Christmas Lights

Christmas Lights
Originally uploaded by blountman

This year, we have added to our outside display of lights, the manger scene. In this close-up of Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus, you can also see roses blooming on our "rose tree" just behind the manger scene. I love Christmas in Vero Beach. I was in jean shorts and a tee shirt as I hung the lights on the house on November 29th, and the seat was rolling down my face into my eyes! Roses are still in full bloom. Yep, THAT's my kind of Christmas season weather.

Speaking of the Christmas season, I want to take the time now to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. May you always keep in mind the true meaning of the season: God loves you, and He gave you the ultimate Christmas Gift - Jesus!

There are a few more pictures taken on Nov. 29th of the lights around our house, and one of the rose blooms that are about eight feet off the ground. Just check out the flickr site.

May this season in which we celebrate the coming to earth of the Savior of the World, find you and yours doing well. Thank you for your continued prayers for us Blounts. We'll take all the prayers we can get!

Birthday Cake

Several people wore as much of Ian's birthday cake as ate it, including the birthday boy:

So It Ain't So!

It is hard for me to believe that my baby boy, Ian is 19 today! Words cannot express the love I have for our "middle child." We have been (and continue to go) through so much together! From his "hurry up, here I am" birth, through various physical challenges in his infancy and toddler years on up to today, Ian is absolutely one of a kind. A fact for which Peggy and I are eternally grateful!

I know there are plenty of challenges ahead for our "Ieebee Dah Man" and I pray that he will draw closer to Jesus, and let the Lord of all Life be his guide through the good times and the bad. I am so blessed to be Ian's Dad, and I am so unworthy of that honor. I just pray that he always knows the depth of the love I have for him.

Bearded Lady

Over the past several months our Children's Church gang has been collecting an offering to go towards Vero Christian Church's "Connecting Christ With Community" campaign. Our goal was to reach $500 before Commitment Sunday, which is this Sunday, November 11th. We have achieved our goal, and will present our offering at the end of the adult worship service this week. I will be wearing a dress (and possibly makeup, a wig, and high heals depending on how much offering is collected this Sunday)! Yeah, I am a fool for Christ. I will do whatever I can to help kids get excited about worshiping God by the giving of their offerings to Kingdom Work. The Children's Church gang knows that we will continue collecting offerings each week, and that other goals will be set, not always with a goofy consequence for me. Anyway, I decided a couple of weeks ago to let my beard grow out (such as it is) so I can be the "Bearded Lady" on November 11th. The things we do for love.

Missing My Mom

This is my favorite picture I took of Mom, catching her "in the act" of ironing. She hated to iron, and she is telling me not to take the picture. I disobeyed. I miss Mom. On this day that is the anniversary of her birth, I celebrate the blessing of being Bettie Johnson Blount's son. I can't believe it has been over 14 years since she passed on. Time hasn't flown, and what I wouldn't give for her sage advice over a meal of choice Mexican food.

Costume Bible Study

Da Crew with Scott
Originally uploaded by blountman

Our college age group Wednesday night Bible study group decided to go with the theme on October 31, 2007. We studied 1 Samuel 17, "Facing the Giants," but we also dressed up, ate chicken wings, and other munchies and handed out candy to a handful of Trick or Treaters. It was a great time! A great study, fantastic discussion, and plenty of laughs before and after the study. If I haven't mentioned before, I really love this group of college age students.

Oh yeah, BABY!

Best college football game EVER. Don't even try to argue with me on this one, folks!

Enjoying Greta

One member of Ed's family that didn't make the move to Anniston last week is his Scooter, "Greta." Now, Ed got Greta to combat the high cost of traveling back and forth to work with Gracie. Now that Gracie has retired (and Mercy is now Ed's main mode of transport), and now that Ed is living in SWEET HOME ALABAMA where the hills are large and the necks get red at the sight of scooter (jk), Greta is now residing with me here in Vero Beach. She took me to work this past Monday and it was a blast. I had a motorcycle back before Peggy and I got married, but have been without motorized two-wheeled transportation for over two decades until now.

