Happy New Year!

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From the Follman household to yours...

Happy New Year!!

We hope you have a great year of growing in God's love, and are blessed all around!

Through the Years

God stays the same through the ages.

I and my family don't!

Here is a fun pic and last trip post from our journey north to see family in NY. My mom has her fridge covered with pics from the past, including these beauties.

Take a look, see if you can find me... big hint, I'm their oldest ;)

Home

This is how our trip back home to Kentucky started this morning. We thought we might be in for another long trip home. While it was a long trip (about 12.5 total hours) the weather wasn't nearly as bad as the way up to New York.

For the first few hours things looked like the pic, or at least with wintry slushy conditions, but once we hit Erie and headed south things started to clear.

It's good to be home.

Praise the Lord for a great trip and great Christmas vacation with family. We loved seeing everyone, and even got to see much of our extended family too this time.

We are so blessed!

You might be from Western New York if...

After living outside of Western New York for several years now, some distinct qualities of the area come to mind when we visit.

So here is my brief list of "You might be from/in Western New York if...."

Oldies or classic rock are your go to radio stations.

"Wide Right" reminds you of what could've been.

You're Italian.

Blizzard conditions means you still go to school. And walk. Uphill. Both ways.

Snowmobiles have their own street signs.

You call the interstate the thruway.

"Garbage" reminds you of a delicious plate of food.

Your tax rate is highest in the nation (New York state quality)

If you have an apple orchard in your back yard.

Your truck rusts out faster than you can pay it off. And you're proud of it.

:)

So there you have it, my quick list to help you determine if you're truly from, or in, Western New York.

Shout!

Snow Report

We got our snow!

I'd say we've gotten our snow fix for the year.

This pic was taken this morning at about 7am, fresh off a night of steady snow and blowing.

Before seeing how deep the snow was (we probably got about 12 inches, and deeper in parts with drifts) I asked my father-in-law for a brush to clear the snow off the car.

He said I'd probably need more than a brush.

He was right ;)

About a half hour of brushing, shoveling, and snow blowing later, I was out.

Yea, I don't think a brush would've cut it.

Yahooooo!!

Snow Fix

I think we are getting our snow fix while we are up in Western NY...

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[This is Caleb's new way to say, "Cheese!"]

Another Precious Moment

My son Judah with Carson in the background.

Silent Night at our home church's Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve.

Another beautiful moment captured.

Thank you Jesus. And Happy Birthday.

Generational Moment

This precious moment was captured tonight.

Great grandfather with great grandson.

"Look at my Kitty magnet grandpa!" If my son could talk. It was beautiful as he lifted it to my grandpa with curiosity and delight, sharing his finding.

A four generation separation was bridged, 92 years of life. Born in different times, united by blood and family. My son looks, acts, thinks, in part, by what he received from his great grandfather.

Though my son will most likely never remember this moment, we will. It was captured on film to help us not forget.

And it was captured in my heart.

Over The River And Through The Woods

Here's another shot from our trip up to Grandma and Grandpa's in NY... what a great crew!

Blizzard

It was close to blizzard conditions as we headed north for Christmas today. We just got in about an hour ago. Praise the Lord we made it safely!

Welcome home to the frozen tundra!

Work Hard, Play Hard

What a fun day today! When work becomes play...

With test scores being so high at Pulaski County High School, we took a day to celebrate the students' hard work by entertaining them with a faculty "variety show."

So, between acting and eating and lip-singing and movie watching (my favorite movie no less - LOTR!), it ended up being a pretty fun day!

Hope the students thought so too.

Oh My - Dunk

Yes... Oh my!

One of my favorite dunkers in the NBA - Gerald Green.

If only he played more...

Watch "Gerald Green's "Oh My!" Slam Dunk!" on YouTube

Whirlwind

When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous have an everlasting foundation. http://bible.us/Prov10.25.AMP

A friend of mine is going through the whirlwind right now.

