Christmas Happenings

Last night, Jody and I had the opportunity to hang out with old friends. One couple we knew from college. The other couple had both gone to high school with Jody.

We laughed and talked about old times. It was a lot of fun. I love seeing Jody laugh until she cries like that. That is probably why I act so stupid most of the time...just to see her laugh. At least, that's my story.

Today, we're going to our favorite local restaurant to meet Jody's dad for lunch. We do it once every year and the kids are really looking forward to it.

Only 2 1/2 days left here and then we will drive to Augusta to visit my family. Wow. Time is flying by.

Sunday in the Country

The kids are loving our time here in Georgia. They've been hanging out with cousins, wrestling with their uncle, and eating like they've been stranded on a deserted island for a month.

Caleb, Abby and I walked down in the woods to the pond @ the back of my in-laws' land. We pretended we were on an adventure and paddled the boat across the "large body of water". We then hiked down the "forbidden trail" and found the fortress of ants (a huge ant mound).

Next, we climbed into the Magical Tower (uncle Eric's deer stand), hiked to the field of snow (a cotton field), and then returned to the boat to get back home. It was so much fun, and I got to teach them how to row a boat @ the same time.

Now, onto our next adventure.

A Walk Through Bethlehem

Tonight, 14 of our family members went to a local church's Christmas presentation called A Walk Through Bethlehem. It was really neat. It is a little village that they set up outside and you are toured through by a jewish person who has "returned to the city for the census".

You literally walk through the village with Roman Centurions approaching you asking why you are there. They are very mean and offensive. Much like 2000 years ago. One of them approached Jody and said "move it HAG". It took me half the tour to stop laughing. Fun stuff.

We had to wait 2 1/2 hours to go through. There were over 6000 people who registered. All this from a church that runs less than 1000 on Sunday.

Creating Friday

Here is the latest installment of The Church Office. This one is geared to promote our Christmas Eve Services on December 24, at 4:30 and 6pm. This one is just cheesy enough that you might enjoy it....I hope.

Abby's Audition

Well, we finally saw first-hand everything we had been warned about "the business". After Abby's initial interview, we received a callback for a "tv show". At the callback, we were led into a large room with loud music and video clips on a large flat panel television. The names Jessica Alba and Miley Cyrus were constantly being dropped as if this company had discovered them from sheer obscurity. In fact, the talent director, Andy, told us that he personally discovered Jessica Alba in a Ms. Fields Cookie store in 1996. He said that Abby had everything going for her that he had seen in Jessica in the beginning. "And we all know where that took her," he told us. However, in a day of great technology and this little thing we call the internet, we quickly discovered that Jessica Alba was already doing television in the early 90s. Therefore, his discovery of this "shy little girl" could not have taken place in 1996. She was already on her way to stardom by then with made for television movies and numerous other roles on her resume.

So, after their used car salesman pitch, they took us into a room to meet one on one with Andy. I was onto them by this point, and KNEW we were not going to fall for this one. But, I played along so that I could see the whole presentation. First of all, I felt it would be fun to their song and dance. Secondly, I wanted to know what to look for in the future.

They asked for $4500 to make Abby's dreams come true. When we resisted, they knocked it down to $2600. I continued to say "no". Furthermore, I compared them to such scam artists as John Robert Powers, and others. Andy seemed insulted and said that it hurt him for Abby that we would not pursue this for her. As if he was the end all for her potential success.

Two hours after we left, I received another call from Andy saying he would lower the fee to $1500. I told Andy "you're a crook and a manipulator, and I'm not falling for your scheme." For some reason, he hung up the phone after that comment.

For anyone out there with children who are interested in "the business", BEware of BE PRODUCTIONS . It is a scam.

On a brighter note, Abby has interviews with 2 "reputable" modeling agencies in January. So, we'll see where that takes us. For the record, we are only pursuing this because it is something Abby wants to do. So, instead of ballet dancing and gymnastics, we let her model.

Check back tomorrow. I'll have the newest installment of "the Church Office". That's right. It's back!

Immanuel Choir

The Immanuel Choir has been asked to lead in worship at MusiCalifornia '09. We will be leading worship with Geron Davis, Bradley Knight, and Derrick Johnson. I am excited anytime we have the opportunity to lead worship. But, it's always a little extra special when we get to work with our friends at MusiCalifornia. A big "thank you" goes out my buddy Scott Revo at Pinelake. Thanks for the recommendation to Brentwood-Benson.

So, mark that calendar and join us for MusiCalifornia in Pasadena, April 13-16, 2009. We will be there on Wednesday, April 15 in the evening. See you there!

Bikes or Bust

My good friends @ Freedom Church in Acworth, GA are partnering with area businesses to help under privileged kids have a great Christmas this year. An event called Bikes or Bust has staff from the church living on a lift high in the air until their goal of 200 bikes is reached.

