Follow the Star

The Hubs loves to play basketball. He's good too. I'm not partial. I could offer a list of references. Now, I love that he plays, stays in shape, and it doesn't hurt that he's a baller. BUT what makes me the most proud is he doesn't just play basketball. He builds relationships. He finds out what is going on off the court with the men he meets on the court. Now I may be partial here but I'm soooo proud of how he uses every opportunity..even the 6am, sweaty court side one to befriend others.

One of the guys he plays with mentioned that his church was doing a special event a couple of weekends ago. They had been planning it since March and many of the men at his church had been growing true authentic beards since then. It had 250+ cast members. The hubs asked if we could go as a family to see his friend. OF COURSE! I'm all for supporting the man I'm so proud of and little did I know that I was about to be richly blessed!

Have you heard of Follow the Star? Apparently there are more churches around the US that do this special event than just in Austin. However, the official Austin link if you are more interested is:
http://www.followthestartexas.com/

These pictures are from my phone because I had no idea what I was in for and was completely ill-prepared. It was outside and you could walk or drive through the scenes at your own pace. We walked. AMAZING is a understatement and it was something our whole family enjoyed....even if Cutie Pie's enjoyment was limited to the live Camels that were awesome!!!

Gabriel appears to Mary

She prays

The Christ child is born in a stable

(three wiseman came with live camels...i couldn't get a good shot but Cutie Pie was blown away)

Palm Sunday

(side note- this was MY favorite scene. I cried. Big ugly tears. The towns people (actors) were soooo excited the moments before his arrival and were literally shaking with joy. It was so moving I couldn't help but cry!)

The last supper 

(Authentic beards people...it was so impressive!)

Jesus prays in the Garden

Betrayed by a kiss

Turned over to Pilot

On the Cross

(side note - I whispered to the Hubs - it's so cold he must be freezing. The hubs reply? Ummm...honey...think about what he is representing. Those cuts aren't real and nails aren't through his hands. Cold is nothing. Ohhh...right. Oopps!)

The tomb is empty!

(this was the hubs favorite - it's hard to see in the picture but it was a MASSIVE rock moved over and a simple gown on the stone bench....moving!)

The ascension

(Cupcake's favorite)

I missed the last scene which was a simple living room set up with a father reading the passages from a bible and explaining that all of this ... Jesus's life is the gift that is intended for any of us should we choose to accept and that this gift is the REAL meaning of Christmas.

After "Follow the Star" it is safe to say that The Crack Team is sufficiently into the Christmas season. Thank you, Shawn-basketball-soldier-friend for the invite. We were so blown away and so happy we went. It's been a little hard to head to the store to buy Christmas gifts...