Blessings

What a blessing it was to enjoy Christmas Eve with my church family for our annual Christmas Eve Celebration, and to enjoy Christmas Day with my family at our home. I am truly a blessed man.

Johnny

Christmas Plans

It's the most wonderful time of the year. For me, that really is the case. I love the Christmas season. Now that Christmas day is only a few days away, our lives will really get busy. But we love it.

We plan to travel to Louisiana this weekend to visit my family. We will enjoy great food, wonderful fellowship, fun gifts, and the warmth of being together with all the brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, parents . . . well, you get the point. We will be back on town Sunday evening.

I look forward to the Christmas Eve Service each year. It has become one of the most precious elements of our Christmas celebration. After that we will enjoy spending time with our family on Christmas Day.

As usual, our kids will enjoy the challenge of finding and securing their gifts. They simply call it "the hunt." Though they are grown, they still enjoy the fun and excitement. Over the years they have had go dig their gifts out of the ground, find them in A/C vents, under bridges, in trees, and in all kinds of other hiding places. They have had to work puzzles, answer questions and solve clues in order to get their gifts. This year will be no different. Though they have no idea what to expect Christmas morning, they know it will be fun.

The following weekend Jan's family will come to our place. They love to come and we love hosting them. When the Nichols and Millers get together at the Hutchison's the food is plentiful, the laughter is contagious, and we always find time for some shopping.

As you can tell, we are in for a grand time this Christmas Season. May the coming days bring you more blessings than you can imagine. And remember to spend some time honoring the one whose birthday we are celebrating.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Kids are the Best

Don't you just love kids? Boy, I do. I am so proud of the kids who presented The Mystery of the Manger last night. It was a great program. The kids choir Christmas program is always a highlight of my year. They are so full of energy, excitement, and enthusiasm. Thanks to all the parents who make sure that their children receive the benefit of our children's choir ministries. Thanks also to Sharon Wilson, Staci Gibson, Glenda Chamberlain, Dana McKinney and Theresa Phillips for leading these ministries.

Thanks

Dear HDBC Family:

Thanks so much for the positive response to the vision that I shared with you on Sunday night. The future looks great. I am so blessed to be your pastor. Have a great week. Remember to "build some bridges."



Johnny

Thanksgiving

With the Thanksgiving Weekend coming to an end, I thought I would share a few of the things for which I am thankful.

The precious gift of salvation from the Lord Jesus Christ.
My wonderful wife. In Jan, the Lord surely gave me more than I deserved.
Three great daughters who who still bring joy to their daddy's heart.
My son-in-law who is truly part of the family.
My grandson, Hutch. Watching him grow and learn is one of the joys of my life
The HDBC church family. After 15 years, my love for this church continues to grow.
My mom and dad. Jan's mom and dad. They have given more than we could ever repay.

On a lighter note, I am thankful for . . .
Tastebuds. Life would be so bland without this delightful gift from God.
Sleep. What a great friend after a long, hard day.
Seasons. Fall and Winter are my favorites. "Winning" seasons are also great. Go Bulldogs!
Calendars. They remind us that life is filled with "new beginnings."
Teeth. They not only help us eat, but sure make a difference when we smile. So, show those teeth. Smile often.

Blessings,

Home Sweet Home

"Home Sweet Home." It's a phrase we used to say whenever our family would get home after a trip. It was a signal that we were back in our comfort zone . . . a place where each of us could truly be ourselves. A place where memories are made and stored, where the furnishings are familiar, and the bed feels just right. "Home Sweet Home" what a sweet phrase.

I caught myself saying that as we arrived back in the U.S. after several days in the West African country of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). Though God blessed us in more ways than we could share, though we were there because of a definite call from God, and though the Koyaka and Koro people welcomed us joyfully, it was just not home.

So, once more I gratefully whisper the words . . . Home Sweet Home.

West Africa

We are only a few days away from our trip to West Africa. Jerry and Armentia Adams and I will be working with the Koyaka people of northern Cote d'Ivoire for six days. This will be my second trip to Koyaka country. I was there in January 2002, but in-country fighting kept us from going back during the past five years. We are excited about discerning what the Lord is doing among these precious people and about how Highland Drive Baptist can do more to get the gospel to villages that have never heard the good news that Jesus loves them. We have heard reports that some among the Koyaka have trusted Christ. Hopefully we will find that to be true. Thank you for praying for us during the next two weeks.

In Calvary's Grace,
Johnny