The Wedding~~ Jason and Rachel

Matthew 19:6~~ Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.


Jason H. was wed to Rachel L. on Saturday, October 27. It was a lovely outdoor wedding on the Bay. Here is a picture of Jason and Rachel with the family. L-R: Joey (Wayne's and Rita's son), Wayne, and Rita (Nita's sister), Terry holding Sara-Grace (Beau's and Michelle's daughter), Bride Rachel, Annika (Jason's daughter), Groom Jason, Nita, Jaeden (Beau's and Michelle's son), Michelle (sister of the groom), Beau (Michelle's husband), and Bruce (Rita's son) with his wife and their two young children. Remember to double-click the picture to see a nice large view of it!

Saw this on the Indiana Church Website...

Farewell to Chip Dean

October 21, 2007

Sunday, Oct 21st, was the last day for our youth pastor, Chip Dean who follows God's call for him to serve at Capshaw Baptist Church in Huntsville, Al.

We appreciate the past 3 1/2 years Chip has not only led our youth, but led us in the current transition between senior pastors. We also appreciate his willingness to stay beyond the time we asked of him when he graduated seminary. In fact, Chip has had the longest tenure of any youth pastor here at Harrison Hills. Thank you Chip for serving Jesus here at HHBC.

All Dressed Up

I always enjoy seeing my GRANDkids on Sundays. Well, I most assuredly LOVE seeing them every day but meant that I enjoy seeing them all dressed up on Sundays. I know a lot of folks have gone to casual dress for worship on Sundays, but I still like to dress my best for church. Not to be seen of men. Not even to be seen of God for I know the Word says that He looks on the heart and not on our outward appearances. It's just that for church and our worship of the Savior on that day, it seems appropriate to me that we put on our best to meet the Master. If "best jeans" works for some folks, it doesn't offend me. Personally, I lean toward the "old-fashioned" traditional dress for church. Anyway, I didn't mean to get off on that for it is just a personal matter of mine. Back to the reason for this post: Here some pics of the kids made EARLY on Sunday morning at breakfast. A couple of them were still half asleep but made the sacrifice to get up an hour early in order to have a "good-bye breakfast" with Uncle Chip.

(You will note that Jarrett isn't wearing his coat and tie at breakfast, but look at him in the group pic with Uncle Chip in the next article as we are ready to embark for church. :)

Going-Away Breakfast with Chip on Sunday Morning

Ecclesiastes 12:10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

We ALL enjoyed Chip's visit home this past week. We are always challenged spiritually by Chip. He keeps us on our toes for sure. We did a lot of fun stuff as a family. One highlight for the kids was that Chip joined them and their parents at the fair on Friday night (10-2). It's great that the kids know he is a preacher, but that he is real and has fun and that it is a joy to live the Christian life.

This Sunday morning, we all went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast as Chip was taking off for Huntsville. It was an especially fun hour together. He got off and we even made it to Sunday School on time. We look forward to his Thanksgiving visit!!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Jaden

Proverbs 4:10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

Click arrow on bottom left
of video to view it!

Our GRANDson, Jaden, will celebrate his 3rd birthday on Friday, November 2. Because his Uncle Chip was here visiting, Amy and Brian had his family party a week early.









We missed Jaden's Pappy Jim as he had to work but otherwise everyone was there: Daddy, Mommy, siblings: Jarrett, Isabella, Joshua, Great-Grandma Goldie, Grandma Carol, Grandma Susan, Grandpa Richard, Uncle Matthew, Aunt Mary, Cousin Morgan, Uncle Chip, and Great-Aunt Darlene and Great-Uncle Bill. It was a nice lunch, sweet fellowship, and a fun party celebrating God's blessings upon Jaden's young life. We pray Jaden will be saved at an early age and will receive God's sayings and live a long life for God. Here are some pics made at the party. The birthday video was made by Jaden's Great-Uncle Bill. The clear pics were taken by Bill or Darlene and the fuzzy pics were made by me. I was having terrible camera problems!! Anyway, HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY to JADEN!!!!

A New Family ~~ Established on October 27, 2007

Matthew 22:9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

Chip was a groomsman in his friend Jason H's wedding on Saturday evening. We were privileged to attend and pray God's richest blessings upon Jason and Rachel as they begin their new life together as one. Here are some pics of Chip in his role as groomsman.

