Austin's Christmas Band Concert

"Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer ... Had a Very Shiny Nose

And if you ever saw it ... You'd even say it glows ...

All of the kids in East's band ... Put on their very best clothes

Took up their horns and whistles ... and put on a Christmas show"

Rudolph was the centerpiece for Austin's East Limestone Intermediate Band concert held on December 12th. Austin plays percussion instruments in the band and apparently (?) leads the percussion section. They even were allowed to play their own percussion solo "song" that they had written together ... Actually, I think Ms. Sam cut a little deal with them - "I'll let you play the dadgum thing at the Christmas concert if you'll just give me a break from it in the mornings!"

Lily Grace really enjoyed the concert and even took up directing by the end of the concert! "Hey, bring up the volume over there, we can barely hear your sharps and flats!"

Merry Christmas to all and to all ... a good night!

Love,

Jerry, Connie, Austin (Percussion Man!), and Lily Grace

Oh Holy Night

The Stars are Brightly Shining,
It is the Night of Our Dear Savior's Birth ...

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them. Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:8-11

Christmas, 2006. What a Christmas and what a year to remember. Our family has been blessed this year with the most precious of all gifts, that of our Savior Jesus Christ. For when we were still buried in our sin, He gave His only Son for us, that we might accept His precious gift and share an eternity with Him. His love for us has been evident in everything and every circumstance. He has shown us how to worship and where to worship. He has given us a wonderful and caring family of brothers and sisters in Christ at Isom's Chapel. He has provided for us. He has nurtured us. He has given us new children, whom we love very much. He has challenged us and He has guided us. He has kept us safe in a world seemingly gone mad. He has given us work to do and the skills to do it. He has given us great places to work and to provide for our family's needs. He has blessed us beyond what we could imagine and certainly beyond what we deserve. He has given us a son who makes us proud each and every day, not so much for his personal accomplishments as for his love of Christ and his strong faith in Him.

He sent angels before us this year to lead us safely into the heart of Red China to bring home one of His children. And He has given us the privelege of raising her, along with Austin, to His glory! He arranged every circumstance of Lily Grace becoming a part of our family, just in the Nick of Time! He provided guides and counselors and government workers in Communist China, of all places, to help us bring Lily home! He has given us new friends and renewed love with old friends and family. He has given us friends that understand where we are and what we experience each day as He works His miracles to bond our family as no one else can. He has given us a community full of support as we have left our comfort zone and embraced His instead. Praise God in the highest. Praise His Holy Name Forever!!!!

No amount of words and thoughts of our own could ever be enough to thank our Lord for what He has done. But if there's anyone who reads what we write and who does not know a life with Jesus Christ, then maybe these words can serve as an encouragement to them and help them to find what we have been blessed with. And maybe, just maybe, that could be our gift this year to Jesus. Happy Birthday Jesus. We love you and we thank you.

Love,

Jerry, Connie, Austin, and Lily Grace

Green, Party of Four

OK, Now the Baby Shower

"At that time, Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished." Luke 1:39-45.

Wow, could this have been the last "baby shower" before the birth of Jesus? I wonder what it was like? Did they have food? Play games? Sing? Oh, yes, they definitely sang. Mary's song follows in verses 46-55. I'm sure that they had food also. No gathering is complete without that. And since John the "Baptist" was the the baby leaping in Elizabeth's womb, I feel very comfortable knowing that all had plenty to eat! [I grew up Baptist, so I know we never missed a chance to eat!].

Speaking of baby showers and eating, we were blessed to have a baby shower at the Green home on Sunday, December 10th. No, no, no ... Green, Party of Five is not yet off the drawing board, but Connie's first cousin, Greta is going to give birth to her firstborn in February 2007. Probably on Valentine's Day [that's my pick in case anyone's counting]. So, Connie and her mom decided to give Greta a baby shower in December and Lily Grace got to see her first full-fledged party of women doing what women do when one amongst them is about to give birth. [Actually, they probably weren't doing what women do under such circumstances because I was there ... a spy for men everywhere wanting to know what happens at these things. Sorry guys, they kept it on the down low. I have no significant bits of intelligence on this matter to share!]