Anyway, this morning, Greta dutifully took me back to work, so I thought I would at least take her picture in front of the office so that Ed and others could know how much Greta is loved and appreciated. Oh yeah, with the "dry season" coming soon here in Florida, Greta will be my MAIN mode of transportation to and from the office, and I am truly looking forward to all that this entails (savings in gasoline costs, less mileage on our "road vehicle" Pistin and the thrill of the ride).

Having heard from Ed almost daily since his move, I am thrilled by what is happening in Alabama. I am thrilled by how God is using Ed to accomplish so much, and by the attitude with which Ed approaches this time in his life. I just wish my attitude was always as good as my Lil Bro's! Maybe more time with Greta will help in that regard.

Mmmm...Sonic!

So, we got Lil Bro moved up to Alabama this past week, and while there are plenty of stories to tell about that adventure (which turned out splendidly, by the way), I want to just focus on our supper jaunt on Tuesday night. After a day of cleaning out the garage and moving in Ed's stuff, Ed, Dad and I made a "late night" Wal-Mart run and then headed to: Mmmmmm...Sonic! Dad says he has never eaten at Sonic, so I wanted photographic proof of our visit and I wanted a picture of Dad's goatee. He kinda reminds me of Harlan Sanders with his new look, but for now we will just be satisfied with Mmmmm....Sonic.

Ed is now settling in with Dad, and that is an answer to many prayers. There are many others to lift up on Ed and Dad's behalf as they make the adjustments to life together under one roof in Sweet Home Alabama.

My Heroes Clock

So, a couple of weeks ago, just as the "Heroes, Season One" DVD was coming out, Peggy says she thinks she would like to watch that series, and it would be cool to have season 1 watched before the new season began. I was flabbergasted because Peggy is not a big SciFi fan like I am. I didn't watch the show last year for that (among other) reasons. Nevertheless, when she made the suggestion, I decided to take her up on it, and we purchased the season 1 DVD. We have been squeezing in the episodes in our overly busy lives, but are now ready for tonight's premiere of season 2!

Meanwhile, and totally unrelated...or so we thought...Peggy got a new clock for her classroom at Garden City Elementary. The school ordered clocks, and hers was one to be replaced. When she opened the box and put in the battery, she noticed that the clock ran BACKWARDS! She returned the clock to the person in charge of the order, and they were going to send it back. However, she told me about it, and I had her rescue the clock for me, saying I would pay whatever the cost for the clock was. How cool is it to have a clock that runs backwards? I'm not Hiro, but my clock does what he was trying to do in the first episode of the show "Heroes" and I don't even have to squint my eyes to make it run backwards!

Now, I have no desire to go back in time, but I do love having a clock that is a little different from the pack.

Rock My Weekend

Peggy and I took a few teens to the "Rock The Universe" Weekend at Universal Studios in Orlando, Sept. 7-9, 2007. The lineup included Jars of Clay, Hawk Nelson, Mercy Me and Casting Crowns on Friday night. All I can say about Friday is OH MY GOODNESS! I've been a big Jars of Clay fan for 15 years, and Hawk Nelson is one of my new favorites in Christian music. Mercy Me always does it up right musically and lyrically, but Casting Crowns knocked it out of the park Friday night! It was one of the best concerts and worship times I have been part of in years.

The Saturday lineup included Skillet, Jeremy Camp, Toby Mac and Relient K. Again, a great lineup with a mix of "oldie goldies" and the latest in today's Christian hits. We also got to ride some rides at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. Of course, we also had one of those obligatory afternoon thunderstorms around 4 o'clock. After waiting out the rain for an hour and a half, I broke down and bought a golf umbrella. By the time I paid for it, and we walked out of the gift shop in which we had been holed up for 90 minutes, the skies had turned blue and the sun was shining. That's Florida for ya!

Peggy and I ate lunch Saturday at theBubba Gump Shrimp Company,a nd she is pictured above with her drink in hand. The other picture above features our little RTU monkeys (sans Turtle, who joined us for Saturday night, but wasn't with us for the whole weekend). Ian, Skanky Jay, Emily, Kevin and Kaley kept us in stitches all weekend long.

It is now 9:30 on Sunday night, and the weekend has taken it's toll on me physically. time to call it a GOOD night.

Surprise!

