I just saw the email announcement for the 2005 retreat and it prompted me to send you the following testimony...In spring of 2003 I attended the Father and Daughter retreat in San Antonio with my two daughters, Sarah, then 9 and Iryna, then 8. It was a very special event for the three of us.

However, just how special wasn’t fully revealed until just recently as Sarah shared how it touched her heart.

Several Saturdays ago, we were doing our typical family errands all together. I noted that Sarah seemed to be especially affectionate with me that day — wanting to walk with me, hold my hand, etc.

Just Sarah and I went on an errand together later in the day and she asked if she could sit next to me in the front seat. After the errand, as I pulled into the garage and stopped, Sarah sat forward, turned and looked at me and said, with a rather flushed look on her face, “Daddy, I want to tell you something. I want you to know that I love you very much and that I’m giving you my heart and want you to keep it until that day I get married to the man God has chosen for me. Will you do that?”

At that moment I believe I saw stars... but I got my composure and told her, “absolutely honey, I will guard it and protect it and nurture it until that day, and then only on that day will I give it to your new husband” (I think this is what I said — but perhaps I wasn’t nearly that coherent in my somewhat stunned state of mind!!) :-)

We got out of the car, I hugged her, but then had to ask, “Sarah, what made you bring this up to me now?”.

She said, “Remember the Father Daughter retreat we attended with Mr. Phillips just after we moved here? Well, I’ve been thinking about what he said ever since and just wanted to tell you and make sure you knew how I felt.”

I hugged her again, then she asked “is it alright if I ride my bike now?” She turned and skipped off.

I stood stunned, relishing the Blessings of my Almighty Creator and just how good He can truly be.

So, a belated thank you to Doug Phillips and then entire Vision Forum staff. Who, by the sovereign power of our Savior Jesus Christ, made that event, almost two years ago, truly a memorable one.

How much so I just didn’t fully realize until recently.

May you feel His presence at your Father and Daughter Retreat 2005.