As for the events of the day, it was mostly opening gifts and goo ing and gaa ing over the contents. As far as the guest of honor, Greta was as beautiful as we've ever seen her. She's always been pretty, but now there's just something extra special about her. That 'glow' that she had was evident to everyone, even if she tried to deny it! We can't wait til February to meet the little one she is carrying even now. Greta received many nice gifts from her friends and family and I'm really glad that we got to host the baby shower for her.
Oh, and why was I here again? Well, because Connie said so and that's that. Somebody has to decorate, keep up with Lily Grace, take the pictures, keep up with Lily Grace, move chairs and furniture, keep up with Lily Grace, give directions, and uh ... keep up with Lily Grace - thank you God for sending Lily's big sister Amanda our way Sunday. Lily loves Amanda, so that made it easier to keep up with her during the shower.

Please keep Greta and her family in your prayers as she gets closer and closer to a day that will forever change her life - for the better!

Love,
Jerry, Connie, Austin, and Lily Grace
Green, Party of Four

State Champions!!!!!

Friday, December 8 was a really busy night. Let's see. Athens FCC Christmas party, Dynetics Christmas party, TobyMAC concert, and oh, yeah, my Athens Golden Eagles playing for the state championship in football. Anyone see that movie Multiplicity with Michael Keaton where he cloned himself and then cloned the clone? That's what was needed Friday night, except with better technology. Er, scratch that. Connie has enough trouble dealing with just one of me. We would have loved to have been at every one of these events, but alas, Connie had purchased 2 tickets to TobyMAC months ago. And since Austin loves TobyMAC (so do I BTW) and Connie and Lily were both a little under the weather, Austin and I took the tickets and enjoyed one of the coolest Jesus freak nights we could imagine. Way cool! Please forgive us Athens FCC for not making the Christmas party. It was planned after the TobyMAC tickets were purchased.

But, back to Athens. First championship in 30 years. Now we have three "Blue Maps" (see picture) after back to back championships in 1975 and 1976. Congratulations to the Golden Eagles on a championship earned on the playing field. This is the culmination of 6 years of effort put in by the seniors, who everyday after practice the past 6 years would end their chant with "State Champs." Athens' QB, Rob Ezell won the MVP award and ended his career with nearly 10,000 yds passing, breaking all records set by one Phillip Rivers (who by the way now earns a paycheck leading the San Diego Chargers). Sorry for the blantant boasting (I better go and read Ephesians Chapter 2 now), but I'm just proud of our teams here in Limestone County. Not only did Athens win the state title, but 5 out of 7 teams in Limestone County made the playoffs, with Athens and East Limestone both making 3 or more rounds deep (East Limestone lost to eventual state champion Guntersville). So one more time, congratulations Athens and East Limestone. What an awesome year you have given the community! And now, the big rematch is set for next season. Athens must come to East Limestone and the Indians have a bit of revenge on their minds. Can't wait!

And for my transgressions here, I promise to be more diligent about posts of Austin and Lily Grace during the Christmas holidays. We have been decorating, having baby showers, and Christmas parties, all of which have Lily in a festive mood. Stories and photos to follow. Oh, and to give credit where credit is due, the photos here are from Athens News Courier, which has done an awesome job of describing Athens' and East's football successes this year!

Christmas Times' a coming, Christmas time's a coming, Christmas time's a coming, ...

Upcoming posts: Lily's first baby shower (No, there isn't any news here, Connie's first cousin Greta's the lucky mom-to-be); Christmas trees and decorations (these will be the best Christmas trees we've ever had); Sunday School Christmas Party; Austin's Band Concert, ...

Love,
Jerry, Connie, Austin, and Lily Grace
Green, Party of Four

Merry Christmas Everyone!!! ... Er, Wait a Minute

Huntsville Botanical Gardens ... Lily Loved the Lights! It was fun taking Austin back again too.

