{"id":305121,"date":"2019-07-01T06:00:04","date_gmt":"2019-07-01T10:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/%series%\/stepdad-challenges\/"},"modified":"2019-07-01T06:00:04","modified_gmt":"2019-07-01T10:00:04","slug":"stepdad-challenges","status":"publish","type":"podcast","link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/stepdad-challenges\/","title":{"rendered":"Stepdad Challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ronnie Tyler may have been in love with her husband, Lamar, but she wasn&#8217;t that interested in his help with raising her two children. Ron Deal explores the complex nuances of blended relationships.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":294104,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"https:\/\/web.familylifetoday.com\/fl2019-07-01.mp3","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"00:29:02","filesize":"26.59M","filesize_raw":"27878699","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":""},"categories":[10371,2937,2858],"tags":[2560,4392,4154,2248],"podcast_series":[],"cwp_profile":[9444,3300],"series":[2101],"class_list":["post-305121","podcast","type-podcast","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-parenting-and-stepparenting","category-staying-married","category-stepparenting-skills","tag-blended-families","tag-blended-family-stories","tag-kids-in-blended-families","tag-stepdad","cwp_profile-lamar-and-ronnie-tyler","cwp_profile-ron-deal","series-familylife-today"],"acf":[],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2024\/09\/FLT-Podcast-Cover-2-508x508-3.jpg?w=508","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2023\/02\/image-scaled.jpg","download_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast-download\/305121\/stepdad-challenges","player_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast-player\/305121\/stepdad-challenges","audio_player":null,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"light","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/familylife-today\/id212174303?mt=2&app=podcast","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0j5UaKdQOHQCuo1bt0ebEm","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"},"youtube":{"key":"youtube","url":"","label":"YouTube","class":"youtube","icon":"youtube.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/feed\/podcast\/familylife-today","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"Z2ozCAvbY1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/stepdad-challenges\/\">Stepdad Challenges<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/stepdad-challenges\/embed\/#?secret=Z2ozCAvbY1\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"&#8220;Stepdad Challenges&#8221; &#8212; FamilyLife\u00ae - A Cru Ministry\" data-secret=\"Z2ozCAvbY1\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script>\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/\/# sourceURL=https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-embed.min.js\n<\/script>\n"},"spectra_custom_meta":{"_wp_page_template":["default"],"transcript_url":["https:\/\/transcript.familylifetoday.com\/fl2019-07-01.pdf"],"audio_file":["https:\/\/web.familylifetoday.com\/fl2019-07-01.mp3"],"transcript_content":["<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Ronnie Tyler remembers there were things about being in a blended family that surprised her.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>I didn\u2019t know that I wouldn\u2019t like to see someone else discipline the kids or, you know: \u201cIs he strict on these kids because they\u2019re <em>my<\/em> kids?\u201d or \u201cIs he just strict? I don\u2019t know.\u201d I never wanted anyone to say, \u201cOh, you married this man and you allowed him to\u2026\u201d you know?\u2014so it was all of those thoughts going through. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI\u2019m like: \u201cOkay, this is husband over here; these kids are, <em>clearly<\/em>, not acting right,\u201d you know. [Laughter] Then, I still have those feelings, like: \u201cOkay; how do we handle this?\u201d and \u201cHow do I talk to <em>him<\/em> about what I\u2019m feeling?\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>This is <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> for Monday, July 1<sup>st<\/sup>. Our hosts are Dave and Ann Wilson; I'm Bob Lepine. There are lots of surprises that come with being stepparents. We\u2019ll hear from Ronnie and Lamar Tyler about some of what they\u2019ve experienced. Stay with us.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAnd welcome to <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em>. Thanks for joining us. If I was to pull back and think about jobs I would not do well in\u2014I mean, like nuclear scientist\u2014I would not be a good nuclear scientist\/astrophysicist\u2014stuff that requires math and science would not be where I would excel. [Laughter] But honestly, one of the toughest jobs, I think, in America is stepmom or stepdad\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ann: <\/strong>I agree.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>\u2014because the relational dynamics\u2014I mean, being a mom or a dad\u2019s hard. Being a stepmom or a stepdad\u2014and trying to work through all that\u2019s wrapped up in that\u2014man, we\u2019re talking about something that\u2019s really challenging!\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dave: <\/strong>You know, I would have to agree. I mean, I honestly think I\u2019d rather be a rocket scientist\u2014and I couldn\u2019t do it\u2014but to step in, and try to lead a family, and <em>blend<\/em> that family together\u2014that is a tall, tall task.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Well, and you have some experience with this, as we\u2019ve shared before. You grew up in a family, where your dad left, and you had a stepdad come in; right?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dave: <\/strong>Yes; I had a stepdad come in\u2014well, actually I had a <em>stepmom<\/em> come in with her son. I was that other son, and I resented it. I didn\u2019t want to like her, even though my dad\u2019s in love with her\u2014I\u2019m like: \u201cI don\u2019t want you in my life. I didn\u2019t make this choice; <em>you<\/em> did. So what do I do with that?\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Yes; well, we are going to hear today an excerpt from a new podcast that our friend, Ron Deal, has begun. It\u2019s a podcast called <em>FamilyLife Blended<\/em>, and it\u2019s just gotten underway. In fact, if you want to find out more about this podcast or any of the other podcasts that we\u2019re creating, here at FamilyLife<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>, you can go to FamilyLifeToday.com and the information\u2019s available there. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThis is one of the episodes from Ron\u2019s podcast, where he sat down and talked with Ronnie and Lamar Tyler. Ronnie and Lamar are a husband and wife, who live in Atlanta. They have a ministry called Black and Married with Kids. It\u2019s the largest independent African-American marriage and parenting site on the web. Ronnie and Lamar have four children, and Lamar\u2019s journey into being a stepdad was a tough journey. They had a hard path to follow, and that\u2019s one of the things they talked about when they sat down for the podcast with Ron Deal.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t[Podcast]\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>Coming into the situation, I definitely had some assumptions that Ronnie\u2019s kids would take a liking to me and keep a liking to me. I think that the first part\u2014they took a liking to me\u2014I don\u2019t think they necessarily kept a liking to me.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tImmediately, in the short term, I was definitely thinking that I would be able to step in, not necessarily\u2014I didn\u2019t want to replace their dad\u2014but I was thinking that I could be a father-like figure for them\u2014like a strong male role model for them\/a strong father figure for them to pick up the slack in any areas that they needed. I thought they would be receptive to that. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWhat I can say is\u2014I also thought that our friends and family\u2014because I think everyone respected me, I thought they would respect my role in Ronnie\u2019s life and our relationship, if I can say that. Those are all the things I came, into it, thinking would happen; and they didn\u2019t necessarily fall out and play out that way. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>Okay; even as he shares those, Ronnie, can you identify an assumption that you had about how your kids would get along with him? What was your side of that?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>I mean, to be honest, I just assumed everybody was going to get along. I just\u2014you know, I just assumed that.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>\u2014why not?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>Yes; why not? I never stopped to think any differently.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>Did they get along well in the beginning?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>Yes; I think they got along well in the beginning.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>They took to him. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>Yes.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>That feeds, of course, the assumption that that\u2019s just going to continue to go forward. It started off well; why would it not?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>It definitely does. I think, a lot of times, what I was thinking\u2014I think what a lot of people think is [before the wedding]: \u201cOkay; based off their first impression, and the first impression is good: \u2018Okay; we\u2019re good.\u2019 The first month is good; the first year\u2019s good: \u2018Hey, we\u2019re through the weeds,\u2019 and \u2018If we can get all the way through the wedding, and everything is still fine, I think that, okay\u2019\u2014we feel like\u2014\u2018Okay; we got this thing under control. We\u2019re making all the right moves; doing all the right things,\u2019\u201d only to find out that may not be the case. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>I\u2019m reflecting on your comment about when you were making the film, <em>Blended<\/em>, discovering that lots of people have a very similar journey. Of course, not all the details are exactly the same; but there\u2019s a similar flow to it. What you just said is a <em>very<\/em> common experience, I think, for couples in blended families. Things started off pretty good: \u201cThe kids were open, and we get along. We kind of hang out.\u201d You\u2019re spending time with her kids, and that seemed to go well. With a little bit of time, you just feel like: \u201cOkay; we\u2019ve got momentum. All those stories we hear about other people\u2014that\u2019s not going to be us.\u201d But it did turn a corner somewhere.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>It definitely did. One of the things I\u2019ll often think about, with stepfamily situations and with the stepparent, is that everyone\u2014the children to the family and everyone around\u2014always wants you to love the child as if they were your own; but they only want the good part of love. [Laughter] That means take them to Disney, hug them, kiss them\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>\u2014buy them stuff. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar:<\/strong> Exactly\u2014buy them stuff, tuck them in at night. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBut I don\u2019t feel like they want the stern parts of love\u2014the correction. If they\u2019re not doing the right things, correcting them\/putting them on the right path\u2014the discipline parts of love and those other pieces like that. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI think, once we were living together, all under one roof and we were married, then maybe with our son\u2014he would do something that I may deem as disrespectful; or Ronnie may tell him, \u201cHey, do \u2018x,\u2019 \u2018y,\u2019 and \u2018z,\u2019\u201d and he didn\u2019t do all of those things\u2014and I would step in. I think that\u2019s when we, initially, began to butt heads.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>Yes; it\u2019s like: \u201cWait a minute! What just happened? I thought we were okay. Now, you\u2019re looking at me like I\u2019m a stranger\u2014like you don\u2019t have that same respect for me that you did ten minutes ago.\u201d Is that what it was like for you? \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>Yes; you definitely do. I always think, in those situations, it feels like the child\u2014hands on their hip, ready to draw, at all moments\u2014like their weapon against you, which is the dreaded: \u201cWell, you\u2019re not my <em>dad<\/em>,\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re not my <em>mom<\/em>,\u201d\u2014right?\u2014\u201cI don\u2019t have to listen to you,\u201d\u2014and all these types of things.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI think where it starts to become a slippery slope is when other people around them can also be feeding those thoughts into them\u2014whether it\u2019s friends, or whether it\u2019s family, or whether it\u2019s the other biological parent, or it\u2019s not just everyone not being on the same page and being on board to move the family together in the right direction. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>Yes; Ronnie, I\u2019m wondering\u2014as you begin to watch this go differently, now, for your child and Lamar\u2014what was going on in you? \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>I just had a lot of feelings\u2014because it just wasn\u2019t a good feeling\u2014because the first thing is: \u201cI just didn\u2019t know why my child was acting out, and I did not stop to ask him.\u201d He was more like probably between nine and eleven\u2014I\u2019d have to go back and do the math\u2014but he wasn\u2019t a baby. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWe didn\u2019t have any issues with my daughter. She was two, going on three, when we were dating\u2014turning from two to three years old when we got married; so she was three probably, when we got married, and just didn\u2019t have those issues with her. She started calling Lamar \u201cDad\u201d shortly after we got married. He was just \u201cDad\u201d or \u201cDaddy\u201d or whatever.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBut my son\u2014he just started acting out\u2014being really resentful, not wanting to cooperate, not wanting to do family things. Then, when you did ask him to do family things, he would almost do things to ruin it\u2014like, just with his attitude\u2014like I just wished he wouldn\u2019t have come; you know? Because he just like ruined the whole time. I\u2019m sitting here, fussing and arguing with him\u2014that wasn\u2019t good. I just never even recognized that I needed to stop and talk to him about: \u201cWhat is he feeling?\u201d \u201cWhat is he going through?\u201d \u201cHow did he feel about us getting married?\u201d I just never did that. