Saturday, September 19, 2009
New Site Launches!
The new site has launched! We are so excited and would love to hear your thoughts about the new site. Please send your comments/suggestions (and your kudos!) to Lisa at lisa.lewis@firstplace4health.com.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sneak Peak at New Website
The new FP4H website launches the week of September 7th!! If you would like a sneak peak, go to http://beta.fp4h.com. You can register your group, shop in the store and more. You can even get 25% off your total order PLUS free shipping! Just enter the promo code FP4H25. The promo codes only works on http://beta.fp4h.com and is good until September 8th.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Celebrating 50 years together!
Carole and Johnny Lewis celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 26th. Two people that have shown that "for better or worse, richer or poorer, through sickness and in health" are not just words but lived out for 50 years with grace and character.
To celebrate this wonderful occasion, Carole & Johnny along with their son John and his wife Lisa (me!) and daughter Lisa and her husband Kent went on an Hawaiian cruise. We had a wonderful time. We exercised on the deck while looking at a beautiful island, snorkeled with Nemo, explored a lava tube and hiked a mountain (John & Kent saved a woman's life that had slipped off the side of the mountain!). We enjoyed some great shows onboard ship, ate great food (although when we came back we vowed never to step foot in front of another buffet!), relaxed by the pool, played basketball on the top deck and even spent some time in the fitness center. We drove the road to Hana (if you've been on this road, you probably felt a little queasy when you read that), ate lunch at a wonderful health food restaurant in Henepapa (home of Lilo & Stitch!) and walked around an active volcano (surprisingly breezy and cool). A cruise is a wonderful way to see the islands. You never have to unpack!
We had such a great time together. We laughed so much. I am so blessed to be a part of this family. Carole calls me her daughter-in-love and I feel the same way about her and the rest of the family.
Congratulations Carole and Johnny. You inspire me by your commitment and love for each other. Wishing you many more years together.
Pictured: Kent, Lisa, Johnny, Carole, John, Lisa
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The Vows
Dear Ones,
On June 26th, Johnny and I will celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. As I look back over fifty years together, I can see such a correlation between our earthly marriage and the marriage with Jesus Christ when we become believers.
The Vows
Taking our marriage vows was just the beginning of our marriage and when we accept Jesus, it is just the starting point of a lifetime together. The early years of most marriages are difficult, because two very different people with different backgrounds and personalities are now living together under one roof. I am so glad we both believed that our marriage vows were binding and permanent and I can honestly say that divorce was never an option for either of us--murder maybe, but never divorce! In the same way, when we become the bride of Christ, it is a permanent relationship that can never be severed. As in earthly marriages, we all make mistakes and sin grievously, but Jesus will never divorce us or even consider a trial separation.
Walking Together
Johnny and I thought we were deeply in love when we married. Fifty years later we both know that we were deeply in “like” and didn’t have a clue about having a love that lasts forever. It takes time for a deep, abiding love to develop and in the same way, it takes time to truly fall in love with Jesus Christ. Our love has grown more as we have gone through the hard periods of our marriage because we went through those times together. In these fifty years we experienced the joy of parenthood and the sorrow of losing our precious daughter Shari at the young age of 39. We have walked together through hard financial times, Johnny’s stage 4 cancer, a real fire and a flood. Losing our home and all our earthly possessions in Hurricane Ike was a great loss, but we have weathered that storm because our love is deep and lasting. In the same way, I have found that I have gone deeper in my relationship with Jesus through the tough times of life. He has proven Himself to me over and over again that He is able to keep me safe from the storms of life if I will only love and trust Him.
Things I Love
There are so many things I love about Johnny. He has a great sense of humor that keeps our life from ever being dull. After fifty years I still laugh at his funny stories even though I’ve heard some of them many times. Johnny never takes anything seriously and this has been a great asset as he has fought stage 4 prostate cancer over the last eleven years. Another thing I love about Johnny is that he is still full of surprises. I know him so well that I know how he thinks on any given subject. Most of the time I know how he will react, but he is still full of surprises. Just last weekend our grandson Tal was getting ready to go on a month-long trip to Europe. Tal has spent the last semester in a program at the University of Texas studying World War II. This program culminates with a trip to visit all the sites of that war. I was in Eastland, TX, with some of the family for my grandson-in-law Michael’s college graduation and Johnny was at home. On Monday, when I was back at work, Lisa casually mentioned how nice it was that Johnny came over to see Tal before he left for Europe. She went on to say that Johnny brought Tal four books and eight index cards with handwritten jokes and funny advice for the trip. Lisa could see my surprise and astonishment so she said, “I guess you didn’t know that he also gave Tal some spending money for the trip.”
When I got home that day, I looked at Johnny and said, “You know what I love most about you? It’s the way you still surprise me after all these years. You obviously had to plan that little trip and you spent time doing it because you love our family.”
The Lord Jesus still surprises me after all these years. I think I know everything there is to know about Him but there are so many things I will never know. He surprises me in the way He chooses to solve problems. Even though I offer suggestions constantly, He always has a solution that I would never think of in my own mind. He must have a great sense of humor because He keeps on loving me in spite of my self. He never stops blessing me with His presence or His power. Jesus and I have now been married for 55 years and the time together has been anything but boring.
