Happy New Year

My Prayer for You in 2008


May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts.

May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.

May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips!

May your clothes smell of success like chocolate chip cookies.

May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be only tears of joy.

May the problems you had forget your home address!

In simple words...may 2008 be the best year of your life!!!


"May the LORD look upon you with favor and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26)

Taken from Mikey's funnies

Blessings~

Jay & Laura

Merry Christmas

Here is a Christmas Poem from our heart to yours.

FINDING CHRIST IN THE STRANGEST PLACES
By Dave Veerman


How strange
a crib
the baby laid
sin and straw surrounded
soon humble shepherds
exclaimed the news
good will of God abounded

A strange
collect
these learned men
for adolescent questions
and worried mother
found her son
and heard his strong suggestions

Then strange
he ate
with sinners known
taxing reputation
his love reaching
up and out
forming faithful nation

Now strange
this well
on unclean soil
with outcast woman thirsting
his living offer
satisfied
she ran, her message bursting

But strange
a vessel
engulfed and tossed
the storm had no relieving
till wakened
his rebuke and peace
had followers believing

So strange
the basin
water and towel
he took each filthy pair
feet washing
hearts cleansing
the least and greatest there

Soon strange
that tree
on deadly hill
cursed, condemned, impaled
abandoned, yet
he stayed upon
finished work, sins nailed

And strange
a grave
for final rest
our Lord entombed that hour
defeated death
burst forth alive
with resurrection power

Most strange
the home
he lives now
another chosen place
God’s own Son
in my life
what incredible grace!

Copyright 2007 Dave Veerman. Permission is granted to send this to others, with attribution, but not for commercial purposes.


Merry Chirstmas~

Jay & Laura

I hate cancer!

Hello to all readers of this blog! We really try to be celebrate-ish in this blog but I have a prayer request. I have a dear friend,Karen. Karen has been diagnosed with metastised breast cancer stage 4. The cancer is in her breast, her hip, spine, cranium, and shoulder. She is 45! Karen is a dear friend from college. She is one of the first people I remember meeting at Montreat College as a freshman. Karen and her huband Scott, have 3 children,-21,17,13.

I have had many friends with illnesses but for some reason Karen's is hitting me like a ton of bricks. Would you please pray for Karen and her family as you read this? We are praying for healing. Pray for her as you celebrate the birth of our Savior who came to take away the sins of the world. Pray as you light a candle or hug a friend this Christmas.

Thanks to all~ Laura

Only if you LOVE music!

As most of you know, I received a minor in music while at Taylor University. Anyone who has purchased one of my CD's knows that I love ALL kinds of music.

For all you music lovers out there, here is 3 minutes of pure Christmas DELIGHT!

Enjoy & Merry Christmas!

Jay

Tired of feeling like a silent majority?

Merry Christmas!

I am tired of being the silent MAJORITY! Over 90% of our country celebrates Christmas, yet at the risk of "offending" the 10% who don't, I get advertisements and announcements of "Holiday Sales" and "Holiday Savings".

If you are like me then watch this video and start celebrating a new holiday...Merry Tossmas! STOP buying from retailers who don't honor your Savior and support those who do!

Merry Tossmas, and Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Jay

23 years but that's not the news...

Saturday Laura and I celebrated 23 years of marriage. Well actually we did that on Friday night with dinner and a night out. Saturday night we had bunches of teenagers invade our home to help Torrey Celebrate birthday number 17. Funny, the girls out numbered the boys...hmmmm.

The real news of the weekend though happened Saturday morning. Annually around this weekend we drag the kids down stairs to the basement, back them up to a doorpost under the basement stairs, stick a pencil on top of their heads and see how much they've grown.


This Saturday we crossed two milestones as our 10 year old Gracie now stands at 5 feet even, which boggles our mind as neither Laura or I are tall. Torrey now stands at 6 feet even making him the tallest in our family. Don't worry, Dad can still take him...I think~

All of this to say, it's been a wonderfully reflective time around here...December always is and I we hope this Christmas season will be for you as well.

Blessings~

Jay

They're Heeeeeeere!

We are absolutely giddy here in Celebrate Land as we just received shipment of advanced copies of our new book The Spark. It looks great and there are even "real" endorsements! Ha!

We're making a special offer to readers of our blog and other Celebrate friends. Order a book (or two) online here: and you'll have it to give as a Christmas present! What a great stocking stuffer!

Don't wait, this offer expires soon!

J & L

From the mouth of babes!

Well today is the day! According to my ten year old, as of today, my life is half over! I celebrate 45 years today! I guess I could look at her statement as a compliment- that I will live to be 90!

Do you ever find it funny that people ask, " do you feel any different" Yeah, a whole 24 hours made me feel a whole year older! Yesterday I was a young 44, today, I am a very old 45!

I am a firm believer in the statement that you are only as old as you feel! So some days I feel 18 and other days I feel 80! I actually love birthdays- I get gifts, and taken to lunch, and in our house, you get a birthday week..so I get a whole week of fun!

What are some of your thoughts on old age and birthdays!?

Laura

Celebrate YOUR Family

The Laffoon's leave tomorrow morning for our Celebrate Your Family event at Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City Michigan. This wonderful experience is a chance for families to get away together, have some fun and laugh, learn and love together.

Our special guest is comedian Joby Saad. Joby is sure to be a hit with family members of all ages!

Celebrate Your Family is only one way to make great family memories. Tell us ways you Celebrate YOUR family!

Blessings~

J & L

Enchanted

Well it's been a great holiday weekend so far. We had a terrific Thanksgiving day, with the exception of the Lions game of course. The food was scrumptious and I didn't over eat which is a good thing.

The Christmas decorations are now hung in the Laffoon household and yes Laura got in her shopping...BUT the highlight of my weekend took place yesterday when I took Grace to see Disney's "Enchanted". It was fantastic!

Grace and Daddy are not shoppers, so while mom and Torrey scour the mall for deals, we go out for "date" of lunch and a movie. The first time we did this was when she was very small and we went to see "Monsters Inc." she climbed in my lap for that movie. This time it was just her head on my shoulder and her hand in mine.

If you don't like hokey, predictable, feel good movies then don't go. If however you believe love is the most powerful thing on the planet and that dreams do come true, then grab someone you love and get to that movie...you'll leave loving them even more.

It isn't often you leave a movie seeing couples arm in arm kissing and laughing, but you will after this one. It isn't often that a movie makes me so happy that I get misty, but this one did. It isn't often that a movie so closely reflects real life, but this movie which is set between childhood fantasy and real adult love, clearly reflects where my 10 year old Gracie is...still a child but equally a blossoming woman...

Gotta go, I don't want Laura to see me "misty eyed"~

Jay

Worship?

I was given 4 tickets to the Michigan State vs. Penn State football game Saturday by a very generous friend. After looking at the weather forecast Laura decided she and Grace would stay home, so I took Torrey and two of his friends. It was a great time, the Spartans put on a second half come back after being down 24 - 7 to win the game.

As I observed the happenings of the day, it occurred to me how unbelievably similar a football game is to Church. The BIG difference I see is the dedication of the worshipers.

We arrived early (very few worshipers arrive late to football games) to find people enjoying the breaking of bread and drinking of varied drink. It seemed as if they actually enjoyed being together...hmmm.

As the appointed hour approached, thousands flocked to the football temple with great anticipation and general glee. As we took our seats it fascinated me to realize that the "regulars" in our section talked as if they were old friends, even though they only see each other a few times each year. They welcomed us with friendly banter and high fives as the kickoff approached.

There were worship leaders on the field of play, and a supporting worship band and singers, even though most of the singing sounded like chants of some sort, it was amazing to see how quickly the 60,000 in the congregation joined in enthusiastically.
I was further amazed as I watched the regulars encourage my son and his friends as they introduced a "new" worship chant. Everyone thought it was that chant which turned the game in MSU's favor...

Anohter astonishing development was how frequently the congregation stood in opposition to the black and white stripped clergy, challenging their interpretation of the "holy book" of rules. Bottom line is they were free to question, without fear of being ridiculed as heretic.

Finally the worshipers shouted in one voice as the climax of the service ended with a buzzer and three zero's registered on the jumbo tron. After the service, many were overheard making plans to go and break more bread together...a real worship service!

Why is it we can get so excited and embrace the celebration of a finely chiseled athlete carrying a dead pig carcass over a chalk line, but we struggle to celebrate Eternal life through Christ.

I'd love to hear your explanation>

Practice what you Preach

Laura and I tell couples all the time that they need to get away just the two of them on a regular basis. This practice is critical in keeping marriage healthy, and besides once you get past "all the details" ie getting off work, taking care of the kids, it's actually FUN!