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAnother thing I was feeling was\u2014with Lamar, it\u2019s just like, \u201cOkay; hold on here.\u201d I didn\u2019t know that I wouldn\u2019t like to see someone else discipline the kids; or I didn\u2019t like having thoughts about\u2014I was thinking: \u201cIs he strict on these kids because they\u2019re <em>my<\/em> kids?\u201d or \u201cIs he just strict? I don\u2019t know.\u201d Or just feeling that urge to want to protect my kids because I never wanted anyone to say, \u201cOh, you married this man; and you allowed him to\u2026\u201d\u2014you know?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>Yes.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>Although, he wasn\u2019t necessarily doing anything like that; but you feel the need to want to protect your kids or to say, \u201cHey, I\u2019ll take care of this,\u201d or whatever. It was just like all of those thoughts going through: \u201cOkay; this is my husband over here. These kids are, <em>clearly<\/em>, not acting right,\u201d\u2014you know? [Laughter] \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>Yes. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>Then, I still have those feelings like: \u201cOkay; how do I handle this?\u201d and \u201cHow do I talk to <em>him<\/em> about what I\u2019m feeling?\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>The Bible talks a lot about anxiety and how we are borrowing worry from tomorrow\u2014that\u2019s essentially what that is. Sometimes, we borrow <em>guilt<\/em> from tomorrow. You were fast-forwarding: \u201cWell, what if they come back to me someday and they say: \u2018You didn\u2019t do your job, Mom. You didn\u2019t protect us.\u2019\u201d You\u2019re responding out of guilt that you <em>might<\/em> feel someday; it influences who you are now. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tIt\u2019s funny how that stuff happens; because you have the best intentions and good will towards him and towards your kids; and he has the best of intentions and good will. Everybody\u2019s trying to do the right thing and, yet, sometimes, you still end up going, \u201cI\u2019m not so sure we\u2019re on the same team.\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>Right; yes.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>Exactly.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>And if there are others\u2014were there others in your situation that were speaking in different messages that\u2014as you said, Lamar\u2014that weren\u2019t necessarily encouraging the family moving towards one another\u2014all the parts?\u00a0\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>Sure; I know the kids\u2019 biological father\u2014when he <em>was<\/em> around, he definitely wasn\u2019t on board, moving in the right direction\u2014which even still, as a stepparent, I don\u2019t understand this; because I\u2019m saying and I\u2019m thinking, in my mind: \u201cWell, I\u2019m here. Me being here is actually helping your children out\u2014them having a constant presence, them having somebody to help lift the burden and some of the load of being a single parent with their mom, and being here to fill in the gap in the times that you\u2019re not.\u201d So it definitely was that and just other\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>You kind of felt like: \u201cHey, I\u2019m due a little respect here. I\u2019m helping you out.\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>Exactly.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>He didn\u2019t see it that way?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>Not at all. [Laughter] I think what it was\u2014I mean, from my point of view\u2014and I\u2019m sure Ronnie has hers\u2014from my point of view, I think it was almost the opposite [of the biological parent]: \u201cEven though I don\u2019t want to be fully engaged with the kids, I don\u2019t want you to be either.\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>Right; from him, in particular\u2014he told me one day: \u201cYour son is struggling with this,\u201d and \u201cRonnie, you should tell your son that you will <em>never<\/em> love another man more than you love him,\u201d\u2014that came out of his mouth. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI\u2019m like: \u201cWhat are you telling him? Why would you even phrase it that way?\u2014like comparing my love to his love? It\u2019s just like\u2014I don\u2019t even know how to respond to that.\u201d He was like, \u201cJust say it; just say it to him.\u201d It just keeps ringing; because he kept repeating it over and over, \u201cJust tell him\u2014tell him you\u2019ll never love anyone else more than you love him.\u201d I\u2019m like, \u201cWhat are you telling my son?\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThat was the first\u2014to me\u2014moment, where I thought, \u201cHe\u2019s telling my son some things about our relationship and about our family.\u201d Then, I just heard other things like\u2014just from family\u2014about like: \u201cYou were better off. You could do this alone. Why did you have to get married? You owned the house; you have a nice job. You could take care of your kids alone.\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>\u201cYou\u2019re sufficient. You don\u2019t need somebody else.\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>Right.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>Lamar, I\u2019m curious\u2014did you pick up on some of the messages that Ronnie was getting from her family? \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>I did; and that was directly because just the communication between us\u2014which I\u2019ll give Ronnie credit for\u2014because a lot of what was going on, she would come and share with me. Though it was hurtful to me, I still felt gracious that she shared those things. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tA lot of times, as we faced turmoil and different things in our marriage, I really just thank God and realize how blessed I was that, even though Ronnie was being tugged by the kids, I could\u2014I knew I was tugging her, to a degree, on my end; I knew family may be tugging her on another end\u2014that through it all, she stayed committed to the marriage. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBecause I <em>know<\/em> that, in a lot of situations, she could\u2019ve easily just said: \u201cYou know what? I didn\u2019t sign up for this. This is not what I planned, and it\u2019s not worth it.\u201d I think so many couples just throw up their hands and say: \u201cIt\u2019s not worth it. This is not what I imagined.\u201d But she didn\u2019t do that. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI told her, at the time: \u201cI thank you for not giving up. I know it\u2019s tough. I know it has to be an incredible feeling to be in the middle of not knowing if you\u2019re doing the right things for your kids, not knowing if you\u2019re doing the right things for your marriage.\u201d But the fact that, like I said, she stuck it out\u2014the fact that we were able to come closer together and not allow cracks in the foundation of our marriage\u2014I just appreciated her even more and loved her even more for that. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>And your empathy\u2014communicating back to her: \u201cThank you for telling me. Thank you for including\u2014this must be hard for you.\u201d Boy, that\u2019s <em>huge<\/em>; because it\u2019s you getting outside of just how it impacts you\u2014and stepping into her shoes and seeing that she is in an awkward situation\u2014and that you\u2019re sensitive to that. That has to make it a little bit easier for <em>you<\/em> to trust him with hard things\u2014I would think. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>It is\u2014I mean, it was. I definitely appreciated him just because I knew that he was trying. He is not perfect; you know, he was 28; I was in my 30s when we got married. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBut to your point, Ron\u2014I just appreciate Lamar; because a lot of times, he may have wanted to do things differently, but he didn\u2019t because of how he saw it impacted me. He may have been in his right to do certain things\u2014because this is his home or this is whatever\u2014but I saw him change course a lot of times just because of the way that I felt; or maybe I came and talked to him; or I saw him pull back and say, \u201cLet me look at this\u201d; or just change his behavior just because he wanted to make sure that I was alright. I think, if we do that for each other, we\u2019ll make it through the difficulties.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>Yes; do you remember any of those moments, where you felt like you had to\u2014you were really being sensitive to how it was impacting her and you let something go? \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>Yes; definitely so. I think a lot of times\u2014even with our son, in those early days\u2014a lot of times, there would be things, where if he was my biological son, I probably would have been more forceful towards discipline and things like that. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tOne of the things he would even say, sometimes, is, \u201cYou don\u2019t treat me like\u201d\u2014once we had our children together\u2014\u201cyou don\u2019t treat me like you treat your kids.\u201d One of the things that I would always think is, \u201cActually, if you were my biological kid, you\u2019d probably get treated a little bit worse and get dealt with a little bit differently\u201d; but there were times when he would do things, and I would let it go. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThe kind of things that really pushed me over the edge, more so, was when I saw him doing things to <em>her<\/em>. \u201cI can kind of let some stuff go if you\u2019re not doing this thing,\u201d or \u201c\u2026you\u2019re not doing that,\u201d or \u201c\u2026ways you disregard me.\u201d But because of my love for her, what I didn\u2019t feel like doing was seeing her disrespected, seeing her stressing and worried, or having to hit the roof because of different actions he may have been taking. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>Did that feel comfortable for you? Did it feel like he was criticizing your kids? How did that feel?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie:<\/strong> Looking back on it, I definitely appreciate it; because I see what he was trying to do. He would\u2014but sometimes, I would just roll my eyes or what have you\u2014but sometimes, when I let it set in, I <em>knew<\/em>\u2014I knew, regardless of what my response was, I knew that that was like a wakeup call. Sometimes, I\u2019m like: \u201cWell, I don\u2019t even know what else to do; because I\u2019ve already tried my best. I\u2019ve already exhausted all my parental tactics and skills\u201d; you know? [Laughter] \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t[Studio]\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Well again, that\u2019s an excerpt from Ron Deal\u2019s new podcast, called <em>FamilyLife Blended<\/em>. He\u2019s talking with Ronnie and Lamar Tyler about the challenges of stepparenting and of being a stepdad. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThis is where we have to remember\u2014whether it\u2019s a first marriage\/a second marriage; whether it\u2019s an intact family or a blended family\u2014we have to have the humility and we have to have the grace to be able to speak in love\/speak the truth in love and, then, to hear that truth when somebody shares it with us.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ann: <\/strong>Ooh, I can relate to Ronnie; because it\u2019s <em>hard<\/em> when someone speaks the truth to you, even though it\u2019s loving. Sometimes, our pride keeps us from hearing. But I <em>love<\/em> hearing that she could really take it. Maybe, it was hard for her to receive it; but she was learning from it.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dave: <\/strong>Yes; and I loved their honesty, because the truth is\u2014I don\u2019t receive this well. I hope I get better at this, but God wants to change me. He often will use somebody I don\u2019t expect. It\u2019s, many times, been my wife. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tRonnie just talked about how God\u2019s using Lamar, and it literally changed her and changed her family; because she had the humility to say, \u201cThis is God speaking through my spouse\u201d; so it\u2019s a beautiful picture. Even though it\u2019s hard, it\u2019s a beautiful picture of what God wants to do to shape us.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>When our spouse is saying something to us\u2014and we\u2019re feeling like, \u201cNo; you\u2019re wrong,\u201d and we want to fight back\u2014I think it\u2019s good for us to just stop for a minute and say: \u201cHang on. God, is this You?\u201d\u2014right?\u2014to have the humility to say, \u201cI\u2019m feeling like you\u2019re wrong, and off-base, and attacking; but just hang on,\u201d\u2014\u2018God, is there something You\u2019re saying through my spouse to me that I need to hear?\u2019\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThere\u2019s an acronym that Mary Ann and I have used in marriage: \u201cIf we can put on the right HAT.\u201d HAT stands for\u2014to be Humble, to be Accountable, to be Teachable. If we can put on the right HAT and say: \u201cAm I being humble? Am I being accountable? Am I being teachable?\u201d then, in that moment, God can speak to us through\u2014if He can speak through Balaam\u2019s donkey, He can speak through your spouse; don\u2019t you think? [Laughter]\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dave: <\/strong>I knew you were going to go there! [Laughter]\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Well, and I hope our listeners, who have not already started subscribing to <em>FamilyLife Blended<\/em>\u2014the podcast that Ron Deal is host of\u2014I hope you\u2019ll go to our website and subscribe. Listen to the entire conversation between Ron and Ronnie and Lamar Tyler. You can find information about the podcast on our website at FamilyLifeToday.com, along with information about resources from FamilyLife Blended<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>\u2014Ron Deal\u2019s books: <em>The Smart Stepfamily<\/em>, <em>The Smart Stepdad, The Smart Stepmom<\/em>\u2014there\u2019s a bunch of help for you available, online, at FamilyLifeToday.com. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tIf you are in a local church, or if you have a heart for stepfamily ministry, in October of 2019, FamilyLife will be hosting the <em>Summit on Stepfamily Ministry<\/em> in Chesapeake, Virginia. The theme of this year\u2019s summit is \u201cStepfamilies in Crisis,\u201d and there\u2019s special pricing available now. Get the details and plan to attend the <em>2019 Summit on Stepfamily Ministry<\/em>. Go to FamilyLifeToday.com for all the information, or call us if you have any questions at 1-800-FL-TODAY.