Cut and past link into your browsers to hear her touching thoughts and some pictures of their life together. 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151271363012890&l=5403065460369267929

When I think about Dad, two characteristics come to mind- hard working and humble.He took pleasure doing the little things not many wanted to do. When I think of humility,I am reminded of the example of Jesus on one knee, washing the feet of his disciples.Likewise... I see my Dad also on one knee not washing feet but lovingly washing the church toilets. He took pride and joy in doing those sometimes thankless and humble tasks and it had a profound impact on my life. He taught me about personal integrity and doing things not for recognition. Ironically, he did things with such vigor, enthusiasm and joy, eventually everyone appreciated whatever he did. He taught me there is no shame in working hard no matter what the job was, from cleaning toilets to managing people.

I loved my Dad. I can say without hesitation that he has been the biggest and mostwonderful influence on my life. I would like to share 4 short stories that will help paint a picture of our relationship and why he meant so much to me.

Story #1- 6:00am, Infinity and Beyond

At the age of 7, I can distinctly hear my dad’s voice every morning talking to someone. He would get ready for work in the kid’s bathroom which was adjacent to my room. His voice was so loud, it would wake me and I would wonder, who was my dad talking to? Then I realized he was praying out loud to God.

He would pray for everyone and everything and of course I would hear him pray for his family and pray for me. He was very faithful with his prayers every morning, day after day, year after year, decade after decade. It is my joy and shining example knowing that Dad has probably prayed for everyone in this room.

I am so blessed, knowing that no matter what I was going thru, there was my Father faithfully praying for me every day of my life for 50 years. His heart was so big, his love for others stretched to “infinity and beyond”. What a tremendous legacy he has left me.

Story #2 - Grandpa J

My Dad had no selfish ambitions in life, he wasn’t into material things or hobbies, he wasn’t into sports, clothes, cars or anything like that. His sole passion was to care about and love others. One such person was an elderly gentleman our family lovingly referred to as Grandpa “J”- Mr. Charles Johnson.

As a 10 or 11 year old, I thought Grandpa J was different- first of all, he was white...and he was tall. He was the first person who gave me a firm handshake. He grew up in a different generation, he was born in the 1800‘s and he was old, he smelled like an old person, his house was old, his furniture was old, he even dressed differently. He didn’t scare me but I felt just a bit uncomfortable around him because I thought he was different.

My Dad took care of him like he was his own father because Grandpa J had no one else to take care of him- his wife passed away and his son tragically died very young and when you’re old, your friends are old too so who was going to take care of Grandpa J?

The world might of forgot Grandpa J but my Dad didn’t. My dad would faithfully cook Grandpa J a pot roast which would give him two weeks of meals, then Dad would cook him another, and another, and another... He would do this not for a few months, not for a year or two but for at least a decade maybe even two.

In a world that demands immediate results, Dad showed me the complete opposite the importance of “stick-to-it-ness”, discipline, patience, persistence. He showed me true love can be measured in doing small acts of kindness over the course of many years not just a year or two but perhaps over a decade or a lifetime.

Sometimes after church, Dad would make the entire family visit Grandpa J. I remember my dad telling us, “Now kids, Grandpa J may repeat the same stories over and over, but don’t say anything.... just smile and listen- like it was the first time you heard it.”

My Dad taught me about the lost art of LISTENING. It is a way of showing that youcare about someone. A very simple yet powerful way to connect with others and he was a master at it.

Dad also taught me to care for those less fortunate and for those people that live on the edges of society, misfits sometimes the world forgets- like Grandpa J or someone without family, a homeless person, someone in bad health, a father who just lost his job or maybe someone who just needs a friend. It may feel uncomfortable relating to people different than us but that is where Dad excelled. Dad showed me it’s important to open my heart and arms so wide we can love all of God’s children from all walks of life.

Story #3- The Letter

13 years ago I was at a major crossroad in my life. At this time my wife, Stacey and I were about to start our family, she was going to quit her nice paying job and we were going to financially survive on my sole income.

However, there was a pretty big roadblock to our plan because I had no idea how we were going to make it financially. I was only making about $10,000 a year, people on unemployment were making more than me...Furthermore I had the crazy idea to be a full-time, self employed, independent artist with absolutely no formal training and beginning a new career at 37- not exactly a career path your financial advisor would recommend!

