"conversations" new blog

from now on, go to petehixson.org for the new "conversations" blog......

Last official post on blogspot - new blog coming...

This will be the last "official" post on blogspot.  June 4 I plan to launch my new blog site so check back for that address on June 4.

Today, I am leaving for vacation with these 3 girls!  I love them, I can't wait to spend devoted time with them for several days in a row - truly a blessing!

Communication - a life saver!

There is a tool that God has given to us all, yet too often we either don't use it or misuse it - communication.  It is amazing what is released, opened, cleared, and relationship-saving when people communicate with one another in honesty, openness, and clarity.  Whether it is in the environment of marriage,  friendship, or working with someone - communication needs to be the beginning and the end - and we need to use this more than we do.

Obviously, there is a filter of God's Spirit, His Word, and wisdom to use restraint - and patience to not have a "knee-jerk" reaction, but open communication - used correctly - is a life saver for relationships! 

To mommy from Hope and Addie!

Happy Mother's Day!

I want to wish my mother Happy Mother's Day today.  Mom, I love you and I am so grateful to you for all that you have done for me.  You gave me the privilege of growing up in a home where my mom loved me, cared for me, nurtured me - and most of all - YOU led me to faith in Jesus!

Happy Mother's Day mom!

Always learning, never "done", never satisfied!

I have been at North Point Community Church the past few days for their DRIVE '08 Conference.  Last night, they had a fun "surprise" night for us at their Browns Bridge location - it was kind of a "ho-down" with hot dogs, burgers, fries, sausages, ribs, funnel cakes, etc., some games, a look around their facility, a blue-grass band played - and then the surprise came with a special appearance by Jeff Foxworthy - it was incredible!  

This conference gave nuts and bolts with breakout sessions - which all included Q&A - and it was great through exposure of the North Point ministries.  Also, Andy Stanley taught great principles of leadership and a healthy staff - and then ended it today with the final session on about 5-6 great "random recent issues" that he is working through.  I truly appreciated this final session (along with all of them) because it was through the lens of "we are not there yet" - he just shared some things that keep him thinking, challenged, and burdened.  

This is great for guys like me to hear and see that we are all in process and hopefully we will always be learning.  It also makes me respect people that can appear to "have it all down" or "have arrived" - because they are still learning and growing and not satisfied.  

My father-in-law Johnny Hunt is an incredible example of this principle.  Recently, we were talking and he was sharing about some new things that he is doing - really to ultimately reach people.  Some might think he is satisfied to have a large church and a global ministry, but he is such an open person who wants to keep learning and is not satisfied!  I can learn a great lesson from that!

Bad Medicine..........

Wednesday night, Hollie and I went to the Bon Jovi concert at Phillips Arena.  Daughtry opened up for him - It was a great time.  Here are my thoughts:

• Hollie and I were probably some of the youngest people there
• Lots of soccer moms
  
• the concert went until about 11:30pm
• Too many women!
• Even though he has a full on mullet, Bon Jovi still rocks!
• Daughtry has a voice that is SO massive!

Flip video now working!

Get ready - I got the Flip Video working tonight - the audio was working w/o the video - but now I have both............more to come!

Not boring....

There are many things I love about what I do - and one of them is that it is not boring (except for my blog, I know - I keep promising and not delivering!!!  I just can't get this Flip Video to work!).  I am constantly learning - even when I don't realize it.  Today, I had the opportunity to get together at Northstar Church with several pastors from the area - and it was great to meet and get to know them.  Mike Linch was a great host to us!  Then Brian and I had the opportunity to connect with a guy from North Point named David McDaniel - he has been a big help to VL.  I am enjoying the journey and process of all that God is allowing me to be involved in - and it is surely not boring!

So while I am on the "not boring" kick - here are a few other random things that aren't boring......feel free to comment and add some (although I will not promise to publish all of them!)

