Rooted -VSIBC's theme for 2025

 I love when the new year rolls around and we get to unveil our new theme at church! Joshua works hard at developing a theme and he and Patrick work together towards goals set for a year. Then we have a vision service on a Sunday night in January. After church that morning I take down all the Christmas decorations and put up decorations having to do with the theme So it could be ready to be revealed that night. It is so much fun!

This year our theme is Rooted

We are wanting to strive to be rooted in Christ and have deep roots!

They have also developed a point and award system throughout the year where you could read the Bible, commentaries, listen to messages, read missionary, biographies, and a host of other things to get points towards earning a reward.

Everyone is jumping right in and reading and growing and working at making our roots go deep!

The building is also coming along Amazingly! They put up the steel framing so now we can see the walls of where things will be.

 When you see the outline of the walls it just makes everything look bigger and it's getting so exciting

 We are working as God provides the money and it's so good to see him provide every step of the way! 

Giving Mam-maw's Rooster a Shower

 I've been asked before if I collect roosters. That would be a no. I guess it was assumed since I have a large ceramic rooster and hen on top of my fridge that I must collect them. But I do not. I really don't want them all over my house. But this set I love. It was a set my Mam-maw had on her fridge. 

I was so thankful that after she passed away, it was given to me. I love the reminder of the kitchen they once sat in. It was a place where all were welcome. And anyone and everyone could be fed. It was a place where we played games. And a ton of them! We loved playing Phase 10, Racko and Aggravation in the kitchen. It was a place where everyone gathered, felt included and loved, and wanted to linger. Just being together was a blessing. That's what I want for my home and my kitchen. 

That rooster and hen are a good reminder to me. So when I took them down during Christmas, I realized they definitely needed a shower! It was nice to get them all cleaned up. 

I sure do miss my Mam-maw.

"Christmas" with Mom and Dad

I said that my last post would be my last on Christmas.  It sort of was. :o)  Each year at New Year's my parents come to visit and we celebrate Christmas with them.  It's such a perfect time for them to come!  It wraps up our holiday perfectly :o)

We enjoy dinner together then exchange gifts.  Mom and Dad are so thoughtful and buy many things for each of us.  It's so sweet.  They do this for all of their children and grandkids.  How do they do it? Mom starts early!  I mean summertime early.  I love it and want to be like her when I grow up. :o)

Then we just enjoy some time together.  They love looking around at what's happening on Storybook Farms, they enjoy our property, and especially enjoy their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

 And just like that, Christmas was over.  Now it's on to 2025!  It's going to be a great year!!

Christmas...just one more post!?

 I am so behind in my posting and I can't believe January is almost over and I'm still posting on Christmas! My intent is to get up caught up now! So hold on to your seats as I post everything that happened to us in the last couple weeks of the Christmas season. It was just so full I can't skip over any of it! 

We enjoyed lots and lots of cocoa as the weather turned cooler.

We also decided to spend an evening at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala. It is such a gorgeous place! I love all of their Christmas lights.

It was in the '50s which is pretty chilly for us. Floridians!

3 days before Christmas we made sure we had all of our shopping done as we prepared to have Gimenez family Christmas. It was amazing!

We all get together and have breakfast, then exchange gifts.  These times are a treasure to a Momma's heart.  I am cherishing these times!!

The boys were adorable this year and were so excited about everything!!

The girls loved their Little House on the Prairie bonnets.

And I loved this bracelet from Brenna!!! She bought one for me and one for Beth with her book covers.  I love it!!

Beth also planned some Candy Cane Games for us 6.  It was so fun and so competitive.  I wish I could say my team won (Me and Silas.) But it was fun anyway!!

VSIBC's Candlelight Service was beautiful!!! And so meaningful.  It was fun to dress up.  But it was so timely for us to stop and really reflect on the true meaning of Christmas!

Christmas Eve night we drove around looking at Christmas Lights.  Then, we went home for some snacky foods. We tried to make a butter candle.  It was interesting!!  Then, we opened stockings and gave our stocking gifts for Jesus.  

Even though my kiddos are older, I love how they still all sleep in the Living Room together for Christmas.  

We woke up bright and early Christmas Day.  And the first one up???

Patrick!! He was just as excited as everyone else!

Christmas Day we played, played, played.  It was wonderful!!

That night we went to Denise's house for Christmas Dinner.  It was so delicious!

Then, I caught these two eating the cranberries off of the birthday cake for Jesus!

And just like that, and too quick, Christmas was over....or was it??

 

Parade and Christmas Store

This year VSIBC did another Christmas store for the children. I love this ministry! All throughout November and December the kids can earn Victory bucks by saying Bible verses, bringing their Bible to Sunday School, and bringing visitors. We have the people of our church bring in gifts that the children can buy for their family. And then on a Saturday we set up the auditorium like a big store and they can buy gifts for their family and friends with money that they have earned.

It teaches them so many wonderful principles of giving and working!

It's a flurry of activity and so exciting! We have so many people come out to help us because it does take a lot of workers. I'm thankful for the faithfulness of the people of VSIBC and their dedication to the Lord!

Then that night was High Springs Christmas parade. This is one of my favorites! Just a small town parade where people gather and put blankets on the sidewalks and watch as tractors and local clubs and schools walk by all lit up. We just love it! And it's so much fun to have friends join us too!

It was just chilly enough for us Floridians to feel Christmasy in the cool weather!

So much fun!