Southern Raised has returned from the deep south and true southern hospitality and kindness!  This camp meeting was a tremendous blessing to each member of our family….  I have lots of pictures to share from our time down there!  Bro Billy Bevan, pastor and the  host of  the South Alabama Camp Meeting in Eufala, Alabama, and his sweet wife and entire church family made us feel so loved, welcomed and provided for our every need.

The scenery in South Alabama was really neat, palm trees, abundance of mimosa trees and pines everywhere!  What I loved more than anything was the people and their spirit!  They were so down to earth, warm and kind!

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The preaching at the camp meeting was so convicting and powerful.  I was challenged to finish my race strong for Christ and not to leave any “unfinished business” in my life.  I must complete and finish the jobs, calling and race Christ has personally given to me.  I was reminded that I need the touch of God again on my life, yes, He touched me when He saved my soul from sin but I certainly need the touch of God again,such as a revival in my heart to continue and serve Him stronger.  I was cautioned not to wait until I am sinking in sin and trouble to call out for help, but rather as Peter when walking on water, to call out as soon as you realize you are sinking.  I was so beautifully given the story of salvation through that precious blood and it alone and I was warned that if you do not drive your “stakes” of convictions, standards and beliefs in deep, you may not weather the storms that will come to you in life…………….and I was glad to hear again that a little hard work never hurt anybody…..so let us work hard and labor hard for the Kingdom of God!!!

We found out that there is quite a rival between Auburn and Alabama fans!  There were several hilarious discussions on this topic and we discovered that Bro Billy was an Alabama fan, staunchly:), sooo………Sarah found an Auburn seat belt cover that fit perfectly on her banjo strap and wore it up on stage during our Monday morning time!!!…..Sure enough Bro Billy spotted it right away and gave her a hard time on it……of course we were sure giving him a hard time too!!!……it was so fun……good times!:)  On Monday evening we were invited by a dear couple in the church, we call them Gran and Grandy Gilmore:), to come over for a big fellowship and pickin’ at their home!!!  Oh!  what a great time this was! They sure know how to throw a good old fashioned get together!  After the meal, folks began to gather around the piano and the Gilmore’s daughter led folks in singing  and arrangements.  Wow!  This was so beautiful to listen to……awesome!  Slowly we began adding the bluegrass instruments to the singing.

Eventually it turned into a bluegrass instrumental jam session!  The Gilmore’s grandson, Jay Shuler,  was there and he is a bluegrass musician with  Breakin’ Ground, a band out of North Carolina, so the five of us  began playing some of those toe tappin’ songs!  It was awesome!

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Here are some of Emmie and Matt picking with the Gilmore’s grandson, Jay Shuler …………………………………………………………………………….

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It is always great to pick up new licks from other bluegrass musicians!……………………………………………..While in Alabama some folks from the church took us to visit the Shorter Mansion, a beautiful and historic home in Eufala………………………………………………………….

Here are some of us inside the mansion………………………………………………it was beautiful………………………………………………………………

What a blessed time we all had in South Alabama!!!…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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