Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 93 . . . Father's Day

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ. I missed last week, finally have returned from having my oldest daughter's wedding and helping my mom with a move. Lots of traveling, lots of activity, but new horizons for many in the family and hopefully, good ones!

Our hostess this week is the lovely and talented Lisa, who has selected this verse from Ephesians 6:2-4, "Honor your father and mother"~this is the first commandment with a promise~"so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. And fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

Lisa is challenging us to make a Father's Day card or a card praising our Father in heaven. And our sponsor is Simon Says Stamp! Be sure to check out the home page here to read Lisa's thoughts about her chosen verse and to see the beautiful creations from the rest of the design team.

I made my card to give to my husband. My own father is gone, but my husband is a stellar example of a man who has risen to the top as a father, and to children not his own. I have three children from a first marriage and the kids and I were on our own for quite a number of years before I met my current husband and he entered their lives. The kids, especially my oldest daughter, were of the opinion that life would have sailed on quite nicely without him, thank you very much, no need for you to get married again, mom. But what an incredible journey we have had.

It was never a question for my husband, he said when he married me he had to embrace them as his own children or it never would have worked. That he has done, all the while walking a delicate line of making sure the kids understand he was not here to replace their own father, who is still alive, but just entering in as an extra helper in their lives--patient, kind, understanding, generous, unselfish, encouraging--always there to support the kids.

This past weekend my oldest daughter got married, which is why I didn't have time to make a card for last Sunday's challenge. The wedding was beautiful, my daughter was, of course, the prettiest bride ever seen. She danced with her dad, her new husband danced with his mom, and then, as a complete surprise, my daughter called my husband to the dance floor for their own special, private dance. It was one of the best moments of my husband's life, a sweet reward for all of his efforts and the love he has shown. Above all, my husband has helped with the spiritual growth in our family because of his love for his heavenly father. All the kids have said that their faith walks would not have grown the way they have without him. Two of my kids are on mission trips this summer.

Parenting is never easy, step parenting is even harder and doing it well deserves a gold medal. I don't have one of those and most of you reading this probably don't either, but take the time to thank someone next weekend, father, stepfather, grandfather, or heavenly Father, who has poured themselves into your life. I don't have photos of the wedding yet, but hope to share some soon!

Have a great week, hope you can play along.

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers All Aboard and Big Boy Toys (sentiment)

Ink: Ranger distress ink Weathered Wood