Posted by Ric and Sharon on Tuesday, August 9th, 2011
Fresh off the plane
We’ve had a great couple of weeks with Sharon’s family. They came to experience a different culture, try new things and enjoy time with us and our new friends. As Sharon’s father Dave pointed out today, “We’ve certainly run the gamut of experiences here in Thailand.” It’s true. We pretty much tried to give them a taste of every aspect of life here from our daily language sessions and everyday cuisine to tourist attractions and special “jungle” restaurants.
Showing Dave, Kathie and Michelle around these past two weeks has made us realize just how comfortable we have become here in this new culture and language. It has also exposed areas we need to continue digging into as they ask questions we have no idea how to answer. Pray for safety as they travel back this week and look at the pictures embedded below: (more…)
Posted by Ric and Sharon on Tuesday, July 26th, 2011
Sharon's family arrived this morning for a two week visit.
We’re enjoying a special treat for the next few weeks: Sharon’s parents and sister. On the first day of their visit we covered a lot of ground and tried to keep them running around so they could adjust to the time zone quickly. We’ve got an ambitious agenda for the next few weeks together so we’re praying for safety as we drive our borrowed truck and try to show them what life is like on the other side of the world. It’s been fun to see Thailand through fresh eyes again.
Posted by Ric and Sharon on Saturday, June 11th, 2011
Another year has gone by and neither Sharon nor I are in our early 20′s anymore. We tried to make her first birthday in our new home special by learning Thai in the morning and then going out to eat at our local hospital food court with a bunch of our Thai friends. According to Thai custom we paid for the meal ourselves. Not sounding like the way you spent your 25th birthday?
Later that day we went to a quiet afternoon tea at a local resort and went to the mall to watch a movie, which is one of Sharon’s favorite things to do. It was actually you guys who made the birthday special by (more…)
Posted by Ric and Sharon on Wednesday, April 6th, 2011
An engagement photo from 2005
Five years ago this weekend we celebrated the beginning of a new life together with our friends and family. Our wedding centerpieces included maps of different parts of the world and bibles illustrating our commitment to missions as well as to each other. We’re holding tightly to both commitments five years later. Each day we look to the Lord for wisdom in balancing our commitment to one another and our commitment to the work He’s given us to do. (more…)
Posted by Ric and Sharon on Saturday, December 11th, 2010
Embedded on our website and at our Picasa web albums you’ll find pictures of our Christmas tree going up. This year we’re excited to see what will happen as we begin new traditions in a much different Christmas environment! Today as we were putting the tree up we were sweating. But the Christmas music and the beautiful tree helped us forget that and have a lot of fun.
Posted by Ric and Sharon on Sunday, October 31st, 2010
The biggest update on my knee is that tomorrow evening I will see the doctor for the first time since surgery. It feels fine although the regular post-surgical nuisances apply: atrophy of the muscles in my leg, bruising, soreness, numbness, etc. I am anticipating the doctor will remove my stitches tomorrow and get me on a therapy regimen at the hospital where the operation took place. We will update again with more details tomorrow night. In the meantime if you enjoy pictures of gross, atrophied knees or are curious about how it looks check out the pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/ricandsharon/ChangingTheBandages#
Posted by Ric and Sharon on Sunday, August 22nd, 2010
We spent a few days this past week saying goodbye to Sharon’s relatives in New York state and visiting my sister Sarah and her new husband Stephen in their apartment in Cleavland. Here are a few shots of Sharon enjoying our time with family:
Posted by Ric and Sharon on Tuesday, July 6th, 2010
Sarah and Stephen had a wonderful wedding! My good friend Brett Maxwell and I took the photos at the wedding. I wanted to share a few of my favorites with you. Below you’ll find a sampling. These previews are not intended for printing or for commercial use.
It’s so great to have them around. They normally live in Arizona working with NTM’s aviation program. Just this morning we sat outside to read the Psalms and pray together. Here’s what we read:
Psalm 128
A song of ascents.
1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your sons will be like olive shoots
around your table.
