Thanks ... for Family and Traditions

It is that time of year ... again. Thanksgiving Day. Our family has a handful of little traditions set in place during this time:

1. Family Time ... we do our best to get together with family members we've not been able to visit with during the year. And, we do our best to show extra love and grace towards one another, if only for a few days! (( ha ))
   
2. Christmas Tree ... yep, we believe in the Christmas tree at the Myrick house. We've cut back to the "simple, easy setup" model this year, but we make it the focal point of the Thanksgiving Day weekend.
   
3. Shopping ... the retailers call it "Black Friday", and the Myrick/Dinwiddie ladies attend the events ... religiously! I'm talking 4am wakeup, at the storefronts by 5am, pajamas and all, and they trek across the Mississippi/Alabama Coast for the next six to eight hours! (( are you kiddin ... how can one possibly "shop" for 8 hours??!! ))
   
4. Football ... ah, yes. Dallas Cowboys. Detroit Lions. SEC. PAC 10. Big 8. We love it all. 'Tis the season to throw footballs ... fa-la-la-la-la ... la-la-la-la ... :-)

So ... HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!

Valley Grove

I've found another little "touch of heaven" ... in Knoxville ... specifically ... Valley Grove ... South Knox County, near Seymour, TN. What a beautiful place!

My friends, Gordon and Donna Alford, are Music Ministers at Valley Grove Baptist Church (http://www.valleygrove.org/). Pastor William Sims III (Bro. Bill), is one of the most sincere and authentically spirit-filled pastors I've ever met. I have great anticipation that God is going to do a wonderful work here!

I met Scott Newton Smith this week as well. (http://www.snsministries.org/) Scott is one of the finest young preachers I've heard in quite a while! His messages were "spot on" every single service. Most important, he is an anointed man of God. I look forward to many opportunities to minister with Scott in the near future!

Thanks, Valley Grove friends and "new" church family! I can hardly wait to come back ... this time with my sweet wife and family. They gotta see Cades Cove!! (http://www.cadescove.com/)