Surprise!
Originally uploaded by blountman

Lil Bro, Elliott and Abi were coming to Vero for a celebration of my birthday. We thought we would throw some babyback ribs on the grill and just enjoy a quiet evening...well, we enjoyed the evening, but the party grew to 12 of us, 11 of whom you can see in this picture I took as the ribs slow cooked on the grill.

It was, without a doubt, one of the best birthday celebrations of my life. I am NOT a fan of celebrating my birthday, as my family will readily tell you. I am, however a big fan of having family around, and that's what happened on this evening. Some were invited in advance, some just showed up, knowing that they are ALWAYS welcome in the "Fabulous Blount Mansion." The fact that ribs on the grill had somehow leaked out led to the invasion of folks some of whom who have had ribs with us before and they knew what was in store.

Like I say, I don't enjoy having a fuss made about my physical birthday, and I really do keep hoping that someday folks will make a bigger fuss out of my Spiritual Birthday (August 27th, by the way), because that is the one that is important to me. However, I have to say that having Ed, Elliott, Abi, Ian, Emily, Jonathan, Mike, Turtle, Jordan, and Melvin join my Bride Peggy and me for this occasion was wonderful beyond words. I just want to praise God for the blessing of the afternoon and evening. You can see several pictures from the celebration on my Flickr site including the beautiful "Southern Lights" display God put on for us as a birthday card from Him. I am so grateful for the blessing of family. I know that I am the most blessed man on the planet, and I want everyone to know that those blessings come from God in spite of fact that I am one of the biggest goobers to ever walk the planet. I don't deserve any of it, but I am thankful to my Lord Jesus for blessing my socks off anyway!

May God's richest blessings be yours, and may all of your surprises in life be as wonderful as mine was on this very special day.
Be God's,
Scott

Seeing Clearly

I had my annual eye exam this morning. s I type this, the words are very blury on the computer screen because my pupils were dialted as part of the examination. It will take a good portion of the day for my eyesight to return to "normal" which for me, means the need for a slight correction for distance, and a little correction for reading. Yes, bifocals have been a way of life for me for the past several years. Not that I HAVE to wear my glasses all the time, or even when I am reading, but they help.

As I contemplate the words of the gal who did much of my exam this morning, I can't help but think about the notion that people think if they wear their glasses that their eyesight will actually deteriorate and they will be more dependent upon those glasses. She said that the rality of the matter is that your brain gets used to being able to see better, and recognizes the difference when you don't wear them.

When I spend time daily in God's Word, my life really is more closely aligned to God's plan for my life. Oh, I can "get by" when I don't spend time in the Word every day, but I am only fooling myself into thinking that it is okay. Just like "getting by" without wearing my glasses may be okay, I can "get by" with the reading I do for lesson prep, sermons, etc. But that is not what is best for me.

Just as wearing my glasses helps me see clearly, spending time daily in the Word helps me stay focused on my relationship with Christ. I don't need an annual exam to see how I am doing in this regard, I just need to be held accountable for my personal daily devotion time each day. I have a couple of accountability partners to help me in that regard. Do you?

Birthday Girl

Blowing Out The Candle
Originally uploaded by blountman

We celebrated my Bride's birthday on August 14th. Not only did she have the cake of her choosing, but a steak dinner and a fun evening at home with Ian, Emily and me. It was the kind of quiet family gathering we love, but don't often get with both Ian and Emily working these days. In light of the news of this week about Stacie Coomer, it makes me appreciate that much more the time God grants me with my Bride and my kids. Happy birthday, Peggy. I love you!

Slap Me Upside The Head

For the second time this summer, and unexpected calling Home of a brother or sister in Christ has me seriously contemplating the brevity of life on this planet. Last night, we got the call that Stacie Coomer had passed on. Stacie was in our first youth group at Westwood Christian Church some 20 years ago. She had stayed in touch over the years and the miles (she lived in Xenia, Ohio), and was one of the few who commented on my this blog. When Stacie didn't report for work at the library yesterday, and didn't respond to repeated phone calls from work and from her Mom, the building supervisor in the apartment building where Stacie lived was alerted and asked to go in the apartment to check on Stacie. She was found on the couch in her pajamas with no visible sign of foul play.