So today Laura and I are getting away for a couple of days to go hunting...NO NOT the four legged white tailed kind, but "hunting" none the less.

We're at a friends cabin in the woods, so don't be upset if we don't return your phone call :-)

Just practicing what we preach!

Blessings~

J&L

Does he listen?!?!

So the other day Jay and I were having conversation and I used the word "tump" when refering to something being knocked over. "Careful or that will tump over." Jay began to laugh excessively! He just kept repeating "tump? What kind of word is that?"

Tump is in between tip and dump. Sometimes tip is not strong enough and dump is too strong! I grew up in the south and tump was a word I used often. But here is the kicker...I have used it my entire life! Including the last 22 years and 26 days of my married life!

The question begged to be asked,"If you have never heard me say 'tump' then have you been listening at all?1?"

HMMMMMMMMMM?

A new kind of seminary?

I try to read books that stretch my thinking and that I might not always agree with...here is an excerpt from Brian McLaren's somewhat controversial "A New Kind of Christian".

When I said that seminaries operate n the modern model,I meant (among other things) that they put theory before practice and that they assume that knowledge (not character, skill, experience, know-how, passion, and so on) is power...

I firmly believe that the top question of the new century and new millennium is not just whether Christianity is rational, credible, and essentially true (all of which I believe it is) but whether it can be powerful, redemptive, authentic, and good, whether it can change lives, demonstrate reconciliation and community, serve as a catalyst for the kingdom.

So what do you think of this "Radical"????? book? These words ring true to my ears.

Blessings~

Jay

Enter Torrey!

Torrey is a great kid. Let us say that right up front. He has for the most part been a joy to parent, given us so many reasons to be proud, and is a respectful and respected young man. He communicates well with his friends and adults alike and even talks to us about issues which many teens stay mute. That being said, he is still a teenager.

From time to time (Ok more and more these days) Torrey will be out at night. He’ll be off to a ball game or Campus Life meetings or Youth Group. While he’s gone, we get Grace to bed and actually have some quality time as a couple. Sometimes talking, sometimes reading, sometimes in front of the TV. Often, we will start to connect in a way that would naturally lead to additional connecting later on in the bedroom.

Enter Torrey. Being good parents, we try to engage him in conversation about his evening activities. More often than not, he can’t wait to spill forth the plot lines that unfolded over his night out. From time to time however, whether he’s tired or irritated at a friend or just not in a talking mood he simply refuses to communicate about his night. Jay usually dismisses it (as a man I guess he understands when another guy just doesn’t feel like talking) I (Laura) on the other hand can get pretty bent out of shape.

I take Torrey’s lack of communication as “a young man with an attitude” or a child who “doesn’t know who butter’s his bread” and quite honestly it can really set me off. My sensitivity (or over-sensitivity according to Jay) is now transferred to my attitude and demeanor. Without knowing it or understanding why, all that connecting with Jay that has occurred suddenly vanishes, along with Jay’s hopes for further connection.

Gotta Go...Torrey's at Campus Life and Jay's looking for a little "connecting time".

We're meeting with Pastor's and it's SCARY!

Laura and I are going to be in Lansing MI tomorrow for the Church of God General Assembly. Basically we're hanging out with a bunch of pastor's and church leaders from the Church of God (Anderson, IN).

We are going to present our new model for marriage ministry in the church. We are very excited as this model has been birthed out of an article I wrote earlier this summer, entitled. Marriage Ministry in the Church: Do Nothing, Reap Nothing! It has grown out of our concern for the challenges marriages are facing and the unique position the church holds to help couples meet those challenges. To read the article visit our Marriage Champion site.

We are believing God that He is uniquely positioning Celebrate Ministries to Challenge and Equip churches to help marriages beat the challenges they face.

Pray for us...Pastor's can be scary :-)

Jay

The continuing saga of a not smart woman

Okay so I went out and bought the game "Are you smarter than a 5th grader". I needed to prove that I could keep up! I failed! MISERABLY!!

Last night, we sat down as a family to play this game. The goal is to win the million dollars by answering 10 questions: 2 from 1st grade, 2 from 2nd and so on through 5th grade. The instructions tell you that the questions are actually taken from grade school curriculum!

So here we go- I was first- I did not make it to 3rd grade! Did you know that there are 13 stripes on the American Flag?!?!?! Did you know that it takes 365 days for the earth to completely circle the sun?!?! I was pretty sure it only took 12 hours! My family got some really good laughs at my expense. That is what I am here for!

So lets see if you can answer the one question that did stump my fam but that I did answer correctly:
Finish this song- "Oh, I went down south to see my Sal singing" WHAT?

Have fun!

Are you smarter than a 5th grader!

The easy answer is NO! At least I am not! Grace is in fifth grade and she is much smarter than I. Her favorite thing to do right now is come home from school and quiz us all on whatever they are currently studying. Recently we have been quizzed on plants, their structure, how they grow and eat, etc. I did not do to badly on that quiz!

Currently in school, Grace is studying American History, specifically Native Americans. Last night she came home asking us all kinds of questions about tribes, where they lived, what they were known for, what they did for trade,etc. Grace's favorite part of the quiz is to turn it on us and make us ask her questions from our limited knowledge!

Last night, Jay was just sure he had her! He was asking her all kinds of questions concerning Native Americans and their history. Grace was answering every question correctly! Jay, being the competitive person that he is, thinks long and hard. "AH-HA!", he exclaims, "I've got one for you little girl!" " What is the name of the tribe from the Great Plains region that was known for wearing Mohawks?" Grace looks quizzically at him. " I do not know that one", she replies dejectedly. "Iroquois!" Jay exclaims triumphantly. To which Grace replies,"Dad that is not right. The Iroquois were northeastern woodland Indians." Stunned, Jay thinks, " Oh you're right I am thinking of the Apaches!"

Now I am NOT the only person in our family not smarter than a fifth grader!

He is so exhausting!

Okay so here is the deal ladies-do you ever find yourself being exhausted to the point that you need to sleep for an entire day? I do often and I have discovered the cause! JAY!!! Not for the reasons your mind is already thinking either!

Frequently, which means often at short intervals, so in real people terms- ALOT! Anyway, I accuse Jay ALOT of being the energizer bunny- he keeps going and going and going and expects the rest of us to keep up! I tell him that it is not humanly possible and that he is a freak of nature to keep going like he does. Here is the essential crux of the problem- HIS BRAIN NEVER STOPS! HE always took my accusations of him being freakish as a ploy to distract from my laziness and love of sleep. But now I have proof that he is a freak!

Last Saturday morning as we are enjoying our first cup of coffee, Jay gets this funny look on his face and says this," I think I wrote a chapter of our new book last night." To which I replied, "Great! I did not hear you get up to go write?" " I didn't get up. I wrote it in my sleep". " FREAK!!!" was my loving response. Jay then begin to recall all the thoughts that had come together in his brain while he slept! He actually did write a new chapter for our new book while he slept. It is actually very good and has some depth! Now he believes me when I tell him he is a freak.

Have a great day and enjoy the freaks in your life!

I Don't hate animals...But this is ridiculous!

Let me start by saying that I am not an animal hater. I could never hurt an animal nor would I EVER condone that type of behavior. That being said I must speak out!

I saw a clip on the news this morning featuring Ellen DeGeneres and her "Dog Tragedy". Basically Ellen broke down crying on national TV because an organization she adopted a dog from took the dog back after Ellen violated the terms of the contract.

Ellen had spent $3,000 getting the dog neutered and "trained" to live with her cats. The dog wouldn't "fit in" so she gave the dog to her hairdresser and received daily "updates" about cuddly little Iggy. Her hairdresser has two daughters and Ellen is just distraught over these two girls losing their dog.

Now, I am sensitive to how easily young girls can get hurt, my Gracie reminds me of that almost daily. And I do feel for those two girls and I hope they get Iggy back.

What perked my ears and caused me to investigate was the $3,000 Ellen had spent in the first two weeks she owned the dog. I am aware of Ellen's fame and associated "fortune" I'm sure, but it made me ask what does it cost to own a dog?

I did some research and found that owning a dog for an average of 14 years (the average life span of a dog) ranges from $4,200 to $39,000. Those figures blew me away. Why? because I know how that much money could impact a PERSON in need.

Now don't go off on how dogs are good for your health, and make great companions, blah blah blah...guess what? So does having a relationship or friendship with a PERSON!

$4,200 can educate, medicate, clothe, feed, house, and impact a child for ETERNITY! Through Compassion International someone like you and me can impact impoverished children around the world. $32/month would help a child for over 10 years before it would cost $4,200.

Don't even get me started on $39,000. That's 10 kids for 10 years...wow!

