Thanksgiving

As I sit with a hot cup of coffee in front of a warm fire, I am so Thankful! God has blessed my family beyond measure! I could try to write a list, but it would be too long!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Ok maybe just a small list!!
My family, near and far. You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family, is the way the saying goes, but I'm quite confident I would have chosen this family! Donna, Bailey and Griffin are so wonderful to live with, and I it is awesome being a husband and father to them!
My church family and our friends are beyond wonderful!
My job is going very well right now! This is an answered prayer!
God is good!!'
Happy Thanksgiving!

Adairsville and First times...

In April of 1985 (thank you Lori and Jennifer!!), on a Friday night I went to spend the night with my memaw Flossie and granddaddy Marvin. It was a strategic move by a 13 year old, so that I could watch The Dukes of Hazard and Dallas. My memaw NEVER missed Dallas, but my parents wouldn't let me watch it!! Plus, memaw made some serious pancakes, so breakfast was always amazing! Anyway, that night a tornado came through Atco, Georgia. A bad one. The village houses in Atco weren't the safest place to be during a tornado either. We hunkered down in the "hall" between two bedrooms and listened, as the most horrible noise I've ever heard went overhead. We were lucky. No damage, other than debris, at our end of Atco. But, down at the other end where we went to church, Atco Baptist Church had some 100 year old oaks that had fallen all over the property and a couple of gorgeous stained glass windows damaged. Still very lucky but also a lot of damage.
That Saturday morning brought a sunrise and a new day. VERY early, my granddaddy and I left for the church. There was a group of men gathering quickly with chainsaws and axes, trucks and gloves. We worked ALL day! Chainsaws running. Sawdust flying. Sweat dripping. Loading "firewood" onto trucks to carry to people's homes that had fireplaces. I don't even recall how many of our gorgeous oaks were knocked to the ground by the tornado (I think 5), but I remember that they were all cut up that day and the city workers had worked all day and only got one cut up on the road in front of the church. I recall that day being the first time that I felt like "a man of the church". I had always gone to church. I had always gone to church at Atco Baptist. But, that day was different. I had sweat and sawdust and mud-stained clothing (maybe even a splinter or two), same as my daddy, my granddaddy Marvin, my granddaddy Austin and the other "men of the church". I don't know how many men gathered that day to accomplish the task. I can name a lot of them, but in fear of forgetting some, I will not. That night I remember clearly feeling older than I was, because I did a man size day of work, not for money, or for reason of gain, but just because that was what "a man of the church" does.
I write this memory today, because I got to relive it a little this weekend from a different perspective. Our county was hit with a tragedy last Wednesday. A tornado hit Adairsville. A very tough direct hit by a F3. A lot of damage, a lot of demolished property,  a lot of injuries and one tragic death.
The Bartow Baptist Association put together (and are continuing to) a relief effort. They called for manpower. They asked for help and asked for folks that have them to bring their chainsaws. I told Donna I felt like I should go even though she and I were planning on spending some time together. She agreed, but then IT happened. A 12 year old little boy in the back seat asked THE QUESTION! "Dad, can I go?" My first instinct was, "NO"!! You are way too young. You could get hurt. Blah, blah, blah.....
Until the story I told above came to the forefront of my mind. I remembered it all. I couldn't help but say yes. Sure it was going to be cold. Sure it was going to be dangerous. Sure it was going to be hard work. Grif knew all of that, but he still asked. It was a great day that we had together! I ran a chainsaw all day. I watched him keep a close eye on me to make sure his dad didn't get hurt, but I also saw him dragging limbs to the designated piles. I saw my boy picking up logs bigger than he should have and struggling to get them over the the log pile. I saw him helping. I saw him being exactly where God wanted him that day. I saw him getting a taste of what it is like to be a man of the church.
It was a proud moment for this daddy! To let my son see that sacrificing the "god" that we in America call a weekend to help someone in need isn't much of a sacrifice! It is what we as Christians are called to do. Matthew 25:40 tells us that whatever we do for the least of these my brothers and sisters we do for Christ.
Right now our brothers and sisters in Adairsville need us. I hope we do not ask, "Lord when did I see you hungry and not give you food? When did I see you thirsty and not give you drink? When did I see you naked and not clothe you?"
Lord, when did I see trees down on your property and not take them away? When did I see you thirsty and not bring you water? When did I see debris over your city and not clean it up? What ever we do for our brothers and sisters in Adairsville, we do for Christ.
Craig

Newlyweds...