Wednesday Night Dinner

We had a nice family dinner at the Palms Grille on Campus. Here are a few pics from that fun dinner hour before going to church together....

Wonderful Wednesday with Chip Home

Matthew 18:10~~ Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Chip takes his ministry to young people very seriously, and it shows in the relationships he has with his nephews: Jarret (14), Josh (8), Jaden (3), and with his only niece: Isabella (12). He is a preacher who loves God, and they know it. He is their uncle who loves them and enjoys their company ~~ and they know it. I imagine Jarrett, Belle, and Josh were all sorry they couldn't spend the day with Uncle Chip as Jaden has been privileged to do. Jaden and Uncle Chip have had a fun morning. We have made a few pics and will make a few more just before Chip leaves to go have lunch with his Dad and Dr. Jackson.

Terrific Tuesday with Chip

1 John 1:7~~ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

It is such a blessing having Chip here. We are a close-knit family and miss him so much 51 weeks out of the year.

Our day started out with a little excitement as we had a tornado warning at 6:40 for right here in our immediate area. I knocked on Chip's bedroom door to wake him and asked him to put on his shorts in case we needed to get in a closet. Thankfully, a tornado didn't occur and the warning was canceled.

Later, when Chip got up, he and I enjoyed our quiet morning together and then met Richard for lunch at Sonny's Bar-B-Que. From there, we all three went our separate ways.

All nine of us met here at the house for dinner ~~ which I cooked for the family. For 30 minutes before dinner, Chip romped with the kids out in the front yard. They all woke up to see him briefly last night when he arrived but, of course, were in school all day so hadn't been able to see him since those 5 minutes on Tuesday night. This afternoon, they had fun reuniting with their Uncle Chip. He is so good to interact with them and to show them his love. All four of them respond whole-heartedly. The pics shown are from their pre-dinner fun out in the front yard.

Richard and I are enjoying our quiet evening with Chip; however, it is quickly becoming our bedtime. We can't outlast Chip for sure.


Wednesday's Plan: Jaden is all excited to be coming over tomorrow morning to spend the day with Grandma and Uncle Chip. Uncle Chip will be here in the morning but then he and his dad are meeting our pastor, Dr. Jackson, for lunch. Dr. Jackson has heard a lot about Chip, and Chip has heard a lot about Dr. Jackson so it ought to be an interesting first meeting. :) After lunch, Chip wants to go by the Academy to see Amy's office and then is going to pick up Jarrett from school at 3:00 to spend some quality time with him. And then tomorrow night is church. It will be a full day!

That's my reminder that it is now my bedtime. Good-night!

MY SON IS COMING HOME TODAY!

UPDATE: Chip is HOME!!! He arrived at about 9:50. Amy came flying out of her house and beat me to the car to welcome Chip. :) After our hugs and greetings in the front yard, he walked over with Brian and Amy to see the kids. They were sleeping but all four woke up to see their Uncle Chip. Jaden ran into his arms and said, "Hi, Uncle Chip!" All is well with my Mama heart tonight. Thank you God for family and for the bonds of love that keep us close.

UPDATE: Chip called at 7:15 to let us know he was leaving Montgomery and would be here in about 2-1/2 hours!! There are storms (tornado watches and warnings) to our northwest so we will keep an eye on the weather reports and alert him to anything he needs to be made aware of. We are praying for his safety as his completed this last leg of his trip home!

UPDATE: Chip called at 4:00 p.m to say that he had stopped in Huntsville to take care of some business regarding his apartment there~~ making deposits on utilities and that sort of thing. He let us know that he was going to stop in Montgomery to visit his dear friend and ministry-buddy, Steve R.

UPDATE: After posting this morning at 8:30, Chip called at 9:15 to say he is hitting the road....

This picture was made last Christmas~~~ the last time that Chip has been home due to ministry constraints and the miles that have separated us with him in Indiana and us way down here. Richard and I visited Chip in May but Brian, Amy, and the kids haven't seen him since last December!

Chip completed his ministry in Indiana yesterday and is pulling out of there soon to arrive here sometime tonight to spend the week before reporting to his new ministry in the Huntsville area. It will be raining all the way down so we will be in prayer for his safety as he drives those some 11 hours. If you read this at anytime today, we would appreciate your prayers for him as well.

Godspeed, Chip. Be safe and we'll see you tonight, the Lord willing.

