4.11.2009

My Daddy


This is my daddy.

Today's his birthday. He turned 67. I don't think he'd mind me telling his age. Because he's proud of it. Because his 67 years have been full. And good. And blessed.

When I was 5 years old, my daddy and mama followed a calling. A calling that a lot of people are too scared to obey. But my daddy was brave. He chose to say, "Where?" when God said, "Go."

We said goodbye to our grandparents and friends, boarded a plane, and flew exactly half-way around the world to live in a country where fair-skinned, blond-haired, blue-eyed girls were more than a novelty....they were an anomaly. We traded Happy Meals for eating rice curries on banana leaves with our hands. We traded skunks in our yards for cobras. We lived in the depths of a culture of people that truly lived poverty, and my dad immersed himself in the people. He preached. He ministered. He loved. And we were blessed.

I've said a million times that my experiences as a missionary's kid were taken for granted every second that I actually lived them. Only now can I look back and realize what an amazing gift my daddy gave my mom, sister, and me. And all because he chose to be obedient. All because he said, "Send me, Lord. I'll go."

My daddy is brave. And smart. And funny (or punny!!!). And talented. And creative. And encouraging. And joyful. And gentle. And compassionate. And inspirational.

I'm so proud of him.

And so honored that somehow he finds it in his heart to be proud of me, too.

Love ya, Dad! Hope your birthday is amazing!

10 comments:

lisa@littlesliceoflife said...

Nicely said!

Happy Birthday to Amber's and Mich's daddy!

Anonymous said...

You know how I feel about girls and their dads, I think. This was such a sweet post. I hope he gets to read it AND Michele's post. What a legacy!

Jim said...

Amb,
I am proud of you, too! Did I ever tell you that you helped mom and I to learn the language better over there? As a child being taken care of by those who spoke no English, you learned how to pronounce the words, and when we came home from school each day, we would ask you to help us. As a smiling, happy 5 year old, you were a real "Missionary" - kid - too!
Thanks for being who you are! I love you.
Dad

Stephanie said...

Sweet Post.

Godly parents are such a blessing.

Mich said...

Ditto, sis!

I "heart" you.

Unknown said...

AMAZING POST
=]

Becca~CapturingSimpleJoys said...

What a lovely post. Your Daddy sounds like an amazing man! How lucky are you to have grown up with a Godly earthly father as an example!

Carpool Queen said...

WOULD YOU TELL YOUR DADDY TO STOP LEAVING POSTS ON YOUR PAGE???!!!!

They make me cry.

I think I heart your dad.

Marc and Charity said...

Ahh, how sweet! It does my heart good to hear that you loved your experience as an MK. Sometimes I wonder what the heck we are doing to our kids! :)

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

How sweet, Amber. Happy Birthday to your daddy...may he celebrate many, many more.

Oh, and you really favor him ya know?