Those wishing to donate should visit www.jrlive.net. You can watch them live on the lift @ Bikes or Bust dot net .

Good job Freedom Church! I can't wait to hear the final results.

Early Christmas

This past Saturday, we had a full-blown Christmas @ the Bumgardner house. Why? Well, the reason is simple: we are going to Georgia for Christmas and can't take all of our gifts on the plane. So, we have to do Christmas early.

Our kids love it, because it means 2 Christmases for them. They got a WII, several games, and Rock Band. We absolutely love it. I will ty to post some video soon of our family rocking it out on Rock Band. Jody even has a mean head-bang going on when she jams on the guitar.

So, we're leaving our house to another family who will sit for us while we're gone, and we're going to the peach state to see our family. We're so excited. I will blog a little more often now that our schedule @ church is slowing down. I will also give some great updates from the road.

Christmas Dessert Theater

I am blogging right now on my phone in the middle of a dress rehearsal for our Dessert Theater. Opening night is tomorrow and it runs through Sunday. Last year we saw dozens come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We are praying for even greater results this year.

If you haven't gotten tickets yet, plan on being here Sunday night for the performance only show @ 5:30.

LA Auditions

Abby auditioned this weekend for a television show in LA. She did a great job. She was able to meet with the casting director, and was told she would get a call back. So, we're pretty excited. There were about 100 others who auditioned, so I'm not sure how many will receive call backs. With no experience, her chances are pretty slim to land the part, but the audition process is a great experience. She is loving it.

I'll give you some updates when we hear something new.

Go Abby!

The Good Wife

Okay...now before you read this, you need to know that I am just the messenger. Don't shoot me! But, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share this with you. The following article was published on May 13, 1955 in Housekeeping Monthly. CLICK ON THE PICTURE OF THE ARTICLE below and it will open a page for you to read it in. Oh, to have lived in the glorious 1950s. Let me know what you think.

Immanuel Lights Hits the News

Some of the facts in the article below are not quite accurate, but for the most part, it is a nice article. The reporter's crowd estimation was a personal one not based on any count. But, to his credit, it is hard to estimate a crowd size in an open outdoor area. I'll post some other photos as I have an opportunity. Check out the link below for the Highland Community News Paper Article on Immanuel Lights.

Christmas Fun Facts

1) In Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer (1964), Santa's first stop is the Island of Misfit Toys.
2) Bethlehem, PA was established by German settlers on Dec. 24, 1741.
3) Joy to the World was also the title of a song by Three Dog Night.
4) in 1955, the most popular gift for boys was a coon skin hat. Wow. Somehow, that just doesn't compare to the WII.
5) O Holy Night was first sung at a midnight mass in Paris in 1847.
6) Eskimos consider whale blubber a Christmas delicacy.
7) The first Christmas card was printed in the US in 1875.
8) Western Missionaries introduced Christmas trees to China and Japan in the 19th and 20th centuries.
9) Holly is used at Christmas to represent the crown of Christ.
10) In the movie Frosty the Snowman, Santa tells Professor Hinkle to write "I am very sorry for what I did to Frosty" 100 zillion times. That sounds like a teacher I had in school.

Enjoy this entire Christmas season. Don't wait until it has passed you by. Make this Christmas a Christmas to Remember. And impress your friends and family with your incredible knowledge of Christmas Fun Facts.

Christmas Fun Facts

In honor of the 1st day of December I thought that I'd share some Christmas Fun Facts with you. I love to discover new things and thought you would as well.

1) The red-suited Santa with the white beard that we've come to know and love was first created by a marketing team member with Coca-Cola in the 1930s.
2) Children in Holland receive gifts in big wooden shoes at Christmas.(That doesn't sound too exciting to me.)
3) Jesus wasn't born on December 25. I know. I know.
4) The name "Santa Claus" is never mentioned in the story "The Night Before Christmas".
5) Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" was based on a poem he wrote in the 1980s.

More fun facts to come throughout the month of December. I couldn't give you all my fun facts in one post.

Immanuel Lights Results

Last night was amazing. Immanuel Lights was a big hit. Mayor Penny Lilburn was wonderful in her welcome speech to the community. She said "I can't believe no one has ever thought of having a community Christmas tree lighting before. Leave it to Immanuel to provide such a thing for this community."

A very preliminary estimation of attendance is somewhere in the 2000 people range. From the stage I noticed a crowd of people on the balcony of the building trying to get a better view. Families had huddled together all over the area to see and hear. It was a very festive and electric atmosphere. I was so excited to see how many people came out for this event.

Even better results are that 4 people prayed to receive Christ. That's right. 4 people, that we know of, were saved at a Christmas tree lighting. How amazing is that!!!

I'll try to post some pictures later as I get them. Now, onto preparation for our 2nd Annual Immanuel Lights Christmas tree lighting in 2009!