I think before we shed one tear over an animal, we should shed many until we assist every PERSON who genuinely needs our help.

A Birthday thought...Confirmed

I'm 46 today...firmly rooted in middle age! This morning in my journal I reflected on the insignificance of life...in the scope of time and space and the shear number of souls walking this planet I am nothing...dust.

I further reflected however that Christ is everything..."in-Him" all was made and all is held together...so I concluded my journal entry this morning with the following:

"I am dust Lord and you are the Swiffer...so pick me up and take me where you wish...Swiffer me to the place you see fit. If I am to be 'Butt Dust' may I be 'Butt Dust' for You."

Those heart felt thoughts were confirmed this morning as I opened my email to read my daily Bible text I receive from our friends at the Moravian church

Tuesday, October 16
Psalm 119:9-16
Ezekiel 20:30-21:17; James 2:1-13

You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight. Surely everyone stands as a mere breath. Psalm 39:5

Creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope. Romans 8:20

Amazing Creator, in the grand plan of your creation we are but a speck; our lives a mere blink of your eye. You are our teacher, help us to comprehend - we long to understand. Amen.

So fellow "Dust Bunnies" who or what is "Swiffering" you?

Jay

Can we fill God with Joy?

For the last 5 years Grace has slept in a "Petite Twin" bed that was my grandmothers. Grandma was 4'10" at her peak and had shrunk with age so the bed was plenty big for her. Grace however is growing like a weed and we would often find her sleeping with her feet off the end of the bed.

Saturday we were out at "Jay's Furniture Barn" in Elwell MI. We wandered back in the clearance section we found the perfect bed at an affordable price.

The bed has a bookshelf headboard complete with two reading lights built in which is perfect for our little girl who easily reads two to three books a week. It has dresser drawers "built in" underneath the bead which gives Grace extra space not needing a dresser in her bedroom. And best of all (for dad) the bed needed little assembly as it came in pieces that slid together.

As Grace snuggled in her bed that night, the strangest thing occurred. I found myself filled with a feeling I had never experienced before. The pure joy of "Fatherhood". Grace had never asked for a bed. She didn't really know she needed a bed. As her father however, I not only knew she needed it, but wanted to provide it simply because I love her. Grace's grateful response to the gift brought me pure JOY!

I think God is like that a lot with us. He knows what we need, even when we don't know we need it. He provides for us simply because He is our Father. No strings attached, no "ifs" no conditions. When we respond with gratitude for the little things God provides everyday, I believe we fill our Heavenly Father with JOY!

Thank God for the little ways He provides and know you are a blessing to HIM!

Jay

It's been a while...but this intrigued me

I received the following from a friend...it's harsh but definitely some food for thought...

There was a Chemistry professor in a large college that had a few exchange students in the class. One day while the class was in the lab, the Professor noticed one exchange student who kept rubbing his back and stretching as if his back hurt.

The professor asked the young man what was the matter. The student told him he had a bullet lodged in his back. He had been shot while fighting communists in his native country.

In the midst of his story, the student looked at the professor and asked a strange question. He asked, "Do you know how to catch wild pigs?"

The professor thought it was a joke and asked for the punch line. The young man said this was no joke. "You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and begin to come everyday to eat the free corn. When they are used to coming every day, you put a fence down one side of the place where they are used to coming. When they get used to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again and you put up the second side of the fence. They get used to that and start to eat again. You continue until you have all four sides of the fence up with a gate in the last side. The pigs, who are used to the free corn, start to come through the gate to eat, you slam the gate on them and catch the whole herd.

Suddenly the wild pigs have lost their freedom. They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught. Soon they go back to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves and so they accept their captivity.

The young man then told the professor that is exactly what he sees happening to America. The government keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of programs such as supplemental income, tax credit for unearned income, tobacco subsidies, dairy subsidies, payments not to plant crops (CRP), welfare, medicine, drugs, etc. While we continually lose our freedoms- just a little at a time.

One should always remember "There is no such thing as a free lunch!" You can never hire someone to provide a service for you cheaper than you can do it yourself.


So? What do YOU think?

Jay

Marriage is hard work!

Not that this statement is news to any one that is married! Today alone, without discussing my own marriage, I have talked with over 5 different people concerning their marriages and the struggles as human beings we have living with another human being! I won't even go into my own marriage and the struggle I have putting undue expectations on myself to be the perfect wife and mother!

So if we all stink at marriage, and we can all acknowledge that, why do we give the media attention to those poor celebrities whose marriages stink too??? Just because they are in the limelight, why does that give the media any right to point out the faults in their relationships? I don't think it does! Nor should we find pleasure in the fact that their marriages are not any different than our own.

So that is my two cents!

Laura

Meatloaf memories

We had a first in the Laffoon household tonight. Our 10 year old daughter Grace announced that SHE was going to make dinner! Ok, so what are we going to have? "Meatloaf, corn and a salad" came the reply. I think the real reason she wanted to make dinner was to kill some time after being "grounded" from "screens" (TV, Computer, Game boy etc.)

None the less, when dinner hit the table at precisely 6:36pm EST we all ate in amazement at the delicious food she had prepared. The meatloaf was exceptional with a delightful red glaze. The sweet corn tasted as good as it did this summer when we froze it, and the salad was "tossed" to perfection.

I don't think I'll ever forget the memories and flavor of our first episode of Gracie the Gourmet!

In other news, Brittany Spears lost custody of her children today...do you think she'll miss the Meatloaf? I think she already does~

So what's your favorite meatloaf memory?

Jay

Mamma's Comin' HOME!

Laura's been away since Sunday, visiting her mother and boy am I glad she's arriving home tonight! Now there are MANY reasons I'm anxiously awaiting her return ;-).

The main reason, however is how well she balances our household. I know for a fact that when I'm away, Laura and the kids have a non-stop party...that's right, when dad's away the rest will play! And yes when I'm parenting alone the house runs more like a military establishment...but in my defense it is the only way to keep my sanity~~

Brittany Spears, Madonna, and Angelina Jolie may have more people watching there parenting skills, but the truth is parenting is done best when both mom and dad bring their strengths to the table and show the kids that both parents are certifiably INSANE!
That's all for now...I'll be in a much better mood tomorrow!

Jay

To Tivo or not to Tivo

Television kicks off the fall season tonight. Along with some of our family favorites, we're looking forward to some of the new offerings out there. One I am definately NOT going to miss is Kid Nation. What kind of world will they create? What bad habits will they show they've learned from mom and dad?

One I will definately stay away from is Dirty Sexy Money. How low can a network go to try to lure an audience? Simply appeal to the base nature in humans. How sickening. We see the same stars, with the same tired plot lines year after year because some marketing firm in New York or LA thinks their little corner of the universe is REAL...ha!

When will we see real people on a real show again...Maybe I was an Everybody Loves Raymond fan because I saw so much of my family in it, but at least I had something to connect with. I prefer not to connect with Dirty Sexy Money, but would rather my life be about Fun, Monogamous, Philanthropy. Since the networks would never run a show like that, it's up to us to LIVE IT!

Blessings~

Jay

13!!!

Okay ladies~ I now know why we call cannot look like the models we see in magazines and on tv! All this time, I thought it was me! I needed a new diet. I needed to add a bzillion more hours on the treadmill! NO NO NO! According to the fashion industry it is because we are not 13!

Maddison Gabriel the hottest new model making headlines is only 13! She models women's clothing for women 2 and 3 times her age! That is you and me! I do not know about you but I do not have the body of a thirteen year old.

Now I could get caught up in all the rigamaroll surrounding whether a girl of 13 should be allowed to model because of the environment and losing her innocence and yada yada yada.....BUT....

Here is my point, I don't think she should be modeling clothes as a 13 year old that are suppose to be for a 30 or 40 year old! We wonder why we go into that clothing store to buy the hottest new fashions of the season and they don't fit? Well, those clothes fit the model - yeah and she is 13!

Give me a break!

She don't look so bad!

I am not usually one to promote Brittany Spears! BUT here is the deal....I did not think she looked so bad on the MTV awards. I mean let's be honest, for a woman who has had two kids, she did not look so bad! That from a woman who has had two kids and I wish I looked a little more like that! Anyhooooooo....yeah she was dressed scantily and sparkly, practically wearing nothing....but I do not understand all the bad press about her looks. I would give my right arm to look that "bad" after two kids!

I am tired of the press presenting an unrealistic view of how a woman should look. Brittany is obviously very comfortable in her own skin. I wish more women would be comfortable in their own skin. We spend way too much time, money and energy worrying about our looks and not enough time on the really important things in life- family, friends, and faith.

Well, that is what I think about it all!

