Thanks Kenny. The image is from iStock and can be found here:

http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-5461949-praying-girl.php

I see that you are with a church in Virginia. Do you do graphic work for them or are you on staff in another capacity? If you are interested in any design work, please let me know and we can discuss your ideas. You can email me at the2grays@hotmail.com.

Thanks for stopping by!

Shon Zelman, you know I could go on forever. I seriously want you to consider writing a guest post on my blog. The topic can be anything of your choosing as long as you allow me to post it, and others to comment on it. I promise that I'll delete the comments of anyone who gets ignorant or snarky with you. What do you say? You've got two weeks off. Better get writing.

Rodger, the fact that you know my mom should tell you that I have some degree of Christmas decorating prowess. But since you called me on the carpet, I'll have to be honest and say that we definitely don't score as high as other homes -- though we do not commit any of the deductions.

Here is the typical Gray Family house at Christmas (this is from a few years ago, we now have red and white bulbs instead of the colored ones). Simple, yet festive:



Also, I completely agree that luminarias should be listed under extra credit. I haven't seen those in years. It's a shame that people don't use them anymore.

I agree with your extra credit idea, Jeff. Perhaps that could fall under the Extra Effort Bonus. And the standard coach lights on while the rest of the lights are burning...I think I'll have to deduct 2 points from my own score. Guilty. o/

Good to hear from you again Patricia. My family and I are doing very well and really enjoying our Christmas season (only 4 more school days to go!). Merry Christmas to you and yours!

How interesting that God uses things we don't feel like doing to show us His art. If you had jumped into your pajamas like you wanted to, you might have missed this great experience. It makes me wonder how many times, being controlled by my own self-pity, I have unknowingly skipped out on an opportunity for God to speak to me -- or more importantly -- through me.

Thanks for sharing, and I'm sorry for the loss of your friend.

My recent post The Butterfly Circus

Michael, Your reply here sums up my thoughts exactly. How can our government enforce their demand for transparency with us and then do most of their business in closed-door sessions? The disparity is almost slapstick.

Sometimes I think that lawyers and law-makers have one goal: to take the simple and make it complex, thereby taking the fun out of life.

My recent post Goodbye Granddad, We Love You

I love this idea. As a teacher, it wouldn't be practical to respond to any of my emails in this way, but I can definitely see how this would benefit high profile leaders who field many unsolicited emails each day.

Regarding people "picking your brain", I find that this blog is akin to a sit-down-with-Michael-Hyatt-over-coffee experience -- and you're available 24/7. Though it would be incredible to meet you in person, I can't imagine anyone having a question for you that you haven't already addressed in these posts. And anytime I've asked a clarifying question, you are faithful to respond quickly and concisely. Your ideas and advice are free for the taking, no appointment necessary.

My recent post A Company of Heroes

Well then I'm in big trouble because I'm writing the next best-selling poetic memoir.

Just kidding.

To be honest, I'm surprised to hear you say that when so many others have advised against it. Now you've sparked my interest again. Hmmmmm.....

[wheels begin turning once again]

My recent post A Company of Heroes

Looks great! I'm sure that with some continued minor tweaking that you'll have one of the most pervasive and streamlines blog sites out there in no time!

Admittedly, in the past I have had a few issues with your RSS feed coming to me via Bloglines. It seems that your new site has resurrected that same problem. It may be an issue with Bloglines, but I'm getting a communication error again. You might want to look at your feed in case the revision created some problems.

On a similar note, what RSS reader do you use? I'm sure you've posted it in the past, but I don't remember where.

My recent post A Company of Heroes