HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO STEVE!

3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

January 3rd was my oldest nephew's birthday. Steve is now 39 years old, and that is hard to believe! Steve was a great kid. As a young man, he set his sights on a goal and has realized his dream and professional ambition to be an attorney. We are proud of Steve and pray this year will yield the best of his personal, professional, and spiritual goals. Happy Birthday, Steve!!

This is one of my favorite pictures of Steve with his mom (my sister, Karen) and it was made at Steve's and Mandy's wedding. We attended, and it was a happy day!

This is the only picture I have of Steve and Mandy. It was made before they were married and is of poor quality (my photography!) but I share it with love!

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY TO CHIP!!

Proverbs 23:15 My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.

We are excited for we are going on a weekend trip. We are leaving out this afternoon to go see Chip in North Alabama. This will be our first time to visit him since he went on the pastoral staff at the church on November 1. We will get to see his rental house (he says it is the smallest house in the county!), his church, and visit some of his favorite restaurants as I doubt he will be cooking for us! The reason we are most excited is that tomorrow (Saturday, January 5) is Chip's 30th birthday and we will be there to celebrate that milestone with him. We are so blessed to be Chip's parents and are so thankful for God's blessing upon Chip's life as a youth pastor. He is touching a lot of young lives at a crucial time and is making a difference for the Kingdom of God. He is a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, a wise man, and a loving son. Surely doth my mother's heart rejoice!!

I am going to post some pics of Chip in celebration of this special time. Happy Birthday, Son ~~ and many more!

Love & Prayers Always,
Mom


Chip's first Easter ~~ infant in his Grandma's arms


His Dad started him out on the road to being a committed Alabama Football fan in his infancy!


Into sports from a young age unto this present day


Elementary Baseball League was fun for him and us both!


Chip did great in basketball throughout his school years. Wanna see some video??


Chip at home in his room.


Our favorite football player ~~ senior in high school.


Chip was a loving grandson to his 4 grandparents. Each of them contributed to Chip's Godly heritage though at a young age he learned he couldn't wing it on anyone else's coat-tails and gave his heart to Jesus Christ.


He graduated from Baptist Bible College and then went on to this happy day of graduating from Seminary with his M-Div.


He has a wonderful relationship with sister Amy~~ his only sibling.


He is a wonderful Uncle and loves Jarrett, Isabella, Josh and Jaden.


And we are proud to be his parents.


Chip, you will always be in our prayers as you pastor your teens and seek God in your personal life.

HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY TO ASHLEY!

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Today is my great-niece's 13th birthday. As Bryan's and Tricia's first child and Karen's and Paul's first grandchild, ASHLEY was the first "great" in our family... our Mom's first great-grandchild and my first great-niece so you know she has always been very special to us all! Ashley is a beautiful girl and smart, too. But most of all, she is a born-again Christian... a Godly teenager. We pray God's richest blessings upon her today (her first as a teenager) and for the rest of her life!! Happy Birthday, Ashley!

Love,
Great-Aunt Susan



Great-Grandma for the first time, Mom holds Ashley during a visit with Tricia and Ashley in the hospital.



Dee and Amy enjoying Cousin Ashley at the baby shower for Tricia.


Granny Karen with Baby Ashley


Granny Karen and Ashley enjoy a close and loving relationship.


Ashley visiting with her new cousins adopted from Ukraine: Jarrett, Josh, and Isabella


Ashley with her precious parents, Bryan and Tricia.


Ashley and her Mom at last year's Beauty Walk.

Serving Our Country in Afghanistan ~~ A Testimony from a Soldier

Exodus 12:26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?

Hey all. Here is the picture from the Medal Ceremony. My first AF Medal really earned. See you all soon. Lots of love, Lacy

My friend Trish R's sister is serving in Afghanistan. Lacy is a young single woman who is making her mark on the world. She is doing something crucially important for us all and for future generations should Jesus tarry His coming. When Lacy left the States to "work over there," Trish provided Lacy's address so that I could write to her. I wrote not really knowing what to say but wanting to be an encouragement to Lacy. The tables have totally turned as Lacy's emails have blessed and encouraged me. She is not "down and out" but she is a vibrant young lady who is excited about what she and her comrades are accomplishing. Here is the latest email I have received from her. It was written on December 30 she she is soon to ship out of there and return to the States. Please pray for her safe return and may we NEVER get lazy and complacent and forget to pray for all of those serving and protecting us here at home.

