1 Year Ago today... A lot has changed

On this date one year ago, we brought our daughter home from the hospital. As we celebrated her birthday Saturday, I thought of the 50 hours that followed the call letting us know we had a baby girl born.

A little video recounting the time leading up to this date a year ago. (It's a part of the 12 minute video we put together for Katylynn's birthday).

A couple of weeks ago, Rob requested a post from me... "How My Daughter Has Changed My Heart, My Ministry, And My Relationships"

My thoughts...

How she's changed my heart:

• I'm a total sap now when it comes to songs and movies I used to mock.
• I'm pretty sure my heart grew. I love this little girl so stinkin' much. I love my wife more than ever.
• On that note, I'm learning a lot more about love on multiple levels.
• The world looks a little different. I've always cared about leaving a legacy on this earth that will advance the Kingdom of God, but now I see that world as the world Katylynn will inherit from me.

How she's changed my ministry:

• When I got married, my time management changed. I learned the dance in a different way. I'm learning a different dance again.
• I look at ministry to girls in a whole different way. I want High School girls to understand that they are the beloved princesses that they always hoped they would be.
• I'm not sure, but I really think the gals in our ministry look at me differently. I started out as the "cool friend", then I transitioned into the "big brother". Now I'm kind of like the "dad". This has been a very positive transition.
• I always have believed one of the most valuable ways I can minister to invite them to see a Christ-focused marriage in action. I also see how I now have an opportunity to show these students what a Christ-Focused father and a Christ-focused family looks like.
• I'm getting a whole load of good illustrative material from this dad gig!

How she's changed my relationships:

• I'm very annoying. Yup, I'm that dad I used to get annoyed by. I'm the one won't shut up about his kid (look at my previous 20 posts). Oh well, deal with it.
• This process has allowed new people into our life that I would have never connected with before. From the birth family, to families at the church, to those going through journeys involving infertility and/or adoption, it's been fun.
• I'd say we've stayed pretty mobile and interactive in comparison to some couples when kids come into the picture. But the nights out with others end much earlier now, and they usually involve much more prep time!