Connor, Ashley & Hannah -- standing behind Grotto Falls...

Daddy and Daniel -- Grotto Falls...It's unusual to have the experience
of walking behind waterfalls safely!  The kids loved that!

 

You've got to be kidding!  A real outhouse...and my family actually used it
(desperate times call for desperate measures)!





Heavenly Father, I stand in awe of You and of Your creation...
You are awesome and mighty, God!  We worship You!



Lots of wild turkeys...

 

Elk??!!  Who knew??!!  Elk...east of the Mississippi...
For a moment, I felt like we were out west...
Smoky Mountain National Park re-introduced elk in 2001...



I love this rustic stone fireplace in the visitor center...



Lots of beautiful, old structures and homesteads are located throughout the park.



Ahhh...Home away from home...Passion City Church, Atlanta, GA...
Our first time in their "new" building (a renovated Home Depot)...
On fire for Jesus...Inspired by Louie's teaching on "The Boys of Babylon"...
ie, the book of Daniel...

*******

"But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself in this way.  Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel....To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning.  And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds....The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah...In every matter...he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom."  --- Daniel 1:8-20

"...'Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His.  He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them.  He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.  He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.  I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:  You have given me wisdom and power, You have made known to me what we asked of You, You have made known to us the dream of the king.'" --- Daniel 2:20-23

"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.  If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king.  But even if He does not, we want you to know O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'"  --- Daniel 3:16-18