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tYou know, Ron\u2019s podcast, <em>FamilyLife Blended<\/em>, is part of our strategy, here at FamilyLife, to see every home become a godly home to effectively develop godly marriages and families. The President of FamilyLife, David Robbins, is here with me. We have a desire to see blended couples thrive in their marriage and in their family for their sake and for the sake of the next generation.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>David: <\/strong>That\u2019s right; we want the marriages they are in to be a marriage that lasts and that affects the next generation.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Ron recently hosted an event called <em>Blended and Blessed<\/em>. We had thousands of people joining us\u2014via simulcast; people who were live at the event\u2014and got great response from people.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>David: <\/strong>Yes; all of these different quotes came in. It was so fun to see the activity on the livestream. One that just stood out, as I was reading it, was: \u201cYes, blended families are hard, but God is able. This <em>Blended and Blessed<\/em> event and just FamilyLife Blended is ready and waiting to offer the help that is so needed.\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThat\u2019s why I\u2019m so grateful that we have Ron Deal and that we are able to do events like this.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Well, and again, if you\u2019d like more information on how you can subscribe to the <em>FamilyLife Blended<\/em> podcast, go to our website, FamilyLifeToday.com; and the information you need is available there.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNow, one final note. We\u2019ve been mentioning, here, recently that the FamilyLife <em>Love Like You Mean It<\/em><sup>\u00ae<\/sup> marriage cruise in 2020\u2014 that\u2019s going to be our tenth anniversary cruise. We think anniversaries are a big deal and ought to be celebrated. That\u2019s why this year\u2019s cruise is going to be kind of a big deal, and we\u2019re right at the edge. I don\u2019t know if we sold out last week or not; but we\u2019re right there, almost sold out on the cruise. But we\u2019ve saved one cabin, because we want to give a <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> listener an opportunity to be our guest on the 2020 <em>Love Like You Mean It<\/em> marriage cruise. We\u2019d like you to come, and we have a cabin waiting for you.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tHere\u2019s how you can qualify to join us on the tenth anniversary <em>Love Like You Mean It<\/em> marriage cruise\u2014and by the way, this covers your cabin, your airfare for the two of you, and your night in the hotel before the cruise takes off; alright? To qualify, we have a little workout for you\u2014it\u2019s the \u201cStronger Forever Marriage Workout.\u201d You go to FamilyLifeToday.com, and you sign up to get this. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWe\u2019ll send you a PDF document; we\u2019ll send you emails to remind you of your workout schedule. There is both the cardio to get your heart pumping a little faster in your marriage, and there\u2019s strength training to strengthen your marital bonds. You can pick strength, or cardio, or a combination of the two. This is kind of like Beachbody<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> for your marriage; okay? It\u2019s all about building a stronger, healthier marriage, so the next time your anniversary rolls around, you\u2019re better ready to celebrate.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tOne of you who signs up to the get the information and participate in the \u201cStronger Forever\u201d workout schedule, we\u2019re going to draw your name; and you\u2019ll be our guests on the <em>Love Like You Mean It<\/em> marriage cruise. No purchase necessary to enter; the contest began July 1, 2019; it ends on August 30, 2019. The official rules can be found at FamilyLife.com\/StrongerForever. Sign up today, and who knows?\u2014maybe, you\u2019ll be selected to join us, as our guests, on the <em>Love Like You Mean It<\/em> marriage cruise in 2020.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAnd with that, we\u2019re done for today. I hope you can join us back tomorrow. We\u2019re going to introduce you to a young woman who, at the age of 17, told her mom she just had to come clean with the fact that she was attracted to other girls. You\u2019ll meet Jackie Hill Perry and hear her story tomorrow. I hope you can join us for that.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, along with our entire broadcast production team. On behalf of our hosts, Dave and Ann Wilson, I\u2019m Bob Lepine. We will see you back tomorrow for another edition of <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em>. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas; a Cru<sup>\u00ae <\/sup>Ministry. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWe are so happy to provide these transcripts to you. However, there is a cost to produce them for our website. If you\u2019ve benefited from the broadcast transcripts, would you consider <a href=\"http:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/donate\">donating today<\/a> to help defray the costs?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tCopyright <sup>\u00a9<\/sup> 2019 FamilyLife. All rights reserved.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/\">www.FamilyLife.com<\/a>\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t1\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>"],"_seopress_titles_title":[""],"_seopress_titles_desc":[""],"_seopress_robots_index":[""],"duration":["00:29:02"],"show_notes":[""],"_thumbnail_id":["294104"],"filesize":["26.59M"],"filesize_raw":["27878699"],"_uag_css_file_name":["uag-css-305121.css"],"_uag_js_file_name":["uag-js-305121.js"],"_uag_page_assets":["a:9:{s:3:\"css\";s:82560:\".wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-e11dbe9f{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-e11dbe9f > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;padding-top: 3em;padding-bottom: 3em;padding-left: 1.5em;padding-right: 1.5em;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;background-color: #f8f8f8;;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-e11dbe9f{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-e11dbe9f > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f{padding-top: 3px;padding-bottom: 3px;padding-left: 1.5px;padding-right: 1.5px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #f8f8f8;;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-e11dbe9f{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-e11dbe9f > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f{padding-top: 3px;padding-bottom: 3px;padding-left: 1.5px;padding-right: 1.5px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #f8f8f8;;}}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-85559158 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-85559158 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-85559158 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-85559158 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-85559158 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-85559158{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-85559158 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 960px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-85559158{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;padding-top: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 10px;padding-right: 10px;margin-top: 60px !important;margin-bottom: 60px !important;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-ea16301a{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-ea16301a > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a.uagb-layout-grid > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{row-gap: 40px;column-gap: 40px;grid-template-columns: minmax( 1px, 1fr)  minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;grid-template-rows: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;align-items: start;justify-items: stretch;align-content: stretch;justify-content: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;padding-top: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 0px;padding-right: 0px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a.wp-block-uagb-container > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not( .spectra-container-link-overlay ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox):not(.wp-block-uagb-lottie):not(.uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap){width: auto !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a.wp-block-uagb-container > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox){width: auto !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-26ccc5c9 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-26ccc5c9 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-26ccc5c9 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-26ccc5c9 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-26ccc5c9 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-26ccc5c9{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-26ccc5c9 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: flex-start;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-26ccc5c9{min-height: 710px;box-shadow: 3px 7px 7px -1px rgba(0,0,0,0.15) ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;background-color: #ffffff;;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: flex-start;flex-wrap: nowrap;align-self: start;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-84f50fa3 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-84f50fa3 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-84f50fa3 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-84f50fa3 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-84f50fa3 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;background: url(https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2024\/07\/Grow-with-your-family_545x307.jpg) 50% 50%;;background-size: cover;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-84f50fa3{max-width: 100vw;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-84f50fa3 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-84f50fa3{min-height: 250px;box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;background-repeat: no-repeat;background-position: 50% 50%;background-size: cover;background-attachment: scroll;background-image: url(https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2025\/03\/Grow-with-your-family_545x307.webp);background-clip: padding-box;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-271bf38d .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-271bf38d .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-271bf38d .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-271bf38d .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-271bf38d .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-271bf38d{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-271bf38d > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;row-gap: 40px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-271bf38d{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;padding-top: 20px;padding-bottom: 40px;padding-left: 40px;padding-right: 40px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;row-gap: 40px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-ab8d0982{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-ab8d0982 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982.uagb-layout-grid{row-gap: 8px;column-gap: 8px;grid-template-columns: auto  minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;grid-template-rows: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;align-items: stretch;justify-items: stretch;align-content: stretch;justify-content: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982.wp-block-uagb-container > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not( .spectra-container-link-overlay ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox):not(.wp-block-uagb-lottie):not(.uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap){width: auto !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982.wp-block-uagb-container > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox){width: auto !important;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d4c1a7e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-heading-text{color: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d4c1a7e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-desc-text{margin-bottom: 15px;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d4c1a7e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight{font-style: normal;font-weight: Default;background: #007cba;color: #fff;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d4c1a7e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::-moz-selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d4c1a7e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d4c1a7e3 .uagb-heading-text{font-weight: 300;font-size: 16px;}.uagb-block-f9d54988.wp-block-uagb-separator{text-align: left;}.uagb-block-f9d54988.wp-block-uagb-separator--text .wp-block-uagb-separator-element .uagb-html-tag{font-style: normal;line-height: 1em;}.uagb-block-f9d54988 .uagb-separator-spacing-wrapper{padding-top: 4px;padding-bottom: 4px;}.uagb-block-f9d54988.wp-block-uagb-separator:not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--text):not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--icon) .wp-block-uagb-separator__inner{-webkit-mask-size: 5px 100%;border-top-width: 3px;width: 100%;border-top-color: #eabe5e;border-top-style: solid;margin-top: 5px;margin-bottom: 5px;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-3208cc36.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-heading-text{color: #006a5a;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-3208cc36.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-desc-text{margin-bottom: 15px;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-3208cc36.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight{font-style: normal;font-weight: Default;background: #007cba;color: #fff;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-3208cc36.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::-moz-selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-3208cc36.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-3208cc36 .uagb-heading-text{font-weight: 400;font-size: 26px;line-height: 1.2em;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .uagb-icon-list__source-image{width: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap svg{width: 18px;height: 18px;font-size: 18px;color: #1573a2;fill: #1573a2;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{padding: 0px;border-radius: 0px;border-width: 0px;align-self: center;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__label{font-size: 20px;text-decoration: !important;line-height: em;color: #1573a2;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .uagb-icon-list__wrap{display: flex;flex-direction: column;justify-content: center;-webkit-box-pack: center;-ms-flex-pack: center;-webkit-box-align: flex-start;-ms-flex-align: flex-start;align-items: flex-start;padding-top: 0px;padding-right: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 0px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .uagb-icon-list__label{text-align: left;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child{text-decoration: !important;font-size: 20px;line-height: em;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd.wp-block-uagb-icon-list .