So last week was a special week for us as a family. We welcomed in Rhett Wallace Elrod in to this crazy thing we call a family. I know that this is a week late, but I want to congratulate my brother-in-law and sister-in-law on the birth of their second baby. We love you guys and are praying for you. Farrah don’t worry I will be there to teach him everything that he needs to know about sports.

Carragin will be 17 months old tomorrow. Holding Rhett the other night reminded me how fast life goes by. It is hard to believe that 17 months ago we were in the hospital holding our newborn. Now she is walking, climbing, and getting into anything and everything. Her vocabulary is starting to pick up as well. She has definitely mastered mommy and daddy. Other words include ok ok ok ok, no duke (our dog), cat, and my favorite coco (which means she is hungry and wants a nutria grain bar).

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If any of you know me you know that I pull for Duke in basketball.  This does not mean that I don’t pull for the Gamecocks it just means that long before I adorned the Garnet and Black my dad took me to see Duke play and I was instantly a fan.  That’s right it started back in 91 and 92 when Christian Lantner, Bobby Hurley, and Grant Hill played for Duke.  I still remember the bet I made with my dad that night.  If Duke wins by 10 you buy me a two litter coke, if Clemson somehow keeps it within 10 I buy him a coke.  Well Duke won by 8 that night and the rest is history.

Now that you understand that, I must tell you that being a die hard Gamecock one cannot sit here today and not be amazed as to what happened last night.  Never before has the Gamecocks beaten a #1 team. Last night I saw a team play with heart, emotion, and determination. Last night I was huge for the basketball team. Darin Horn is now 3-0 against Kentucky while coaching the Gamecocks. Lets just hope that Duke and USC dont play each other in the tourney. That will be a tough one to watch. But then hey, I cant lose. Great job Gamecocks.

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Finally, my first post of 2010.  That’s one New Years resolution down and only 100 more to go.  Seriously, my intentions were to blog at least once a week if not more.  Again there are only so many hours in a day.   To start the 2010 blogging tour I will give you the top 5 things going on in my life right now.

1. Family- Can I tell you that I have the two most awesome girls in the world. 

2. School- Right now I am halfway through my first four classes for seminary.  Got an A on the first two so hopefully that means good things to come.

3. Church- God is doing some amazing things right now in our ministry.  Doors are being opened for new ministry, and I believe that our kids are growing in their walk with Christ.  Parents you need to get your kids to church.

4. Food- That’s right, Erin and I (well mostly Erin) are making an effort to eat better and exercise more this year.  Erin is kicking my tail right now, but I always love the challenge to come back. 

5. Ministry- This year I am planning on going to Costa Rica for my first foreign mission trip.  I am super pumped about this opportunity.  I also am begging God for the opportunity to preach more this year.  So if you need someone to fill your pulpit, lead a youth conference, preach a revival, or anything else please send me an email (cfreeman@rockspringsbaptist.com).

Praying that God will do something big in my heart and the life of my family this year.  As always may he keep us close and clean, may we be full of prayer that we may live in his power, and may God open up the windows of heaven and pour down his Grace on us everyday.

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As you can tell I have not been able to post anything hear lately.  With Christmas upon us this will be my last post until after the new year.  God has blessed my family so much this year and I am pumped as to what he has in store for us in 2010.  From our family to yours,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

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I am so grateful for so many things that God has blessed me with. Today I wanted to wish everyone out there a very Happy Thanksgiving.

I thank God daily for my Salvation. Without Jesus I can do nothing.
I thank God for my Family. Erin and Carragin you are my world. I love both of you more and more each day.
I thank God for my Extended family. Dad, Davina, Kathy, I love you guys so much. Thank you for everything that you do for us.
I thank God for my in-laws. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace. No doubt you are my second family. Thank you for allowing me to marry your little girl. Thank you for your unconditional love and support of us.
I thank God for my job. I am privileged to serve in one of the greatest churches in America.

May we all pause this day and reflect on the goodness and greatness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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So we have been waiting for this week all year long.   Hope this gets you Gamecock fans in the mood for Saturday.

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I know that each of you rush to your inbox each day to see if I have blogged recently or not.  I cant believe that it has been over a month since I have sat down to blog.  Truth is, life gets busy.  Things happen.  The Gamecocks lose 4 out of their last 5 and I really don’t want to talk about it.

The temptation is to try and catch you up as to what has been going on since last time a logged on in October.  The problem with that is that it would take up way to much of your time trying to read everything. 

Here is a quick recap.

I celebrated my new birth in Christ on Oct. 31.  Wow, 13 years ago God changed my life forever. Carragin was a monkey for trick or treating.  That lasted about 45 minutes.  We got to see who we wanted to so that was good.

I have preached on 4 different times this past month.  God has given me a message on the Reality of Heaven and Hell.  We are rocking and rolling here at church getting ready for the holidays.  Parents be reminded that your kids cant drive themselves to church.  Get your lazy tails out of bed and get them here.  Oh yea, and you need to stay yourselves.