God brought photography into my life but needless to say, I was a bit worried on how I would provide for my wife and new daughter on the way. Through God’s divine plan, at the appropriate moment, I received a letter from my Dad. A three pager... telling me how proud he was of me and how God has made me different and that I was a risk taker unlike himself and he believed in me.

Although it was hard for him not to worry about me, he trusted God would provide for my family. He gave me over to God and relentlessly prayed for me just like all of his children.

He then wrote something that will live with me for the rest of my life.... He wrote, “I don’t worry about you because I know you are a hustler and you will find a way to make ends meet”. Just the validation i needed. He knew I was just like him, that I would do anything to provide for my family, even if it meant washing toilets I would do it. If I had to work at McDonalds, Starbucks and Home Depot all in the same week, I’d do it, just like he would do for his family. What a tremendous gift he gave me, the concept of hard work and humility.

After reading that letter, I felt reassured and my faith was fortified and I knew I could make it despite the slim chance of being a financially independent artist. God spoke thru my father and I gained the courage to move forward and tackle a near impossible task.

Story #4- Atlanta, 13 years later...

Three days before my father passed away I was in Atlanta at a conference. During theconference, Stacey, my wife, hearing God’s spirit, texted me and changed my flight- I would not be flying home to Los Angeles but directly to SFO to visit my dad in intensive care. At this point I was pretty sure, it was a serious situation and I had this feeling this was probably the final days of his life. Alone in my hotel room, I dwelled on this.

The next day was a very big day for me because I had to speak to over 1,000 professional photographers from around the world. It was one of the largestphotography conferences and it was quite an honor to be asked to speak.

Before I was about to go on stage one of the most prominent and highly respected photographers in the world told me that he specifically asked if he could introduce me. Yes, me, the Asian college dropout and self taught photographer. I felt extremely honored that he regarded me as one of the top professionals in the industry.

It then hit me as I realized God’s faithfulness and how far I had come in 13 years.Although I don’t consider myself a rich man, God has faithfully provided for my family- I don’t have just one spoiled daughter but now I have been blessed with two very spoiled daughters. I have seen my work published in magazines and books across the world and I simply can’t believe how God has used my photography and my story to help others, what a blessing in my life.

As I proceeded to lecture on stage (a lecture I’ve delivered a 100 times) I couldn’t stop talking to you Dad in the back of my mind, telling you, “We did it Dad, together with your undying support and covering me with decades of prayer, love and showing me what dedication, hard work and faith can do... I found my groove, my calling and I’m helping others in my own way almost as good as you DAD. God is faithfully providing for my family and using my talents in unimaginable ways, you don’t have to worry about me anymore Dad, Jesus is waiting for you to come home.”

Although, my Dad never had the opportunity to hear me speak, he kept tabs on me thru FACEBOOK. He was what you call a “Stalker”. He could see what country I was in, my latest photography, my friends, where I was teaching, even what I was eating, what I was doing and how I was helping others! I’m so happy he could be involved with my life on a daily basis thru the Internet. Thank the Lord for social media!

If you want to Google me, you will have to search Scott “Robert” Photography or Scott Robert Lim. When deciding on my business name 13 years ago I chose adding “Robert” to my name because it sounded artistic. I liked the way the words “Scott Robert” rolled off the tongue. Robert also happened to be my middle name, obviously named after my dad.

I am so glad I am able to honor my dad by adding his name to my art and to my legacy. Every image that is published, every where I speak, every image viewed on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, there is his name too, right next to mine- A tribute to my father.

People call me Robert instead of Scott all the time but I don’t even bother to correct them because I am so proud to be my fathers Son. His life made me into the man I am today and I am forever grateful for his life.

I Love you Dad.. you will live with me forever.

THANK YOU, Bob, for loving God passionately and for caring deeply about others!  You impacted countless lives for eternity!

