This is the point

Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life

Thanks Tim, Pam and Drew

Thought of the day

He is the Potter, we are the clay. He is the one who gives the commands; we are the ones who obey. He never has to explain Himself; He never has to ask permission. He is shaping us over into the image of His Son, regardless of the pain and heartache that may require. Those lessons are learned a little easier when we remember that we are not in charge, He is.

Quote of the day

When the Ritz-Carlton Hotels won the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the owner of that outstanding organization, Mr. William Johnson, stated that now they would need to work even harder to earn the respect that came with the award. "Quality," he said, "is a race with no finish line."

SNOW – SNOW – and more SNOW

This is what our back deck looks like this afternoon.

I know that I drove 875 miles south from Syracuse and I know that I arrived in Nashville because my license reads “Tennessee”

All the local schools were closed last night. A good 15 hours before the first flake hit the ground.
It started snowing at 8:00 a.m.
Our company began sending people home at 8:30 after one half inch of snow, closed clinics at 12:00 and sent everyone home.
There was 1 inch of snow on the ground.

I arrived home at 2:00 after the last few patients finished up and we had about 2 inches of snow on the ground and most roads were starting to see snow stick.

So we built a table snowman… LOL. Ok I did because Jeremy was to mature to help.

I know I moved south because they talk funny in my office.

The news is reporting this is the worse snow storm in 6 years.
It is sleeting and freezing rain now.

I know that I moved SOUTH….did I say that already?

Passion for Christ

While I know if you have been called to be a pastor then you should be passionate about preaching the Word of God. But this morning I watched a man preach the word of God to an empty sanctuary and with so much passion that it can only come from God.

Let me explain.
We attended Long Hollow Baptist Church this morning as we normally do, however, we had found out yesterday via Twitter that our pastor would not be there because he was given the opportunity, with 5 others, to travel to Haiti and assist The Global Orphans Project in the recovery.
So, what did he do?
On Wednesday he quickly filmed the sermon in an empty sanctuary. There was no audience to feed off of, no amen’s to drive him on and no laughter for his jokes. At least while he was taping, but let me tell you that all of those were there this morning at a packed house watching the video. It was AWESOME! A man that actually practice’s what he preaches and with passion.
David Landrith I applaud you and your example

Survived the Apocalypse of Middle Tennessee snow

It was a tough day, but we all survived our first Nashville Winter Storm.
I have to admit at times it looked like Syracuse in mid November.
Crisp air, light snow, panicked weather people and real bad drivers!

Some pictures here

Apocalypse in Tennessee

That is the response from one of Jeremy’s friends while discussing what the National Weather service has determined is a “Winter Weather Advisory” here in Middle Tennessee.

 

We are to expect 1.5 to 3 inches overnight tonight. Schools were closed by 5:00 PM tonight for tomorrow, the grocery stores are empty (no kidding), businesses are discussing what will happen if people cant get to work. The roads are even salted already and we aren’t expecting anything for another 8 hours.

NOT A FLAKE HAS HIT THE GROUND YET!!!!!!!

Okay so I am really attempting not to be condescending when I laugh at them. But it is hard!

So while all our friends in Syracuse handle “Feet” of snow……………..

…………………we will attempt to figure out what to do with the “inch” that has set Middle Tennessee into “Panic”. Love all our new friends, but gotta thank them for the free entertainment.

Reflections

While reading my devotions to start the morning and the new year I was reminded that it is okay to reflect. Thanks Chuck!

It has been quite a year!

We started 2009 in Clay (Syracuse) New York and finished it in Nashville, Tennessee (celebrated in Milford, Indiana with Sarah’s in-law)

In February we traveled to Nashville to watch Jeremy fill the job of Front House Engineer for the Belmont University Country Music Showcase. This performance takes on the similar format as American Idol with tryouts, final performances and judges. What a springboard used by God to move Jeremy forward in his career.

In May, after 10 years of employment at Syracuse University – University College we took a job at Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance.

We left a lot of good friends and family behind, thank goodness for the internet, email and webcams allowing us to keep in touch.

We have made new friends here as well. Friends at Work at office and Friend at his passion

This resulted in us selling our house of 27 1/2 years. The good news is, God sold it in five days, the sad news is we left the house that we raised our children in, and the house that Becky’s father was raised in. But in the end, it was the right thing to do. So on Mothers day 2009 we packed up the van and the PODS, celebrated the day with Ted and Debbie Thompson (Becky’s sister) and headed to Music City.  The warmth of Tennessee has been wonderful for Becky’s health.

Less than 30 days after our move, we welcomed a son-in-law into our family. Sarah Anne Bayne married David Miller

God provided a wonderful place for us to live that allowed Jeremy to move in to the basement. This resulted in saving both of us money in rent as he finishes college and the muscle we have needed to move furniture. We have also been able to get to know his girl friend McCauley and a lot of his friends.

We have been to Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, New York this year. We have traveled through Ohio, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Georgia.

We left a great church in Syracuse when we moved. Calvary Chapel of Syracuse with Pastor Ken Lang. We knew this would be one of the most difficult things to do. We visited a number of churches, both large and small. In the end it was Jeremy who introduced us to the place where we think we will land for a while. Jeremy is one of the monitor engineers for the singers there at the church, so we decided to try Long Hollow Baptist Church. While we knew that this would be a hard decision, God has been gracious to find for us another man of God that preaches the word with passion and honesty. We will always miss Pastor Ken Lang, because he filled a void when we needed it in our lives and we thank both him and God for that.

We have found new stores, new doctors, new roads, new malls, new friends, new jobs, a new place to live, new weather patterns. We have left behind – but keep deeply in our hearts and minds- friends, families and many memories. We praise God that He has allowed us to have shared these memories with many people and look forward to making new memories as we move forward.

It has been quite the year and we praise God for each moment, event and memory. Without Him we would not have stepped out in faith we would not have made the scary changes and without Him we would not have the courage to continue to move forward. Stand firm on Philippians 4:13 and Proverbs 3:5-6

Happy New Year

Christmas day X 2

So Christmas this year has been a little different. We went to Christmas eve service in shirt sleeves. No boots, no heavy coats and no gloves. Now understand there were mixed feelings with this, but in the end still thrilled to be here. While we are enjoying the warmer weather and sunshine, we have missed the snow for Christmas.
We enjoyed Christmas last weekend with Dave, Sarah and McCauley. Dave and Sarah drove down to spend the weekend with us so that they could have Christmas morning in their own apartment and with Dave’s family on Christmas day. McCauley traveled home to spend Christmas with her family. Christmas morning number one – Christmas evening number one
Jeremy, Becky and I enjoyed a wonderful Christmas morning here in Tennessee. We did get started a bit late because Jeremy worked running monitors for the worship team at the Longhollow church 4 Christmas eve services.
Christmas morning pictures

Merry Christmas

It’s all about Christ.

It doesn’t matter what the world thinks, teaches, legislates or controls,

It doesn’t matter what date we pick or the season we choose,

In the end it’s all about Christ!

It doesn’t matter if the world doesn’t believe, because not believing something doesn’t change the fact.

We celebrate Christmas to remember the birth of our savior .

Who was born a man to add humanity to Himself in order to carry and understand all of our temptations – pride – jealousy – lust – hate – hunger – etc…. Great series to listen to or watch

We celebrate Christmas to share in the gift God gave us that night in a feeding trough. His only son!

Have a happy holiday because there is nothing wrong with that

but do not be afraid to wish us all a Merry Christmas

because it’s all about Christ!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!