Back to school count down ... about 31 hours???

I have really enjoyed my week off for Thanksgiving, but it is so bittersweet.  I love the time at home with Danny and the kids, but it also makes me realize how much I miss Momma.  On holidays we would go shopping for a little while (most of our time was spent in Barnes and Noble Bookstore...sweet!!!), then we would have lunch at La Madeline's, splitting a roasted vegetable sandwich and bow tie pasta.  I really miss that.  

This past Tuesday, Brandt and I took a road trip to Meridian, MS to visit Meridian Community College.  MCC is a Division I Junior College.  The coach had contacted us about Brandt coming to play golf for him, so we went to check it out.  Brandt enjoyed himself.  We got a tour of the college, went to lunch with the coach, and then Brandt and another prospective golfer went and played 9 holes with one of the members of the MCC golf team.  Brandt said he shot halfway decent.  He was a little upset with himself because he ended up 1 over.  Nothing like putting a little pressure on yourself.

Katie and I went to Lowes Wednesday for a few things and ended up leaving with a real Christmas tree.  The kids have been asking for a real tree for years, but I just couldn't bring myself to spend $100+ on a tree we're going to throw away in a few weeks.  Well...the price was right so I caved in.  It's really beautiful.  This year, for the first time ever, we have a "designer" tree (if that's what you want to call it).  It is gold, red, and green ONLY, with clear lights.  We've always had colored lights with a variety of ornaments, including all homemade ones from when the kids were little, so this was a big change for the Garon house.  We still have a little decorating to do around the house, but we're off to a good start (now I have to go do my classroom).  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.  We have so many blessings to be thankful for and I praise God for all of them, no matter how small.  

I hope you have a great Thanksgiving and eat until you can't eat anymore...and then come back for leftovers.

50 Years

Well, we had an exciting weekend, full of fun and fellowship.

Saturday we started with the Jefferson 70's youth reunion.  We got to visit with so many friends that were in the youth group with us, but we haven't seen in a long time.  It was so much fun remembering all of the crazy things we did, and the fun we had and everyone had different memories of the same trip or activity.  We decorated with toilet paper and balloons tied to forks.  Yes, we rolled many a house and forked a few yards (we were soooo bad).  Randy had a slide show made of all of the old pictures (some were quiet brutal...as Brandt would put it).  Some of us have changed with time and some of us look exactly the same.  It was so much fun.

Following the reunion, we all walked over to the gym for the 50th Anniversary/Retirement party for Daddy.  Dr. Kelly and his wife came up from New Orleans Theological Seminary to MC for us and then Dr. Paige Patterson and his wife Dorothy came down from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas.  They both spoke at the banquet and then Daddy had a few things to say.  Our closing was by Dr. David Goza, our new pastor.  We are so excited that he and Dana will be coming to carry on at Jefferson.  I just love them.  =)

And, of course, we finished the 50th Anniversary celebration with Sunday services.  Dr. Paige Patterson preached and I could have sat and listened to him all day.  He was great.  His message talked about Daddy's retirement, but concentrated more on how we must carry on and complete the task started.  We must stay united and focus on what the Lord commanded us to do, reach others for him. 

When church was over we were able to take the Patterson's out to eat and was able to visit with them.  Mrs. Dorothy came and spoke at Momma's funeral, but we weren't able to visit with her much then, so it was good to have time to visit.  We will be going to Southwestern in April for the first awardment of The Mary French Scholarship for pastor's wives, which Mrs. Dorothy has headed up.  That will be exciting.

Now it's time to tackle "the office"...remember it is 50 years worth.

Golf and Volleyball

Well, golf was tough this past weekend.  Let's just say we nicknamed Brandt the "b-man" and no the "b" does not stand for Brandt...it stands for "bogey".  For those of you not into golf lingo, a bogey is 1 over par.  He just wasn't shooting well, but thank goodness for his putting.  He was putting lights out this weekend.  I'm scared to think what his score would have been if he wasn't putting well.  Oh well, that's the game of golf.  He can't complain, he came in tied for 7th out of a field of 50 golfers.  A good friend of his, that is also a member of Parkview's Golf Team took 1st place, so Baton Rouge was represented well.  Next stop on the golf tour will be Covington and then he was invited to play in Gulf Shores the weekend before Christmas.  

And then there was volleyball.  We went into the state tournament a top seed, but were upset Wednesday by the #13 seed.  Of course this was not what we wanted or expected.  It was truly an upset.  I feel for the girls, especially the seniors.  Been there, done that, and a state tournament loss seems to be the worst.  For the underclassmen, we have next year.

Bound for Destin and a little golf!!!! Yeah Baby!!!!!

Friday we head to Destin.  Brandt's in a golf tournament there.  I know...you're thinking "man, she's a great mom to suffer through all of these trips for her son's dream".  ;>)    It's tough, but you sacrifice for your children.  

Anyway, there are suppose to be some college coaches at this tournament so we thought it would be good for him to go play this one.  I'm just looking forward to getting away for a weekend.

When I get home, I will hit the floor running.  Parkview's volleyball team has made it to Bi-District so we play Monday.  When we win Monday, we head to New Orleans for the State Tournament Wednesday - Saturday.  How much fun is this!!!!!!!   It should be a sin!!!!!!!  I can't wait for all of the volleyball ahead.  When we're not playing, I think I'll just sit and soak it in.  There's never too much volleyball!!!!

2 weeks til Thanksgiving vacation!!!!!   This has been the longest beginning of the school year I think I've ever seen.  Thanks Gustav!!

A Special and Great Day at Jefferson

We have a new pastor!  

It was one of those days that you know is coming, but never know if it will actually get here or not.  Well, it's here and I am so excited.   

I'm excited for Jefferson because we will be moving forward with a godly man, truly chosen by God to continue the work Daddy and Momma began.  I'm excited for Daddy because he can now do all of those things he has been saying he's going to do forever, like writing a few books.  I'm excited for our family, because now PaPa can attend events of the grandchildren and just spend time with us.  

I know many saw my tears today, but please know that they were tears of joy.   If there was any sorrow, it was only that Momma was not here to see it.  She would have loved knowing that Daddy is FINALLY retiring (you notice I said retiring - that doesn't mean he will be slowing down).  She talked to me about this many times during her last few months.  She would always say, "he is so tired".  If she were here, she would share our excitement in this turning point at Jefferson.

Investing in Eternity

There is a great article in the Southwestern News, Investing in Eternity, about the scholarship that has been set up in memory of momma.  To read it go to the following link 

                    http://www.swbts.edu/swnews/     

                           click on Donor Profile

We are so excited about this scholarship.  The first one will be presented in the spring of 2009 at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  We are still building the one at New Orleans Theological Seminary, but we're off to a great start.