THIS IS A STORY OF A MAN . . .

. . . THAT CHANGED MY LIFE BY THE LIFE THAT HE LIVED!

It's been a year . . . a year since I hugged my Dad's neck, a year since I held my Dad's hand, a year since Dad did all he could to smile at Mr. Caden William. A YEAR. What a year it has been. A year of overcoming fear, a year of dealing with reality, a year of surprises, a year of learning to do things without one of the most important people in my life. But, if I had to sum up 2011 with one main theme I would say, "It's been a year of experiencing God in a new way". The year started out hard, real hard, but as it continued to unfold God showed himself as strong as ever. I went from wondering how I would be able to trust God and was God really a good God that loved me completely to watching him do things only he could do, feeling his presence and resting in his love and peace as He made me whole and complete. Even in the midst of all my doubt ...God was so faithful and today I can say without hesitating that He is a Good God and I stand in awe of Him!

I have been finding myself in a spirit of thanksgiving when I think about dad....thanking God for making me one of the luckiest people alive to have given me him as a father, I am thankful that I get to be apart of Bud Baab's Legacy, I am thankful that I had the honor and privilege of doing life with my Dad for 28 years and all the memories I have of him. Sure, there are some rough times, some sad times, some "I just miss him" times but I don't want to let those thoughts and feelings take away from all the good times. There are still nights I cry in bed, there are times that I think about how proud Dad would be of both Caden and Kinley and just lose it, there are times I just want to talk to him for advice or just to say hi and hear his voice, there are times Jerrick will say "I missed Bud today because . . ." and I melt down. But I am truly grateful, grateful that Caden got to spend a lot of his first 8 months with him and I will always have those memories of Papa Bud and Caden together. I am grateful that my husband respected my dad and had a relationship with him and I am able to watch the impact dad had on his life. Most of all I am grateful that in my lonely, angry or confused times I have a heavenly father that loves me and is there for me at any moment of the day to fill any void! At this year mark as I reflect on the goodness of God and the wonderful memories of dad I am thankful . . .Thankful that he has been made whole, thankful that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Dad is having the best time of his life singing, dancing and hanging out with Jesus, thankful that I had a man for a Father that followed God and set such an example of a committed Dad, mentor and Friend.

After Dad's service Jerrick and I sat down and made notes of things that were said and memories we had that we wanted to always remember . . things that changed our lives and things we wanted to apply in our lives. Here is just a few of the things:

• Dad loved Jesus and was committed to follow God. He took risk's, trusting God for provision and guidance.
• Dad lead his family and lead it well! He knew that God had appointed him the head of the family and he lead his family to the best of his ability.
• Dad loved his children and would do anything for them.
• Dad loved Mom with an unconditional love, he thought the world of her and cherished her as his bride.
• Dad loved watching people "get it" and encouraging them to be men of God and lead their family's in a way pleasing to God.
• Dad was loyal.
• Dad never gossiped or talked bad about anyone. He put relationships as a top priority and would protect those relationships at all cost.

If I could apply and consistanly practice half of those qualities I would feel like an accomplished person, If I had half the wisdom Dad had I would feel like I was one of the smartest people alive, if I can love my children and spouse the way my dad did I will feel like the worlds best mom/wife. I am so grateful for Dad's example!

So on this day I will remember a man that changed my life, a man that taught me about God just by the life he lived, a man that was and will always be my hero!

I know Dad is celebrating today as he has just spent his first year with the Man he lived his life for and longed to meet. He has been made whole, no suffering, no sadness, no pain, no fear...ALL GOOD . . . JUST PRAISING HIS JESUS!

Today l praise Jesus for a man that changed my life by the life he lived!