December '07

2007 is over. So much has happened. Liz finished her first year of teaching. Tim got his master’s degree. Scott & Amy (Liz’s sister) had their first child (Dekoda). Tim’s Mom & Dad moved to Florida after Dad’s retirement from the police force. We moved to Beaufort, NC and began our ministry at New Hope Baptist Church. So much in just one year!

December was a good end to a good year. We began the month by going to a Christmas light show at “Mike’s Farm.” It was great. We also had the teenagers from our church over and have a Christmas party. The Sunday before Christmas, we had our first Communion service at New Hope. It was a very special time (although Tim was extremely nervous doing this for the first time as a pastor).

Then came the Christmas vacation. It was much needed. We had the opportunity to travel up to Amherst, VA to visit Liz’s family. Christmas Eve Tim woke up early (5 a.m.) and went deer hunting. He didn’t see anything. Later, it was off to Grandma & Poppa’s house (Liz’s father’s parents) for a Christmas brunch party. Almost that whole side of the family was there. After a while it was off to Granny & Papa’s house (Liz’s mother’s parents) for more food. It seemed like we never stopped eating this whole vacation.

Christmas day was nice. We woke up early at Liz’s parent’s house and opened Christmas presents! The whole day we stayed at the house (something very unusual for Christmas in VA) while many people came to visit. Again the food seemed to increase (as well as our waists). Koda was a very happy baby during all the fun on Christmas! :-)

Wednesday was the shopping day. Before the mid-week service Tim, Scott (our bro-in-law), Nathan (Liz’s brother), and Daddy (Liz’s father) went hunting again. Tim saw a big buck but he was unable to get a clear shot (well that’s the story he’s telling). Thursday & Friday was fairly relaxing. All in all, it was a great vacation. The worst part about it was when we had to leave.

Here are a few extra pictures of our wonderful Christmas vacation. :-)

Momma and her first grandson Dekoda!

Daddy and Dekoda

Me and Dekoda on Christmas Eve

Amy and her baby Dekoda!

Scott and his baby boy!

November '07

November has come and gone, but it was a great month. We had our first missionary visit and present his ministry at New Hope Baptist Church. It was amazing! Dexter Kirby has a heart for his people back in St. Vincent. He stayed with us and even brought an old friend from Winston-Salem – Luke Shover. Luke attended Piedmont with us and went to the same church back in Winston. He is a good friend and we enjoyed having both Luke and Dexter visit with us.

Liz and I had the opportunity to travel all the way down to Ocala, Florida to spend Thanksgiving with the family. That was so much fun. We needed the break. We haven’t been with the whole family at the same time in a while so it was wonderful. Our nieces are so cute. They are growing up fast!

Unfortunately vacations have to end. When we got back to Beaufort, we decorated our apartment for Christmas.

We still have our cats.

October '07

October has been a good month. Things have not slowed down any since we got here. The church is going well. No matter how much training you get, nothing can prepare you for the ministry. The good news is, we are growing. We have been running 50 on Sunday morning! But even more amazing than that, we are running 35-38 on Wednesday. Most churches can’t get half their congregation to attend on Wednesday evening. We are praising the Lord to see the faithfulness of so many.

Scott and Amy came out to see us. Scott, being the good husband and father, brought Amy and Dekoda to Beaufort. He had to leave the next day and came back two days later. Liz was very happy to see family. She was even happier to see her new nephew, Dekoda. That baby is cute. We got to take Dekoda to the beach for the first time in his life (even though he won’t remember it). That’s right, it is October and still beach weather. The beaches are only filled with locals, which means they are nearly empty. The water is cool but not cold. The breeze is crisp, the sand is soft, and the waves are crashing. What a place to live.