• Living in Atlanta
• Being married to my wonderful and beautiful wife!
• Being a dad of 2 amazing girls
• People watching
  
• Living in a house with 3 females
• Living in a house with 3 females
• Living in a house with 3 females
• No, the top 3 statements are not a mistake - it is very much on purpose!
• Owning a Mac
• Now owning an iPhone (which I love!)
• Learning all of the amazing features on my new iPhone while driving in the "not so boring" Atlanta traffic!
• Filling my car up with gas these days
• Remembering Chris Farley (that sure is random!)
• Eating at all of the incredible restaurants around Atlanta
• Reading my wife's blog
• Vinings Lake Church!
• Drinking coffee

Ok, that's it for now. 

2 Years at Vinings Lake!

I can't believe it has been 2 years since VL has started!  We had a wonderful day Sunday as we celebrated victories and cast vision - to Be The Church TODAY and to See The Church TOMORROW.

On Sunday, I celebrated my wife being such a big part of VL to me personally - as she fulfills her role to love and support me.  I privately told her this before Sunday as well.  She is my best friend and the greatest partner anyone could ask for as a pastor's wife.  I would never even want to do what I do without her!

I got an extra special gift - 2 incredible gifts to be exact - from my wonderful staff.  They got me my very own iPhone - and a Flip Video!  I am pretty sure that they are trying to kill me b/c I had to quit the Blackberry due to an addiction - and now by getting me the iPhone - it will probably damage me and many others on the roads around the ATL!

The people at VL are truly amazing.  I love them - they are the best.  VL, your love for God and love for the people of our community and around the world is evident by the way you serve and value others!

I have made a Flip video but I am having some issues in trying to connect it - it will be coming soon.......

A LOVING God - is to be feared.

God is love - full of love - and mercy, grace, compassion - MORE than our human minds could ever grasp.  AND He is our creator, sustainer, source of power, the ONE TRUE LIVING God.  And He is to be feared, revered, and respected - not to be reckoned with.

I have been reading through some of the book of Numbers lately.  In some of the chapters - around 14-16, we see some rebellion that the people of Israel were walking in - against God's servants (Moses and Aaron) - and ultimately against God.  

I think it is always healthy to be reminded, as I was reading this, that God is to be feared.  Look at what He says in 14:34-35, "you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.....They will meet their end in this desert; here they will die."

It is also amazing to see how Moses and Aaron stood to be the mediator between God and man - and what a foreshadow of Jesus Christ - who stands - READY to mediate us to God through His incredible grace, love, mercy, compassion - not because we deserve it but because He loves us!

If you are like me, you might even think this thought, "it seems like God and Jesus are different - one is judging, ruling, powerful and the other is mercy, grace, loving...."  The truth is both - God is our creator, ruler, and a JUST God who will judge the living and the dead.  However - He is FULL of love because He BECAME a man and BECAME sin for us - through His Person of Jesus Christ.  

God MADE Himself the fulfillment of His love - because He knew we could never do it on our own.  That is TRUE LOVE!

And the winner is...........

*After we got in the car - we ended up NOT going to eat at Chili's or to eat sushi...................we went to the other Hixson favorite - MEXICAN!  So a little chips, salsa, guacamole - and our favorite mexican chicken soup.

It was a fun night together!

What will it be....Chili's or sushi?

We are back - and not the same!

We arrived back to the ATL last night.  Can't even begin to say all that took place but I want to thank our Father for answering our prayers - and thank YOU for all of your prayers for us and the team and the people there.  We prayed specifically for unity and safety for the team and for God to work in the hearts of the people we ministered to.  He did ALL of that and so much more.

I will probably blog more later - but just a couple immediate

 thoughts.....

• Our mission TEAM was #1!  They ALL did great - even the kids!  What a privilege to do this together - we all fell in love with each other!

• I have been reading through Romans during my quiet time and the very first day there (Saturday) the exact passage that was next for me to read was in Romans 10 - where it basically says "how can they hear unless someone preaches, how can someone preach unless someone goes, how can someone go unless they are sent....beautiful are the feet that bring the good news!"  What a START to the week we had!  What a prophesy for what we got to do all week!