It was 1950 when I started CIBC and when some of the lay leadership was provided by Bob's five (5) sisters:  Nancy, Helen, Rose, Jennifer and May, mostly in their early 20s.  CI had only a part-time pastor living in SF and Mr. Albert Bothwell would soon retire.  The sisters and an older brother raised Bob, the youngest, who had lost his parents while quite young.  Helen sewed costumes and cooked for joint CIBC/SF & Oakland Thanksgiving dinners and for the much-anticipated annual senior banquets (yes, dates, corsages, and all!).  Jennifer gave me my first ride to Mt. Hermon, way before I-880!!!  Rose provided tremendous support to the Women's Missionary Society, women much older than she!  She was an advisor to the Baptist Banner as well.  Their family home held weekly SFC-College meetings -- a fun place to hang out!

THANK YOU, Marie, for being the Sunday worship pianist for years!  I miss your piano/organ duets with Janet (Yee Inn)!!!


" . . . for the joy of the Lord is your strength."  Neh. 8:10b 

          

January 23, 2013

The Decision…

I flew in from Atlanta directly to see my dad because he’s taken a turn and as a family we decided to stop life assist and let him rest peacefully and go home to the Lord. We dont know how much longer he has but the Lord is keeping him strong and is peacefully resting. We know many people are praying for him and perhaps someone really needs to see him on this side of life. Our family has had a long time to prepare for this and we are at peace and know he deserves better so we can let him go to his precious Lord.

I share this because I want those who knew him to know the latest. Our family can not thank you enough for all your prayers and support. Dad is leaving a tremendous legacy for us to follow. We love u dad!!

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January 24, 2013

Going Home…

He opened his eyes and I could tell he knew I was with him because I could see his eyes fill with a few joyful tears. It was physically impossible for dad to speak but no words were needed, I knew he loved me dearly and he knew likewise.

To see each other one last time was a blessing- the icing on top of the cake, just a small tidbit gently sprinkled on a mountain of love he created with almost 50 years of loving me. I have no right to selfishly demand for more- although my heart tells me differently.

The family was all there together during his last hours and we laughed with joy and cried quietly as we recanted his last words and stories that capped off his illustrious legacy he left with us- just how he would want his last moments spent, with the family all together, laughing. God was truly gracious right to the end.

I will miss you dad, your last days were too hard and you deserve better- so we let him peacefully rest. We know without the sting of death there is no joy of life. All those that knew him will remember his cheerful and caring smile and the immense joy he brought to this world.

We love you dad, more than ice cream as my 7 year old daughter would say. You are home with the Lord, you fought the good fight and you’re one of God’s best little soldiers as your big sister proclaims. She told me she still remembers taking you to your first day of school. I could not hold back my emotions as I remember like yesterday you taking me to my first day of school .

I was blessed to see your last few breaths on this earth and now I see the stillness of your body and know you are home with the Lord. Our sadness is deep and our joy complete as you are now free to be “Bob” again.

I love you Dad!

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January 25, 2013

The Day After…

I just wanted to thank everyone for your comments, likes, prayers, well-wishes, good vibes, etc! I find that writing about my experiences helps me cope and gives me closure about things- i guess it is like journaling but I just publicly do it in front of 5,000+ friends! LOL! You guys are so kind to read my thoughts..

My family is doing very well, we are just so happy to send dad onto his next life because he was really suffering, quite honestly it was a miracle that he lasted through Christmas because his body was ravaged inside as we found out later but that was God’s gift to us and to his family to see and talk to him as “Bob”. The dude was really tough, never complained. We can now look back at those hard last days with joy and joke and laugh about how Dad use to order us around and how he use to worry about insignificant things but when you are going through it, it was a lot of pressure on my mom and my sisters who had to take the brunt of it, care for him and see him suffering and in great pain. While I on the other hand got to travel the world and live my passion so I had it easy. Much love to my Mom and Sisters who really cared for Dad in his last days and handled all the pressure and stress.

There is a calmness and a peace in our house and I know your prayers have helped but of course there are moments where you just start to break down and you feel such great loss. I’m sure it will be that way for awhile but our family is managing well despite it all. We are going to the hospital to sign papers, etc. Our father will be cremated.

You can talk badly about Facebook but for situations like this, I just think it is wonderful. My entire family found great comfort in your comments and expressions of love!

Thanks everyone, much love to you all!!

Scott Robert Lim (now you know where the Robert came from!)

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