In My Mind I'm Going to Carolina...

I can hear James Taylor's song over and over in my mind, "In My Mind I'm Going to Carolina". Doug, the girls, and I went back home to Charlotte, NC this past weekend. What a wonderful three days we had! We stayed with our dear friends Jenny & Kevin Kaeppler and their family. We are so thankful for their hospitality! We rolled into Charlotte around 5pm Friday and returned to GA late Sunday night. It was a quick trip but we had to get our Charlotte fix!!!

It was so nice to visit with our former neighbors from our old neighborhood, Callaway Plantation in Matthews. Doug, the girls, and I got a little nostalgic seeing our old house again. The new homeowner has made some changes to the exterior of the house, so it didn't quite look the same. We were able to visit with our neighbors Ouida and Charo. I was able to meet another girlfriend for lunch and I even got a sneak peek of the choir rehearsal for Sardis Presbyterian's musical for that Sunday's worship service. That was a treat. I miss that beautiful sanctuary.

It was so nice to be in Charlotte for the weekend. Jenny and Kevin hosted a small get together for us to see close friends and catch up with the latest news. Sunday was the most special day of all as our family was able to worship in our home church, Sardis Presbyterian. http://www.sardis.org/ I was very honored that Dr. Kort, our Senior Pastor, invited me to participate in leading both worship services, so I gave the pastoral prayer and led the congregation in the Lord's Prayer. It was amazing to be connected to my fellow church members again and hear both the contemporary choir and the traditional choir present the Christmas musicals. They even played my favorite song, "Mary Did You Know." It was just a wonderful morning worshipping our awesome God, catching up with the pastoral staff, and seeing our many, many friends. I am already anticipating our next trip so we can catch up with our many friends who we weren't able to see on this trip!

Doug, the girls, and I even got to see our dog Boyd Sunday. He was happy to see us but he is very happy in his new adoptive home. Our Youth Pastor from Sardis, Jason Robbins, and his family are caring for Boyd while we are in seminary. We are planning to reconnect with Boyd over Christmas and bring him to VA as we visit our families there.

As usual, it was hard leaving Charlotte to return to GA. But God continues to remind me to trust Him for the future blessings and friendships He has in store for me and my family. I am so thankful for the many ways God has blessed us this year.

I know many who are not rejoicing this Christmas season due to hospitalization, grieving the loss of a loved one, and many other difficult life situations. I pray that as the Christmas season comes upon us, we might each look beyond our times of struggle and look to the star that shines on the King who gave up his throne for a manger. He is Jesus the Christ, Emmanuel, God with us. And I pray that each of us might be able to truly see with the eyes of our hearts that God is indeed with us.

Happy Advent and Merry Christmas!!!!