30 Before 30 List - #1 Ride in a Hot Air Balloon

The #1 item on my "30 Things to do before I turn 30" list is ride in a hot air balloon. 

Well, guess what? 

CHECK!! 

When I saw two of my Facebook friends post pictures of hot air balloons last night, I knew that this was my chance! I gathered a group of friends, and today we set off for an adventure! It was the Alabama Jubilee and Hot Air Balloon Festival in Decatur, and we got there mid-afternoon. We bought giant snow-cones and walked around for a little bit. It was so hot I thought my feet were getting sunburned just from the reflection off of the asphalt!

The balloons were taking forever to show up, so some of our friends had to leave without even seeing them. Alisha and I said goodbye to Leah Kathryn, Jonathan and Brittny and continued to enjoy the people-watching paradise that is an Alabama festival. Finally the balloons were inflated and we walked around marveling at the bright colors. 

As we strolled, we ran into someone that I knew, if only from old reruns I have watched at my grandparents' house. It was Guy Penrod, my Granny Rachel's favorite singer from the Gaither Gospel Hour! He was playing on the Jubilee stage that night, and, after some prodding from Alisha, I finally asked if I could get a picture made with him. He was very nice, and when I called Granny to tell her, she actually squealed!

We got in line to go up for a ride in one of the balloons and met our balloon-mates, a little boy who was afraid of heights and his grandfather. They were very nice, and the boy did great once we got up in the air. It was a very long line, but we finally got to go up in the balloon right before dusk! I was so busy taking a picture of the inside of the balloon that I didn't even realize we had started rising! The balloons were beautiful as it got darker; the fire from the... mechanism... lit up the inside like a lantern. It was very peaceful, for the 60 seconds that we were in the air, then it was back to solid ground for us. What a fun adventure with my friend, and I get to check off one more thing on my list! 

Ok, maybe that kid wasn't doing so great with his fear of heights...

Happy Christmas, Harry! Happy Christmas, Ron!

I love Christmas. I mean LOVE it. Not just Christmas, but Advent, New Year's, Epiphany, the whole deal. During the holiday season I get carried away on my Facebook and Twitter. I see all kids of fun videos and articles online, and I can't help but share them with my friends. So I thought I'd put them all together on my blog, sort of a holiday fun guide, if you will. Consider this your Christmas present. Enjoy!

First off, there are a couple of social network Christmas story videos out there. The cute one makes me giggle, but the sweet one makes my heart do that warm-twisty Holy Spirit thing. You know the one.

Speaking of the nativity, have you ever wondered what really went on during the first Christmas? Just ask these kids.

Thought Antoine Dodson's fifteen minutes of fame were over? Think again. He's back, and this time he's all up in Santa's business. Are you a Santa fan? Then here are some "facts" you might not know about the fat, jolly elf!

Here's a little something for my fellow Trekkies, then get your brain going with a little Christmas song game!

This is why we don't have live animals in the nativity scene at my church.

Northpointe Church has a rocking new way of making beautiful music.

I made a video with my friend/boss Lydia for an Advent Conspiracy event at our church. It's embarrassing, but I love it! And if you don't know about Advent Conspiracy, please please please go here!

It's a Rudolph/Roxanne mashup. Need I say more?

My friends are just as brilliant as The Police and whoever wrote Rudolph, IMHO. Meet your new favorite Christmas song.

It's not Christmas-y, but it's still exciting: my Auburn Tigers are going to the National Championship! Just a few links to show my fandom.

And a couple of old favorites, courtesy of Straight No Chaser and the SNL guys from way back in the day.


We've had some fun, but let's not forget the serious but inspiring links.

A man in India devotes his life to serving others.

My friend Kyle Gilbert wrote a "sobering reminder" about what Christmas isn't, and Steve West tells us why it's not such a big deal to say Xmas. Here on Rachel of the Well, I gave my own take on how to get the message of Christmas across to children.

And last but certainly not least, Stephen Colbert is both funny and sincere about Jesus' message of loving everyone.

Ok, one more: here's a little more of my own Christmas silliness, just for fun!

Well, I think that's all I've got. If I've missed anything super awesome, link to it in the comments. I'm wishing you love and peace during this holiday season, my friends! God bless you!

Give Thanks in November: Week 1

This month I am taking part in "Give Thanks in November" on Facebook and Twitter. Every day I post something that I am thankful for. They have been pretty random so far. I am going to post them on my blog at the end of each week so that I can save them for posterity. Because you know when a status goes beyond the "older posts" horizon, it's lost forever in the depths of the Facebook sea.

November 2: Rachel K. Sparkman is starting "Give Thanks in November" today! Today I'm thankful that God's got my back!


November 3: Thanks, God, for the gift of music, that always meets me exactly where I am. No matter my mood, I can always find a song that will speak to my heart. So thankful.


November 4: Oh, it's soooo early... BUT I'm thankful that I get to watch the sun rise on some beautiful smiling baby faces today!


November 5: Today I'm extra thankful for the miracle of modern medicine, from vaccines and treatments that save millions of lives, to more mundane remedies like Dayquil, which is the only thing getting me through the day. Amazing!


November 6: I am so thankful that today I got to go to Sumatanga, my favorite place in the world, and discover the Holy Spirit with some great people!


And today, November 7: Today (and every day), I'm thankful for my church family that has welcomed me with open arms and made me feel at home. Thank you, Lord, for these wonderful children of yours. And bless them.


I am certainly not going to run out of things to be thankful for this month! I could keep going all year!