My nephew the model...

Birthday Girl

Just got back home from this little girl's birthday party! She is Kennedy Lane Davidson, my Great Niece. My sister Holane's first grandchild. She has stolen our hearts! Donna keeps her on Thursdays and most Thursdays I don't make it to work on time. I think you can see why! She turned one yesterday and in just twelve months has managed to completely wrap us all around her little finger! So thankful for her and proud for my nephew Jeremy and his wife Stephanie! 

Christmas Shenanigans at the Office

I've got some GREAT employees at Crossroads. They are all partners in the ministry God has given us. One of the things I love most about our team is how fun they are! This past Thursday our Team Building Committee put together a day of Christmas Shenanigans. It began with biscuits and jelly from Cracker Barrel and a game called Christmas Carol Remix where we had to rewrite traditional Christmas carols using the words Georgia, Sasquatch, congress, Netflix and puppies. Here's how my team's version of Frosty the Snowman went:

Georgia the Sasquatch went to congress the other day

He wanted congress to fix his bill at Netflix

But Obama said he had to pay.

Georgia the Sasquatch had some puppies known for attacks

He sicked them on congress, the whole doggone mess

Ended up in a higher tax! 

We won second place. 

Throughout the day, when you heard the song "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" over the intercom, it meant a trivia game was coming. You had to be the third one to dial the right extension to make your guess and possibly win a prize.

We had a great Chicken and Sausage Gumbo for lunch. (Thanks Yvette Melancon!) Then we awarded our monthly "High Five Award" to Quylana Moore who put hours and hours of volunteer time in above her regular work schedule last week to help make the Christmas Production happen this year! Our High Five Award is given out each month in recognition of an employee who goes above and beyond the call of duty here at Crossroads! 

Another challenge we were given was to reenact a favorite scene from a Christmas movie. My team chose the tongue to the flagpole dare from "A Christmas Story." Holane Davidson and Debbie Welch stuck their tongues on a very unfrozen canopy post. (As you can see above - I was completely grossed out!) 

Mid-afternoon, we gathered in the lobby to engage in Reindeer games - A crazy race involving departments in their desk chairs racing the clock. (I've included a video to demonstrate!) 

It was a great day and reminded me of how blessed I am to be surrounded by an incredible team of people that make life not only productive, but fun! Thanks to Adam Hoffman and the entire Team Building Committee for a great time! 

Casting Christmas

Let’s suppose God had an angel who served as a “casting director” of sorts  for all the great stories of the Bible. This angel was responsible for casting great scriptural characters like Moses, Abraham, Noah, and David. Now, he’s been given the task of casting Christmas. That’s the idea behind this year’s annual Christmas production here at Crossroads Church.

The angel, known as C.D., along with his new assistant, Thomas, has to find the characters who will fill the roles in the greatest story ever told - the story of Christmas. Along the way, they “audition” over-the-top candidates like the Virgin Blanch, the three wise guys, and Abigail, the Innkeeper’s widow. C.D. sees real potential in them, but young Thomas is looking for a little something more. 

Big, Broadway-inspired musical numbers, an amazing, elaborate set, and larger-than-life characters all combine to create a musical comedy that will tug at your heartstrings and your funny bone! Don’t miss it! Saturday, December 13th, at 5:00 & 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, December 14th, at 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. at Crossroads Church, 150 Verona Drive in Lafayette. 

Legacy

Legacy is a weighty thing.

Last Sunday evening the Matriarch of Crossroads Church went home to be with Jesus. Annie Jean Welch and her husband Gabe founded our church way back in 1956. That was years before I was born and yet that simple act of obedience was eternally linked to my destiny.

This past Thursday I had the honor of officiating her home going service. I stood before her children and grandchildren in the church she planted almost sixty years ago and as the current steward of the legacy she now leaves behind, I vowed to them to guard that sacred trust - To lead this work with the same type of integrity and commitment that she demonstrated.

For the past week, I have felt the weight of that responsibility heavy on my shoulders. Yesterday I shared with our church how I felt and confessed to them that I know I can't do it alone. I asked them to help me carry out this responsibility by joining ministry teams, using their gifts and talents, inviting people to church and supporting the work with their prayer and finances. I was blown away as the entire crowd came to their feet in an ovation of support, many of them verbally shouting out, "We're with you Pastor!"

That weight feels a lot lighter this morning. By the grace of God, with an army of support at my side, I am ready to move forward and live out this legacy!