Thank you Jesus

Eileen's test went well yesterday.
She was told the test did not show a significant problem.
We are grateful, so thought we'd share this good news with you!








Grateful to have a song on my heart today!

Kat Chat: Happy Birthday Miss Eileen!

In HONOR of Miss Eileen's birthday, we had her over for dinner tonight to celebrate!!

Here she is with Calvin and her Birthday Cookie.

Please pray for Eileen tomorrow, Thursday, for she will have a special test at the hospital.




We love you Miss Eileen.
We pray God's blessings on you.
Thank you for loving and encouraging our family faithfully for all of the 7 1/2 years we've known you!

Psalm 62:5-8
My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah.

If I Can Help Somebody

Still mindful of ways we leave an heritage to our children, I came across the words of this song which I thought were fitting to share, and very encouraging to my spirit!
Hope you are encouraged by it also...




If I can help somebody, as I pass along,
If I can cheer somebody, with a word or song,
If I can show somebody, how they're travelling wrong,
Then my living shall not be in vain.

Chorus:
My living shall not be in vain,
Then my living shall not be in vain
If I can help somebody, as I pass along,
Then my living shall not be in vain.

If I can do my duty, as a good man ought,
If I can bring back beauty, to a world up wrought,
If I can spread love's message, as the Master taught,
Then my living shall not be in vain.

~ Alma Bazel Androzzo (1945)

~In memory of a GREAT gospel singer, Glen Payne (October 20, 1926-October 15, 1999)

More Lasting Memories from our Family Vacation

Finally, I return to share the last day of our family vacation in Asheville.
After our Tuesday adventure of 'mining' for gems at Gem Mountain, we set out the next day to visit the Biltmore Estate! This was definitely my choice for something to do because...guess why? You guessed it! Mark and I visited the Biltmore on our honeymoon 22 years ago.
I must say, our visit this time was even more enjoyable! I absolutely loved retracing 'our history' with the children. This time we were given liberty to tour the entire house with personal audio tour guides! WOW! It was really nice to take our time, which made for a great tour experience!

What a beautiful place! The expanse of it was beyond anything I remember or could've imagined on my own! If you haven't visited this remarkable place, you must try to see it in person. Seeing the layout of the property in the guide we received was very helpful! I wish we'd been allowed to take pictures in the house, but as you can see, cameras were not encouraged.















While we toured the house, we learned many interesting things about George Vanderbilt's life. He acquired wealth at a young age, having been born into an industrious and wealthy family. After his father's death, he moved to western NC with his mother, and eventually visited the Asheville area. In 1889, George purchased acreage and construction of the 250 room Biltmore Estate began.



George's family moved in to the Biltmore in 1895.
In 1898, George married Edith Dresser. Their one and only daughter, Cornelia, was born in 1900.

Vanderbilt enjoyed interests including philosophy, books, history, and art. His enjoyment of travel encouraged his fluent speech of eight foreign languages. He loved the country while practicing many skills as horticulture, farming, animal breeding, and forestry science. His desire was to have an estate that was self-sustaining. Throughout his lifetime, George Vanderbilt acquired many beautiful assets which continue to be enjoyed by his family and those who visit his home today.
Eventually, maintaining the Biltmore exceeded Mr. Vanderbilt's annual income, which led to the need for withdrawing from capital resources. Sadly, following an appendectomy in 1914, Mr. Vanderbilt died of a heart attack at the young age of 52.
After his death, acreage was sold, per his prior instruction, to sustain the estate.
Today there are only 8,000 acres remaining from the original 228 square miles of real estate George acquired while he was a wealthy man. Was that originally 145, 920 acres, 640 acres per square mile?
The Biltmore Estate is presently known as the largest house in the United States, and continues to be self-sustaining. It is owned and managed by George Vanderbilt's surviving family.

The 'Inn on Biltmore Estate' is located on the property, a huge expanse of hospitality.

Our mid-afternoon departure from the Biltmore house was not the best time of day to take this picture while the sky was dark with rain clouds.

Here are a few more photos we captured as we left the estate...

"For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills." God owns it all (Psalm 50:10)!

The colors of the changing leaves were beautiful!

Since photography was not allowed in the house, a photographer was there to capture a memory for our family that day.

The picture below also came with the package we purchased...This Christmas tree was located in the Banquet Hall, which stood seven stories high (72'). It was the place where meals and parties, guest and family gatherings alike, took place. The organ loft houses a Skinner pipe organ built in 1916. It was beautiful.