• Go to Hollie's blog (click here) for a few GREAT photos of Hope ministering (she did awesome) and of a lady that is LITERALLY 116 years old!  She was puckering up to give me a kiss - seriously!  (what happens in the D.R. stays in the D.R.).  This was the first mission trip that my wife and I have taken together - I love you babe!

• Go to my good friend Cody Deese's blog (click here).  He has some amazing footage and videos from the trip - from the first day until the last - Cody, you and Katie rock - it was awesome to experience this with you both! 
  

Dominican Republic

Hollie, Hope and I will be in the Dominican Republic from this Friday until the following with our Vinings Lake family.  

We are excited about our opportunity and the very first "official" mission trip that VL is taking!  Please pray for our team - unity and safety - and please pray for the people we will be ministering to.  

We will be visiting a few orphanages, an open air evangelistic opportunity, Vacation Bible School with children, and feeding a village (or a few).  

So the blog will probably be down - unless I feel saucy enough to throw one out there!

Apple Bottoms

My sister Hannah and her husband Josh got my girls their very own Apple Bottoms T-Shirts!  Wow - how can I say thanks - I hope they wear them everywhere!!!  (Addie probably will never take hers off!)

Thanks uncle Josh and Aunt Hannah!  I am buying you kids a set of drums!

.....this clothing brand is for real!

My wife ROCKS!

Tonight, Hollie (she is going to kill me for using this picture!) hosted her first Ladie's Night at VL - and it was INCREDIBLE!

She and her team had it decorated (way to go mom and Heidi!) and prepared and did a great job.  The worship center looked fabulous and was FULL of ladies - while some of us men served them their food.  

Shannen Fields, who starred in Facing the Giants and also attends VL with her family, was the speaker and I heard she did a great job as well - thank you Shannen!

Hollie - you are the best, I love you and I am SO proud to be your husband!!!

Write your own story here...

I am not completely sure why - but this picture just makes me smile - I mean, what in the heck was going on previous to this beautiful photo? ......Seriously, how does this happen?

Easter Victory - Part 2

Just thinking tonight....Jesus is still alive and so are we.  May we keep doing what He has invited us to do - with the same passion and drive every week - like we do for Easter!

Man, what a privilege - what a calling - what a responsibility - what an opportunity!

***By the way - have I said how absolutely AMAZING the people of VL are!!  I love you!

Celebrate Easter Victories

There are so many victories that we can celebrate about yesterday's Easter services - and MANY of them that we can't - simply b/c we don't know about them yet!

Celebrate: Staff Team - you did it and made such an impact in the lives of our people and community.  Thank you for your constant hard work, preparation, investments in our people, and creativity to make it all an incredible experience.  You are awesome - and I look forward to just hanging out with you tomorrow night when I beat you down at the Nintendo Wii and eat some Moe's!

Celebrate: VL is the best group of people in the world!  You deserve to be thanked and encouraged in a HUGE way!  You went over and above to help our guests feel welcomed, loved, and valued.  

• Inviting and Bringing people
• Serving with an incredible heart, spirit, smile, and attitude
• Carpooling and Parking all around to leave the best spots for our guests
• Arriving early and on time - and sitting in the front (where NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE!) and middle of the rows
• Catching the vision, passion, and desire that God has for us
• Being the Church to our community
• Encouraging your pastor like none other!  I love you!

Celebrate: SO many guests that came!  Incredible stories that we do know and some that we don't know - that deserve MUCH celebration that they just came!  In addition to people inviting and bringing others, the mail-out that everyone worked on so hard was worth every minute and penny spent.  It truly gave a great representation of who Vinings Lake is in order to give our community a welcoming glimpse of our church.

Celebrate: All the kids - Preschool and KidMo.  We offered KidMo at both hours this week and it was VERY effective!

Celebrate: Largest attendance we have ever seen on our campus with 519 people between our 2 morning services.

Celebrate: Our new Marriage and Relationships series kicked off GREAT!  Our media team and band hit a home run with graphics, environment, lights, video, songs - fun and very worshipful!  The message seemed to really connect and I am excited about the next 3 weeks of this series.

