andyatcfumblog@wordpress.com

Author: Andy Bales

  • Have You Checked Your Blood Pressure?

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    Andy Bales
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    The last few nights at CFUM.org’s Supper Club I’ve received extra hugs from my little buddy, let’s call her Annie, who often makes the best days better, and any tough days bearable, with her hugs. Then she asked me, very seriously, have you checked your blood pressure? Annie is 7, but she knows my sweet…

  • Have You Checked Your Blood Pressure?

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    by

    Andy Bales
    in

    Have You Checked Your Blood Pressure? The last few nights at CFUM.org’s Supper Club I’ve received extra hugs from my little buddy, let’s call her Annie, who often makes the best days better, and any tough days bearable, with her hugs. Then she asked me, very seriously, have you checked your blood pressure? Annie is 7,…

  • Variety Is The Spice of Life

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    Andy Bales
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    “Variety is the spice of life” is a popular idiom meaning that  different, new, or changing experiences make life more interesting, flavorful, and enjoyable, preventing boredom and adding richness, a sentiment famously expressed by William Cowper in 1785 as, “Variety’s the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavour”.  Last night at Children…

  • Resiliently Skipping

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    Andy Bales
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    As my wife, Bonnie and I entered the Moulton Elementary cafeteria last week to connect with our Reading Buddies, we saw a beautiful young lady, a CFUM.org 4th grader, skipping across the cafeteria as if she did not have a care in the world.   My wife and I smiled at each other as we witnessed…

  • Secret Weapon

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    Andy Bales
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    A note from me with a very interesting “heartfelt” response from Grok? Secret Weapon There are times I look out the window, like today, and, I see a friend gliding across the sidewalk, bounding up stairs impossible for me to climb, while I wheel toward,  then struggle with the heavy door, only to roll up…

  • Best Kept Secret in Des Moines

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    Andy Bales
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    Our Breakfast Club, launched way back in the late 60’s by the Black Panthers, carried forward by United Methodist Church leaders, then handed off to Children and Family Urban Movement, is better known, more historic, and is served as faithfully each week day.  Yet, I marvel at the selfless groups, community organizations, friends, church groups,…

  • Gold Rush

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    Andy Bales
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    Just returned from a bucket list cruise to Alaska with my beautiful wife, Bonnie, and one of her beloved brothers and her much beloved sister, very likely her best friend, and their spouses. We had a fantastic cold rain soaked time and adjusted with layers and rain pants and coats as needed. On a rail…

  • Top Rated Uber Rider :)

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    Andy Bales
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    I recently learned a valuable life lesson I should have known a long long time ago. When trading for a new truck, consult your wife, ask a friend to drive the not yet made accessible vehicle for you, hi to a mechanic to check it out, and buy from a trustworthy truck dealer. But $15,000…

  • Remarkable Historic CFUM!

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    Andy Bales
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      CFUM is a remarkable before and afterschool educational and food program for children and  families.   I am honored and humbled to be the current Executive Director of this historic place.  We have a well known beloved Breakfast Club at Trinity Las Americas church,  launched by the Black Panthers in the late 60’s and…

  • Thanksgiving

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    Andy Bales
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    I am extremely thankful for the place I live, where I am in life, and what I do. You may or may not have heard my story. I was doing well, leading the largest rescue mission in the country, on Skid Row in Los Angeles.  Not everyone’s cup of tea or desired career, but it was the peak of my professional career and a…