Dad of the Century

After reading NICURNmama's tribute, I thought I would share one of my own.  Robert and I met at a camp meeting.  I was there to present the ministry report and he had come with his pastor.  He was smitten with me right away, but I didn't notice.  I was busier than a one-armed paper hanger just trying to keep the children's home running smoothly.

The next year, my friend Arlene told me she thought Robert liked me.  I just laughed at her and went about my business.  I've shared some of this before, but this is the story Robert tells:

"I was single for 30 years and decided to ask the Lord to give me a good, godly woman to share my life with.  It would be okay if she had a little family."

Robert had been married years ago and had a baby daughter, Tina Christina.  Whatever problems Robert and his wife had, they each loved that precious little girl.  Just after they separated, Tina became ill.  It was discovered that she had a devastating brain cancer.  She was 6 years old when cancer took her life.  Because the doctor had questioned him about Agent Orange, Robert spent years believing Tina's death was his fault.  He  wanted children, bu vowed never to subject another wife and child to the possiblity that he could make his child sick.  It was a pretty sad time for him.

But as he got older, he found he missed being a father, so the prospect of marrying a woman with a couple of children was pleasing to him.  He persued me and caught me, though I thought he mightn't be ready for a passel of needy Mexican kids.  He came to Mexico to visit us and he and the children fell in love with each other. 

NOW of course, he tells people that you have to be specific when you make a request of God (you see God has a sense of humor) Rob never set a specific amount of children he wanted.  There were thirteen in residence the day we got married.  Andrea and a tiny little guy named Poncho walked me down the aisle (Poncho go the job because someone gave him a little tuxedo) and the girls were dressed alike as were the boys. 

For the first 2 1/2 years of our marriage, Robert was more father than he really ever planned.  He loved the kids, teased them, took them to the places they needed to go and taught them all to pray.  Every morning and every night, he would call th kids to prayer and they would all get on their knees in the big room.  Prayer requests were given and specifics of prayer learned.  Children also used this time to recite
Bible verses and sing songs.  Their little hands would shoot up in the air  "Me first, Papi!" 

Rob asked the Lord for a good woman and maybe some kids.  He didn't really know what he was gietting into, but he stepped up to the plate and became the best and for some of the kids the only dad they had ever known.

If I had a way to do it, I nominate this gruff, loving man to be the father of the year.  For Andrea and me, he's the father of the century.  I don't have a picture tonite to put up of him, but maybe tomorrow I can honor this godly man with a picture.

God could not have chosen a better dad for Andrea or husband for me.  Happy

Father's Day, My Love