The Dad in the orange hat

The Daddy-Daughter Olympics were recently held on our church grounds.  Brooke has, over the past 2 years since her father died, consistently asked my husband, Tim (wearing the orange hat), if she could call him dad.  It started immediately after her father died and Tim didn't feel comfortable allowing this out of respect for her father.  He said if he died, it would devastate him if his daughter's tried to replace him so quickly.

Fast forward 2 years......now he's Dad!  And along with that title comes Daddy-Daughter responsibilities.  

Important to realize, Tim is not a member of our church, 'though he's a rockin' good guy, just somewhat a never-wanting-to-have-any-obligation-to-join-the-church sort of person.  He will go mow the lawn if he gets home from work and realizes the missionary's or visiting/home teachers are in the house.  He doesn't want to be anyone's "project" so to speak.

"Dad, will you take me to the Daddy-Daughter Olympics at the church next Saturday morning?"  "Of course I will."

I decided to go to take pictures (really for moral support).  On the way to the church, Tim asked, "so now that I'm going to this, am I going to get church people stopping by the house every other day?"  I laughed, "no, just once a week."

So these pictures show my husband playing with his new daughter and some of the best Priesthood holders in the church.  To me he was rubbing shoulders with heaven.  Heavenly father, as he usually does, uses the small and simple things of the world to show his power and love...Tim went to the church...he even went inside to get a drink...and he didn't get struck by lightening!   Progress!