Happy Cow day!

Today was "Cow Appreciation Day" at Chick-fil-a. If you dress up like a cow you get a FREE meal. Never to let a free meal go to waste the Holler continued the annual tradition of summer time fun at the Gospel Bird.

We were on tour, getting breakfast in Arden and lunch in Hendersonville. We actually made the evening news. Click on the "Dress like a Cow day link on the Absolute Le page.

Connie wrote a poem about the experience:

I dressed up as a cow today,
and went to chik-fil-a,
A lot of people made fun of me,
but the food was quite tasty!
My utters started to fall,
and the people watching sure had a ball!
My paint for my spots started to smear....
But I didn't care I just grinned from ear to ear,
Because....................
I was eating chicken!

For more pics of the event click here.

1,000 Questions.

HollerGanic Produce!

We've got 5 family shares available in our summer garden. All the produce is completely natural and has never been sprayed with insecticides or chemical fertilizer. This is fresh food, as God intended.

For $220 your family will receive a box of produce each week for the next 11 weeks (through the end of September). Produce pick up options include the Storehouse on Friday's from 9 to 11am or the Holler on Saturday from 2-4pm. Other options may be available on an individual basis.

Rebekah and I have been gardening as a family now for 4 years. Our goal for the farm is multi fold:

1)Subdue the land in which God has granted us
2)Feed us and the community
3)Feed the camp
4)Feed the poor
5)Raise money for our family support
6)Farming/Gardening as part of camp

Here's a list of the produce:
Lettuce
Broccoli
Kale
Carrots
Onions
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Corn
Beets
Radishes
Variety of Beans
Pumpkins
Watermelon
Green Peppers
Wine berries
Squash
Zucchini

the world race

For a couple years now, we've been following Seth Barnes' (of Adventure's in Missions) blog. One thing AIM does is initiatiate young people to world missions through a mission project called the world race. Students travel with a team and minister in 11 contries in 11 months.

We're actually using the discipleship ministry here at the Holler to train a couple of residents to partake in the race. Good Lord's willing, we'll serve as a launching and landing pad for these young cruisaders.

Here's a cool video of someone who recently returned from the race:

How to Change the World from Ian Schumann on Vimeo.

Celebrating independence and dependence.

It's raining outside as type this blog. Yesterday was a wonderful time of celebration here at the Holler. People came out from the woodwork. We had all kinds of families come to share in this special day with us. Activities includes a 150ft slip n' slide, Burly Bills BBQ, a time of devotion, fireworks, and of course... guns!

For more pics of the slip n' slip click here.

“I can do nothing on My own initiative…” - Jesus

What a humble example we have in Jesus. First, He acknowledged and realized His utter and complete dependence on the Father. Secondly, He admitted to everyone that He was dependent on someone/something. That in my book took a dose of humility.
Since we just celebrated Independence Day, the independent thoughts of this society are fresh on my mind. Our culture teaches us that independence is good, and it’s suggested that the strong man needs no one. The American dream speaks of a small family, a house, a car, a job you like etc…, but it says nothing of dependency on others. To depend on someone else reflects weakness.

Perhaps this frame of mind teaches how to relate to our brothers and sisters, but it must also teach us how to relate to our Father. Christianity is often seen as a crutch. It’s been put in a negative light to need God. Christianity has been the religion for weak people. To that, I say amen! I need God. I do not need the American dream. Jesus Himself has admitted His own dependency on God, “I can do nothing on My own initiative”.

Who are we to think we can do ANYTHING on our own initiative? Even Jesus, is dependent on the Father. As we celebrate Independence Day, I often think about the freedom we have in Jesus. Christ has broken the shackles of our slavery to sin. Much of the freedom we receive in Jesus comes by our dependence on the Father and our brothers and sisters in Christ. We actually gain freedom by our interdependence in the body of Jesus.

It’s been said that today, the 5th of July, is sometimes celebrated as Dependence day. I think it’s fitting to have these two special days so close together. On the 4th, as we think about our freedom in America, I think it’s appropriate to also think about our freedom in Jesus. We are now independent of sin, but never from the Lord or His body. Let’s not take our independence too far and let’s remember our utter and complete dependence on God and His body.

