I was going to publish a post each day this week about my father, like I did for my mother the week before Mother's Day, but something went wrong. I just realized that Father's Day is Sunday and I haven't seen those posts on my blog like I should have. So I'm going to be playing some catch up now. I knew it was going to be a hard week with Michael leaving, so that is why I wrote them early and scheduled them to enter the blog each morning this week. I guess my train of thought was gone long before this week, because I messed up somehow. I think I must have saved instead of published and that means the posts didn't enter the blog on the day they were supposed to. They are saved in my list on the right day, but not published. I'm so sorry!
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Meant for the 14th -
Thoughts of my father and my childhood came to my mind as I was at a funeral a few weeks ago and listened to one father's children share experiences they had with their father. My heart was filled and I felt blessed to have some equally memorable experiences with my dad.

Since Fathers day is coming up I will take the opportunity to write something about him everyday this week. He has a lot of great qualities and talents that make up the man he is. Some of those qualities and talents will be shared here this week. I am happy to call him my dad.

My father taught by precept and by example and I have learned much from him.
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Meant for the 15th -

I grew up on a farm in Warden and watched my dad worked hard and for many long hours. This wasn't just because farm work is hard, it was because he is a hard worker.
After moving to Longview he continued to work hard in his new business; Chem-dry carpet cleaning and water and fire damage restoration, a business much different than farming. There was difficulty ahead just after this change, but he forged right through it and his business came out on top because of his determination and dedication to it.

Mom was at his side every step of the way on the farm and in the new business. Surely that has been a great strength to him. As important as that is, even more important is the fact that we must turn to our Heavenly Father for strength and support. My father knows this and does this so we have all been blessed because of it.

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Meant for the 16th -

My dad is a great carpenter and I think he could build most anything. One of my favorite items that he built is a wooden train. Another favorite is his chicken condo. The grandkids have enjoyed both. He has done many house projects and has transformed many rooms into something much more beautiful and serviceable. He can repair and make better most any place. We have been encouraged to keep our part of the world clean and beautiful. I have seen throughout the years that my dad can do that well and finds joy in it.

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Meant for the 17th -

As we were growing up dad was often going to meetings. There was never any question of his testimony, we could always feel his love for the gospel in the way he spoke and the way he lived. I always felt that he had a great knowledge and understanding of the gospel and I trusted his words. It is easy to see why he was called to serve in the callings he has been called to, which include: a counselor in the bishopric, a bishop, a high councilman, a counselor in the stake presidency, and now as stake patriarch. He truly desires to bless the lives of others as he serves, and he does. He has also blessed the lives of others with his beautiful voice. I love to hear him sing or speak. As I was growing up and attending stake meetings and activities there would always be someone that would come up to me and ask if I was Ron's daughter. They would then proceed to tell me of what a wonderful man he is. He is loved by many.

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Meant for the 18th -

A man shows great strength when he is tender and kind. Darryl, Dad and I were out in the yard playing ball. Dad was trying to teach me how to use a mitt to catch a ball, like a real catcher. I was down and ready, with the mitt in front of me just like he said to hold it. He threw the ball to me and I missed it, but it didn't miss me. It hit me in the nose and I had a nose bleed that wouldn't stop, and the pain to go with it. I remember that he felt so terrible and sorry. The next thing I remember about it is that I was in my bed and dad was sitting beside me, expressing how sorry he was and how much he loved me and that he didn't mean to hurt me. I think I remember this experience not because of the pain, but because of the love that was shown to me in such a tender moment.

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Meant for the 19th -

Dad always tried to help us understand the importance of doing what we were told or what was expected of us. Obedience is important, no matter how simple the command or rule. One rule at the stake dances was that we should keep our shoes on. I apparently didn't think it was a very important rule at the time and would take my shoes off so that I wasn't so tall. I wore long dresses and thought it would not be noticeable, but my dad wanted to make sure that I was obedient none the less. He would make his way over to me and stand beside me and reach his foot over and tenderly step on my toes to see if I was wearing my shoes. Maybe he already knew that I wasn't, either way the message was the same, but it was done with a smile on his face and in a fun way, not to upset, but to lovingly correct and teach his daughter.

After I had written this, I was reading the talk that Elder Kevin W. Pearson gave in our General Conference in April 2009. He was speaking of Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. As I read parts of it I reflected on what I had said here about my father wishing for his children to obey no matter how simple the command, and realized that there is even more to it than that. As a parent I see how true it is, but have never really put it into these words, even though they are words I've heard before. I guess I had this experience in my mind and it just fit so well with it. Here is what he said;

"Faith requires an attitude of exact obedience, even in the small, simple things." and, "Desire, hope, and belief are forms of faith, but faith as a principle of power comes from a consistent pattern of obedient behavior and attitudes."

As I read this I recognized that my father was not only trying to teach me obedience, but also faith. And as I continued reading I recognized why.

"Faith is a gift from God, and one possessed of it can receive enormous spiritual power."

My father wanted us to be worthy of that enormous spiritual power to help us through our lives and back to our Heavenly Father to live for eternity in happiness and peace, and with our family forever.

I think I knew this all along, and I have this desire for my children, but I love the way Elder Pearson says it here, it touches my heart.

One of my favorite lines from this conference was uttered by our prophet, President Monson, when he said, "Your future is as bright as your faith." It fits quite well with this post.

I have posted these two messages in my "waiting patiently on the Lord" blog. Click here to read them if you wish. http://waitingpatientlyonthelord.blogspot.com/