Happy Sunday!

And Happy National Fairytale Day.

Once upon a time, fairytales were simple oral stories passed down from generation to generation.

Then the first printed collection of fairytales was published in Italy 1634. It was the German Brothers Grimm who later popularized the genre with stories like "Snow White," "Rapunzel," and "Hansel and Gretel."

Today, National Fairy Tale Day is a reminder of the power of storytelling and its ability to capture and shape our hearts and minds.

And now may you live happily ever after, and enjoy today's Sunday 7!

Blessings!

1)  Photo of the Week

The Catalinas from Saguaro National Park East at Sunset

2)  Quote to Ponder

"Virtue and Happiness are Mother and Daughter." ~ Benjamin Franklin

3)  🚴 This Week Outside

Chrissy and I went for a little hike at the Saguaro National Park this week.

Did you know the first national park in the United States was Yellowstone National Park, created in 1872? Since then the US National Park System has grown to include 63 national parks, as well as numerous national monuments, historic sites, and other protected areas.

Saguaro National Park covers over 91,000 acres and is home to two distinct sections, the Tucson Mountain District to the west and the Rincon Mountain District to the east. The park is filled with iconic saguaro cactus, which can grow up to 60 feet tall and live for over 150 years.

Whether Yellowstone, Saguaro or any other National Park, these are some of the most beautiful places on earth and if you have a chance to visit, go for it!

What about you? How have you enjoyed the outdoors this week?

You can check our photos and video below.

View Photos/Video

4)  Dad Joke

A T-Rex, a Velociraptor and a Triceratops are sitting in a bar.

The Velociraptor points to the Triceratops and says to the T-Rex, "Why is he first to get served."

The T-Rex replies, "Because he was herbivorous."

5)  💌 Relationship Corner

Marriage Pearl # 4: Life is a Journey, not a Destination

Life is a journey, not a destination, but sometimes it feels like we’re stuck in a moment, like Bono from U2 sang. You know the feeling, don’t you? Maybe it’s when you’re facing a challenge with your spouse or dealing with a difficult situation with your kids. It can be tough to keep moving forward and not get bogged down in that moment.

But here’s the thing: life is meant to be journeyed together. It’s not about getting to some final destination, but about experiencing all the moments that come our way. And in a marriage, those moments can be especially powerful.

Sure, there will be times when you feel frustrated or disappointed by your partner. That’s natural. But don’t get stuck in that moment. Instead, talk it out and work through the issue together. Remember that the journey is the destination in a marriage, so enjoy the ride!

And it’s not just about your relationship with your spouse. Life is full of ups and downs, and we all have to journey through them. Whether it’s a job loss, the death of a loved one, or just the stresses of everyday life, there will be moments that test us. But if we keep our focus on the journey, we can find the strength to keep moving forward.

So don’t let yourself get stuck in a moment. Keep journeying on, together with your spouse and with all the people you love. And remember, it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.

Don’t get stuck in a moment.

Read Post on Website

6)  Adventures of Steve and Chrissy Update

Hey there friends. I wanted to share with you an experience Steve and I had last Sunday.

This past weekend Steve and I visited a unique church. The church is based on a cell group model. So during the week folks gather in homes for practical living out of their relationship with God and each other. On the weekend, those that can, gather together for celebratory community.

Steve and I went to a weekend service on Sunday.

It was very different. Folks were seated at tables based on their home churches. There were some extra seats that we and a few other visitors sat at.

The service was extremely laid back and interactive. We recognized birthdays and sang for those folks, there was an open mic for folks to share what God had done for them during the week, during the talk by the pastor there was an intermission to get up and get coffee and chat with each other. There was time for quiet reflection. A question was posed to the group and time was given for tables to discuss it, Steve and I circled up with the folks in the visitor section.

Every part of the service was centered relationally on interacting with one another and connecting with God. It was really refreshing to see church done in such a way.

I told Steve on the way out that it felt like a church of extroverts, but I think it was just the flow was such that you were compelled to connect.

I don’t know if we will go back again or not, but it was an interesting experience and we did enjoy it. 

Read Post on Website

7)  🤔 Question for Reflection

What fairy tale from your childhood do you remember most vividly, and what was it about the story that made it so memorable?