the Beauty of Christmas

After traveling across the grand state of Alabama, the Andrews' Christmas has finally come to an end. With visits from Uncle Nolan and Uncle Joel, a dirty Santa toilet seat for mom (not to be confused with mom's dirty toilet seat), our first Christmas in our new home, and a special visit from Saint Roy (a.k.a. Big Paw Paw) we could not imagine how we could be more blessed this holiday season. I have always heard that as you get older and have children that your Christmas really becomes more about them and fight that notion as I tried... it is true. Ella's new big girl bike and massive doll house all the way to Olivia's Wii we have had so much fun playing with the girls. Who knew you could develop Wii elbow? My wrist hurts, my shoulder went out on about my fourth pitch, and I literally worked up a sweat playing nine holes of Wii golf.

But when it has been all said and done, my greatest gift this Christmas has been the friends who know me and still call me friend and the incredible family I have been so richly blessed with. Speaking of family... I keep waiting for some reality tv crew to show up and film my family during the holidays. We are definitely the red-neckersons. I hope everyone who reads this has a wonderful New Year and may all of God's blessings flow to you and yours.

Merry Christmas

Well, I have to admit that this is truly my favorite time of the year. In what I am now doing job-wise... I get to see God showing off a little bit for just being Him. This year at Christmas has been over the top. At The Foundry, I have seen an outpouring of Him in some pretty practical ways. Just for example... we do this thing called Gifts of Hope where we collect gifts for our residents' children. These guys and gals have been here with us for quite a few months and have had no income and therefore have no means of buying gifts for their children. Well, that fell to me to handle this year.

I didn't really solicit any group but rather just let people be aware as they asked what our Christmas needs were. The God showed up. Every resident at The Foundry who needed assistance got huge bags full of toys for their children and we even were able to bless families within the community that just couldn't make it this Christmas without some help.

All in all... somewhere between $5,000-$6,000 dollars worth of toys were distributed to more than 131 children. Thanks for any of you who gave. Thanks be to God for making it all happen. He really is the reason for the season.

To all of our family and friends... throughout the year we may not call, return calls, or see you that often but be reminded this Christmas season that Karie, Olivia, Ella and I think of you often and love and cherish you.

Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year.

I Wonder?

I met a 71 year old lady earlier this week at the store down from my house. As we began to talk she shared stories about when she was in high school. She told me she was divorced and I couldn't help but wonder...

I met a retired college professor and school teacher this past week as well. She is an African American who has spent the second half of her life living in Birmingham. She was extremely inteligent and had more southern charm than Scarlet O'Hara ever dreamed of. As I listened to her talk I coldn't help but wonder...

I met about a dozen young men at a local urban high school this week. They are a part of a group called Young Men of Distinction. They are learning manners, etiquete, and very impressive life skills. As I talked with them I couldn't help but wonder...

With a mild, self-diagnosed, case of adlt on-set ADD I find myself wondering quite a bit. I wonder when was the last time I filled my tank for $1.52 per gallon (other than today). I wonder if I am doing it right when it comes to raising my daughters. I wonder when Christ is going to return. I wonder how my country is going to rebound and when from our troubled economy. I wonder what suprise my mom has in store for me this Christmas. I wonder about old high school friends. Wonder, wonder, wonder.

I wonder if my new 71 year old friend lives with regret? If she could change one thing from her past what would it be? I wonder about the retired educator. What emotional scars does she carry from living in Bham during the heat of the Civil Rights Movement? What has she seen in life that haunts her and how does she deal with it all? I wonder about the young men who impressed me as they shared their ambitions and dreams of the future. I wonder what they will be doing ten years from now? I wonder what I'll be doing ten years from now.

I also wonder about a song we used to sing... God of Wonders. I cherish the fleeting thoughts that I have every once in a while about God when for an instant I get it. I catch a glimpse of what He may be up to in my life. I adore the times when I am sitting still and my mind drifts toward God and I am at pure peace in that moment. I wonder what He thinks about me? I wonder what He thinks about what I think about... after all, He is the God of Wonders.

12-1

Well, believe it or not... ALL is well at the Andrews' house. I would love for Alabama to have beaten florida earlier tonight but it just didn't happen. But, if you watched the game you have to admit Alabama played extremely well. Very few mistakes on either side of the ball. Alabama just never made the Big play that we really needed. Now, for the unbelievable auburn fans that decided it would be a good idea to call me about losing to florida... are you nuts?

Let me just remind you that just a mere seven days ago we caused the firing of your coach. We humiliated your tigers and sent the rumble through the plains. Please, all auburn supporters, God rest their souls, please consider the reality of your plight before you comment on ALABAMA FOOTBALL. And for those who wonder about rammer jammer... it still applies.

Hey tigers... we just beat (you know the rest). 36-0

I find it a little ironic that I turn 36 tomorrow. What a blessed year it will be.

facts are facts.

I know my recent posts have all been about Alabama football but hey, cut me some slack. We are in the midst of an amazing season and it's been dry lately so let me live a little. So here I sit on the eve of the SEC Championship. My boys are ranked number 1 in the entire nation. Whether you agree with that ranking or not... its the facts. As I check my emotions I am excited that we have a chance to have another SEC title and be playing for the BIG ring. I have heard the points line shift about a dozen times this week and I like our chances more since we are considered the number one team in the country and a ten point underdog. Anyway, I am anxious. I am trying to contain my tongue. I am just short of prayerful. I am extremely hopeful. I would love to play in the big game again this season. I wonder if Alabama can't beat florida tomorrow how many auburn fans will call me... to which I will respond.

we still beat auburn 36-0. fact.

PRICELESS...

beautiful reflections of a glorious day.

Rammer Jammer...

Well, after a long dry spell in the great state of ALABAMA my beloved Crimson Tide has finally come alive. I have waited patiently and for the most part quietly for more than 2,190 some odd days for this very weekend. Some might read that figure and think of auburn's past dominance but I read that number just before I mention these numbers.

36-0

Complete domination! auburn looked like a 4A high school team up against ALABAMA. BAMA had total control. The week prior to the game I kept hearing that BAMA was a two touchdown favorite. How about a five touchdown favorite? I heard that ALABAMA had not played a defense of the caliber of auburn's defense. Please tell me that was a joke? Two words that I just can't use in the same sentence is auburn's defense. Two more words... auburn's offense. Am I loving it all right now? You better believe it. After all of that trash talk I have received from auburn fans for the last few years... please, just please, take your verbal lashings from the BAMA nation because auburn got crushed. And one more thing, I have been overwhelmed in just two short days of the BAMA thrashing by auburn fans turned gator fans.

I wonder if they are actually listening to themselves? I say ROLL TIDE and they say... watch out for florida. I say 36-0 and they say... watch out for tebow. How quickly they jump ship when tommy takes them downstream! For all of you former auburn fans... I really don't care about florida. An SEC championship would be great and a chance to play for the national championship would be ever better. But my reality is this. ALABAMA has only 9 scholarshipped seniors graduating, one of the best incoming classes for next year and a coach who simply knows what he is doing. Everyone says that "we are ahead of schedule". Whatever that means. I say... it's good to be at the top. The future in Tuscaloosa is bright as ever and regardless of what happens this coming Saturday...

we still beat auburn 36-0. Rammer Jammer.