Celebrate: Lives that were touched, maybe realized God's love for them for the first time - or in a long time, opened to taking a step toward Jesus, challenged in their marriages and relationships, changed through faith in Jesus, and the many who came and felt welcomed to come back.

Celebrate: Our opportunity and vision to see people come, connect, and commit - happening right before our eyes!

I am so grateful for this journey the Lord has called me to be on - and all the amazing people that I get to take this journey with!

So excited

Goodness...just a few hours - it's almost like Christmas Eve...I am completely excited about tomorrow (by the way Melissa, I am NOT "eggs"sited!!!) at VL - our 3rd Easter Sunday!

*Can't wait to have a blog CONVERSATION with you about all that God did - tomorrow!

American Idol

Ok,  I am a pretty nice guy and try to be positive about most things......with that in mind - I think American Idol has seen its days.  I just can't get into it - lacking some "authenticity" if you will.  What they need is a little Rick Astley - that would be really cool!

bigger

God is bigger than we could ever imagine.  I 'know' this - but do I really believe it?  

Today, through a circumstance, I realized this - that His opportunities and plans - and provisions for all of this - is much bigger than what we could fathom.  We have our "good" ideas and plans - and even ways to accomplish them - and then He provides us with a way that is so much bigger!

He is bigger than we acknowledge, think of, and even can dream about.  This whole salvation plan.....is His plan - and His mission for us....is His mission.  Let's not forget - we are not driving Him to do this - He is calling us to join Him - and when we do we will see that He is bigger...and better.

Today

Really too much to even try and put into words on how today was at VL.  I may try and get a little saucy and do another video blog this week - about today and leading up to Easter.

But in brief (b/c I am hitting that grumpy tired state) - here's the bottom line:

• People shared about how their lives have been and are being changed - some video, some live.
  
• People publicly professed their faith in Jesus through baptism.
  
• People observed Communion - remembering what Jesus went through with His body and His blood.
  
• People worshiped throughout all of these points during the service.
  
• The band did another amazing job leading us in worship (they absolutely rock! - Shane is my hero...no Brock..or Bryan...Mark...D. Riddle....Jeff....I can't decide, I want to be like all of them!)
  
• The media team with sound, lights, video, did an awesome job interviewing, shooting, editing, and pulling everything together.
  
• Staff - thank you SO much for putting all hands on deck today to make it all happen - details with order of service, baptism, communion, media - EVERYTHING.....plus everything you do every week.  Your leadership and service is amazing and I love you!
  
• Many people were there as guests and regular attenders - to watch and listen to real people talk about real change that comes only by a real God.
  
• Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  It is ONLY through Him that our lives can be CHANGED!
  
• I am so excited and have a renewed passion to continue pursuing what God wants to do in our community and around the world!
  
• In a 5 mile radius of where VL is - there are 162,170 people - over 600,000 in 10 miles and 6.4 billion around the world.......
  
• I want to go back to thinking and believing BIG - He is God after all - and this whole idea of redeeming people back to Himself is His idea - we just get to be a part of it!
  

tomorrow...

Tomorrow is going to be a very exciting day at VL!  We are finishing the "CHANGED" series with a complete day of people sharing how their lives have been and are being "CHANGED".  Some will share live and other through video testimonies, we will be observing Communion, we will have incredible worship, and several people are making their faith public through baptism - it is going to be a memorable day at Vinings Lake!

I look forward to posting about the day!

Name that local celebrity

My wife went to the Nascar race at Atlanta Motor Speedway yesterday - got to hang out in a suite and got her picture with this local celebrity.  Name this distinguished, beautiful man!

Great Pics from VL

Enjoying the comments, enjoying life - MORE

I am enjoying the comments from my previous video blog - keep them coming!  This may be a start to my "take over" of most hits to the blog between me and Hollie!!! (ok, maybe a little childish - but who cares, it is fun!)