Don't you just love the Christmas season!! We really love to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Oh, Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year. So peaceful, quiet, and comforting! The Father, family, friends, food, fun, football ... the six 'F's. Not good grades, but certainly good stuff this season! Did I mention food? Oops, isn't there another holiday that involves food? Did we miss one? Now, let me see. Oh yea, the 4th of July. Yea, that's it. Cookouts, barbeque, swimming, etc. No, wait, that's not it. Memorial Day, yea that's it. Swimming, cookouts, ... no, wait a minute. That's not it either. Hmmm.

Let's try another approach. January (New Year's Day), what is it? Black eyed peas and frog legs for good luck? No, that's not it. Just thank God for the start of another good year. February...President's Day? Naw, not much food there? But we can always be thankful for our Presidents, current and past, as well as future. Some really great men have lead this wonderful country. March ... stumped. Thankful it's beginning to warm up. April ... Good Friday and Easter! Yea! Awesome days of the year to remember that our Lord is indeed risen and the tomb is empty!!! Thank God for that! We don't eat much on that day though. May ... already mentioned Memorial Day ... what a wonderful time to stop and thank God for our fallen soldiers, may God grant them serenity in His comforting presence for eternity.

Let's see now, June ... stumped again. Thankful for the occasional breeze to cool things off. Moving on, July ... the 4th of July. Already mentioned. What a great time to stop and thank God for our amazing country. If you've never left it for any length of time, you may not be able to understand how much you long to be home when you're away from the good ol' USA! August ... hmm. I know. Our anniversary. Connie and I were married on August 25th, 1984. We did have a lot of food that day, but didn't eat much. Mostly I'm thankful God allowed me to marry such a beautiful, sweet, loving person (stop it, I'm not in the doghouse ... at least I don't think I am).

September ... Oh yea, Labor Day. That's it. We had lots of wonderful friends over and we had lots of food. Yea, that's the one I'm thinking of. We are so thankful for friends, those we've known over the years and those the Lord has only recently blessed us with. Yea, that's the ticket. Or is it? Let's keep trying. October ... Halloween. All manner of gremlins and goblins came over to our house for some free candy. I'm thankful we had some to give them ... or else! But that's not it. Let's see, where are we now? Oh yea, November ... ding, ding, ding ... That's it! I knew there was one that had lot's to do with food. Thanksgiving!! Wow, how did I miss that? So, before Christmas gets here, here's what happened on Thanksgiving, Lily's first and our first with both my Mom and Connie's Mom preparing feasts too big for a small army.

As I mentioned, we had Thanksgiving dinner at both my mother's and Connie's mother's houses this year. Mom just moved here, so it was great to finally get to spend some time at her house on Thanksgiving. Billy cooked the turkey and it was great, but Mom made everything else and it was wonderful. Lily Grace ate as much as any of us, once she woke up and came over. She was especially fond of the dessert (or was that on another holiday?). Then, we rolled off the couch and went to Memaw's for a third and fourth helping. I got to carve the turkey. For some reason, I've become the expert at this chore and get to do it every year. The food was great and Lily Grace and Austin both filled their bellies again! Lily really likes bread. She get's that from Austin and me.

It's always a difficult task to begin listing everything that you're thankful for, because there are so many things to say. You don't want to leave anything out, but sometime this century, you have to finish the post. So here's an abbreviated list of things the Greens are thankful for this year.

1) An Awesome God, Who is More Powerful and More Loving to Us Each and Every Day
2) A great family and the love shared with each other, including our extended family in China
3) Our parents, brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews
4) Great friends from all walks of life, new friends, old friends, ...
5) Brothers and Sisters in Christ
6) The privilege to live in a wonderful country, free to worship the one, true God
7) Answered Prayers and Even Unanswered Prayers

There are so many things to be thankful for, that we have to spread them out through the year, but when Thanksgiving comes along, we can roll them all out at once and celebrate over a feast cooked by Memaw and Granny (we're thankful for that too!)

