To My Fathers

St. Joseph & the child Jesus

God has always provided me with wonderful male role models that have guided me. So, in honor of Father's Day I had to make a list of all the reasons why I love my father & brother figures. Here they are:

1. You teach me.
2. You call me out.
3. You pray for me.
4. You build me up.
5. You pray with me.
6. You make me laugh.
7. You won't let me give up.
8. You pray for my ministry.
9. You give me the best advice.
10. You lead me closer to Christ.
11. You make me feel like family.
12. You show me how to fix things.
13. You always pay for lunch & dinner.
14. You protect me & make me feel safe.
15. You teach me how to love like Christ.
16. You have the corniest sense of humor.
17. You challenge me to be & do the best I can.
18. You drive me to the airport at ridiculous hours.
19. You make me smile all the time, even when I'm upset.

Again, Happy Father's Day to all of my wonderful father figures! Thank you for praying for me & always loving me. My life has been blessed by your presence & support. I could not be as strong & faith filled without you. May you continue to follow in St. Joseph's example of selfless service & spiritual foster fatherhood. 

Love, Emma

Want to know more about spiritual fatherhood? Click here: 

http://www.mncc.org/spiritual-motherhood-and-fatherhood/

34 Hours and 28 Minutes

Two months ago I packed up my life and walked into the Dayton International airport to leave for a ten month internship in Bremerton, WA. My mother drove me there and waited with me as I checked my bags. We walked to the security line and I fiddled with my ticket trying to think of something to say. She just asked if I had everything and stuffed a few extra snacks into my carry-on.

Before I knew it she looked at me with tears behind her purple reading glasses. We hugged each other hoping to make the hug last until my Christmas break in December. Soon it was time to go and she just smiled and said, "I love you. Have a good time." I'm still not sure how she did that without crying, but then again mothers are superheroes.

I'm sure that's one of the hardest things either of us have done, but what amazes me is that we weren't scared. She knew God would watch over me and I knew he'd watch over her. This is the definition of faith; knowing beyond the shadow of a doubt that God has your best interests at heart. God has given the two of us so much grace through this journey.

Though we're thirty four hours and twenty eight minutes, if I got in my car and drove, our relationship has never been stronger. God called the two of us to this journey and has blessed us since that first prayer.