Happy Father's Day Dad

The best moments are the ones where I’m sitting at the kitchen counter, maybe staring across the open pages of a book, maybe mindlessly bending the corners of the papers littering the countertop, and he’s standing cutting strawberries into his cereal, and we’ve landed on something that needs talked through. Or the other night, when we came home from a Sox game with all the family in tow, and it was late, but I asked for a bike ride and he pumped up the tires. It was less about riding stealthily through the quiet neighborhoods under the stars and more about the fact that I had some things that needed talked through.

Sometimes I’m just a little girl and things need talked through. These are the best moments.

They say that when I was little there was no off button. Pure chatterbox, through and through, processing and talking like the alphabet was a gold mine and I was gonna get my share of the wealth. Mom would listen forever, then pass me off to Dad for his own ear workout.

And the listening always said, You matter. You have something to say that I think is valuable and I want to know you, so talk it out. (Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. Now that’s what I call listening.)

Have I mentioned that my dad is an inspiring, tireless, giving, crazy representation of my Dad?

To my dad: You and mom are my best friends. I’m exhausting and overbearing sometimes and you just never quit. You have poured yourself into me, Lauren, and Becca and we don’t even appreciate the half of it. Your life says to me that loving God and loving people is it—and sometimes it drives you to bend the rules, sometimes it causes you to be an absolute nut. Sometimes you look a little crazy…and it’s because you have your priorities straight. Your tenacity in this church, your marriage, your family, could only be from God and his evidence is all over you and your life. I have snuck onto your blog to chatter some more and say this: I love you. So much. We three are the luckiest daughters on the planet.

Vehement shoes.
-ee/rayray

My dad can beat up your dad.

It’s true.

See, ever since I was born I knew I was one of the luckiest little girls because I could be so proud of my dad. Whether my huge smirking baby cheeks proved how much I adored him, or my fat little infant thighs were testimony to how much he filled me with love, my daddy blessed my life starting from day one.

The biggest testament to my dad’s awesome parenting is how he made me and my sisters legitimately think we were princesses. Countless homevideos feature me and my sisters in costume, dressed to the nine only to twirl around in circles for the camera, and for dad. See, no prince was necessary when we had dad’s admiring smile. You all look so pretty. Twirl around again!

Even now those approving glances mean the world, even if they do involve embarrassing exposure in front of the whole church congregation.:) And what is so beautiful is how he not only makes us feel important, but his love and approval have translated into a royal treatment of a different caliber. Dad has shown us how Christ loves us, and because of his example, we are living and striving towards our own relationships with the King. We are legitimate princesses in Christ because dad helped us believe we are so worth loving.

Thanks dad for embracing this topsy-turvy life with three girls. Thanks for loving us individually, for making us so so proud to be your daughters, and for keeping your eye on the prize of Christ the whole time. We love you. I love you.

<3Lolo

MY dad is the best. Everyone says that about their father, but if you were to look at my family you could see how my dad has had an impact on each one of our lives. My dad always takes time for play (especially now that we have a wii). He always pushes us to do our best, but won’t be let down or upset if we fall short of what he wants.

My dad is loving, kind, and compassionate. My dad is the face of Jesus. When he plays with kids, a sense of joy comes over him. He taught us how to be all the things that Jesus is. I am who I am because he chose to listen to God in all ways. My dad paved the way for our family. He looks out for us and always wants the best for our family, but never hesitates to tell how things do not always come easy. You have to trust God, he says. I learned to have my own relationship with the Savior because of his and mom’s example.

My dad can be my best friend and my worst enemy, but I will always know that no matter how much we disagree on things, he only wants the best for me. My dad deserves so much more than one day; he deserves eternity.

I love you dad. You’re the best.
Love, bec

Comments

[Mike]

I am so glad that the internet is still hackable! Bigger sites than Tims Blog have been hyjacked (Amazon, EBay, CNN etc.) but none for a better purpose. Great Job!! - and thanks for sharing him with us! Your selflesness and the character that each of you witness to many is a tool God is using to draw others close to Him. "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Number 6:24-26

[Diane Carroll]

I just heard the sermon today "Am I The One", I was pictured on the video as the "one" starting a charity. The charity is My Joyful Heart. The sermon brought to mind all the memories of how Jesus took me, one average person, to do His work among the poor local children. All I wanted to do was to help two kids, but Jesus had a bigger plan. It's been a journey that is filled with God experiences starting with filing for the non-profit status, which I did with the help of Jesus & received the 501c3 status in six weeks time (I'm told it normally takes 18 months). Getting free warehouse space to hold inventory and do our assembly of gift packages (over 2500 each year)when my basement could no longer hold all the new clothing, toys, school supplies and so much more. Two days before the move from my basement one volunteer & I started the monumental job of packing up, the door bell rang & a sponsor came with help, her family, to pack & carry it all into my garage.
I had a really nice 14 year career, vice president, officier of an extended warranty company, 6 weeks paid vacation, gas allowance, bonus, it was really comfortable, again God had a different plan for me. HE wanted me full-time. In Feb 2006 a situation came up at this company that made me decide to leave. (Later, I looked at this as yet another work of God, He knew I was too comfortable where I was & wouldn't leave without being pushed.) There I was, self supporting and out of work, well a paying job anyway. I was worried; how will I manage,did I do the right thing by leaving? God saw to it that I was given a partial salary for 6 months & 18 months of health insurance. Jesus directed me to Psalm 40:1-3 and I felt at peace and no longer worried how I was going to provide for myself, HE would do it.
Shortly after this My Joyful Heart exploded, we had over 300 kids enrolled in the program & needed an office and sponsors; I found the office, wasn't sure about taking on the added responsibility of now paying rent & buying furniture & supporting a staff & I prayed for God to give me something to go on, was I to rent this office? Two days after finding it; we received a check in the mail for the 1st month rent, then that same day, we were given 3 new office desks and filing cabinets but no chairs. The next week World Vision sent me a notice that they had new clerical chairs if anyone needed them! Then Parkview provided many sponsors through the "Sweat the Small Stuff" series in 2007. God had once again provided for our needs.
The best story I have is from Dec.2005; a few of my sponsors and myself delivered the Christmas gifts we had for 50 inner city kids. We had been providing assistance at this school since 2002 but I had never visited the school myself. I met the principal; Dr. Lenoard Moore, he looked at the gift packages and read the tags that said "This gift is given to you in celebration of our Savior's birth." He asked me how did I pick his school to help; not knowing anything about this man, I responded, "I felt divinely led". He was quiet for a minute & then said to me that he is a Christian and that the teachers pray everday for help for their kids; "you are an answer to prayer".
I like to think of this journey that Jesus has invited me on as a walk with Him to experience what HE can do if you only say yes to HIM. We currently have 360 kids (200 are in need of sponsors) that we provide love & encouragement to through gifts. It is a challenge for the needed support but I know that if we do our part, Jesus will do His. God willing we will continue to share the love of Jesus with needy kids in our public schools.
You could also be the one who says; "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8

Joyfully serving Him,
Diane Carroll