A Hometown Christmas

There's nothing quite like a hometown Christmas.

The familiar lights that remain the same year after year,

a mechanical Santa and Mrs. Claus in a storefront window, 

a gazebo decorated with big bulb lights, 

a bike with a basket full of wrapped gifts, are

all cherished momentos of our small town Christmas.

This is the night of the lighting of the Lite-a-Light tree.

Crowds gather to see the tree and hear

the names of their loved ones called.

The lights on the tree are in honor or in memory of

special people that we hold dear. 

  

The event is sponsored by the Pilot Club.

When I worked at the nursing home, 

the Pilot Club brought babies to the residents with Alzheimer's. 

Here's a closer look at the star.

Carriage rides are a favorite for the children.

The children's activities are sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

It's also the night of The Children's Christmas Parade.

Take a look at some of the rides... 

Yes, that's real cotton from a Washington County farm.

Bikes, trikes, wagons, children and their parents 

take a walk around the courthouse square, and

Santa is leading the parade.

Yelp, Santa Claus came to town.

Carols were sung as

shoppers rushed home with their presents.

I hope you enjoyed your visit to 

our Hometown Christmas. 

Do you live in a small town?

What kind of Christmas celebrations does your town have?

Happy Saturday!

Bonnie:)

God Gives The Song

My baby girl is having the baby 

and I'm the one with the hormone rush!

I've been through so many wonderful moments 

with this beautiful being.

I knew that she was destined to be something 

beautiful from the first moment I laid eyes on her. 

A mother's love is like no other
and I adore my children.

The easiest baby in the world, she was a sweetie from the beginning

and had her daddy wrapped around her little finger.

She awoke each morning with a song

and went to sleep singing.

I watched my baby girl grow from an awkward, shy teenager, 

to an incredible young lady, still singing her heart out. 

She traveled the Southeast for two years singing with a group

who became her friends for life. 

After college, she, Troy and her best friend, 

continued to sing together. 

The group dismantled.

She was approached about another group, 

Providence Road and she continued to sing. 

We traveled the Southeast too, of course,

listening to her sing. 

She sang through the incredibly difficult places,

and chose to sing when there was no song.

I've seen her goofy with friends.

I've seen Troy and Christy stand side by side in sickness and in health

 as they sang together through more tears. 

I watched as she through teary eyes celebrated the promise

of new birth among old friends with whom she sang. 

I've seen sadness behind the smile and the song,

as she chose to put aside her pain

to experience the joy of others. 

She loved other's children

and held her sweet nephew when there was no song.

Oh my goodness, I love her so.

We truly enjoy being together.

She loves vintage.

I love vintage.

She loves the beach.

I love the beach.

That's my baby girl on the left. 

She could not believe.

I BELIEVED!

Last night was "The President's Dinner"

for Trevecca Nazarene University.

A presentation to the tune of 

"Celebrate good times, come on."

A photo of her holding 

"It's a girl," quickly flashed across the screen.

We sing

"God Gave The Song,"

You ask me why my heart keeps singing

Why I can sing when things go wrong.
But since I've found the source of music
I just can't help it. God gave the song.

Come walk with me thru fields and forests.
We'll climb the hills and still hear that song.
For even hills resound with music.
They just can't help it. God gave the song.

What's that I hear - I still hear that music
Day after day. that song goes on.
For once you know the source of music
You'll always hear it. God gave the song.

Come on and join - It's the song of Jesus
Day after day that song goes on
For once you know the source of music
You'll always hear it. God gave the song.
For since I've found the source of music
I just can't help it. God gave the song.

--Bill Gaither

Yes, He gives the song!

When there seemed to be no song, 

I sang songs in the night for this baby

and cuddled our dream close to my heart.