...I am still in Afghanistan, should be leaving here in about 11 days and headed home. I can't wait. And you are very welcome for my service. I would not have it any other way. I am very proud of what I do and what I am part of. Being here has been rough, but a life changing experience. It brought me back to God, where I should have been all along. And I know that, because of the sacrifices that we make, our families stay safe. I only hope that future generations realize the same and choose to serve as well. So many people have forgotten why this war started. America is truly the greatest nation on the planet and no matter what politicians are running the show I will always chose to serve as long as I am able. I received my first medal ever here, it was such a good feeling. God is truly smiling on me, taking the load off my shoulders, and making me a better person everyday...

With love, Lacy

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008!!!!

In prelude to this day, we had a wonderful New Year's Eve with dear friends. We invited Jerry and Peggy to accompany us to Bellingrath Gardens. The holiday season would not be complete without a visit there. In addition to Magic Christmas in Lights, the Gardens were set ablaze with poinsettias in shades of red, pink, white, yellow, green and marbled effects. The Gardens also featured snapdragons, ornamental cabbage and kale, pansies and amaryllis. It was simply gorgeous and a neat way to end the year with friends. We got home from there and spent the next 3-1/2 hours leading up to midnight and the dawn of thenew year by fellowshipping, snacking, talking, laughing, and then prayed in the new year together. Truly our hearts were further knit together in friendship during our 10 hours spent with Jerry and Peggy on Saturday.If you've never been to Bellingrath and would like to see some pictures we made, you can view them here:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=nhewoo3.9e27a1v3&x=0&y=-g77dt7

Otherwise, here is a picture made of the four of us at Bellingrath on New Years's Eve:

NEW YEARS DAY.....

It is cold here (52 but with a stiff wind) with temps in the 20's just around the corner. BRRRR... Our crew next door is all doing fine. Brian and the kids had lunch with us while Amy was doing some things at school to get ready for tomorrow's return for teachers and students at the Academy. Chip and his teens are traveling today on their way to West Virginia to snow ski. In spite of the nice day we are experiencing, I am mindful that today isn't a joyous day for everyone as there are at least three families in our church who are grieving the passing of a loved one during or since the weekend. I have been busy on the phone today lining up sympathy cards as well as meals for our fellow church members. One dear friend's 91-year-0ld mother took off for Heaven on Saturday. Another friend lost her dear Dad, and another young woman in our church lost her cherished grandmother. All of this is yet another reminder that we don't know what the new year holds, but we know who holds the new year! Nothing happens in our lives that is a surprise to God. As Christians, He supplies the grace to see us through the most difficult days of life.

I am claiming God's Promise as my hope for this year: Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ~~Jeremiah 29:11

I am beginning the new year by meditating on some verses that will inspire me in a fresh new walk with God and give me a deeper commitment to living the Christian life. In addition, it is thefirst day of the new year which gives me the new beginning of reading God's Word consistently this year. Reading, meditating, praying, loving, sharing, witnessing..... oh how my heart longs to draw closer to the Savior. May we all be found faithfully learning and growing in Him this year.

MAY YOU AND YOURS HAVE A BLESSED 2008!!

New Year's Eve Eve

It's hard to believe that we have one more day in this year of 2007. I've always heard that the older one gets, the faster the years go by. I am believing it!! Like everyone, we experienced some trials this year but found God to be so very faithful in the midst of each situation. It is truly in those times that we draw closer to the Lord and grow in our Christian lives. As well, we have experienced so many blessings. Truly it is amazing to live the abundant Christian life. We fail Him far too often but find that His forgiveness is swift and His love is never-ending. Thank You, JESUS!!

We were challenged by our Co-Pastor today to make some earnest decisions to go forward in our Christian walk in the coming year. I knew immediately some areas that I need to re-commit to my Lord and thank Him for pricking my heart about those matters.

Tomorrow we are going over to South Alabama to visit Bellingrath Home and Gardens for our year-end fellowship with Jerry and Peggy. We look forward to that special time with friends who were new into our fellowship this year. Relationships are so special gifts.

