One of the best resturants in the whole world is right here in Decatur, Alabama. They have won countless awards for their BBQ for their BBQ sause and more importantly (in my mind) for their white sause. Everytime I come home I make a point to go by there. Where you say? Big Bob Gibson's, and today Benjamin carried me there for our lunch, as my birthday present.
Now, Justin didn't believe me when i told him this today, but the best thing there is their stuffed potatoes. Now theses aren't any potatoes, but they are massive, enormous mutantly large potatoes. They are easily the size of two or three fist. But not only are they a glorious potatoe, but they are stuffed full with goodies: butter and sour cream and cheese and bacon bits and chives, and the most important part of all lots and lots of meat. I'm pretty sure that I got all of my daily requirements of everything but fruit from that one meal. You can choose between chicken, turkey, beef, and the best of all pulled pork. Then you top it with white sause, like half of a bottle of white sause, or the BBQ sause, or if you are really adventurous that day both. Yummo!!!
While we were in MacClenny we were blessed to hear several great sermons, you should have been there. However, I will try to hit some of the high points. Apparently on Thursday night Eld. Tim McCool was blessed to preach from Matthew 13:1-23 about the Parable of the Sower, in which the good seed is the word, and we aren't to be judging if who is and isn't a Child of God by this parable, but that it shows us the many ways in which the Children of God respond to the gospel. We weren't there for that sermon, but I can't wait to get the cd and here it. On Friday night, he picked right back up where he left off with the Parable of the Tares. One of the things he explained is that you must read each parable's symbols for what they are, that often we can make general rules such as the Kingdom of Heaven referring to the Church, but not always. The good seed in this parables are the Children of God, whereas the tares are the ungodly in this world. He emphasised that no one plants those children, but God, not the preacher, not the gospel, nothing, only Christ causes life and growth. He explained that this parable taught the disciples that in the end, God would judge and the wicked will be punished, but that disernment between the wheat and the tares is not our job, because, unknowingly we might pluck up some of the wheat by mistake. He told us that the angels one day when he returns will aide him in separating the wheat and the tares. And that we are always to be ready for that time. He went several place (II Thessalonians1:6-7, Mark 13:25-27, and Matthew 25:31-46) to show us how the Lord will judge and what will happen on that day, and how the things in Matthew 25 aren't what makes us children of God or non-elect, but that they are evidences that show who we are. He continued the idea, Saturday morning by giving us Seven Signs which show that we are in those last days (plural not singular). He named that we are living in perilous times for us, because of the men that we are surrounded by in the world. He talked about how the world will claim that their is peace and safety when there is none, and will be suprised when the end comes. That worship will change in that men will think themselves higher than God, and worship differently than the way he set forth in scripture. That there would be a change in thinking, that they will believe that Abraham, Issac, and Jacob lived, but they will be scoffers, doubting his return and disbelieving his judgement, more like agnostics. As in the time of Noah and Lot, men will follow engage in every one of the sinful imaginations of their heart. He said that we will run to and fro much like the book of Job describes Satan, that we are torn away from our families and church as we keep pace with the Devil. And that knowledge shall be increased, or at least an idea that people know more and more, but really less and less. He quoted a verse that Bro. Buddy has used a few times at Little Union telling us that the downfall of Sodom, of Isreal, and in today's case in this nation is in the fullness of bread, idleness of hands, and failing to give and remember the poor. However, we are not to be afriad, but to recognize that God is in control, and though things get worse, we should live better, because he will be back. It won't happen until sometime after the last Child of God is regenerated, but he will return.
On Sat. morning, Bro. Charles preached on respect, saying that, respect starts by respecting God and you can see if you have respect by how you live not what you say. The beginning of that is to understand as Solomon did, that all in this world is vanity and that they only purpose and good we can have is to respect/fear God and keep His commandments. He also pointed out that this means that we respect those in immediate authority: parents, pastors, husbands, bosses, government, etc. After all, we are taught in many places that if we don't love those who we can see, then we lie when we say we love God; and if we can't obey simple laws laid down in Gods word to obey certain people in a position of authority then we don't have respect for His word or Him. He closed with saying the best way to show appreciation for all He has done for us, is to obey his word, and remember to praise him and thank him in our prayers, and to acknowledge Him (not merely luck) to others.
I suppose I were to do this in chronological order, which would indeed be logical, I would tell you all about the Jasper Meeting, our trip to Busch Gardens, and then about the meeting this past weekend, and the WONDERFUL SECRET I have that Justin doesn't know about. However, that would make far too much sense, and besides I don't have time to write about all of that before dinner and Church tonight, so I hope for the moment, my dear readers, you will be content to hear about Busch Gardens.
Gary and I have passes to Busch Gardens for the year. Mom and Dad got them for us for Christmas and they have been a great investment. Florida residents can go once, and come back all year. We've been three times so far and I would strongly encourage other Florida residents to go, because that really is the best deal. There is so much different stuff to do. Gary of course loves the roller coasters and I love to watch the animals. Then of course now that it's warm, there are water rides, and who can dislike those. Now that I've collected my money for advertising, here's some stuff from the last trip (in hopes that Borrowed Dad will once again leave us in laughter). 
My favorite animals are the tigers. "War Eagle!!! Go Auburn!!!" Seriously though, I like to watch them, and the white Bengal tigers are my favorite. They are like cats, but huge and very graceful. (Borrowed Dad would probably here point out not at all like Gary.) They, unlike all the other big cats, love water. You really can't tell from this picture but this is a gi-normous turtle. (This is a word I stole from a 4 year old boy in London, in reference to the plane we were getting on to fly from London to Houston. You can only appreciate it when you say it in a British accent like a 4 year old.) This guy is probably big enough to ride on, except it would take all day to get anywhere, and just maybe he bites. I don't know that though.
Lindsey Nicole was born May 12, 2008 at 8:44 AM, weighing only 5 lbs. 6 oz. and 17 inches long! She is healthy and doing great, as is Sis. Kimberly. No complications with the c-section. Big sister Brooke is so in love with Lindsey. I want to thank you all for all your prayers on her behalf. 