Apples and Oranges

We are a house divided. I am the pudgy, stodgy PC and Laura is the super hip MAC. We actually do own one of each of these confounded contraptions. I (Jay) was tricked into buying the MAC for my bride.

Acclaimed as "superior" machines, our experience has been nothing of the sort. We were told MAC was SOOOOOOOOOOOO much easier to use...HA! This superior machine won't print, won't talk to other computers nicely and within the first year has already been REPLACED because the first one died!

If your life is full of real work then most likely you like me are loyal to the PC. If however your life is like my wife and son's where you spend your days looking at cool digital pictures and creating music on garage band then of course you are an Apple fan.

Bottom line it does take all kinds to make the world go 'round...I'm just glad I have a choice! Apples, Oranges.... GOOOOOOOO BANANAS!

Jay

This came across our email and we thought it was worth passing along...


THE TEN CANNOTS
By Reverend William J.H. Boetcker

You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.

You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.

You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.

You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.

You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.

You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.

You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.

You cannot establish security on borrowed money.

You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative and independence.

You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.


Your thoughts?

J & L

Sibling Rivalry

It's Friday in the Laffoon house and that means Trash day! Torrey and Grace dutifully trudge around the house doing the trash.

Inevitably the chore "requires" the proper amount of fussing and fuming. Today it was "who's turn it was to hold the bag!" Siblings can fight over the silliest things!

So then it hits me that often as married couples we act more like siblings than like married adults! Why is it that we fight and bicker over the silliest of issues. Who gets the last cup of coffee, who makes the bed, yada yada...you get the point.

Laura and I from time to time have to stop in the middle of a disagreement and ask...are we acting more like husband and wife or brother and sister? EEEEck!

How about you?

Phoenix PHUNN!

We just arrived home from our Fifth Celebrate Your Marriage event in Phoenix Arizona. Living up to it's reputation we arrived on Thursday to 110 degree heat. By Saturday it had cooled off to a balmy 99! The locals were in Heaven we still thought it felt like...well you get the picture.

Phoenix is always a very fun stop for us as we see old friends and make new. The Arizona Biltmore and Spa is a perfect setting for a romantic getaway and the service is supreme.

Eric and Jennifer Garcia, Co-founders of AMFM (Association of Marriage and Family Ministries) hit the ball out of the park on Saturday morning. Eric and Jennifer are a great couple who really "GET" marriage ministry. Please check out their website and the great resource they provide!

Thor Ramsey is quickly becoming one of our favorite comedian/speakers. Friday night he set the table for a fantastic Ultimate Date Night and Saturday gave the best "ONE MINUTE MARRIAGE SEMINAR" in the midst of his presentation. Thor's take on having a successful marriage? Two ingredients:
1) Talk 2) Sex
Simple, but TRUE...there's your homework~

Have a Blessed Day!

Jay

A marriage funny!

Television is a wind down time for us here at the Laffoon house! We all like, what my dad used to call, "the idiot box"! Last night we were watching a " stupid sitcom". Even though we try to rationalize our viewing of these shows by calling then stupid and pretending we don't really learn anything.....last night we did!

A show you should watch is called "Rules of Engagement". It is a hilarious show about marriage! The beginning of the show displayed this saying and we thought it so true and funny that we would pass it on to you!

" When you are single you are exactly as happy as you are. When you are married you can only be as happy as the least happy person in the relationship."


We realized how true this statement is! I know that when Jay is not happy, I find it hard to be happy! And he would not dare be happy when I am not happy!

To loving your spouse and being happy!
Laura

Rainy Days and Mondays...

Do you remember the song by the Carpenters..."Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down."? Today is BOTH a rainy day and a Monday here in Alma, but it sure doesn't have ME down. Why? couple of reasons... 1) We need the rain desparately here in Mid-Michigan and 2) I have WAY TOO MUCH WORK to do. So if it was sunny I'd be dreaming of chasing the little white ball around...now that is completely out of the question! Whew~

We have SO much going on right now:
a)Just got back from a great workshop in St. Louis at Twin Rivers Worship Center Pastor Larry Ridenour and his crew did a great job of putting together a wonderful weekend.
b) Our Celebrate Your Marriage Conference in Phoenix starts this Friday.
c) Final Page proofs for our new book The Spark are due next Tuesday.
d) Plus speaking engagements, Coaching weekend prep
e) Finding new funding opportunities to help Celebrate impact more couples for Christ!

Whew~

Thanks for letting me vent! Pray for us as we walk forward through these tremendous opportunities.

Blessings~

Jay

Mother and daughter

Well tomorrow is the big day! Grace and I head off to Grand Hotel for our big mother daughter trip! Here is the deal...early on in our parenting life,Jay and I decided that before the kids were to get "sex ed" in school we would take them on a special trip and give them the info! Grace is entering 5th grade and in our public school system that is when they get "sex ed"!! 5th grade!

Anyway, so she and I head off tomorrow. She is quite excited. We got our nails done this weekend in prep for our time at Grand. She is reading a book about modesty and loving it. The book talks about the power that women have and she loves that! She is very excited and really sees this as her gateway to "being grown up"! Personally, knowing Grace, I think she is going to gross out!

Well, have a great day,and if you think about it, say a prayer for our time together!

Stranded in SCRANTON~~~

Wednesday I received a 4:30 am wake up call in order to make my 6am flight home from Scranton, PA where I had done chapel for the Nationwide Tour. Everything was going smoothly...easy exit for gas for the rental car...no line at security...pilots and flight crew on duty...EXIT row seat with no one beside me...THEN...the pilot says over the intercom..."We're having electrical difficulties which we cannot fix, you will all have to de-plane and find another way home." YIKES!

I pulled out my cell phone speed dialed NWA. They got me on a US Air flight leaving Scranton at 9:15 through Philly that would get me home a mere 7 hours late. Oh well could be worse.

My 9:15 US Air flight was delayed due to weather in Philly...trying to keep my cool, I heard a page in the airport for the pilot of my original flight to return to the gate. I thought "maybe they've fixed the plane"...strode down to the gate and found that yes they had, and this plane was about to leave and "ferry" back to Detroit with no one on it!

I asked if I could get on it, and a few minutes later found myself with 2 that's right 2 other passengers on a direct "private" Northwest airlines plane back to DTW! The flight attendant just kept laughing as she had never been on a plane with only 3 passengers!

It was a small miracle, but a fun one none the less. I arrived home just a couple hours late and with out the headache of connecting through Philly! Thank the Lord for small miracles EVERYDAY~

Blessings~

Jay

The tour

Hello all~Jay is in Scranton, PA today fulfilling his duties as the chaplin on the PGA Nationwide Tour. Over the past several years, many of you have asked about the tour and what it is like. You can check it out at usatoday.com. Here is the link that will get you more insight into the life of a professional golfer. Nationwide Tour

Have a great day!

Celebrate Champs!

It is here! The Celebrate Champs website is up and running. You gotta check it out...I just spent about an hour on it, navigating around it and having fun! It is a place we can connect as people who believe in marriage. We want to encourage each other, post news about our lives, ask questions, etc. As I navigated around the site I realized that I could not be afraid to just click on a button even if I did not know what it was for! I really think this is going to be the gathering place for married people!

Check it out!

Faith like a child!

Grace has a friend, Rachel. She and Rachel have known each other since they were 3 years old. They attend different schools and different churches. They see each other a few times every summer.

Today Rachel is over at our house. The girls went to Frog Kingdom. That is what Grace calls a creek near our house. They returned to our house carry a very sad looking plant they believe is rhubarb and asked if they could plant it and grow more rhubarb. I said sure! I must tell you that I am impressed with Grace and Rachel's faith that they can grow more! The faith of a child is an amazing thing. They have no doubt or question in their minds that this planting will succeed and they will enjoy massive amounts of rhubarb.

Where in your life do you need faith like a child?

Jay and I are having to rely on faith right now when it comes to some challenges we have at Celebrate! Ministries. We need to not doubt or question that God is in control!

We would like to stand beside you in your faith challenges. Where do you need faith?

Preeeeeeeechin'

Laura and I had the honor of filling the pulpit at our home church this Sunday as our pastor is on sabbatical for the summer. Actually the phrase "filling the pulpit" isn't quite what took place.


Our "sermon" which is hardly what you'd call it, was entitled "It's time for the church to become DANGEROUS again". We did some Celebrate Music, made the folks laugh and focused on challenging our congregation to:

Dangerous Risks
Dangerous Words
Dangerous Connections

So that we might be Dangerous for the Kingdom of Christ...so, we thought we'd ask you...How are you DANGEROUS for Christ?

Let us know~

Blessings!

Praying BIG!

