Written by Paul from Afternoons

Insights I’ve gained from Dolly, our 9-year-old, 15-pound Havipoo!

The suitcase comes out, keys get picked up, and before anything is said, Dolly already knows something’s happening.

Our little Dolly, with only a couple teeth left and that little tongue hanging off to the side, starts watching every move. If she’s coming along, she’s excited! But there’s always that moment at the door or in the car where she pauses… a little unsure, because she doesn’t actually know where she’s headed. 

And isn’t that just like you and me sometimes? We sense God moving us into something new, but we don’t get the full map. Just enough to trust the next step.

Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Dolly may not know the destination, but she trusts she’s not going alone.

Written by Amanda from Late Mornings

The right song at the right time may be something you’ve experienced while listening to The Family. Maybe you found hope when you didn’t know where else to turn, strength when you were ready to give up, and encouragement when you needed it most.  

I love being able to play the right song at the right time just for you, but sometimes I need it in my own life too! Just the other day I found myself struggling with some news I had just gotten and I was feeling afraid. I didn’t know what the future would look like, and that scared me. But when I turned on The Family, I heard Matt Maher’s song “Gonna Be Alright.” It was the right song at the right time, and I felt like it came straight from the Lord. He knew what I needed to hear in that moment, and I’m so thankful. 

By the way, it is God working through the music on The Family that reaches people when they need hope the most. But God likes to work through you and me to accomplish that. When you join The Family Music Team, just know that as you share your opinion on the songs you hear, you’re helping to shape the playlist, so that the right song at the right time is heard by someone who desperately needs hope. You can sign up here: Music Team.

The Heart Behind The Mission

Mary has been volunteering at The Family since she retired in 2018.  She helps the team in a variety of different ways including helping with office tasks when the team is short-staffed, serving during the fundraisers, and writing thank you notes to our day sponsors.  Here is what she had to stay in an interview with our Development Coordinator, Kate. 

Kate:  Tell us a little bit about yourself! 

Mary:  I was born and raised in Appleton and haven’t left for a very long time.  My parents built the house where I grew up when my mom was pregnant with me.  I am the 4^th child out of 5.  I worked full-time at Appvion (formerly Appleton Papers) for 40 years and then retired.  I have worked many part-time jobs since then and am currently working at the Appleton and Greenville YMCAs.  I became a Christian late in life (in my 40s) and I am so grateful that our great God never gave up on me.  Life is definitely an adventure, and I learn something daily about our great God.  I am single and have no kids, but I do have a dog who I adore.  Harper is a Labrador-Shepherd mix and is 10 years old.  She has been my walking buddy for years!  I love to walk and bike in my spare time.   

A few of Mary’s Favorite Things

Favorite Bible Verse:  “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 

Favorite Christian Artist:  Cochren & Co.

Favorite Christian Song:  “Running Home” by Cochren & Co. 

Kate:  What first inspired you to volunteer with us and what keeps you coming back to serve? 

Mary:  I always said that once I retire, I wanted to give back.  What better place to give back than to The Family Radio Network.  I love the staff at The Family.  They are so kind, fun, and appreciative of everything and anything volunteers do to help.  They are just great!  And I love all the people I have met through helping at the fundraisers.  We are all there for the same reason:  to serve and glorify our great God!  I have made some really nice friendships with the people I have met there.   

Kate:  How have you seen God working through The Family’s ministry?  What would you tell someone considering volunteering? 

Mary:  The stories that I hear daily on the radio of how The Family impacts people’s lives is nothing but the work of our great God.  Only He is able to change lives through a radio station like this one.  I was privileged and honored to take a call at our last fundraiser that was a miracle story.  It gave me chills and warmed my heart. 

My wife Gloria and I walked in the door after being gone a week… and before we could even set our bags down, Dolly is there.  

That little black coat, those quick steps, that unmistakable excitement like she’s been waiting for this exact moment all day, every day for a week.

And it hit me: she didn’t forget. She didn’t move on. She was just waiting for me to come home.  

It’s a small picture, but it carries something deeper.  You and I can go through seasons where God feels distant, not because He left, but because life got loud.  

But James 4:8 says,

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” 

God’s never stopped watching, never stopped loving, never stopped being ready for that moment you turn back toward Him. 

Written by Paul from Afternoons