Make that two friends.

Or more...

You may know someone, or you yourself may be going through a whirlwind lately...

May this verse bring encouragement to all those going through the whirlwind right now.

Mansions of the Heart

Wow.

Let's just say this book seems to be pointing to a walk with Jesus I have never had, yet have, in some ways, unknowingly desired.

Its got me excited, to say the least. We'll see what happens ;)

A Follman Christmas

What a wonderful afternoon...

We celebrated Christmas early this year (today) since we will be traveling over the actual holiday. We had a wonderful time of relaxing, food, presents, a movie, Scripture and love. God has truly blessed us so richly.

One of the gifts we gave this year was a handmade bunkbed for my daughter for her American Girl dolls. My wife found the instructions for building it online, and it turned out great! Both my daughter and my wife loved it, which is always a good thing :)

If you are at all interested in building this bunkbed yourself, visit ana-white.com (a great DIY site).

Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to my friend, companion, lover, sister, girl, and wife, Elizabeth Follman.

I adore you.

With much love,

Your Hubby :)

What's Become Tradition...

This truly is a most wonderful time of year. It's filled with wonder, magic, remembrance, family, awe, faith,  and...

...tradition.

One tradition we have unintentionally started begins each year with our church family's Christmas party. After seeing friends from our local body of believers, we will usually (three years running!) head over to a house in town that lights up their house in a fun and unique way.

They have their home and yard covered in lights, which would be pretty spectacular by themselves, but they also have their lights set to a radio station. When a song plays, the lights blink and dance to the beat of the song.

So once again, tonight, the kids all piled in our lap in the front seats of the van, and enjoyed the "light house" show.

Blessings to you and yours, and on all your traditions this Christmas season.

Sports Science... Posterization

I love sports, and I love math. I especially enjoy the NBA. So, I didn't need much motivation to show this fun and enlightening video to my students the other day.

If you appreciate any of these topics, I think you'll enjoy this video too.

If you don't enjoy my selected topics... then what's wrong with you?! ;)

Watch "Sport Science: Blake Griffin dunk over Kendrick Perkins [ESPN]" on YouTube

The Ark

Here's a neat story I read today. Though I believe God did what He said He did in the Scriptures, it's nice to see others supporting the claims of the Bible through scientific study.

Check out the short article below...

Noah’s Biblical Flood Actually Happened, Says Famed Archeologist Who Found the Titanic | Video | TheBlaze.com

Impala SS - A Fav

Admit it - you like that, don't you??

I recently posted a pic of an old Chevy van that I would love to have as a family vehicle one day [or something like that!].

I love the old body style with a clean, fresh paint job and a few custom extras.

While I'm on the subject of vehicles I like, I thought I'd share one of my all time favorites - the Chevy Impala SS.

I love the models from the mid 90's. My friend's dad had one growing up, so as a kid, I fell in love.

I love the mix of muscle-yet-refined, old school, power, and luxury look and substance of these cars.

The particular one in this pic belongs to Tim Allen (timallen.com), actor, comedian, and car lover.

I like his taste.

Thank God In ALL

Just a little reminder [for me!] tonight...

Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. http://bible.us/1Thess5.18.AMP

God With Us

It's been a great Christmas season so far. I've loved doing the Advent Bible Study each night with my family, and I've also enjoyed the sermons that have been preached on Advent by my buddy Tom.

Today Tom shared about the Trinity, and how specifically the Son was revealed at Christmas.

GOD WITH US.

It's more than a Christmas story, more than shephards, skits, and a manger scene; more than what we can hold in our understanding...

God was revealed to the world.

God with humanity.

And even better, He is still with me, and in me,

Today.

Wow.

Oh to live with a greater revelation of "God with us" this Christmas season and beyond.

Next Ride

With us expecting our sixth child this spring, we are going to be in need of a bigger vehicle.

Don't tell my wife, but I'd say something like this would be just perfect ;)

Beautiful God

God is so kind. He is so good to us...

