For those of you remembering Dad this week, soaking up the beautiful weather and imagining him on the golf course, in the garden, or at the ball field . . . well, we're remembering him too. In honor of him, we'd like to post a few new pictures along with the photo/video tribute we played at his memorial service. We think these pictures paint thousands of words, but our homespun soundtrack tells a story too. The opening song, Selah's Great is Thy Faithfulness was playing in Dad's hospice room when his last breath on earth became his first breath in heaven. Mom, Christy and I were softly singing along. The second song, He is Good, is one you'll remember – written and composed by my sister as a gift to Dad. Point of Grace's stirring lyrics in How You Live just describe Dad to a tee. And when Allison Krauss and Gillian Welch sing I'll Fly Away, I feel like I'm back at a family reunion in Southern Missouri.

Some of you were unable to attend Dad's Celebration of Life, and you've asked for a way to see this tribute. Others only saw parts of it, with vision blurred by tears. If you have 10-15 minutes to spare, here is a glimpse of the man we are missing. Pay close attention to his last three words . . .  http://vimeo.com/13050165

Dad's legacy continues on earth even while he waits for us in heaven. He shows up in the expressions we use, traditions we embrace, and the grandkids we love. He reminds us to smell the flowers, drink up the sunshine, laugh, love, and forgive. He reminds us to make living itself an act of worship.

Sometimes, he speaks directly to us through the legacy of words he left behind. Just one week before our official invitation to travel to China to adopt our son, I had exhausted my last ounce of patience. I called our agency and told them we were ready to book a flight and sit on the orphanage steps to wait! I went searching through my adoption folder of correspondence, looking for hints that our wait would soon be over. Instead of finding a time line, I found a note from Dad, written February 9, 2009.
 

“You have taken many tests in your life and done a lot of homework. I remember walking down the hall of our house many times to go to bed when your light was still on. I would ask Mom, "What's Becky doing?" She often said, "homework." I know the motivation to get the work done then does not compare to the work you are doing to adopt a child. Keep it up. The reward is great. If you ever wonder about that look at Andrew, Anna and Jacob.”
 

This week, Mom received a note from one of Dad's colleagues at Allied. She was missing her friend, remembering summers past when the two would chat about Fourth of July plans, and Dad would ask what he should get Mom for their anniversary on July 5th.
 

Mom says that this year she will receive her best anniversary gift ever. It's true. She and I were both too moved to speak when our in-country itinerary arrived from China. After waiting almost one year to meet our new son, we finally had a date. July 5, 2010. What would have been Mom and Dad's 41st wedding anniversary will be the day we hold our new son. We see God in those details, and we see Dad there too. So for this first anniversary without the man she adores, Mom will not be left alone. She will be with us in China, meeting her seventh grandchild for the very first time.
 

We would love your prayers as we continue along our journey. To follow it, visit www.tojoshuawithlove.blogspot.com.
 

You've already prayed us along another journey, the one that took Dad home to heaven. There are not words for the gratitude we have for each one of you. You have been the hands and feet of Jesus to us, proving that there can be strength in weakness, peace in chaos, joy in sorrow, and life in death . . . proving to us that with God, nothing is impossible.

Thank you.

Love and gratitude,

Becky, Christy, and Kathy