Notes from Dad

We sent Dad off to Ghana, W. Africa on Thursday, July 22. He was gone 10 days with 9 others from Oasis to do door-to-door witnessing in the villages there. The missionaries there will begin a new church with the converts made while this team was there. This is so exiciting, but also very scary! We had been praying and preparing for this trip for months and I don't think either of us dreamed it would ever be this hard to be apart this long and this far away. Before he left, John wrote 9 different notes to Dalton for us to read each night before bed while he was gone. He numbered them and put the day that Dalton was to read it. Dalton was so excited every night to get to read the next note that Dad had written him. On the day John left, I was telling him, "Don't go!" (kidding, of course) and Dalton said, "Mom, he has to go! He has to tell those people about God!" Here are some pics of Dalton and the sweet notes from Dad.

Thursday: Night 1

Dalton,

This is the first night of many that I will be gone. I love you. Be good for your Momma. Don't drive her nuts or make her be an acorn. (inside joke!) Sleep good and I'll see you in eight more nights.

Love, Dad

Friday: Night 2

Dalton,

This is the second night of my trip. I know you and mom are doing good. Tomorrow is Saturday and maybe you can talk mom into taking to Larry's Pizza. I love you. See you in seven more nights.

Love,

Dad

Saturday: Night 3

Dalton,

This is the third night of my trip. I am missing you and mom like crazy! Are you still being good for mom? Tomorrow is church day. You get to go to big class and I think the Shine Shop will be open for you. I love you!

Love,

Dad
(Note: After we read the note on this night, Dalton said, "I miss Dad". I said, "I do, too." He said, "But, don't cry, Mom, okay." Also, I do realize he has had the same P.J.s on for the past 3 nights :)

Sunday: Night 4 (can you tell that we get really silly before bedtime?)

Dalton,

I'll be home in less than a week now. I know you and mom have been praying for me and I can already tell. Thank you. Obey your mom and listen to her. I love you and miss you and mom. Can you tell mom how good she looks today? Moms need to hear how beautiful they are.
Love,
Dad

(If I said that I did not cry after that one, I'd be lying! Then for some reason after I read it, Dalton said "Read it again!" What is this boy trying to do to me? :)

Monday: Night 5
Dalton,

This is the 5th night of my trip. Which means I'm more than halfway through it. I am getting to tell people about Jesus in a place called Dodowa. I love you and am ready to see you again!Love,

Dad

(He laughed and laughed about "Dodowa"! Not sure why he kept wanting to put the notes on his head!)

Tuesday: Night 6

Dalton,

This is the longest I have ever been away from you and mom. You and her are the biggest joys in my life. Which means you're my favorite people :) Keep being good for mom. I love you.

Love,

Dad

(Gran came to visit a few days while Dad was gone. It was a lot of fun. Dalton started calling her "Granny" while she was here. She pretended it bothered her and so that made him call her that even more! He is really beginning to show a personality of being a teaser and a prankster.)

Wednesday: Night 7

Dalton,

I've been gone for almost a week now. Keep praying for me. I have one more day where we're telling people about Jesus. After that we will begin our trip home. I will see you on Saturday.

Love,

Dad

(We discussed after we read the note what we would do when we saw Dad in the airport. We both agreed that we would give him big hugs and kisses!)
Thursday: Night 8

Dalton,

I know by now I am ready to see you and mom. I need a big hug from both of you. I will begin traveling tomorrow. You and mom can pray that I'll be safe as I travel. Keep obeying mom and listen to her. Don't drive her nuts.

Love,

Dad

(One more note and one more night!!!!!)

Friday: Night 9

Dalton,

This time tomorrow I will be home. Sleep good tonight because I need you to pick me up at the airport tomorrow. Tell mom that our flight should be in around noon. I am already traveling back home. It is just taking me some time to get back. I love you. When I see you tomorrow, I will need a big hug and kiss from you (and mom).

Love,

Dad

(Afte we read the note, we discussed who was going to get to Dad first to give him hug and kisses. He told me to go slow and he would go fast. We love you Babe and can not wait to see you!)