Happy Birthday, Dad

Dad
Originally uploaded by blountman.

I know he will never see this, because he doesn't even have a computer, much less visit cyberspace, but today is Dad's birthday, and I just wanted to wish him a very happy one!

Christmas Tree '06

Christmas Tree '06
Originally uploaded by blountman.

I love our family Christmas Tree.

Christmas Trees mean different things to different people. For the Blounts, the tree is a family history and an expression of our love for Jesus. Numerous ornaments depicting the manger can be found. Red birds that once adorned Mama Thelma’s tree are there. So are those ornaments that twirl around from the heat of the lights that used to hang on Mama Stella’s tree. How about the cross-stitch ornaments that my Mom made for us? The Angel topper once was on Mae Mae's tree. The hand-made ornaments from each of the kids loving crafted during their early childhood years always bring smiles to our faces as we decorate the tree. We have ornaments reflecting high schools and colleges we love, sports teams about which we are passionate, ornaments given to Peggy as gifts from her students over the years, and that egg ornament made for me by...well, I've "Ben" trying to remember who made that one (an inside joke, sorry). We have ornaments reminding us of family vacations, and we have family ornaments with all of our names on them dating back over the past decade! This year's family ornament includes the newest member of the family: Abi, who becomes Elliott's Bride just before Christmas this year. Being a Trekkie, we have several starship ornaments on our tree; being a Veggie Tales fanatic, we have Bob, Larry and the gang hanging out on our tree as well. We have ornaments that remind us of Christmas books we have read as a family, and we have hand-made ornaments from church family over the years. Every ornament on our tree tells part of the story of our family.

Now, I know that people decorate trees in many different ways, with different themes and different schemes. However, I like seeing our family story played out on our Christmas Tree. The reflection of our shared love for Jesus warms my heart. The fact that many ornaments on this year's tree will move to Elliott and Abi's tree next year is part of that process. It is time for them to start making family memories to be represented by various ornaments. Ian and Emily will soon follow in Elliott's footsteps, and then Peggy and I will have fewer ornaments hanging on our tree, but we will still have the memories of the family love we share.

I love our family Christmas Tree.

Happy Birthday, Lil Bro

Trust me, I could have done much more damage picture-wise than this one. Here is the gang, skinny Scott, Tim with hair on his head not his chin, Ed with the 'fro, and Donna when she was cute. Wink, wink. Oh for simpler times, eh?

Christ Follower

While reading my dear brother in Christ Arron Chambers' blog today, I saw a parody video that is one of those "hmmmmm....." deals. Produced by Community Christian Church in Naperville, IL, this series parodies the Mac comercials on TV these days. This is #2 in the series, and is my personal favorite. Thanks Arron, for turning me onto this series of thought-provoking messages.



Be God's,
Scott

Senior Recital

Belting It Out
Originally uploaded by blountman.

Friday, November 10, 2006, Elliott had his Senior Vocal Recital at Florida Christian College. This is the culmination of his Music Ministry Degree at FCC. The first half of the recital included a collection of classical music and spirituals sung by Elliott while accompanied on the new Grand Piano the college has just gotten. Those selections included:
Caro Mio Ben

Vittoira, Vittoira, Mio Core

Ich Gro Le Nich

Windmung

Zeignung

Deep River

Somebody's Knocking At Your Door

Elijah

The Trumpet Shall Sound

All of Me

Despite his sore throat, Elliott nailed this part of the recital. Especially on my favorite song from this collection: The Trumpet Shall Sound from Handel's Messiah. We could not have been more proud.

Then, came the worship set portion of the recital, where Elliott was joined by Abi and Tyler to lead the 30-to-35 of us gathered there in a time of praise and worship. Those songs included favorites such as Your Grace Is Enough, Forever, Enough, and Take My Life (Her Am I) among others.

Afterwards, we had a great meal with Abi's parents, Peggy's parents, Emily, and Tyler. Unfortunately, Ian had to work, so he couldn't join us for the evening. What a fantastic evening.

