The Christmas Story

We have a ton of ground to cover so we should get started on South Mississippi Part 2.

The highlight of this trip has to be Caleb accepting Jesus and getting baptized.  He has been asking questions since he was about 4.5 years old and has really challenged a few people with some of the questions that he has had over the last few years, especially the last few months.  He came to me and asked if he could talk to one of my "garage guys", Dr J, who is a pastor at the church (there was a group of WISE and trusted men I used to meet with weekly and talk about them all the time.  They are known as my "garage guys") and we stopped in during the day and talked with him a bit.  Later in the week, Caleb asked if he could go and talk with him again so we saw if he had a bit of time after the kid's Christmas Choir show.  Caleb presented his wanting to know Christ personally and ask him into his heart...and he did.  It was a sweet evening and we did a bit of celebrating with friends that included a bit of hootin' and hollerin', some hugs, and some fist bumps.  Caleb had also asked about being baptized in our "home church" and the necessary parties got started right away with only 3 days in between.  We are so thankful that things were changed as it meant so much to him to be here and have such a memorable and special experience.  Dr J asked me if I would like to baptize my son and I excitedly accepted.  The day came and it was a sweet, sweet morning that I know I will never forget.  Caleb was covered in a smile that outshined the sun all day and told everyone that he saw (literally everyone!) in every place that we went that he had been baptized. 

Caleb is intently listening and conversing with Dr J about the Lord. 

Celebrating with some hugs and fist bumps!

Kamryn dressed herself and did her own hair so she could dress up for Caleb's special day. 

The morning of Caleb's baptism 

This was special day for all of us. 

That's one proud momma. 

Caleb was so happy that one of my "garage guys" (especially this character!) was involved.



This is a proud daddy moment!



That's a Happy boy!

We got a whole of celebrating in to celebrate this great occasion.  We had a marvelous time at Chuck E Cheese.  We went to Lifeway and bought something that would commemorate this day also.  Caleb picked out a 5 inch knight in armor to remind him to wear the Armor of God and he wrote his dates on the bottom of it.  We also had a little party at him that included some finger foods and games.  This brings in another story.  On the way to Chuck E Cheeses we heard a rock hit the windshield.  There was only a noise and no crack...until about 5 minutes later where a crack started and didn't stop until I stopped looking at it about 10 inches later.  Anyway, this led to a story that was worth the cracked windshield. 


Some special time at Chuck E Cheese! 

Counting the loot. 

A little party at home.

Cracked windshields are never a treat.  Especially when you find out that you didn't know that your deductible was too high to cover it (that was quickly changed for next time!).  Kelly contacted a few companies and found a local guy that she really enjoyed talking to on the phone and set it up.  A different guy showed up the next morning and the fun began.  Caleb was out in the cold and damp weather and started telling Mike about his recent baptism.  Caleb, and later Zachary and Kamryn, was filled with a ton of questions about windshields and anything that you could imagine that involve windshields.  As I expected, Caleb got his, "Just let me know if you need any help", statement in and he instantly had a job.  He got to squirt the water bottle to keep the blade cool that removed the windshield and then went on standby for any other help needed.  The few hours that Mike was here was a great time.  We had amazing conversation and ended up praying together before he left.  A great experience after a not so marvelous broken windshield. 


Caleb hard at work. 

Caleb and Zachary taking it all in. 

Now onto the rest of the time here.  We were supposed to be out of here on the 22nd and decided to stay through Christmas and be near friends and stay for another week.  We have spent some wonderful time with a whole lot of wonderful people.  We have had a few folks over for dinner.  We have been over to few others for some great meals.  We have been invited out a few times and otherwise had some great time catching up and sharing an amazing story that has been written over the last number of months.  We spent an evening looking at acres of lights with some friends and the kids had a blast playing in the dark and cold air.  We have also met so many new people, have had a chance to help some folks that we had never met before, and had a chance to serve in a number of ways.  We met a guy in a parking lot that had a dead jumper battery.  We offered to help him and ended up talking about family, travel, Christmas plans and then we got invited to his neck of the woods in Florida.  Kelly met a great lady in a bookstore who asked her for help and they both ended up in tears...I even got a walk-by hug in with her while trying to find Kelly!  We also met and have had some great talks with a great couple here in the RV park.  They are a young Active Duty couple who has chosen to live in motorhome instead of a sticks and bricks home.  Kamryn ended up inviting herself to help put stamps on their Christmas cards and most of them ended up on the correct part of the envelope!  We had the opportunity to go and sing Christmas carols at a retirement facility as a family and had a marvelous time.  We went to sing for one beautiful young lady and ended up singing to everyone in the facility in the dining room!  We met a lady that looked to be about mid 70's and from a fella' that was keen on her, we found out that she was 100!  The guy called Kelly over and pointed across the room.  He said, "See that beautiful young lady over there?  She's 100 years old."  That was quite a nice experience for all of us.



After singing carols to everyone in the dining room, we got to go back and see her beautiful room.  She was so full of amazing words. 

Now, onto Christmas!  We wondered if this Christmas would be any different by being in the RV, but it really wasn't.  We were surround by great friends and otherwise just loved on each other and had a great Christmas.  Caleb said today that this was his best Christmas ever and Zachary and Kamryn enjoyed it just as much.  We watched our "normal" Christmas movies and made some crafts.  Some of our frustrations came in with not trying to hide presents but trying to just keep them out of the way!  That was challenging but worked out in the end.  We all ended up with gifts we love.  We even ended up with a few gifts from friends we have met along the way.  We are so grateful that the Lord has put people in our lives that we have had the chance to leave a positive impression on and they care enough to keep up with us.   We have been out shopping/looking and remember why we retreat to the woods sometimes.  We also attended the Christmas Eve candlelight service at church and it felt great to be here with friends.  Afterwards, we were invited over to Mrs. Charlotte's house for hot chocolate and snacks and enjoyed conversation with a great lady.  We are so glad that we stayed here for Christmas and feel very loved!

When Kamryn was baby Jesus in the Church play that we were all in 2013, this was her angel!  Kamryn said, "Did I lay on a bale of hay?"

Kamryn and Lexie.  Such beautiful young ladies. 

All the kids gathered to hear the Christmas story. 

Spending Christmas Eve with Mrs. Charlotte.  Couldn't have asked for more. 

Getting a card from New York from a friend we made in Pennsylvania. 

Feeling the love from New York!

Just like a house. Always something to be done. 

Caleb loves this thing!  It is a huge pine cone that opens and closes with the temperature. 

Kamryn and Ally reunited. 

There's about to be trouble out of this crowd!

Christmas antics!

The girls were having a "melt down" (like a snowman) for hot chocolate. 

A good friend of mine that I used to teach boys' Sunday School with.  Very important fella.

So good to be back with friends.   

One of Kamryn's shopping days...excursions. 

Caleb loves this thing. This is his favorite gift.  (I couldn't get this to rotate!)

There was no stress this morning...it was great!

Throwing a party for Jesus!

Daddy helping Kamryn do her nails with her new paint/pens. 

The goods!

Kelly got a sewing machine for Christmas and we made the kids curtains for the bunks. 

Mrs. Charlotte sent us home with roast, potatoes, veggies, beans, and dessert.  This was our Christmas feast!

 

The weather here has been winter like...on and off.  It was warm one day and rained for 3 others.  We will be heading out soon and at this point we think we are heading back to Texas.  We'll see what the Lord has in store. 

We have a few more days here but we will miss Biloxi and our friends but know that we are welcome back any time!