Recently,I started reading a book entitled Pray Big by Will Davis. The author's point is that we do not pray big enough or specifically enough. The chapter I read today was about BHAP~ big audacious hairy prayers! I love that! These are prayers that you know will take an act of God to be answered. Why do we not pray that way? Are we afraid? What are we afraid of? That God will actually answer? How ridiculous that we do not pray specifically and bigger!I am going to begin to pray more specifially and bigger tahn ever and I am anticipating the answers from God! I will keep you posted!

~Laura

Gilligan's Island!

So yesterday we felt like we were the Gilligan's Island crew! So many of our memories revolve around great food up here in Northern Michigan, we thought we would change it up and make new memories that have nothing to do with food! We rented a pontoon boat and did the inland waterway- Crooked Lake, Crooked River, Burt Lake, Indian River,and Mullet Lake. We had a great adventure! It was a beautiful day. At 4:00 we had an adventure that will definitely be a memory that has nothing to do with food! We hit a storm on the open water that had us all praying for Jesus to calm the waters. The rain was so hard that it hurt our eyes and Jay could barely see 2 feet in front of him. We were all soaking wet, wrapped in towels and sitting on top of each other to be under the canopy on the boat. When it was all said and done, we could laugh! But we think we might just stick to the memories of food!

Vacation Contest!

We are having a great time on vacation in Northern Michigan! The beach, shopping, and our favorite activity, golf, are all on the agenda. This picture was taken at one of our favorite golf courses. The first person to correctly guess the complete name of the course will win a CELEBRATE! t-shirt! In order to guess, simply click on the comment link after the blog and make your guess.

Have fun!

Green Lake memories

We just finished up a week of family camp at Green Lake Conference Center. Lance Percy and the gang there at Green Lake really know how to do it up right. Along with fantastic resource people ;-) they have plenty to do for every member of the family!

From WORLD CLASS golf to a fantastic lake to arts and crafts for the little ones, Green Lake has everything a family could ask for...whether you like to camp or prefer a little more comfort like the Bauer Lodge, you and your family will have a BLAST!

Look for pictures of our fabulous week soon!

Blessings~

Jay & Laura

Creation Festival was a blast!

Jay and I spent Friday and Saturday in Mt. Union, PA. What an amazing event! This is where Creation Festival is held. Creation Festival is the world's largest Christian Music Festival. 60,000 people attend, camping or rv'ing in the middle of a valley of beautiful mountains in Pennsylvania. We had a wonderful time. Pastor Harry Thomas is the director of Creation and has an amazing heart for ministry. We were able to share the message of celebrating marriage to over 2500 people over the two days.

Today we find ourselves in Green Lake, WI at Family Camp. We are spending the week encouraging families at Green Lake Conference Center. Check back for more as we continue our travels over the next few weeks!

Laura

And they're OFF!

We're sitting in the Detroit Airport heading for Creation Fest the nations largest music festival. Laura and I will presenting Celebrate Your Marriage today and tomorrow.

Heading out today marks the beginning of almost three straight weeks on the road. Thankfully the "kidlings" will be with us most of the time!

We'll keep you posted on our travels and the "saddle soars" we develop along the way!

Blessings~

Faith...Joy and Love like a Child

Our little Gracie is a continual reminder for us...some days she reminds us of what it means to "GIVE" Grace...we won't go there today :-) But most days she reminds us of what it means to LIVE in the midst of Grace.

Look at the smile on her face...that face is beaming the Grace we find in Jesus and I am confident that face is just like the one Jesus saw when he said "Let the little children come to me!"

It's a face that beams Faith...that my Father is going to keep me.
It's a face that beams Joy...because my Father is in control.
It's a face that beams Love...from my Father and enough for the whole world.

Find the beaming face of little child today and know they are reflecting the rays of the SON!

Blessings~

Teenage Fun!

It's nice to be known as the "cool" parents. Before school ended Torrey asked if he could have some friends over for a cookout and some fun in our pond. "Of course", we said, but asked "do you really think your friends will even GET in the pond?"

You see we share a pond with 4 other back yards. There are fish in our pond and of course frogs and turtles. It is however a POND with mucky bottom and scum on the top. Last summer Torrey and some friends tied a rope on a tree next to the pond and would swoop out over the pond and splash in for some refreshing excitement.

The night of the POND PARTY came and dozens of teens came by, eating hotdogs chips and drinking Mt. Dew. They literally spent 4 hours in and around that pond. Rope swing, skim boards, boogie boards and floaties were all used to create a night of memories.

When we sent them all home at 11 pm. Torrey came inside nodding his head..."YEP", he said, "it's official, you are the coolest parents...just don't let it go to your head!"

Life with teens is challenging. Tells us ways you stay connected to the teens in your world...

Blessings~

Jay & Laura

To see a video of the fun check out the video on the right!

He's SCARY...Make him stop!

Last night we said goodbye to Torrey as he left for a Missions trip to Los Angeles with our chuch youth group.

During the day as he was packing and getting things around for the trip, he was being exceptionally kind to Grace. At one point he took her to 7-11 for a slurpee!

As we were bidding him farewell, he put a bear-hug on Grace picking her up off the floor. He said "I love you Grace and I'll miss you!" Without missing a beat Gracie peered over his shoulder with fear in her eyes and said, "Mommy make him stop, he's scaring me!!!"

After we quit laughing, Laura and I looked at eachother and said "that's going on the blog!" Why? because we know that if your kids are like ours, you'll get a laugh too!

blessings~

Rules for Life

This story from a friend was a good reminder for me!
Blessings~
Jay


A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed
Each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and
Shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing
home today.
His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.
After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home,
he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual
description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been
hung on his window.

"I love it," he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having
Just been presented with a new puppy.

"Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait."

"That doesn't have anything to do with it," he replied.
"Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my
room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged... it's how
I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. "It's a decision I make
every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in
bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no
longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.

Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new
day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in
my Life.

Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.

So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the Bank
account of memories! Thank you for your part in filling my memory bank.
I am still depositing."

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Let Jesus free your heart from hatred.
2. Let Jesus free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

Oh my word!

Okay, so I am watching TV the other night and really became incensed at how the media portrays marriage! It was a Home Depot commercial that sent me over the edge! Usually a Home Depot commercial makes me want to re-do another room in my house!

Anyway, it is the one, I am sure you have seen it....the daughter is telling the dad that they need a new frig, new cabinets, basically a new kitchen. He seems to agree and then the girl walks into the other room and the mother pays her for suggesting a new kitchen to her husband.... now at first glance it seems rather cute..that is how they reel you in! After seeing it a couple times,it really began to hit me that it was communicating that husbands and wives cannot communicate except thru their children. Something as simple and as huge as re-doing a kitchen is something a husband and wife should be able to discuss.

Now, some of you maybe saying, " Calm down Laura, it is just a commercial!" But here is the thing- if you begin to really watch TV, shows and commercials, you will begin to see how the media is really slapping at marriage.

Take a look and tell me what you see!

Fabulous Fathers Day~

I have to admit I had a great Father's Day. My Daughter made me a card. Got a grunt and a HUG from my teenage son! A nice new pair of golf shoes and a day at the lake. It was fun!

But I want to tell you what my sister-in-law did for her husbands 50th birthday which also was Father's day. Ray and Sandy have been married now for almost 13 years. It's marriage number 2 for both of them and I can honestly say they have done a GREAT job of tackling the challenges of blending two families.

Ray is a baseball fan...no question, no doubt! And for his special day, Sandy put together a baseball themed party on Saturday night which culminated in Sandy presenting Ray with a tube of "Ben Gay". Confused he asked "What's this for" to which she replied "You're going to need it after you spend tomorrow on the field at Comerica Park (home of the Detroit Tigers) at a fantasy baseball camp!" What a cool gift.

Gifts are a "love language" and in my opinion, the best gifts really don't depend on the amount of money spent. What matters is did the giver (as in Sandy's case) find a gift that was perfect for the recipient!

From the mouth of a child!

Many of you that are visiting our blog have attended our Celebrate Your Marriage Conferences , and have heard us,from stage, say that we are just like you! We struggle with the same aspects of marriage that you do. Well here is one for the books!

One of the lessons that we have learned over the years is that a woman needs 7significant non-sexual touches in a day in order to feel loved. A man needs one touch! We have purported that from stage at our Celebrate Your Marriage conferences.

The other day Jay and I were being grouchy with each other and with our kids. Many factors were playing a part in that not the least of which was the level of intimacy in our marriage over the past week, or should I say, lack thereof! Anyway, our Grace, who is 9 noticed that we were not being very kind and simply asked a question. " Daddy, have you touched mommy 7 times today?" Then turning to me, "Mommy, have you touched Daddy once today?"

Jay and I, needless to say, roared with laughter and then realized that kids do hear everything we say!

The night time sky!

