Celebrate Today!

OOPS! I forgot!

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:40:00 +0000

Saturday July 11, 2009. Jay, Grace and I are in Orlando,FL packing up and heading back to Michigan. As we are packing and cleaning out the hotel room of all our stuff, I had this feeling that I was forgetting something. What could it be? I checked the bathroom, the closet, the drawers, under the bed...everything....we had it all cleaned out. Yet, I still had that "I am forgetting something" feeling. We got on the plane...it was still there. I continued to ask Grace if she had everything...her books, her contacts, her games. She had it all! Yet....I was sure I was forgetting something.

Sunday July 12, 2009. Back home. We are unpacked and we seem to have everything we left with.....that feeling is still there. I cannot shake it! It is beginning to drive me nuts. I do as I always do and just put it out of my mind. We came home with everything. We did not forget a thing. So push it out of my mind. I did that successfully until late Sunday night....

Jay and I are watching one of our favorite TV shows, Eli Stone. Eli was talking to his father in a vision because his father is no longer alive. AHHHHHHHH! The tears began to flow....not Eli but Laura.....as Eli talked to his father I remembered what I forgot!

July 11 was the day my father passed away! That sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach was due to the fact that for 25 years I had not forgot that day and this year I had.

I was trying to decide if it was a good thing or a bad thing that I forgot? Life does go on and my dad would have wanted us to go on with life and enjoy it as he did. Yet I never want to forget the smile he had when he laughed or the way the man could sing!I have not forgotten those things about him and I have not forgotten him, and in many ways, I am very much like him. I think it is okay that I forgot July 11 on July 11.....I remembered on July 12th!

While I may not always remember the day my dad died, I will always remember my dad.

By the way, My dad is the one with the pipe and I am the smiley one!

I forgot!

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:39:00 +0000

Is something missing or am I missing something?

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:08:00 +0000

This story makes me think of the beautiful things I miss in my spouse...EVERYDAY!

Washington DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later:
the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the till and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:
A3 year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly, as the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced them to move on.

45 minutes:
The musician played. Only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace.
He collected $32.

1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ....How many other things are we missing?

Didn't fight the battle...but we won the war!

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:36:00 +0000

So many parents need to learn to pick their battles! Jay and I have learned over the years that there are certain battles we will fight and others just are not worth it when it comes to the kids. Hair, earrings, etc....just are not that big of a deal. This year Torrey has gone from hair that is well kept to dreadlocks to long hair.

He has gone thru many hairstyle changes and many times I did not like the way it looked! I kept my mouth shut and let him be who he is....his favorite line along the way has been, "It is all a part of my journey, Mom". Well this journey has come full circle! Yesterday he went and got a hair cut all on his own.

I realised that we chose our battle well with his hair. we let him explore who he is and he came to the "correct" conclusion all on his own! We have our boy...oops..young man back! Short well kept hair and all!

You see we did not have to fight that battle but we still won the war!

Do you have a good marriage or a GREAT one?

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:44:00 +0000

A good friend of mine sent me an article he wrote I use the following paragraph with his permission.

In Jim Collins’ book, Good to Great, he states that good is the enemy of great. This principle holds true in marriage as well. If you fit into 90% of marriages today, you have adjusted your dream to settle for a good marriage instead of great. God intended for you to have a great marriage. You can have the great marriage that God intended or you can stay with the good marriage that you have. Don’t settle for good, go for great. Place marriage first.

So...how about you?

J & L

Run a step at a time

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:56:00 +0000

So yesterday I had way to much chocolate! I love chocolate and especialy chocolate that is drenched over popcorn, rice krispy treats, and pretzels!

As a result of the popcorn treats that I consumed during all day meetings I felt an obligation to go on a very long run....for me that is 4.5 miles. So off Jay and I went.

