Who is Alan Richard?

In today's Blog,  I'll be continuing the tradition of blogging for each of my grandchildren's birthdays. Alan Richard, my "Oldest"  grandchild , turns 21 today, June 7th, & he is my Michigan connection! I hope that after Ewe take a glimpse into his life, that Ewe will appreciate the awesome qualities that God is developing in his life as much as I do. He is an "Oasis" of Creativity & Compassion, whom  I know Ewe will come to enjoy!


From the time he was a baby, Alan knew that dogs were special!

No matter how "shady" the dog, they were meant to be together!

Compassion is a word that is characteristic of Alan's life! Webster defines Compassion as:" sorrow for the suffering or trouble for another or others, accompanied by an urge to help; deep sympathy; pity." As Ewe will observe, Alan Richard is very
compassionate toward his fellow man, as well as toward his family!

Alan Richard is A colorful character whose favorite color is RED!

Alan Richard loves Dogs & Lions So here's a "combo" just for him!

Alan Richard is the oldest brother of four, which gives him numerous opportunities to exhibit his compassion to his brothers. Whether it's scratching Aaron's back at night, letting "little " John play with his stuff, or "looking out" for Drew at school, Alan Richard fulfills his role in stellar fashion. One thing that Ewe will discover about Alan Richard, is that he is committed to doing his best, whatever the task! Excellence demands hard work. When he  obtained his Driver's license in H.S., he became the designated "Taxi", which really helped to alleviate some of his "Appreciative" Mom's load! He also met his H.S. sweetheart, Danielle, & they have been  in a relationship for 4 years, even while attending college! This past year, they were officially "Engaged", & are planning to marry in 2023!Congrats to the Happy couple!

Horses are one of Alan Richard's favorite animals!

Family is important to lions as well as to Alan Richard!

Alan Richard is also known for his "Honesty" & his phenomenal
"Work Ethic". An avid reader, Alan Richard loves to write & to be creative with his love of Art. Also, taking responsibility for his mistakes is something that Alan Richard does not shy away from, even though he is personally, somewhat shy. Producing quality work both in & out of school is the only option that will suffice Alan Richard's work ethic! This work ethic also appeared on the basketball court, where Alan's team enjoyed an undefeated regular season, & narrowly lost in the Final championship tournament game by 4 points just a few years ago!



Alan Richard Loves Basketball & Dogs!

A high flying Falcon is Alan Richard's favorite bird!



Peregrine Falcons appeal to Alan, especially diving at 200 mph!

 Creativity is also a quality that Alan Richard has been blessed with! In addition to being artistic & musical, Alan has recently taken up the creative art of cooking!  He enjoys watching cooking & baking shows, such as "The Great British Baking Show". Chef Alan employs his creative artistry in putting together a "Salsa" that is "Out of this World"! He also likes to create some "Mexican" dishes that I'm sure are "Unique", & is interested in learning how to cook more Italian dishes! Since graduating H.S. 3 years ago, Alan gets to use his culinary skills, as he works at Russ' Restaurant as a cook, while attending Grand Rapids Community College. He plans on transferring to Cornerstone University in the fall, majoring in Business Management.


Chef Alan & his Dad both enjoy weight training! 

Alan discovered that "Cooking" required an artistic flair!

I think I'll try "Mexican"! What do Ewe think?

Finally, Alan Richard loves God & loves his family! He has been very active in his church & has assisted in the Sunday school program. He also enjoys music, singing, & playing the guitar & drums. He hopes one day to be a lead guitarist / singer(Front-man) in a Christian band! Alan also enjoys going to Christian concerts with his Dad, & they both attended a U-2 concert in Chicago 4 summers ago! In the summer of 2018, in July,  Alan went on a "Mission" trip with his church to minister to kids in the inner city of Chicago Finally, Alan likes surprising his Mom with a Clean house & giving her little unexpected Gifts! Alan has his own style & standards that he lives by, & I'm so thankful for what God is doing in his life!  

Alan Richard enjoys playing the piano & singing worship songs to the Lord!

