Well folks…we all made it back safely from an awesome weekend in Gatlinburg. As I write this I am munching on homemade caramel popcorn that Ray, Anna, Hannah, and all the Dunkards brought down (along with the group favorite “dilly beans” and salsa). Unbelievable weekend…the weather was gorgeous (right up until time to go when it sprinkled rain…but doesn’t it always rain on Sunday when we leave Gatlinburg?). Jess, Lindy, and some of his family got up there on Wednesday evening and worked their hind-ends off all day Thursday to make the stage one of the most spectacular to date. Really out did themselves this year with the trees and decorations. I got there Thursday night with my family and got to see the fruits of their labor, and all we could say was “wow” (of course it was after midnight and my daughter had been asleep for the better part of 4 hours…so all conversations were short and sweet).

We awoke Friday to find folks streaming in from everywhere…Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, and of course Tennessee (don’t think I left any state out). It’s like a family reunion…you hear lots of loud “heys” and group hugs in the cabin style lobby of the hotel. Darrell and his family and Scott and his new bride got there Friday and the weekend officially kicked off. Friday night was all traditional Called Out Southern Gospel music opened up with our good friends The Smith Family and their unique family trio style. Friday night we usually try to hold it to an hour and a half or so…gets the road weary warriors time to spool down and relax after the performances.

Saturday morning was the traditional Shoney’s breakfast spread and a good time for catching up with old friends over biscuits and gravy (not to mention sausage, eggs, coffee and orange juice). Wrapping that up at 10:00 left everyone the day to shop, shop, and then get a little shopping done. Met back up that night for the marathon singing session. We did two rounds of singing Saturday evening with round one being comprised mainly of songs we failed to get to Friday night, plus a few requests and some favorites of ours from years gone by. Round two was 100% Christmas…and was entirely too fun. We sang and we talked…Darrell shared a story of his favorite Christmas from his childhood, the year he got his bird (ask him about it…I can’t do it justice). I read the Christmas story as told by Luke…then we wrapped that segment with Jess singing our favorite Christmas carol…O Holy Night. We got the Smith Family back on stage with us and did a song all together and dismissed for the night. For most of us…it was Italian food from across the street after that. Later (like 1:00am or so) most of us were still in the lobby learning card games and taking a midnight tour of the streets of Gatlinburg. The weather was just too nice to stay cooped up by the fire all night.

Sunday morning Dewayne Greer brought an awesome message on being a Christian and in particular, being a Christian in a nation that seems to be turning its back on God. Awesome message that stirred us all. We wrapped up with a few songs and then testimonies of God’s goodness. With a closing prayer we sent everyone off to their cars for the long (in some cases REAL long) drives home. A bunch of us helped Jess tear the stage down and then headed up to Log Cabin Pancakes on Airport Road to put the finishing touches on a perfect weekend. Well…nearly perfect. Only way it could have been better would have been if ALL of you had been able to share it with us. We are in the planning stages now for next year and expect to make a few changes based on feedback. Will announce that soon.

One thing we can announce right this very minute is the Second Annual Homecoming we will have in 2010! Yep…we had so much fun, we are going to do it all over again. Mark your calendars now for Saturday August 7th 2010 at 7:00pm. We will do it again at McFerrin Missionary Baptist Church (same location as this past year) in Madison, TN (basically Nashville…just a northern suburb). We will be posting a flyer soon and will get more details out as they come together. Important thing is for you to know…it’s gonna be great!

Hope you all have an awesome Thanksgiving and we all pray that you have safe travels. Be thankful for what you have….for God has truly blessed us all with more than we can ever start to thank Him for. Remember Darrell’s friend Andy Hayes…he is 41 and had a massive heart attack and is currently waiting for a heart transplant here at Vanderbilt in Nashville. He’s got two great kids and a wife who are all scared I’m sure…they could certainly use your prayers.

Look for us this weekend close to home…we’ll be at Barth-Vernon United Methodist on Sunday morning in Nashville and at Sulphur Well United Methodist in Sulphur Well, KY on Sunday night (up close to Mammoth Cave in central Kentucky). If you can, come on out and see us…

Von and all the guys at CO4

Can’t believe it’s finally here….Gatlinburg 2009 is this weekend! Got all the reservations and have all the stuff together. Jess is heading out tonight (Wednesday) to start decorating with Lindy and the boys. Lisa, Savannah, and I will be heading over on Thursday when Savannah gets out of school to help all we can. Darrell and Scott and their families will be heading over sometime on Friday. Can’t wait for the weekend….weather looks good. Sunny Friday, cloudy Saturday, and area showers on Sunday as we depart… and the temps will be solidly “fall” in the Smokies. Bring sweaters and jackets for sure (unless you are from Michigan of course, then you bring your bathing suit as 55 degrees means time to visit the swimmin’ hole). Everyone drive safely and let’s pray the good Lord shows up and we have an awesome weekend…oh, and save room all week for the Shoney’s breakfast Saturday morning!

Quick hit on Marty’s wife Paula….her surgery went fine and she is still in the hospital, but doing well. Should be released Thursday if she suffers no complications. Also…Darrell has a good friend named Andy Hayes (his daughter has cheered with Kenz for years) who had a massive heart attack last week and is now facing heart transplant surgery at Vanderbilt here in Nashville. Pray for Andy…he’s a young guy like me (watch it folks…44 gets younger every day) and has a teenage daughter and younger son who want daddy back home as soon as possible…

Have an awesome rest of the week and we’ll see you in Gatlinburg!!!

Von and all the guys at CO4