a late happy birthday to my dad
It's Sunday, the day I don't usually post on this here blog.
But it was my dad's birthday this past week, and I wanted to tell you a little bit about him (I told you what I learned from my mom when it was her birthday back in June).
So, here are some things that I appreciate about my dad.
1. He loves God and the gospel
I'm so thankful that I was born into a home with two Christian parents and I'm thankful for all the ways that my dad's faith in Christ affected the way that he parented my siblings and me.
2. He works hard
My dad is not one to sit in the house and watch TV all day and I respect that about him. He is a go-getter and is not afraid of hard physical labor. Even though he's retired from his two jobs (he played sax in a band and had an in-ground sprinkler system installation company), he's still not sitting quietly at home. He works at church, invests time in discipling people, and is busy at home, working in the garden, hauling wood for his woodstove and building things (he's working on modifying their deck right now!).
Because my dad worked so hard to provide for us when we were growing up, my mom was able to stay home and teach me all the things I told you about in her birthday post. 🙂
3. He doesn't always work
My dad works hard, but he's not a workaholic. Even when I was a kid, he always ate breakfast with us, always had family devotions with us, always ate dinner with us (and often lunch when he was home), and always spent time in the evenings with us (we read through books out loud together before bed).
4. He loves my mom
Growing up, I didn't really realize how many unhappy marriages existed in the world and I also was pretty blissfully unaware of how many marriages don't last.
Of course, I'm more enlightened now, and I'm that much more appreciative of the fact that my parents are still together and are still happy.
5. He takes an interest in what I'm doing and encourages me
You know how some people only seem interested in talking about themselves or what's going on in their lives? Well, my dad is good at being interested in what I'm up to, and he encourages me in my endeavors. He reads my blogs, tells me when he thinks I wrote an especially good post ;), asks how things are going at church, asks about Mr. FG's job, and tells me I've done a good job when he hears me play the piano.
I love my dad and I'm glad God picked him for me! 🙂
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Today's 365 post: It's a baby explosion!
Joshua's 365 post: Stop Motion and a Tutorial
A lovely post about your dad. Thanks for sharing~
That is so sweet!!. It is awesome what a good parent or parents can do for us, and how they really do shape us as we grow. I am also happy that you realize how blessed you are. That is a great thing!!! I love this post!
Thanks for inspiring us to consider what good ou rparents have brought to our lives!
This was touching to me b/c my father was never around when I was growing up. Then my parents divorced when I was ten. I have no idea what "sitting in Daddy's lap" means. I gave my heart to the Lord when I was 12, but didn't really come to know Him until I was 35. Thank God for His grace and mercy, and that HE IS MY FATHER now!
It is always good to hear that other people have had a great childhood (and adulthood) b/c of their parents! When I was younger, I never understood why people said that they wanted to give their children a better life then they had growing up. Any kid would be lucky if they had my childhood! I would have to strive to do as good of job as my parents, if I had kids! It sounds like God blessed you and your siblings as much as he did me and my brother! I only wish every child could grow up in a Christ-loving, family-loving, attentive parents environment--oh, how the world would be different!
So lovely, what a great foundation your parents gave you and now you are returning the favour to your kiddos.
How lovely!
What a beautiful tribute to your dad!
Judy
I loved your post about your Dad, Kristen. God has definitely blessed you with each other. Hearing about your Dad from a loving daughter's point of view brought the tears. Thank you for sharing.
Happy birthday to your Dad! He looks and sounds like a real character! I am lucky to have a similarly wonderful Daddy and am thankful every day for the support he gives to my life.
Beautiful photo...love that you love your parents so much. I love mine a ton too !
Well, there is where Sonia gets her blonde hair!! From her grandmama!! 🙂 lol
Ha! Except my mom's hair is that color because of hair dye. 😉 Her normal color is a lot darker than that.
He must be quite the musician if he played in the Army Field Band! (As an Air Force spouse, I have a habit of scrutinizing people's uniforms, and as a musician, I always perk up when I read about other musicians!) What a beautiful post about your family, and what a great picture of your folks together.
Congratulations to your dad, and please thank him for his service.
He IS really good at playing the saxophone...I love to hear him play!