I had the best day this week.

As part of our Journey in Faith profile series, my job Monday morning was to meet with Bob and Beverly Ward, parishioners of St. Raymond of Peñafort Parish in Springfield, at their home for an interview about their married life together and their joint commitment to their Faith.

Our interview went from morning, to noon, to lunch, to early afternoon, to my getting back to the office just before rush-hour traffic hit the highways. I'm still not quite sure who interviewed whom, as I found myself opening up to them about my family, where I'm from and my life in Arlington.

I got to see Beverly's collection of Washington Capitals bobble heads; a basement wall covered with the accomplishments of Bob's father, Robert E. Ward Jr.; and, of course, a home filled with the love of Catholicism reflected in DVDs, art, prayer books, and Bob and Beverly’s genuine hospitality and generosity.

The catalyst to my finally getting out of the door (I was in no rush, trust me) was the arrival of three of the couple’s countless godchildren. Though they live in Maryland, these boys get dropped off every Monday afternoon with the Wards by their mother, who works seven days a week, for some playtime and a ride to religious education class at the parish.

For a couple around their 70s, three elementary school aged boys might seem like a trial. But Bob and Beverly, who immediately got out Lincoln Logs and a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie cake, love every minute. This is only one example of the couple’s generous nature that leads them to teach religious education and RCIA; foster nearly 20 newborn infants; attend daily Mass together; and counsel and advise anyone in need, with love and care, at any opportunity they get.

God has blessed them tremendously, the couple said repeatedly. Anything they do in life is a simple reflection of that.

I often tell people I love my job because I constantly get to go out and interact with truly remarkable, faith-filled people. The Wards are no exception. If anything, their generosity, their love of Christ and their willingness to spread the Faith to all they meet only raises the bar for everyone else.