Being a missionary is a wonderful life, but like all other lives has its sacrifices. One of the worst is being away from our family on special days, like Valentines Day. This year all our children are with us, except Kristin who is 12,000 miles away in Tennessee and I am really missing her. This blog will be a tribute to my eldest daughter, Kristin Nicole.

Kris, you have always been the second mother–ok, the third one after Mom and Reina–the one the girls look up to, the powerful influencer of opinions. You are the pondering one, always taking things apart, always wondering how and why, why, why… You are the one who has long philosphical debates with our Indian sage, Sam Sade, reads hard books and works on her vocabulary every day.

You are the unpredictable one. The one who shaves her head on a whim the week before senior photos and graduation and almost gets kicked out of school a week before graduation.
You are a risk taker. I love that about you.

You are the brave one, especially with people. You aren’t afraid of anyone no matter what their position. You will talk to them with respect, but don’t cower ever.

We have had so many meaningful conversations. I feel such respect from you. So much love and gratitude for how you were raised. You make me feel noble and wise. I need that and it is the kind of gift that comes to a man best through his child. Thanks, Kris. You have encouraged me so many times as a father. Thanks too, for the ‘inside scoop’ parenting tips.

I am so proud of the person you have chosen to become. You will continue to explore the world and turn it inside out to see how it works. Explorer is your calling. You don’t have to be a builder for awhile. That will come in time. Just be content to explore all the amazing new worlds out there holding the hand of its Creator with childlike wonder.

I love you, my daughter.
Dad