Monday, June 22, 2009

Downtown Indy Date

Jennifer and I love to journey on adventures together... to travel... explore... see the world around us. It's getting a little more difficult to do this spontaneously now that we have an infant and a 2 year old. So, humor me a moment while I reflect back on a beautiful trip we had earlier this year - ha!

For Jennifer's birthday, we dropped Jaylon off at her parents house in Indiana and then headed to Indianapolis. We've been on dozens of dates around Indy in our 10 years together. We would regularly travel there during our college years at Indiana Wesleyan University.



One of our favorite places in Indianapolis is the Eagle's Nest (in the Hyatt), located on top of the city. In fact, many major cities have restaurants on top of the city like this one we discovered so long ago. We love to order a delicious dessert and enjoy the world class views of the area.





Our favorite restaurant is The Cheesecake Factory. It's the only place I like to eat more than In N Out Burger in California... maybe?! The Cheesecake Factory in Indy is one of the closest to where we live in Lansing. Ironically, the food is so good and filling that we almost never get to ordering cheesecake. Of course, since you saw where we ate dessert, you'll probably understand.





Downtown Indy is really beautiful. There is a wonderful walk along the water called "the canals"...at least that is what we call it. There are numerous things to see downtown like this monument in the center of the city...



We stumbled upon a really cool discovery while looking for a movie theater on the west side of town. When we finally got to where we were going, the theater didn't look at all like a high quality multi-screen theater we may have hoped for. However, it ended up being an incredible find.

It's called the Cinema Grill. We walked into the dimly lit theater expecting to see rows of chairs as usual. Instead, it looked more like a nice, multi-level restuarant. The movie was playing on the big screen and there was the dull roar of chatter coming from around the theater. Someone placed a 3 course meal order with their waitress and several families chatted with each other while their kids watched the movie. It was such a cool environment to watch a movie in and an excellent addition to this birthday date.



This Sunday (June 28) will be our 7 year wedding anniversary. God willing, we hope to still be dating and exploring together on our 70th wedding anniversary. I love this girl!

Labels: Dates And Adventures, Traveling

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Big Brother

Jaylon is doing really good with this transition and we're so happy with how well he is adjusting to being a big brother.



When Jaylon came to visit us in the hospital, we had some special moments with just the 4 of us. When Jaylon first saw the baby sleeping in his hospital bed, he pointed to him and said, "this". Kylan was sleeping, so his next words were "night night". He was pretty funny!



Jaylon has been very tender-hearted toward Kylan. He often presses his face up against his baby brother's face and says "hug, kiss".

All of our sleep schedules are off, but other than that... all is well!



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Labels: Family

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Kylan Jackson Bruce

Kylan Jackson Bruce

Our son was born on Friday, May 29 at 4:10pm.

He weighed 9lbs. 6oz. and was 22 inches long.



We’re so thankful for this healthy little boy and for a smooth labor and delivery. I’m again amazed with Jennifer after watching all that she went through. Just when you thought you couldn't love someone more than you already did...



On Friday night, Jaylon came to the hospital to see his little brother for the first time. It was so much fun to have our whole family together... all 4 of us!



As you can see, Kylan is getting all rested up. However, he was wide-eyed and extremely active for the first 2 hours after birth. We're trying to figure out where the energy came from?!?!





It's been so cool to watch Jaylon interact with his baby brother. He has been very sweet and tender-hearted toward him, giving him plenty of kisses and hugs.



It's overwhelming. God just gave us one of the greatest blessings of our lives! We're looking forward to getting all rested up after the hospital... if that's possible with a newborn and a very active boy that's approaching 2 years old on June 19.



We came home this afternoon (Sunday) and all is well. We'll keep you updated and likely post some more pictures this week.

Thanks so much to those of you who have been praying for Jennifer's pregnancy. It couldn't have went any smoother and we really believe it had a lot to do with the many of you who were praying. Jennifer is obviously very thankful she didn't have to go on bed rest this time as well. Thank you!



http://www.brandonjenniferbruce.com

Labels: Family

Thursday, May 21, 2009

A Defining Year

Here at Faith Church, we just held our annual Local Church Conference on Monday night. We had a great group of committed people show up in support of this ministry. We reflected on the past church fiscal year, voted on some important items, and talked about our future together. One highlight for me was that I was asked to serve as pastor for another 4 years. This is a responsibility that I entend to take very seriously. I'm grateful for the honor of serving here.

Below is my intro letter to our annual report. It provides an excellent summary of what has happened in the last 12 months...


Faith Church family,

Every year has “defining moments” or mile markers that stay in our memories for a long time. Some years are so filled with those moments that they may accurately be called a “defining year”. As I reflect back on the past 12 months of ministry, I think it’s safe to say it was a defining year in the history of Faith Church!

