Amazing Grace…

My Dad turned 70 over the weekend. My mom decided to throw him a surprise party several months ago. She did a really great job planning for it…especially since she was in China the whole month of March. Four-out-of-five siblings and all thirteen grandchildren were able to be present for the planned party. My youngest brother, Jon, and his wife are living in Kenya right now and could not make it home.

My mom asked us kids to tell a memory or a story about Dad. I wrote mine down (even though my big brother tried to convince me that was cheating)…

Things About My Dad…randomly…
He’s a history buff. When we were kids in Ohio, Dad took us to every historical sight/museum nearby that he could fit in.
He loves peanut butter. He puts it on EVERYTHING: pancakes, cookies, and anything else that can hold it…use your imagination.
He also loves peanut M&M’s. It’s a family thing. A bag of Peanut M&M’s lasts about two seconds around Dad and his brothers. I happened to inherit the weakness…ugh!
I am like my Dad. We are perfectionistic (I was more-so before I married Britt and had 7 kids…a whole other blog in itself), hard-working, persistent, stern, adventurous, having leader qualities but rather someone else shoulder the responsibilities, diligent, loves to teach, creative, artistic, some-what controlling, strong-willed, easily moved to LOUD laughter (this is much more dominant in the Helfers men).
When I was in the 9th grade, I had to write my first paper. I still remember my topic and doing my research. I loved the process and all the organizing steps involved in preparing to write a paper. However, when I got to the very last step…actually writing the paper…I couldn’t do it. I knew all the stuff I wanted to say, but I couldn’t translate it into coherent thoughts in written form. I remember falling apart at our kitchen table, deadline looming. I’m not sure what it was, but I watched my Dad do something that caught me off-guard. He took all my information and organized all my thoughts into a very well-written paper. I remember this act-of-love from my dad probably more than any other over the years. So many things were communicated without words.
My Dad loves the color purple. I don’t remember how that came about. But I remember it’s been his favorite since I was very young.
My Dad wanted great things from us kids, but we had to get there on our own…for the most part…probably because that’s how it was for him. It created character in him and in us that you can’t get  any other way.
I credit much of my spiritual discipline to my dad. I remember he would read through the whole Bible every year and probably still does. I always assumed he knew more about the Bible than anyone, because he read it so many times.
My dad’s favorite song has been Amazing Grace for as long as I can remember. I imagine it has to do with how he was saved.

Helfers Family @ my dad’s 70th birthday party

After the “program” for my dad’s party, we took a family picture in front of the banner that the grandkids and I made. Missing were: my brother and his wife, Britt, Morgan and Reagan. It just so happens that the two-year-old forgets he’s potty-trained during most away-from-home events…especially when the parents are distracted with responsibilities. We also forget that he forgets (probably because we’re getting old), are not prepared with an extra set of clothes, which requires a quick trip home for a bath and change. Thus, my missing family members from the photo-moment.


As I’ve reminisced over these memories and more, I’ve become sentimental and somewhat emotional. As I sorted through memories, it kind of made me feel like we were preparing for a funeral. So thankful it wasn’t, and we’ve been blessed with so many years with my dad. I’m so thankful my kids have grown up with the memory of their grandpa in their life. However, I do get emotional knowing that will change…especially for the two little boys, after we move to Guatemala. We won’t be able to just run over to Grandpa’s when we have the whim. Even assuming God will enable my parents to come visit us often, it will still not be the same. Long ago, I watched my parents pack up and leave their home, oldest two kids (one being me), extended family and friends, and move half-way around the world to Africa. They were following in obedience for what God had for them. Was that process hard? Sure it was. Was it worth their obedience? God has revealed that time and time again over the years. I’ve learned, primarily from my parents, that when God asks you to do something…don’t argue, just obey.