Barb and Tom Coomer are understandably devastated. I spoke with them both briefly last night. I know that Kristen (her older sister) is beside herself. I join them in their grief. I also know that God is in control, and that while we may never know while we are on this earth the purpose behind His calling Stacie Home now, someday it will all be made clear.

Earlier this summer, a brother in Christ and fellow minister of the Gospel, Mark Angel, died when caught up in a rip current in the Gulf of Mexico while on a Mission Trip. Heaven is rapidly filling with saints I have known personally on this planet. Sigh.

Welcome Home

One of the great features of our property here in Indian River County was the lot behind us. Filled with vegetation, it was a rarity in our general area. I had the chance to purchase the lot earlier this year, but couldn't swing the cost. Upon our return home from Alabama this morning, my greatest fear was realized: the lot has been cleared of all vegetation in preparation for building on it. I can see the parade of traffic on 27th Avenue (a major north-south thoroughfare in our community). Ah well. The end of an era, and the beginning of a new neighbor possibility.

All Good Things...

...must come to an end. Or so the saying goes. Today we pack up and gear up for the trip back home. We are trying to determine the time of our departure, and will consult with Lil Bro as well, since he has another two hours of driving to do after we get to Vero, and he has jury duty Monday morning. All I have to do is go to the office and tackle the mounds of work piling up and awaiting my return.

Yesterday, we got to see two of the newest members of the extended family: Addison and Ellen. It is wild to see the grandchildren of my cousins. It was cool to watch Aunt Phyllis beam with her great grandchildren around. It was a hoot watching Yolanda and Terri each hovering over a granddaughter. Meeting Sam was a blast, he is one hilarious dude. It still boggles my mind to see Candice as a mom, and to see Autum blooming out there for the expected September delivery of her first child. Woof! I must be getting old. Naaahhhhh!

Anyway, our visit here at Anthelion is coming to an end. Back to reality. With an elders' meeting Monday night, the college group Wednesday night, and youth group Thursday night, a full week awaits. I am glad to have had this time of refreshing so I can gear up for the days ahead!

Morning Devos

The view from the back veranda of Yolanda and Robby's house is the perfect setting for early morning devotional time.

I must admit that I have fallen behind in my daily devos thanks to a crazy travel schedule, but I am in the process of getting "caught up" while sitting out here enjoying the view of Smith Lake. I wanted to take a break to post this. Now, it is back to my quiet time with the Creator of heaven and earth!

Cabos San Lucas

Who would have ever thought that we would come across a GREAT Mexican restaurant in Jasper, Alabama? Cabos San Lucas is just that, my friends. We are staying with cousins in Arley, Alabama this week on the shores of beautiful Smith Lake. On Wednesday, we drove over to Anniston to visit Dad, and on our way, we noticed a Mexican place in Jasper, and the seed was planted that perhaps we would indulge in some Mexican cuisine for supper. Upon our return trip from Anniston, we talked with Robby and Yolanda about our desire for Mexican Food, and we were immediately steered away from the restaurant we had seen, and told to check out Cabos San Lucas. Best advice we have had all week, my friends! The atmosphere was wonderful, as you can see from the statues lining the walk into the establishment. That one looks vaguely familiar, doesn't it?

Anyway, the food was even better than the atmosphere! I must admit that I likely blew all my daily Weight Watcher points and many of my Flex Points on this one meal. It was well worth it! BTW, I am down 21 pounds since we started Weight Watchers.

My chicken enchiladas and the chicken burrito were delectable. The hot salsa had just enough heat to be nice, and the flavor was fantastic. It was a most enjoyable experience to top off an interesting day in the middle of a beautiful vacation week here in Sweet Home Alabama!

Hangin' Wit My Crew

Tuesday and I am feeling like an old man in a young man's game. *grin* I got to "blob" a few people at the waterfront today including Taylor and Katie (yeah, Katie, the red mark on your back from where you landed in the water the wrong way will eventually go away).

Austin is the "blob" king, that dude can get some air! I am sore from climbing the ladder and from the ultimate Frisbee game earlier in the afternoon, but I will survive (Tylenol works wonders). With a game winding down and worship about the gear up, time to get off for now.