On a little more serious note, I am also enjoying this incredible life that God has blessed me with.  I have the most amazing wife and children - and I can say that I am enjoying my life with them more and more.  Things are busy - and life is not without problems - but still, I seem to be enjoying what matters most - more.  I am also enjoying the ministry more as well - and seeing God - and even learning that God is doing more than I realize!

That's a lot of the word "MORE".......but maybe that is the point.  No perfection or claim to be here - but thankful for progression - more.  Not more stuff or necessarily less problems - but more perspective on priorities, a little more trust (hopefully!), some more rest in God's control, more respect for the truth, learning the value of more GRACE in understanding and loving people...and more remembrance that I am one of those "people" - that is thankful for more of God's GRACE and truth to me.

Video Blog about Sunday, March 2

Best Breakfast EVER!

I know I am a man of "this.....is my favorite" - and then I change my mind when I find something else - I am kind of like that kid that says "It's the best....EVER!" - and then changes his mind minutes later.  

But yesterday Hollie and I ate breakfast at a place that AS OF TODAY - is my favorite breakfast place yet!  It is called The Flying Biscuit Cafe

Everything we had was awesome - the biscuits of course are amazing - served with some apple/cranberry sauce, Hollie had a "Meggxican breakfast wrap" - and I had the traditional breakfast - along with their famous breakfast chicken sausage....and my friend - the GRITS were off the hook!

There are a few locations around Atlanta - give it a try! 

CHANGED...a new life begins

This Sunday, I am beginning a 3 part series called "CHANGED" (props to Brian for the title - and once again Derek the man for the graphic!).  We are going to launch into this series with the passage in John 8 about the woman caught in the act of adultery - what took place here? what did it mean to her? to the Pharisees?....to all of us today?  The end result when we have an encounter (or a "Collision" if you will) with the love and GRACE of Jesus - is a CHANGED life - that is exactly what He offered this woman - and offers us today!

On March 16, we will end this series with an exciting day of celebrating CHANGED lives of people at Vinings Lake.  We will hear some tell their stories of a CHANGED life, worship, and observe others make their profession in Jesus public through baptism - it is going to be a great day!

Dreaming and Walking

Some "common" language around here at the office of Vinings Lake and a constant balance is to keep Dreaming and yet put one foot in front of the other by Walking.

I believe God puts dreams - big dreams - in our hearts.  He creates us a certain way and we must respond to those dreams - believing Him - and that He can do ANYTHING.   While at the same time - WHILE pursuing those dreams - put one foot down and not trip over what is right in front of us.

For me, a constant struggle and "back and forth" balancing act is to both Dream and Walk.  I love to dream - and it is sometimes out of my comfort zone to just walk.  But I am learning the value of both.  I want to reach this entire community (new stats say 162,170 people in a 5 mile radius of Vinings Lake Church - and 88% do not attend church regularly) - and accomplish more than we could ever dream or imagine.  And yet I know it doesn't happen over night - unless that is how God chooses to do it - which He CAN!  

I don't want to be a dream stealer to anyone and I don't want anyone to steal my dreams - dreams that God puts in there at least - and when it comes to reaching people with His good news - it is all His desire and idea anyway.

Just a great reminder - you don't have to lose your Dream - but don't miss what is right in front of you.  Dreaming and Walking.

New Blog coming soon

I will be "launching" my new blog soon - new website as well - just want to get a few things tweaked and ready!  Stay tuned.......

Addie - this kid is hilarious!

Addie has us laughing all the time!  Today after church, we just grabbed some Chili's ToGo (my favorite!) and went home to eat.  We were sitting there and Addie said, "Daddy, I want you to teach my class sometime - mommy can preach for you on the stage."

I love being a daddy to both of my little girls!!!!

Coming Soon!

This is Hollie!! I had to put up a new post for Pete because I could not handle pulling up his page and seeing that crazy picture of me again!

Anyways........we have a new blog and new domain coming up in the next 2 days, so check back here for the new and improved Pete Hixson blog.  It has a new look.......

Hollie - Every Day is Valentine's Day!