During my run, in order to keep my mind focused on running and not my wheezing lungs, I began to contemplate the lessons that can be learned from running as it pertains to life. Here are a few observations:

1.Our run, no matter which way we go, begins with a hill! Yesterday as we began, Jay said, "Just focus on getting up that hill." So that is what I did and before I knew it I was at the top. At two other points in our run, we encounter hills. These happen to fall at mile 2.5 to 4.0! Right at the point that I am ready to be done! Again Jay says, " Just focus on getting up that hill." Again, before I knew it, I was at the top.

My point is this....we all have hills in life. We need to focus on one hill at time- getting up those hills one at a time. We cannot look at the hill that might be at mile 2.5 or 4.0 in our life, we have to focus on the now! Before you know it you will be at the top.

2. As I was running, we were keeping a pretty good pace.Actually a much faster pace than I normally keep. I am convinced it was the chocolate! Anyway, I knew I was running faster, but just kept looking right in front of me and saying to myself, "Keep your breathing steady." I ran the entire 4.5 miles faster than normal.

In life we must keep steady. We cannot allow the unexpected challenges to throw us off balance. When we stay steady, we can do alot more than we would have first thought possible.

3. Jay and I run together. It is a great time to talk but it is a great encouraging time as well. Yesterday, I would not have made that 4.5 miles needless to say at the pace I ran it, if it were not for Jay beside me the entire time encouraging me, "you can do it!" " Just focus on this hill." " WOW! You are doing great!"

I think we can face anything life throws at us if we have someone with us encouraging us along the journey. A marriage is so much more than the wedding. It is so much more than what the media wants us to believe. A marriage is a man and a woman, who have said to each other that whatever might come our way, we are in this together, for the long haul (or run!). "Til death do us part".

Dance, Dance, Dance!

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Okay so I did it! For years, ever since I quit as a 6 year old, I have wanted to take tap lessons. Well, as many of you know, I did this year. Last fall, I started taking tap at The Academy of Performing Arts, www.apafrancis.com/ I had an absolute blast!

In January, when my instructor, Judiy Swartz said we were going to do a piece from the play, Wicked, I was excited until I learned I was going to play a witch! However, it turned out just fine! I played Alfaba, the green but good witch. My dance partner was Glinda, the beautiful but mean witch. Of course, my dance partner is only 19 so of course she played the beautiful witch!

This weekend was The Academy's recital weekend. I have never been so nervouse in my entire life! I make a living on the stage but this was different! I had to tap dance in front of an audience, and an audience from a very small town where many of us know each other! My only saving grace was my face had to be painted green! I figured maybe people would not recognize me!

The weekend has come to an end. Sad to say...but I look forward to next year. Tap is a blast and it keeps my mind sharp! It is not easy but it is fun! I think we all have to think of things to do that stretch us in our minds and our bodies. It keeps us young and sharp. What is something you have always wanted to do and have not done it yet? Do it!

Next on the list...scuba diving!

A great lesson for those of us (Jay) with anger issues~~

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:25:00 +0000

Ron, a 9-year old boy, was being raised by his mother who didn't know how to cope with his uncontrollable temper. She knew he was angry that his father had abandoned him and she tried professional counseling, but nothing seemed to work.

So she sent Ron to spend the summer on his grandparent's farm. When he came home, he was a changed boy. His mom asked him what happened and he told her that every time he got mad or said anything unkind, Grandpa made him go outside and hammer a big two-inch nail into a two by four. It was hard, and he wasn't allowed back until the nail was all the way in.

After about 20 trips to the shed to get the tools, he decided it was easier to control his temper than hammer those long nails.

"Did you change because you hated the consequences so much?" she asked.

"Well, that was part of it," he said. "After I'd nailed in all the nails and was behaving better, Grandma took me outside and made me pull them out. That was even harder. When I was done, she gave me this note."

He showed it to her, and this is what she read:

"Pulling out the nails is like saying you're sorry. But the holes still remain in the board. You can't fix things by being sorry, but you can stop making new holes. Remember, every time you do something mean and nasty, you're making a hole somewhere in someone. That's what your dad did to you. Please don't do it to anyone else. You’re better than that."

