Happy New Years!

Happy New Years Everyone!

The kids are back in school and everything is starting to get back to normal...Right?

NO!

I still have my indoor Christmas decorations up...and I am still unpacking from our Christmas trip. As I drive around my area I feel a little better because there are still people that have Christmas lights and lawn decorations out at their houses. I wish I could be like some of my friends that get their stuff put up right after Christmas...it just doesn't happen that way with me.
Especially since we have been out of town and still getting over the yucky cold and cough that we passed around our household.

OH Well ~ Life and the New Year have moved into motion and great things are ahead of us!
Time once again for ending the past and beginning a new.

For me I have already been amazed at the New Year.

This New Year is full of great change for me.

I have recently stepped down from serving with our Womens Ministry and confidently stepping out with the calling and vision the Lord has been stirring in me for sometime.

In great measures the Lord is stretching me but at the same time He is confirming things and bringing things to fruition.

What about you?

Is there something you should be doing? (Serving, Ministering, Trusting,Giving, Loving, Living on Purpose!)
Is there something you should not be doing? (Cheating, Lying, Worrying, Disobeying, Not Completing, Overcommiting)

I will share some of my heart and discoveries over the next few weeks as I study for myself and dig into the word for guidance into His plan this year for me. I pray you will do the same for your life.

This year I pray we see a great harvest of people coming to acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and peoples lives displaying a great bundle of fruit!

May it begin with me!

Be Inspired,

Vern

PS ~ OH an Check out the new additions to my blog! Thanks to my blog designers Stephanie and Stacy at Blogalicious I will be able to add some great new items and information!

There is also the button with information about my upcoming event on January 23 ~ Check it out!

December Wrap Up!

One of our favorite things to do in December is participate in Christmas Crew!
Here is our group for this year ~ The Hutch & Hutch Gang!

Every year our youth group joins with The Elf Louise organization and helps deliver
presents all around the area.

Each group provides Santa's and Elf Louise provides the outfits and gifts.
It is a highlight for us every year!



Here is our Santa (Pastor Jared) with some of the girls.



Pastor Stuart (Our Favorite Elf) and Pastor Sean spreading Christmas cheer at our annual Youthquake Christmas party.



We spent one Sunday baking cookies with my sister Mini and her girls - Priscilla and Dedee. The cookies were being sent to my nephew Mark in Korea.
Lots of fun!



Ali Bug and Ju Bean helping out...





All of us girls with some of our goods ready to be shipped out.



Ali getting inducted to the National Junior Honor Society.



Alex and long time friend, Davis at the NHS reception...Congratulations!




Alex danced in our church Christmas Music presentation. (She is on the far left.)



All the dancers backstage.















Our Favorite Elf - Stuart got married!
What a beautiful bride and wedding it was!
Congratulations Allison and Stuart!














Christmas Eve at my sisters house.

















Since the girls no longer let me film them coming down the stairs and opening their presents...I am posting these Christmas morning photo's! We do not have any little ones in our home any more...kind of weird to not go searching for toys to buy for them!


They are still so cute on Christmas morning!

During Christmas break we like to go visit our sweet friends in Oklahoma.

The Harwells and Steckers are always on our tour of visiting.

Here are pictures from the Stecker ~ Hutcherson reunion!

Always a great time catching up...except this time Rick was beginning to come down with something...after this picture we went back to our hotel and he stayed in bed for 2 days!

We returned home last night to Winston...even though I was sick ( yes, I got what Rick had and so did Alex) I was so happy to see this face and be home again!

This picture is for Noni...from Winston!

December 2008 was a wonderful month!

All Glory to God!

WE ARE SO PROUD OF HER!

Last Friday was a grand day in the life of our little family! Our dear Meredith accomplished her goal of attending & graduating from College.
Not only did she graduate but she graduated with Highest Honors ~~ Summa Cum Laude!!!
(Shouts and Hand Claps for Mere!)

This is huge for us since neither Rick or I graduated from College.

Family Picture with our Graduate!

Mere Bear accepting her diploma

Cheers for the Graduates!

The Graduates exiting the ceremony.

Mere is in the second row with an "M" on top of her hat.

The decorated hats were great!

It really helped to locate her!

As I ironed her graduation gown on Friday morning I began to tear up.

Rick walked in and asked me if my allergies were bothering me...I said "No!"...and then I really cried as I pointed to her gown to express to him why I was crying!

We both are amazed at our daughters accomplishments and the blessings the Lord has provided.

As we think about the past 22 years of prayers that we have prayed for this daughter and how the Lord delivered and took care of us in the midst of some difficult seasons...we both are emotional.

This is the daughter that at a very young age we noticed her ability to perform and choreograph.

Despite us not being able to afford dance classes for her - The Lord provided the gift of dance to develop and strengthen in her as He guided her to become an amazingly gifted dancer and choreographer!

We learned that when He places a gift and calling on your life He will provide the pathway to grow and use it...not always the way the world would accomplish it!

Mere has gone from choreographing neighborhood shows with her friends to

choreographing a multitude of performances and shows for schools and church's.

As well as win awards for her performances.

Now she is on her way to becoming a High School Dance Director!!

What we witnessed last Friday was an amazing thing!

His power gave her skill, determination, and discipline.

What she has done with it is beautiful!

We are so proud of her!


CONGRATULATIONS MEREDITH!!!!

Love,

Mom, Dad, Alex and Julia