The Sawdust Trail

Have you ever heard the expression "Going down the sawdust trail"?  Back in the day, at old fashioned camp meetings, they would put saw dust as the ground covering under the tent where the meetings took place.  When someone walked the isle to get saved they were "going down the sawdust trail"!  Cute, huh?

Well, we attended a 5 night old-fashioned camp meeting revival recently by Victory Baptist Church.  And, they used sawdust as the ground covering!  They had boiled peanuts, incredible singing, powerful preaching and most of all...the Holy Spirit every night!  We looked forward to going every single day awaiting what God had for each of us there!

While God is on the throne and seeing as how He hasn't come to get His own as of yet, Believers will still assemble and God promised it would only take two or three for Him to be in our midst.  Folks, my God is faithful.  He was all over that place every night!  Wish everyone I know could have been there.  Thank God for people who still love the Lord and are passionate about having church!

This is Dr. Larry Brown, the Pastor of VBC

The man with the guitar is Pastor Barry Spears of a church in SC.

Pastor Spears, one of the many speakers, has an amazing testimony.  He was in a motorcycle gang in full rebellion addicted to drugs and alcohol.  When on deaths bed, he got saved, and then God called him to preach!  He now pastors a church in SC.  He was so free in Christ and when he shared all the details of his testimony you could hear a pin drop.  When God changes us His blood covers all! 

I also wanted to share a website from another speaker, Dr. Ed McAbee.  You can go to www.couragetocontinue.org to learn of his different ministries.  He is 83 years old in years, but sharper than a tack and an amazing speaker.

Kevin D. Whitley

In Loving Memory of

Kevin Dwayne Whitley

(pictured with his son Tyler Kevin Whitley)

April 17, 1969 - May 1, 2013

Kevin was my (Kelly) cousin and a sweet one at that.  He was a man of few words and a heart of gold.  Our family has fond memories growing up with him and how sweet and gentle he always was.  He would do anything for anybody.  Even though he will be greatly missed, we are grateful we will see him again one day!  We love you Kevin!

As we attended the funeral it was sad to think of Kevin not being with us but, joyous to know that He was ready to go and now and eternally there.  It is always a stark reminder to be bold for Christ and to witness wherever we are.

We were able to see a lot of our family while in NC.  By the way, for those friends that are in the area, we were there less than 24 hours so, please understand we couldn't see everyone, although we really wanted to!    Here are some of the sweetest family in the world.....of course, we couldn't get a pic of each of you, just know I wanted a pic of each of you, I really tried!

O.K., here is one with Hannah not looking...

                             And, here is one with Hannah looking!  Thanks Hannah, I love you!

On the drive there we had to make an important pit stop.  You'll understand when you see the pic below....  ;) 

  

 This was our little welcome guy on our hotel bed, isn't he cute? =)

We celebrated Madelyn's 19th b-day while in Raleigh!  The night we returned from the funeral revival began (next post) and there wasn't a night all week to celebrate!  So,being the very astute 19 year old that she is...here's where she chose to go!!!  We do love her for her choice =)

This was from the last post too =)  Ain't she precious?!

 Some of  the yuuumy eats...

 When at the Cheesecake Factory you must have CHEESECAKE!

Madelyn is 19!!

Madelyn

"Transformed Heart"

"...put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him."  Col. 3:10

Susan

"Pure in Grace"

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly."  Ps. 84:11

Happy Birthday to our first baby!  No one can ever take that spot Madelyn Susan - it's yours always and forever!  You're Mom's namesake and our joy!  You are so unselfish, so giving, so caring of others and you always look on the bright side of everything!  You are such an encouraging person and always have the joy of the Lord!  Thank you for making the choices you've made to follow Jesus with all of your heart and to not judge when others don't do the same!  Thank you for always serving at home and wherever you are - your servants heart is an example to all who know you!  Also, on the lighter side, and...ahem, often considered the most important part.....a big thanks for wanting to go to the Cheesecake Factory for your b-day dinner - we all benefited from that one ;)  ;)   O.K., back to you babe - you have grown into an amazing woman and we're thrilled to say you are ours!

~HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY, MISS BUSY~

With all of our LOVE ~

Mama & Daddy

xoxoxoxox