Love
Mom for the family
(Dad, Amy, Brian, Jarrett, Isabella, Joshua and Jaden!)

Tornado This Morning ~~ Just 8.20 miles from our house!

Psalm 107:25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind...


We had stormy weather this morning and were under two separate tornado warnings in our county when word came over the local TV station that a tornado was on the ground downtown. They began showing video of it, and it looked big, and bad, and black. It was only 8.2 miles from our house and we thank God for His protection that it didn't come our way. The bottom of the red line in the map is where the tornado hit and the top of the red line is where we live. That line is just 8.2 miles long! There is damage downtown but I haven't heard of any serious injuries nor deaths. PTL!!! We are getting lots and lots of rain today. I just hope it migrates up into Alabama and over to Georgia to give those folks some relief from the severe drought they are experiencing.

Chip Update

Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Knowing that Chip is completing his ministry in Indiana, he is on my heart this week. He makes friends deeply and I know the good-byes are difficult for him. Right now, he is suffering with a corneal abrasion and that weighs on my heart as well. The Capshaw church is sending in a moving crew for Chip which will be very helpful. He will pull out of Indiana on Monday and head down this way. Of course, we are all excited that he is coming for he hasn't been here since last Christmas. He will see such a huge change in his three nephews and one niece!

We know that the Capshaw church is getting an excellent staff member in Chip. He is a consummate Bible student and therefore teacher. There is a lot of "fluff" in today's youth groups in American churches, but Chip's teens will get the meat of the Word. We are as excited for them as we are for Chip.

I would ask your prayers for the Harrison Hills Church in Indiana as they are still searching for asenior pastor. I'm not sure if Chip's youth pastor intern from the seminary will be called as their full-time youth pastor, so please pray for that need as well. They are a wonderful group of believers there, and we know that God is working His will in their midst.

While here the week of October 22nd, Chip will be a groomsman in Jason Hallman's wedding on the 27th here in the area so that will make it extra special getting to see a lot of friends there.

Hurry home, Chip..... we can't wait to see you!!!

With Love from
Mom and the family!

Audio of Chip Preaching

1 Corinthians 15:1 ¶ Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

"THE GOSPEL"

I was just looking online at the Baptist Bible College site, and they have posted the messages preached at the Bible Conference this week. Here is the URL for Chip's message preached on Tuesday, October 9.

http://www.bbc.edu/chapel/20071009_chipdean.mp3

Happy Birthday to my little sister, Nonie!

Song of Solomon 8:8 ¶ We have a little sister....

Karen and I have a precious little sister. Sonja (rhymes with "moan-ya") is her given name, but she has always been called "Nonie" (rhymes with "pony"). Today is Nonie's birthday!!

I think I know how the "Nonie" nickname came about. I was only 15 months old when she was born. (See picture at right of Mom with both of us. Karen is nearly 8 years older than Nonie so probably was at school when the picture was made). I imagine that when Mom talked to Sonja, she called her a loving little pet name and said "Sonnie -- with a long "o" ~~ pronounced like "Sony." When I started talking and couldn't say "Sonnie," it came out "Nonie." It stuck. Her name very well could have been one of my first words.

Nonie is my beloved baby sister. And today she is 55 years old. I love her with all of my heart and miss her now that we are so far apart. Happy Birthday, Nonie!!!!

Love,
Susan

Katelyn ~~~ Homecoming Queen 2007

A dear friend (and former Pastor's wife) ~~ Brenda E. ~~ shared this pic of her granddaughter with me. Katelyn was crowned homecoming queen at her school last week. I asked Brenda's permission to post this and received it. She is Julie's daughter. Don't you know Dr. E and Brenda are proud!!

IT WAS A VERY EVENTFUL SUNDAY FOR US.....

Our Sunday, October 7, was filled to the brim with good services, an official announcement from Chip, a spiritual birthday celebrated for a granddaughter dearly loved, an impromptu and loving visit with family and seeing our newest great-niece for the first time, and a fun visit with some dear friends from T-Town who are here. It's all posted below......

Chip's Announcement

2 Corinthians 13:11 ¶ Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Chip gave his first-ever resignation on Sunday at HHBC in Indiana. I know it was a difficult matter for him as he has served there since February 4, 2004. He dug in, made that town his home, and loves God's people there. I imagine it is never easy for a youth pastor to have to tell his teens that the Lord is moving him to a different location for ministry, but that is what Chip did. And then he stood before his church in the morning service and gave his official resignation. I'm confident that the Lord gave him just the right words to say that would be an encouragement to the teens to keep on keeping on.

