Country Kids

Anna has the "Momma's Hip"
Thank God I'm a Country Boy!

Sam plowing the back forty

How's that hair taste Ellie?

The Fruits of my Labor - a Finished Bathroom!

Well, Sherry has been requesting pics of the finished bathroom. My only regret is that this is the kid's bathroom. I'd like this for my own! The concept is taken from a log cabin that my sweet wife & stayed in in Dahlonaga Ga. I LOVED the bathroom & it was my inspiration for this remodel. The built in linen shelf was done literaly with blood, sweat, & tears (see prior post). I must say that I'm happy with how this project came out. It was the only thing Beth requested & I was secretly thrilled to oblidge.

The fishing creel that holds reading material for the 'Thinking Room'.

The trim on the window & mirror

Wood, wood everywhere!

We sanded & refinished the cabinet doors & they came out great. Thanks to Paul Jr. & Zack.

My Dad gave me the idea to secure the mirror while wrapping it in the rustic trim.

Thanks Dad!

NAILED!

This is what happens when its late, you are over tired, & you're in a rush. It was nearly 11pm & I just wanted to finish this built in shelf.I had to hold the wood in place being very careful not to have my hand anywhere near the path of the nail

Of course, I didn't take into consideration a knot in the wood. The nail hit the knot, took a sharp right turn & went through my trigger finger. PRAISE GOD it didn't hit the bone! It felt like an electric shock. I tried not to react as my dear wife & daughter were in the room. Beth heard the brief reaction & I was caught. Anna freaked out & I just threaded my finger off of the nail.

No big deal but it does make for a good story. Anna will probably rehearse this ordeal at my funeral one day.

Benjamin & the Bubbles

In Celebration of a Good Man

The 'Farm Bureau' Cake Co-workers
Good friends

Well, Jim Williams has finally retired after nearly 40 years with Farm Bureau. Jim was the head of the Pulpit committee that brought us to the Church of the Wildwood. He & Norma have been like parents to us. In fact, Jim reminds me very much of my own Father...stoic, pragmatic, but acutly caring underneath it all. Norma got some of these pictures together for his celebration on Sunday. It was fun to hear all the "Jim" stories from friends, co-workers, & family. Through all the laughter & stories, one common theme emerged: FAITHFULNESS. Jim Williams is a faithful man.

I don't know if there's a better tribute to a man than to call him faithful. Jim loves Jesus Christ & has been so faithful in his walk with Him. I've seen Jim on the mountain top & in the valley of the shadow of death & he's the same man in both situations.

We've been in some ministry scapes together & some of those were all out battles. I've seen Jim difuse a heated situation with a calm, Spirit filled word. As proverbs says, a soft answer turns away wrath...

Norma was thrilled to finally have suprised Jim with this celebration party. Its hard to 'get over' on a guy like Jim but she did.

We had so much fun celebrating this man's faithfulness. May God allow him to finish as well as he has been up to now.

Raja

I met my brother today. His name is Raja. He was born in A.P. India. He's been here 12 years & God is calling him back home to start a church & witness to his family. He came to our Pastor's coffee group this morning. I immediately had a kinship with this man - it was the Holy Spirit at work. Raja is a man of an excellent spirit. He loves Jesus unashamedly. I asked him to come to dinner at the Church tonight & to give his testimony after we ate. He loved my Mom's coleslaw made the Yankee way with mayo not vinegar & pureed not chopped.
After dinner, he gave his testimony. Our church just recognized the sweet savor of Christ in this man. I was standing in the back of the sanctuary & my daughter Anna quietly said, "Please tell me we're taking up a love offering for this man. I want to give an offering towards his ministry." I was toying with that very idea when she asked me that...can you say 'Confirmation'?
Brother Hayward then tapped me & said, "We need to pray over this brother". Boy did we. We all crowded around him and had a sweet time of prayer. Then we took up a love offering that Raja refused to use for his personal needs but rather for ministry. With just a small Wednesday nite crowd, we took up $345! Even Jim Williams was impressed and that's hard to do.
Yep, I met my brother at Starbucks today...

More Camp Pics

Fellowship...gotta love camp Nancy at her best

Colin Campbell

Food & Fellowship

Miss Memory & Benjamin