Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my dad's birthday, which means he is now just one year away from the big 60!

The older I get, the more I realize and come to appreciate how much he does. He is the hardest working man I know. Not only does he prepare 2 sermons, a bible study, and a Sunday school lesson every week, but he also spends hours ministering to people: the hurting, the ill, the lost. The stresses of his job (along with poor food choices) put him on a hospital bed almost a year and a half ago when he had a quadruple bypass surgery. While most people would take that as a wake up call and take it easy, my dad was back up to the church the day after he came home from the hospital. He still works just as hard as he did before the surgery and his life is full of stress. He puts his whole heart in everything he does: 110%. He sacrifices his time and his own wants in order to serve others.

He is the best pastor I know (I know I may be biased). I've never met a pastor that is so involved with his congregation like my dad is. He is full of love for every person he meets. He puts up with more criticism than one person should (and most of it is about stuff that he is not responsible for), yet he continues to love even those who criticize.

He loves God with all of his heart and is passionate about serving Him. He looks to God for everything: wisdom, strength, peace, joy.

He has taught me more than I can list. From him I have learned how to love and serve others, how to stay positive, how to encourage, what is means to follow God, how to be a hard worker, how to have faith and trust in God, and so many other things. I am so blessed to have him in my life. I could not ask for a better dad.

Happy Birthday Dad! I love You!