It’s Your Day Daddio!

Daddio, as I began thinking about how to write this and what to write, all the memories flashed through my mind. Friday afternoons after school where we would leave for the weekend to go to softball tournaments all over the midwest. The nights we would go in the backyard to the pitching mound you built and we would pitch but also just talk about life. Life as a teenage girl was difficult but you would always listen. Those nights I would come home crying upset and you encouraged me to get my frustration out through softball rather than an unhealthy way. I think about the many vacations we took, going to the American Girl Doll store as a child. Our thurday night dates at Applebee’s with friends or sometimes just the two of us. I look back to the teenage years and even now when you tell me and Jadan to stop wearing makeup, stop dying our hair or trying to look pretty because we are already beautiful.

There is something so special about a relationship between a father and daughter. I often tell people I am protective over you. I only bring those really close to me to meet you. Really its unexplainable. To be gifted with an earthly father that goes out of his way to be a man of God, serve his daughter and set the standards high for any other man that walks into my life. I think about the significance of having an earthly father who strives to look like Jesus. Thank you for never leaving me. Thank you for pursuing me every single day and pushing me to be better and do better even when I did not want to hear it. The many times I would disobey and push you away yet you always came running back. What a beautiful depiction of the Heavenly Fathers love I have on earth because of you Dad.

Thank you for your unending support. Thank you for being tough on me because if it was not for those times ,I would not be where I am today. Thank you that you go out of your way to serve me. If its flying across the world to see me in South Africa, sending me bible verses during the valleys in life or praying through my anxiety attacks. The countless times you have helped move me in and out of apartments because I seem to move a lot. Thank you for setting standards high. Through quality time, surprising me with coffee, deep conversations, picking me up at the airport with flowers, and being honest when my messy, sassy self comes out you have showed me what it looks like to be truly loved by a man.

So heres to say, Happy Fathers Day Daddio. I literally could not imagine having another one. One who takes life as it is and loves everyday. One who connects with children because he is a child at heart. One who laughs and purposely embarrasses Jadan and I. One who provides and serves so well. I love you to the moon and back. See you in 12 days!!

Update: We just made it to Final Debrief. Tomorrow we will begin debriefing our trip, having sessions and one on ones. I’ll be home in 6 days. I would love prayers for an easy transition as I am so excited to see family and friends but not ready to leave my brothers and sisters who I have done life with the last 11 months.

I would love for you to prayerfully consider donating to my trip. If you are interested in T-shirts please let me know by July 1st. Month 11, You Are Weird blog has pictures of what they look like. Long sleeves $25 Short Sleeves $20

See y’all in the states soo soon!!