A Contagious Spirit of Joy

God has been so good to our church.  It is so rewarding and wonderful to see and watch our amazing God as He continues to bless us with new people.  Recently, we had a couple come to visit that were former missionaries to China.  After 3 of our deacons and I went to their home to visit with them, God filled my heart with joy concerning this couple.  They continued to visit and last Sunday, they joined our wonderful and Spirit filled church at Southside.  On Tuesday at our monthly Senior adult luncheon, they came and brought a guest with them and she is planning to be with us on Sunday.

Isn't is wonderful to see how God works when we have a contagious spirit of joy?  My prayer is that during the upcoming spring season, that all of us will use our personal witness to draw others our way who are seeking to worship with "the people of love."

Southside Young Ladies Retreat

Last weekend, several of our ladies from the young adult ministry went on a retreat to Myrtle Beach along with about 100 other ladies from other churches in our area. They stayed at the beautiful Avista Resort, a place our family loves to go to for a visit during the winter because of the indoor heated water facilites. 

Here is a picture of our ladies from Southside.  As you can see, my bride is in the yellow.  I am so glad they had a great time as they spent the weekend learning about "The Names Of God."  Laura and several others have shared with me some of the amazing things that God did in their lives last weekend. 

Retreats like this are so important for our Christian walk.  I am so thankful that we have a church that promotes and provides opportunities for different groups to go on trips to grow closer to our Lord each year.  If you have never been, I hope you will go next year.

Quarterly Awards Day

Luke and Anna Brooke were both honored at the quarterly awards ceremony at their awesome school.  Luke received 3 awards and Anna Brooke received 2 awards.  We are very proud of them for their accomplishments.  We are so blessed with such amazing kids.

Luke as he is about to make a basket - UPWARD BBALL 2011

Here is a picture of Luke as he is about to shoot the basketball that will enable his team "The Cavaliers" to win the game.  We are really proud of Luke.  He has had a great season of UPWARD Basketball and we are thankful for his dedication, persistence, and continuous leadership on his team. 

Our Valentine Gift That Continues To Bless Us

It was four years ago tonight that we received the news about a Valentine's gift that would be the greatest we could ever imagine.  It was Wednesday and we came home from church to open our Valentine gifts.  As I sat in the chair after a long day, Laura walked over and gave me a card.  I opened it and read it. After reading it, I noticed that it was signed "from baby Fuller # 4!"  I was shocked, speechless, and simply did not know how to react.  I was so shocked, I fell over in the floor and just started laughing.  At that point, Laura laid on the floor with me and we just held each other as the emotions began to flow.  We were so shocked because we had a 3 year old, 2 year old, and 7 month old at the time.  We were excited but did not know how we would be able to function and survive with 4 kids in 4 years.  As the pregnancy went forward, we became more and more excited as we anticipated the birth of our 4th born.

When our baby arrived, we were blessed to have a boy and we named him Paul Benjamin Fuller.  Now, as I think back over the past 4 years, I can say that Paul is our little blessing.  He brings joy to our family that is indescribable to us. 

As the baby of our family and as the baby grandchild of both sets of his grandparents, Paul is our Valentine each and every year.

IN HEAVEN'S EYES

A few weeks ago one of our soloist at Southside sang a song that really touched my heart.  I asked them for the words and thought I would share them with you.

A fervent prayer rose up to Heaven.
A fragile soul was losing ground.
Sorting through the earthly babble, Heaven heard the sound.
This was a life of no distinction, no successes, only tries.
Yet gazing down on this unlovely one, there was love, in Heaven's eyes.

In Heaven's eyes, there are no losers; In Heaven's eyes, no hopeless cause.
Only people like you with feelings like me, amazed by the grace we can find in Heaven's eyes.

The orphan child, the wayward father, the homeless traveler in the rain.
When life goes by and no one bothers, Heaven feels the pain.
Looking down God sees each heartache, knows each sorrow, hears each cry.
And looking up, we'll see compassion's fire ablaze in Heaven's eyes.

In Heaven's eyes there are no losers; In Heaven's eyes, no hopeless cause.
Only people like you with feelings like me, amazed by the grace we can find.
In Heaven's eyes.


WOW! What powerful and amazing words!

The Little Fuller's

Luke (Duke) Wilson Fuller

Anna Brooke Fuller

Sarah Belle Fuller

Paul Benjamin Fuller

Our kids are such a blessing to our lives.  Tonight, Laura and I were looking at pictures of each of them when they were born and we are amazed at how much each of them have grown.  They are our true blessings from the Lord.  I know and pray that God will do mighty and awesome things in their lives.  We have dedicated our kids to the Lord and trust Him with their lives.  "Lord, please use our children for your honor and glory."