Your very first email

Tim has opened an email account for each of our kids. I love this idea! It means we can send personal emails to them over the years and when they get old enough to read them they will hear our perspective on their lives as little ones. It's also a great way to save family memories for them in a way we know they will be able to access easily - I know trawling through my blog in a decade's time will be a pain, even if my blog is still accessible then! (I'm assuming gmail will be ...?) So I thought I'd post Tim's very first email to Sam for you all to read.

G'day Sam,

Well, at 1 year old I cannot even start to imagine what it will be like when you are old enough to read this.  But as you sat on my lap this morning while we watched the start of the Rugby Union World Cup in NZ, I really enjoyed the moment of being your dad and watching you grow.

Not sure how to say this mate but ... you can be hard work at times.  I realise your teeth give you a hard time, but boy you stretch Mum and I sometimes.  You are walking really well now, like chatting away in baby talk, have a great little laugh, and as you can see in the picture attached ooze cuteness in the good times.  The problem is I think I am scared from your screams!  :)

This being said, I am more proud to be your dad than I can put in words.  From the second you were born I have thought and prayed about all that your life will hold.  It is hard to explain, quite different to Rosie, and must be a dad thing.  I am so excited to see what God has made you to become.  It does not even matter what it is, I am just looking forward to seeing you walk, run then fly.  Dream big Sammy, go with God and you can be sure of an amazing ride.

Your Mum and I hope and pray that you will come to know God as your best friend, who made you and knows you and who loves you.  He is patient with us.  He is gentle with us.  He has a plan for us (Jer 29:11) and he wants to fill us with his strength and wisdom to change the world.  

So over the years we will drop in an email to you now and then, and be assured we will always be there for you.

Love you mate.  Your Dad.