BTW, I forgot to mention. We are also thankful for a sister who remembered to bring a camera to our first Thanksgiving with Granny in recent memory. Without Donna, we wouldn't be able to show you the pictures below.

And finally, if that weren't enough. We are thankful for our other daughters, Amanda and Emily, and Amanda's boyfriend Will who came over Saturday after Thanksgiving and cooked us a traditional Thanksgiving meal of Lasagna! Thanks Amanda and Emily! They also helped us put together our Christmas tree - Merry Christmas!

Love,
Jerry, Connie, Austin, Lily Grace,
Green, Party of Four
Austin on the #9 Fairway at Canebrake. He loves this game ... I just drive the cart. He played all afternoon.

Party, Party, Party Over Here...

I've been wanting to get this post done for a week now, but a trip to Seattle, WA caused some delay. So, finally, an update on Austin's party. We decided to propose some new words for Toby Mac since he's coming to H'ville on the 8th of December. See what you think?

Everybody, Everybody, Everybody We Know
Came Here to the Party and They Were Ready to Go
There was Food Over Here, Party over There
Dancin in the Green Room, They Even Did the Square! (Not)

DJ, Limbo, How Low, How Low Can You Go?
Depends on How Much Food I Had, You Know?
Boys and Girls Had Equal Amounts of Fun
Momma and Daddy Too Tired to Run

Call Us Next Week To See How We Fared
Right Now, We're Tryin to Rest So We Can Be Prepared
We Got Church In the Morning, So We Better Rest Up
Austin Finally Turned Thirteen, Waas'up!

Just in case anyone was wondering, Austin's thirteenth birthday party was a rousing success. None of our fears and worries came to pass and the worst thing that happened (or that we're aware of) was that one boy ended up with one of his shoes and one of someone elses'. I guess theres a matching pair out there somewhere. Austin had somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 kids come over for food, fun, music, dancing, and games. We even had a DJ (are they still called DJs?). His first boy-girl party and it seemed to go well. We were very proud of how the kids behaved themselves and the respect they showed each other. Hopefully, as Austin and his friends grow up and become full-fledged teenagers, they will remember how much fun they had this night and that it is possible to have fun without the pressures of the 'world' forcing them into bad decisions. God has done an awesome job of surrounding Austin with good friends.

A special thanks should be given to Austin's friend Katie, who not only went shopping with Austin and Connie for his birthday outfit, but also spent the day helping to decorate downstairs for the party. Austin was really outfitted nicely (or however the kids today would say his clothes looked good!). Katie is a really special young lady and Austin is lucky to have her as a friend.

We got a really cool picture of Austin, Drake, and Mary Allison (the three born a few short weeks apart - see earlier post). Below are some fun pictures of the party. We give thanks and praise to our awesome God for such a great gathering!

Love,
Jerry, Connie, Austin, and Lily Grace
Green, Party of Four

PS. The next birthday is mine, all mine, hahahaha!

Everybody, Everybody in the Place to Be ...

Open up your hearts and let your souls be free,
I can feel the timebox turning on me,
Austin's finally turning ...... thirteen,

So, let's get this party started!

OK. Lily Grace has had a birthday. Connie Jo has had a birthday. Now, we can begin looking forward to that magical day in Austin's life when he becomes ........ a TEEN!!!!!!! Oh my gosh, Connie, get my geritol, I'm really feeling old. Can we slow this thing down a little?

Matthew Austin Green will turn thir"teen" (13, 10+3, 2+11, 16-3, etc...) on November 15th, 2006. It seems like only yesterday that Connie and I were sitting around in the hospital room waiting to become parents. Completely unaware and unsuspecting of what God had in store for us. Praise You God, for You Are Wonderful in Everything! BTW, the opener is from Toby MAC and we are looking forward to another Winter Wonder Slam at the VBC this December. Check out the link to Austin's site for the full play of this relaxing, easy-going song.

