Greeting Lifers!
I was driving back to the office today after a great lunch with a good friend when it occurred to me just how much God has blessed our country (epiphanies hit me often while I am driving). I know you know this, but ponder it anyway with me - you and I are free to live and work where we want, raise our families how we want, eat what we want where and when we want – what an incredible gift our liberty is.
Just then a commercial came on over the radio that mentioned Veterans Day, which made me think about the men and women of our armed forces who gave their lives to provide for and protect our freedom. Many of them live on to tell the story of the high price paid for our way of life – too many gave their all while defending it. That’s why I am using this week’s email to say thank you to all who have faithfully served our country in our armed forces and to the families they come from – this citizen appreciates your sacrifice. God has blessed our country through each of you - may He richly bless you and yours.
I rarely do what I am about to do, but I thought it appropriate for this email. Today I received a message from the mom/wife of a young family that just recently started attending Bay Life. I will let you read her note in a second, but you’ll note that she is here raising her baby boy while her husband is away serving as a military contractor in Afghanistan. I include her request so that we can be praying for their specific needs with their son Benjamin, but in addition I am calling us as a church to remember in prayer all of the families in similar situations in our midst and around our community. She mentions an opportunity to support an organization - be a part of the fund raising initiative if you feel led, but know that my main concern is that families like this one get the prayer and nurture they need from God’s family (and that’s us). Thanks in advance for lifting them up – see you this weekend.
Just then a commercial came on over the radio that mentioned Veterans Day, which made me think about the men and women of our armed forces who gave their lives to provide for and protect our freedom. Many of them live on to tell the story of the high price paid for our way of life – too many gave their all while defending it. That’s why I am using this week’s email to say thank you to all who have faithfully served our country in our armed forces and to the families they come from – this citizen appreciates your sacrifice. God has blessed our country through each of you - may He richly bless you and yours.
I rarely do what I am about to do, but I thought it appropriate for this email. Today I received a message from the mom/wife of a young family that just recently started attending Bay Life. I will let you read her note in a second, but you’ll note that she is here raising her baby boy while her husband is away serving as a military contractor in Afghanistan. I include her request so that we can be praying for their specific needs with their son Benjamin, but in addition I am calling us as a church to remember in prayer all of the families in similar situations in our midst and around our community. She mentions an opportunity to support an organization - be a part of the fund raising initiative if you feel led, but know that my main concern is that families like this one get the prayer and nurture they need from God’s family (and that’s us). Thanks in advance for lifting them up – see you this weekend.
Peace,
Mark
Hey, Mark.
I've gone back and forth about emailing you. I've never been one to step out and ask for money on behalf of anything. But a lot has changed in our family the last year or so and I couldn't let this go without seeing if there was a way you and Bay Life could help.
Let me explain...
About a year and a half ago, my husband got a job as a military contractor. While we knew it was an exciting opportunity, we also knew it would be he would have to be gone most of the year. At the time, it was just Micah and I so the decision seemed easier.
Fast forward a few months. Right before he was set to deploy, we found out we were pregnant. Even though it made the deployment a little more on the sour side, we decided to continue with the original plan.
8 months later, Micah came home on a month long leave and we welcomed Mr. Benjamin on March 29th, 2011. 5 pounds, 11 ounces of perfection.
The day after he was born, we found out Ben had a secret. A nurse practitioner handed me pamphlets about Down Syndrome and my heart sunk. It's been a long road of grief and research since then. His diagnosis didn't change the way we loved our son, but we couldn't deny the fact that things were going to be different.
Our little dude is amazing. We really couldn't imagine life without him and we're so excited about seeing what God does in and through him as he grows and matures. He already charms the hearts of people everywhere we go!
Ben's first birthday is in a few months and we've decided to open a donation page in his name. All proceeds will go to the National Down Syndrome Society in support of those, like Ben, with Designer Genes. We'll keep it open until March 29th, 2012 and our goal is to see how much we can raise between now and then. Last month was theoretically Down Syndrome Awareness Month, but why not be aware all the time. :)
Here's the link - - http://ndss.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=470145&supid=344294949
Micah is back in Afghanistan now and will be home for Christmas this year. Ben and I have been in this area for a couple months and we're really enjoying Bay Life! So, thank you for what you're doing around here.
There's a lot more to our story if you're interested in reading it on my blog. amber-webb.blogspot.com
Thanks! Looking forward to Sunday!
-Amber Webb
Hey, Mark.
I've gone back and forth about emailing you. I've never been one to step out and ask for money on behalf of anything. But a lot has changed in our family the last year or so and I couldn't let this go without seeing if there was a way you and Bay Life could help.
Let me explain...
About a year and a half ago, my husband got a job as a military contractor. While we knew it was an exciting opportunity, we also knew it would be he would have to be gone most of the year. At the time, it was just Micah and I so the decision seemed easier.
Fast forward a few months. Right before he was set to deploy, we found out we were pregnant. Even though it made the deployment a little more on the sour side, we decided to continue with the original plan.
8 months later, Micah came home on a month long leave and we welcomed Mr. Benjamin on March 29th, 2011. 5 pounds, 11 ounces of perfection.
The day after he was born, we found out Ben had a secret. A nurse practitioner handed me pamphlets about Down Syndrome and my heart sunk. It's been a long road of grief and research since then. His diagnosis didn't change the way we loved our son, but we couldn't deny the fact that things were going to be different.
Our little dude is amazing. We really couldn't imagine life without him and we're so excited about seeing what God does in and through him as he grows and matures. He already charms the hearts of people everywhere we go!
Ben's first birthday is in a few months and we've decided to open a donation page in his name. All proceeds will go to the National Down Syndrome Society in support of those, like Ben, with Designer Genes. We'll keep it open until March 29th, 2012 and our goal is to see how much we can raise between now and then. Last month was theoretically Down Syndrome Awareness Month, but why not be aware all the time. :)
Here's the link - - http://ndss.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=470145&supid=344294949
Micah is back in Afghanistan now and will be home for Christmas this year. Ben and I have been in this area for a couple months and we're really enjoying Bay Life! So, thank you for what you're doing around here.
There's a lot more to our story if you're interested in reading it on my blog. amber-webb.blogspot.com
Thanks! Looking forward to Sunday!
-Amber Webb
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