Chicago!

Chicago Title that is. Today we closed/sold our home. It's the house we brought both boys home from the hospital too, where they took their first steps, where they said their first words, where they zipped through the house on tricycles, chased each other with light sabers, and put hand prints (and sometimes footprints) all over the walls. It was a good house, but it served it's purpose. Now we are officially homeless. We have moved our crew into my folks house (they cleared out two rooms and took in two crazy dogs) for a couple of weeks. Looking at March 16th till we close on our 'new' and third home... Crazy to think it's our third house...makes me feel that much older. Sigh. In the meantime, we are happily homeless!

Can you deal with that??

You mess

with the big dogs

and you

are going

to get

sprayed!!

...at least till big brother comes to your defense!

To the least of these

Ever wondered what it's like to rub shoulders with the homeless? Ever wondered their stories, their needs, their struggles. We attend a Sunday school class willing to stand for truth, willing to serve, willing to put FAITH to FEET. A class that teaches the bible, turns our focus on our Almighty, Sovereign, Living Lord. A class that supports a range of ministries (from the unborn, the hungry, to the local youth to name a few), that encourages us to live outside ourselves, outside the 4 walls and daily live with a heart pursuing that of our Lord's. To open our eyes, give of our time, giving to those who are 'the least of these.' This morning it was to live out Matthew 26:35-40 'for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in. I was naked and you clothed Me...The righteous will answer Him saying, 'Lord when did we see You hungry...And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'

We made 7 lbs of hash browns, loaded up with a friend and drove to Lewis Park in Conroe. While the surrounding area reminded me of my time in Compton, the park itself was well maintained. How many people know what lurks just inside this tree line? Dozens of men and women struggling to eat... Compassion United, the founders of this ministry know very well. Every weekend they serve these people, they cloth them, they minister to them. Minutes after CU arrived and set up about 80 people slowly came out of the woods and gathered around the man in charge for a time of prayer.

A morning like this reminds me, that we are called to serve, called to love, and called to step out and do as Christ Himself taught us. I was blessed more than these individuals were this morning.

Slowly come from every direction

Some bring food, while others bring clothing, gloves, blankets...and they measure them for a 'close' fit.

They bring empty bags and leave with them full.

They are overwhelmed with gratitude for their new clothes.

Listening to the guy from Compassion United talk about God's love for them.

They formed a line faster than I have EVER seen. Quiet, exact, and patient...I was taken a back by it.

They tuck away food for later...

But we come to do more than fill their stomachs. We come for fellowship, to be the listening ear, to be the physical form of Christ's love.

Children are encouraged and involved. She comes out every Saturday and this time made sure that her 'friends' got Valentine's candy. This girl has a heart of gold. She's 5.

Gratitude abounds....

A man that leads by example. A man that loves the Lord.

It sure was cold!

We don't come to just give them a hot meal. We come to serve them.

A gentle face of one of the 'least of these.'

Taught by example.

Come...

Tonight Tyler finished eating, walked outside (not sure why...), and did this. He ran back inside and told everyone 'my shadow makes a Jesus!! Come and see!" Freeze Tyler...let me get the camera. :)

I have a dream...

and it's freedom for the unborn. Free to have life, free to grow, free to love, free to know their mother. Today, I went to witness the largest pro life rally that I have ever seen. Thousands came in complete silence to protest the incoming nation's largest abortion clinic downtown, 78,000 sq foot clinic performing procedures up to 26 weeks.

You would think, only the crazy fanatics do this type of thing...but it is not. It was the normal all American guy, newly weds, veterans, moms to be, and those that regretted their decision to abort. It's heartbreaking to stand there, as much for the victims Planned Parenthood takes, as to see first hand the depravity of our land. Planned Parenthood called out the HPD because we are dangerous??? I think not. It was a peaceful, compassionate, and transforming demonstration.

Men working inside the building stood memorized at windows watching the rally below. While their foreman or rather, forewomen, stood mocking with another worker. Standing for Truth is what our Almighty God has called us to do. So I invite everyone reading this, to join us this February 11th at Crossroads Baptist on 242 in The Woodlands 6:00 pm to stand for the sanctity of life! These pictures represent stepping outside the comfort zone and doing God's work.

The 'new' building...

Lining the sidewalks

It is life!


Peaceful prayer. Some bring ipods of worship music, some bring Bibles, some just stand...it's so simple.

Made National news...

Planned Parenthood back up...

Who comes out?? Normal people...

Crowds thickening...

Normal all American guy...

She LOVES life!

The lady in charge

Thought this interesting. Inside the fence of the new location in a rubble of trash just outside their main door, sat a cross beam of wood. I couldn't help but think, that is exactly where our Nation has put the truth of Christ.

Merry CHRISTmas!

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us." Matthew 1:23

Kickoff to Christmas eve was celebrated with some friends that had a hayride from their house through the streets to view Christmas lights. They also had loads of hot chocolate and had 'Prep & Landing' and the 'Grinch' playing life size on their garage! Very cool. The kids loved it.

Tyler 'lovingly' spit hot chocolate all over Erin. The nice wet spot on her shirt. I was horrifed and so was Erin.

Looking grown up!!

BJ & I hosted the 2nd annual Potatoe & Knipfla Soup for Christmas Eve after our church service. He's getting mighty good at it. It's now been declared a tradition.

Loving on Opa

and Uncle Deke

The perfect host & hostess for a Christmas brunch

Homemade 3 layer red velvet 'Happy Birthday Jesus' cake. As family arrived, we each put in a candle. Erin being watched by all as she puts her's carefully in.

Ever so sweetly singing 'Happy Birthday Jesus. I'm so glad it's Christmas...'

Doing what boys do. Singing ever so sweetly...not gonna happen.

Captured...smiling for my uncle's camera.

Papa read the Christmas story! THE reason for the season!

Big girl Kam, who even sat at the kids table this year, was sweetly laying her head on T's belly just before I took this shot. Not many others that T would have let do that! Maybe because he was really listening to Papa...

Opa with the Watson's listening... Sweet...

Papa knows Drew! The Christmas story on GLOVES! A total score!

A winning gift...loves anything to do with cars.

And Drew takes the weed eater to work. He got an abundance of tools. Put them all out and proclaimed to himself under his breath 'now I am JUST like daddy.'

Merry Christmas! What a sweet, beautiful time to reflect on our Holy God and His pathway to Him, the mighty Son, our Saviour! Who will, with trumpet sound, return for His second coming! Awesome!

It's been a Christmas of blessing, full of family and good food! My 88 year old grandfather traveled with my uncle to visit us on Christmas. It's a special time to listen to an Air Force war hero, and all the days of ol'. We loved having them both and my parents in town (last couple of years they have been in PA).

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!