My Daddy Is In Heaven

No matter how many times I reread this and try to make it perfect, I am unable to come up with the appropriate words.  I've been trying to write this since Sunday.  I want to say so much more so that you can each experience this amazing man and his love, yet the words fail me.  So, my best attempt follows.

                                                                                                                                                           
Yes, I have a Heavenly Father.  My Mom has always encouraged me to focus on HIM since she was a single Mom.  There are many amazing men within our community and our family that stepped up to fulfill the need when I needed a father figure.  However, many many years ago, I went to a summer leadership camp, sponsored by Rotary, Camp RYLA. 
I got a free t-shirt, some amazing friends, and I got a Daddy! 
What? 
Yes, you read that right. 

Camp was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.  Did I learn about leadership?  Yes, but there was so much more! I went back the next year as an Assistant Counselor.  I then went back for the next few years as the Assistant Camp Director.  The Camp Director was an amazing man with a genuine heart.  He knew all that I had gone through in regard to not ever having an earthly Daddy. 

He came to me one day and asked if he could be my father!  He said he wanted to care for me like a father would and do all that a father would do for his daughter.  What?  You want to love me and be my Daddy?  That just didn't make sense to me that he would want to love me like a Daddy, but he did for many years.

B even asked him for my hand in marriage and went through the grueling Dad interview with him.  I could spend all day telling you how amazing he was.  However, his facebook page will tell you that...facebook may explode due to all of the people posting on his wall about how wonderful he is.  Even Rotary International honored him in 2006 with their highest award, the Service Above Self Award. 

So, this man loved me for who I was, not for who I thought he wanted me to be...this was new for me.  A man that loved unconditionally?  What? 

The Lord clearly brought him in my life to teach me so many things.  I loved Jesus with all my heart and wanted to serve HIM.  Yet, I didn't truly understand contentment in the Lord because, "how could a man really love me for who I was?"  My daddy did and thus helped to show me that my Heavenly Daddy did, too!  My relationship with the Lord grew so much after I saw a physical example of Daddy love.

Us at camp!!!  I had a Daddy!

My Daddy & my good lookin' groom!

...before the wedding!

Most girls get to dream of their Daddy walking them down the aisle some day!!  Growing up, I never thought I would have that.  However, because of him, I did!!!!  Here is my Daddy walking me down the aisle!!!

Walking me down the aisle to my Prince!

My daddy & my new hubby!

Father/Daughter Dance at the Reception.

With his beautiful wife who sacrificed so much time with him so that he could be my Daddy!

So, the story continues that we were leaving for church this past Sunday.  I had a missed call on my cell phone from a sweet friend from RYLA.  I couldn't think of any other reason for her to call on a Sunday morning, but tried to ignore the obvious and assume that all was fine and she just wanted to talk.  Within a few moments of returning her call, I learned that my Daddy was now in Heaven worshiping our Heavenly Father!!  How cool for him, how stinky for us! 

We are all in shock.  This was so unexpected.  Surely we will wake up and find out it was a bad dream.

I miss him and want just one more hug from my Daddy!  The last message he received from us was a pic of Miss P smiling from ear to ear and telling him she loved him and Happy Valentine's Day.

As we got in the car, I opened my phone to the Bible Verse of the Day and it was this:

 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21

How appropriate.  I know this is so true for him.  He brought Christ so much glory on this earth.  Now, he gets to sit at the feet of Christ and just worship HIM forever!  Wow!!!

Birthday!

Wes Oxford

5:33am Feb 15

Nate would have been seven years old today. We rejoice in knowing that he is with Jesus and will forever be healed. Nate made such an impact in his brief time on earth and we thank God for all the people who prayed for him and because of him. In the near future we will establish ways that we can carry on Nate's legacy. We are thinking about the best way to help the most people and most of all bring glory to Christ. Until then, today we say, "Happy Birthday, Nate." You are one awesome kid and you are in a much better place than all of us...go have fun with Jesus...but most of all, go bow down and worship and honor our LORD and give HIM a kiss from all of us. Also, one last thing, today is Nate Oxford Day in the state of Texas officially declared yesterday...what a cool birthday present! Nate you will always be my hero not only because of how strong you are, but because you were given to me by God and you truly lived for God...now go live forever in HIS presence! Today we are having you a Skylanders party here on earth with your favorite cake and pizza along with all kind of balloons and lots of friends...bit I bet it doesn't compare at all to the party you are having today with Jesus! We love you buddy!

Nate's Day

Scott Turner

Today on the House floor we recognized February 15, 2013 as “Nate Oxford Day”. Nate went home to be with the Lord on January 28 after his 4-year battle with a rare form a brain cancer. Tomorrow would have been his 7th birthday. Please keep his family in your prayers.

Some Final Words from Nate's Daddy

Wes Oxford

11:31am Feb 9

Thank you everyone for making last night great. We are truly appreciative for you all. So many people have been there by our sides through this whole thing...thank you, thank you, thank you! I know Nate is smiling right now and enjoying being in the presence of the Almighty Father. Please hug your kids today and tell them that no matter what happens to you in life, if you turn it over to God then it is in HIS hands now and all we have to do is keep trying but HE does all the rest as far as figuring it out. Thanks again everyone!

Working with Daddy

Our girl got to help her Daddy in the backyard...

I'm not sure as to who enjoyed it most!!!  Daddy was a big fan of his girl helpin'!!!

Vote!!

Again, no idea if I've posted these previously!

This was Miss P's first time to vote.  Miss C also came with us to experience voting in the United States.

We did our part...

She got a sticker to wear that told everyone she voted!!!

My Little Ballerina

Don't know if I ever posted Halloween pics.  So, forgive me if this is a repeat.

Holding her new bag for Halloween goodies!

Cute!

Our little angel!

This is our sweet princess, ballerina!

About to go meet friends

With Gamma!

About to give sweet hugs to our old neighbor!

She wanted to be a big girl & walk.

With Miss C.

Maybe it's time to go for a ride!!!

Miss C with Aunt J

Our little dancer giving Miss C kisses!

Miss P sitting with Aunt J, the cute cupcake!

Time for one more Trick-or-Treat stop and then home!

Our final stop!

Sweet snuggles!

The last treat of the evening!! : )

four-legged friends

Miss P loves "puppies!"  No matter where we go, she wants to know if there is a puppy!!
We went to a baby shower and they had a puppy that she just loved!!

Football!

Our girl loves Football!  She doesn't watch TV, but she watches football!

She had so much fun last year at all of the games.

Our friend that takes pics at the games!

One of P's many buddies!

She had fun lovin' on him this evening.

Her favorite!

Sharing her water with him!

Daddy still can't bring himself to wear orange.

I don't want to leave, though!