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child{margin-left: 0;margin-right: 0;margin-bottom: 24px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{margin-left: 15px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child {flex-direction: row-reverse;}.uagb-block-fdd052c2.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-fdd052c2.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-679dc0da.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-679dc0da.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-fbb8dca6.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-fbb8dca6.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-b5e9a44d.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-b5e9a44d.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-10525170.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-10525170.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-48a597f8 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-48a597f8 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-48a597f8 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-48a597f8 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-48a597f8 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-48a597f8{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-48a597f8 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: flex-start;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-48a597f8{min-height: 710px;box-shadow: 3px 7px 7px -1px rgba(0,0,0,0.15) ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;background-color: #ffffff;;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: flex-start;flex-wrap: nowrap;align-self: start;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-22a41c70 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-22a41c70 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-22a41c70 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-22a41c70 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-22a41c70 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;background: url(https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2024\/07\/Grow-with-your-family_545x307.jpg) 50% 50%;;background-size: cover;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-22a41c70{max-width: 100vw;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-22a41c70 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-22a41c70{min-height: 250px;box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;background-repeat: no-repeat;background-position: 50% 50%;background-size: cover;background-attachment: scroll;background-image: url(https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2025\/03\/HelpFamiliesGrow2.webp);background-clip: padding-box;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-562935bf .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-562935bf .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-562935bf .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-562935bf .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-562935bf .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-562935bf{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-562935bf > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;row-gap: 40px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-562935bf{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;padding-top: 20px;padding-bottom: 40px;padding-left: 40px;padding-right: 40px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;row-gap: 40px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-5a1442f2{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-5a1442f2 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2.uagb-layout-grid{row-gap: 8px;column-gap: 8px;grid-template-columns: auto  minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;grid-template-rows: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;align-items: stretch;justify-items: stretch;align-content: stretch;justify-content: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2.wp-block-uagb-container > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not( .spectra-container-link-overlay ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox):not(.wp-block-uagb-lottie):not(.uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap){width: auto !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2.wp-block-uagb-container > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox){width: auto !important;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d9c0200f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-heading-text{color: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d9c0200f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-desc-text{margin-bottom: 15px;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d9c0200f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight{font-style: normal;font-weight: Default;background: #007cba;color: #fff;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d9c0200f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::-moz-selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d9c0200f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d9c0200f .uagb-heading-text{font-weight: 300;font-size: 16px;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e.wp-block-uagb-separator{text-align: left;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e.wp-block-uagb-separator--text .wp-block-uagb-separator-element .uagb-html-tag{font-style: normal;line-height: 1em;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e .uagb-separator-spacing-wrapper{padding-top: 4px;padding-bottom: 4px;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e.wp-block-uagb-separator:not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--text):not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--icon) .wp-block-uagb-separator__inner{-webkit-mask-size: 5px 100%;border-top-width: 3px;width: 100%;border-top-color: #eabe5e;border-top-style: solid;margin-top: 5px;margin-bottom: 5px;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-31f155e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-heading-text{color: #006a5a;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-31f155e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-desc-text{margin-bottom: 15px;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-31f155e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight{font-style: normal;font-weight: Default;background: #007cba;color: #fff;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-31f155e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::-moz-selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-31f155e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-31f155e3 .uagb-heading-text{font-weight: 400;font-size: 26px;line-height: 1.2em;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .uagb-icon-list__source-image{width: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap svg{width: 18px;height: 18px;font-size: 18px;color: #1573a2;fill: #1573a2;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{padding: 0px;border-radius: 0px;border-width: 0px;align-self: center;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__label{font-size: 20px;text-decoration: !important;line-height: em;color: #1573a2;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .uagb-icon-list__wrap{display: flex;flex-direction: column;justify-content: center;-webkit-box-pack: center;-ms-flex-pack: center;-webkit-box-align: flex-start;-ms-flex-align: flex-start;align-items: flex-start;padding-top: 0px;padding-right: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 0px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .uagb-icon-list__label{text-align: left;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child{text-decoration: !important;font-size: 20px;line-height: em;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64.wp-block-uagb-icon-list .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child{margin-left: 0;margin-right: 0;margin-bottom: 24px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{margin-left: 15px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child {flex-direction: row-reverse;}.uagb-block-83befcbf.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-83befcbf.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-75d2f158.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-75d2f158.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-0d14af90.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-0d14af90.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-4dd6f9d3.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-4dd6f9d3.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-28c58e21.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}.uagb-block-28c58e21.wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child:hover .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{background:  !important;border-color:  !important;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-85559158{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-85559158 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-85559158{padding-top: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 10px;padding-right: 10px;margin-top: 60px !important;margin-bottom: 60px !important;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-ea16301a{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-ea16301a > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a.uagb-layout-grid > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{grid-template-columns: minmax( 1px, 1fr)  minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;grid-template-rows: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;align-items: stretch;justify-items: stretch;align-content: stretch;justify-content: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a{padding-top: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 0px;padding-right: 0px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-26ccc5c9{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-26ccc5c9 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-26ccc5c9{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #ffffff;;grid-column: span 1;grid-row: span 1;align-self: stretch;justify-self: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-84f50fa3{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-84f50fa3 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-84f50fa3{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-position: 54% 48%;background-size: cover;background-image: url(https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2025\/03\/Grow-with-your-family_545x307.webp);background-clip: padding-box;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-271bf38d{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-271bf38d > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-271bf38d{padding-top: 20px;padding-bottom: 40px;padding-left: 40px;padding-right: 40px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-ab8d0982{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-ab8d0982 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982.uagb-layout-grid{grid-template-columns: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;grid-template-rows: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;align-items: stretch;justify-items: stretch;align-content: stretch;justify-content: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982.wp-block-uagb-container > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not( .spectra-container-link-overlay ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox):not(.wp-block-uagb-lottie):not(.uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap){width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982.wp-block-uagb-container > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox){width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d4c1a7e3 .uagb-heading-text{font-size: 12px;letter-spacing: 1px;}.uagb-block-f9d54988.wp-block-uagb-separator{text-align: center;}.uagb-block-f9d54988.wp-block-uagb-separator--text .wp-block-uagb-separator-element .uagb-html-tag{font-style: normal;margin-bottom: initial;line-height: 1em;}.uagb-block-f9d54988 .uagb-separator-spacing-wrapper{padding-top: 10px;padding-bottom: 10px;}.uagb-block-f9d54988.wp-block-uagb-separator:not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--text):not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--icon) .wp-block-uagb-separator__inner{-webkit-mask-size: 5px 100%;width: 100%;border-top-color: #eabe5e;border-top-style: solid;margin-top: 5px;margin-bottom: 5px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .uagb-icon-list__source-image{width: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap svg{width: 18px;height: 18px;font-size: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap {padding: 0px;border-width: 0px;align-self: center;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .uagb-icon-list__wrap{display: flex;flex-direction: column;justify-content: center;-webkit-box-pack: center;-ms-flex-pack: center;-webkit-box-align: flex-start;-ms-flex-align: flex-start;align-items: flex-start;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd.wp-block-uagb-icon-list .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child{margin-left: 0;margin-right: 0;margin-bottom: 24px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-48a597f8{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-48a597f8 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-48a597f8{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #ffffff;;grid-column: span 1;grid-row: span 1;align-self: stretch;justify-self: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-22a41c70{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-22a41c70 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-22a41c70{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-position: 54% 48%;background-size: cover;background-image: url(https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2025\/03\/HelpFamiliesGrow2.webp);background-clip: padding-box;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-562935bf{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-562935bf > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-562935bf{padding-top: 20px;padding-bottom: 40px;padding-left: 40px;padding-right: 40px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-5a1442f2{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-5a1442f2 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2.uagb-layout-grid{grid-template-columns: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;grid-template-rows: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;align-items: stretch;justify-items: stretch;align-content: stretch;justify-content: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2.wp-block-uagb-container > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not( .spectra-container-link-overlay ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox):not(.wp-block-uagb-lottie):not(.uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap){width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2.wp-block-uagb-container > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox){width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d9c0200f .uagb-heading-text{font-size: 12px;letter-spacing: 1px;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e.wp-block-uagb-separator{text-align: center;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e.wp-block-uagb-separator--text .wp-block-uagb-separator-element .uagb-html-tag{font-style: normal;margin-bottom: initial;line-height: 1em;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e .uagb-separator-spacing-wrapper{padding-top: 10px;padding-bottom: 10px;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e.wp-block-uagb-separator:not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--text):not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--icon) .wp-block-uagb-separator__inner{-webkit-mask-size: 5px 100%;width: 100%;border-top-color: #eabe5e;border-top-style: solid;margin-top: 5px;margin-bottom: 5px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .uagb-icon-list__source-image{width: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap svg{width: 18px;height: 18px;font-size: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap {padding: 0px;border-width: 0px;align-self: center;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .uagb-icon-list__wrap{display: flex;flex-direction: column;justify-content: center;-webkit-box-pack: center;-ms-flex-pack: center;-webkit-box-align: flex-start;-ms-flex-align: flex-start;align-items: flex-start;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64.wp-block-uagb-icon-list .