The Simplicity of God's will.

My brother Jody preached a sermon on June 14th down in Florida at the Jupiter Harvest Bible Chapel. We're proud of his steadfast commitment to the Lord.

Here's his sermon on The Simplicity of God's Will.

8 year anniversary!

Rebekah and I have been married 8 years, and we've actually been dating for 13 and a half! That's nearly half of our lives. In a look back we realize just how far we've come, or how much we've been through.

Early on, one of our anniversaries fell on the day we hosted a mountainboarding event here at the Holler. We were lost and consumed by the pursuit of the American dream (not God's dream).

Soon after God saved us, we found ourselves loving Him and people at a local children's home. One year we found ourselves on shift while parenting 9 foster children.

Probably the most memorable anniversary had to be the one where we were doing respite foster care for a 3, 2 and 1 year old. To be honest, it was extremely taxing and felt like a hell on earth. You'll just have to take my word for it. This was at a time where our adoption was falling through with Shay and these 3 little "babies" had issues we weren't ready for.

This year our anniversary fell during missions camp here at the Holler. It's interesting to see where we've been and where we seem to be going. I praise the Lord for this adventure He's put us on. As hard as it is, I wouldn't trade it for anything.


So on July 2nd, I took Rebekah out on the town for our anniversary. We enjoyed natural, fresh, southern cuisine at Tupelo Honey Cafe and followed it up with some ice cream at the marble slab. We missed Jonah terribly, so we didn't stay out too long.

As many of you know, marriage isn't easy. For us, the 1st year of Jonah's life had to be the hardest on us. Having a child was a gigantic adjustment to our life together that one one could have prepared us for. We seem to have gotten through and have adjusted accordingly. In a time of rampant divorce, I praise God for a continual drive of commitment to this union.

Pray for Honduras!

Rebekah and I are burdened right now for our fellow brothers and sisters in Honduras. From what we can tell, their president began to make moves to establish his reign indefinitely. However, Honduras is a democracy. Apparently the Honduran military took action and removed the president to Costa Rica. It seems the Venezuela president is behind much of this and is now considering an attack on Honduras.

Now, it looks like the country is in a stand still waiting to see what will happen. The US embassy has ordered all Americans to stay inside. Our friend, Will Tucker and his youth group at the HVL Church of Christ had a mission trip planned to Honduras next week, but it's been canceled.

Personally, we know at least a dozen missionaries in Honduras right now, particularly at Orphanage Emmanuel. I ask that you join us in prayer for peace. We're concerned for this impoverished country. This new conflict isn't doing any good for what little aid Honduras was already receiving.

For an insiders story check out La Gringa Blog

Farm Tour

This has to be one of my favorite times of the year. Summer has set in, everything green, the farm is kicking, we're busy with ministry and the weather is amazing! Today was phenomenal! I'm absolutely thrilled to live in these NC mountains. How blessed we truly are. I've traveled the world and have found nothing quite like it.

This past weekend we went on the annual, WNC farm tour. Most of the farms we wanted to visit this year were in Madison county, so we made a mini vacation out of it and spent the night in Hot Springs. That was interesting in and of itself because of the biker rally. When I saw the bikes, I knew our brother Ken would be there ministering. We hung out a bit at a dinner and wished him well with his sermon, to the bikers, on Sunday morning. What a ministry!

We enjoyed all of the four farms we visited. We saw tee-pees, yurts, lots of veggies, sheep, guard dogs, chickens, bio-diesel production and more. The tour could have ended after the 1st farm we visited, and would have been all worth it. We ended up staying 2 and a half hours and enjoyed the fellowship. We sensed something was different about these people right away. Later, we found out they were a community that started in the 70's from the Jesus movement.

Camp Pictures

It's been a whirlwind for the last 2 weeks. We just said goodbye to Marion Baptist middle school youth group. They served the least, learned about poverty and lived out the gospel. One of them even got saved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Check out the baptism above!

Here's a link to more pics.