With Thanksgiving around the corner who knows when I will blog again.  We spend Thanksgivng morning at my Dad’s house and then we travel early afternoon to the BIG city of Barnwell for a Thanksgiving and a mini vacation. 

My wife is the greatest.  She just told me that my Christmas present could be going to the Clemson vs. S. Carolina game.  If you got an extra ticket and can help a brother out, shot me and email or give me a call.

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A few midweek thoughts to carry to the weekend.

Started an devotional from Tony Evans here recently called It’s Time to Get Serious.  Very good and highly recommend it.

People will fail you and let you down. God never will. If we catch hold of this it will change us forever.

Gamecocks now 5-1 going to Alabama this weekend.  If the Gamecocks can take care of the ball we have a chance.  If we can somehow stop the run we have a chance. If we score more points then them we have a chance.  Guess a lot things have to happen for the Gamecocks to come home 6-1.  Nevertheless, I will be watching Saturday night, pulling as hard as I can, and praying for the miracle. My heart says Gamecocks 20 Alabama 14, my head says Alabama 13 Gamecocks 10, hope my heart is right.

Clemson on the other hand is in a far more desperate situation.  Lose this week to Wake and the misery continues. Win this week and you still have a chance to win the worst division in college football history.  One more thing, try and keep the coaches from getting in a fight this week. Don’t get you hopes up to high Clemson fans, did you see what Wake did to Maryland.  In the end Wake 31 Clemson 24.  And the misery continues.

I am learning new things everyday from my now 13th almost 14th month old daughter.  Wow!!

My wife is the absolute best thing that has happened to me outside of my salvation.  I love you baby!!

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I know it has been forever since my last post.  But here are a few thoughts from the noggin.

I hate being sick, this couch has got to go.

God has called me to lead my family first, if I cant lead them nothing else matters.

Buying a new car has never been so easy. I suggest CARMAX! they were great.

I tried to tell you Clemson fans, but none of you would listen.

God has called me to live a life full of purity, prayer, and power.

Not buying the hype for my Gamecocks just yet, let’s finish the season strong and then I will decide.

I absolutely love my wife and daughter.  They are my life.

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This week marks a first for me and my family in a lot of different ways.  I was hoping to give my predictions on the upcoming football season for both Carolina and Clemsux.  However, I have decided that each Wednesday I will preview the upcoming game and give my predictions on the outcome.

1. My daughter will turn a year old on Thursday.  Seems like yesterday we were at the doctors office and heard those words “go pack your bags and be back here at 7pm.”  The next afternoon God gifted Erin and I with a miracle from him.  Carragin Victoria Freeman was born September 3rd at 3:15pm.  I always have heard people say don’t blink because it flies by.  How true those words are even today.

2.  Over this past year Carragin has never been sick.  Sure there has been once or twice where she was not quit herself, but she never had to go to the doctor other than regular visits.  Of all weeks she picks her birthday week to get a stomach bug.  She has popped more the last three days than she has her whole first year on this planet.  I have changed more diapers than I can count.  My wife is the true hero as she has been there to help her through this bug.  Today has been better, but we are hoping for a good night so she is up for a fun day on her bday tomorrow.

3. Tomorrow is also the start of the college football season.  Is it really here or am I just dreaming.  South Carolina opens up tomorrow night at NC State.

my prediction- Carolina will enter the game on the heels of losing there last three games from last year in rather embarrassing fashion.  NC State on the other hand comes into the game winning 5 out of their last 7.  What does that mean? Nothing at all. Last year was last year.  On offense the advantage goes to State. There ability to control the ball and an experienced QB could mean trouble for Carolina.  On defense, the advantage goes to Carolina.  Though the Gamecocks will be without 3 of their starters for game 1, remember they do have Eric Norwood.  The young Gamecocks defense will make some plays and win the turnover battle.  In the end Carolina will win 31-17.

As for Clemson.  The Tigers enter this season with hopes of winning the National Championship (as every year), CJ Spiller winning the Heisman, and Dabo winning coach of the year honors.  However, we all know that none of this is going to happen.  Like the Gamecocks, Clemson has many question marks.  The tigers will be starting a QB that has never taken a snap in college.  The offense line should be improved but who knows.  Saturday will unveil a brand new style of defense which will keep Clemson in most games this year. It will be a homecoming of sorts for Rick Stockstill who coaches Clemson’s opponent in week one.  Middle Tenn. State will bring the silver an blue down to Death Valley to try and pull off the upset.  Though they have a solid team, I just don’t see Clemsux losing this one.  The game will be close in the first half, but in the end Clemson pulls off the victory 24-14 leaving Clemson fans with more questions than answers.

What we do know is that College Football is here.  And all God’s people said

AMEN!!!!

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