Alan Richard's "Artistic Flair" can be seen in his good "Grooming" habits!

I'm nothing but a Hound Dog, howling all the time!

Alan enjoying COUSINS' TIME IN DECEMBER!

 Sheep enjoy the privilege of having a Shepherd with a heart of

compassion, looking out for them in the fields, just as Alan Richard has looked out for his brother Drew while he was in H. S.! 

Lambs require LOTS of Patience & Compassion!

Ewe know that Ewer Shepherd Loves Ewe by the Compassion he expresses!

Enjoy Ewer day today, knowing that Ewe have a "Compassionate" Shepherd who is looking out for EWE! Take comfort in the fact that God is at work in the lives of a multitude of young people, just like Alan Richard, preparing them for a bright future with Him!

Band of Brothers!

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Mt. 5:3

Patience is a Virtue!

"Fruitful Living" is the goal of the Christian life. When the fruit of the Spirit is growing in a Christian's life, it's evident that God is significantly taking root in that person's heart. Today, we will examine the fruit of "Patience", as seen through the world of animals & nature. Christian author & minister James H. Aughey writes, "Great things are not accomplished by idle dreams, but by years of patient study."


I need a lot of patience, waiting for these "Whipper - snappers" to grow up!

Patiently waiting almost  2 years in pregnancy was definitely worth it!

Founding Father Ben Franklin said, " He that can have Patience, can have what he will-"

Patience involves waiting for others to learn their lessons!

Raising kids requires LOTS of Patience!

Christian speaker Woodrow Kroll once stated, " Quite honestly, most people are quick to “write someone off.” But our God is a God of the second chance. Learn from One who is patient with you, and you’ll learn to be patient with others."

Waiting for kids to get "on their own," requires Mom to be very Patient!




Leading by example requires "tons" of Patience!

Christian author & leader John Piper wrote, " To wait on God means to pause and soberly consider our own inadequacy and the Lord’s all-sufficiency, and to seek counsel and help from the Lord, and to hope in Him (Ps. 33:20-22; Isa. 8:17)… The folly of not waiting for God is that we forfeit the blessing of having God work for us. The evil of not waiting on God is that we oppose God’s will to exalt Himself in mercy."



Reaching out to the "needy" demands Patience!



 Patience is waiting for someone to answer when Ewe call!

Well known Christian author A. W. Tozer wrote," What then are we to do about our problems? We must learn to live with them until such time as God delivers us from them…we must pray for grace to endure them without murmuring. Problems patiently endured will work for our spiritual perfecting. They harm us only when we resist them or endure them unwillingly."

Stalking prey requires "Timing & Patience"!

Fishing is "Patiently" waiting for the right fish to bite! 

Christian author, & leader of Morning Star Ministries, Rick Joyner, wrote, "It takes two wings for an eagle to fly. If an eagle were to try to fly with just one wing he would only spin around in circles on the ground. The same is true with many people who are trying to soar spiritually on their faith, but have not added patience. These just keep going around in circles, getting more and more frustrated and kicking up a lot of dust. Any truth that we teach without this counter balancing truth will lead us to frustration, not fulfillment".



 

Patience is standing with someone until they can stand alone!

 

Patience is waiting for just the right moment to strike!

Sheep patiently "chew the cud" while waiting  for their Shepherd to lead them into their next grazing opportunity!  

 Good things comes to him who waits!

Grazing here is a "taste of heaven"!  Ewe have to  wait on the SHEPHERD!

Wait patiently on the Good Shepherd to show Ewe the best places to graze in today! Enjoy!

"But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run & not be weary, They shall walk & not faint." Isaiah 40:31



Peace Offerings!

"Fruitful Living" is the goal of the Christian life. Observing the fruit of the Spirit growing in our lives is very satisfying. It also displays concrete evidence that God is significantly moving in a person's heart. Today, we will examine the fruit of Peace, as seen through the world of animals & nature. Author Thomas Kempis wrote, "Seek true peace - not in earth, but in heaven; not in men, nor in any other creature, but in God alone."

