.  He probably did the best he could.  I pray for those who either have lost their father through death, divorce or perhaps some type of abuse or neglect.

  I do know today, at this moment, that I have the best Father, one who looks out for my good.  He longs to bless all of us in special ways.  We need to really get to know Him because He wants to guide our lives.

  When we learn about His love and goodness, our grief suffered by loss, and all the sorrows of the past will soon fade away.   When I look at others, I try to see them through my heavenly Father’s eyes.  His eyes are so kind and full of compassion.  

  As His daughter, I have inherited those same eyes.  I will continue to help people see that He wants to be a father to the fatherless, and even though I haven’t celebrated Fathers Day for so many years, I can celebrate my heavenly Father’s love this year.  Every day, I try to share this message with others who may be without an earthly father or those who do not have many fond memories of their father.

  When I look at my son, I see so many of the qualities of a great dad. He plays with his niece and nephew, and dearly loves those children.  When he hands his niece a chocolate pudding (that is almost a given whenever she comes to stay with us) her face lights up.  It’s always the little things that make her smile, and my son loves to give these simple gifts to her.  {*He is really like this too…his Daddy raised him to be a lover and a giver, with much compassion!}

  Matthew 7:11 promises,

  “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (NIV)

  Our Father God has gifts and blessings He wants to give us.  Sometimes He gives us what we ask for, and other times He just blesses us with the unexpected.  The Bible tells us that He loads us daily with His benefits.  

  Psalm 68:19 says,  

  “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.” (KJV)

  We need to realize that He can make up for anything we lack from our past.  If you have a great dad let him know how much you appreciate him, and never take him for granted.  Let us also remember those great dads who have gone on to heaven.  And for the ones who feel as if their dad may have missed the mark … you are not fatherless, our father God is showering you daily with His love.

  Romans 8:16 declares,

  “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” (NIV)
  
  

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