Burnett Family

We had the wonderful opportunity to go to the annual ATI conference in Big Sandy again this year! Our 8th time. This is one of the biggest highlights of our year. It’s kind of a booster for us, and it’s a very encouraging, refreshing week…getting to hear amazing speakers, singing in choir, playing in orchestra, catching up with friends, the Chinese restaurant (tradition), ALERT cadets, and we were all so excited that Caleb got to come down for the last two days! =)

Abbie and Hannah played O, the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus. It was beautiful! 

Maggie taught Children’s Institute this year for the first time and really enjoyed it!

Hannah was on the COMMIT staff team again. All the COMMIT girls did a presentation at the end for the first time ever (I think) – they sang Be Thou My Vision. 

Benjamin was in ALERT cadets and thoroughly enjoyed it…as usual. How could you not enjoy huge water balloon slingshots and rappelling? ;)

  
I sang in the student choir. :)

Abbie played in the orchestra.

Somehow, we ended up without any pictures of Carinna, but she was there too! Due to being sick on Monday, she wasn’t able to teach CI with Maggie, but attended student sessions and choir instead. Caleb came down on Thursday evening to join us. John-Clay was in CO at the World Changers’ Summit. Mom and Dad worked the Character First! booth and attended sessions.

Probably the message that stood out to us the most was given by David Gibbs who preached on doing the impossible. God doesn’t just call us to do “great things” – He has given us the power by His Spirit to do impossible things! It’s so easy to put God in our human box and forget that He is so ABLE to do beyond what we ask or think. It starts with us asking Him to do the impossible.

Praise the Lord for such a blessed time together as a family!

On Saturday, the 11th, we hosted a Valentine’s dinner for the couples from our church.

We had lots of fun getting everything ready!
Lots of cooking…

Old love songs… ;)

Last minute, we decided to learn a couple of old love songs as entertainment for the evening. Although I’m not sure it sounded that great, we definitely had fun serenading all the love birds with “L-O-V-E” and “Let Me Call You Sweetheart”. :)

Enjoying our time together to the fullest!

Washing dishes…

Mom did an amazing job decorating!

John-Clay and I were grateful for all the help getting the photo booth ready to take pictures for the couples when they arrived! ;)

And during dinner…

We kids served them, while they ate by candle light…

They played some games and told lots of hilarious stories, and we heard LOTS of laughter!

The honeymoon stories were soooo funny!!

Meanwhile, back in the kitchen…

That’s one good reason to serve at an event for couples…you get to listen in on conversation between married folk. ;)

On the 14th, Dad and Benjamin did something special for all of us girls. They bought us flowers and chocolate and took us to dinner at Tio’s Mexican Restaurant! Grandma and Grandpa came with us too, and we had a great time. <3 John-Clay and Caleb had a fun Valentine’s Day, as well. They went to the OKC Thunder basketball game! :)

Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Remember……Jesus loves you!!!

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
 

And Joseph also went up from Galilee…unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field…

…keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
 

…And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

…But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Then Herod…sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed…and when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

The Christmas story as told by the precious children from our church. :)

And [Jesus] said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Mt. 18:3)

Last week, Abbie and I got the opportunity to go down to Big Sandy, TX with some friends and attend Family Camp. We rode down with the Mount family and during the week, Abbie helped baby-sit/big girl-sit ;) their younger girls (this was the whole reason we got to go). Also while we were down there, we were able to spend a lot of time and room with the Chatham family!

 
I love my sister!!! <3

Abbie and Brittney Chatham 
 
 
Abby Mount-this little girl is so sweet!

 
Charity and Brooke Chatham

Brenna C., Abbie, and Brittney C. enjoying Lew Sterrett

 
Lew Sterrett

 
Sunday morning hike and devotional.

  
Lots of exciting volleyball games! The Mount guys did a wonderful job coaching us! It was very helpful.

THE TOWER.

Brenna C, Charity, and Abbie waiting in line to go rappelling!

 
Rappelling was one of our favorite activities! We went so many times. We would go back next year just for the rappelling…and volleyball! =D

Sophie Covey, Dennah E. and Abbie

 
Charity and Brooke

Brittney and Charity

Brenna, Charity, Brittney, and Brooke
We were blessed to be able to spend so much time with the Chatham girls! From staying up late talking and snacking, to rappelling from 44’, horse back riding, volleyball, and a trip to Wal-Mart in the rain…we are blessed to have ya’ll as friends! Thanks for all the fun memories. Hope to make more soon!

Charity

Abbie enjoyed joining the Mounts and a few others on the “confidence course”.

 
Abbie and Abby. :)

 
Don’t fall off!!!

 
It was a blessing to spend time with the Mounts and get to know them a lot better! =D

A big thanks to Mrs. Mount and Brittney for contributing pictures to this post!

We are hoping to go next year with our WHOLE family! Right Dad?!?! =D

…are trying to figure out what in the world to do when everyone is gone! Benjamin and I are the only kids at home right now and it’s really quiet.

John-Clay is home but he’s working, Hannah, Caleb, and Abbie drove up to Nashville with some friends to attend the ATI regional conference, Maggie and Carinna are spending the week at our grandparent’s house (and took our dog with them), Dad is at work, and Mom is at a going away party for some friends. But we’re surviving…we’ve cleaned up the house, played games, watched a movie, and are having fun! It should all be back to normal on Saturday.

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                     -We’re enjoying the rare occasion while we can!-  =D