Since my wife put a crazy picture of me on her blog - here is one for you sweetheart!  

Today is Valentines Day (although, I will toot my horn and tell you I am writing this on Wednesday - just to make sure I do it!)  - and it is a great time to celebrate with your "special someone" - however, I do think a great reminder to all of us is to not treat holiday's that we celebrate something so important - as just a "one day" deal.  

Whether it is Christmas, Easter, or any other day, if what we celebrate is worth it - it should be part of our entire life!

Hollie - you are one of a kind!  I love you - EVERY day is Valentines Day with you!
(oh, and by the way - if you think this is cheesy......it ain't for you homeslice! just kidding...but seriously!)

Live and Lead Like Jesus

I love reading the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  It takes the life of Jesus - and makes Him come alive, tells His stories, and allows us to learn from Him.  

As a follower of Jesus, in any area of our lives, we have the privilege and opportunity to live and lead like Jesus did.  

How did He live and lead?  What does it take for us?

(no way does this cover it "all" - just a few thoughts)

1. Intimacy with the Father.  SO important for all of us - prayer, filter, for God to change us - our hearts and minds, and steer us back, guide us, keep us - in His heart, His eyes, His plan.
   
2. Sensitivity to others.  When we  become a follower of Christ, a danger is to forget where we came from - having he heart of Jesus requires being sensitive to ALL kinds of people - like Jesus was.
   
3. Resilience to the Mission.  Jesus always kept focused on what He had come to do.
   
4. Loyal to truth and the Message.  Jesus was the truth and the message.  As we remain loyal to Him - we will remain loyal to His message.
   
5. Lots of GRACE.  We live in a world of PEOPLE - we are those PEOPLE!  It takes MUCH grace - oh, to live and lead like Jesus here.....how do we do it?  Back to the first one - Intimacy with the Father!
   

Lit Conference

Cody Deese is a good friend of mine who has a gift and passion to communicate to students and adults.  I love it when he speaks here at Vinings Lake because our people love him.  He and Katie are great friends of ours and I have had the privilege to serve on his board at Fan the Flame for over 2 years now.

Cody is launching his first conference this coming August called LIT.  I am excited and honored to be a part of it - along with a few other ministry friends - and a young high school student - Zach Hunter - click here to find out more about this incredible guy - you can watch his deal with Good Morning America!

If you would like to come or volunteer at LIT - check out the website.  Also if you would ilke contribute to this conference as certain costs are coming due, you can email them at office@litconference.com 

great restaurant!

Tonight Hollie and I went out and had a great time - I love just being with my wife!  We went to an incredible Asian restaurant called Zyng - it was amazing!  Very simple, easy, modern - and great food!

First - a must appetizer with some Edamame beans - and then you get a bowl which includes picking your preference of noodles or rice, then you pick your protein, then the type of spice/sauce (the hotter the better for me!).

Good stuff - we will be frequent guests!

Listen, Filter, Follow God

*Just a thought:

People - good people - will come with all kinds of advice, thoughts, direction, desires, and even truth.  People in our church, other leaders, good friends, etc.  

So....

LISTEN:

First of all, it is SO important to RECEIVE information and help and advice, etc.  On this note, Brian turned me onto a GREAT blog yesterday by Craig Groschel's entitled "Signs of Immaturity" - WOW did I need to hear that!  We must realize that we don't and aren't even supposed to "know it all" - that's why we need each other.

And keep in mind.....

• If you love and take to heart what EVERYONE has to say - be careful, we can't be everyone or do what everyone wants us to do.
• If you are only listening to a select few (especially if they are alike or just like you) - be careful, there are other types of people in this world - that God uses.
• If you don't listen to anyone - be VERY careful - we are not meant to make it alone!

And after listening....

FILTER:

• Filter it through - the background, personality, journey, opinion, heart motive, and end result - of what is being said.
• Filter it through - WHO God has created and called you to be - you are not anyone else but you! 

At the end of the day....

