to my dad on his birthday....

My dad is many things to many people. There are many people who call him pastor, teacher, counselor, and friend. But for my siblings and I, we possess the unique and special privilege of calling him our dad. And for this privilege, I could not be more thankful.

When, I first started working at the church, every time I would introduce myself to someone, they would immediately follow with the question, "Oh, are you Bill Lamberth's daughter?" This question was in fact so frequent, that my co-intern, upon sensing that the question was coming, would respond, "Yes, yes, she is." Even before they were able to get it out.

For some, this might be a frustrating or annoying question, especially when it is asked with such frequency, but for me, I have always loved the question and have been so proud to answer "yes... He's my dad!"

Dad, I really am so proud and thankful to be your daughter. 

I am thankful for the way you love mom, and what an example ya'll have been for me.

I am thankful for the way you always put our family first above everything else. As I have grown up and worked in the church, I have seen how difficult this is. Thanks for doing this for us, and never making it seem difficult.

I am thankful for the way you always took an interest in what John and Lindsay and I loved. For the fact that you now love gymnastics, soccer, and theatre just as much as we do. I love how you would always ask me how if I stuck my pike-tsuk on bars. In reality it was a vault, but at least you tried.

I am thankful for the way you have always been so patient with me....when I cried for months in the car when "How do I live without you" came on, when I use you as my human mapsco whenever I need directions, and when I would overdraw my checking account and never use a budget despite endless pleading on your part. 

I am thankful for the way you love people. You are genuinely interested in everyone you meet. You care about their lives. Meet them where they are. And you do not show favoritism in the least bit. 

I am thankful that I have you to talk theology with, and how you always seem so excited about what I am learning at work or in school. 

I am proud that as all my friends become involved in your sunday school class, they all love you and mom! (Even if you do frequently tell them that I how I proved to you the doctrine of original sin!)

I am proud that everyone who knows you always says, "oh, i love your dad."

I am so proud of how humble you are. How I have never heard you ever talk about yourself. 

I am proud of how you love Jesus so authentically! 

I love you, Dad! Happy Happy Birthday!