Father's Day Weekend

Another Father's Day weekend has come and gone and we were so glad to have both children home with us this year. For the past three years, Rachel was touring with a Choir through the university and we missed her so much. But this year, she was home with us. Yay! Several years before that, the teen music/drama ministry I directed with a local Church also left on Father's Day for our annual tours. So it was very nice to be home...together...finally.

As Tim read his cards and opened gifts, I couldn't help but imagine what it will be like when little JennaBeth (EmmaKate?) will be a part of our Father's Day celebrations. What a wonderful blessing it will be to finally have our baby girl/s from China home. But for now...we hold her in our hearts and celebrate Fatherhood that truly reaches to the other side of the world.

I have been blessed with an incredible Dad in my life and thank God for him. Dad has taught me many lessons in this lifetime...and I am so grateful. He's taught me about love, laughter and life. He taught me to get back on the horse, (both literally and figuratively), when I am thrown off and land on the ground. He taught me to stand for what is important...and dismiss what doesn't matter. He's taught me about thinking through things before making decisions....while not hesitating to protect those I love. He taught me to sing...and how to adjust the clutch and check the oil on my VW beetle. He taught me to cherish family..present and those before us. And he's taught me to develop the gifts God gave me. Dad always encouraged my music and my education. He never stops caring...and he still wants to know when I arrive home from a long trip. He's taught me that we never stop being parents...and how to graciously give our children wings...without severing their roots. I've watched Dad raise five children...four sons...and me, right in the middle of those boys. But Dad always has a way of treating us with love, respect and kindness...equally yet individually. I can hardly wait to hand him his sixth (maybe seventh) grandchild someday soon. Many of the lessons I have learned about parenting, I learned from him.

So Happy Father's Day to my husband...You're a wonderful father, Tim. Happy Father's Day to my Dad...I love you and I will always be your little girl. Happy Father's Day to every man who touches lives as a Dad or as the son of one. Happy Father's Day to the Father who continues to orchestrate uniting us with our precious daughter/s in China. We count our blessings as we continue the journey.
Cherishing Dads...
Terri and Family