Advice for my daughter

  This is for my little princess, who will one day find this blog when she is older and hopefully gain some insight from these few nuggets of wisdom. 

• Remember to laugh.  When life around you is falling apart and you can't imagine it being any worse, just Laugh.  And of course, seek God in everything you do. 
• Every morning when you wake up, Thank God for another day that He has placed air in your lungs.
• You can do anything in life, you can be anything in life, you can accomplish anything in life.  You are a strong, smart, talented and beautiful girl.
• DO NOT get involved with a boy who thinks it is ok to lay his hands on you in anger.  I'm still your father and I will never be to old to educate an abusive man.
• DO NOT get involved with a boy who thinks it it ok to get drunk.
• You will one day experience a broken heart from a stupid boy, but remember that there is one who will never leave you and that is Jesus.  You will always have the love of your mama and me, but Jesus will be with you when we can't be.
• You are who you hang out with.  You'll hear this many many times before you find this blog, but it's true.  So surround yourself with Godly women and women whom you would want to be like.
• "No" is an answer.
• Having 700 friends on Facebook or whatever the next popular social network platform may be does not mean you really have 700 friends.  A friend is someone you can call at 2 a.m. and cry with or ask for help.  Therefore that 700 will probably be dwindled down to 3.
• Find a good church home that will help you learn and grow while at the same time contributing to the church, whether it be your time, prayers, or money.  And do not think that you will not be hurt in church.  You will be.  But learn and grown from it.
• Debt is dumb.  No matter how pushy a company can be or how great the deal sounds, believe me, it isn't a good deal.  Debt is dumb.
• Learn from me and your mama.  Learn from the good we do and learn from the bad we do.  Learn from others mistakes and learn from the good choices others make.  You can always learn, even if it's from a bad example.
• It's ok to be called Nerd or Geek.  That just means you are doing something right.
• It's ok to stand up for yourself but it's not ok to be bullied.  Violence is not the answer, but you must be ready to defend yourself if you must.  Don't worry.  By the time you get to this "bullet", hopefully you'll learn from me how to appropriately apply this.
• It's ok for you to like the Texas Rangers, and it's ok for me to like the New York Yankees.  It is NOT ok to like the Boston Red Sox. Ever.  
• Garbage in, Garbage out.
• One day you'll tell me that you hate me or that you hate your mama.  One day you'll tell me you can't wait to be 18 years old and leave the house.  One day you'll also thank me and your mama for how "strict" you thought we were.  And we really do know you love us no matter what you say
• Always be ready to volunteer to help those who are less fortunate than you.  Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen or participate in a food drive.  Don't wait for someone else to volunteer, because if not you then who?  If not now, then when?
• Respect the American Flag.  Stand during the National Anthem.  Men and Women have died for your freedom.
• Never let money jeopardize your integrity.  It's better to be poor with integrity than to be rich with no integrity.  Always work as though you are working for God and do not be concerned by the mocking of lazy people.  Your hard work will be noticed by those around you and by God, but care more what God thinks then those around you.  Read the Book of Daniel to see what I mean.
• Choose reading a book over watching the TV.  Trust me on this one.  You'll thank me later. 
• Be wise with your money.  Tithe your money and invest your money.  Do not try to keep up with "Jone's".  Stay the course, and when you become an older woman you'll be debt free, with money to give away and to do nice things.  Again, you'll thank me later.
• Be a woman like your mama.  Your mama is a strong, beautiful and caring women.  Your mama will say be a better woman then she is, but I say be like your mama because in my eyes she is already perfect.
• Blood is thicker than water, but syrup is thicker than blood, therefore choose pancakes.  I kid, I kid.  Remember your roots and try to carve out some time for family.  If you don't, the enemy will try to use guilt to attack you.
• There is a battle going on for your soul everyday.  Be ready to go into battle, but remember that God has already won the war. 
• Spend some time every day with God by reading the bible and by praying.  Just like investing your money, consider this an investment in your spiritual life.
• Spend time in the gym, eat healthy and be active.  Just like investing your money and investing in your spiritual life, invest in your health.  You will want to enjoy your retirement by being healthy.
• Your brother is watching you, so be an example.  He is your best friend and he will want to hang out with you.  Consider this a blessing.
• Find a boy who is better then your daddy.  Find a man who is smarter and more Godly than me.  DO NOT believe what is in magazines or what is on TV.  Do not believe that you should follow your heart when it comes to "love".  That is stupid advice and those people are just trying to make money.  Use wisdom and you will know when that right man comes along. 
• This is important, so read this carefully.  The day some boy asks you to marry him, and IF you say yes, and IF we think that this boy is good enough for you, and IF you are walking down the aisle, and IF you do not think beyond a shadow of doubt that this is the man God has intended for you, it's ok to walk right up to me and tell me.  No matter how much money is spent on the wedding, and no matter how pressured you may feel, it's ok to walk away.  It's ok to feel a little embarrassed at that time then to spend the rest of your life with a man that is not right for you.  I would rather spend millions and millions of dollars for you to walk away then to spend millions and millions of dollars for you to go through a wedding and wind up with a boy who is wrong for you.  We will leave the palce together and probably grab a cup of coffee.
• Marriage is sacred, and vows are important.  It's not ok to give up on a marriage because it just "feels" right to give up.  For better or for worse is not just a cute saying, but something that is mandatory in all marriages. So fight for your marriage and seek God always.  Draw close to God first and drawing close to your husband will happen naturally.   
• Always tell your mama and brother that you love them.  Always hug them.  This will make their day.
• One day me and your mama will no longer be on this Earth with you, but remember always the teachings we have imparted on you and remember that no matter what, we will always Love You.

   This is by no means all you will learn from me and your mama, but these are reminders.  I have prayed for you, even before you were born, that you will become a Godly woman who will change the world.  Whether the world is just your home, your community, your school, or the world itself, I pray that you are a world changer.  I love you.

Love,
Daddy