This past June we celebrated Father’s Day for the first time with Annabelle by taking a weekend camping trip to Boone’s Landing with a group of our closest friends. Sure we could have celebrated by ourselves and that would have been just fine but going camping with our framily as we like to call them and celebrating together all these great guys that each have impacted not only their families but each of our families and our friend group as a whole was so much better. That trip though it was short was filled with so much laughter, stories, and sharing lots of good food while making some great memories.











You see we’re convinced that God didn’t make us to do life alone because we both have a tendency to go that route and it’s not nearly as fulfilling. He meant for us to live life together as friends, as family, and as a whole greater, grander unit in His family. When you are apart of a community and you are investing in others lives and families just as they are investing in yours there is someone there to share the joys that life brings you as well as encourage and support you through the difficult seasons. There is someone there to cheer you on when you are chasing a dream and someone to give you that big hug, pat on the back and praise God with when you see that dream become a reality. There is someone to talk to, someone to listen to you, pray with you and in my experience someone who you can even gain wisdom from and The Lord can use to give you guidance about what to do when you are walking through a tough situation that they might have already went through themselves. And if you are a Christian and they share your faith in Jesus then there is someone there to push you towards your ultimate goal of becoming more like Him, and that in my personal experience has been the greatest benefit (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and Proverbs 27:17).



We have been friends with and known these wonderful people for over a decade. We have watched their relationships bloom. We have seen their marriages and families begin. We have known them through many stages of life and have had to privilege to see God shape their hearts and create them into the men and women He is calling them to be on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis. And they have witnessed the same with us.Ā When you are apart of a community like that those friends love you, are there for you, and accept you as you are as well as who you are going to become. When you are apart of a community like ours you have the privilege to watch each other grow… you have the privilege to grow up together and have a front row seat to the seasons of life as we all change and mature and see what God has in store for each person. It is an amazing thing to be apart of to be surrounded with people who you know love Jesus, love each other, love you, love your spouse and now love your children and have their best interests at heart too.







Those type of friendships are a rare treasures that stands the test of time and are bound by more than just common interest. They are bound by a common faith. So I challenge you friends, that when you find your people, your tribe, your community.. when you find someone in your life that you know you don’t want to loose and you want to keep around fight for that relationship especially as times and life gets busier and schedules get more hectic and you have to make more of a group effort to get together. Set up times to hangout. Make traditions and celebrate life events and each other together, even if that means it has to be made weeks in advance or is something that ends of being last minute because that’s the way life is going in the season you are in. I promise you that you wont regret it.

Much love & prayer,
Matt & Blair
That was lovely BlairBear!! Looks like y’all had a great camping trip!! Take care…love, Daddy
Thanks Dad. It was a fun trip for sure! We can’t wait to watch Annabelle grow and hopefully discover a love for the outdoors and camping like we have. We love you ā¤