Bloom Spotlight - Felicia Bruck

Today our Bloom/West Ridge Women’s Spotlight is on a very familiar face!  You probably know her at West Ridge from her beautiful voice, singing on the stage with the Worship Team…  I’m talking about the lovely Felicia Bruck! Worship is not Felicia’s only passion at West Ridge though.  The Bloom Ministry is overjoyed to announce that Felicia will be taking over leadership of the Encourage Ministry!  So take a minute or two and read on as we get to know Felicia and her heart for this amazing ministry that is all about encouraging and supporting moms-to-be!

Felicia lives in Hopewell with her husband, Tristan.  They are parents to an adorable daughter, Savannah, who recently celebrated her first birthday.  They also share their home with their labradoodle, Polar Bear.  In addition to being a wife and mother, Felicia works full-time outside the home as a pharmacist. 

While pregnant with Savannah, Felicia signed up for the Encourage Ministry.  During her pregnancy, she received support and encouragement from her coach.  Following Savannah’s birth, meals were coordinated by the ministry and delivered to her as well as a gift of diapers and wipes.  I think most moms can remember what a wonderful blessing it was to have a friend or loved one show up at your door with a hot meal when you were sleep deprived, emotional (hormones!), and in the first days home with a new baby ; )  And if you haven’t had that blessing, let me just say… It’s amazing!

After her baby arrived, Felicia realized her heart had taken a turn.  Not only did she desire to serve on the worship team but she was developing a heart for the women who were in the very same shoes she was in only months earlier. She was drawn to new moms and wanted to connect with them, sharing all she had learned from her pregnancy and from the ladies who had poured into her God’s truth and love during that precious time.  Led by the Lord, Felicia signed up to serve within the Encourage ministry as a coach.

It has been said that every pregnancy and baby are different. And that is so true…  Felicia discovered that the reality of motherhood was very different than what she had expected and what she saw other new moms around her experiencing.  In the stressful and challenging times, she reached out to her family and friends.  She was blown away by the outpouring of love.  She understood the value of the support she received, not only as a new mom but during her pregnancy too. Felicia knew how blessed she was by it.  But she also recognized there were some moms who were on their own in that area.  It was there that she realized she wanted to pass that support and love on to other women and her heart for the Encourage ministry grew.  Felicia shared, “As a leader and as a volunteer in the group, just to see the appreciation from the mom’s heart is so rewarding.  You know that you are helping, but to just feel that is so great!  Plus it is a chance to be a part of a birth story! To be a part of that child’s life before they are even born. To be praying over that child before they are born.  And to be speaking life over that mom before she becomes a “mom”!  It is just one of the greatest privileges that can ever be given.”

As leadership of the Encourage ministry transitions from Shannon Harsh, to Felicia, there is excitement about what God has in store and a sense of gratitude for the foundation that Shannon helped to set in place.  Felicia says, “This ministry is really more than just bringing meals to new moms.  It’s really about having people come alongside a pregnant mom and lead them, guide them, letting God speak through you to that mom.  Our big goal right now is just to encourage people to get involved and to know that there is a role for them in this ministry.”  From coaches to meal takers to prayer warriors to post-partem support, there is a place for everyone to get involved.  Felicia adds, “There are so many ways to be a part of this ministry.  We just love moms and babies!  If you love moms and babies too, we’d love to have you join us!”  Commitment for this ministry can range from just one day to a year, it really is up to you and how the Lord is leading you.

We can’t end our time getting to know Felicia without having her answer the Super Six questions!!!  Here we go…

1. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Night owl!

2. What was the last book you read? “Beauty By the Book: Seeing Yourself as God Sees You” by Nancy Stafford

3. What is your favorite way to relax? Taking a bath by candlelight or maybe rocking in my rocking chair on my porch.

4. What would you have for the perfect meal? My husband’s chicken parmesan, spaghetti, salad, lots of garlic toast and chocolate anything for dessert!

5. What is your favorite Scripture to meditate on in times of stress? “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30

6. What is your favorite thing about West Ridge? It’s home and a family!

If you would like to become a part of the Encourage Ministry Team, contact Felicia today at felicia.bruck@westridge.cc

When Love Moves Slow

Music is something that is always in the backdrop of my life. Even as a teenager I would use song lyrics to help me get through different seasons or situations. Today, I will often listen to a song on repeat if the lyrics speak to my heart in some way. Often times another person’s art will spark my own creativity and allow me to put words to something that I couldn’t before. This post is one of those moments…

My faith is not a fire

As much as it’s a glow

A little burning ember

In my weary soul

And it’s not too much

It’s just enough to give me hope

Because your love moves slow

Yeah, your love moves slow

So I move slow

Because you move slow

Love moves slow

Let’s move slow

- Audrey Assad, "Slow"

We live in what some might call a microwave culture. We are accustomed to instant gratification and we want nothing less. I grew up with a similar attitude. I took piano lessons when I was younger. I liked piano. I wanted it to sound beautiful when I played. But, I didn’t want to put in the long hard hours of practice. I wanted the end result, without the discipline.

Recently I have come to the realization that I tend to approach life the same way. When watching a movie or reading a book, if the story line is too slow, I get distracted or busy doing something else. One corner of my bathroom is painted while the rest is left undone. I start an exercise plan only to throw it out the window in a week when I don’t see results on the scale. I want the end result, without the discipline.

If I am honest, I tend to approach my relationship with God much the same way. I want the end result, without the discipline. Can you relate?

Sometimes, the Father’s love moves slow. And if I am rushing to the end, trying to get all the answers, spinning and twirling to come out on top, I’m going to miss it. Kind of like the DJ changed the tune to Etta James’ At Last (my favorite) and I am still doing the Electric Slide!

When He moves slow, I want to move slow too. I don’t want to give into my microwave instincts of instant gratification, impatiently thinking that nothing is going on. God is in all of the details. It may seem slow to us, but God IS moving. The details matter to Him.

Our love story with God lasts forever and forever is a long time.

I am not who I was, I didn’t come this far on my own and it didn’t happen overnight. He is working it all out for the good of those who love Him, for the faithful and steadfast.

Recently, I have been feeling a shift from God. I have been feeling His whisper to slow down, to let the Holy Spirit lead this dance. I get frustrated and weary when I try to do it all on my own. But, when I purposely slow down, I can hear His voice more clearly. Then I am able to see Him in the details, right where He has been all along. 

Slowing down might look different for all of us. It could look like cutting back on the amount of hours you work, or saying “No” to a full weekend. It could look like incorporating a purposeful Sabbath or cutting out social media. Maybe there is one area God is asking you to focus on like family, serving, or ministry. Sometimes it could just be getting quiet before the Lord and allowing Him to minister to you.  

So if you are in a season of waiting, of slowness, or quiet, look for those embers of hope. Look for God in the details. He is waiting there with you. We don’t have to live our lives trying so hard all the time. We can rest in Him.

"You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me." (Psalm 119:114 MSG)

Does this resonate with you? Do you feel as if you are rushing to the finish line like this race is a sprint rather than a marathon? Have you felt the whisper to move slow, letting God take lead? Let His Word wash over you with mercy and grace. Amen!

Post by: Jimmie Lee DiIanni