Here's how it happened (not that!!). Connie and her two best friends from high school were all expecting within a few weeks of each other in November of 1993 (there was a major winter storm in February 1993 and .... uh, never mind). This would be the first child for Connie and Amy. Kelley had already tested the waters with Olivia, so she and Travis knew a little about what to expect. Amy would go first of the threesome, with Mary Allison arriving on schedule October 29th. Connie and Kelley began getting excited. The anticipated dates of arrival for for them were somewhere between the 13th and the 17th of November. Oh, that's a long time off thought Travis, we still have time for several fishing trips [remind me to tell you the story sometime of the live fish Travis and I left flopping around in Kelley's refrigerator freezer - it seemed like a good idea at the time].

As it turns out, Kelley was next. Drake Evan Lewter made his triumphant arrival on November 13th right on schedule. Drake was Kelley's family name and so the family was extremely proud of their newest "Drake." As a footnote, Drake University and 'Evan'sville University played each other in football on that same day - don't know why I remember that?

Well, Connie, that's it. Your (er, I mean our) turn. When's this thing gonna happen? Sunday? Monday? Next year? At least we know what to expect now - Doctor, go ahead and get that epidural ready, one for each of us! It happened suddenly for me, but I think Connie was much more relaxed. She told me around 9:00 pm Sunday night (November 14th) that her water had broken and that it was time. I think she waited an hour or so to tell me. OK. Let's go. Put the phone down. Connie, we gotta go. Beep, beep, c'mon honey, I'm waiting in the car! You bring the suitcase. We didn't leave home til around 10:00 heading for Huntsville Hospital. I thought I was driving really fast. In fact, I already had my story planned for the police when (not if) they stopped me. Then it happened. Connie's mother and father passed us on the highway, blowing their horn as if to say hurry up, we'll meet you there. Good, someone else to flush out the highway patrol! We should get through undetected.

Finally, we got to Huntsville Hospital and went straight to the emergency room. Funny, to this day, I don't remember what we did with our car. Maybe it got towed out of the emergency room driveup, I don't know. Of course, by this time Connie was ever so gently requesting politely('demanding') her epidural (some of you, mostly the ladies, know what I'm talking about). After getting us into a delivery room and administering the 'gently requested' epidural, the doctors told us to just stay there and wait. What, after all this rushing to get here, now we wait? I thought things were happening here! Doctor, Doctor ...

As it turns out, Kelley was still in the hospital, not having completed her alloted 48 hours before they send you home with this new little human which us first time parents haven't a clue what to do with (as a footnote, it is at this point in life that most of us realize we can't do everything and God then begins flowing through us to ensure that His love is poured out into the child's life). So, Kelley wanders down to the delivery room to be with us when this happens. Not only that, but Amy came over as well. What a wonderful time that was, just sitting and talking with Kelley and Amy. By this time Connie was fully epiduralized and enjoying life. Labor, ha! This stuff's easy. It seemed like one of the most relaxed times in our lives (maybe we should ask Connie what she was thinking and feeling that night?).

Then the nurse (after several trips into the room to check the progress) announced "OK, it's time. Let me go get the doctor." Oh my gosh, Connie. Here we go. No turning back. The roller coaster has reached the peak and now comes the fast part! Kelley and Amy had decided to stay and we said that'd be OK. Maybe they could help out if I became incapacitated in any manner. Maybe they could take pictures or something. Kelley was still in her hospital jammies when the doctor arrived, causing a moment of confusion on the part of Dr. Kakani (who are you and why are you in here in your hospital jammies?). It must have been about 2:00 or 2:30 am, November 15th by now.

After an hour or so, the doctor finally said here he comes (she knew the sex, but we didn't and probably didn't catch on - Dr. Kakani wanted to tell us so bad. She once even told me while we were looking at an ultrasound "If it had glasses, it would look like you." Still, I didn't catch on!). And in a few more minutes, Matthew Austin Green was born into this world. Awesome! Wow! Connie, are you getting this? It's a boy!! 3:23 am, November 15th, 1993. I called Mom and told her it's a boy and he weighs 19 lbs and is 7 in long (no, really that's what I told her). Long silence .... Uh, Jerry are you sure (that's a bowling ball you're describing to me!). Of course, I corrected the metrics and Mom breathed a sigh of relief.

