it's been too long...

It's been too long. I know. Don't judge me. I really do love blogging and normally I have plenty of time each day to update this thing; however December 18th (the last day of school) rolled around and I go MIA. Which means I have been THOROUGHLY enjoying my break! I suppose by my lack of posting you realized that I have not spent much time on the computer. This is what we have been up to:

December 18-20: December 18th at 3:45p.m..... I clocked out at work and met my parent to head to Tallulah Falls, Georgia to attend a graduation for my cousin, Tate. He has struggled with drugs for the last few years. This summer was a breaking point for him. He realized his need for help and excitedly headed to a Christian rehab center, Victory Home, in Georgia. This program helps men fight alcohol and drug addictions centering around their need for a Savior. I knew that I had to be there to hear Tate give his testimony at his graduation. What a sweet time this was. The whole family came and stayed in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the cutest cabin. We got to hear Tate stand up and proclaim what God had done in his life. How the enemy had trapped and deceived, but how Christ came and delivered him from his addiction. We sang Victory in Jesus as apart of the celebration and it was a great reminder that victory comes from Jesus alone.

December 21-23: These days before Christmas held last minute shopping, wrapping, and a new favorite tradition, The Burbee/Jerkins Christmas Party. This year we decided the menu must include daddy's french toast. This is definitely my favorite food in the whole world, but shockingly many of the Jerkins family members had yet to taste the sweet goodness. After 2 lbs. of sausage, 4 lbs. of bacon, 3 loaves of texas toast, 3 dozen eggs, and who knows what else.... we
were all stuffed! The french toast may just have to become apart of the tradition as well.

December 24: Christmas Eve morning was a morning of completing last minute errands for our winter camp trip. We picked up our rental van, the church van, and the trailer. The normal size trailer we take with us on trips was already rented out so they gave us a bigger one instead.... when I say bigger I mean enormous.... bigger than the van big. It was free so we were grateful though. I was a bit nervous that we were taking that huge thing into the mountains on curvy roads.... maybe the Lord knew I needed more prayer in my life!

Later that night consisted of Christmas Eve traditions: a family gathering at Grandmomma and Grandaddy's early and then Granny and Gan-Gan's later.

December 25: Our alarm goes off at 6:00a.m. on Christmas morning. This gives us enough time to open our gifts to one another and then head to mom and dad's. Since our TV was our "christmas present" this year, D did well and surprised me with pearl earrings and a Beth Moore book that I had wanted. Yea, he's a keeper.

7:00-8:15a.m.- Mom and Dad's for presents with the Burbees
8:30- 11:30- Breakfast and presents with the Jerkins
11:45-5:30p.m.- Christmas at my grandparents
6:00p.m.-9:00p.m.- Christmas with the Ron Jerkins family

After a long, crazy day... we finally head home.

December 27-30- Winter Camp in Gatlinburg with our youth.... We left early Sunday morning and headed to the mountains for an exciting few days. David Nasser, Ergun Caner, Tony Nolan, Johnny Hunt, Kutless, Casting Crown, Brandon Heath, Tenth Avenue North, Unhindered... were just a few names that we heard. It was a great time to get away. We had a blast and even saw some familiar faces from Bellevue. What a great trip.

As you can tell life has been full for the Jerkins. It's been crazy and exhausting, but we wouldn't trade this time for anything!