Our earthly marriage will come to an end one day. One of us will die and our marriage on this earth will be over. Praise God, our marriage to Jesus will never come to an end. When we accepted Christ, he promised to stick closer than a brother and to be a husband to the widows so we need have no fear of the future. With Christ, our future is secure and eternal because we are His bride.
Let me close with a verse I love, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4
On June 26th, Johnny and I will celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. As I look back over fifty years together, I can see such a correlation between our earthly marriage and the marriage with Jesus Christ when we become believers.
The Vows
Taking our marriage vows was just the beginning of our marriage and when we accept Jesus, it is just the starting point of a lifetime together. The early years of most marriages are difficult, because two very different people with different backgrounds and personalities are now living together under one roof. I am so glad we both believed that our marriage vows were binding and permanent and I can honestly say that divorce was never an option for either of us--murder maybe, but never divorce! In the same way, when we become the bride of Christ, it is a permanent relationship that can never be severed. As in earthly marriages, we all make mistakes and sin grievously, but Jesus will never divorce us or even consider a trial separation.
Walking Together
Johnny and I thought we were deeply in love when we married. Fifty years later we both know that we were deeply in “like” and didn’t have a clue about having a love that lasts forever. It takes time for a deep, abiding love to develop and in the same way, it takes time to truly fall in love with Jesus Christ. Our love has grown more as we have gone through the hard periods of our marriage because we went through those times together. In these fifty years we experienced the joy of parenthood and the sorrow of losing our precious daughter Shari at the young age of 39. We have walked together through hard financial times, Johnny’s stage 4 cancer, a real fire and a flood. Losing our home and all our earthly possessions in Hurricane Ike was a great loss, but we have weathered that storm because our love is deep and lasting. In the same way, I have found that I have gone deeper in my relationship with Jesus through the tough times of life. He has proven Himself to me over and over again that He is able to keep me safe from the storms of life if I will only love and trust Him.
Things I Love
There are so many things I love about Johnny. He has a great sense of humor that keeps our life from ever being dull. After fifty years I still laugh at his funny stories even though I’ve heard some of them many times. Johnny never takes anything seriously and this has been a great asset as he has fought stage 4 prostate cancer over the last eleven years. Another thing I love about Johnny is that he is still full of surprises. I know him so well that I know how he thinks on any given subject. Most of the time I know how he will react, but he is still full of surprises. Just last weekend our grandson Tal was getting ready to go on a month-long trip to Europe. Tal has spent the last semester in a program at the University of Texas studying World War II. This program culminates with a trip to visit all the sites of that war. I was in Eastland, TX, with some of the family for my grandson-in-law Michael’s college graduation and Johnny was at home. On Monday, when I was back at work, Lisa casually mentioned how nice it was that Johnny came over to see Tal before he left for Europe. She went on to say that Johnny brought Tal four books and eight index cards with handwritten jokes and funny advice for the trip. Lisa could see my surprise and astonishment so she said, “I guess you didn’t know that he also gave Tal some spending money for the trip.”
When I got home that day, I looked at Johnny and said, “You know what I love most about you? It’s the way you still surprise me after all these years. You obviously had to plan that little trip and you spent time doing it because you love our family.”
The Lord Jesus still surprises me after all these years. I think I know everything there is to know about Him but there are so many things I will never know. He surprises me in the way He chooses to solve problems. Even though I offer suggestions constantly, He always has a solution that I would never think of in my own mind. He must have a great sense of humor because He keeps on loving me in spite of my self. He never stops blessing me with His presence or His power. Jesus and I have now been married for 55 years and the time together has been anything but boring.
Our earthly marriage will come to an end one day. One of us will die and our marriage on this earth will be over. Praise God, our marriage to Jesus will never come to an end. When we accepted Christ, he promised to stick closer than a brother and to be a husband to the widows so we need have no fear of the future. With Christ, our future is secure and eternal because we are His bride.
Let me close with a verse I love, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4
Monday, June 8, 2009
Dear Ones,
Johnny and I leave for Hawaii on June 27th. Our 50th Wedding Anniversary is June 26 and we are taking our two kids, John & Lisa and their spouses, Lisa & Kent to Hawaii with us. We can hardly wait. We chose a cruise so in case Johnny has a day where he’s not feeling well, I can stay on ship with him and the kids can go see the sights. We love the water so much that this will be the perfect celebration for us.
We drove to our property at the bay on Saturday and it was so wonderful. We had a peach double Hibiscus right by our gate and when we drove up there it was in full bloom! I thought it was dead like all the other plants but it came back in all its glory! The fig tree which was uprooted and laying on its side after the storm is in full bloom with figs on it (still laying on its side, I might add). We’re going to have to reward it by tying it upright again. We were so encouraged that we might consider building a garage apartment for now over our garage and see what happens from there. That would give us a place to stay when we want to go down there and a place for Johnny when I am out of town.
