"Tell A Story of Magic" Christmas Cards

Shutterfly has some really awesome Christmas card this year. These cards are awesome for family members and for handing out at church. Nothing is more personal than a photo Christmas card. Share you family with others. Also, check our their address labels. Shutterfly is the place to order your Christmas cards for 2010. My favorite is the "Sweet Holly Story Christmas Card." On the inside you can showcase each one of your family members with a brief update on them. Also, they are now offering 20% off all holiday cards! You don't want to miss out on these special offers.

Camping Trip Ellijay, GA (Blue Ridge Mtns)

On October 15 we left out headed to the mountains. We were taking our popup, which my very special uncle and friend had fixed for us. The camper had been giving us trouble, but before we left everything worked just fine. Well, at eleven that night we arrived and was confronted by the popup not wanting to go up. It was late, I had already smashed my thumb, so we made the most memorable trip to WalMart at about one in the morning. We purchased a tent. This tent, on the package, seemed to be like any other dome tent. But, as we pulled it out of the package we were shocked! It was a screen tent with a rain flap over it. We knew God had a wonderful weekend planned for us and we didn't give up on Him. So we had the kids sleep in their clothes, jackets and three blankets on top of them. Jeremy and I were in our clothes we wore down there, a sheet and one blanket. We had a heater going, but of course you can only imagine where the heat went. Jeremy and I froze our tales off and the kids, of course, stayed warm all night. The next morning we woke up and was about ready to head back home, but God had plans for us. I called my uncle and he told us to go buy a 2x2 to prop the camper up, which worked like a charm. (We would have done this the night before but remember we were cold, tired and I was hurting. Oh, did I mention the kids were wired and tired at the same time.) We came back from eating at Chik fil A, fixed the camper, set everything up, unloaded all the totes and headed to the Apple Orchard. Hillcrest Orchards was the best. It cost about $40 for all of us to get in and we were able to do most activities. Now, if you're just a couple without kids, I'd suggest another orchard. But, for those of you with kids you need to experience Hillcrest. They have a petting zoo and the animals are running loose. Katies highlight was catching chickens. Emileigh loved the baby goats and John David loved playing on the toy tractor. We had the best day ever and the best food ever. The kids had a corn dog, hot dog and one had a hamburger. Jeremy and I got smoked turkey legs, corn on the cob and ribbon fries. Umm it was so good. Then we took a wagon ride through a fairytale trail and through the orchard. This place was awesome and both the kids, Jeremy and myself had a blast. Afterward we went home and passed out fliers about us having a muffins and orange juice social and Jeremy sharing the Word of God around the campfire at our campsite. We got to talk to some really wonderful people and share with others our heart about starting a ministry while camping. We got to share the love of Jesus to some that may not have known Him or come to Him yet. I pray that they were touched and God is working in their lives as they have returned home. After Sunday morning, which Jeremy did a wonderful job, we loaded up and headed to Amicolola Falls State Park. It was the most beautiful state park I've ever been to. Reminded me a lot of Cades Cove in TN. We hiked up a trail only to come to a sign that says "Dangerous hike ahead. 175 Steep steps." We made it up those and the kids were exhausted. When we arrived at the midway bridge to view the falls we noticed another sign. "475 steps to the top of the falls." Needless to say, we did not hike that. In stead we came back down a different way. All in all, we hiked about three miles total. We had a blast though. From there we left and drove over to Delugha, GA to see what the Gold Rush Festival was all about. It was so packed we didn't even attempt to attend it. A couple at Amicolola Falls had told us about it. They said it is the largest festival around during the fall time. Maybe next year. So, we turned around and drove back to Panorama Apple Orchard. There we got apple cider slushies and a warm caramel apple, which was to die for. All it was was a granny smith apple sliced, put into a bowl and smothered in warm caramel. Oh, it was so good. We headed back to the campsite. We built another fire Sunday night and roasted marshmallows. Pink one's to be exact. The kids had a blast and then we loaded our stuff up and got ready to head out the next morning. We had one of the best trips ever and hope to do this every year. If you've never visited Blue Ridge, GA or Ellijay, you need to. It's not commercialized like Pigeon Forge, but very quiet and relaxing.

I knew God would work things out. He always does. I pray that through Him we were also able to minister to some people Saturday night. May His love be seen by others through our family. We're like the fire in the middle of the dark woods. I hope those that are lost can see the fire through us and that through Jesus Christ we can shine the light for them to follow. "Then Jesus spoke to them again: "I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life." John 8:12

"Your Child's Love"

"These are the children the Lord has given me." Genesis 33:5

Some time ago a friend of mine punished his three year old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became upset when she tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you, Daddy." He was embarrassed by his earlier over reaction. But his anger flared again when he opened the box and found it empty. He shouted at her, Don't you know that when you give someone a present there's supposed to be something inside? The little girl looked up at him in tears and said, "Oh, Daddy, it's not empty. I blew kisses into it. I filled it with my love and wrapped it up just for you." He was crushed. Quickly her put his arms around her, hugged her and asked for her forgiveness. My friend told me that he kept that go,ld box by his bed for years, and whenever he got discouraged he'd take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it in there. In a very real sense, each of us parents have been given a gold container filled with the unconditional love of our children. There's not a more precious possession anyone could hold."

Ref: "The Word for You Today" (my daily devotional)

What a busy weekend.

Well we went to my moms for all the January birthdays. Then, we left one at Nana's and went to WalMart. My son decides its a grand idea to reach for something while standing up in the back of the buggie. You all know what happened. Yes, he did a flip out and hit his head. And all the Kings horses and all the Kings men could hear him screaming from bedding to mints. It was aweful. I just knew he was really bad hurt, but he wasn't. He's got a golf ball sized bump on his head. Who knew someones head was as hard as his. Thank you God for taking care of him.