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child{margin-left: 0;margin-right: 0;margin-bottom: 24px;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-85559158{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-85559158 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-85559158{padding-top: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 10px;padding-right: 10px;margin-top: 60px !important;margin-bottom: 60px !important;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-ea16301a{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-ea16301a > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a.uagb-layout-grid > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{grid-template-columns: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;grid-template-rows: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;align-items: stretch;justify-items: stretch;align-content: stretch;justify-content: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ea16301a{padding-top: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 0px;padding-right: 0px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-26ccc5c9{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-26ccc5c9 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-26ccc5c9{padding-top: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 0px;padding-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;order: initial;background-color: #ffffff;;flex-wrap: wrap;grid-column: span 1;grid-row: span 1;align-self: stretch;justify-self: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-84f50fa3{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-84f50fa3 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-84f50fa3{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-image: url(https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2025\/03\/Grow-with-your-family_545x307.webp);background-clip: padding-box;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-271bf38d{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-271bf38d > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-271bf38d{padding-top: 20px;padding-bottom: 40px;padding-left: 40px;padding-right: 40px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-ab8d0982{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-ab8d0982 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982.uagb-layout-grid{grid-template-columns: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;grid-template-rows: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;align-items: stretch;justify-items: stretch;align-content: stretch;justify-content: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982.wp-block-uagb-container > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not( .spectra-container-link-overlay ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox):not(.wp-block-uagb-lottie):not(.uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap){width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ab8d0982.wp-block-uagb-container > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox){width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d4c1a7e3.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading {padding-left: 40px;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d4c1a7e3 .uagb-heading-text{letter-spacing: 4px;}.uagb-block-f9d54988.wp-block-uagb-separator{text-align: center;}.uagb-block-f9d54988.wp-block-uagb-separator--text .wp-block-uagb-separator-element .uagb-html-tag{font-style: normal;margin-bottom: initial;line-height: 1em;}.uagb-block-f9d54988 .uagb-separator-spacing-wrapper{padding-top: 10px;padding-bottom: 10px;}.uagb-block-f9d54988.wp-block-uagb-separator:not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--text):not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--icon) .wp-block-uagb-separator__inner{-webkit-mask-size: 5px 100%;width: 100%;border-top-color: #eabe5e;border-top-style: solid;margin-top: 5px;margin-bottom: 5px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .uagb-icon-list__source-image{width: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap svg{width: 18px;height: 18px;font-size: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{padding: 0px;border-width: 0px;align-self: center;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd .uagb-icon-list__wrap{display: flex;flex-direction: column;justify-content: center;-webkit-box-pack: center;-ms-flex-pack: center;-webkit-box-align: flex-start;-ms-flex-align: flex-start;align-items: flex-start;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-cbb8c5bd.wp-block-uagb-icon-list .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child{margin-left: 0;margin-right: 0;margin-bottom: 24px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-48a597f8{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-48a597f8 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-48a597f8{padding-top: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 0px;padding-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;order: initial;background-color: #ffffff;;flex-wrap: wrap;grid-column: span 1;grid-row: span 1;align-self: stretch;justify-self: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-22a41c70{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-22a41c70 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-22a41c70{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-image: url(https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2025\/03\/HelpFamiliesGrow2.webp);background-clip: padding-box;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-562935bf{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-562935bf > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-562935bf{padding-top: 20px;padding-bottom: 40px;padding-left: 40px;padding-right: 40px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-5a1442f2{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-5a1442f2 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2.uagb-layout-grid{grid-template-columns: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;grid-template-rows: minmax( 1px, 1fr) ;align-items: stretch;justify-items: stretch;align-content: stretch;justify-content: stretch;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2.wp-block-uagb-container > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not( .spectra-container-link-overlay ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox):not(.wp-block-uagb-lottie):not(.uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap){width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5a1442f2.wp-block-uagb-container > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox){width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d9c0200f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading {padding-left: 40px;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-d9c0200f .uagb-heading-text{letter-spacing: 4px;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e.wp-block-uagb-separator{text-align: center;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e.wp-block-uagb-separator--text .wp-block-uagb-separator-element .uagb-html-tag{font-style: normal;margin-bottom: initial;line-height: 1em;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e .uagb-separator-spacing-wrapper{padding-top: 10px;padding-bottom: 10px;}.uagb-block-aa17f10e.wp-block-uagb-separator:not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--text):not(.wp-block-uagb-separator--icon) .wp-block-uagb-separator__inner{-webkit-mask-size: 5px 100%;width: 100%;border-top-color: #eabe5e;border-top-style: solid;margin-top: 5px;margin-bottom: 5px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .uagb-icon-list__source-image{width: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap svg{width: 18px;height: 18px;font-size: 18px;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child .uagb-icon-list__source-wrap{padding: 0px;border-width: 0px;align-self: center;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64 .uagb-icon-list__wrap{display: flex;flex-direction: column;justify-content: center;-webkit-box-pack: center;-ms-flex-pack: center;-webkit-box-align: flex-start;-ms-flex-align: flex-start;align-items: flex-start;}.wp-block-uagb-icon-list.uagb-block-ced20c64.wp-block-uagb-icon-list .wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child{margin-left: 0;margin-right: 0;margin-bottom: 24px;}}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ecebc267 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ecebc267 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ecebc267 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ecebc267 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ecebc267 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-ecebc267{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ecebc267{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;background: linear-gradient(130deg, #ffffff 60%, #f8f8f8 46%);;background-clip: padding-box;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-ecebc267{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ecebc267{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background: linear-gradient(130deg, #ffffff 60%, #f8f8f8 46%);;background-clip: padding-box;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-ecebc267{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-ecebc267{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background: linear-gradient(130deg, #ffffff 60%, #f8f8f8 46%);;background-clip: padding-box;flex-wrap: wrap;}}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-8d4ac8a0{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: row;align-items: flex-start;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;row-gap: 32px;column-gap: 32px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;padding-top: 80px;padding-bottom: 80px;padding-left: 12px;padding-right: 12px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;row-gap: 32px;column-gap: 32px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{max-width: 25%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;max-width: 25% !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{max-width: 25%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;max-width: 25% !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{max-width: 25%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;max-width: 25% !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{max-width: 25%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;max-width: 25% !important;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-8d4ac8a0{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0{padding-top: 80px;padding-bottom: 80px;padding-left: 12px;padding-right: 12px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;max-width:  !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;max-width:  !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;max-width:  !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;max-width:  !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-8d4ac8a0{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-8d4ac8a0{padding-top: 80px;padding-bottom: 80px;padding-left: 12px;padding-right: 12px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;flex-wrap: wrap;max-width: 100% !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;flex-wrap: wrap;max-width: 100% !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;flex-wrap: wrap;max-width: 100% !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-047d9c4f{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-047d9c4f{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;flex-wrap: wrap;max-width: 100% !important;}}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662.wp-block-uagb-container{color: #ffffff;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662.wp-block-uagb-container *{color: #ffffff;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-f064f662{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-f064f662 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;row-gap: 20px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;padding-top: 20px;padding-bottom: 20px;padding-left: 12px;padding-right: 12px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;background-color: #25282a;;row-gap: 20px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-dbd5f6c0{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: row;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;row-gap: 20px;column-gap: 32px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;flex-direction: row;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;row-gap: 20px;column-gap: 32px;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0.wp-block-uagb-container > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not( .spectra-container-link-overlay ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox):not(.wp-block-uagb-lottie):not(.uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap){width: auto !important;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0.wp-block-uagb-container > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap > *:not( .wp-block-uagb-column ):not( .wp-block-uagb-section ):not( .uagb-container__shape ):not( .uagb-container__video-wrap ):not( .uagb-slider-container ):not(.spectra-image-gallery__control-lightbox){width: auto !important;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default figure img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure figcaption{font-style: normal;align-self: center;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay figure img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{opacity: 0.2;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner{left: 15px;right: 15px;top: 15px;bottom: 15px;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-heading{font-style: normal;color: #fff;opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-heading a{color: #fff;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-caption{opacity: 0;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-separator{width: 30%;border-top-width: 2px;border-top-color: #fff;opacity: 0;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{width: 292px;height: 48px;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-caption{opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-separator{opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default figure:hover img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay figure:hover img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-f064f662{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-f064f662 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662{padding-top: 20px;padding-bottom: 20px;padding-left: 12px;padding-right: 12px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #25282a;;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-dbd5f6c0{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{width: 280px;height: 45px;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-f064f662{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-f064f662 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-f064f662{padding-top: 20px;padding-bottom: 20px;padding-left: 12px;padding-right: 12px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #25282a;;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-dbd5f6c0{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-dbd5f6c0{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;flex-wrap: wrap;}.uagb-block-644e4891.