In a Word...

Dad's home!!! From Canada!! Or wherever they really sent him, because I still do believe he's an FBI agent. (You didn't hear it from me). Come on, Canada, really??

Anyway, I missed him a whole lot. Knock on wood, but I think it's wonderful, in part, because we never really got along before...and we could have the worst wall-shaking fights this side of the Rio. [I was fifteen, and well, as arrogant as he, after all, I am his daughter]. I make him bread and such every so often, and we get along swell. :-P

I really did miss him like crazy. I appreciate having my own personal auto mechanic (all I can do is change a tire and kind of check the oil]. He is also my animal doctor [or executioner if you are one certain rooster with a screwed internal clock]. He is my hunter, who teaches me to shoot straighter than every boy in town [other than Heather and Allison, those girls got aim!]. We fish, we camp, he teaches me to build anything! Beehives, lay bricks, put shingles on, siding, build cannons, marshmallow guns, fences, chicken coops, dig ponds, he does everything. He has also given me this amazing sense of honor and generosity-- I try and emulate him all the time.

Always return everything in much better condition than when you borrowed it. You don't take money with you, and somebody else sure needs it more than you do. EVERYTHING is God's creation, never desecrate, kill, or purposely harm ANYTHING unless it HAS to be done. Always look behind you when you hike [or park], and get your bearings, note your landmarks [airplanes aren't landmarks Anisha], and you will always have a path back home. Hard work is everything, do your best, no matter if you are in the hot sun, or in a freezing office.

My dad gave me the affinity for song and whistling while I work, all the time, and I have been able to tackle some REALLY tough jobs because of it. He taught me to respect everybody, you NEVER know what they've been through, because chances are, its something you couldn't handle. Always treat people like they are your best friends..you will be loved for it, but what's best is that you will love all people.

Just such are some of the things from my dad, because I love him so much, and am always so grateful for him and his Priesthood presence. Because of him, I know I can survive ANYWHERE. Literally, I can survive with all kinds of people, and I know how to start fires without matches, build shelters, kill game, and eventually build my own house, and keep in clean.

My dad and I are not perfect. [We tell ourselves we are every morning in the mirror. We wake up and say "HELLOOOO GORGEOUS!], but its the constant striving for perfection that counts for God. It's about being who you are all the time, but knowing where certain behaviors are appropriate. [He is an angel at church, and flirts with all the sweet widow ladies, making them feel special, and stealing newborns out of their carriers because he loves babies so much], and then, at home we can play games, watch and make youtube videos, run around outside, do stunts on the dirtbike, and get into really scary Hall-Family-Science-and-Politics-Debates.

He is what keeps our family whole.