Sunday, August 18, 2013

Brothers/SIsters, to Parents, to Grandparents

Jay and his family
One of our first 20 something...
now all grown up!
About 15 years ago, we began doing life with 20 & 30 somethings.  We served our church by hosting a small group where we enjoyed dinner together, a time of bible study and then hang out time over dessert.  When we began we fit the role of an older brother & sister to the folks we loved.  It was fun to come alongside them as they started their "adult lives", dealing with "adult issues".  We walked through various joys and sorrows, explored what it meant to be a Christ-follower, discussed budget ideas, gave advise on dealing with difficult bosses, enjoyed hearing about first stages of romance -- this is doing life with one another.  

Celebrating seminary
graduation with Andrew Hess....
one of our favorite "goofballs"
Our philosophy hasn't changed, whether it is serving our church, working at Northrop Grumman, or serving with Cadence, we have learned that when you share a meal, you can begin to share your lives with one another.  We absolutely LOVE this age group!! We have continued to knit our hearts together with 20 & 30 somethings, but they stay 20 & 30 and we continue to get older.  We moved into the surrogate parent role a few years ago.  We have gone to more weddings, baby showers, college graduations in our 40's & 50's than when we were in our 20's & 30's.  

Greta  (on left)
Her first ballet recital
Meadow & Lou
Now as the years have progressed, many of the people that we love, now have children.  Their kiddos look to us as surrogate grandparents.  Since we have joined Cadence, we have been invited to piano recitals & ballet recitals, baseball & soccer games, spelling bees, softball tournaments and so much more.  


Our military kids want their grandparents to participate and it is too expensive and far away for most to be able to come.  So, we go, we attend, we cheer, we wave from the crowd, we hug them, we toss a ball to them, we love them.  We understand the sacrifices that our military personnel make for our country; so, it is an honor to be family to them.  No matter what role we play:  brother or sister, mom or dad, or grandpa or grandma, it is a pleasure to do life & ministry with them all!

Emily Rei Howie -- our
first Japanese "granddaughter"
Cadence has a core verse that illustrates our vision for doing life & ministry.  I Thessalonians 2:8, "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."  Thanks for allowing us to share our lives with you.  

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