Last weekend, Bailey and Grif were gone to Freedom weekend with the church! They had a blast!
Donna and I got to hang out like newlyweds! We got to talk and laugh and be unencumbered by being mom and dad for a while! It was a great time.
We went to dinner on Friday night after dropping the kids off at Scott's Walk Up BBQ. (City Loft and Cellar was packed!!). Then we went to visit with my grand parents and then by my parents to visit and warm up next to a FIRE!! We both love a good fire!
Saturday night was the Cartersville Service League dance with Iambic Underground as the band! We had a great time dancing and visiting with friends. If you read this blog at all you know that I will take any excuse to get dressed up and dance with my baby! Sunday was an amazing time of worship! Jarra Chatmon rocked a solo with the choir backing her up that gave everyone in there chills! An amazing morning!
Bailey had a break through at pitching lessons! Which is an answered prayer!
Donna and I then ended the weekend by taking Chicken N Dumplins and a warm pound cake over to the McDaniels and got to hold their sweet baby boy for a while!! Good Trade!
We laughed and talked so much those couple of days that it really makes me start getting excited again about dating when we are "empty nesters"! Although I am NOT wishing our lives faster, I am enjoying glimpses of what will be one day if the Lord tarries!
C

New Year, Resolutions etc....

January 11, 2009. I guess it is a day that I will never forget. An anniversary of sorts that I will celebrate as a turning point in my life. I had been playing full court basketball with some guys from the church, getting ready for the church league season that was approaching. After getting home and cooling down my chest started hurting. The rest, as they say, is history. A massive heart attack at 37 that I was fortunate enough to live through, changed my perspective.
Four years later and my heart is healthier. Running, biking, rowing or using the elliptical for cardio 5 days a week will do that along with eating better! I am also in the midst of my 4th attempt to quit smoking. 13 weeks 5 days 14 hours and 16, 17, 18 seconds/ never mind; who's counting! Ha. I'm trying to love people and spend time with my family, and serve others like I won't be here tomorrow, because as a good friend of mine says often, "we weren't even promised today"!
So one New Year resolutions is to continue to spend time with my children and wife, love big, play often, stop smoking, pray like it is all up to God and work like it is all up to me.
Until 4 years ago I was never big on resolutions, but now I would consider ever morning a resolution of sorts. Still, though, God has been working on me for a few things. If you've known me for any length of time then you know self confidence is not an area that I have a problem. I have opinions and LIKE to share them. I enjoy talking. Well over the past month I have had the humbling honor of apologizing to several people that I have hurt or offended. NOT FUN!!
I feel like God is working on my ego. NOT FUN!
So, New Year Resolutions (or every day resolutions):
1. Less talking, WITH more listening. (We are more connected as a society (facebook, my space, blogs etc) and know more about what people are going through, but seem to care less and that makes for a lot of lonely and hurting people. It is hard for me to hear someone hurting if I am constantly talking.
2. Offer less unsolicited opinions. (I have a BAD habit of interjecting my opinion in conversations where I have no business doing so!)
3. Lead, where warranted, BUT be the BEST follower when Leading isn't my job. (I enjoy leading and making decisions, but many times when it is not my job to lead I will look at the situation will a critical spirit instead of following and being a help! (I don't know if I conveyed this well, but...))
4. Separate people from their sin. (I, probably in an attempt of judgement, see the wrong someone has done instead of the person. I need and WANT to give grace the way God has given it to me; FREELY.
I'm sure there will be more that God will be adding to that list. If I were to get those 4 licked it would be nothing short of a miracle! Pray for me.
Craig

Merry Christmas Recap

 

The Guyton Family has had a great 2012 and we had a phenomenal CHRISTmas.

2012 started off with me being sworn in to serve as a Euharlee City Councilman. It has been an amazing year of serving in that capacity and learning a GREAT deal about public service! I am having a blast and am so thankful to the citizens of Euharlee for placing that trust in me!

Donna is into another year of teaching. She is the most amazing wife in the world and I am amazed that I can fall more deeply for her everyday!

Bailey is in the midst of a great sophomore year! She is growing into an amazing young woman before my very eyes! It was just yesterday that she was born!! She working hard at her goals for softball and just amazes me daily with her talent at a lot of things!

Grif is having a good first year in middle school! He is falling in love with the outdoors and everything that entails! Hunting, fishing, kayaking, camping, whatever involves outside, he is loving and I am encouraging!