Walking this journey together~

Jay

Garbage Trucks

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Fri, 29 May 2009 13:09:00 +0000

Oh is it a stressful time here. Graduation practice, Academic Honors banquets, getting ready for the Graduation open house and of course Graduation...oh and by the way, RELATIVES in town for the big event.

Well, we plan ahead and work hard at de-stressing when we see potential times of stress coming. We fight together to make ours a house of peace when others are going CRAZY. In the midst of this time I got an email from my friend Mike who posts a daily "funny" we thought today's was particularly insightful for those stress filled times!

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.

My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.

So I asked, "Why did you just do that? That guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage -- frustration, anger, disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you.

Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.

Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

[forwarded by Amelia Lanning]

today'sTHOT============================

Always be yourself because the people that matter don't mind, and the ones who mind, don't matter.

A Big Night for my little buddy~

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:23:00 +0000

Ok so he's not so little anymore~~

Torrey Graduates from High School next Sunday, but in my mind it happened last night. Last night was our church youth group's annual Senior Honors Banquet. We ate of course and had the youth worship band lead us in some songs. Then came time to honor the kids, when Dean Humphrey (Torrey's small group leader) reflected on Torrey's time in the youth group he said how much he appreciated the way Torrey stepped up to be a leader through out his time in youth.

That was cool, but what made the evening for me (besides my son initiating a hug with a BIG "I love you dad") was the message Torrey left on the "Senior wall". Along with his name and a TU for Taylor University he left the following quote and scripture:

"Today is a gift live as though your debt has been paid"

Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. Romans 16:19

While I REALLY don't want to let him go...he's ready!

J & L

Just one of the emails from this weekend

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:46:00 +0000

I just wanted to let you know how important what you are doing is (in case you don't know!) My husband and I attended Celebrate 3 years ago for the first time. We were beginning to go through some very hard and painful things which at that time we could not foresee other than we knew it would be bad. The conference was great and helped to begin some healing that helped us stay together through the stormy times that were lying ahead...we were heading into the biggest crisis of our 21 years together.

We just returned home from Mackinac Island after attending our 2nd Celebrate with you. We weren't sure we should spend the money, and decided at the last minute to come. We weren't disappointed. The messages and interaction that you both along with Ken stimulated reminded us how precious and fragile our relationship is and how rewarding it is to keep at it. We have been married 24 years this summer and received the guidance needed to remember why we made this decision, are still together and want to continue into the future for a long time.

We didn't even turn on the radio on the way home (a 3 hour trip) and actually "communicated" all the way. As a matter of fact, we remarked that when our 20 year old daughter is married, we sure hope you are still providing the ministry to couples that is helping the survival of the endangered condition called marriage!
God bless you both and thank you for all you do!
Dawn F
Unionville, MI

Just a thought~~

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Sat, 16 May 2009 22:05:00 +0000

We're heading to Mackinac first thing in the morning to be with over 800 married people helping them Celebrate their marriage...

Would you consider taking 1 minute to breathe a prayer for ALL marriages right now? It's truly the best course of action!

Thanks~

Jay & Laura

Getting Away~~~

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:52:00 +0000

Ok just so you know, Laura and I do try to practice what we preach...We're getting away for a couple of days.

So...When's your next getaway with your spouse?

It's one of the best things you can do for:

You
Your spouse
Your Kids
Your Grand kids
Your Church
Your Job
Your Friends
Your Health
Your Wealth
Your Mind

Ok you get the point...as my friend Bob "Coach" Schuemann says: "I know it...now I just gotta do it!"

GO forth and LIVE!

Jay

Clay Balls

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:15:00 +0000

This was passed on to me by a friend from the PGA tour...great message!

Clay Balls
A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.

He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock . Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!

Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.

Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!

It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.

We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.

There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.

May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them.

I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with you. Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.

APPRECIATE EVERY SINGLE THING YOU HAVE, ESPECIALLY YOUR FRIENDS!
LIFE IS TOO SHORT AND FRIENDS ARE TOO FEW!

