Happy Birthday, to our very own Captain Picard
Mood music for reading about Dave!
Dave Powers? Oh, we adore him!
If you could dream the perfect man for a daughter you love, if you could order up qualities you’d want your daughter and the children they’d have to enjoy their whole lives through and a personality that was made to bless and challenge and delight the whole family, if you could choose a man of character and one with as much wit as wisdom, if God would have just written across the sky, “Oh yes. I created him to be in your family,” the choice could not be more perfect than Dave Powers.
[Picard, Data and Worf are attacked and pursued by Kolaran natives] Picard: I think it’s time to try some unsafe velocities.
Dave Powers. I still remember the first time I heard your name. It echoed around in the halls of my heart along with a spark, me wondering, “Would Tara ever be interested in a guy like him?…” {WOULD SHE EVER!!! was the answer!} Before ever even meeting you, before ever even laying eyes on you, your name just sort of plopped into my mind and if wishing you’d love Tara could have had anything to do with it, then no wonder it happened. I still love that you were born the very day Dad was proposing to me. As you said yesterday, in the way only you can, “God was hookin’ a sister up!” He was. He was looking down the road, knowing what we’d need.
For I am of the persuasion that the children we get are as much used by God to form us and train us as we are in their lives, And you, son-of-my-heart, are a shining example of it. You are courageous and bold and have invited to me to go places I never would have gone, didn’t even think I wanted to go and sometimes have been crazy-uncomfortable. Most of it, I wouldn’t trade. Some of it I am waiting for the day I can say, “Oh we can laugh about that now…” Haha.
I wouldn’t trade you for anything, though, Dave and since the day I met you and for the months we spent getting to know you before you and Tara met and then after, I always knew you were meant for greatness and that I would one day say, “I knew Dave Powers when…” I just didn’t know I’d get to hang out near the path you are walking so closely. You were born to make an impact and you are blowing up the universe. You were born to terrorize the devil and you annihilating his strongholds. {throwing in some DP-talk there}
[In the attempt to find an alternative exit, Picard intends to blast with a shuttle through the inner shuttle bay doors and fly through the Scimitar] Data: Do you think this is a wise course of action, sir? Picard: We’re about to find out, Data
I love you fiercly. I chose that word very purposefully.
&
I believe in you to inifinity and beyond.
Picard: Captain’s personal log, supplemental. We’re heading toward Federation space at maximum warp. The crew has responded with the dedication I’ve come to expect of them. And like a thousand other commanders on a thousand other battlefields, I wait for the dawn…
I’d stand to the death with you. Because you have done that with me.
You are such a great daddy to our little Hunter Magoo!
Praetor Shinzon: Were we Picards always warriors? Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I think of myself as an explorer. Praetor Shinzon: Well… were we always explorers? Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I was the first Picard to leave our solar system. It… caused quite a stir in the family. But… I’d spent my youth… Praetor Shinzon: …looking up at the stars, dreaming about what was up there; about… Captain Jean-Luc Picard: …new worlds…
And for all your giftings, for the strong anointing on your life, for your natural abiliies and Holy Spirit-empowered insight and works, for the sensitivity you have with people and your way with words, because you can capture a conversation with one or with hundreds, though you have a voice that does not quit and the power of God rides into a room on it, and you can lead and protect and empower thousands of people, and even because I believe God is calling you to not only bring the Church together in unity, but He is making a way for you to impact governments and jurisdictions, and because I will never ever forget 2 years ago when He told me He would not let your foot slip – for these and many other reason, I know you are a great man, destined for amazing opportunities.
But I am most thankful and love you best for loving my daughter, for raising Hunter to be what God has called him to and for joining this imperfect family and calling us your own. When you’re just “ours,” it is lovely.
Happy Birthday, Dave…Love, mom
photos by www.lilacphotography.com
Lt. Tasha Yar: Captain, so far we’ve obeyed every order, no matter how far-fetched it might have seemed. But if we’re to risk the safety of the ship and crew, I think we have to ask you for an explanation.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I understand your concerns, Lieutenant; and I know that if I were in your position, I would be doing the same thing – looking for answers. But you’re not gonna find any, because I don’t have any to give you.
I know it is difficult for you to understand, but we have to take the ship into the very center of the phenomenon and create a static warp shell. Now this will put the ship at risk.
Quite frankly, we may not survive. But I want you to believe that I am doing this for a greater purpose, and that what is at stake here, is more than any of you can possibly imagine.
I know you have your doubts about me, about each other, about this ship. All I can say is that although we have only been together for a short time, I know that you are the finest crew in the fleet; and I would trust each of you with my life.
So, I am asking you for a leap of faith – and to trust me.
NOTE TO HF LEADERSHIP: You can trust him, his heart. I do.
Okay, so I’m bawling again, at lunch, with students in my room…
Alas.
Several things, yes, Dave you are a man of vision, purpose and integrity and I love you for that, blessings on your birthday. I think I will from now on just link my birthday blog posts to mom’s website because she has the eloquent choice of the vernacular.
And another thing, I wouldn’t have guessed that you, my Jeanie would ever be typing the words “static warp shell” into your blog! :)
xxoo
Happy Birthday, my Dave!
Happy, Happy Birthday Dave!!! You truly are one awesome guy and seriously one of the Godliest and funniest people I know. It has been, and is, such a blessing to be able to work with you every Tuesday and Friday! We knew from the very first time we saw you leading worship on the NHCC stage that you were something special, and we were right! Hope your day is a Blessed one! Love ya….Jen :)
This post is SO Dave! Happy Birthday, Dave! You’re an incredibly good big brother. Thank you for not being afraid to stand up and be the man that you are. Thank you for your friendship, love, protection and covering. I love you so much!
I don’t think I can say anything right now. I’m crying and this was the perfect post for my David. You are SO Picard! I love you to infinity and beyond, a million, zillion, 40,000, 50 million, gazillion and more than numbers can count. Happy Birthday. -Your wife, TP