 

 

Grif and I got Kayaks for Christmas!! CAN'T WAIT FOR SPRING!

 

 Donna got an AMAZING camera for Christmas and is already using it often!!

Our trip to Alabama was fun, food, games and hunting as always.

 

A couple of other notes: Sunday was 12 weeks (3 months) of being off cigarettes!! That of course will be a goal for 2013 to remain that way!! Other goals for the year: I would like to do a couple of 5K runs, another Triathlon, lots of outdoor time with Grif, no smoking, lots of time spent with Bailey on the softball field, weight below 200, and more time spent in the kitchen cooking with Donna!
I pray 2013 will be the best year ever for the Guyton's and for your family as well!

Happy New Year!

Craig



Are you kidding???

I can't believe Donna is old enough to have a 16 year old!! Bailey got her Driver's License and my sister and brother-in-law have given her a 2005 Volz Passat! Donna and I flew up to Cleveland to get it and had a great time for our anniversary weekend!
Bailey's travel ball fall season went amazing! They played in 3 tourneys and won 2 of them! She went 5-2 pitching and had a great time with her new team.
Griffin is struggling a little with middle school! I am hoping it will keep him from struggling later in school!!
Life is busy and moving along.
Yesterday was 9 weeks non smoking! I hope to keep it up this time!
C

Men in Suits

Anyone that knows me well, knows I look for any reason to wear a suit. Of course, partly because I like the way they look. Partly, because it is a reminder of more formal days gone by. BUT, mainly because if I mark the amazing (good and bad) days in my life, 8 of the top ten and 4 of the bottom 5, I was in a suit!! The 2 exceptions being that I didn't wear a suit to the hospital when my children were born (that would have been a little creepy! And I didn't have a suit on the day I had a heart attack.)
Anyway last night was one of those night that has firmly been nestled into that top 10!! More on that later.
Sometimes God carves out an little extra for you. Gives you something to chew on, that isn't something you planned or thought out. This entire weekend was like that for me! It was like God said this weekend, "I'm going to show that boy just what he means to me!!" and the moment (or weekend) wasn't lost on me!!
Friday after work, my son and I got to spend several hours alone! We don't get that often! He had just come from his first middle school dance! He slow danced with a girl!! So I got some great one on one time to talk to him about how we treat girls, how we respect girls etc! This was just one of many conversations to be had, but it was great seeing his excitement about that day in his life!
Saturday after a much needed hair cut I got to go to a political rally for Trey Kelley who is running for State Rep in District 16. I was one of the speakers. It wasn't exactly the best speech I have ever given, but I did OK. I had a couple of more points I wanted to get in about Trey and I just blanked. He is a great young man and will do a great job for District 16. I hope I get a chance again to express that for him! Then I went to watch the Woodland Lady Cats play in a tourney in Woodstock. I watched their last 2 of 5 games. They won the 3 games I wasn't there and lost the 2 that I was there for! Does that mean I am a jinx? (Don't answer that!!) Bailey didn't get to play except for courtesy running! I am extremely proud of how much she continues to improve, and that makes me disappointed for her when she doesn't get to play! She always handles it with class though, which is impressive to a father! She is the loudest cheerleader when she is on the bench and even though I hurt for her, it is very impressive to watch and easy to have pride in her!!
Sunday was something else!! I don't mind telling you that Sunday Sept 9th will go down as a very special day in my life! (Top 10)!! Donna and I were just overwhelmed!
Sunday started out with our choir back on the risers warming up at 8:30!! Full choir!  Big numbers and great sound!! Then Bible study was incredible! From a new believer sharing with the group to Andrea's teaching style that I had never had the chance to sit under, it was an incredible morning! Worship was amazing! 2 baptisms, our choir rocking it out, David Franklin preaching and challenging our church!! An amazing time of God! Even a short Sunday afternoon nap!
Sunday night at 5 I put a SUIT and headed back to church for my deacon ordination. Donna and I got to sit on stage while the ordained men of the church prayed over and spoke encouragement over us one at a time. A stunningly power time, that God ordained! It truly felt like God was sitting between us the whole time. I can't explain it except to say breath taking!! My granddaddy got to come and closed the service out in prayer! As Donna and I laid in bed recounting the different things that were prayed over us and on our behalf, we were humbled and just sooo thankful!! I was also extremely thankful that 3 girls agreed to sing and be a part of that special night!
I can't tell you how amazing it is that God picked for me in Donna, a wife that is so supportive, loving and amazing! I am truly a lucky man!!
C