Easter 2011

I can't believe I got a picture of our whole crew smiling!!!  Love this!

We had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday. Great morning meeting with the church and a fun-filled day with friends.  We moved to Georgia 10 years ago this summer, and all but maybe two of those years , we have spent Easter Sunday with the Gable family.  The Gables and the Smiths (all related-Hope is originally a Gable, too) were two of the families that reached out to us soon after we moved here and just took us in. They treated us like their own from the beginning, and, truthfully, were a huge part in making Georgia "home" to us.  They really went above and beyond to make sure that our family felt welcome.  They would have us to dinner, help with our kids, let us come over and go fishing or let Kenny camp out on their property with the boys.  Their boys played football for Kenny in those early years, and if it weren't for Hope and Deede I  wouldn't have ever gotten to many of those football games with 4 little boys under the age of 5, not to mention the stories I could go on and on about of other things they did for me. (Let's just say, there are only a few people in your life who can say they've cleaned out your refrigerator!)  Some of the memories make me crack up just thinking about them! 

One of the neatest things, though, is how they always welcomed us and others around who didn't have family in town for Easter to spend the holiday with them.  We have had some precious memories of Easter lunches and egg hunts out at the Gables.  It makes me smile to think about them all.  This year was no exception.  We had a great time spending the beautiful Sunday afternoon together.  Thank you, Lord, for such special friends.  I hope we can be "the Gables" to some young families someday, too. 

Here are some pictures from our fun Easter this year!



Can't believe these 2 fellas were 2 and 3 when we moved down here!



Joshua and David...they've grown up around here!

Kirk and Deede (Deede is also the twins guitar teacher!)




 


Posing for the camera!




Bobby and Hope (:

 

Egg toss (Elly's first time ever!)

Mammaw got to join us this year...here Elly is taking her to see the chickens!

Savannah and her husband, Alan

Zech checking out his eggs

Elly girl

Mama Gable with Kenny and Zech

The porch swing picture! (we always try for one...some years turn out better than others!)

Leaving a Comment

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Thanks for reading!
Shannon

How Quickly He Grows!

(Click on the collage to enlarge)

Caleb had his 12th birthday a couple of weeks ago, and I had gathered some pictures to post but just haven't gotten around to putting them on the blog...better late than never, right?! 

Caleb's name is perfect for him.  When we picked it, we loved some of the verses in scripture about Caleb and the heart he had.  One of my favorites, and it seems to fit our Caleb perfectly, is in Numbers when the Israelites are preparing to enter the Promised Land after 40 years in the wilderness.  Caleb, who at this time was about 90 years old, says, "I'm as ready to fight today as I was 40 years ago!"  Now, you've gotta' love that heart!  He never doubted His Lord's power and plan.  He didn't waiver after all those years.  He finished strong.  That's a real man.  That's our prayer for our Caleb.  He's well on his way, and with the grace and strength of our Lord He will be a mighty man of God one day, too. 

Here are a few more pictures...We love you, Caleb D!!!





Always loved this one of Jake looking into the bassinet at Caleb in the hospital!

Caleb at 3 months old...he was a little chunker!!! I love sweet cheeks!

Playing in the mud...about 4 years old

Absolute sweetness! (:

Christmas 2010



On his birthday...12 years old!!!



Penn Jillette on Sharing the Gospel: "How much Do You Have to Hate Someone?"

Very powerful video that our pastor showed at church this past Sunday.  I was out of town, but Kenny shared this with me Sunday night.  This is Penn Jillette (an atheist) speaking about someone trying to share God's word with him...wow!  Not sure if there's a better "sermon" out there on sharing the gospel.

Caleb's Song

Caleb (who is almost 12) was asked to sing a solo for the school's elementary Easter chapel today (Yes, they did it a few weeks before Easter this year...start off the month ready to celebrate!) The entire chapel was just beautiful.  Here is video of Caleb singing Chris Tomlin's "Amazing Grace".  He loves to sing, but he's only done one solo ever before this one. Very thankful that he had the opportunity to share today.

I'll never forget a few years ago Caleb started really falling in love with singing.  For those of you who know me, you know I've always loved music and have always loved to sing. Well, when Caleb was about 8 years old  he told me one day as he fought back tears, "Mama, when I sing, I can't explain it, but I just FEEL God."  My heart knew exactly what he was talking about, and needless to say, it made me smile, because I knew that even in this tough, athletic little fella, God had put the gift of song and had begun molding his little heart a bit more into the man He was creating him to be. I think that's one of the things I love about Caleb.  He is such a rugged, tough, sports playing boy, but he's also always had this gentle side to him that is kind and true.  Hope you are blessed by his song today.