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{width: 280px;height: 45px;}}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-beb12949{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-beb12949 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;background-color: #006c5b;;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-beb12949{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-beb12949 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #006c5b;;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-beb12949{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-beb12949 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #006c5b;;}}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-beb12949{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-beb12949 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;background-color: #006c5b;;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-beb12949{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-beb12949 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #006c5b;;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-beb12949{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-beb12949 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-beb12949{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #006c5b;;}}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5096eaa1 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5096eaa1 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5096eaa1 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5096eaa1 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5096eaa1 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-5096eaa1{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-5096eaa1 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5096eaa1{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-color: inherit;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-89b3b7a8 .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-89b3b7a8 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-89b3b7a8 .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-89b3b7a8 .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-89b3b7a8 .uagb-container__video-wrap video{opacity: 1;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-89b3b7a8{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-89b3b7a8 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1320px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-direction: column;align-items: center;justify-content: center;flex-wrap: nowrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-89b3b7a8{box-shadow: 0px 0px   #00000070 ;padding-top: 2em;padding-bottom: 2em;padding-left: 2em;padding-right: 2em;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;overflow: visible;order: initial;border-top-left-radius: 30px;border-top-right-radius: 30px;border-bottom-left-radius: 30px;border-bottom-right-radius: 30px;border-color: inherit;background-color: #ebebeb;;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-97ee3d2f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-desc-text{margin-bottom: 15px;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-97ee3d2f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight{font-style: normal;font-weight: Default;background: #007cba;color: #fff;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-97ee3d2f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::-moz-selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading.uagb-block-97ee3d2f.wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading .uagb-highlight::selection{color: #fff;background: #007cba;-webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;}.uagb-block-232092dc.wp-block-uagb-buttons.uagb-buttons__outer-wrap .uagb-buttons__wrap {gap: 10px;}.uagb-block-232092dc.uagb-buttons__outer-wrap .uagb-buttons__wrap {justify-content: left;align-items: center;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611.wp-block-uagb-buttons-child .uagb-buttons-repeater{background: #f3bd48;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .wp-block-button__link{background: #f3bd48;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .wp-block-button__link:hover{background: #f4deaa;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .wp-block-button__link:focus{background: #f4deaa;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-button__wrapper .uagb-buttons-repeater{color: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .wp-block-button__link.has-text-color:hover .uagb-button__link{color: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .wp-block-button__link.has-text-color:focus .uagb-button__link{color: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-button__wrapper  .uagb-buttons-repeater.wp-block-button__link{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000026;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-button__wrapper  .uagb-buttons-repeater.wp-block-button__link:hover{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000026;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater.wp-block-button__link{border-color: #333;border-style: none;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater.wp-block-button__link:hover{border-color: #333;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater.wp-block-button__link:focus{border-color: #333;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611.wp-block-button.is-style-outline .uagb-button__wrapper .wp-block-button__link.uagb-buttons-repeater{border-color: #333;border-style: none;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611.wp-block-button.is-style-outline .uagb-button__wrapper .wp-block-button__link.uagb-buttons-repeater:hover{border-color: #333;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater .uagb-button__link{color: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater:hover .uagb-button__link{color: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater:focus .uagb-button__link{color: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater .uagb-button__icon > svg{width: 15px;height: 15px;fill: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater:hover .uagb-button__icon > svg{fill: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater:focus .uagb-button__icon > svg{fill: #25282a;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater .uagb-button__icon-position-after{margin-left: 8px;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater .uagb-button__icon-position-before{margin-right: 8px;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-button__link{text-transform: normal;text-decoration: none;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-5096eaa1{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-5096eaa1 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5096eaa1{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-89b3b7a8{width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-89b3b7a8 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 1024px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-89b3b7a8{padding-top: 2px;padding-bottom: 2px;padding-left: 2px;padding-right: 2px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #ebebeb;;}.uagb-block-232092dc.uagb-buttons__outer-wrap .uagb-buttons__wrap {justify-content: center;align-items: center;}.uagb-block-232092dc.uagb-buttons__outer-wrap .uagb-buttons__wrap .wp-block-button{width: auto;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611.wp-block-button.is-style-outline .uagb-button__wrapper .wp-block-button__link.uagb-buttons-repeater{border-style: none;border-color: #333;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater.wp-block-button__link{border-style: none;border-color: #333;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-5096eaa1{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-5096eaa1 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-5096eaa1{margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container .uagb-block-89b3b7a8{max-width: 100%;width: 100%;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-is-root-container.alignfull.uagb-block-89b3b7a8 > .uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap{--inner-content-custom-width: min( 100%, 767px);max-width: var(--inner-content-custom-width);width: 100%;flex-wrap: wrap;}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-89b3b7a8{padding-top: 2px;padding-bottom: 2px;padding-left: 2px;padding-right: 2px;margin-top:  !important;margin-bottom:  !important;order: initial;background-color: #ebebeb;;}.uagb-block-232092dc.uagb-buttons__outer-wrap .uagb-buttons__wrap {justify-content: center;align-items: center;}.uagb-block-232092dc.uagb-buttons__outer-wrap .uagb-buttons__wrap .wp-block-button{width: auto;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611.wp-block-button.is-style-outline .uagb-button__wrapper .wp-block-button__link.uagb-buttons-repeater{border-style: none;border-color: #333;}.wp-block-uagb-buttons .uagb-block-00708611 .uagb-buttons-repeater.wp-block-button__link{border-style: none;border-color: #333;}}\";s:2:\"js\";s:161:\"document.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function(){ window.addEventListener( 'load', function() {\n\tUAGBButtonChild.init( '.uagb-block-00708611' );\n});\n });\";s:18:\"current_block_list\";a:17:{i:0;s:14:\"uagb\/container\";i:1;s:12:\"core\/heading\";i:2;s:9:\"core\/html\";i:3;s:10:\"core\/group\";i:6;s:21:\"uagb\/advanced-heading\";i:7;s:14:\"uagb\/separator\";i:8;s:14:\"uagb\/icon-list\";i:9;s:20:\"uagb\/icon-list-child\";i:10;s:11:\"core\/search\";i:13;s:18:\"core\/legacy-widget\";i:16;s:10:\"uagb\/image\";i:17;s:17:\"core\/social-links\";i:18;s:16:\"core\/social-link\";i:19;s:14:\"core\/paragraph\";i:20;s:30:\"meta-box\/fl-conditional-blocks\";i:21;s:12:\"uagb\/buttons\";i:22;s:18:\"uagb\/buttons-child\";}s:8:\"uag_flag\";b:1;s:11:\"uag_version\";i:1776513801;s:6:\"gfonts\";a:1:{s:7:\"Default\";a:2:{s:10:\"fontfamily\";s:7:\"Default\";s:12:\"fontvariants\";a:0:{}}}s:10:\"gfonts_url\";s:71:\"\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css?family=Default&subset=latin&display=fallback\";s:12:\"gfonts_files\";a:0:{}s:14:\"uag_faq_layout\";b:0;}"]},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2024\/09\/FLT-Podcast-Cover-2-508x508-3.jpg",508,508,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"kfairris@familylife.com","author_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/author\/kfairrisfamilylife-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Ronnie Tyler may have been in love with her husband, Lamar, but she wasn't that interested in his help with raising her two children. Ron Deal explores the complex nuances of blended relationships.","meta_box":{"show_notes":"","transcript_url":"https:\/\/transcript.familylifetoday.com\/fl2019-07-01.pdf","transcript_content":"<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Ronnie Tyler remembers there were things about being in a blended family that surprised her.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>I didn\u2019t know that I wouldn\u2019t like to see someone else discipline the kids or, you know: \u201cIs he strict on these kids because they\u2019re <em>my<\/em> kids?\u201d or \u201cIs he just strict? I don\u2019t know.\u201d I never wanted anyone to say, \u201cOh, you married this man and you allowed him to\u2026\u201d you know?\u2014so it was all of those thoughts going through. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI\u2019m like: \u201cOkay, this is husband over here; these kids are, <em>clearly<\/em>, not acting right,\u201d you know. [Laughter] Then, I still have those feelings, like: \u201cOkay; how do we handle this?\u201d and \u201cHow do I talk to <em>him<\/em> about what I\u2019m feeling?\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>This is <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> for Monday, July 1<sup>st<\/sup>. Our hosts are Dave and Ann Wilson; I'm Bob Lepine. There are lots of surprises that come with being stepparents. We\u2019ll hear from Ronnie and Lamar Tyler about some of what they\u2019ve experienced. Stay with us.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAnd welcome to <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em>. Thanks for joining us. If I was to pull back and think about jobs I would not do well in\u2014I mean, like nuclear scientist\u2014I would not be a good nuclear scientist\/astrophysicist\u2014stuff that requires math and science would not be where I would excel. [Laughter] But honestly, one of the toughest jobs, I think, in America is stepmom or stepdad\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ann: <\/strong>I agree.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>\u2014because the relational dynamics\u2014I mean, being a mom or a dad\u2019s hard. Being a stepmom or a stepdad\u2014and trying to work through all that\u2019s wrapped up in that\u2014man, we\u2019re talking about something that\u2019s really challenging!\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dave: <\/strong>You know, I would have to agree. I mean, I honestly think I\u2019d rather be a rocket scientist\u2014and I couldn\u2019t do it\u2014but to step in, and try to lead a family, and <em>blend<\/em> that family together\u2014that is a tall, tall task.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Well, and you have some experience with this, as we\u2019ve shared before. You grew up in a family, where your dad left, and you had a stepdad come in; right?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dave: <\/strong>Yes; I had a stepdad come in\u2014well, actually I had a <em>stepmom<\/em> come in with her son. I was that other son, and I resented it. I didn\u2019t want to like her, even though my dad\u2019s in love with her\u2014I\u2019m like: \u201cI don\u2019t want you in my life. I didn\u2019t make this choice; <em>you<\/em> did. So what do I do with that?