Snickers - March 28, 1995-November 16, 2009

My daughter Anna wrote a wonderful tribute to our precious Snickers who was put to rest today.

Snickers Brimberry was the first addition to the Brimberry family, born May 28th 1995. I remember harassing the Sarjeant family, our neighbors a few houses down, when Bailey (sp?), their precious Golden Retriever, was pregnant with her first litter. Both Butner and I were home schooled at the time, and any free time I had, I spent with those puppies, in the Sarjeant's garage.

I will always remember looking at Bailey’s puppies fighting for food and the one tiny runt of the litter squealing, squirming, and attempting to nudge her brothers and sisters out of the way. This runt was given the name Snickers by the Sarjeant’s because she was darker than the other puppies and well, we were young and she looked like a Snickers bar.

After crying, begging and pleading with my parents for one of the puppies they gave in! I knew once my parents saw the puppies; they would be just as in love with them as I was. I was right!!

That day was one of the happiest for me as a child. I had never wanted something so wholeheartedly and my reality set in; I was getting a Golden Retriever puppy. There was that agonizing torture of having to wait 6 weeks before we could take her home, even worse when my parents said we could get her and she was still too young to be taken away from her mother. But finally the day came; Butner and I pulled out a red wagon and followed out parents down the street to pick up Snickers Brimberry.

July 4th 1995 my family fell head over heals in love with Snickers, and she with us. On that day the thought never hit me that one day this precious animal would one day no longer be around.

It’s so easy to love an animal; because they don’t have conditions you have to meet to gain their love. I believe that’s because they know nothing else but love to give and all they really want back is to be loved.

July 4th 1995 through November 16th 2009, Snickers Brimberry brought love and joy into each of the lives of my family member, love and joy that we hadn’t known was missing until Snickers came into our hearts and showed us.

Snickers you are irreplaceable. I cried when I got you, and I cried when I lost you. I won’t forget the time in between though, the happy times; rather not mourn your death but celebrate your long lived life.

Fall 2009 at the Beach

Fall 2009 in the Backyard

After the wedding

Nancy and I had a great time being involved with Tyler and Stephanie's wedding

When Coke goes boom!

To know Him and to make Him known

Here is a short promo for the Ligoneer Conference in March 2010

Georgia Tech 34 - Virginia 9

Tyler and Stephanie Fritz wedding

A few photos from the wedding this past Saturday.

Do you know any of these people?

Abe and Abegail Agenda - They may look sweet and docile but they are like ducks going around the water at your local lake. Everything looks good on the surface but underneath they are kicking up a storm. Normally they are older and rigid in the ways church should be done. Their motto becomes "have it my way."

Charlie and Coleen Critical - It doesn't matter how you do it or what you do they will find a way to criticize it. A pastor told me that a couple approached him with a problem in the church. He listened and suggested that it might be the very thing that God was leading them to do. They got upset with his answer and said "if that is the best you can come up with then we are going to leave the church." Their motto is "why be part of the solution when you can continue pointing out the problem."

Paul and Pauleen Post Modern - this couple thinks we need to find out what music draws the crowd, especially the young crowd and then provide it. They think we have too much preaching and sermons should be short motivational stories that make people feel good. Paul and Pauleen are in to comfort without any conviction. Their motto is "we don't need more conversions in the church we just need to have some good conversations."

Harry and Henrietta Hypocrite - they look good, sing, teach and even hand out cookies on Sunday but they are not genuine. They gossip, tell about how they did things in there former church and even question if leadership is capable. They end up in leadership and sometimes in small groups to the point that they when they get mad and finally leave others go with them.
Their motto is "we are looking good, smelling good and talking good but we just aren't living good."

Ned and Nellie Non-Biblical - this couple when approached about not using their gifts, reading the Bible, or leaving over the color of the carpet use experience and feelings instead of going to the word of God. If they don't feel it then they just don't do it. If you ask, can you support this kind thinking or action based on the Bible they will say things like "not really." