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100 Lessons, Thanks Dad!

Happy Birthday Dad! Thank you for being involved in my life, for knowing my friends, listening to my struggles, for answering my questions, and for the example you set through your words and actions! You are my hero. 


Here's a list of 100 things you've taught me...though I'm sure it's just skimming the top of the barrel. 

1. Ask good questions
2. Find the answers you can. 
3. Some things won't have answers and that's okay. 
4. Hugs and kisses are essential, even when you're a adult
5. Say "I love you" and say it often
6. Sing in church, regardless of how talented you are (though you are a tallented singer) 
7. What you believe about the Bible and God counts, so find out what that is
8. Bible reading and prayer are essential, individually and as a family 
9. Stick to your word and follow through with your commitments  
10. Sometimes it's better to walk away than to say what's on your mind 
11. The difference between nuts, bolts, screws, nails, and washers
12. If you put a kink in the garden hose you can keep the water from coming out without turning off the tap
13. Baby animals need a special amount of gentleness
14. Being a man is good and good men are worthy of respect
15. All people are worth your time
16. Not all situations are worth your time
17. Don't lose your car manual, you'll need it
18. Be polite to policemen
19. Help your mom
20. Sometimes you need to fight your own battles
21. Sometimes you need to let someone else fight your battles
22. Sometimes you will need to fight someone else's battles for them
23. Know your community
24. Know names
25. If someone needs help, whether that's moving a couch or holding a baby, if you can help you should
26. How to read, twice
27. How to put a worm on a hook
28. Agree with your spouse and never fight in front of the kids
29. Be informed about what's going on in the world around you
30. Respect and spend time with your grandparents
31. Stand for what you believe is right
32. How to use a high-pressure-washer
33. How to pump gas
34. Some things in life are genuinely funny, laugh at them
35. Family matters
36. No matter what problem you face, start with the principle, not with whatever you want the outcome to be
37. Develop the gifts God's given you (thanks for coming to all our piano recitals)
38. Girls and boys are different which is both good and exciting.
39. Do your hair nice
40. Work hard
41. Play
42. How to catch a baseball
43. How to swim
44. Trust
45. Be loyal to your friends
46. Being famine is good; dress modestly and act graciously 
47. God is a good Father
48. Some pranks are funny, some are hurtful, know the difference and do the former
49. How to drive
50. Eat what's on your plate
51. Think for yourself 
52. Join a local church and be faithful to it 
53. Math 
54. Don't take yourself too seriously 
55. Men cry, for their own sorrows and for others 
56. Do what is right, not what is popular 
57. A good man will protect you; physically and emotionally
58. Respect your mom 
59. Don't interrupted others 
60. What a Silver Maple tree looks like 
61. Treat your siblings with respect 
62. Have fun 
63. Be fun 
64. Be hospitable 
65. Don't lie
66. The doctrines of Calvinism 
67. The Old Testament
68. The New Testament  
69. How to milk a cow
70. Sarcasm 
71. Good music is worth listening to
72. Whatever you do, do it well
73. Be creative
74. Time is valuable
75. Don't be selfish
76. Call older people Mr. or Mrs. until they give you permission to use their first names
78. Don't hurt others
79. Don't eat strange plants or berries
80. Be confident
81. Obey curfew
82. All people are equal as God's image-bearers but we do not all have equal positions or the same gifts
83. What stability looks like
84. What love is
85. What different crops in the field are (ie corn, soybeans, etc)
86. There's no place like home
87. What to do with money
88. How to tie shoe laces
89. Which shoe goes on which foot
90. Hold the door for people
91. Manners
92. Stories and books are good (thank you for reading to us every night before bed)
93. Be flexible and take things as they come 
94. Invest in what's important  
95. Be willing to try new things
96. Support good causes with your time and money
97. Sometimes you need a break
98. Love the great outdoors  
99. Animals are not people
100. Whatever happens in life God does not change. It is in God that we can live and move and have our being. 


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