\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Yes; well, we are going to hear today an excerpt from a new podcast that our friend, Ron Deal, has begun. It\u2019s a podcast called <em>FamilyLife Blended<\/em>, and it\u2019s just gotten underway. In fact, if you want to find out more about this podcast or any of the other podcasts that we\u2019re creating, here at FamilyLife<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>, you can go to FamilyLifeToday.com and the information\u2019s available there. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThis is one of the episodes from Ron\u2019s podcast, where he sat down and talked with Ronnie and Lamar Tyler. Ronnie and Lamar are a husband and wife, who live in Atlanta. They have a ministry called Black and Married with Kids. It\u2019s the largest independent African-American marriage and parenting site on the web. Ronnie and Lamar have four children, and Lamar\u2019s journey into being a stepdad was a tough journey. They had a hard path to follow, and that\u2019s one of the things they talked about when they sat down for the podcast with Ron Deal.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t[Podcast]\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>Coming into the situation, I definitely had some assumptions that Ronnie\u2019s kids would take a liking to me and keep a liking to me. I think that the first part\u2014they took a liking to me\u2014I don\u2019t think they necessarily kept a liking to me.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tImmediately, in the short term, I was definitely thinking that I would be able to step in, not necessarily\u2014I didn\u2019t want to replace their dad\u2014but I was thinking that I could be a father-like figure for them\u2014like a strong male role model for them\/a strong father figure for them to pick up the slack in any areas that they needed. I thought they would be receptive to that. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWhat I can say is\u2014I also thought that our friends and family\u2014because I think everyone respected me, I thought they would respect my role in Ronnie\u2019s life and our relationship, if I can say that. Those are all the things I came, into it, thinking would happen; and they didn\u2019t necessarily fall out and play out that way. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>Okay; even as he shares those, Ronnie, can you identify an assumption that you had about how your kids would get along with him? What was your side of that?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>I mean, to be honest, I just assumed everybody was going to get along. I just\u2014you know, I just assumed that.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>\u2014why not?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>Yes; why not? I never stopped to think any differently.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>Did they get along well in the beginning?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>Yes; I think they got along well in the beginning.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>They took to him. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>Yes.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>That feeds, of course, the assumption that that\u2019s just going to continue to go forward. It started off well; why would it not?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>It definitely does. I think, a lot of times, what I was thinking\u2014I think what a lot of people think is [before the wedding]: \u201cOkay; based off their first impression, and the first impression is good: \u2018Okay; we\u2019re good.\u2019 The first month is good; the first year\u2019s good: \u2018Hey, we\u2019re through the weeds,\u2019 and \u2018If we can get all the way through the wedding, and everything is still fine, I think that, okay\u2019\u2014we feel like\u2014\u2018Okay; we got this thing under control. We\u2019re making all the right moves; doing all the right things,\u2019\u201d only to find out that may not be the case. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>I\u2019m reflecting on your comment about when you were making the film, <em>Blended<\/em>, discovering that lots of people have a very similar journey. Of course, not all the details are exactly the same; but there\u2019s a similar flow to it. What you just said is a <em>very<\/em> common experience, I think, for couples in blended families. Things started off pretty good: \u201cThe kids were open, and we get along. We kind of hang out.\u201d You\u2019re spending time with her kids, and that seemed to go well. With a little bit of time, you just feel like: \u201cOkay; we\u2019ve got momentum. All those stories we hear about other people\u2014that\u2019s not going to be us.\u201d But it did turn a corner somewhere.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>It definitely did. One of the things I\u2019ll often think about, with stepfamily situations and with the stepparent, is that everyone\u2014the children to the family and everyone around\u2014always wants you to love the child as if they were your own; but they only want the good part of love. [Laughter] That means take them to Disney, hug them, kiss them\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>\u2014buy them stuff. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar:<\/strong> Exactly\u2014buy them stuff, tuck them in at night. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBut I don\u2019t feel like they want the stern parts of love\u2014the correction. If they\u2019re not doing the right things, correcting them\/putting them on the right path\u2014the discipline parts of love and those other pieces like that. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI think, once we were living together, all under one roof and we were married, then maybe with our son\u2014he would do something that I may deem as disrespectful; or Ronnie may tell him, \u201cHey, do \u2018x,\u2019 \u2018y,\u2019 and \u2018z,\u2019\u201d and he didn\u2019t do all of those things\u2014and I would step in. I think that\u2019s when we, initially, began to butt heads.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>Yes; it\u2019s like: \u201cWait a minute! What just happened? I thought we were okay. Now, you\u2019re looking at me like I\u2019m a stranger\u2014like you don\u2019t have that same respect for me that you did ten minutes ago.\u201d Is that what it was like for you? \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>Yes; you definitely do. I always think, in those situations, it feels like the child\u2014hands on their hip, ready to draw, at all moments\u2014like their weapon against you, which is the dreaded: \u201cWell, you\u2019re not my <em>dad<\/em>,\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re not my <em>mom<\/em>,\u201d\u2014right?\u2014\u201cI don\u2019t have to listen to you,\u201d\u2014and all these types of things.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI think where it starts to become a slippery slope is when other people around them can also be feeding those thoughts into them\u2014whether it\u2019s friends, or whether it\u2019s family, or whether it\u2019s the other biological parent, or it\u2019s not just everyone not being on the same page and being on board to move the family together in the right direction. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>Yes; Ronnie, I\u2019m wondering\u2014as you begin to watch this go differently, now, for your child and Lamar\u2014what was going on in you? \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>I just had a lot of feelings\u2014because it just wasn\u2019t a good feeling\u2014because the first thing is: \u201cI just didn\u2019t know why my child was acting out, and I did not stop to ask him.\u201d He was more like probably between nine and eleven\u2014I\u2019d have to go back and do the math\u2014but he wasn\u2019t a baby. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWe didn\u2019t have any issues with my daughter. She was two, going on three, when we were dating\u2014turning from two to three years old when we got married; so she was three probably, when we got married, and just didn\u2019t have those issues with her. She started calling Lamar \u201cDad\u201d shortly after we got married. He was just \u201cDad\u201d or \u201cDaddy\u201d or whatever.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBut my son\u2014he just started acting out\u2014being really resentful, not wanting to cooperate, not wanting to do family things. Then, when you did ask him to do family things, he would almost do things to ruin it\u2014like, just with his attitude\u2014like I just wished he wouldn\u2019t have come; you know? Because he just like ruined the whole time. I\u2019m sitting here, fussing and arguing with him\u2014that wasn\u2019t good. I just never even recognized that I needed to stop and talk to him about: \u201cWhat is he feeling?\u201d \u201cWhat is he going through?\u201d \u201cHow did he feel about us getting married?\u201d I just never did that. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAnother thing I was feeling was\u2014with Lamar, it\u2019s just like, \u201cOkay; hold on here.\u201d I didn\u2019t know that I wouldn\u2019t like to see someone else discipline the kids; or I didn\u2019t like having thoughts about\u2014I was thinking: \u201cIs he strict on these kids because they\u2019re <em>my<\/em> kids?\u201d or \u201cIs he just strict? I don\u2019t know.\u201d Or just feeling that urge to want to protect my kids because I never wanted anyone to say, \u201cOh, you married this man; and you allowed him to\u2026\u201d\u2014you know?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>Yes.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>Although, he wasn\u2019t necessarily doing anything like that; but you feel the need to want to protect your kids or to say, \u201cHey, I\u2019ll take care of this,\u201d or whatever. It was just like all of those thoughts going through: \u201cOkay; this is my husband over here. These kids are, <em>clearly<\/em>, not acting right,\u201d\u2014you know? [Laughter] \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>Yes. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>Then, I still have those feelings like: \u201cOkay; how do I handle this?\u201d and \u201cHow do I talk to <em>him<\/em> about what I\u2019m feeling?\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>The Bible talks a lot about anxiety and how we are borrowing worry from tomorrow\u2014that\u2019s essentially what that is. Sometimes, we borrow <em>guilt<\/em> from tomorrow. You were fast-forwarding: \u201cWell, what if they come back to me someday and they say: \u2018You didn\u2019t do your job, Mom. You didn\u2019t protect us.\u2019\u201d You\u2019re responding out of guilt that you <em>might<\/em> feel someday; it influences who you are now. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tIt\u2019s funny how that stuff happens; because you have the best intentions and good will towards him and towards your kids; and he has the best of intentions and good will. Everybody\u2019s trying to do the right thing and, yet, sometimes, you still end up going, \u201cI\u2019m not so sure we\u2019re on the same team.\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>Right; yes.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>Exactly.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>And if there are others\u2014were there others in your situation that were speaking in different messages that\u2014as you said, Lamar\u2014that weren\u2019t necessarily encouraging the family moving towards one another\u2014all the parts?\u00a0\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>Sure; I know the kids\u2019 biological father\u2014when he <em>was<\/em> around, he definitely wasn\u2019t on board, moving in the right direction\u2014which even still, as a stepparent, I don\u2019t understand this; because I\u2019m saying and I\u2019m thinking, in my mind: \u201cWell, I\u2019m here. Me being here is actually helping your children out\u2014them having a constant presence, them having somebody to help lift the burden and some of the load of being a single parent with their mom, and being here to fill in the gap in the times that you\u2019re not.\u201d So it definitely was that and just other\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>You kind of felt like: \u201cHey, I\u2019m due a little respect here. I\u2019m helping you out.\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>Exactly.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>He didn\u2019t see it that way?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>Not at all. [Laughter] I think what it was\u2014I mean, from my point of view\u2014and I\u2019m sure Ronnie has hers\u2014from my point of view, I think it was almost the opposite [of the biological parent]: \u201cEven though I don\u2019t want to be fully engaged with the kids, I don\u2019t want you to be either.\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>Right; from him, in particular\u2014he told me one day: \u201cYour son is struggling with this,\u201d and \u201cRonnie, you should tell your son that you will <em>never<\/em> love another man more than you love him,\u201d\u2014that came out of his mouth. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI\u2019m like: \u201cWhat are you telling him? Why would you even phrase it that way?\u2014like comparing my love to his love? It\u2019s just like\u2014I don\u2019t even know how to respond to that.\u201d He was like, \u201cJust say it; just say it to him.\u201d It just keeps ringing; because he kept repeating it over and over, \u201cJust tell him\u2014tell him you\u2019ll never love anyone else more than you love him.\u201d I\u2019m like, \u201cWhat are you telling my son?\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThat was the first\u2014to me\u2014moment, where I thought, \u201cHe\u2019s telling my son some things about our relationship and about our family.\u201d Then, I just heard other things like\u2014just from family\u2014about like: \u201cYou were better off. You could do this alone. Why did you have to get married? You owned the house; you have a nice job. You could take care of your kids alone.\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>\u201cYou\u2019re sufficient. You don\u2019t need somebody else.\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>Right.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>Lamar, I\u2019m curious\u2014did you pick up on some of the messages that Ronnie was getting from her family? \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>I did; and that was directly because just the communication between us\u2014which I\u2019ll give Ronnie credit for\u2014because a lot of what was going on, she would come and share with me. Though it was hurtful to me, I still felt gracious that she shared those things. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tA lot of times, as we faced turmoil and different things in our marriage, I really just thank God and realize how blessed I was that, even though Ronnie was being tugged by the kids, I could\u2014I knew I was tugging her, to a degree, on my end; I knew family may be tugging her on another end\u2014that through it all, she stayed committed to the marriage. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBecause I <em>know<\/em> that, in a lot of situations, she could\u2019ve easily just said: \u201cYou know what? I didn\u2019t sign up for this. This is not what I planned, and it\u2019s not worth it.