Jeremiah, what a gift to be able to watch you become a father! You have put on the mantle of fatherhood, just like you have all the other honors our heavenly Father has bestowed–with humility, integrity, and love. The way you love our girls, has seeped into my heart and let me love you even more. I can’t imagine a man making a better father than one who has a heart that demands integrity while overflowing with compassion. I thank God that He gave me you to raise our children and set an example of godliness. I love you so bad, and so do Pace and Mary Aplin 🙂
Dr. Maddox, I don’t understand the title “daughter-in-law” because you have always made me feel like no less than your daughter. I know that if I told you I needed you to jump off a bridge for me, you’d do it without hesitation–and even have an unbelievably good attitude about it :). Watching Popon bring the joy and spontaneity to the girls’ lives, like only you could do, has been beautiful to experience. How many girls get to have TWO fathers that they love and respect so deeply? I love you.
Oh Dad…What a privilege to grow up in a home with a father who truly lived everything he preached. A father who showed me by example how NOT to be a hypocrite. I believe that there are very, very few homes with role models like you. You can’t hide from your family–we see it all, and I can say from the depths of my heart that I would trust you with the world. I am just so thankful for your example, and cried out to God in thankfulness this morning. You’ve always managed to strike the perfect balance between being my father–my rock–my disciplinarian–my teacher–my protector–my friend. Thank you, thank you. I love you, Abby. I feel overwhelmingly blessed today. I believe that often our pre-conceived version of God looks much like our Dads–for good or for bad. Children who are abused or abandoned by their fathers, often struggle to comprehend a Heavenly Father who loves them unconditionally. All three of these men have made my path to my Heavenly Father a smooth one, and what greater gift could there be?
Great post…
You are very blessed! What a wonderful post! Our Sunday school class loves the wisdom that your daddy shares with us- it is a treasure. Ryan and I try to soak it up!
What a blessing Godly dads are to their children!!!! A sweet tribute to them!
Abby,
I received Zetta Grace's bloomers yesterday and love them. They are absolutely precious and I thank you again. I gave a little shout out on my blog for the flossy finch.