Father's Day

Because today is father's day, I am going to post about my dad and all the other men who have been very influential in my life! This might turn out to be the longest post of all.
My dad is one of the first people I run to with a problem. When it came to tough question in chemistry in 10th grade to questions about modesty in my dress. Many years ago I struggled with asking God why I was in the family God put me in. Thankfully, through many different people's guidance, I am grateful to say my family is the perfect family for me! My dad has been the perfect instrument in God's plan to help me change and grow closer to Him. There have been many different times we have gone on "wisdom walks" and discussed things into the far hours of the night. Last year I got to honor my dad in front of the whole church! It was great fun surprising him! Seeing as this is my first Father's Day away from home, things are very different this year! However, I still want everyone to know how much I respect my dad and how wonderful it is to be submitted to him and his guidance. There are many times my parents have helped me with difficult situation in the last couple of months, especially leading up to my departure to Alaska! There have been time where my parents have come in MY room to talk and had stayed in there until 1 or 2 in the morning talking!
I love home my dad invites people over to our house when he wants to disciple someone. This allows me to practice hospitality and grow in taking care of a home. I love cooking for him and my brothers because they are so grateful even when the meal does not come out the way we planed. I love being home with the whole family spending hours talking and laughing at each other's lame jokes.
There are also other men who have been very influential in my life. Right now Ray Legget who is the pastor and chief of police in Alaska. He has given me a better picture of what it is to turn over our earthly possession to God. One of the first stories he told me was of a time they were back in Texas at another church. There car got them to church, but would not start to take them home. Thankfully they could walk home, so he started to leave the church. His friend asked him if he was going to fix it. He responded, No God has a problem with His car, I let him know about it already, so I am going home to take a nap. And so he went home to take a nap. I so desire to have this kind of attitude, and not allow small distractions of the world to take priority over the true reason for living.

There are so many people in Orlando I could write about. First, Mr. Jessee has been a very influential person in my life. I am very fortunate to have been in his home group for the last 10 years. The Bible says a friend close by is better then a brother far away. Well in many ways I feel much closer to the Jessee family then I do my real family. Mr. Jessee has always made himself available whenever I need anything. They have always opened their home to me if I need a place to stay or just to have me over for dinner. I had so much fun working for him during those 5 summers. I have always said that the perfect husband for me is a combination of my dad and Andy Jessee rolled into Logan Bartholomew's body! That would be a perfect husband!

The other man in our home group is Leonard Lippy! Many who read this will wonder why. However, Mr. Lippy has a very special place in my heart! If someone ever just heard him, they would think he was a chauvinistic pig, but I know different! However, if anyone saw how he looked and treated his Barbara, his ray of sunshine, they would know the complete difference. She respected him in the hard times and he doted on her. There is so much I have learned through watching their relationship. I wish I could be as much of an encouragement to him as he has been to me.

The last but not least is Mr. Graham. There are so many things Mr. Graham has taught me about serving his family. There are so many times he has opened his house up to other people. I love how I am asked why I have not been over enough even when I had been there about three or four times in that particular week! There have been times he and Mrs. Graham have sat and talked to me for hours about everything and nothing. He has encouraged me in tough times and challenged me in other times. There has never been a moment where I felt judged or condescended for my actions or beliefs that were different then his or his families.

I am so grateful God has given me so many different men in my life. There are so many examples of what a Godly man looks like. I am very glad each one of them is in my life!
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!