From the Desk of the President
Jeff Kemp
This July I Turned Fifty
This July I turned fifty...a tough blow for a guy with a Peter
Pan complex, even with an artificial hip, sore neck and arm that can't throw a
football as far as my sixteen year-old.
But, thanks to my astute and awesome wife, I had the best
birthday, maybe the best day, of my whole life.
As I share what made it so great, my intent is to fire
up your imagination and intentionality so you can help make the people you love
as happy and secure as I feel thanks to the amazing gifts my wife encouraged.
Full Story Here........
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As Long As We Both Shall Live
By Michelle Berger
 My fiancé and I are having
the time of our lives - yes, even in the midst of the craziest and busiest time
of our lives! We are getting married in August, and are enjoying our engagement
so much. Not just because of all the gifts, showers, cake-tasting, fancy
clothes, apartment-searching, and well wishes from family and friends, (though
all of that is nice too!) but most of all because of the chance we're getting
to really work on our relationship.
So much time during
engagement is spent on planning the wedding that , oftentimes, planning for the
MARRIAGE takes the back burner. I have known
this, contemplated this, struggled with this, and even fallen into this trap,
but am fighting back with every fiber of my being to make sure that my wedding
day will be a celebration of the hard work and effort that Jeff and I have put
into planning for a successful and healthy marriage.
Read More...
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Jack Kemp Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
On Thursday, July 30th, President Barack Obama awarded the late Jack Kemp the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Created in 1945 by President Harry Truman, the Medal of Freedom is America's highest civilian award recognizing exceptional service. In response to this great honor, Jeff Kemp and his family released the following statment:
"The family of Jack Kemp is sincerely grateful to
President Obama and our nation for this unique American honor. The Medal of
Freedom would deeply move Jack Kemp because of his motivating belief in
America's founding document which
declares freedom to be a universal gift from our Creator to all of humanity.
Jack Kemp loved his country, his fellow man, his family, and his Creator. This
award acknowledges his passionate pursuit of all of these. A tireless optimist,
he endeavored to make the world a better and freer
place."
Read White House Press Release...
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Investing in Our Nation
By Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Guest Writer)
 How we care for our military families today influences the willingness of future generations to serve. Indeed, every American dreams of a prosperous future, earned
through hard work, honest deeds, and prudent sacrifice. They desire to
create beautiful families, raise their children together, and, one day,
earn their own "piece of the rock."
For those who have volunteered to serve a cause greater than themselves
- and donned uniforms to fight on distant shores - those dreams are no
different. Neither are those of the families who support them.
Read More...
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How to Maximize Marriage Preparation
By Luke Nelson
 In 2002, I was one of the pastors in
Clackamas County,
Oregon, who signed a Marriage and
Family Agreement that set minimum standards for performing weddings.
Our goal? Lower the divorce rate by 15% in 5 years. By the sixth year,
the divorce rate was down 21%! Thousands of couples were spared the
ravages of divorce!
Today nearly 200 area churches operate with this
agreement. One of the key elements in that agreement was premarital preparation using an assessment called Prepare / Enrich.
The focus on helping couples be prepared for a "life together" instead
of just a "wedding day," is crucial. Research by Life Innovations has
shown that couples who go through premarital preparation have 34% lower
chance of divorcing.
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Improving the Odds! Is Cohabitation a Good Test for Marriage?
By Krista Fogelson
 As they make the final deposits, pick up their rings, and stand still
for one last fitting, how many brides and grooms take a deep nervous
breath and wonder will this really work? Can we make it last? Or,
will we end up with the proverbial 50% of those who divorce? I love
him...she makes me happy, but is there a way we can improve the odds for a lifelong marriage?
According to researcher, Scott Stanley, couples are increasingly trying to beat the odds by living together before marriage. The problem is,
Stanley has found, that it doesn't usually work.
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