Miracle on Mainstreet - Kids Musical

We were truly blessed last night to witness the children praising God in this celebration of Christmas musical. The singing and drama were fantastic! I enjoyed hearing my daughter tell the story of Christmas, the account from the Gospel of Luke. I could hear the angels again saying to go to Bethlehem and see the Christ child, in a manger, wrapped in swaddling cloths!

The Nutcracker Ballet

These girls are amazing, dancing on pointe through many of the songs of the ballet. I can't imagine trying to even stand like this, and they are dancing, and jumping, and twirling. This was the probably our 10th or 11th year to celebrate Christmas with another performance of the Nutcracker Ballet.

Congratulations to Mrs. Patrica Dodd for her continued committment to the arts in our community. I enjoy working and conversing with Mr. Bill Dodd on this annual holiday event.

Nutcracker Ballet - Saturday Night at 6PM

The Chesterfield School of Ballet presents:

The Nutcracker Ballet

Saturday Night at 6PM

at the Prince George County High School

tickets are about 6 to 8 dollars

all with young children should plan to attend.

also the old with sentimental hearts who enjoy Christmas parties!

Glory to God in the Highest!

And ... peace ... at Thomas Dale ... and good will towards men. It was an awesome ending to a great concert tonight. The combined choruses and orchestra were together, and a full audience was standing for the closing song. I'm thankful that Handel wrote this music centuries ago, so that now it's traditional and can be sung in a public school, without fear of the ACLU lawsuits. The message is a clear as the day it was written, "Hallelujah: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah!"

Thank you to Mr. Johnston, Ms. Harmon, and Ms. Stanfield for their conducting of the students in tonight's beautiful concert!

A Precious Diamond Willow

This was a special gift from a friend, which brought me back 30 years to the memory of my grandpa. We share the same initials, JH. One day I remember that a friend of my grandpa's was exploring through his pasture along the Tolna Coulee by his farm, searching for diamond willow. Later the friend returned with a finished diamond willow cane as a gift. The diamond willow is a unique wood, lightweight and strong, and perfect for making walking sticks and canes. The diamond willow is found in the colder climates of the northern US, Canada and Alaska. The branches of the willow form an indention of the bark, and when cut and finished for canes, forms the characteristic 'diamond' shape.


I'm looking forward to another winter camping and hiking trip to the George Washington National Park, along the Appalatian Trail in late January or early February. I'll be bringing my new diamond willow hiking stick, and I'm sure that in a quiet moment along the trail, the stick will remind me of my grandpa, and the family who've gone on before me. I've had moments like this before, and I'm proud to say that I've shed a few tears, remembering those good times, now past. It helps me to keep on, knowing that God will give through me to the memory of those who come after me.

A New Beginning

How appropriate it was for our pastor to speak from John 3:16 on this day of a new beginning in our church worship center. The message that Jesus said to Nicodemus in Chapter 3 of John is that he needed a new beginning. All that he had done in life was not sufficiently religious enough to please God. The Creater/Redeemer God of the universe said that he needed a rebirth. The human heart is far from God, and God has given us His Son to show us the new way.

We sure enjoyed experiencing the new space to worship. Our pastor reminded us that this building is just a box; and, although a big one and nicely furnished, it doesn't compare to the place of worship that God has placed in our hearts, where He really desires to be worshipped! The new box was almost full, with 951 people. That's still a small chuch in comparison to the 70,000 plus who gather Sunday afternoons in several cities across our land. We have room for growth!

Nativity for Biblical Beauties

I enjoyed coming home yesterday to a house full of teenage girls, making these nativity sceens from chocolates and graham crackers. Kay has been hosting a group of girls from Erin's 8th grade class and this was their special activity for the month. I'm amazed that even simple goodies can be transformed into a celebration of the birth of our Saviour.