Nostalgia

I really love going home. I love visiting with family and seeing friends I grew up with. It is always wonderful to feel the love of people who you love and who love you back and this past weekend was no exception.On Friday, the kids and I loaded up in our van and drove to my hometown. Well, I didn't really have a "hometown" since the place I grew up is a little community on top of Lookout Mountain in Georgia.

The little community is called New Salem and every year they have a festival the 2nd weekend of October. It was so much fun to see everyone. And boy, was my nostalgia ever running on high!I got to visit with lots of family and friends that I went to school with!

When I was young (about 12 I'd say) I was allowed to work the 'coke' booth. I felt so important pouring drinks and taking money. Really I think I was just an easy target as none of the adults wanted the job.

As I got older, I worked in the Food Booth that my church sponsors still. The menu has not changed. As far back as I can remember, it has been bbq sandwiches, chips, hot dogs, chicken stew, pinto beans and cornbread, and desserts....and sweet tea, of course. I had to have some of all of it -- except hot dogs -- I'm not a hot dog fan-- this weekend. So, on Saturday for lunch, I had both pinto beans and chicken stew.

There are many other things that are a MUST at the festival. Things like popguns, boiled peanuts and funnel cakes. As well as this FABULOUS singing group. This is the New Salem Men's Ensemble. Of course, I might be biased since I'm related to all but one of these fine gentlemen. In fact, my dad is second from the left in this picture. Then there is my uncle in the middle, a couple of cousins and one who married into the family.....are you getting the picture that I'm related to just about everyone in this community? If so, that would be the case! Which is why I married a guy from North Carolina -- I was related to everyone!

And this is their wonderful accompanist -- she is my second mom. Her daughter and I have been BFF since we were about 10.

I didn't do a great job of getting lots of pictures at the festival. But, if you'd like to see more, go here. There are many great pictures of the goings on there -- there is even one of me with my girls and Na Na holding B.

While I was there B got to meet his great grandparents for the first time. I can't tell you how happy it makes me that I got a picture of my grandparents with all of my kids.

The kids also got to spend some time with their Uncle H. He is my brother and my girls adore him.

My Mom even came home with us for a couple of days. My girls were so excited that Grammy was coming home with us. Here is a picture of her with B.

Even though I am absolutely loving the town we live in now, when I come back from being 'home', I'm always a little sad. I miss being in that place sometimes. Being in a place where everyone has known me since birth and they love me anyway. But what a great reminder it is of God's love for me. He has known me since even before birth and he loves me anyway.

This is my prayer for each of your this Thursday. That you'll know how much Christ loves you. I love how the Message puts it!

Ephesians 3:18 (The Message)

14-19 My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

Know His love and be blessed this day.