As we have been working through the Thriving Family Advent calendar, put out by Focus on the Family, I have seen some good things happening with my family. What happened tonight was incredible - it was beautiful, real and powerful, and all orchestrated by God.

The Holy Spirit began working on the hearts of my oldest two children about two separate things, one regarding the Lordship of Jesus in their lives (going wherever He tells her to go, and giving her whole heart), the other on their sin.

After tears, confession, and prayer, I put two of the younger ones to bed only to come back out to see the two oldest behind the couch, Bibles opened, highlighting and talking.

They took turns reading the Word, then talked about how they could get up early each morning to pray and read.

After some more meaningful moments, they headed to bed; Mom and Dad with full hearts, thanking God and humbled by what God was doing.

I know He was doing... in spite of me, not because of me.

If anything, I was convicted of my own sin through the night.

I just feel so privileged to be a part of such a special moment in our family. These moments are soo precious, and I am so glad God allowed us in on what He is doing in their lives.

Love It

I love what I do.

Even though days can be stressful and wearing - on a whole - I love what I do.

I am blessed to be a teacher/coach, and have an opportunity to impact the lives of many young people everyday.

In today's day, and after the uncertainty of layoff we experienced in the summer, I am very blessed to even have a job.

God is so kind, so good...

All the time.

Heavy Day

I'm sore... already.

Usually I don't feel it until the next day or the day after when I work out, but this also wasn't my normal workout routine.

I used to lift weights often and heavy (for me), and have felt pretty sore by the end of the day before.

It's been a while.

I had a spotter today on the bench so I was able to go heavier than I have in a year or more.

It felt great!

I did 205 lbs which for me was good and really not too far from my max.

I'm just hoping now that I don't trip and fall because I probably won't be able to catch myself.

Amplify My Heart

Love the Amplified version...

http://bible.us/1John3.22.AMP And we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we [watchfully] obey His orders [observe His suggestions and injunctions, follow His plan for us] and [habitually] practice what is pleasing to Him.

What is your stance before the Lord? Does it match what was stated in the Scripture above??

Countryside Longings

I've lately here been dreaming of a cabin in the woods - mountain woods that is - a long driveway, wood stove, cozy nights inside tucked away from the cold snowy elements out....

I've also got this random longing to travel and see the country side, especially those things of the "grand" scale... Mountains, oceans, evergreens, highways, lakes, and all things outdoors in God's creation.

Maybe that's why I wanted to flip through a picture book of our nation tonight. Maybe that's why in general I love maps... because they take me somewhere.

With an Atlas or map I can explore the countryside, see new places, go on an adventure, all while sitting on my comfortable couch.

Alas, I must go...

I have some exploring to to do. ;)

Advent - Day One

At The Chapel today, we began the Advent celebration by sharing about and lighting the Prophecy candle. I've always been in the dark about Advent, not knowing really what it meant, or its Biblical significance. I think I'm finally getting my mind around the worthwhile church tradition.

Thriving Family Magazine sent us an Advent Calendar (see pic) with this months issue, and we are going to go through the schedule they put together for each day leading up to Christmas. We did day one tonight - it was a great start.

I'll update you more as our family walks through this special "Advent" time of year together...

Goodfellas Pizzeria

Now THAT'S a slice of pizza.

We spent some time with my brother-in-law and his wife tonight in Lexington, KY. We did some Christmas shopping (in beautiful 60 degree weather mind you) and then finished the night at their place with some Goodfellas Pizza.

It was delicious!

Not only did it have the familiar diner/NY style pizza, the pizzas were massive!

The picture doesn't quite do it justice, but the slice of pizza shown is on a full size (paper) dinner plate. The size of the slice makes the plate look puny!

So, I'm stuffed and ready for bed...

Sunrise

Last night I shared a beautiful sunset that ended my day... here is how my day began this morning.

Beautiful.