“Memories are captured, not created.” ~ Shutterfly

This is Levi, four months old, third child of Josh and Amy. We watched Josh grow up in the Church we attended for many years. He is now an associate pastor and Amy is a nurse. We were so happy to have them in our home for some photo memories. Are we blessed? Or what?

It's a wonderful day in my neighborhood and I am thankful we finally got the thermostat correctly set so it would heat the place, if you know what I mean. Somehow and in someway, most likely being adjusted in the middle of the night in the dark, it got set to keep it at 62 degrees and with the outside temp at 32, well, 'Baby it's cold inside' was what we were singing this morning. It is Monday, December 15, 2025, and, I will say this about having that thermostat mishap, and, you can trust me on this one, "It's always something".  Mrs. Claus is sounding more and more like a broken record these days. "You don't know how to say no." (If you don't know the broken record reference, look it up. It's not only a good one it is a real one.) She is saying that because of the number of Santa events I have committed ourselves to for this season. She thinks they are wearing me out. I did feel a little spent this past Saturday evening but I am back to my regular 80% running efficiency. (I did not want to say 100% because that would be way over the top, for me.) She often tells me to remember my age. I did tell a lady that we may not be able to do her Santa customers next year and I thought she was going to cry, so what did I do? I told her we would wait and see and talk about it closer to the time. I glanced over and saw that look on Mrs. Claus' face. Yikes. Oh well, when I look at photos like the one of little Levi it makes me want to go on, and on, and on. That photo will most likely be around to cherish well after I have gone from this life to my heavenly home. And, it is only one of thousands I have been privileged to be a part of over these past 16 years. And, some of it has been so worthwhile. We received a note from a former Church friend who was a friend of a lady who has a severely Autistic son. This last Saturday we were able to spend some time with this young man in a special sensory sensitive room set up to minister to children with special needs. He made a few rounds around the room before coming over to Santa and Mrs. Claus. We felt so blessed to be there for her and her son. The note she sent went on and on about us, but, let me set the record straight, that mom is the true champion 24x7 lovingly mothering her son. We had ten minutes and we feel honored to have made a memory for them. I also think it is well to recognize the folks at the Magnolia Education Foundation for providing a space and time for us to be with special needs children on the day where we were busy all morning long in the main event center making 100's of photos.  

I think most know that we are members of Mims Baptist Church in Conroe. We both sing in the choir. We are members of a life group class that has this name: C.I.A., Christians In Action. I am privileged to be one of the teachers of this class. We have an outstanding staff at our local fellowship of believers. Our Senior Pastor, Dr. Jerry Chaddick, consistently presents the truth directly from the Word of God. This past Sunday he felt burdened to share a message regarding the urgency of being born again and heaven bound when one leaves this earth in death. He used the passage from Luke 16 where Jesus unveiled what happens when a believer dies and what happens when an unbeliever dies, the one about the beggar Lazarus and the unnamed rich man. Bro. Jerry acknowledged his message to be one that many would think out of place during a time of Christmas celebration, however, he brought the message anyway. Why? Because that was the burden God had placed on his heart. Heaven and hell. Two real places. Two real choices. And, let's face it, it was the Reason Jesus came. My point? I am thankful for our pastor who follows God's leadership in bringing the truth to the audience God knows all about to begin with. Who needed to hear that message? Anyone who was lost and anyone concerned about those who are lost. Not only those in attendance that day but all those watching or listening via different social media outlets wherever the internet takes that message. That covers a lot of territory and pretty much covers us all. Right? What say you? Until next time, may God bless each one. Amen.