Our Own Beach!!

Originally Valerie and I had planned on traveling to Louisiana for Thanksgiving but due to some unexpected surprises in the pregnancy(pre-term contractions, etc...) and Valerie's increasing discomfort when sitting for too long, we decided to stay put in sunny Florida! So doing what all good parents should do, they came to visit us instead! Rather than sitting at home all alone on Thanksgiving, my grandmother was able to come along too! And for those of you who don't know, my mom's family's name is Henderson, so naturally I had to take them down to "our" own beach...Henderson Beach State Park, in Destin, Florida. Grandma really had alot of fun spending some time on her own family beach! Here's a couple of pics from our visit!

My Grandma, June Henderson, and my mom. Can you tell they're related?

Dad, Mom, G'ma, and Me!

Same people...different location

Yup......just minutes from my back porch ;o)

Who's Due First...?

Hehe, kinda funny. Ya'll don't tell Val I posted this picture ;o)
But for the record she is bigger than me!

Mr. Ryan...Already Growing Like A Weed!!

Thanksgiving Day will mark 34 weeks in the life of our new baby! We went for another ultrasound and check-up today and found out some very interesting information. As of the last ultrasound, a mere 4 weeks ago, Ryan was just over 3 pounds. As of today, the educated guess puts him just over 6 pounds!!! And his due date isn't until January 2nd!!!! We're pretty confident that at this rate Mr. Ryan will arrive earlier than expected. We will go back to the doctor in 2 weeks for another ultrasound and some consultation with the doctor on what to do next. Very possibly we might go the induction route to keep Ryan from getting too big for delivery. We're getting very excited as each day draws closer. The ulrasound pics are getting clearer and more defined. We can't wait to see what he's going to look like and what kind of personality is he going to have, etc....ya know, the normal questions every expectant parent asks. We'll certainly keep you updated with pics and information here! Stay tuned the best is yet to come!!!

A great shot of his leg!

I guess he was waving with his hand and foot!

A great profile shot!

Looks like he'll be a thumb sucker!

Dixie Echoes Blessed With New Bus!!

As most of you know, on August 22, 2007 the Dixie Echoes bus was destroyed by fire. Since then they have been traveling in a motorhome and praying that God would supply this imminant need. And as usual, God supplies above and beyond! This beautiful bus literally fell into the Dixie Echoes lap! The group is blessed beyond words on how God worked this all out. The Dixie Echoes would like to thank all of you that have been praying with them concerning this and are now asking that you please continue to pray that God would keep His hedge of protection around this bus and keep them safe as they travel so many thousands of miles each year. Be sure to go out and support the Dixie Echoes if they are in your area. You can see a complete tour schedule and find out more about the group by visiting their website at, www.dixieechoes.com.

Front lounge, looking to the rear

Front lounge, looking to the front

Rear lounge. This is where you'll find Scoot playing XBox!

Changes For The Dixie Echoes

PENSACOLA, FL (Press Release) - The Dixie Echoes Quartet have announced the upcoming departure of tenor vocalist Dallas Rogers. “Dallas says that he would like to spend some more time at home and plans to move to Nashville, Tenn, where his wife, Shelly, would like to go to school,” states pianist Stewart Varnado. “Dallas will remain with the group until our Christmas vacation, so we will start holding auditions immediately.”

Anyone interested can email an mp3 demo, photo, and bio to: stewart@dixieechoes.com or mail your demo to: Dixie Echoes, 481 Ronda Street, Pensacola, FL 32534. For current information about the Dixie Echoes, visit: www.dixieechoes.com.

The Undetected Sacredness of Circumstances

Taken from, "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers

"We know that all things work together for good to those who love God..." (Romans 8:28).

The circumstances of a saint's life are ordained of God. In the life of a saint there is no such thing as chance. God by His providence brings you into circumstances that you can't understand at all, but the Spirit of God understands. God brings you to places, among people, and into certain conditions to accomplish a definite purpose through the intercession of the Spirit in you. Never put yourself in front of your circumstances and say, "I'm going to be my own providence here; I will watch this closely, or protect myself from that." All your circumstances are in the hand of God, and therefore you don't ever have to think they are unnatural or unique. Your part in intercessory prayer is not to agonize over how to intercede, but to use the everyday circumstances and people God puts around you by His providence to bring them before His throne, and to allow the Spirit in you the opportunity to intercede for them. In this way God is going to touch the whole world with His saints.

Am I making the Holy Spirit's work difficult by being vague and unsure, or by trying to do His work for Him? I must do the human side of intercession--utilizing the circumstances in which I find myself and the people who surround me. I must keep my conscious life as a sacred place for the Holy Spirit. Then as I life different ones to God through prayer, the Holy Spirit intercedes for them.

Your intercessions can never be mine, and my intercessions can never be yours, "...but the Spirit Himself makes intercession" in each of your lives (Romans 8:26). And without that intercession, the lives of others would be left in poverty and in ruin.

Intimate Theology

Taken from, "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers

"Do you believe this?" (John 11:26).

Martha believed in the power available to Jesus Christ; she believed that if He had been there He could have healed her brother; she also believed that Jesus had a special intimacy with God, and that whatever He asked of God, God would do. But--she needed a closer personal intimacy with Jesus. Martha's theology had its fullfillment in the future. But Jesus continued to attract and draw her in until her belief became an initimate possession. It then slowly emerged into a personal inheritance--"Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ..."(11:27).

Is the Lord dealing with you in the same way? Is Jesus teaching you to have a personal intimacy with Himself? Allow Him to drive His question home to you--"Do you believe this?" Are you facing an area of doubt in you life? Have you come, like Martha, to a crossroads of overwhelming circumstances where your theology is about to become a very personal belief? This happens only when a personal problem brings the awareness of our personal need.

To believe is to commit. In the area of intellectual learning I commit myself mentally, and reject anything not related to that belief. In the realm of personal belief I commit myself morally to my convictions and refuse to compromise. But in intimate personal belief I commit myself spiritually to Jesus Christ and make a determination to be dominated by Him alone.

Then, when I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and He says to me, "Do you believe this?" I find that faith is a natural as breathing. And I am staggered when I think how foolish I have been in not trusting Him earlier.

Suwannee River Jubilee 2008 Talent Line-up Announced

Not sure where to go on vacation next summer? The Dixie Echoes Quartet and Jubilee Productions announce the talent line-up for the 21st Annual, Suwannee River Jubilee(SRJ). With 2,000 people in attendance for last year's 20th Anniversary Celebration, this year is expected to be bigger and better than ever! Tickets and camping reservations are already going quickly so be sure and reserve your spot now!!

Held twice each year, once in June and again in October, the SRJ is an event that families return to each year. The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park plays host to the SRJ and is one of the most beautiful camping and concert experiences you will ever have the opportunity to be a part of. Set-up your lawn chair under the canopy of beautiful oak trees and enjoy some of gospel music's best groups. This year's SRJ will feature the talents of The Primitive Quartet, Kingsmen, Greenes, The Lesters, Chuck Wagon Gang, Palmetto State Quartet, Dixie Melody Boys, Dove Brothers, Blackwood Brothers, and the Dixie Echoes will be your hosts each night. Once you enjoy your first SRJ, you'll want to come back year after year!

Ticket and camping packages are available. If camping isn't your style there are several hotels nearby to choose from. Visit https://www.dixieechoes.com/suwannee.html for complete event information. The Dixie Echoes look forward to seeing you there!!