FamilyLife News From Ambassador

Best Mother's Day Gift

2012-05-01T00:00:00-06:00

Jewelry, a gift card, flowers, candy, a spa day ... all would make a nice Mother's Day gift. However, none of those would bring me near as much delight as the one I recently received from my son.

During his teenage years, my son struggled with making good choices. At that time, a young co-worker told me "just keep praying and never give up." He shared how his own mother prayed for him during the troublesome times of his youth ... and it was her prayers that finally led him back to the Lord. Needless to say, I heeded that young man's advice and haven't stopped praying, especially during recent years.

Then last week, my son called to tell me he was sorry ... sorry for the poor choices he made and its impact on our family ... and to say how grateful he was that I was always there to support him. He's expressed his gratitude many times before, but this was different. Before we said our goodbyes, he also shared his intentions to return to church. My heart was so encouraged by his words. And though I know it's a small step, it's one that's now in the right direction.

FamilyLife knows moms need daily doses of encouragement just like that. That's why this month on "FamilyLife Today," Dennis Rainey has asked several women, including his wife Barbara, to join him on the broadcasts to share their own stories of motherhood and how God has used them to provide His children what they really need. Here's a sample of what you can expect in the coming weeks:

The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers (airs 5/1-5/2)
Help Wanted: Moms Raising Daughters (airs 5/3-5/4)
The New Passport to Purity (airs 5/14-5/18)

And coinciding with the last series, is the release of the newly updated Passport2Purity® kit. It's the perfect resource to assist parents in building heart-to-heart communication with their preteens. Through a shared listening experience, the kit provides helpful ideas for conversation during a P2P weekend getaway. Listeners can find out more by visiting FamilyLife.com.

Thanks for all you do to encourage the moms in your audience this month. In fact, be sure the special women in your life know just how much you appreciate them! It could be their best Mother's Day gift ever!

Blessings ...

Michelle Blood

Ambassador: We Connect. Ministry and Media.

Sharing Faith with Family

2012-03-27T00:00:00-06:00

When I became a new believer, I couldn't wait to share my faith with my family. Unfortunately, in my zealous efforts, I made several mistakes and instead of winning family members to Christ, I pushed them away.

I've learned a lot in 23 years ... and pleased to share that while I may have made a few mistakes along the way, I did do a few things right, including loving and praying for my family to come to Christ, even if it wasn't through me. Pictured here is my father who at 79 professed his faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized (along with my mom)!

On "FamilyLife Today," Dennis Rainey talks with Randy Newman, author of Bringing the Gospel Home (airs 4/2-4), about reaching your loved ones for Christ. For many of us, evangelism does not come naturally, but we'll hear practical advice and ways we can move toward engaging with family. And with the Easter season upon us, it's a perfect opportunity to begin taking those first steps. With several in my family still unsaved, I'm eager to tune in next week to learn more.

Also coming up in April, Dennis Rainey discusses the subject of aggressive girls (airs 4/16-20) and Ron Deal, FamilyLife's newly appointed director and expert on blended families, provides advice on overcoming the hurdles of stepfamily life (airs 4/23-27). Find out more on the programming ahead when you download the promo pack now.

Michelle Blood

Ambassador: We Connect. Ministry & Media.

FamilyLife is LIVE from Little Rock!

2012-02-28T00:00:00-06:00

FamilyLife made me realize that there are couples and families in worst shape than we were. So I learned if they can make it through, my husband and I can too. (Married 20 years)

We went from talking divorce to talking forever. I now understand God united us for a reason and I will honor my wife, my children, and Him. (Husband, married 6 years)

These are just two of the thousands of stories FamilyLife receives from men and women that have been impacted by either a marriage event, radio broadcast, or one of their many resource tools.

Later this month during their annual 3-day "FamilyLife Today" LIVE broadcasts, Dennis Rainey and Bob Lepine encourage listeners with more testimonies of lives and legacies that have been changed.

But the fight to protect traditional marriages and families continues and the need for Legacy Partners--monthly financial supporters--to stand with FamilyLife has never been more important as it is today.

So, during these three days (March 28-30), Dennis and Bob will also challenge listeners to join them in a new family tree, with a mission to make Every Home a Godly Home.