Number 18

Balloon Time II
Originally uploaded by blountman.

It is way too mind-boggling to think that Ian is now 18 years old. As I think back on the many fond memories; on the triumphs over adversity; over the laughter and tears that Ian has produced in his Mother and me, I am overwhelmed with a sense of pride and joy. When I see the man of God that Ian is developing into, I am blown away by his faith and his trust in our Lord Jesus. His sweet spirit and his giving heart are just two of Ian's numerous wonderful traits. Ian is the quintessential Middle Child, and we have had our fair share of struggles in areas I won't go into on this blog. The bottom line is this: Ian can do all things through Christ Who strengthens him. My prayer for Ian continues to be that he will allow Jesus to mold him into the man Jesus wants him to be. My prayer for Peggy and me is that we can be the best parents possible given our human frailties. I just don't want to mess my kids up too badly.

Thanks to Amber and Jonathan for sharing in the evening's festivities with us as we celebrated number 18 for Ian. He is a special dude to us, and our lives are so much better because he is a big part of those lives.

Thank you, Ian for being "my man." My love for you grows stronger each day, and I am so proud to be called your Dad. Keep those big eyes focused on Christ, and on His plan for your life.

Elliott's Testimony

Elliott's Testimony
Originally uploaded by blountman.

Words do not adequately express my feelings as I reflect back over the weekend. On Saturday, several of us from VCC went up to Florida Christian College for Round Up. That is a major fund raising event with a western theme to it. The college had a couple of alumni give testimonies about what the school has meant to them, and Tommy Oaks preached one of his usual fantastic messages. Then, I saw Elliott make his way to a front row in the Chapman Center. I could feel the tears welling up even before he made his way to the podium to deliver his testimony. I had no foreknowledge of this and I can't even remember much of what he said because I was so emotional. I do remember him saying that he only came to FCC because his Dad told him he had to do at least one year at a Bible College. I lost it at that point. Elliott has grown so much as a man and as a Christian while he has been at FCC over these past 3 1/2 years. When he graduates next month, he won't just be getting a degree, he will be fulfilling a ministry prayer of his mother's and mine. He will go into full time Christian Ministry as a worship minister! You can see pictures of his ordination service held at VCC on October 29th by visiting my flickr site. You'll also see pictures of Ian's 18th birthday celebration which we started two days early. I am so proud of the young man Ian is becoming! God has blessed me beyond measure with these two sons, and I won't short change my darling daughter, either! How God could allow me to take care of these three kids for Him is beyond me, but I am a blessed man for sure! To have my salvation in Christ, to be married to the most beautiful woman on the planet, and to have three kids who love Jesus more than life...well, of course I am the most blessed man on earth!

What A Report Card!

It has been a long, "interesting" journey, but yesterday afternoon Ian's report card made me happier than I have been at report card time in the past four years! He has seven classes, and he got six A's and one B+ (in weight lifting)!

Thank you to those who have prayed with us and specifically prayed for Ian. As I told him yesterday, keep up the great work!

Oh, Emily's report card was good, too. Not as good as Ian's. Haven't been able to make that claim in the past four years, either!

Resign, Senator Dumb Guy!

I don't usually get political on my blog, but I cannot stay silent on this one, folks. Okay the three of you who ever look at this blog, anyway. John Kerry should resign after his totally ludicrous remark insulting the intelligence of our military forces, and the intelligence of the American People in general. Others have been forced to resign from public office for "botching a joke" (Trent Lott for example), and those jokes neither attacked our military forces nor the American Public in general.

I'm glad to see that our soliders in Iraq can show a sense of humor as they take a jab at the Senator as pictured above. However, this lousy excuse of a public servant has called our military forces rapists and murderers in not one but at least two different wars. I am not saying that there aren't individuals who wear the uniform who don't cross the line, but John the Donkey Kerry has crossed the line more so than any of them could ever hope to. To give aid and comfort to the enemies of this country has a name: treason. Resign, Senator Dumb Guy.