Yesterday, I was sitting having my second cup of coffee at 7:45 when the phone rang. It was Nancy Taylor, who used to work with us in First Place and who now teaches a ladies Sunday School class here at First Baptist. She woke up with a severe bladder infection and wanted to know if I could teach her class at 9:10 a.m.? Mind you, I was sitting there mulling over whether I would even go to the morning service, thinking I might just rest and go at 6:30 p.m. I flew into high gear and made it just fine. I just love it when God surprises me with opportunities to bring Him glory. You know, learning that it’s not about me at all has been so freeing.
How are all of you doing in the area of your weight? Summer is a great time to eat healthy since there are so many wonderful fruits and vegetables available. I’m already planning to eat lots of pineapple on our cruise and to work out with the Lisa’s every day. I’m praying for all of you and can’t wait to see you at one of our FP4H events. The Leadership Summit is July 24-25 so hope many of will come.
Lots of love,
Carole
Johnny and I leave for Hawaii on June 27th. Our 50th Wedding Anniversary is June 26 and we are taking our two kids, John & Lisa and their spouses, Lisa & Kent to Hawaii with us. We can hardly wait. We chose a cruise so in case Johnny has a day where he’s not feeling well, I can stay on ship with him and the kids can go see the sights. We love the water so much that this will be the perfect celebration for us.
We drove to our property at the bay on Saturday and it was so wonderful. We had a peach double Hibiscus right by our gate and when we drove up there it was in full bloom! I thought it was dead like all the other plants but it came back in all its glory! The fig tree which was uprooted and laying on its side after the storm is in full bloom with figs on it (still laying on its side, I might add). We’re going to have to reward it by tying it upright again. We were so encouraged that we might consider building a garage apartment for now over our garage and see what happens from there. That would give us a place to stay when we want to go down there and a place for Johnny when I am out of town.
Yesterday, I was sitting having my second cup of coffee at 7:45 when the phone rang. It was Nancy Taylor, who used to work with us in First Place and who now teaches a ladies Sunday School class here at First Baptist. She woke up with a severe bladder infection and wanted to know if I could teach her class at 9:10 a.m.? Mind you, I was sitting there mulling over whether I would even go to the morning service, thinking I might just rest and go at 6:30 p.m. I flew into high gear and made it just fine. I just love it when God surprises me with opportunities to bring Him glory. You know, learning that it’s not about me at all has been so freeing.
How are all of you doing in the area of your weight? Summer is a great time to eat healthy since there are so many wonderful fruits and vegetables available. I’m already planning to eat lots of pineapple on our cruise and to work out with the Lisa’s every day. I’m praying for all of you and can’t wait to see you at one of our FP4H events. The Leadership Summit is July 24-25 so hope many of will come.
Lots of love,
Carole
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Conga Line at the Summit?!
Hey gang! This is my first time to write on the FP4H blog. I’m Lisa, the FP4H Events and Special Projects Manager. We are full-speed ahead preparing for the First Place 4 Health Leadership Summit in July. I’m so excited about all we have planned, I wanted to write and tell you guys about it. We had a planning meeting last Saturday with leaders from around the Houston area and boy is it going to be great! Conga line and all! Okay maybe we won’t have a conga line -- although that was suggested and I was all for it… :). We will have seminars like Leading on a Shoestring, The Ten Things Every Leader Should Know, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Live It Food Plan and so much more. We added lots of Q&A time with the staff during our coffee and dessert bar on Saturday afternoon, too! You’ll have plenty of time to get all your questions answered and wait until you try some of these desserts. They are yummy. We’ll give you the recipes to take home with you.
Our theme this year is Leading Out Loud. The theme is based around the idea that as FP4H leaders we should lead with confidence and kick it up a notch! We have a message all the world needs to hear in the area of health and wellness so we should “Lead Loud!" It won’t just be an idea, we’ll have practical Lead Loud tips in our seminars and throughout the summit.
We’re also making some big changes to our website and they will debut during the summit. We’ll have one of the designers here to tell you all about it. There is just so much going on, I know you will want to be a part of it. Grab a couple of your class members and y’all head this way. We would love to see you!
For more information about the summit, click here.
~ Lisa Lewis
Our theme this year is Leading Out Loud. The theme is based around the idea that as FP4H leaders we should lead with confidence and kick it up a notch! We have a message all the world needs to hear in the area of health and wellness so we should “Lead Loud!" It won’t just be an idea, we’ll have practical Lead Loud tips in our seminars and throughout the summit.
We’re also making some big changes to our website and they will debut during the summit. We’ll have one of the designers here to tell you all about it. There is just so much going on, I know you will want to be a part of it. Grab a couple of your class members and y’all head this way. We would love to see you!
For more information about the summit, click here.
~ Lisa Lewis
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Erin & Matt DuBroc have a baby boy
Everett Stewart DuBroc was born Tuesday, May 19th and weighed 7 lbs. 14 ozs. He is beautiful and they are all doing well. If you want to send congratulations you may send them to our office and we will forward them to Erin. Our address is 7401 Katy Freeway, Suite 337, Houston, Texas 77024.
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