Have a Blessed day~

Jay & Laura

Mother's Day

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:57:00 +0000

We leave for Albuquerque first thing Friday morning and won't return until late Sunday (MOTHER'S DAY...just a reminder!). So, I thought I'd pass along this little tribute to mom's everywhere, including my mom and my wonderful wife Laura, the mother of my children. Enjoy!

REAL MOTHERS...

Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried Playdough doesn't come out of shag carpets.
Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask, "Why me?" and get their answer when a little voice says, "Because I love you best."
Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade. It is marked by the progression of Mama to Mommy to Mom...

=======================================

THE IMAGES OF MOTHER

4 years old: My Mommy can do anything!
8 years old: My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 years old: My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 years old: Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 years old: Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 years old: That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 years old: Well, she might know a little bit about it.
35 years old: Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
45 years old: Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 years old: Wish I could talk it over with Mom

Give your Mom a hug every chance you get!

Jay

Fatherhood...It really is tougher on the kids!

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:52:00 +0000

Springtime with a Senior in the house can only be described in one word...CHAOS! For this anal retentive dad, CHAOS is never welcome. Torrey is moving at the speed of light these days between school, two jobs, varsity golf, youth group, Campus Life, graduation preparations, and oh yes a girlfriend!

There are days that if we see him for 10 minutes we feel fortunate. Ten minutes of actual conversation is like finding GOLD! I was sharing with friends the other day that having an 18 year old in the house brings the full range of emotions from "I can't wait till your out of here!" to "I can't believe he's leaving us already". Part of God's beautiful design, I guess.

So I have a confession. We as parents (especially dad's) need to face up to the fact that we can make life tough on our kids. Expectations that are too high, words spoken without thought, but bottom line? WE are the cause of all their issues!

This picture will give you a clear picture of why our kids don't stand a chance! Remember, Laura is the one with the camera!

Bless your kids today with your own brand of dementia!

Jay

Gray T-shirts

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:39:00 +0000

Does your spouse have quirks? Are there things about him(or her) that just make you laugh? So here is the thing.....Jay has a "thing" for gray t-shirts! I mean like an obsession! He loves gray t-shirts. He wears one every night. Gray t-shirts make up his nite time sexy pj ensemble! It is just a quirky thing...

About six months ago he got online and ordered a dozen of his favorite brand of t-shirts, all in gray! He has an entire drawer of his dresser dedicated to gray t-shirts. It is a quirky thing.....

Last night, I was teasing him about the sexy gray t-shirt he had on. We had a good laugh about his obsession with gray t-shirts and then he made this statement, " When I find some thing I like I stick with it". I laughed for a moment and then it hit me. He may be quirky, yet his statement is what marriage is all about.

When you find someone you like you stick with them. When you first fall in love, you get that ooey gooey liver quiver in your stomach every time you look at the one you love. Time passes, circumstances change, kids come and go and that ooey gooey liver quiver may be less and less. Marriage is not built on the ooey gooey liver quiver. Marriage is built on "like". Finding your best friend, the one who laughs at your quirks, shares your pains, walks thru the storms and gets wet with you. When you find the one you like, you stick with them It may be a quirky thing....

I love technology!

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:28:00 +0000

Okay so I know that some of you out there think that all this technology is making us distant and non-communicative. I have heard some say that we are creating a society that isolates itself. Well I disagree!

Over the last year, I have connected with old friends from high school and college. I have made new friends all across the country. For years, we have had thousands of folks come to our conferences and for years, I could not have told you their names nor could I have picked them out of a crowd! NOW...because of Facebook, Twitter, and Skype, I am having a blast getting to know them and making new friends.

I think technology can be what you make it! You can either embrace it and learn from it or you can bury your head in the sand and never use it. You choose. But I will tell you this, I think that Facebook, Twitter, blogging,Skype and texting are simply tools we can use to continue to build relationships across geographical boundaries.

Hey, for all you out there reading this..if you are embracing technology, find me on Facebook or Twitter! Talk at you soon!

Laura

If you value freedom, watch this!