4 Thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
5 May the LORD bless you from Zion
all the days of your life;
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem,
6 and may you live to see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel.
My Grandparents certainly fear the Lord and have been blessed greatly by God over the years.
Posted by Ric and Sharon on Thursday, May 13th, 2010
We love spending time with our families and want to spend as much time as we can with them before we move. Yesterday was a day we’ll remember while we’re in Thailand spending hours learning language and culture. We went to a Tigers/Yankees game with Sharon’s family in the afternoon and an Art/Music concert with mine in the evening. Both were an incredible treat! Definitely something we’ll remember. To see some of the baseball game check out our pictures. For a taste of what the concert was like check out Christian Thomas Lee’s photos.
Posted by Ric and Sharon on Friday, April 9th, 2010
One thing that’s always fun is getting to hang out with my Dad. Today we did a bit of drywall work in the garage. Here’s some pictures of the process for those who have no idea what that entails:
Posted by Ric and Sharon on Tuesday, April 6th, 2010
Me and My Grandma
This Easter we spent some time with my Grandma and family in New York! During this time of partnership development before we move to Thailand we are enjoying some quality time with family. Although we are so excited to start our ministry overseas the fact that we will be moving half-way around the globe away from family and friends is daunting. I always have to remind myself of why it is so important to reach those people who live so far away with the good news of Jesus Christ. God desires all to have a relationship with Him and there are many peoples who do not have that opportunity. The chance of the people groups that we are planning to work with of hearing about Christ and what He did for them is little to none unless someone goes to them. So with my mind fixed on that purpose, I can cherish the time spent with family and pray for the unreached peoples who may someday join the family of God!
Posted by Ric and Sharon on Monday, August 31st, 2009
While Sharon is back at the camp meeting her Cherokee language helper I’m spending some time with my family in southern Oklahoma. It’s been great to see them and even more fun to live life with them. Today I went to church and ate a huge lunch with my Aunts, Uncles, and cousins then visited Lake Texoma with my grandparents. Here are some photos I took today:
Posted by Ric and Sharon on Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
We are having a great time here in Missouri. We had a meeting Monday night with our leaders in Cambodia. We learned a lot about our future work and how they will be helping us transition into the country next year. We have several things to begin ASAP!
Yesterday Sharon and I helped a kind lady from our small church here in MO. Sharon helped her can salsa and I did several projects around her house. Last night we had a meeting promoting serving in Cambodia to new students at the training center that are interested. We leave for Oklahoma on Friday. We’ll keep you updated right here!
Posted by Ric and Sharon on Thursday, August 13th, 2009
Many people know about our previous hike on the Appalachian Trail… when we walked from Pennsylvania to Maine after we got married. The past four days we were continuing the hike south, completing 50 miles more of Pennsylvania. I am in the process of typing a journal of our time on the trail. For now, here are some pictures. Check back later for the play-by-play.
Posted by Ric and Sharon on Thursday, August 6th, 2009
Sharon’s parents grew up in a small valley in south-west New York state, where some of her extended family still lives. We love to come back to visit the family and take a much-needed break from the daily grind. Tomorrow we will take off for a wedding in Pennsylvania and a few days of hiking. We love visiting the town… the area is beautiful!
Please pray for safety as we’re on the road and for a time of refreshment and relaxation as we accomplish one of our goals before heading to Cambodia next year: spending time with family.
Posted by Ric and Sharon on Friday, July 24th, 2009
I can’t believe that Suzie is eleven years old already. When she was born in 1998 she changed our family’s life for the better in more ways than one. Now she’s talking like crazy and has such a little personality. It’s great to see her grow up.
Suzie was looking pretty nervous toward the end of the day. She got up from her chair and began clicking her heals on the floor just as we finished eating our cake. When my dad asked her what was wrong she responded, "PRESENTS!"
Ric and Sharon Bruce On a journey with you to Thailand 
We tried to make her first birthday in our new home special by learning Thai in the morning and then going out to eat at our local hospital food court with a bunch of our Thai friends. According to Thai custom we paid for the meal ourselves. Not sounding like the way you spent your 25th birthday?