I'll be back later......

Susan

Christmas Night ~~ URL for Christmas Eve Pics

If you can't see the pictures in this email, click here to see it in a web browser: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=nhewoo3.3gt1gaa7&x=0&y=-s0lz2a

I won't post our Christmas pics here but have provided the URL to access them on the kodakgallery.com website for anyone who might be interested.

Just 36 more minutes left in this Christmas Day 2007. What a wonderful day of celebrating the love of God and the special gift of His Son, Jesus Christ!

Good night!

Christmas Blessings

Luke 2:11-14 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

We had a most wonderful Christmas Eve with the family here for dinner, the giving and receiving of gifts, and sweet fellowship with our crew. How interesting to think that we get so many thoughtful and loving gifts today, and that JESUS CHRIST is the best gift of all. His free gift of salvation is truly amazing. We had such a sweet time with Chip and with Amy and her family last night. I made a couple of videos that were kind of cute. I am mostly posting them here for Amy and Brian to see, but perhaps someone else might enjoy them as well. I was just in the bathtub soaking while listening to the wonderful Christmas music on our Christian radio station and praying for our family and friends everywhere~~ that you are having a peaceful, loving, and meaningful Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas with Love,
Susan




(SIDE NOTE: If you happen to notice Jaden's change of clothes, here is the scoop on that. Grandpa and I gave him "cammo" pants, sweatshirt, t-shirt, shorts, hat, socks and shoes. That little kid LOVED the clothes (I thought it would be his "worst" gift) and had to put the two different sets during the evening. That was a pleasant suprise. Ha!)

Christmas Eve's Conclusion...

Luke 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

It was a wonderful time with the family. Chip is here with us from North Alabama, and Amy and her family walked over at 5:00 to begin our annual traditions. Those traditions grow richer and dearer with time. We had a wonderful dinner and had a real sweet time opening gifts one by one and sharing in exclaiming over each gift opened and thanking the giver. Afterwards, we had our desserts and enjoyed watching the GRANDkids enjoy their new things. Brian, Amy, and the kids just left at 10:00 to go home. They have their big Christmas Day doings with their personal Christmas gift openings in the morning and then going to Pappy and Grandma Y's house tomorrow at noon. They plan to come back over here tomorrow night to play games, eat again, etc. We'll keep it going for as long as we can! Grandma is tired and is retiring for the night. Dear Jesus, thank you for a wonderful time with our children and Grandchildren as we celebrated your coming to earth to redeem us.

Merry Christmas Eve~~ Susan's Thoughts Today

Luke 2:4-6 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

I realize that our Savior was probably not born on December 25, but it is such a blessing that we have this particular day set aside to remember and celebrate His birth. Just think, on "this day" so many years ago, Mary was HUGE with CHILD and close to delivering her baby boy. Our Lord was getting ready for His exit from Mary's womb to be laid in a humble manger bed. I was looking at the full moon last night as we were coming home from church and thought how that our Lord had walked on this green earth for 33 years ~~ fully human~~ and had gazed upon the same moon as he grew up from babyhood into boyhood and then into adulthood. And then I thought, not only had He gazed upon that moon, but that He CREATED the moon~~ fully God. What an awesome Savior we serve and what an honor it is to celebrate His birth during this very special time of year.

Chip arrived home from North Alabama last night. With him here, we are family-ready!! Our Christmas Eve dinner (filet mignon, baked potatoes, Caesar salad, cranberry nut mold salad, green bean and corn casserole, cakes and goodies) ~~ is in the works. Granddaughter Isabella is coming over here in a bit to lend her aid to Grandma in the kitchen, setting tables, etc. We will have FUN together. Brian, Amy, Jarrett, Josh, and Jaden will all come over at about 5:00 and we'll share in a wonderful Christmas Eve celebration together.

So it is with a joyful heart that I bid a Merry Christmas to anyone who might visit here. My greatest hope is that if there is someone reading this who doesn't know JESUS as their Personal Savior that they might accept God's GREAT gift of Salvation~~~ a personal faith in Jesus Christ.

Happy Birthday, Lord Jesus!

Susan