Family Time! May to July, part one

Just a pictorial of my family experiences so far this year. From my sister's "girls trip" visit, the stop over visit of my Ohioans, "Los Urias" (formerly of South Korea, formerly of Michigan and California, respectively), to the pre-wedding/bridal shower visit of #WynnBowe, aka #AWynnforDBowe, as they prepare for their November nuptials here on the East coast....  More pictures to come in part two.

Los Urias took the Amtrak to Disney World and stopped over at Union Station here in DC. My son and I enjoyed our 6-hour visit with them!

That's my baby sister bottom right. She came through on a girls trip with her besties. It was awesome to be able to join her for a few hours. We were doing church selfies...(amen, somebody!)

I hosted an East coast bridal shower while #WynnBowe were here finalizing details for their wedding. We did a cake tasting as well! It was great to have some of her bridesmaids and sisters here.  We had a wonderful time - and the food was delish! There will be a West coast bridal shower in September. I'll be sharing!











#BLESSED

R.S.V.P.

Repondez, S'il Vous Plaît , 

Fancy sounding and French, (repondez, s'il vous plaît ) for please respond to this invitation - either way. Yay or nay. Are you going to attend? What?

But it's 2018 and seems we've gotten away from the niceties and courteous behaviors - basic behaviors - of the past. 

And I long for the politeness, respectfulness and courtesy that we practiced back when I was growing up.  There would never be an unanswered R.S.V.P., and heaven forbid if a "Thank You" note wasn't sent after a gift was received!

Responding to an R.S.V.P. has gone the way of customer service. And as one wise person once told me, "Our technology, which has made so many things easier for us, has turned us into impatient, self-centered creatures."  People don't think to say "please" and "thank you" as much. We don't interact with others in conversations - we'd rather text message or email. So much is lost in the pressing of the "send" button. 

I would like a return to the days when we regarded one another with more respect - for their time, their service, their authority, seniority, experience, and plain old fashioned person-hood.  In this day of pseudo tolerance, there is more open hatred and disregard for human life than ever I've seen in my lifetime.  Because I know in Whom I believe, and that the Bible foretold of all we are experiencing now, I don't get too bent out of shape when I see the disease of hate spreading among those who have no God in them (yes, and there are those among them who think they have God in them).  I am saddened and sorry for people who have no hope; mired in confusion, deception and the divisive tricks of the enemy - and pray that somehow - LOVE - touches them in a profound way. 

In the meantime- I will keep the old ways that I was taught when growing up, and say "please" and "thank you", offer to help someone in need, bridle my tongue, send "Thank You" cards when I receive gifts, and promptly R.S.V.P. to invitations.  Someone is expecting an answer on the other end, for crying out loud!

Respectez les autres, s'il vous plaît. D'accord?!  Merci.

Husband/Wife in Pursuit: 31 Daily Challenges

Boaz Ministries

Every marriage begins with passion, purpose, and pursuit, but few stay that way. "Husband in Pursuit: 31 Daily Challenges for Loving Your Wife Well" by Ryan Frederick, helps men love their brides intentionally in creative, fun, and sometimes challenging ways .There’s also a version for wives titled, "Wife in Pursuit: 31 Daily Challenges for Loving Your Husband Well", by Selena Frederick. Together, they make what the authors call "the 31-Day Pursuit Challenge." The books are designed to be read together.

The entire 31-day process starts with one profound idea that changes everything: "We love because He first loved us" 1 John 4:19. It's because we've been pursued by Christ that we can actively and fiercely pursue each other. Of course, that's easy to know intellectually, it takes many gospel reminders before it penetrates our hearts and changes our actions.

Over the course of 31 days, marriages can be transformed as couples dig into God’s Word, rediscover how Christ has pursued us, and take real action to intentionally pursue each other. In these books, each partner will:

-Complete 31 "Pursuit Challenges" that turn gospel truths into real action
-Have honest conversations, initiate intimacy, plan memorable dates, devise elaborate escapes, and explore small ways to show genuine affection
-Gain a deeper understanding of your identity in Christ
The 31 Day Pursuit Challenge Bundle offers a gospel-centered, practical path toward loving each other well.

Let's take the challenge!

Dad's Day

Boaz Ministries

Brothers, what will determine how good or how bad your Dad’s Day will be?

I say “Dad’s Day” because there are millions of father’s in the world who are clueless about what that really means. Being a father requires only our sperm to fertilize the egg of a human female for us to father a child. Being a dad and to be celebrated for it requires much, much more and these are the things that are of former, current and future importance in the lives of our children.

Yes we will get gifts, everything from a shirt and tie combo we hate to any number of obligatory gifts from the least to the most expensive. These things are nice and it is a tradition we should look forward to. However, if a once a year gift given on “Father’s Day” is the only recognition we will receive from our children, then we have failed in our “dadly” duties or we need to re-evaluate just what we have done and are doing in our relationships with our children.

The one sure-fire way to determine if we should be honored and celebrated Sunday is to wake up, look in the mirror and ask a few questions about our relationships with our children. If we can honestly say that we have unselfishly cared for and provided for their well-being without complaint or compromise; if we can say without question or pause that we have, and will always have time for them no matter how old they become or what their station in life; if we have consistently and lovingly taught them what is good and how to go about being a righteous person; if we have encouraged them to love and trust God; if they know that we are always proud of their accomplishments and always aware that they are not perfect; if they respect and trust us even though we as men are not perfect; if they are pleased with how we treat their mother; if they consistently look to us for guidance and we give it without judgment, then we will have a great Dad’s Day.

I pray that on Sunday morning each of us can walk away from the mirror with a smile on our faces knowing the Lord is pleased with how we have handled the great responsibility of being a dad after we have become fathers.

Have a great Dad’s Day my brothers,

Bruce

When I Get Home

Boaz Ministries

I'll Hear Angels Sing

Boaz Ministries

Milestone Year!

It’s gone by so fast! Much like the rush that brought Angela’s newborn cries into this world on Tuesday at 2:30 a.m. - after only 2 hours of labor - my second daughter is THIRTY today!

I bless the Lord for Angela’s life, and for allowing me to witness her journey thus far. I thank Him for His watch-care over her all her years, and for the creation of the new family He has ordained through her upcoming marriage to Derek!

This is a wonderful and exciting time for our family, with more celebrations ahead!

Happy 30th birthday, Anginess! I love you!