Sheila
I feel very blessed that God chose my dad to be my father. He loved Jesus with all his heart and had endless love for his family and friends.
He always shared The Good News of our Lord with everyone. He was the pastor of his family and a witness for the Lord everywhere he went, planting seeds of God's Word. I am so thankful that my dad planted a seed in my heart that has grown into a sincere love for God.
One of my first memories of him.. is him kneeling next to me telling me about Jesus and helping me except Him into my heart. I remember him explaining to me when I was very young, how an eternal seed has been planted in my heart and now it needs nurturing with the light of God, and His living water. I can still see him holding an imaginary watering can showing me how God will water the seed in my heart and how my love and faith for God will grow and blossom forever.
I have many wonderful memories ... one of my most favorite early memories of my dad is .. being on the island of Maui at Baby Beach when I was little with him, my mom, and my 2 big brothers ..and my dad encouraging us to run down the sand dunes and jump as far as we could, pretending to fly. He was always full of excitement as we would run as fast as we could, trying to fly as far as we could before landing in more sand dunes . He had cool bird nicknames for my brothers and I..like The Albatross, The Falcon, and The Eagle.. my brothers and I were so proud when he would call our bird names and it was our turn to take off and fly. That memory reminded me of a Bible verse my dad and his dad often said to us "Those who hope in the Lord
WILL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH.
They will soar on wings like
eagles; they will run
and not grow weary,
they will walk and
not be faint.
ISAIAH 40:31
I know when Jesus took my dad home he soared on the wings like eagles and he has been renewed forever more, never to grow weary. For Jesus said in John 11:25 "I Am The Resurrection and The Life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die.
We know he is home in heaven right now celebrating today and forever with the One who created him. My dad loved Psalm 139:13-14
For you created my inmost being; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My dad now knows full well the splendid and wonderful works and glory of The Lord as he stands in His presence. He will never be in pain again or have to experience the hardships of this world. I look forward to seeing my dad again someday at home in heaven .. today I prayed to Jesus to find him wherever he is in heaven and give him a big hug for me and everyone and tell him how much we love and miss him. My dad would often share with me how thankful he was knowing how blessed we are to know The Way, The Truth, and The Life, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. . and to know we will always be in His loving hands and presence forever.. our heavenly Father, who's love for us is unfailing and eternal. As my dad would always say "God is Good, God is Good All the time!"