This Week's Top 10

What is going on this week?
1. Dinner at Karlene and Rich Cannon's home with their family group (Monday)
2. Kristy and I began the P90X workout (After only 3 days I am unspeakably sore!)
3. Ann Ferris has extra rehearsals for a play that she is in next week
4. Schaeffer's weekly tennis lesson (today)
5. Sarah Wynn finished a Kindergarten math book today... but she is only in 4-K
6. I continue to work on support raising (thanks to everyone who is on the team!)
7. Date night
8. Kristy's Parakaleo church planter wives meeting
9. Since I may not be going to Boca Raton this week after all, we may have a family day on Saturday
10. A Walk-A-Thon in Yahoola Park to raise funds for friends in Dahlonega who are adopting a precious little girl from Taiwan

Talladega Superspeedway

Driving back from Memphis last Friday I passed the Talladega Superspeedway on I-20. I had never seen the area on the weekend of a NASCAR race, and was amazed to see so many people in RVs and tents for the weekend. There are two big-time races in Talladega (and they have changed the name from the Talladega 500). The spring race, the Aarons 449, and the fall race, is the Amy Engery 500. Quite a scene.

The flags of Talladega

Folks camping on the grounds

No, I did not take this air shot.

Memphis Trip

I got back today from a short support trip to Elvis' hometown and my birthplace, Memphis, TN. I introduced the church plant vision at Independent Presbyterian Church on Wednesday night after their fellowship supper, and then spent all day Thursday at Republic Coffee, where friends dropped by all day to catch up. Here are some pictures from the short visit.

The first "real house" Kristy and I lived in (rented for 3 months in Memphis when we moved there in Jan. 1995 for me to work at Independent Pres.)

This was my grandparent's home before they died in the 80s. I practically grew up there. Imagine a 5 year old McKay rolling around in the front yard with best friend, Josh, thinking that giant trees were falling on us—a favorite game of ours. : )

My grandparent's grave site

Climbing the Rock Wall

Schaeffer climbing the rock wall at Mountain Outfitters in Monteagle, TN.

Twin Lakes

Last week I attended Twin Lakes Fellowship (at Twin Lakes Conference Center) in Florence, MS, just south of Jackson. It was a good time to see some old friends and make new ones. Here are two pictures, one from the front of the meeting room and the other from the rear.

More from Monteagle

Here is a bit more from our trip to Monteagle over the Easter weekend...

Playing in the creek

Just a swangin'

The crew at Shenanigans in Sewanee, TN

Best friends on a mini-bridge

Panorama of Dahlonega Square

I'm not sure who took this video, but it is a panoramic video of 1/2 of the square in Dahlonega. On the other side of the old Courthouse is the historic Holly Theater and a view of the University, which sits just off of downtown Dahlonega. It is filmed in the winter, so the trees are bare (much nicer NOW in the spring). But it will give you an idea...

Stu Keyes and Family in Town

Last week one of my best friends from high school, Stu Keyes, came through town with his family on their way to camp in the mountains. We met at The Patio Cafe for lunch with their four and Sarah Wynn (the big two were in class across the street at Perimeter). It was so great to see them and catch up!

Surprise Party!

Last night I surprised Kristy with a small surprise party the Macaroni Grill for her 39th birthday. So much fun!

A Very Special Day

Today is a very special day in the Caston household. It is Kristy's birthday! Um... well, let's just say that she is still in her 30s and will always be younger than me... and will always look younger than she really is. : )

Evidence of a Good Time

Evidence of a good time last week in Monteagle.

Monteagle Fog

One of the mornings on the mountain last week was defined by a thick fog that lasted until around 2:00pm. Here is a picture I took when driving around the Assembly.

Easter Egg Hunt in Monteagle, TN

This past Saturday we experienced a super-fun Easter Egg hunt with friends in Monteagle, TN. Here is a picture of the crew.

Schaeffer Captures Big Snake

While in Monteagle, TN, this week to see friends, Schaeffer caught a pretty big snake with his bare hands. Not bad! : ) More fun pics of the week are to come...

Good and Wo' Out!

Since I have limited access to wifi this week, I am posting a fun pic to show how we arrived in ATL from our MS trip. They were good and wo' out! : ) Next week I hope to post pics of our recent adventure to Monteagle, TN.

Creek Walk

These are some pictures of a hike that I took with Ann Ferris and Schaeffer down the creek behind our house. The last picture is of our dog, Gracie, who got stranded on a boulder in the middle of the creek. Ann Ferris bravely walked out to rescue her. : )

Walk-A-Thon for Grace

Friends of ours who live in Dahlonega, Chris and Angela Belle Gamble, are trying to raise funds to adopt a precious little girl from Taiwan with Downs Syndrome, who not only will have parents who will love her well, but also three great siblings. They are naming her Grace. : ) To help raise these funds, they are hosting a Walk-A-Thon on April 30 at Yahoola Park in Dahlonega. If you are interested, here is the information. And if you can't participate, there is information below on how you can still help.
Thanks!

WHEN: April 30, 2009 (Thursday), 2pm
WHERE: Beautiful Yahoola Park in Dahlonega. (The walking trail will be 1 mile on mostly flat ground, accessible to strollers; so even the youngest of your crew can join us for the fun!)
GRAND PRIZE: Gift bag filled with gift cards and other prizes, valued at approximately $150 (including gift cards to Barnes and Noble as well as other stores and restaurants, a ticket to Zoo Atlanta, educational toys and other gifts...everyone in the family, from young children to teens to adults will find something wonderful in the grand prize gift bag!) Second and Third place prizes will also be awarded. And every child will receive a little something for participating. (Must be present to win)

Anyone interested should email the Gambles at gamblehome96@windstream.net with your name, address, phone number and the number of family members participating. Then we will email them a "Participant Packet" with more information, as well as a flyer and donation form to make it easy to get sponsors.

The Gambles blog is http://www.believingjames127.blogspot.com/

If you are unable to participate in the Walk-A-Thon, but still want to help provide financially, here are ways to contribute:

1) Tax deductible donation online (click on Grace's picture for a link)
2) Write a check to Reece's Rainbow and send it either to us or directly to Reece's Rainbow (address is on the link on the blog)
3) Give cash or a personal check directly written out to the Gambles. This option is not tax-dedeuctible. However, they do need direct donations because they have immediate fees due, and cannot touch the funds in their Reece's Rainbow account until they have a travel date (in about 4 months). So all donations given directly to the Gambles are a HUGE help right now.

The Gamble's address is:
130 William Grady Rd
Dahlonega, GA 30533

Rockin' H Ranch Pictures

To see the whole set of pictures from our day at the Rockin' H Ranch, click here. Below is a sample...

Rockin' H Ranch

Today we had a blast with about ten other families at the Rockin' H Ranch just northeast of Dahlonega. Hiking, horses, fishing, flying kites, ultimate frisbee, and Easter egg hunt... I will try to get the pictures posted tomorrow.

Fun Lunch at the Ueltschey's

While on our Tupelo leg of our Mississippi trip, Whitney and Marcus Ueltschey hosted a party for us in their home. It was a beautiful day, with great food and an Easter Egg hunt for the kids! Thanks, Whitney and Marcus, and all of our friends who were able to attend!




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Playing With the Robertsons

While on our trip to Mississippi, our kids enjoyed some play time with our friends, the Robertsons.

Schaeffer and Walker

Schaeffer and Walker (Coleman) had a ball playing together on our trip through Mississippi. They are genuine "blood brothers" from the days when we lived in Greenwood.

Pictures Coming Soon

Photos of our recent Mississippi Support Raising Trip are coming soon. : )