You know, this is hard for Richard and me, too. We made some dear friends during our visits to Indiana to see Chip during his years there. We grew close to the good people in that church, and we realize that perhaps we will never see most of them again in this life. The folks were so loving and supportive of Chip and, of course, that endeared them to our hearts. We pray that the BEST days lie ahead for HHBC as they continue in their ministry of reaching their area for Christ. We trust God that He has the right man ready to step into the position of youth pastor at the church in Indiana so that the ministry there doesn't miss a beat.

In His sovereign will and perfect timing, we know God has led Chip to a new ministry and has a new work for Him. We are excited for him and look forward to hearing good reports from Chip at Capshaw in North Alabama.

On a personal note, we look forward to Chip coming "home" for a few days before he begins his new ministry. He hasn't been here since last Christmas and has a LOT of catching up to do with his nephews and niece. :)

May God bless our son as he completes his ministry in Indiana these next two weeks, packs up his worldly goods to move to Alabama, comes here for a week, and then reports for duty at Capshaw on November 1. GOD IS GOOD!!!!!!

P.S. In looking back at the HHBC website where Chip has ministered, I saw his bio which I am posting here...

Chip Dean accepted the call to become Associate Pastor for Students of Harrison Hills Baptist Church on February 4, 2004. In June 2006, this became a full-time position and he took on additional responsibilities as the new Associate Pastor for Students and Discipleship. On April 16, 2007 he assumed the role of 'Pastor' of Harrison Hills after our Senior Pastor departed to follow a call to full-time missionary service. He filled the "Pastor" position until Dr. George Martin was called as interim Senior Pastor on August 15, 2007.

He grew up in Tuscaloosa, AL and accepted Jesus Christ as the Lord of his life through repentance and faith on November 3, 1983. He graduated high school from Tuscaloosa Christian School in 1996. After trying his hand at a business major, God called him into full-time ministry for Christ at the age of 20. At the time, he was serving as a help to the youth pastor at Cottondale Baptist Church in Cottondale, AL. From working with the youth group for over a year, Chip sensed a very strong call on his life to be educated and minister to students for the glory of Christ.

In the spring of 1999, Chip began attending Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania with his degree major in youth ministry. Each summer through his college years at BBC, he served at Lake Ann Baptist Camp in Michigan as the Senior High Program Director. He finished his B.S. degree of youth ministry from BBC in 2001. For the next year, he served as the Student Ministries Intern at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Roseville, MI under Youth Pastor, Patrick McGolderick. After finishing his internship, Chip began attending The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary to receive his Masters Degree. In May 2006, he received a Master of Divinity degree with the emphasis in Pastoral Studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the Billy Graham School.

Chip is passionate about reaching the teenage generation for Christ! He seeks to disciple teenagers by preaching God’s Word, teaching systematic theology on a student level, holding them personally accountable, and properly mentoring them. Along with student ministry, Chip also enjoys playing basketball, eating Mexican food, and watching any Alabama sports team.

Isabella's 6th Spiritual Birthday

Mark 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.


What a joy it was on Sunday, October 7, 2001, when our six-year-old granddaughter, Isabella, called Grandma and Grandpa to tell us that she had gotten saved while talking to her Mommy after church that Sunday morning. Just 3-1/2 months earlier, Isabella had been adopted from an orphanage in Ukraine. Her English was coming along but still quite broken, but isn't it God's AMAZING GRACE that she had heard about God's wonderful plan of salvation for HER at home, at church, and in the first grade at school and that she understood the conviction of the Holy Spirit in her heart and called upon God to forgive her of her sins and invited Jesus to come into her heart. I will NEVER forget that phone call to my dying day. (Or at least I hope my mind stays good and I will remember that special call.) We answered the phone and Amy said for both of us to get on the phone as Bella wanted to tell us something. She still had a heavy Russian accent and it was difficult to understand her, but I remember hearing: prayed....Jesus....heart and said to her, "Isabella, are you telling Grandma and Grandpa that you prayed and asked Jesus into your heart today?" She answered excited with that roll of her Russian R's... "Yes, Grrrrrrrrandma, Yes!"


