Happy Father's Day

A friend of ours snapped a few picture of us on campus a few weeks ago. Belén was not very cooperative and did not budge even a partial smile, not even once. Not even a semi-pleasant face. No, sir. Guess that's what we get for taking pictures at 6 p.m. Even so, I love looking at these pictures. Love this little family that Darin and I are building together.

We didn't get around to taking any "official" Father's Day pictures today so these will have to do. 

Last night, for Father's Day Eve (which we clearly celebrate every year), we read this talk by Elder Holland (which we might just have this be the tradition since this is the second time we've done it and we both love this talk). We love the way that Elder Holland portrays the relationship that Christ had with his Father. This line was especially meaningful to us: "Unlike us, He needed no crisis, no discouraging shift in events to direct His hopes heavenward. He was already instinctively, longingly looking that way." He was always looking to his father, because he loved him and wanted to obey him. We both hope to be more like this in our everyday lives and not only in time of need or desperation.

I also really liked this part of the talk: "As a father (and mother, I would add), I wonder if I and all other fathers could do more to build a sweeter, stronger relationship with our sons and daughters here on earth. Dads, is it too bold to hope that our children might have some small portion of the feeling for us that the Divine Son felt for His Father? Might we earn more of that love by trying to be more of what God was to His child? In any case, we do know that a young person's developing concept of God centers on characteristics observed in that child's earthly parents."

It scares me to read things like that because I feel like we are both so inadequate in so many ways to teach these children the things that they need to know, more than anything to help build their faith and love in Christ and Heavenly Father. With that said, I'm so thankful for a husband who understands the importance of his role as father/teacher/friend. I'm thankful that he is willing to set goals with me to become the parents that we want to be, the ones that we know our children deserve. 

Happy Father's Day daddio. We love you so. 

(Shout out to my amazing father who always did show me the love that I imagine Heavenly Father showing for his son. Thanks for always pointing me heavenward dad, love you).