The Joy of Music

On Wednesday, our family enjoyed a special holiday tradition with the Chatham family. For the past few years, we have taken a van load of children, lots of violins and a basket of candy canes and headed off to Ada to visit the wonderful residents of Baptist Village and Jan Frances Care Center. Our families are so blessed by these outings!

It brings us all so much joy to see the kind folks delight in the girls playing Christmas carols and then to watch them interact with all the children...big and small. We have played at the Baptist Village long enough for them to watch our children grow and change. It is so sweet to hear them comment on who has gotten taller and what joy they feel when the girls play. It was quite amusing this year. As the littler children were handing out the candy canes, many of the residents were quickly giving them back and telling the children that they could have them. It is hard to guess how many candy canes were consumed by Esther, Clay, Emma and Camie before we caught on to what was happening!

This year Brittney, Brenna, Lillie and Dennah played violin. Brooke, who usually is on the violin, played the piano since Hattie was busy at school. The girls did a great job and were asked to do an unexpected encore performance at the Baptist Village for a second group of seniors. Parker, Caleb, Clay, Emma, Camie & Esther did a great job being supportive on the side lines and loved their handing out the candy canes job! We were even able to sneak in a quick stop at McDonald's between events.

It is such a privilege and honor to use the skills the Lord has gracious given the girls to bless others. It is a blessing to invest in the lives of other people and we are humbled that God allows us to do so each year in this special way.