Last night we had a rare treat! At around 10:30 pm our sixteen year old son,Torrey came bounding down the stairs exclaiming that his friend Brittany had called and told him that at 10:58 we could watch the space shuttle dock with space station. As ever skeptical parents we told him to go right ahead and watch! At 10:56 curiosity got the best of us, and we ran outside to see what we could see. The air was a tad cool and the ground was a little damp, but the sight was amazing! ZOOMING across the sky was what appeared to be a star but it was ZOOMING! After about 7 minutes we could no longer see it but what an amazing treat to know that we saw the space shuttle! The space shuttle was docking with the space station to get some needed repairs.

We stood in amazement that we could see this space shuttle flying across the horizon- it was not a star, it was not a plane, it was the shuttle!

Remembering once in a lifetime events gives our lives joy and reminds us of the awesome power of an amazing God!

What are some of your once in a life time memories?

The "GLAMOUR" of travel~

I LOVE almost every aspect of my job. Speaking at so many venues around the country and meeting so many cool people.

The one aspect of this job that is trying however is TRAVEL. We had a great week speaking at the AMFM confernce in Charlotte, NC. After our final talk we packed up our exhibit and headed for the airport. Little did we know the "JOY" we were about to experience.

We chose to fly out friday night in order to make it to Grace's dance recital with the Academy of performing arts on Saturday afternoon. We dropped off the rental car, and were greeted by enormous lines at the ticketing counter. Upon viewing the departure board behind the counter we saw the word every traveler fears beside their flight number..."Cancelled".

We were informed due to weather delays in Detroit and a HUGE FAA computer failure that we were not going to leave Charlotte that night. Our first thought was how devasted Grace would be if we missed her dance the next day!

We approached the counter for re-booking. As the ticket agent pulled up our new reservation she had a puzzled look on her face and said "Wow, this is odd, you are booked on the 9:22am flight tomorrow. Everyone else from your flight is on the 4pm. Aren't you 'lucky'". I said, "Nope, the Lord knew we NEEDED to be home."

Yes, renting a car for the night and finding a hotel with vacancy (thanks mom!) were a hassle. And yes eating cheese and crackers in our hotel bed for dinner because we couldn't stand one more restaurant wasn't what we had planned for the night, but it all paled in significance to knowing we were blessed by the Lord to get home in time for the dance.

The next morning we arrived at the airport to longer lines and a flight delayed for an hour...BUT we made it back to Alma with an hour to spare and a daughter's hug that made all the hassle worth while...

The Glamour of travel? It doesn't exsist for us...but the beauty of family does!

Blessings~

Skinny Rabbits

Laura and I have spent the week speaking at and participating in our first Association of Marriage and Family Ministries National Conference in Charlotte, NC. It's been a great week of connecting with others doing marriage and family ministry as well as seeing some old friends.

John Trent spoke Wednesday night on the subject of "Skinny Rabbits", a term coined in Texas for hunters who spend a lot of time hunting after something which does not provide much meat! His correlation to ministry was excellent, as so often we "chase" after the skinny rabbits of "power, prestige or position" instead of just loving the Lord. What a great reminder for ministry.

It was also a great reminder for Laura and I in our marriage. Often in many marriages we chase after the "Skinny Rabbits" of children, jobs and church work, instead of simply looking at each other saying "I love you" then working on ways to make that real.

So...what's your "Skinny Rabbit"?

Golfers Galore!

As many of you know, Jay has been a chaplain for the PGA for 2 years. Yesterday, I had the privilege to go with him to The Rex Hospital Open in Raleigh, NC, a Nationwide Tour event. What a blast!

We spent the day, in the hot sun, hanging out at the driving range and putting green with golfers, caddies, and golf manufacturers. It was a treat to meet the many men that Jay has met and ministered to and alongside of for these two years. It is always nice to put faces with names, especially when we watch them on TV every weekend to see how they are doing in their tournament!

While hanging out watching these men work,and I mean work!, was really fun. The best part of the day was getting to share with these men at the FCA Fellowship in the evening. Many of these men are married, some engaged or dating and then some are still looking for MRS.RIGHT. I was able to share with the guys four powerful phrases that the woman in their life needs to hear.

FCA has a very valid and necessary ministry among the ranks of the golfing world!

~Laura

Recital Time~

Tonight we had the honor of attending Grace's annual piano recital. Grace has taken piano lessons now for 3 years. Her teacher and our good friend Jackie Woolsey just gets a kick out of how Grace always sings the song she is playing...

I think that's why tonights recital piece was "Happy Time Polka" which, you guessed it has no words. The night was filled with beginner songs like "Christopher Columbus" all the way to Bach, Schubert and Mozart.

What was very interesting to us was of the 21 kids who played 11 were BOYS. What a tribute to Jackie (who has 3 grown boys of her own)and the parents of those boys who have managed to keep their interest in music.

Bless someone you know with the gift of music and watch their spirit SOAR!

Blessings~

I'm Home Improvement Impaired!!!!!

I often look forward to actually having a Saturday here and there where I am not on the road. Spending time with Laura and the kids. Playing a round of golf, or just relaxing.

Today however I was once again reminded by my Creator that I am HOME IMPROVEMENT IMPAIRED! I had a list of 6 simple chores to do around the house today...simple things like fix a broken chair, put salt in the water softener, clean the dogwood out of the airconditioning vents...you know simple tasks that would take a normal human about 90 minutes to complete.

Me? FOUR hours later I am sitting down at the computer to vent my frustration at things like bolts that won't turn, softner salt spilled all over the floor. And a chair that when finally fixed has scratches all over the arms.

I don't know what the Apostle Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was...but I know mine...ANYTHING that requires mechanical ability!

So...what's your "thorn in the flesh"?

The 2am rule

There are probably many RULES associated with 2am...Nothing good happens after 2am...No human should be awake at 2am...why do the best ideas come at 2am...but here is MY 2am rule:
If I can arrive home from a speaking engagement by 2am, I will do so. Why? A couple of reasons...
1. 4-5 hours in my own bed beats 7-8 in a hotel ANYDAY!
2. I can wake up at 7am and spend a half hour with my kids before they leave for school, there is no price tag for hearing Gracie squeel "Daddy's home!" or hearing Torrey grunt..."Can I drive to school today?"

Last night the 2am rule was applied (1:57am to be exact). I spent a marathon day...left at 6am at a PGA event doing Chaplain work for FCA golf. The LaSalle is a "Major" on the nationwide tour and is always well attended with many PGA tour players coming down for the week.

My good friend and creative communicator Scott Davis from Holland, MI traveled with me and gave the group great encouragement from Collosians. Scott's talk on how we worship a BIG JESUS was not only encouraging, but challenging as he reminded us that BIG JESUS lives in US!.

So...What's your 2am rule?

Blessings~

Jay

How do you live?

I was having a thought this morning and decided to share it and see if it makes sense to anyone else!

Have you ever noticed how winter and spring can dictate how we act and live? Here is my analogy: In the winter, the weather is cold, dreary, rainy, snowy, etc. We hole up in our homes, shutting windows, locking them down, closing the blinds to keep out the winter and keep in the heat. In the spring, we fling open the windows, we unlock the doors, we open the blinds to let the fresh air and sunshine in.

How many of us live in the winter all year long? We hole up inside ourselves. We lock down the windows of our souls and who we are. OR do you live in spring? Do you fling open the windows of your life, letting others in freely, unlocking the doors on your life and sharing with others.

I don't know about you but I would rather live in the spring all the time!

~Have a great day!
Laura

A Perfect Day

We had a perfect day here in Alma Michigan...sunny 75 degrees light breeze and no humidity. I wish I could bottle today up and take it with me to January!

We had a wonderful and much needed holiday weekend. Topped it off today with a round of golf this morning (shot 74 my season best) sat under an umbrella, sipped cool drinks and watched the kids play in the pond all afternoon...perfection!

I leave tomorrow for Chicago and an assignment with FCA Golf to lead chapel on the Nationwide Tour. My good friend Scott Davis from Holland, MI is going with me to speak, it should be great fun hanging out with Scott.

Laura will be at home preparing two talks for us to give next week at the Association of Marriage and Families Ministries Conference in Charlotte NC. We are very excited to be presenting Holy Sex -- Discover the Purpose of Marriage and The Intimacy Dance -- five fundamentals to bring hope to your marriage at this national convention.

Here's praying you had a great Memorial weekend!

Jay & Laura~

What a day for a parade!

Yesterday we were privileged once again to an annual treat here in small town USA Alma, MI. The highland festival is a Memorial weekend long tribute to Scottish history.

Each year one of the highlights is the Highland Festival parade, complete with bagpipes, fire engines, clowns and beauty queens.