>We saw at least 50 people give their lives to Jesus Christ (9 the prior year).

>We launched two new worship gatherings (one in September and another in February).

>We added more than 100 people, who represent a 25% increase in the number of people we serve each Sunday. We now average over 500 people in attendance for the first time.

>We had the highest attended Sunday in our 100+ year history this Easter (715 people).

>We clearly established that “Our mission is to see lives changed for Jesus Christ!”

>We exceeded our budgeted income by at least $15,000 in a challenging economy.

>We came in under budget for expenses, which is a flat out miracle considering the rising costs that come with more people being served each week.

>We added two new staff positions. Rich Whitman was hired as our College Pastor and Worship Coordinator, while Jen Thompson was hired as our Ministry Assistant. Ben Capshaw also joined our team as the new Children’s Pastor.

>We finished a major renovation and expansion of our student center (3,100+ sq. ft.).

>We launched a highly creative Christmas experience called “Christmas In The City”.

>We established our first missional partnership with My Father’s House orphanage in Jamaica.

>We hosted our best attended membership class with 30 adults (many becoming members).


There were a number of other highlights that should be mentioned as well...

>We touched about 17,000 Lansing area people through our CIA ministry... no strings attached!

>We saw Vacation Bible School make an incredible impact with masses of kids... again!

>We saw a large number of students attend the Walk On summer camp in Hastings, Michigan.

>We provided life-changing classes on topics like marriage and financial peace (FPU).

>We launched 2 new Home Groups (Haslett & Dewitt).

>We launched at least 6 new Growth Groups (including 4 new marriage groups).

>We launched 3 new Affinity Groups (another men’s breakfast, basketball, and golf groups).

>We observed growth in children’s ministry, student ministry, and college ministry.

>We finalized the list of 6 values that are at the core of our Faith Church culture.

>We have made significant progress on the development of a 5 year vision.

>We saw many of our staff and volunteer leaders attend training conferences.

>We paid off a significant portion of our debt owed to the Wesleyan Investment Foundation.

>We established a highly competent Financial Advisory Team.

>We had our first annual staff and board summer retreat together.

>We participated in a picnic and baptism event at a lake in Dewitt.

>We built a roller coaster in our church and other highly creative stage designs.

>We saw explosive events sponsored by our Underground College Ministry (Pig Roast at MSU and Java House).

>We saw incredible events sponsored by our active Women’s Ministry (Fashion Show, Marketplace Sale, and more).

>We saw minor updates, renovations, and/or painting in JumpTown, the nursery, the Connection Center, the lobby, and the Gathering Place.

The key word that runs through all of these defining moments and highlights is the word, “WE”. We did this together. We are a church family. We are a team. However, we could not have done this alone. It was God that was leading us and will continue to lead as we persevere in following Him by FAITH... after all, that is the name of this church!

Right on!

Brandon S. Bruce
Senior Pastor
May 2009

Labels: Faith Church

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Any Guesses?

Before Jaylon arrived, we decided to keep his name a secret until he was born. However, we registered for a pillow with his initials. We didn't think anyone would notice, but of course someone did. Good work, Megan! This started a guessing game over the baby's name among some of our family and friends.

There's not much time until our new little boy comes along, but we thought a few of you may have fun taking a peek at the updated pillow.

Labels: Family

"I LOVE U"

This picture was all Jennifer's idea, but it took both of us to pull it off. Jaylon loves to build AND knock down the blocks! We shot this for Valentine's Day this year. We love our little guy!

Labels: Family

Friday, May 15, 2009

New 4th Worship Gathering

Earlier this year, we launched a 4th worship gathering at Faith Church. It starts at 6:00pm every Sunday night. The message is the same as in the morning and the music is very similar. The whole experience is a little more casual than Sunday morning (if you can imagine that). We're in the Connection Center and there is a smaller crowd since we have just started.

One key advantage about attending this gathering over the other three is that there is a light dinner (free) served afterward for anyone who wants to stick around. We're hoping this will open up seats on Sunday morning, give more people a chance to get involved in ministry, and become one of our best long-term worship gathering options. It will be great this summer for families who take weekend road trips and don't get back in town until Sunday afternoon. I think in the fall we'll start seeing a growing number of Michigan State University students come to Sunday nights for worship.

I just recently challenged our entire church to visit Sunday night one time in the month of May. If you're in the area, come check it out.

Labels: Faith Church, Speaking

Easter Egg Hunt At The Capitol

We headed downtown for an egg hunt at the capitol this year. It was wild with all the people that showed up, but lots of fun!



I think Jaylon got into the experience and it was a great family memory.





We even came across a bunny... or as Jaylon says, a "hop hop".



We took a quick family picture on the front of a Lansing Fire Department truck on our way out.

Labels: Family, Lansing Michigan Area