Ryland’s Fund

It is with a humble heart that I take the pleasure in introducing myself to you. My name is Tom Gregory, I am a 6 year active duty veteran in the United States Air Force as a Heavy Aircraft Avionics Specialist. I am in the process of reenlisting in the USAF Reserves, to allow more time for myself with my growing family. I have deployed to Haiti, after the 2010 earthquake that devestated over 200,000. the Kingdom of Bahrain, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, and Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan one year later. I am married to my highschool sweetheart, the love of my life and the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman, Ashley. She is a 5 year Dental Assistant with aspirations of going back to school for Dental Hygiene. Ashley and I are both 24 years young. We believe Jesus is our Lord and Savior and have been "born again" for 8 years. 3 weeks ago, we were blown away and blessed by our first child, a frighteningly handsome, "capture you're heart" stud we named Ryland Alexander.

I am writing to you all in the belief that together, we can achieve our heart's desire to offer our little monkey a solid, God and Family oriented; Bible based education at Christian Faith Center Schools in Federal Way, Washington.

Ashley and I have decided it would be best for Ryland if she were to stay at home his first few years. (Especially with the cost of daycare.) That would also allow her to accomplish her tasks for Dental Hygiene School. Which knocked us down to a single income. The Air Force offers phenominal benefits and we are by no means "struggling" however, as a Staff Sergeant/E5 we make just enough after our tithe to provide for what we need. There just isn't much left over to save for our baby's education. I have the "Post 9/11 GI Bill" I can transfer to my family, however a common misconception about it is that it is offered in increments of time, not amount of money. I have transfered it to my wife for her school because we decided education now, meant a better career and more income in the future.

All donations in addition to our own savings will be deposited into a High Yield Savings Account we started with our Credit Union. Withdrawls will only be made when Ry is old enough and for education expenses, tuition, fees etc...

A lot of my friends have asked me if I feel embarrassed or ashamed by asking complete strangers for money for what I theoretically should be able to do for my son on my own. I tell them the short answer is, not one bit.... I would be embarrassed and ashamed if I didn't do absolutely anything I could to provide for him, and simply put, the phrase "It takes a village to raise a child" is true. The truth is, we can't do this alone. We need our families, extended families, friends and their families and so on and so forth to achieve this dream. I also tell them that we believe what the Bible says, Luke 6:38 says "Give, and it shall be given unto you." and Matthew 21:22 says "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will revieve, if you have faith." Friends, Ashley and I pray and believe that through your generosity and by God's blessing, we WILL be able to do this. I sincerely can't thank you enough!

Here is the website to CFC Schools for informational purposes; www. christianfaithschools .com (Spaces added to eliminate a hyperlink as not to break the rules of this site.)

BE BLESSED!!!

~Tom Gregory