SMRM Family Photo

It is that time of year!   We are all sending and receiving greeting cards to friends and family.  From our family to yours, we say "GREETINGS FROM GATLINBURG!"  Cindy Black has done an excellent job again at orchestrating the Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministry (SMARM) Festival of Trees.  The city of Gatlinburg is always pleased to showcase the many beautifully (and creatively) decorated trees.  We are thankful for each of you and wish you were here to be in our photo.  Enjoy your Thanksgiving and have a wonderful Christmas!

Dollywood Chapel featured on local news channel

SMRM Family, A Quick Note

SMRM family people are always leading and caring and serving. Here are three contacts from today:
Captain Rebecca Guerich celebrates 17 years of being in the US military today.
Ryan Kirk (Lizzie's husband) is deployed for a year in Kuwait.
Lt. Travis Holloway continues flight training in the US Marines.
I am sure there are others. These three are to be in our prayers now!

The Race Is On!

At the annual Tennessee Baptist Convention, Bill Black of SMRM challenges Joe Ledford of Chilhowee Area Resort Ministries to a race. SMRM was faster than CHARM!

Kim Huff Margrave and Tracey Shepherd Gholson race Royal Ambassador cars in a SMRM alumni challenge race at the TN Baptist Convention. Kim won!

Above the frost line

When the scriptures say that Jesus rose early in the morning to meet with God, I have to wonder if it was ever below freezing outside. If so, Jesus might have uttered a brief prayer and quick song from deep within where it was still warm. This weekend brought a stunning snowfall and frost in the higher elevations. A magnificent display of God's creative work blanketed the mountains as the deep fall colors of the lower regions contrasted with the pristine white frost above.

Several guests from LeConte Lodge joined us in an extraordinary sunrise worship at Myrtle Point this past Sunday. We found encouragement in Psalm 30 as we read "... weeping may last through the night but joy comes in the morning." For many of us, we were hurting, we were tired, we were cold. But to be sitting on the mountain point, high above the world bustling below, we experienced the joy of Lord- giving us reason to sing in thanks for His never ending goodness in our lives.