Meet and Greet

Welcome to Robert and Jessica Holly. We are so glad your have joined us.

Holiday Expectations

Over the last two weeks our class has been discussing Holiday Expectations. As of today, there are only 71 more shopping days or 10 weeks until Christmas. Somehow, that statement just makes me feel like I need to "hurry up". Sometimes it can even cause me to feel stressed.

Here are a few tips we discussed.

1. You are married now and solving Holiday challenges are part of marriage.
2. Your finances are limited. (WHO will be on the Christmas gift list?) If you are using a credit card to pay for your gifts, how long do you want to pay on them in the new year? Be wise with your spending.
3. Your time is limited. (Who will you visit and when?)
4. Because your time is limited, You, and each family, WILL miss out on something. Someone may just cry.
5. What are your family traditions? Which ones will be brought into your NEW family? What new tradition will the two of you begin for your family?

Don't go into the holiday season with a tug-of-war. Communicate, communicate, and communicate once again. Talk about it well in advance. Consider all alternatives. Negotiate! Compromise! Share your plans lovingly with both sides of the family. Remember, it is difficult for BOTH sets of parents to be separated from their child during the holiday. One former newlywed gave the advise of being FAIR with both sets of parents. (Perhaps, one day you will be the in-laws.)

The holidays are a fun time. Plan now for a HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Deacon Ordination

Tyler Abernathy was ordained Oct. 8th, 2008 at Shandon Baptist Church. He is pictured above with his wife Caroline. We pray that God blesses Tyler and Caroline as he begins this new ministry.

A Quote or Two

Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring and integrity, they think of you.
Jackson Brown, Jr

They say it takes a village to raise a child. That may be the case,but the truth is that it takes a lot of solid, stable marriages to create a village. Diane Sollee

I got gaps; you got gaps; we fill each other's gaps. Rocky

What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility. Leo Tolstoy

Love is what you've been through with somebody. James Thurber

The most important marriage skill is listening to your partner in a way thatthey can't possibly doubt that you love them. Diane Sollee

When asked his secret of love, being married fifty-four years to the sameperson, he said, "Ruth and I are happily incompatible."Billy Graham

Any fool can have a trophy wife. It takes a real man to have a trophy marriage. Diane Sollee

Caring for Columbia Work Project

October 4 , 2008 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Work assignments: Lawn maintenance projects, Exterior painting

Meadowfield Elementary School Project

Our church, Shandon Baptist, is reaching out to the Columbia Community. Today, Shandon sponcored a work day at Meadowfield Elementary School. Shandon encouraged it's members to help this school with a few maintenance projects. We were amazed at how many members came out to help with the work day project. It was a fun time working along side all ages to beautify this school.

Lindsey busy painting.

Brent working on repairing the walkway.

Tyler

Jamie and another hard worker.

Cynthia and Amy picking up sticks and limbs.

Alex loading trash on the truck.

Alex, Jamie, and ? (I don't know his name) hauling off the trash.

Oh...and Stephanie and Kynn worked hard too. :)

Success in Marriage

Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate. ~Barnett R. Brickner

Where is your heart?

(PHOTO TAKEN BY KITTY HURDLE)