Retirement....Sort Of.

On our way up to Chicago / Wisconsin, we stopped in Nebraska City to celebrate my Dad's retirement from UPS. He's driven for UPS for the past 25 years and was eligible for retirement this year. The preacher position opened up at our church in Nebraska City and Dad decided to apply for the job. The church offered the position and now Dad is "officially" putting his preaching degree into use about 30 years after he graduated. Of course, any of you that know my Dad know that he has always used his spare time to work for the Lord. Now he'll just get paid for it and hopefully have a little extra time at home in the evenings!

We were already at the house Friday night when he returned home from his last day at work and we all had to get pictures with him while he was in his uniform one last time. My whole life Dad has come home in that uniform. I have so many good memories of him in it. I think he's probably going to have to buy some new clothes now... :)

Kim & Dad

(notice Victoria in the back more interested in the cookies someone gave Dad!)

Mom & Dad

Justin, Kim, & Victoria - a nice family picture!

All of us appreciate so much the hard work that Dad did to support our family. I know that this was never his "ideal" job. It wasn't until I was older that I found out that Dad wanted to go back to school to become an accountant (that was were I got it from!), but when we got back from Cyprus (where my parents were missionaries for 5 years and Rachel & I were born) it just didn't work out financially and he took the job at UPS. Over the years, the days were LONG and the winters were COLD, but he stuck through it for us.

I always knew how thankful we were for Dad, but it was such a nice surprise to see how much everyone that Dad met on his route appreciated him. During his last week of work there were signs up all over the small town he delivers to that said how much they were going to miss him and wishing him luck. I think people made meals for him everyday that week and he had more cake and treats than he could handle! I always knew my dad was a special man, but it's so nice to know that other people saw it as well.

I am reminded of the verse in 1 Thess. 4:11-12, "Make it your ambition to live a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders..." I think Dad did exactly that.

This is the newspaper article (front page!) about Dad's retirement. I love the headline: "UPS Driver Terry Duffy Enjoyed Joking with His Customers." That sure sums up Dad! He can never talk to anyone without kidding them about something. The second page has some pictures of the signs that were up around town.

The family (minus Rachel & Ryan) all went out to eat that night at the Lied Center. I don't know why we didn't go there more growing up in Nebraska City. It was great food and it was such a beautiful night out on the deck. We took a few pictures, but some of them didn't turn out so great in the dark...

Mmmm....cheesecake.

Kim & I - this may be the last time I see her pregnant!

Dad - I was so glad to be able to be there to celebrate with you and thank you for all your hard work! I can't wait to see what amazing things you do with the church there in Nebraska City. I love you!