We traditionally watch the parade go by from our church parking lot and end the parade with a hotdog, chips and a coke. The proceeds going to help our church mission trip to Honduras.

Its a Norman Rockwell slice of americana and we wouldn't miss it for the world.

Enjoy your holiday!

Jay & Laura

AHHHHHH!

Yesterday I was privileged and blessed to spend the day at Donovan Serenity and
Wellness Spa, in Alpena, MI. Sandra Donovan, spa owner, has attended our Celebrate Your Marriage conference for a number of years with her husband. Early this spring I received an email from her inviting Jay and I to be her guest at the spa. SILLY JAY did not want to go! So I took a friend. What an extraordinary experience!

We begin the day with many yummie goodies! Our first treatment was a facial and what an amazing treatment it was! Sandra used "age treatment" on me! YIKES! It was to lift my wrinkles and the edges of my mouth!

Next I moved on to hydro-tub! Steaming hot water and jets along with sea salts! What a wonderful way to relax just before my hour long massage! I am not a touchy feely person- I live in a box and you must be invited into my box- but this massage could have lasted all day! I was a noodle at the end!

After lunch~ which we ate outside amidst the sound of fountains and birds singing~ the day was capped off with a pedicure including a paraffin wax!

I am telling you all this because of the huge blessing that this woman bestowed upon us! She was the arms of Jesus loving us all day! Sandra blessed us with her gifts more than she will know!

I pray I can be as generous and bless others as I have been blessed by Sandra Donovan.

~ Laura

Like a Rollercoaster

Why is it somedays life just feels like a rollercoaster? With emotions running at extremes?

Yesterday we finished our final Celebrate Your Marriage Conference where Anita and John Renfroe made us laugh and eloquently spoke on the "Music of Marriage". Driving home we had such a sense of peace and relief that our "Spring Season" was over.

As I pulled in the driveway my stomach droped 6 feet as I realized we had accidentally left Laura's laptop at Grand Hotel! AHHHHHHHH~ After a few phone calls and a couple of WONDERFUL Grand Hotel staff did some looking, we were informed that all was safe and sound.

I got up this morning to beautiful sunshine, fresh faces heading for school and steaming hot coffee. I hit the office at 8:30am full of Vim and Vigor ready to empty my Inbox and clean up all the financials and bookwork from the weekend. In the midst of settling the financials I had the sinking feeling we were missing some serious cash...my suspicions were realized when a bank pouch containing several hundred dollars was no where to be found...we'll keep you posted~

This afternoon, we were blessed with an eloquent foreword from Ken Davis for our new book The Spark. Ken's kind words and beautiful writing lifted us greatly.

No matter where life has you on your rollercoaster ride, remember it's a journey, ENJOY IT!

Flowers!

Laura & Grace planted flowers today and I have to say that the older I get the more I appreciate the simple things in life!

We sat on the back porch after dinner and just enjoyed the beauty and the color that now graces our back yard and front porch. Tonight, Laura taught Grace proper watering techniques and I believe we have a budding... no pun intended, horticulturist in our home.

Speaking of flowers, there is no doubt that the flowers will be in full bloom on Mackinac Island as we head up Sunday for our final set of Conferences. This Sunday, Monday and Tuesday will be our largest group of the Spring and we are excited to share with the what it means to make their marriage "Gold".

Blessings~

Dating!

Jay and I just returned from our favorite date: golf and lunch! We played nine holes of golf, enjoying the beautiful sunshine and lovely scenery. We then lunched right at the golf course. Dating is something that unfortunately gets overlooked in our busy lives, especially if you are married!

Why Date? Because it brings back the romance of the early years. Dating creates conversation that cannot happen in the midst of running children here, there, and yon. Dating is a great way to reconnect in our marriage where we have allowed other people to crowd out each other.

Dating is a must in marriage! What are some of your favorite dates?

~Laura

Great Ministry at the TPC

Last week I had the privilege of MCing the prayer breakfast at The Players Championship held at the TPC Sawgrass near Jacksonville, FL. The banquet hall was filled with nearly 1000 people, hundreds of whom were local high school boys and girls golf teams.

Throughout the morning I had the great honor of interviewing countless golf pro's like Aaron Baddeleywho shared not only about their golf game but also about their faith in Christ.

The morning speaker was none other than Tom Lehman multiple PGA Tour winner, British Open Champ and the most recent US Ryder Cup Captain. Tom's testimony and Clear Gospel presentation was a perfect fit for the young people in attendance and the Spirit of the Lord moved mightily.

5 down, 2 more to go!

WHEW!!! We have just returned from our 5th Celebrate Your Marriage conference for the spring- we have 2 more next weekend! It has been a great season of celebration and renewal for couples. We have had some great words of wisdom from special speakers. This past weekend, our special guest was Phillip Yancey, author of many christian books such as "What is so amazing about Grace" In his talk this weekend he commented that some have called it "what is so annoying about grace"! HOW true! I have always believed that when it comes to loving someone and trying our best as christians to live what Christ has taught, I would rather err on the side of grace vs. the side of the law. BUT at times that is annoying! It is not easy to give grace when we would rather judge. It is not easy to dispense grace when we would rather find fault and blame. It is not easy when we think so highly of ourselves and would rather point the finger at someone else rather than give grace.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God
~ Ephesians 2:8

Grace is a gift: to us from God that we might be saved and we must give it freely to others.

~Laura

Happy Mother's Day

I was talking with a friend last night who commented on how nice the weather forecast is for today, Mother's Day. To which I replied, "It's always nice on Mother's Day, not even Mother Nature would mess with Moms!"

All kidding aside, today is a day to honor the wonderful women we all have in common, MOMS. It's not only a day to remember all the wonderful things mom's do and are for the rest of us, but a day to reflect on the character qualities that make YOUR mom special.

For me, my mom reminds me that it is always better to laugh then to get bogged down in the drudgery of life. That a good meal served around a TABLE is part of what makes family. And most importantly that Jesus is the reason for every season.

My mom's love and faith in Jesus and her willingness to pray for me even in my darkest days of rebellion are a big part of why I am able to minister Jesus Love to others today. THANKS MOM!.

Don't fail to remember all you mom gave or continues to give you today!

blessings~

Jay

A rare moment

It's 8:15pm and the sun is setting on a PERFECT Michigan day. Sunny, 75 degrees, gentle breeze, no humidity, perfect.

We had dinner on the patio, then Laura and Grace left for a birthday party. Torrey had homework and I found myself with about 45 minutes and nothing to do...like I said, a rare moment.

I sauntered over to the hammock which sits on our patio and decided I was going to "do" nothing! I watched the clouds, closed my eyes a couple of times, listened to the birds.

I saw a jet high in the sky leaving a trail against the blue and was reminded of the only part of my job I really don't like...TRAVEL. Most every part of my job is great, but travel can be a real pain. The sight of that jet and my mind was off racing about this that and the other...about the troubles and challenges that come with life in ministry and I knew I was about to fall into a wallow of self pity.

At that moment, a bird flew overhead, one of it's feathers fell from it's wing and I watched it drift slowly to the ground. I was reminded that my Lord Jesus knew that bird lost it's wing. That his "eye was on the sparrow" and that HE knows and cares about my (and your) troubles and challenges.

In that rare moment I found peace...may you find it too!

Jay

Oh how the Lord works!

We received this email this morning and wanted to share it with you! Thank the Lord for his mighty protection!

Dear Jay and Laura,
First of all let me say that we really enjoyed ourselves at the GPI Asheville conference. Your first skit set to music was *all* of our favorites (6 couples). We would love to get a copy of it if possible. Was it called Romance Set to Music, or something like that? Second of all we have a HUGE praise report. Six of us traveled together in an RV from Dothan, Alabama. On our way home Tuesday afternoon just after crossing the SC/GA border we were hit by an 18 wheeler going at least 70 mph ...we had already stopped in the RV for road construction. Miraculously all six of us, the driver of the truck that hit us, and the truck driver we slammed into all survived with not even a broken bone! Our van that we were towing behind the RV exploded as well as the rig that hit us. I am sending you a link to view the pictures. There is just no explanation of why we are all still here other than God's GREAT MERCY and the POWER of calling on JESUS' name. Feel free to forward if you want. We want everyone to know what the Lord has done for us!

In the palm of His mighty hand,
Jennifer and Sean Nix

http://share.dell.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?ap=&a=67b0de21b3290549c447&pg=1

Here is the local write-up:
http://www.independentmail.com/news/2007/may/01/three-vehicle-wreck-snarls-i85-hours/

Effective vs. Efficient?

Here's the question? Is your marriage effective or efficient? In our Celebrate Your Marriage conferences this spring we touch on this a bit but in speaking with couples afterwards, I believe that we have stumbled on to something....hmmmmm...