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:58:00 +0000

Amazing take on our country

A friendship poem for men! From Mikey's Funnies

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:25:00 +0000

Are you tired of those Sissy 'friendship' poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality?

Well, let's try this my way...just the stone cold truth about great friendship.

1. When you are sad, I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!

2. When you are blue, I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile, I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.

4. When you're scared, we will high tail it out of here.

5. When you are worried, I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!!!!

6. When you are confused, I will use little words.

7. When you are sick, stay away from me until you are well again...I don't want whatever you have.

8. When you fall, I'll pick you up and dust you off--After I laugh my head off!

9. This is my oath...I pledge it to the end.

'Why?' you may ask...because you are my FRIEND!

[forwarded by Kevin Miller]

today'sTHOT============================

When times are tough, you know what you can ALWAYS count on? Your fingers.

HE is Risen!

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 12:59:00 +0000

HE is Risen INDEED!

Food for thought!

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:38:00 +0000

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get
tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs
covered with bright colored lead-based paints..

We had no child proof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and
when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we
took hitchhiking.

As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE
actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with
sugar, but we weren't overweight because,

WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back
when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day.And we were OK.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ridedown the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all,no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chatrooms.......

WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no
lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us
forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and
tennis balls and although we were told it would happen, we did not poke out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang
the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't
had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They
actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers
and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we
learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

If YOU are one of them CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow
up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of
our lives for our own good .

While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how
brave (and lucky) their parents were.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!

The
quote of the month is by Jay Leno:

'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding,severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another,and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

We're back!

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:31:00 +0000

What an amazing 10 days! It would be very difficult to put into one blog posting! So be prepared...it will be the subject of many blogs to come!:-)

I do not know how many of you have read the book, The Shack, but Jay and I have read it several times now. In the book, the character ascribed to God is Papa. Papa is an African woman. We met Papa in Africa! Her name is Hilda.

Hilda shared her story with us... She shared with passion and faith in the God she loves and serves! She lost her husband to HIV and has four children. She volunteers in the Compassion project chairing the committee that assists in HIV education and positive living for those who are infected with this terrible disease. She is an amazing woman. As she shared her story with us, Jay simply raised his hand and asked her how we could pray for her, specifically. Her response was this...."simply mention my name, He knows me, and He knows my needs."

WOW!!!! Can we all say this? Do we approach the throne of God with a "wish list"? I know that I do! This woman who lives in a slum and works with men, women, and children infected with HIV everyday, does not offer a wish list, but knows that God will do exactly what needs to be done to meet her needs each and every day.

Walk today believing that the God of Heaven and Earth will meet you on the journey and take care of your needs in ways that you will never be able to imagine!

Africa Bound

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:14:00 +0000

The Laffoon Family is departing on a Missions Trip to Nairobi, Africa. We leave this weekend and will return April 2nd.

We will be spending our time at different Compassion projects around Nairobi where we will conduct Vacation Bible School and work on minor construction projects.

The highlight of our trip will be the opportunity we have to spend a day with Francis! Francis is a child we sponsor and we are going to meet him and spend a day interacting with him.

Please pray that we will communicate the the Life Changing message of Jesus throughout our trip.

To keep up with our adventures you can dial 800-315-4879 toll free to get daily reports from our trip leader!

What a difference a week makes!

info@celebratenet.com (Jay and Laura Laffoon) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 23:15:00 +0000

The last time I blogged we were traveling home in fog and rain, anticipating losing an hour of sleep.Today, one week, later we are traveling home in sunshine and spring like temps! Whaoo!

We traveled to St. Clair Shores, MI to an Ultimate Date Night show and then stayed over to preach this morning. We saw 11 children sponsored with Compassion International!

One week from today, at this moment, the Laffoon Fam will be onboard a plane headed for Nairobi, Kenya to visit Francis. Francis is a twelve year old boy we sponsor with Compassion. We will get to visit with Francis as well as love on other children in Compassions Projects through out Kenya.

Whew! what a difference a week can make!