My dad, my hero

My dad was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, and we created a CaringBridge website for us to keep everyone informed.  Thank you so much for your prayers, everyone!  Click on the link to go to his website:  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dicknervig

If you don't know my dad, you're missing out.  He's one of the best.  He is patient, trustworthy, kind, thoughtful, and such a servant leader.  He seeks God's will in all things and has even described this as "God's next big adventure for Him."  Oh to have his perspective in the middle of trials.  He is definitely a man of God. 

He is also extremely fun.  Not that those two things are exclusive of one another, but he is not boring or stifled.  He is willing to laugh at himself and has a wonderful sense of humor.  Growing up, he was always looking for ways to make memories with us as a family....taking us on fun vacations mission trips, spending countless hours playing catch and letting me practice my pitching, coaching our softball teams, swimming at the pool with us, building tents and forts in the basement with us, getting Casey's donuts on Saturday mornings, and pursuing anything that Wendi and I were even remotely interested in.  He made us a priority even when he had hundreds of other kids and teachers at school/work relying on him. He was and is a FUN dad. 

He is such a loyal husband.  I have watched him and my mom go through moves, different life stages, ups and downs, and he is always loving on my mom, bragging on her, and cheering her on. Even after losing my brother Matthew, they still chose to be committed to one another through the worst nightmare of their life.  Boy am I glad that they had the courage to have another baby, risking the hurt and pain but knowing that their hope was in Him.  (And in 1986 their world was totally rocked. Ha!) He was right by her side when she went through breast cancer in 2007, and now she is the best nurse he could ask for as he goes through this journey.  They make an unbelievable team. 

It doesn't stop there.  Now I have gotten the privilege of watching him be a Papa to the grandbabies.  He is a natural.  The best.  They love doing "squish and tickle," going on scavenger hunts, watching movies and reading books together.  Someday Will gets to join in on all that fun, but for now he just loves his Papa's magical "bounce" and heartwarming smiles.  He is just the BEST Papa. 

Thank you for your prayers and loving on him and my mom.  I know it means more than you all will ever know. 

The verse that has been rolling around in my head all week is from 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

My dad, my hero