If you're interested in participating in these LIVE broadcasts later this month, email me today for all the details.

By the way, don't miss these other noteworthy broadcasts airing this month on "FamilyLife Today":

Just a Minute ... That's all it takes to be a positive influence in the life of a child according to Wess Stafford (COM). Airs 3/12-3/14.
October Baby ... is the soon-to-be released movie about an abortion survivor. Producers share how this film is a journey of forgiveness and restoration. Airs 3/15-3/16.

Check out this month's promo pack for more of what's ahead on the daily broadcasts.

In the meantime, enjoy what's left of winter. Spring is just around the corner!

Michelle Blood

Ambassador: We Connect. Ministry and Media

P.S. We so enjoyed our time at NRB! Check out the photos on Ambassador's Facebook page to see just how much!

Love, Marriage, Family, and In-Laws

2012-01-31T00:00:00-06:00

These are just a few of the subjects being discussed on "FamilyLife Today" in February! Take a look:

Love, Sex & Lasting Relationships (with Chip Ingram)
Speaking Your Spouse's Love Language (with Gary Chapman)
Start Your Family (with Steve/Candice Watters)
In-Laws, Mates, and Money (with Tommy Nelson)

And be sure to tune in for a special two-day interview with Eric Metaxas, the author of "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy." Whether or not you've read Metaxas' book, you're sure to be inspired after hearing him talk about the life and ministry of this German pastor of the 30s.

You can find complete details about all of February's programming in the promo packet here. Please note: At times, there is subject matter that is not suitable for a younger audience. If there are concerns, we invite you to preview any upcoming broadcast by downloading it from our FTP site. Contact me for instructions.

Are you headed to Nashville for NRB 2012? Then mark your calendars for these two exciting events with Dennis Rainey, Bob Lepine and the rest of the FLT team:

Game Night ... this year it's Sunday (2/19), 9PM in Bayou E!
Meet & Greet ... Monday (2/20), 11AM in our hospitality suite (Presidential Boardroom A)!

We hope to see you there!

Blessings!

Michelle Blood

Ambassador: We Connect. Ministry & Media.

Finally Home to Family

2012-01-03T00:00:00-06:00

With U.S. troops now returning home from Iraq, there's been a surge of surprise military homecoming videos on T.V. and the internet. If you're anything like me, you enjoy every opportunity to watch these videos, maybe even more than once :-)!

Here's a recent video of a soldier that not only surprised his daughter at the end of her dance recital, but his wife too! I couldn't help but be moved emotionally after watching this one ... happy for this family's sweet reunion, but also concerned for their future.

Statistics report that since 2001, the divorce rate among military couples has risen 42%! That's heartbreaking to read, but an unfortunate reality. Although the couple in the video looks to have a good marriage, when we consider the potential obstacles ahead of them -- post-traumatic stress disorder, unemployment, redeployment, reasserting family roles, reestablishing intimacy in their marriage -- it's almost understandable why the divorce rate is so high.

FamilyLife believes it doesn't have to be that way. Partnering with award-winning Christian group MercyMe, the ministry launches the Finally Home to Family campaign to raise awareness about these challenges confronting military families. Their desire is to also raise funds in order to scholarship couples to attend one of their marriage events (Weekend to Remember or The Art of Marriage video conference). These getaway weekends can provide military couples a chance to focus on each other and learn vital ways to strengthen their marriage foundation. In a recent article, Dennis Rainey pointed out that it's during the first 90 days of their return home that military couples need access to resources and support.

You can provide your support to the troops by communicating this effort to your listeners. Contact me for your Finally Home to Family media kit (includes on-air talking points, web banners, Facebook/Twitter scripts, and PSAs) and then be sure to visit FinallyHometoFamily.org for more stats and details.

By the way, coinciding with this military marriage campaign, "FamilyLife Today" considers several important issues on the daily broadcast, including:

Cultivating a Healthy Marriage
Having a Marriage without Regrets
What Makes a Marriage Distinctively Different

For a complete list of January programming available, download the promo pack here.

Thank you for partnering with Dennis Rainey and FamilyLife in the battle to save more marriages in 2012!

Michelle Blood

Ambassador: We Connect. Media and Ministry.