That night, God showed His power, His grace, His mercy, His Everything to us. We were completely speechless, simply staring in awe at what God had brought suddenly into this world and laid into our laps. And now, 13 years later, we celebrate a life that God sent our way with a son who is an awesome, Christian boy that loves the Lord with all his heart, all his soul, and all his mind and helped to lead his parents back into a fellowship with our most awesome friend, Jesus Christ. Thank you God, You are Awesome! And Happy Birthday Austin (or as Lily Grace says Au 'tin). We love you very much!




















Love,
Jerry, Connie, Austin (Birthday Boy), and Lily Grace
Green, Party of Four

The Beginning of Our Adoption Journey ... One Year Ago Today!

In the fall of 2005, we had already decided that God's plan was for us to adopt a little girl, most likely from China. God had already given us so many glimpses of why this was so. So we were looking for ways to get started on the journey. On Saturday, November 5th 2005, we decided to visit an adoption fair in Florence, AL. Connie had heard about it through our pastor and we thought it would be a good way to spend the day. So off we went. Little did we know that day would ultimately mark the beginning of our mission into the Fields of the Fatherless in China and and would ultimately lead us to our little Lily Grace.

We drove to Highlands Baptist Church in Florence and got there a little later than we had planned (we got lost, having not spent much time in Florence before). When we arrived, it appeared that the Adoption Fair was just ending. There weren't many people around, except for one gentleman talking with a couple in front of a Lifeline Children's Services display. We figured we'd already missed the event. However, there was some sort of rummage sale going on in the gym, so we decided to go back in and look around. While there, we noticed that this church must also present the Upward Basketball and Cheerleading ministry (as we do at Isom's Chapel), since there were stars and pictures around the gym. That made Austin feel at home.

As we were looking around, there was this little girl who kept following Austin around the rummage sale. It was funny to watch Austin's reaction to his new 'fan.' It helped us to begin to see him as a big brother. He smiled alot and would occassionally stop to see if the little girl would stop or keep going. Turns out she stopped every time he did, so she was definitely following him.
By now, we had looked around about all we cared to and decided to go back out to see if the Lifeline Children's Services representative was still there. He was, so we decided to wait our turn to talk with him. While we were waiting, the little girl who had been following Austin around came up again, this time with a lady who we decided must be her mother. The lady introduced herself and began talking with us while we waited. She was very excited that we were there, though we didn't understand why at the time. Later, her husband also came by and introduced himself and wished us well. While we talked, Austin and the little girl continued their newly established friendship.

Finally, our turn with Lifeline came up and the lady wished us well and thanked us for coming. She introduced us to Lifeline's Dustin Britt, who spoke with us at length about international adoption. I think Dustin's wife was there as well. Connie left ready to drive straight to Birmingham to signup with Lifeline. Austin too. Being the cautious, conservative, let's take things slow minority in the family, I advised that we at least check into a couple of other adoption agencies. Connie agreed (mainly to humor me) and promptly began making appointments in Birmingham!

It's hard to believe that exactly one year ago today, God introduced us to a family that would become such an inspiration to our family. One that would encourage us and pray for us continuously as we took each step toward a lifelong commitment to bringing home our precious Lily Grace. This morning in Sunday school, we discussed how God is still in the miracle business. Having Him to introduce us to such an inspirational family at that point in our lives certainly fits that description in our book.

Oh, the little girl that followed Austin around that day was Karlee Jamieson, recently turned three as evidenced by the Blue Horse birthday party (see earlier post). The kind lady who was so excited to see us, her mother, was Lori Jamieson and the father was Drew Jamieson. I don't think we met Kalie that day and Kate was not yet joined with her forever family. Thanks God, for introducing us to such good friends and keepers of the faith. It is our prayer that anyone who is led into the Fields of the Fatherless would be blessed with an equally inspirational group of friends. And may you continue to bless the Jamieson family.

Love,
Jerry, Connie, Austin, and Lily Grace