When Christmas Is

When Christmas is about children, childless adults feel left-out.
When Christmas is about winter fun, joy is dependent on the weather.
When Christmas is about gathering together, those all alone have no hope.
When Christmas is about nostalgic memories from decades ago, Christmas causes homesickness.
When Christmas is about re-creating a Dickens era gone by, modern times can never satisfy.
When Christmas is about toys, poor families get cheated.
When Christmas is about family, the memory of lost loved ones leaves a scar.

But when Christmas is about Jesus being born, then Christmas never disappoints anyone, anywhere, in any circumstance.

Happy Birthday Jesus.

-Kara

Anna's Violin Recital

This past Saturday, Anna had her first violin ("fiddle") recital at the Carolina Folkworks Christmas party!  As a special treat, the students were allowed to play with their teachers, which in  the world of Bluegrass - which is what they play at Carolina Folkworks - is known as a "jam." It was so much fun!  Anna began playing in September, so we are thrilled with her progress.  Her teacher Katie is standing to Anna's right in the red sweater and jeans.  Katie is so sweet, patient, and encouraging!

And after all the students had played individually, we enjoyed refreshments and then the students and teachers all jammed together. 

And I LOVED it when the teachers performed for us themselves!

Thanks Carrie Webster, Katie Spencer, and Carolina Folkworks!!!

Children's Nativity

That's my Mary. :)

-Kara

Christmas Carols of Love

John is the 2nd from the right. Christopher is the far right.

-Kara

Hanging Rock State Park

 Pilot Mountain's Little Sister:  Hanging Rock State Park.  Not a bad view, either...

William Bradford Poetry

The Founding of Plymouth by William Bradford

When we came first, we were in number small,
Not much above a hundred, in all;
And in a number, we did here arrive,
And, by God's mercy, were all brought alive.
But when we came, here was no house nor town,
Nor certain place we knew, where to sit down,
Nor any friends, of whom we could expect
Us for to help, or any way direct.
Some forth were sent, to seek a place fitting,
Where we might harbor, and make our dwelling.
But in a place, where one cold night they lay,
They were assaulted, about break of day,
By these Indians, with great clamor loud,
Whose arrows fell, like to a dropping cloud.
Yet none were hurt, though some had clothes shot through;
But them repelled, from this their rendezvous,
And, with their musket, made them fly and run;
So that long after none at us would come.
But now sharp winter storms came us upon,
So here we made our habitation;
And till such time as we could houses get,
We were exposed to much cold and wet,
With such disease as our distempers bred;
So that within the space of three months' tide,
The full half of our weak company died;
And the condition of the rest was sad,
But the Lord compassion on them had,
And them again to health and strength restored,
And cheered them up; with courage as before,
And hath enabled them for to go on,
And, with comfort, the work to lead along.
And many of them still there be,
And some their children's children married see.
Famine once we had, wanting corn and bread;
But other things God gave us in the stead,
As fish and ground-nuts, to supply our meat,
That we might learn on providence to wait,
And know, by bread man lives not in his need,
But by each word that doth from God proceed.
But a while after, plenty did come in,
From His hand only, who doth pardon sin;
And all did flourish, like the pleasant green,
Which, in the joyful spring, is to be seen.[3]

A View From the Top: Pilot Mountain

If you've ever driven through North Carolina, you've no doubt seen the giant rock sticking out of the ground known as Pilot Mountain, located near Mount Airy in the Western side of the state.  Pilot Mountain has always served - whether to modern tourists or pioneers heading west - as a point of navigation. Ever wondered what it's like at the top??? Well, we found out today when we hiked it...

 You might not realize it, but there are actually TWO peaks at Pilot Mountain.  The first is called the Small Pinnacle, and it is difficult to see from the car.  The view from up there is amazing!

 

We hiked 3 different trails at Pilot Mountain, and they are strenuous indeed.  But well worth the work.  The trails are almost entirely rock: your feet will hardly touch dirt.  And ever single step of the way, Pilot Mountain's hiker will find a breathtaking view.  On the small pinnacle we first hiked this trial:

Also on the Small Pinnacle we saw groups of rock climbers.  They were nice people.  And for some odd reason, they all seemed to have brought their dogs with them.  The dogs, however, did not climb the rocks. :)

Many times during the hike we found ourselves under HUGE rock cliffs which hung over our heads.  It was amazing, because if we looked closely - such as with this 75-foot rock overhang, there were rocks that looked like they were being held-up by absolutely nothing, and could fall at any time.  Colossians 1:17 -  "He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together."

Also on the Small Pinnacle we found LOTS of photo ops...

Next we were off to the Big Pinnacle, which is the one the driver can see from Highway 52:

From the Big Pinnacle you feel like you could see the entire state of North Carolina . That little city off in the distance is Winston-Salem.  Even further on the horizon (although the camera lense couldn't pick it up) we saw another city which was either Charlotte or Greensboro.

 From another vantage point on the Big Pinnacle we saw a road with which we were very familiar: Highway 52.  This is the road that took us to and from Rocky Mount.

52 was just about the only road we could see from up there.  Everything else was endless miles of scenic farmland.  I can't imagine a more calming and relaxing scene.  John enjoyed finding "ant cows," which is what he called the cows grazing in the fields...because they looked as small as ants from our high vista.

Oddly, one interesting sight we saw were LOTS of vultures! "Are they circling us???"  I asked.  No, they weren't.  In fact, a huge flock of vultures had made its perch atop the Big Pinnacle of Pilot Mountain.  Believe it or not, they were actually quite beautiful when they soared.  They looked a bit like eagles. 

 OK.  So in our six months since we came to Faith I've said of Grandfather Mountain, "That is the most beautiful place I've ever seen!"  But then we traveled to Crowder's Mountain and I said, "No, THAT is the most beautiful place I've ever seen!"  And today my expectations of Pilot Mountain were exceeded to the point that I am prepared to say, "Well, THAT is absolutely the most beautiful place I've ever seen!"  I must really be in love with the foothills and mountains of Western Carolina.

 Some of your best work, Lord. 

 -Kara

Happy Halloween!

Christopher: War Machine, a super hero who is friends with Iron Man

John: Steve from Minecraft, one of his favorite video games.

Anna Jean: Elsa from the movie Frozen.

 Our first year trick-or-treating in Faith was a great time.  The people were quite generous with their sweets, and everyone was super friendly.

 One of our favorite costumes of the kids on the street was this young fellow who dressed-up as Jake from State Farm (from the commercial).  Ha!