We returned to the Biltmore Estate later, early evening, to see the Christmas sights....Lights, both inside and out, ballrooom dancers dressed in era clothing, Providence High School choral group from Jacksonville, FL singing Christmas carols (a nice surprise), dramatic readings, and instrumentalists playing music. The Biltmore atmostphere was beautiful!

The following are just a few of the pictures we took before re-entering the Biltmore house that evening...


The Front Gate to the Estate

The Front Door

The Front Porch

Another angle of the Front Porch

Katherine while waiting to re-enter...

The Front Yard

Katherine makes me RICH!

Many things can be learned from Mr. Vanderbilt's life, but what I'm mindful of most since visiting his house is...

Jeremiah 9:23-24
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgement, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Proverbs 10:22
The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Proverbs 20:7
The just man walketh in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.

Proverbs 22:1
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.

Deuteronomy 5:29
O that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me and keep all of my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and their children forever.

Proverbs 13:27
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

Exodus 20:6
And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Psalm 103:17
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness upon his children's children.

Psalm 127:3
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Proverbs 15:16
Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Eccleciastes 5:19
Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God.

Psalm 71:17-18-
O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to everyone that is to come.

Psalm 78:4, 6-7-
We will not hide them from [our father's] children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:...

Last, but not least, I am mindful of a song Mark and I have long appreciated and enjoyed...

Find Us Faithful

We're pilgrims on the journey
of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament of God's sustaining grace

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives

Chorus:
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift though all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find

Chorus:
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

Words and Music by Jon Mohr
Copyright 1988

May what we leave behind be enduring!

How Deep the Father's Love for Us

Dear Friend,
This is for you....

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your heart... by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
Ephesians 3:14-21

Words and Music by Stuart Townend,
© 1995

Kat Chat: My Cousin Crystal's Wedding in Dahlonega, GA

I know this is a little late, but here are some pictures from my cousin Crystal's wedding in November. The wedding was something our whole family looked forward to and it was just as special as we imagined.

Cousin Gary walking our grandmother, Maw Maw, down the aisle.

















Gary walking his other grandmother, Mrs. Chircop, down the aisle.












Gary walking his mom, Aunt Maria, down the aisle.

















Gary walking his children, Catherine and Carter (the flower girl and ring bearer) down the aisle.
Notice who has the pillow and who has the basket...Ha!
Oh well, PEACE was accomplished!

















Here comes the Bride, and Uncle Gary, of course!

















Best Brothers












"Yeah! Uncle Gary and Aunt Maria, you did it!"

















While enjoying some free time in the Square before the reception, Mom took this picture of Mark & I crossing the street.
"Mom, where are the pictures of us eating ice cream cones?"

















Beautiful sights I captured before the reception at Wolf Mountain Winery












Wolf Mountain Vineyard

























Katie meets Cousin Catherine for the first time!

















Catherine and Lucy meet for the first time
They were born just a few weeks apart.












Katie and Carter remember one another... 'High Five'".

















Mark & Mallory

















Wheee!

















My favorite photo with Mawmaw

















Introducing.....

Mr. and Mrs. Justin & Crystal Allgood













Their first dance as husband and wife...












Do you want to dance?












The sun setting on the horizon.












Dad getting ready to pray for the food.












Father and Grandparents of the bride.












Mark said, "The ham is really good".
Sorry Mark! Ha!












K-k-k-Katie...my sweet little c-c-cousin!












The cake was yummy!












Our first 'Father Daughter Dance'..."It's a Wonderful World"!

















Dad asked, "Do you want me to dip you?" "Sure!!!"

















Mom tried to get the perfect picture, but...

"Do it again" she said. So.....

















Then she said she wanted to see my face, so..............



















"I couldn't see your face! Don't dip all the way back.
I want to see you!"
FINALLY......


















Gary & Catherine's first Father Daughter dance


















Our Gray boys...sorry about the smudge.
Someone got wedding cake on the lens! UGH!












Our family! We made HAPPY memories!












Last and very least, Dad always requests a funny picture!
Notice Matthew...he's totally embarrassed by us!














Thanks for all the fun Crystal and Justin. We didn't want it to end.
We miss you and hope you're living 'Happily Ever After'.
May the LORD bless your marriage and life together!