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  • Weak and Strong

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    Andy Bales
    in

    Gist of my message last weekend at URM.org Celebration of 135th Anniversary When I was 16, on a missions trip to Saltillo, Mexico, I had a memorable experience on the streets. I tried to connect with a deaf man who only understood Spanish, using a small booklet and simple hand gestures. Somehow, through that imperfect…

  • Full (S)Team Ahead

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    Andy Bales
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     I just flew out to Los Angeles last weekend to join our friends at Union Rescue Mission (URM.org) for their 135th anniversary celebration. It was an incredible time, and I made sure to give all the glory to God and my incredible teammates for the 20 years of life-transforming work we carried out together. What…

  • 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
    in

    “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…

  • 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…