Americus in December

We were incredibly blessed this December to get to have my Grandma, Kay Stargel, aka GeeGee come visit us in Americus.  Before she and my parents arrived, we had fun preparing our hearts and home for Christmas!

Early December

December seems like such a whirlwind. It's so easy to get caught up in the busyness of the season, but we really tried to begin the month, setting our focus on Jesus.  We continued to study His Word daily, independently and together.  Zeke and I began a new study called, "Growing up with God," that continues to teach us both!  

We had the pleasure of attending Gregg's work Christmas party with President and Mrs. Carter.  Zeke got to play a wiseman in our church's Christmas program as well as a rock guitar player!  He loved that...inflatable guitar and all!  I wish I had a picture, but I do have video!  Oh, and Gregg and I had the opportunity to go on a date night, which was really nice!

 

Our makeshift mantle waiting for Lily Faith's stocking made by Wynna!

Date night!

She'd been waiting to wear this dress all summer

Christmas party with President and Mrs. Carter (Zeke and Adalynn stayed home this year!)

Lily Faith all dressed up with Mommy and Daddy!

The tree

They were big helpers this year

Selfie

Army crawling to get that football

In a couple of her Christmas outfits

Happy Adalynn

Zeke got to participate in our church's Christmas program

The puppet show and angels 

After the show!

Gregg had planned to go to North Georgia to hunt at the end of November.  There were wild fires which made that impossible.  He stayed home and had the opportunity to take Zeke to a friend's property to hunt.  Gregg and Cherian were praying prior to the hunt.  Cherian prayed that Gregg would be double blessed in his time with the family and that God would give him the desires of his heart.  Wow, God is so good!  Gregg, with Zeke by his side, was able to shoot not one, but two deer during Zeke's first successful deer hunt.  If you ever want to hear the story, Zeke loves to tell it...haha!  I'll leave the details to the guys, but here are a few pictures from after the hunt.  You'll notice the buck has very unique antlers.  He was one of a kind for their one of a kind hunt!!

The buck

Edrick's beautiful property in the background

The doe

GeeGee, Papa, and Wynna visit

We were honored and thrilled that Grandma (GeeGee) wanted to come down with my parents to see Americus and our home on her 94th birthday.  They came Friday, December 16th through Sunday, December 18th.  Each time I get to spend quality time in conversation with Grandma, I am blessed.  She shares her wisdom, makes me laugh, and is centered in Christ.  She is a gift to all of us.

The day they arrived

The moment Lily Faith met GeeGee for the first time!

Enjoying time together

Zeke trying on his new slippers from Wynna

Papa sleeping while Zeke plays a game with GeeGee

Our little army crawler

More visiting

4 generations

Pointing to her birthday sign with her cane (this was her actual birthday)!!

Looking at her pretty new clothes from my parents

Birthday dinner at Rosemary and Thyme in the historic Windsor Hotel in Americus (we invited the Cherians to join us!)

All of us with the birthday girl (Zeke and Adalynn were with a babysitter)

Dad and Grandma went to President and Mrs. Carter's church on the 18th for Sunday school (taught by President Carter) and church

Before Johns Creek

After GeeGee, Wynna, and Papa left, we had a couple of days to pack and get ready to go to Johns Creek.  We had a serve day for school on that Monday.  I plan to build these into our school year each quarter to help us be more intentional about serving with the children.  Sometimes doing things with small children seems daunting, but it's so important for them to see the importance of sharing Christ's love.  

That morning, we made treats that we later took to the Americus Police Department.  I had prayed for a family to bless somehow and God brought a family to mind.  So, the kids were able to pick out gifts for the children and I took them to the mother later that day.

We went to the police department and were blessed to get to meet Police Chief, Mark Scott, and another officer.  They were very appreciative of our card, treat, and visit.  We told them we are praying for them.  Some of you may know that 2 police officers were shot and killed in the line of duty in Americus recently.  We are grateful for the sacrifice these officers and their families make every day.  May God bless them.

I'll close here, but look for the next post soon about Christmas in Johns Creek.  It was a lovely time worshiping our Savior, celebrating his birth with family and friends!