I had a  very Peaceful" existence, until I got into the movies!

Oh Dear, Ewe are so "BAA..D"! Snuggling makes us both more Peaceful!

Christian Author & theologian Francois Fenelon wrote, " Resign every forbidden joy; restrain every wish that is not referred to God's will; banish all eager desires, all anxiety; desire only the will of God; seek him alone and supremely, and you will find peace."


Resting gives me the Peace I lack when chewing on bamboo!

I'm so at Peace in this world of play!

Christian author C. S. Lewis wrote, " God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing".

Peace is knowing my "Mommy" loves me & is near me!

Peace is knowing Ewe are by my side!

Christian author & theologian Martin Luther wrote," Peace is more important than all justice; and peace was not made for the sake of justice, but justice for the sake of peace."


Peace comes while I'm doing what I love to do with friends!

Peace is "soaking-up the rays" with my family! COOL!

Peace is knowing that someone who loves Ewe is nearby in a crisis!

 Christian author & preacher J.C. Ryle wrote," Never let us be guilty of sacrificing any portion of truth on the altar of peace".

Peace is being able to nap securely in a "Cool" place!

Peace is knowing that I'm responsible for my young!

 Christian Author & speaker Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote, "Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal."



Peace is remaining calm, even when life is a "BEAR"!

Peace is floating & eating veggies with no motor boats!

Christian author & commentator Matthew Henry wrote, " Christ died He left a will in which He gave His soul to His Father, His body to Joseph of Arimathea, His clothes to the soldiers, and His mother to John. But to His disciples, who had left all to follow Him, He left not silver or gold, but something far better - His PEACE!"

Peace is hanging out with a loved one !



Peace is knowing that I nailed my dance routine!

 Sheep exhibit the most Peace while in their small groups, & being near their Shepherd.



Don't Ewe think this walk is so soothingly "Peaceful"?



 As Ewe face Ewer day & all that it encompasses, look to Ewer Shepherd for the Peace to take Ewe through!

"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."
Isaiah 26:3

Joy Bumps!

Fruitful Living is the goal of the Christian life. Observing the fruit of the Spirit growing in Ewer life is very satisfying for the believer. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, & self control are the outward evidence of God taking root in a person's heart. Today, we will examine the fruit of Joy as seen through the world of animals & nature. Billy Sunday once wrote, " If you have no joy, there's a leak in your Christianity somewhere."
 

When Ewe Smile, the whole world Smiles with Ewe!



Eating Bamboo makes me JOYFUL!

 St. Augustine once wrote, "There is a joy which is not given to the ungodly, but to those who love Thee for Thine own sake, whose joy Thou Thyself art. And this is the happy life, to rejoice to Thee, of Thee, for Thee; this it is, and there is no other."
 

That's HILARIOUS!

Joy on the inside usually shows up on Ewer face!

Author Alexander Mac Claren wrote, "To pursue joy is to lose it. The only way to get it is to follow steadily the path of duty, without thinking of joy, and then, like sheep, it comes most surely unsought, and we "being in the way," the angel of God, bright-haired joy, is sure to meet us."


JOY is CONTAGIOUS!

JOY  shows up on many FACES!

  St. Augustine wrote, " When large numbers of people share their joy in common, the happiness of each is greater because each adds fuel to the other's flame."



Being Joyful makes people suspicious!



Being Joyful keeps Ewe on Ewer toes!

A Joyful Life will have Ewe in "Stitches"!

Christian author Chuck Swindoll wrote,"I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun."

Joyfully singing with friends is much better than singing solo!

Joy is having a friend to play with!

Sheep express real joy when they have each other, & they have a Shepherd meeting their basic needs. Life doesn't get any better than that!


JOY makes Ewe "lighter" on Ewer feet!

Being Joyful helps Ewe to just "Have a "BALL" in life!

Travel on the path of life today with a little "lighter heart", knowing that the Good Shepherd produces Joy in the life of His flock.

 "For you shall go out with joy, & be led out with peace; The mountains & the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12

Jesus-Others-You!