FOLLOW GOD:

*Take what people say - LISTEN - FILTER it - and at the end of the day - FOLLOW GOD.

Leading people is helping people

I had a little talk with Addie this morning.....regarding some things that revolve around her behavior with others at school and church.  She has a natural bent toward leading people around her - or in her way of doing that right now - telling them what to do!  

Now, she doesn't understand the "word" leadership, but she practices what it means - and one of my regular prayers for her is to leverage her leadership - because she CAN be a great leader, and it will make a difference in the future.  The issue I talked to her about today is to use it to HELP people.  I told her that a good leader is one that helps people.

It is interesting how you can learn something from what you teach your children.  As I thought about what I said, it impacted me - that leading people is all about helping people.  It is not about being "out front" or "telling people what to do" - it is not about using your "position" for yourself, it is truly about helping people.  

Sure, I have heard this principle from great leaders before - yet, I learned it again today through this simple "daddy to child" conversation.  

It is nothing new or original, but a great refreshing reminder to me - that Leading people is helping people.

Yeah...ok, go ahead and laugh!

Ok, so maybe I left out a small detail about Addie's little princess party - somehow I forgot to post the picture of "Prince Peter".....I might as well get it out there - others had cameras and who knows where this picture might appear!

****Hey - one thing is for sure - there is nothing boring about this blog post with a picture of me in tights!  Maybe this will give me a boost in my "Blog War" with Hollie (wow, I am desperate!)

By the way ladies - I don't know HOW you all wear these things - they are terrible!

Are you serious?

I just found this picture and had to post it.......this is hilarious - I love it!

Just a little gift idea for Christmas next year.......

5th Tooth!

Hope lost ANOTHER tooth!  It came out last night before she went to bed - and of course the tooth fairy came to visit.  This is the 5th tooth that I have pulled out of that little girl's mouth - and this was the smallest one yet!

This is a picture of her tooth - that I took of course with my amazing Mac!  Man, I love this thing!

My Little Princess

Addie turns 4 years old this Wednesday!  I really can't believe it.  I know that 4 is not that "old" - but she was our little baby and now she is getting older, bigger, and of course way too cute.  This kid is hilarious, fun, full of energy, she has spunk, personality, she is a natural leader, and she keeps us on our toes!  

This picture is from her little Princess Birthday party this past Saturday night - what a party!

Addie, daddy loves you VERY much and I am SO proud of you.  Happy Birthday!

READY

A very important word that was taught to me before we launched Vinings Lake is "READY".  It remains an important word - over 1 1/2 years later.  

When we were getting ready to launch, I was stressed about getting things "ready" for the target date to begin - obviously wanting that to be sooner than later.  But I was set at ease when this word became a resting point for me to realize - "we will launch - when we are READY!"

This is still an important word today.  As we begin new things, transition and grow - it is not only wise, but comforting to be READY.  It is easier to be ready - than to have to "re-act".  Sometimes this takes time, sometimes focus, and most of the time - both!

And being "ready" doesn't always mean that we know what is coming our way - it involves a "ready" and open heart and mind.  God is in control and whatever He chooses to give us, allow us, and direct toward us - He will provide EVERYTHING we need - as we remain READY and flexible - to receive it!

A day in the life of Peter John Lawrence Hixson

I (Hollie) decided to post for Pete since he has had a very busy day and he has been getting too many "your blog is boring" comments........SO he had a great day.  It all began at 7am at the Vinings Club for BNI (business networking international) then after that the VL staff team met for an all day staff meeting and planning.  He told me that had a great day of planning, also he went on and on about what a yummy lunch they had (as usual he had such a great lunch that he was not even hungry for dinner) from there it was back to the office for a couple of hours of sermon prep for Sunday!!  Me and the girls went up to the church about 6pm right after it got dark to have Pete and Brian load up some tables that we needed for Addies's birthday party this weekend and WOW that place is scary at night.  Talk about a fun place to play hide-n-go seek!!  Brings back memories of growing up as a PK and that's what we did for fun....ANYWAYS.....He and Brian had another meeting at a church in the area tonight that is trying to make some changes and they went over there to talk about the changes that took place over the past couple of years at VL.  THAT'S ALOT OF MEETINGS!!