Isabella has grown into a lovely young pre-teen girl who loves the Lord and is growing in her faith. We were honored to take the family to Sunday dinner in honor of Belle's "Spiritual Birthday" and enjoyed her choice of Golden Corral. Happy Spiritual Birthday, Isabella, and many more!! ~~Love, Grandma and Grandpa Dean

(Note: the picture of Belle on the phone was not made when she called to tell us about her salvation but was made just 3 months earlier when she was on the phone during their stop-over in Poland as they headed home with Belle and Josh from Ukraine. The pics of Belle in the orange dress were made on Sunday's Spiritual Birthday at church at Azalea Trace.)

Meeting Mataea ~~ Our Brand New Great Niece!

2 Timothy 1:5~~ When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.


It was such a joyful surprise to receive a phone call on Sunday afternoon after church that Richard's sister, Diane, and her family were in Gulf Shores and invited us to come over. What a blessing to go and visit with Mike, Diane, Rebecca, Joanna, Melinda, Rob, and Baby Mataea.

Mataea is Rob and Mindy's firstborn and Mike's and Diane's first grandchild. Richard and I were able to connect with that excitement! She is 2-months old today (October 8) and just so-so cute with that curly black hair and big blue eyes. She looks so much like Melinda did as a baby. We rejoice with the family on her birth and thank God for the precious privilege of seeing Mataea and her loving family on Sunday afternoon.

As the verse from Timothy speaks about, Mataea is blessed to have a strong Christian heritage. We shall pray that she will grow in the nurture and admonition of our Lord and call upon Him for salvation at an early age.

Met Up With Friends from TCS~~ Sunday Night, October 7

Psalm 34:11 ¶ Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Richard and I are so thankful for the wonderful Christian education our two children received at the Christian School they attended K4-12. It was always a comfort to us knowing that Amy and Chip were receiving spiritual teaching right along with the academics, fine arts, and sports. The teachers and administrators backed up what we taught in our home and what was preached in our church. There was never a conflict of philosophy to confuse our kids.

What a joy when the administrators and teachers from TCS (our Christian School back home) arrived last night to attend the Teachers' Clinic on Monday-Tuesday. Richard and I met up with them and visited with Dan, Jarrett, and the teachers during dinner. I know it will be a special blessing for Amy to see her administrator from high school as well as some teachers she had as she helps to conduct the clinic today and tomorrow. Amy's good foundation of academics throughout her school years enabled her to go on to get her Elementary Education degree in college and then her Masters Degree in Elementary Administration which prepared her for her job as principal of grades 4-6 at the Academy.

It was a sweet time of fellowship with friends and I enjoyed making pics (of course!).

Jaden Is Well ~~ Lunch with Cailyn at McDonald's

Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed...

It appears that Jaden has been touched and healed of the feverish malady he suffered on Wednesday. Since he was feeling so much better today and we had missed yeterday's play date at McDonald's due to his illness, I called Grandma Lucille to see if she and Cailyn could meet us at McDonald's for lunch. They could and we did. Of course, I had to make a few pics of those precious kids eating and playing and will post some of them here as a praise for Jaden's healing. My favorite pic is of Jaden during the blessing for our food.

Mrs. Lula and Jaden ~~ A Prayer Request and a Praise

Philippians 2:27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him...





My sister Nonie's mother-in-law, Mrs. Lula, is very ill. She is around 90-years in age (I can't remember exactly) and has multiple serious health problems. Lula wasn't expected to live through the weekend but has rallied a bit this week. Yesterday, she recognized Tom and Nonie and was able to talk to them. I would appreciate your prayers for Lula as she is ready to go to her Heavenly Home and for Tom and Nonie as they care for her during this time. Here is my beloved baby sister and her hubby, Tom.


Exodus 23:25 I will take sickness away from the midst of thee...
My Grandson Jaden is much better today! He had a rough afternoon and evening with a high fever but Amy said at 10:30 last night (their bedtime!) he was feeling great and wanting to play. Ha! She said he slept good all night (PTL!). He came over in fine form this morning and though he feels a tad warm, he is playing, drinking, and talking up a storm. He will be fun company for Grandma today. I thank God for his healing touch upon Jaden. He's doing so well that I think we'll go to McDonald's for lunch so he can play a little bit!