\u201d I think so many couples just throw up their hands and say: \u201cIt\u2019s not worth it. This is not what I imagined.\u201d But she didn\u2019t do that. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI told her, at the time: \u201cI thank you for not giving up. I know it\u2019s tough. I know it has to be an incredible feeling to be in the middle of not knowing if you\u2019re doing the right things for your kids, not knowing if you\u2019re doing the right things for your marriage.\u201d But the fact that, like I said, she stuck it out\u2014the fact that we were able to come closer together and not allow cracks in the foundation of our marriage\u2014I just appreciated her even more and loved her even more for that. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>And your empathy\u2014communicating back to her: \u201cThank you for telling me. Thank you for including\u2014this must be hard for you.\u201d Boy, that\u2019s <em>huge<\/em>; because it\u2019s you getting outside of just how it impacts you\u2014and stepping into her shoes and seeing that she is in an awkward situation\u2014and that you\u2019re sensitive to that. That has to make it a little bit easier for <em>you<\/em> to trust him with hard things\u2014I would think. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie: <\/strong>It is\u2014I mean, it was. I definitely appreciated him just because I knew that he was trying. He is not perfect; you know, he was 28; I was in my 30s when we got married. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBut to your point, Ron\u2014I just appreciate Lamar; because a lot of times, he may have wanted to do things differently, but he didn\u2019t because of how he saw it impacted me. He may have been in his right to do certain things\u2014because this is his home or this is whatever\u2014but I saw him change course a lot of times just because of the way that I felt; or maybe I came and talked to him; or I saw him pull back and say, \u201cLet me look at this\u201d; or just change his behavior just because he wanted to make sure that I was alright. I think, if we do that for each other, we\u2019ll make it through the difficulties.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>Yes; do you remember any of those moments, where you felt like you had to\u2014you were really being sensitive to how it was impacting her and you let something go? \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Lamar: <\/strong>Yes; definitely so. I think a lot of times\u2014even with our son, in those early days\u2014a lot of times, there would be things, where if he was my biological son, I probably would have been more forceful towards discipline and things like that. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tOne of the things he would even say, sometimes, is, \u201cYou don\u2019t treat me like\u201d\u2014once we had our children together\u2014\u201cyou don\u2019t treat me like you treat your kids.\u201d One of the things that I would always think is, \u201cActually, if you were my biological kid, you\u2019d probably get treated a little bit worse and get dealt with a little bit differently\u201d; but there were times when he would do things, and I would let it go. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThe kind of things that really pushed me over the edge, more so, was when I saw him doing things to <em>her<\/em>. \u201cI can kind of let some stuff go if you\u2019re not doing this thing,\u201d or \u201c\u2026you\u2019re not doing that,\u201d or \u201c\u2026ways you disregard me.\u201d But because of my love for her, what I didn\u2019t feel like doing was seeing her disrespected, seeing her stressing and worried, or having to hit the roof because of different actions he may have been taking. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ron: <\/strong>Did that feel comfortable for you? Did it feel like he was criticizing your kids? How did that feel?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ronnie:<\/strong> Looking back on it, I definitely appreciate it; because I see what he was trying to do. He would\u2014but sometimes, I would just roll my eyes or what have you\u2014but sometimes, when I let it set in, I <em>knew<\/em>\u2014I knew, regardless of what my response was, I knew that that was like a wakeup call. Sometimes, I\u2019m like: \u201cWell, I don\u2019t even know what else to do; because I\u2019ve already tried my best. I\u2019ve already exhausted all my parental tactics and skills\u201d; you know? [Laughter] \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t[Studio]\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Well again, that\u2019s an excerpt from Ron Deal\u2019s new podcast, called <em>FamilyLife Blended<\/em>. He\u2019s talking with Ronnie and Lamar Tyler about the challenges of stepparenting and of being a stepdad. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThis is where we have to remember\u2014whether it\u2019s a first marriage\/a second marriage; whether it\u2019s an intact family or a blended family\u2014we have to have the humility and we have to have the grace to be able to speak in love\/speak the truth in love and, then, to hear that truth when somebody shares it with us.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Ann: <\/strong>Ooh, I can relate to Ronnie; because it\u2019s <em>hard<\/em> when someone speaks the truth to you, even though it\u2019s loving. Sometimes, our pride keeps us from hearing. But I <em>love<\/em> hearing that she could really take it. Maybe, it was hard for her to receive it; but she was learning from it.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dave: <\/strong>Yes; and I loved their honesty, because the truth is\u2014I don\u2019t receive this well. I hope I get better at this, but God wants to change me. He often will use somebody I don\u2019t expect. It\u2019s, many times, been my wife. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tRonnie just talked about how God\u2019s using Lamar, and it literally changed her and changed her family; because she had the humility to say, \u201cThis is God speaking through my spouse\u201d; so it\u2019s a beautiful picture. Even though it\u2019s hard, it\u2019s a beautiful picture of what God wants to do to shape us.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>When our spouse is saying something to us\u2014and we\u2019re feeling like, \u201cNo; you\u2019re wrong,\u201d and we want to fight back\u2014I think it\u2019s good for us to just stop for a minute and say: \u201cHang on. God, is this You?\u201d\u2014right?\u2014to have the humility to say, \u201cI\u2019m feeling like you\u2019re wrong, and off-base, and attacking; but just hang on,\u201d\u2014\u2018God, is there something You\u2019re saying through my spouse to me that I need to hear?\u2019\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThere\u2019s an acronym that Mary Ann and I have used in marriage: \u201cIf we can put on the right HAT.\u201d HAT stands for\u2014to be Humble, to be Accountable, to be Teachable. If we can put on the right HAT and say: \u201cAm I being humble? Am I being accountable? Am I being teachable?\u201d then, in that moment, God can speak to us through\u2014if He can speak through Balaam\u2019s donkey, He can speak through your spouse; don\u2019t you think? [Laughter]\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dave: <\/strong>I knew you were going to go there! [Laughter]\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Well, and I hope our listeners, who have not already started subscribing to <em>FamilyLife Blended<\/em>\u2014the podcast that Ron Deal is host of\u2014I hope you\u2019ll go to our website and subscribe. Listen to the entire conversation between Ron and Ronnie and Lamar Tyler. You can find information about the podcast on our website at FamilyLifeToday.com, along with information about resources from FamilyLife Blended<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>\u2014Ron Deal\u2019s books: <em>The Smart Stepfamily<\/em>, <em>The Smart Stepdad, The Smart Stepmom<\/em>\u2014there\u2019s a bunch of help for you available, online, at FamilyLifeToday.com. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tIf you are in a local church, or if you have a heart for stepfamily ministry, in October of 2019, FamilyLife will be hosting the <em>Summit on Stepfamily Ministry<\/em> in Chesapeake, Virginia. The theme of this year\u2019s summit is \u201cStepfamilies in Crisis,\u201d and there\u2019s special pricing available now. Get the details and plan to attend the <em>2019 Summit on Stepfamily Ministry<\/em>. Go to FamilyLifeToday.com for all the information, or call us if you have any questions at 1-800-FL-TODAY.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tYou know, Ron\u2019s podcast, <em>FamilyLife Blended<\/em>, is part of our strategy, here at FamilyLife, to see every home become a godly home to effectively develop godly marriages and families. The President of FamilyLife, David Robbins, is here with me. We have a desire to see blended couples thrive in their marriage and in their family for their sake and for the sake of the next generation.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>David: <\/strong>That\u2019s right; we want the marriages they are in to be a marriage that lasts and that affects the next generation.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Ron recently hosted an event called <em>Blended and Blessed<\/em>. We had thousands of people joining us\u2014via simulcast; people who were live at the event\u2014and got great response from people.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>David: <\/strong>Yes; all of these different quotes came in. It was so fun to see the activity on the livestream. One that just stood out, as I was reading it, was: \u201cYes, blended families are hard, but God is able. This <em>Blended and Blessed<\/em> event and just FamilyLife Blended is ready and waiting to offer the help that is so needed.\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThat\u2019s why I\u2019m so grateful that we have Ron Deal and that we are able to do events like this.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Well, and again, if you\u2019d like more information on how you can subscribe to the <em>FamilyLife Blended<\/em> podcast, go to our website, FamilyLifeToday.com; and the information you need is available there.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNow, one final note. We\u2019ve been mentioning, here, recently that the FamilyLife <em>Love Like You Mean It<\/em><sup>\u00ae<\/sup> marriage cruise in 2020\u2014 that\u2019s going to be our tenth anniversary cruise. We think anniversaries are a big deal and ought to be celebrated. That\u2019s why this year\u2019s cruise is going to be kind of a big deal, and we\u2019re right at the edge. I don\u2019t know if we sold out last week or not; but we\u2019re right there, almost sold out on the cruise. But we\u2019ve saved one cabin, because we want to give a <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> listener an opportunity to be our guest on the 2020 <em>Love Like You Mean It<\/em> marriage cruise. We\u2019d like you to come, and we have a cabin waiting for you.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tHere\u2019s how you can qualify to join us on the tenth anniversary <em>Love Like You Mean It<\/em> marriage cruise\u2014and by the way, this covers your cabin, your airfare for the two of you, and your night in the hotel before the cruise takes off; alright? To qualify, we have a little workout for you\u2014it\u2019s the \u201cStronger Forever Marriage Workout.\u201d You go to FamilyLifeToday.com, and you sign up to get this. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWe\u2019ll send you a PDF document; we\u2019ll send you emails to remind you of your workout schedule. There is both the cardio to get your heart pumping a little faster in your marriage, and there\u2019s strength training to strengthen your marital bonds. You can pick strength, or cardio, or a combination of the two. This is kind of like Beachbody<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> for your marriage; okay? It\u2019s all about building a stronger, healthier marriage, so the next time your anniversary rolls around, you\u2019re better ready to celebrate.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tOne of you who signs up to the get the information and participate in the \u201cStronger Forever\u201d workout schedule, we\u2019re going to draw your name; and you\u2019ll be our guests on the <em>Love Like You Mean It<\/em> marriage cruise. No purchase necessary to enter; the contest began July 1, 2019; it ends on August 30, 2019. The official rules can be found at FamilyLife.com\/StrongerForever. Sign up today, and who knows?\u2014maybe, you\u2019ll be selected to join us, as our guests, on the <em>Love Like You Mean It<\/em> marriage cruise in 2020.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAnd with that, we\u2019re done for today. I hope you can join us back tomorrow. We\u2019re going to introduce you to a young woman who, at the age of 17, told her mom she just had to come clean with the fact that she was attracted to other girls. You\u2019ll meet Jackie Hill Perry and hear her story tomorrow. I hope you can join us for that.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, along with our entire broadcast production team. On behalf of our hosts, Dave and Ann Wilson, I\u2019m Bob Lepine. We will see you back tomorrow for another edition of <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em>. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas; a Cru<sup>\u00ae <\/sup>Ministry. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWe are so happy to provide these transcripts to you. However, there is a cost to produce them for our website. If you\u2019ve benefited from the broadcast transcripts, would you consider <a href=\"http:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/donate\">donating today<\/a> to help defray the costs?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tCopyright <sup>\u00a9<\/sup> 2019 FamilyLife. All rights reserved.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/\">www.FamilyLife.com<\/a>\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t1\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>","theme_header_position":"","post_header_is_sticky":"","is_header_overlay":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/podcast\/305121","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/podcast"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/podcast"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/91"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=305121"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/294104"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=305121"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=305121"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=305121"},{"taxonomy":"podcast_series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/podcast_series?post=305121"},{"taxonomy":"cwp_profile","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cwp_profile?post=305121"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=305121"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}