Today is Father's Day. A day for me that is bittersweet. This is the first Father's Day without Steve's Dad. He passed away last September. My own Daddy has been gone for 15 years as of this September. We really miss our Dads but we realize what a blessing our fathers were and how they still influence our lives.
Both our fathers attended Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts and became ministers in the Church of the Nazarene. My dad, David E. Andrews, Sr. pastored small churches for about 10 years in S.C., Pa., and Va. He left the ministry when I was six years old so I really don't think of myself as a preacher's kid. He continued to be involved in the Church all his life as a Sunday School teacher and faithful layperson. He loved the Lord and always taught his children to imitate Jesus. He was a godly example and a kind, compassionate man. There was never a day I didn't feel the depth of his love for his God, his wife and children. He made it easy to believe in a loving Heavenly Father who watched over our lives and guided us each day.
Steve's dad, Rev. John D. Scott pastored for 40 years, 33 in the Church of the Nazarene in Upstate New York, Ohio, and New England. He moved to Maryland in 1986 and pastored 3 Methodist charges in Deal Island, MD. He served the Lord and the church faithfully all his life. He was truly a "devoted pastor" to all who knew him-even his family. He had deep spiritual wisdom and was always willing to give counsel if asked. He was quiet and unassuming and all who knew him respected him. He and his wife, Doris raised 4 sons who are all serving the Lord today. They also have 10 grandchildren, 9 who have graduated from a Nazarene college or university, and the last one entering Northwest Nazarene this Fall as a Freshman.
So both Steve and I have a wonderful legacy and we have always felt the hand of God on our lives. It's unlikely we would be in the relationship we are today with our Heavenly Father, if our fathers had not been faithful followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. We owe them so much and are very thankful that our Lord provided such examples in our lives.
I could also take the time to write complimentary words of the man who is my husband and has been such a wonderful father to our two sons. But I'll give those sons a chance to express their own feelings.(I know that's a change for me but what can I say) I just know they couldn't have a more loving,wise Dad and I'm grateful for the Lord's blessing to me as a mother and wife.
This year on Father's Day, I would have to also include our son, Christopher. It is not his first Father's day, but it is the first one in Iraq. It has been a couple months since he had to leave his wife and 2 sons and I know it was the most difficult thing he's ever done. He is such a good father to his boys and his Dad and I are very proud of him. It's been such a pleasure these last couple years to watch him with his son, Luke, and now Will. Being a father really brings out the best in him.
We send out a Father's Day wish to all of the soldiers who are fathers who are serving our country. We are so grateful.
Judy's Dad- David E. Andrews Sr.
Steve's Dad- John D. Scott Sr.
Grandpa Steve and Luke
Soldiers-Our Heroes- David Andrews Sr; Chris Scott
Both our fathers attended Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts and became ministers in the Church of the Nazarene. My dad, David E. Andrews, Sr. pastored small churches for about 10 years in S.C., Pa., and Va. He left the ministry when I was six years old so I really don't think of myself as a preacher's kid. He continued to be involved in the Church all his life as a Sunday School teacher and faithful layperson. He loved the Lord and always taught his children to imitate Jesus. He was a godly example and a kind, compassionate man. There was never a day I didn't feel the depth of his love for his God, his wife and children. He made it easy to believe in a loving Heavenly Father who watched over our lives and guided us each day.
Steve's dad, Rev. John D. Scott pastored for 40 years, 33 in the Church of the Nazarene in Upstate New York, Ohio, and New England. He moved to Maryland in 1986 and pastored 3 Methodist charges in Deal Island, MD. He served the Lord and the church faithfully all his life. He was truly a "devoted pastor" to all who knew him-even his family. He had deep spiritual wisdom and was always willing to give counsel if asked. He was quiet and unassuming and all who knew him respected him. He and his wife, Doris raised 4 sons who are all serving the Lord today. They also have 10 grandchildren, 9 who have graduated from a Nazarene college or university, and the last one entering Northwest Nazarene this Fall as a Freshman.
So both Steve and I have a wonderful legacy and we have always felt the hand of God on our lives. It's unlikely we would be in the relationship we are today with our Heavenly Father, if our fathers had not been faithful followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. We owe them so much and are very thankful that our Lord provided such examples in our lives.
I could also take the time to write complimentary words of the man who is my husband and has been such a wonderful father to our two sons. But I'll give those sons a chance to express their own feelings.(I know that's a change for me but what can I say) I just know they couldn't have a more loving,wise Dad and I'm grateful for the Lord's blessing to me as a mother and wife.
This year on Father's Day, I would have to also include our son, Christopher. It is not his first Father's day, but it is the first one in Iraq. It has been a couple months since he had to leave his wife and 2 sons and I know it was the most difficult thing he's ever done. He is such a good father to his boys and his Dad and I are very proud of him. It's been such a pleasure these last couple years to watch him with his son, Luke, and now Will. Being a father really brings out the best in him.
We send out a Father's Day wish to all of the soldiers who are fathers who are serving our country. We are so grateful.
Judy's Dad- David E. Andrews Sr.
Steve's Dad- John D. Scott Sr.
Grandpa Steve and Luke
Soldiers-Our Heroes- David Andrews Sr; Chris Scott
Chris with sons, Luke and Will
Chris, Luke and Grandpa Steve- Guka
Chris, Luke and Grandpa Steve- Guka
2 comments:
What a beautiful tribute to your dads. I am privileged not only to have known them, but to be treated as a daughter by them. They are missed!! Lois
Happy Father's Day from the Scotts in Germany! We love you guys!
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