Great is thy Father’s Love

great photos celebrating a Father's loveWhen I was younger, I was a Daddy’s little girl. My father was my hero and I knew I was his princess. He could do no wrong and I’m certain he felt the same towards me. He knew all of my imperfections yet his love covered over them all. To him, I was perfect. Still am.

This Father’s Day we celebrate that love a man has for his child- a love that is sacrificial and generous. It’s protective and forgiving. It can be misguided but filled with intention. A father’s love is not perfect because we are not perfect. Thankfully, like my dad’s love made me blameless in his eyes, God’s love not only covers the imperfections of our fathers but fills the voids where our dad’s failed. We have a father above who is perfect and loves us completely, just as we are. So as we celebrate our dads this Father’s Day, let us do so with grace and mercy, compassion and thanksgiving. And to my own father, I say thank you for teaching me what it feels like to be unconditionally loved.

A few of my favorite pictures capturing the love of a dad:

Great photos celebrating the love of our dads

(photo by Kellie Carter)

You know a good dad when you see one (photo source Huffington Post)

An Amish dad and son (photo by Melissa Picone)

great is thy Fathers love - pictures celebrating the love of a father

Jim Redmond helps son Derek across the finishing line in 1992 Olympics after a hamstring injury

Loved (photo Jason Lee)

(photo by The Blue basket)

a first shave

(link to source)

(photo by Melissa McKolay)

I love my wife

10 Things to mail your child at Summer Camp

 My kids LOVE #1 and #8.  Crazy Things to mail your child at Sleep Away Camp | the House of Hendrix #campcarepackagesThis afternoon I put my daughter on a plane to sleep away camp. It was the first time she has flown by herself. Two months ago when we made the plane reservations, it sounded like a cost-effective way to get her there. She would read a book and two hours later be there. She was fine with it.

Sensing a bit of anxiety in her this morning, we intentionally laughed our way through the airport.

After pizza and ice cream, they called her to pre-board. They told me to say my goodbyes because I was not allowed on the boardwalk. In an instant my heart sank.  It felt as if they were taking her through the double doors into surgery. I did the worst thing a parent could do in that situation. My eyes filled with tears, drawing instant insecurity across her face.

I watched as they shuffled her down the boardwalk until she turned the corner. I could no longer see her long blond hair. I  uncharacteristically freaked.

They had not begun boarding the rest of the plane when I asked, “May I please meet the flight attendant assigned to her?” “No ma’am. He is not allowed to get off the plane.” I explained I

Honest post on letting your child fly alone.

would just like to lock eyes with the person I have entrusted my daughter to, a gesture I hoped would evoke an element of accountability for my 11-year-old.  The ticket clerks launched into a lengthy  protocol of airline policy regarding unaccompanied minors.

As they insisted the man who signed off to watch this child had 20 years of experience, my tears resurfaced as I meekly said, “But this isn’t just SOME child…this is MY child.”  They froze as I  peered out the window towards the plane which eventually departed. “She’s not just a child! She is MY child.”

There it is. My love for Lily demanded more than just standard protocol for her life. I wanted a higher standard over her…to protect her, comfort her, and keep her from harm.  Isn’t that how God feels about us? We’re not just another person. We are HIS children. He wants more for us. He wants to protect us, comfort us, and keep us from harm. Then I remember our conversation after finding a great parking spot right by the airport elevator. I said in my delight, “Yay! God’s hand is all over us today”.  She replied, “Totally Mom. He’s massaging us with His goodness.” With that I remembered, she was going to be just fine.

 

10 crazy things to send your child at SLEEP AWAY CAMP

(affiliate links have been provided)
  1. A LETTER FROM YOUR PET-The big worry in sending a letter to camp is not wanting to make them miss home. Last year our letters were all sent from our hamster, Pumpkin Muffin. We gave my daughter an update but it was from his perspective. She loved it and read the letters to the girls in her barn. This year her bunny is writing them.                                                                                  
  2. A BOX FILLED WITH WIGS,  TUTUS, and one of these CRAZY HATS- Camps usually have several costume parties and everybody loves a ridiculous wig or pair of crazy glasses.Tutus make everything more fun. Fun ideas of things to mail to your kids at camp.Mail a box of crazy hats, tutus, and these ridiculous things to your child at sleep away camp10 Crazy things to mail your child at Sleep Away Camp
  3. MAD LIBS   Camp Mad Libs
  4. NFL Playing Cards – Does your child have a favorite sports team? Order playing cards with that team. Great ideas to include in a care package to camp.
  5. NIGHTTIME FUN KIT-  Glow in the dark body paint, bracelets, and shoe laces
  6. 10 Crazy things to mail your child at Sleep Away camp10 Crazy Things to mail your child at Sleep Away Camp [ the House of Hendrix10 Crazy things to mail your child at Sleep Away Camp
  7. Crazy Creek Chair – This is the ultimate cool chair at camp. From sitting around the camp fire to the gatherings at night, this chair goes everywhere. 71+hhgHL7wL._SL1500_
  8. BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS -Here is a book list for middle schoolers.Great books to mail to kids at slwwp away  camp For younger kids here are cute books all about camp.Click image for full list.Cam Jansen at Camp
  9. BOOK LIGHT – Every reader needs a light for quiet time especially in a room with a dozen other kids.Every camper needs a book light for quiet time. Fun things to mail your child at sleep away camp
  10. PRE WRAP!!!- my daughter’s favorite!! We make headbands, bracelets, and all sorts of fun creations with this gauzey, lightweight material.Our camp doesn’t allow duck tape for obvious reasons, but pre wrap is fabulous! 10 Crazy Things to mail your child at Sleep Away Camp [ the House of Hendrix10 crazy things to mail your child at camp
  11.  Insanely Cool Spheres – These balls start out small but expand in 2 seconds to enormous spheres. The glow-in-the-dark factor even makes them cooler. We learned about these at the Science Center.10 Crazy Cool things to send your child at Summer Camp
  12. QUIET TIME KIT deck of cards. a book with a book light, friendship bracelet kit10 Crazy Things to mail your child at Sleep Away Camp [ the House of Hendrix10 Crazy Things to mail your child at Sleep Away Camp [ the House of HendrixRainbow Loom kit - 10 Things to mail your child at Sleep Away Camp
  13. STATIONERY pre-addressed and stamped envelopes with colored pencils and stickers…but do something funny on the paper. Start the letter for them in a humorous way like, “Dear Mom and Dad, I haven’t brushed my teeth or taken a shower since I got here” or something your child would find funny.
  14. COLORED ZINC – Worry about them not wearing sunscreen? Throw in some colored zinc and they are sure to decorate their faces in all sorts of ridiculous fashion.10 Crazy Things to mail your child at Camp10 Crazy Things to mail your child at Sleep Away Camp [ the House of Hendrix
  15. TEMPORARY HAND TATTOOS – great to share with lots of kids too. Can’t you imagine a cabin of boys and a “Shark Attack” with these?

10 Crazy Things to mail your child at Sleep Away Camp [ the House of HendrixTalking Hand tatoos - 10 Crazy things to mail your child at Sleep Away Camp

SOUVENIR TO DECORATE a pillow case, white towel,  or plain white t-shirt with fabric markers so everybody can sign. You could even send a t-shirt for each child in the cabin.       10 crazy things to mail to your child at CAMP

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