Well, I like pictures, so since I have hijacked this blog, here are some pictures!!  

This is the before the "Extreme Church Makeover" 

During Renovations

Maybe next time I post here, I will post some new pictures for those of you that have not been to our church!

Invite EVERYONE on the journey!

Yesterday morning, Hollie and I (and Brian, Addie, Bill, and Sheila) had the privilege to have breakfast with some of the greatest people on the planet.  Ozell and Alton are part of Vinings Lake - and they were there when it was New Hope and made the transition with us as we began our new church.  Not only did they make the transition, but they have absolutely been so faithful and supportive.  

Someone asked Ozell this past Sunday what she thought about Vinings Lake - and she said she loved it!  I am so glad that they love it and that they love us - because we love them!  

Preconceived ideas might say that b/c of age or whatever else - some might not want to be a part of what you are doing - or the kind of church you are - but I want to encourage all of us to invite EVERYONE on the journey.  I remember the Wednesday nights before Vinings Lake started - and Alton and I would sit together and pray - I am blessed to know them.

When you invite EVERYONE on the journey, it doesn't mean you change where you are going, but you might just be surprised - some may not stay that you thought would - and some might stay and love it.  Alton and Ozell are living proof of that!

Don't miss out - invite EVERYONE on the journey!

Today at VL

After I strapped the chains on my tires and made my way over the hills and through the woods, I finally made it to VL............Seriously, we had a great day - even with canceling our 9:15 service, our 11:00 service was awesome!  

I have enjoyed this message series, "Choreography" and today's message was about adding the Scriptures to our faith.  We learned that "Scripture isn't just a textbook to tell us something, but God's message to change our lives."  Sometimes we view scriptures as irrelevant, boring, or we are motivated by guilt to read - but in reality - it is our creator's message in order to change our lives!  The Scriptures reveals God to us, us to ourselves - in order to change us, gives us a hunger for itself, gives us wisdom for living, and shows us that Jesus is the main character.  What an opportunity we have!  We need to just start somewhere, develop a hunger for the scriptures, and include others around us to help us.

It has been an excellent day all together - went to lunch at US Cafe (best burger around!), good time at Community Group tonight, and then played a little Nintendo Wii - polishing up my skills on Guitar Hero! (still pursuing my dream of being a rock star!).

Update for tomorrow at VL

Ok, it's a little after 10pm - and I just got inside from building this snowman in my front yard - my neighbors were a little impressed...............

So anyway..............sorry for not posting at 8pm like I said I would - but this took me a little longer than I had planned - go figure.  

Visit Hollie's blog for some good pics of the kids today.  (*Hollie and I are still in a blog war by the way - beware, mine is about to go to another level!)

You can check the VL website for an update for tomorrow, but we will be having our 11:00am service only - the 9:15 service is cancelled due to the projected weather issue.  The Preschool Training will be postponed - so nothing happening until 11am.

Hope to see you all tomorrow!

Church tomorrow...

1:40pm - Still watching the weather and putting a general message on the main VL phone line (770.941.8533) saying to call back at 8pm for the next update.

I will post again around 8pm also.

I am going outside to play in the snow with Addie - probably make a snow angel, do a few snow balls, and maybe a snowman!  Pictures will probably be following!!!!!!!!!!!

The "magical" Mac!

So - I am completely impressed with my new MacBook - once again.  

Last night I put this video together about the girls - and I am pretty clueless on how to do this kind of stuff - so it shows that just about anyone can do something with the magical Mac (maybe Apple will give me some sort of sponsorship or something since I am pumping them up.....).

Here it is!

Keep the comments coming!

Well, that may be the most comments I have ever received - from the previous blog!  You will have to scroll down and check them out - I am enjoying reading them - and they are (some of them) bringing me back to my feet (since the wind was knocked out of me with the whole "your blog is boring" comments!).