Doubt

Hey hey, beautiful girl,

I miss you. It has been almost four weeks since I have gotten to see you, and that is too long. I look forward to Christmas and getting to come see you. Seeing you makes everything better.

Remind me later on in life to talk to you about doubt. Doubt means you aren't completely certain or sure, that you have questions for which you don't have all the answers.

And life can be full of doubt at times, and this includes a life that is following and believing in Jesus. All that I will say at this point about doubt and Jesus is this: don't be afraid of doubt, and don't be afraid to explore your doubts. I guarantee you that Jesus is who he claimed to be, that he is not intimidated by your doubts, and that he welcomes your doubts and will use them as a means show you himself in fresh and new ways.

I'll save the rest of the conversation about doubt for a time when we can sit face to face and talk about specific questions and doubts. That will be more fun than reading about it.

Promise me this....

Hey Super Bird --

I have been thinking about your Uncle Paulie lately (mostly because he is getting married next weekend) and about how much I admire him. So, I thought I'd let you know why.

Your Uncle Paulie is who he is. I know that either sounds very simple or very confusing. When I say that he is who he is I mean that he has taken the time to search out what he believes and what he loves, and now he lives his life based on his beliefs and passions.

Most people that I run into live their lives based on what others think and what other people want. That is pretty much a waste of life, in my opinion. God has given each one of us life so that we can be us - not what others want or think we should be.

So, promise me this: that you will be who you are, just like Uncle Paule is who he is.

Much love,
Papa

Nowhere Safer

Bird,

I really miss you today. Your Nani has been staying at your house for the past three days because she has been working at the hospital. I always miss you more when I am in St Louis (or Loulos, as you call it) and Nani gets to come to see you.

I don't ever worry about you, I just miss you. I don't worry about because I know that your dad takes good care of you. That's the thing about having a good dad - there is nowhere safer than in your father's arms.

Sometimes, like at the swimming pool, being in your dad's arms is for the purpose of him getting ready to launch you out. And that is usually a mixture of something very exciting and most of the time kinda scary. Just always remember that as long as it is your dad launching you out, there is nowhere safer.

As you get older, I think you will find that your Heavenly Father is a lot like your dad. He will launch you out into things that are perhaps scary and difficult, but there is nowhere safer than being in your father's arms, or allowing Him to launch you out from His arms into His purposes.

I love you,
Papa

My Grandpa - the first PaPa

Hey Cutest Girl in the world,

I bought a new BBQ grill...actually it is smoker that you put all kinds of meat in and let it cook all day and out comes goodness. The first thing I cooked in my new smoker was ribs - my favorite!

But, I didn't choose ribs because they were my favorite, I choose ribs in honor of my grandpa, who I called "Papa" (just like you call me). My Papa meant the world to me, and because of him, I gave my life to Jesus - forever and ever.

My Papa passed away 30 years ago this month - that means he died and went to be with Jesus in heaven where I will see him again some day. Anyway, at his funeral I heard how much Jesus loved Papa and how much Jesus loves me - and my life has never been the same.

It was my love for my Papa that opened up my heart to believe in and love Jesus.

I hope my life makes as big a difference in your life as my Papa's life made in mine.

I love you dearly.
Your Papa

You Cast a Shadow

Hey Sweetness....

I took this picture of you when you were here visiting Nani and me. When I saw the picture, the first thing I noticed was your shadow and it got me thinking about shadows.

Shadows only come when we are standing in the light. You can't cast a shadow in a dark room. The opposite is also true: you can't NOT cast a shadow in the light! It just happens.

And that got me thinking about Jesus (like most things do). You cast a shadow for people to see as you live your life in the light of knowing Jesus. His light hits your life and the result is something that the world can see.

Kinda cool, huh?

Countdown

Bird Girl....

Two days, or about 60 hours, or about 3600 minutes, or about 216,000 seconds, until I get to see you....and I am counting down!

BUT, I have to make sure that I don't miss all the fun and good things that might happen during the time I am waiting to get to see you. That would be terrible.

YET, many people do just that....they miss the good things of today waiting for tomorrow to come. Or, they miss good things happening in their lives now because they are looking forward to something in the future.

Here's a couple of examples: a boy who misses the fun of baseball season because he is just waiting on football season to start, and, a girl who misses the great things about middle school because she can't wait to get to high school.

It is great to look forward to things (like me getting to see you in 2 days), but don't just sit in a chair, missing out on life waiting - live every day to the fullest.

Another Gift: Background People

Alexa,

There are people in your life that you will maybe not notice or be aware of all the time, but, trust me, they are there. I call these precious people, "background people."

Even though they are not always out in the front of the action, these are people that you can depend on no matter what. They will be there for you. They are people of integrity, faithfulness and strength.

The background people in your life at this time are people that are in your mom's and dad's lives, that love your mom and dad, and that love you. But as you grow up and live your life under God's care and direction, He will always make sure these people are there. The important thing is to identify them and honor them. They are truly a gift from God.

If you want to know who one of them is, look closely at the picture; one is in the reflection in the glass (I made the picture big so you could see him). Even though he is standing in the background, he is there; always will be.....because that's how background people are. And this guys is the best.