i'm not a fish...i'm a bird.

A copy of my Dads speech, from our wedding.

To my Daughter,

     There is a spot I pass by every time I use the side gate at our house. Imprinted in the concrete is a small handprint and footprint with the name Katie Joyce etched below. This is a constant reminder of the most incredible journey that God has allowed me to experience. You have left an eternal impression on my heart.

     When I think back on God’s wonderful gift, I am reminded of a time when you were about two or three. It was a day when the whole family went to Ryan’s opening day of little league. During the festivities, I noticed that you had started off on a little adventure of your own. Rather than telling you to come back and stay close, I thought I would follow you, wait for you to realize that Mom and Dad were no longer around, and just before you started to cry out, I’d jump in and save the day (Super Dad). Here was this precious independent little girl with long curly blonde ringlets, wearing her pink OshKosh B’Gosh overalls and clean white tennies, walking away experiencing everything your own little world could offer.

     This went on for what seemed like forever; and, you never looked up, got frightened, or even cried out for Mom or Dad. What did happen, however, is that you eventually spied a puddle of mud, and I spied you spying that puddle of mud, and, before you were able to stick those clean white tennies into that mud puddle, I caught you in mid-stride, lifted you into my arms, and saved you from a terrible fate, all along hearing you giggle and laugh and say, “that was fun Daddy!”.

     If there are any lessons that can be learned from this, I have two. One, as our babies grow up to be children, teenagers, and young adults, we have to understand that we cant follow them around all the time (although some of us try). And two, there will always be mud puddles.

     Katie, I’m here to tell you that as a father who loves you, wants the best for you, and is truly proud of the young woman you’ve become, there IS ONE who can always be with you and will never leave you nor forsake you (thank you Jesus). God knows which puddles you can avoid and which ones you may need to experience to strengthen you and draw you closer to His love.

     Psalm 37:23&24 (personalized)
            The steps of my Daughter are established by the Lord; when she falls she shall not be hurled headlong; because the Lord is the One who holds her hand!

     Katie and Brett,
         May God richly bless your life together and may you continue to trust Him in everything you experience…even the mud puddles.

                                    Love,
                                            Dad

[Thank you dad. For being you, and for being a living example of Christs love to me. I am so proud to call you my Father and im lucky to have a dad like you to help me find my way around or through those pesky life puddles. Happy early Fathers day!]

i'm not a fish...i'm a bird.

2012-06-17 0 notes

2012-06-12 2 notes

A copy of my Dads speech, from our wedding.