Father's Day

I know its a little late, but I wanted to say a few things about the dads in my life.

First and foremost, my amazing husband. I am so proud of him and of how he has led our family through the darkest and hardest year and a half of our life. I am blown away by how in tune he has been with the Holy Spirit. I love how, with Courtlynn, he loves to "take a date" with her in the living room at breakfast time on the weekends while I am sleeping. She goes to his side of the bed and says, " Hey Daddy, you wanna take a date?" I am instructed to stay in the room! Its just for her and Daddy.

With Jace, he used to walk in the door from work, and before his accident, he would hear his daddy's voice and his eyes would get huge and he would look for him everywhere. As soon as he could smile, he would grin so big every time he heard his Daddy talk. After he quit breathing, Rocky was the strong voice of faith that helped me to continue to hold on to hope, even with no reason to believe!

With Jett now, I see so many similarities in their relationship and him and Jace's. Jett knows the minute his Daddy comes home and he smiles at him and Court more than anyone else! Rocky can calm him down at times when its even hard for me to.

My husband is such a good man and an amazing father. I am so proud to be the one that gets to stand beside him for the rest of our time here on earth and so blessed to have such a wonderful Daddy for my precious kids! I love you my Husband!

And just a few words about my dad. He has taught me so much in my 24 years. He has taught me the importance of hard work and integrity. He has taught me how to respect myself and stand up for what's right. He has taught me the importance of authenticity and transparency. How important it is to be real with people. Most of all, thought, he has taught me to recognize how much God loves me. That its not just that I want to know Jesus so I can go to heaven, but that Jesus is ALL that matters. He has helped me see that its okay to question your values and where you stand on issues, as long as you remember that Jesus is ALL that matters! I am so blessed to have a dad that loves my mom and that loves us kids and his grandkids so much. SO blessed that he was there through the hardest parts of my life and continues to support us and teach us by example! I love you, my Daddy!

"Early when the day is new, Before the stirring, I will come to talk to you. To confess the ways I'm broken, to recall the words You've spoken, and to try to comprehend the love You have for me! You are my Hiding Place, You fill my broken heart with songs, Songs of deliverance, You sing of how the weak are strong. And You never meant for me to walk alone. You are always for me , as the TRUEST lover of my soul. You hear my desperate calling, You have kept my feet from falling and You've set me on this rock on which I'm standing now. And I believe You, for you saved me from my darkness and my shame." Hiding Place by Sara Groves

I think I wrote the words to this song close to a year ago when I started this blog. I am obviously still on the journey and it means something totally different to me now than it did then. We said goodbye to my brother yesterday. He left for active duty with the navy reserves. We don't know which country he will go to or even how long he will be gone. I am again learning a very hard lesson in mortality and trusting my Jesus. It brought up all the other stuff about how fast our lives changed a year and a half ago and then how fast it changed again just a year ago. I am here this morning, letting the Holy Spirit minister to me the truth of the protection and covering I have just resting under His wings. Where would I go if it weren't for this precious place of peace and truth? I am so blessed to have my Hiding Place.

Lydia

Please pray for Cat. She has a long journey ahead of her waiting for my

brother to come home. Pray against fear and for an overwhelming peace! I love you girl!

All of us kids before we had a lot of cares! This was a sweet memory! I will miss you Bubba. You will be home with us soon. You are Brave!!