A New Direction
I wrote an update on facebook earlier today that went like this:
My Dad is all that, and more. But something he did this Christmas merits special attention.
When I was a little girl, my father (a pastor, who has been in the ministry my entire lifetime) wrote a book. Its focus was missions, and motivating the church of Jesus Christ to care, to give, to go, to get involved. It was called "Living for the Dying," and although my own special copy was somehow lost in a move at some point, I have memorized his inscription to me: "The first one. To the most wonderful little girl in the whole world. Someday when you are old enough to read this book, I pray your life will be exemplified by its title. Always love the Lord, and seek to serve Him. 'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.' Love, Daddy."
Just a year ago, Dad wrote his second book. It, too, expressed his heart for a lost world - and sought to impact its readers to compassion, action, prayer, and giving. It is called "Habitations of Cruelty," and it is about the street boys of Peru, the child soldiers of Uganda, and the little girls sold into sex slavery in Cambodia. Through the book, Dad has been able to raise awareness and funds for several ministries and organizations that reach children in these wretched conditions.
But Dad's book writing wasn't concluded with that book. His latest work took a very different turn.
On Christmas morning, seven young people - in two different states - unwrapped a very special (and surprising) gift. It was a book - written by my Dad, their grandfather ("PopPop"), with the unusual title of "The WAGAPUR."
On the cover is a picture of our youngest daughter Hannah as she sits on the shore by our cottage, looking out at a sailboat. The subtitle is "The Sailboat That Seeks to Circumnavigate the Globe."
The back cover explains it a little bit more.
Dad explained it further in an opening paragraph inside the book:
In this funny, personal, exciting, and engaging book, I have been inspired most profoundly by my Dad. He has taken the time, cost, and - most of all - the creative medium of writing, to connect with his beloved grandchildren, so as to give them in print what he gives them by his life's example: a focus on the Savior, who is above and beyond everything and everyone else.
The WAGAPUR. The name came from a Scrabble game this summer. Someone cheated. "Someone." But a book grew out of it.
In all my father does, he does it with the love and support and aid of my Mom. I am blessed beyond words.
And guys, I hear he's already working on chapter one of book two. Which of you remaining six will it be about?
Wishing happy birthday (74 years young) to the first man in my life, the one who is still my inspiration and guide, who made it easy to transfer trust to the love of my life, and who daily makes it very, very simple to understand the unconditional love of my Heavenly Father. I always knew our relationship was special. I now know it is rare and precious. I love you, Dad.
My Dad is all that, and more. But something he did this Christmas merits special attention.
When I was a little girl, my father (a pastor, who has been in the ministry my entire lifetime) wrote a book. Its focus was missions, and motivating the church of Jesus Christ to care, to give, to go, to get involved. It was called "Living for the Dying," and although my own special copy was somehow lost in a move at some point, I have memorized his inscription to me: "The first one. To the most wonderful little girl in the whole world. Someday when you are old enough to read this book, I pray your life will be exemplified by its title. Always love the Lord, and seek to serve Him. 'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.' Love, Daddy."
Just a year ago, Dad wrote his second book. It, too, expressed his heart for a lost world - and sought to impact its readers to compassion, action, prayer, and giving. It is called "Habitations of Cruelty," and it is about the street boys of Peru, the child soldiers of Uganda, and the little girls sold into sex slavery in Cambodia. Through the book, Dad has been able to raise awareness and funds for several ministries and organizations that reach children in these wretched conditions.
But Dad's book writing wasn't concluded with that book. His latest work took a very different turn.
On Christmas morning, seven young people - in two different states - unwrapped a very special (and surprising) gift. It was a book - written by my Dad, their grandfather ("PopPop"), with the unusual title of "The WAGAPUR."
On the cover is a picture of our youngest daughter Hannah as she sits on the shore by our cottage, looking out at a sailboat. The subtitle is "The Sailboat That Seeks to Circumnavigate the Globe."
The back cover explains it a little bit more.
"The Anderson family has met on the shore of Lake Ontario every summer for the past 38 years. In 1971 there were only four of us, but today there are fifteen. This is the place where dreams, seeking to become realities, sweep through our hearts and minds.
"The WAGAPUR is the name of the sailboat that is still in its cradle in the real world. This book has taken it from there, placed it in the family, launched it, and set its sails for the beautiful island of Bermuda.
"In our dreams it is out on the high seas braving the elements and headed for other far-away places with those high-sounding names.
"This is the dream of a 13-year-old girl to circumnavigate the world and become the youngest person ever to do so. She is supported by her family and a team of cousins whose hearts are with her every step of the journey.
"The excitement, the dangers, the unexpected turn of events, and the providential outcome is what the WAGAPUR is all about."
Dad explained it further in an opening paragraph inside the book:
"Hannah sets out to do a "hard thing" for the glory of God. Her adventure leads her down a most unexpected path but one that strengthens her for even harder things in the days ahead.
"Her story is the first in a series of books that are designed to tell vivid accounts of happenings in the lives of the grandchildren of Paul and Lois Anderson. These books are being written, published, and given to our families on Christmas mornings."
In this funny, personal, exciting, and engaging book, I have been inspired most profoundly by my Dad. He has taken the time, cost, and - most of all - the creative medium of writing, to connect with his beloved grandchildren, so as to give them in print what he gives them by his life's example: a focus on the Savior, who is above and beyond everything and everyone else.
The WAGAPUR. The name came from a Scrabble game this summer. Someone cheated. "Someone." But a book grew out of it.
In all my father does, he does it with the love and support and aid of my Mom. I am blessed beyond words.
And guys, I hear he's already working on chapter one of book two. Which of you remaining six will it be about?
posted by Donna-Jean Breckenridge at Saturday, January 02, 2010
1 Comments:
Your dad sounds like a wonderful person! Thanks for sharing that.
Also thanks for the encouraging comments on my blog! Maybe we can help each other do better this year. :)
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