So here is the thing~ send me your thoughts about your marriage and whether it is efficent or effective. Here is an example:
The trend in house building and design according to contractors and architects is two master bedrooms. They are saying that by the year 2016, 60% of all homes will have two master bedrooms. Why? Because it is efficient. Due to different sleeping habits, busy schedules, etc. Couples would rather have two different bedrooms than to work thru the issues and challenges!

YIKES!!!

Another example would be a woman who cannot rest and sit at night and enjoy her husband because there are dishes to be done, clothes to be washed. etc.

We need to identify these areas in our marriages where we strive so to be efficent and neglect being effective!

Let me know what you think~Laura

The Beauty of Silence

It is a beautiful morning here on Mackinac Island, MI! We are beginning our season of Celebrate Your Marriage conferences at Grand Hotel. Jay, I, and the kids came up last night to have a little family time. This morning we awoke to the the beautiful sunshine reflecting off the sparkling water of Lake Huron. What a gorgeous view! While the kids slept, Jay and I went out for a brisk morning stroll. We wandered around the bluff that looks out over the water and the Mackinac Bridge; followed the Pontiac Trail along the bluff and then thru a cedar forest. What struck me was the beauty and comfortableness of silence. We did not have to talk just walked. We soaked in the view and enjoyed the company. I guess we could have been trying to catch our breath! I was reminded though that being with someone you love is a comfort and a privilege. Celebrate today the one you love!

~Laura

A great day to travel...to Mackinac

One of the blessings and curses of our line of work is TRAVEL...Airline delays, rental cars, bad beds and long days away from home & KIDS are usually the harsh reality of travel...

BUT TODAY~ the sun is shining, the KIDS are going with us, and we are heading to one of our favorite desitinations...Mackinac Island! For those of you who have never been, you need to get there at least once. Driving up I-75 on a sunny day is beautiful...taking the Arnold Line Catamaran to the island, seeing Big Mac from the water and aproaching the island knowing you are going to step back in time...what a treat.

We are heading to our first of 5 Celebrate Your Marriage Conferences held at Grand Hotel theis May. Pray for us and the countless couples that will attend.

Safe Travels wherever you go today!

What's better than Golf?

Golfing with my son! TORREY, FRED FUNK, AND ME AT THE MASTERS PRAYER BREAKFAST

Torrey is 16 now and is officially my partner on Wednesday night golf league! Our first night was cold and windy, but the prospect of a summer playing with my teenage son kept me warm.

Torrey and i share two loves have really kept us connecting as father and son...the love of golf and the love of music. As any parent of a teenager knows, you have to find ways to stay connected!

Compassion

We just got great news! At our Celebrate Your Marriage conference at the Grove Park Inn we saw 21 children sponsored through Compassion International.

We are geeked to know that 21 underprivileged kids from impoverished countries around the world are now going to be fed, clothed, educated and medicated. Most importantly though is the fact that these kids are also exposed to the life-changing message of Jesus Christ because of the generosity of 21 couples who chose to sponsor.

Blessings to them and to YOU!

Blink!

A miracle occcurred in our home this week! Torrey, our 16 year old son, cleaned his room! Now before anyone thinks I am poking fun at my child, let's be clear, as any parent who has a 16 year old boy, this is indeed a miracle!

Last week, in looking for some items we were missing, Jay and I decided to take a flashlight under Torrey's bed and have a look...YIKES! It was disgusting! Dirty clothes, golf balls, and a host of other items that he probably had not seen in years! He has to clean his room once a week but obviously under his bed is not a part of his room...anyway... When he came home that night we simply asked him to take the flashlight and have a gander under his bed and tell us what he thought. He came back and used these words." I am appalled!" I knew in that moment, in the blink of an eye, my baby had become an adult!

He has spent the last two days cleaning his room top to bottom. He moved, vaccumed, threw out and cleaned up! I walked in this morning to his room and was not ony greeted by a fresh clean smell but also with the realization that in the blink of an eye, Torrey had grown up and in another blink he would be out of the house headed for college!

I hope to treasure the moments and celebrate with him his clean room and the adventure ahead!

Asheville ROCKS

We just got back from a fantastic Celebrate Your Marriage at the Grove Park Inn in BEAUTIFUL Asheville NC.

Taylor Mason had the couples laughing so hard with his blend of stand up, music and yes...ventriliquism (you have to see him to believe it).

John Trent was fabulous. His understanding of people and what makes them tick really helped the couples learn to communicate better. He ended with a challenge for the couples to find one LITTLE thing they could change in their marriage, noting that real change takes place a little bit at a time.

What a fun way to Celebrate!

The ever recurring "tone of voice"!!!

Not that any of you have this issue but if you do.....I have been of the belief that every man suffers from a "tone of voice" issue. You know that intonation in their voice that communicates " duh are you stupid!?" I have been of this belief since early in our marriage. NOW as the mother of a 16 year old male, I am convinced of it! He has that same intonation whenever I ask a question!


Here is the thing....I was also convinced that no woman lest of all myself would ever have tone of voice issue! It just isn't in our makeup...ALAS...until one of my lovely friends commented the other day ( as we were discussing this issue) that she was pointing out to her husband that she did not like his tone and he replied," have you ever listened to yourself?" YIKES...is it possible? Do we as women suffer from that intonation also? Do we communicate in our tone, " duh are you stupid?"

One proud dad!

We just had some really cool news in the Laffoon family. Our son Torrey was selected to the National Honor Society as a Sophomore and Grace was announced as the 2nd best reader in all of 4th grade!

I guess I'm proud of my kids for a couple of reasons...OBVIOUSLY these are great academic accomplishments. But the real reason I am so proud is that they have accomplished something I never did or really even could have done...
You see, I wasn't very academic in school. In fact my moto in college was "never let academics interfere with your college education"...HA.

Laura and I want our kids to develop the gifts and abilities that God has given THEM...We're not looking for little clones of ourselves. We are excited to see what God has created in our kids that is unique and that will bless the world in ways we never dreamed possible.

Look for and find the "Thumb Print of God" on your kids or wife or co-worker today and encourage them to be everything they ever dreamed they could be!

Blessings~

Jay

Peddling FAST!

We've been peddling fast these last couple of weeks getting through this edit of our latest book (due out January 15th, 2008) getting our new program ready for our Spring Conference season and putting together an internet based program we are launching this summer.

In the midst of all that we got away for a few days to Atlanta over Spring Break. Yes Laura Torrey and I got to go to the Masters and Yes Grace got to go to two different zoo's, but it was hardly a vacation...

I'm convinced any time family is involved you can call it a trip, you can call it travel, but vacation it is not! Vacation for me involves three things...Golf, Sun and REST...Rest is the key ingredient for a well deserved vacation...and unfortunately we saw very little REST.

Non-the-less, we did enjoy our time away and were able to hit the pavement running when we got home...

Our spring conference is upon us and I hope we will see you and your spouse "Celebrating Your Marriage" sometime soon.

Blessings~

Jay

My wife loves CHOCOLATE more than she loves ME!

Our family decided that we were going to give something up for the Lenten season this year...Grace gave up candy and the rest of us gave up sweets of all kinds.

Tonight at dinner Laura was lamenting about how much she missed chocolate. "40 days with out the one thing I love more than ANYTHING!" she pined.

I turned to Grace and said "did you hear your mother...she loves chocolate more than me!" to which Grace replied "Dad, I love chocolate more than you too!"

Wow, can a get a bit of sympathy...

Eminem called me!

I'm driving to Traverse City for a show friday night when my cell phone rings...I answered..."This is Jay" to which I hear in a very street wise tone "Yo~ "Dre" this is Marshall". Now I suspected this was one of my comedian friends playing a joke so I played along...
"Marshall who?"
"Marshall Mathers" came the reply
Now I'm not big on pop culture but I do know that Marshall Mathers is the Rap star Eminem.
"Marshal, what can I do for you?"
"Dude, I want you to be on my next cd"
"What do ya want me to do?"
"Freestyle"
"Freestyle what?" I couldn't believe I was having this conversation...
"Dude this is "Slim Shady" and I want you on my cd"
"Well hey this is Fat and Sassy and I don't know if I can"
I carried on with the conversation just waiting for the voice on the end to break character and he never did, he insisted I was "Dr. Dre" and that he got my phone number from a reliable source...Then, I told him I was a minister...
At that point I KNEW it was REALLY Eminem, because he launched into a litany of curse words...some I hadn't heard in quite a while...
I'll never forget my phone call from a Rap star...I've tried to call him back a few times but have not gotten through...who knows maybe the Lord will use this as a ministry opportuntiy...
What fun!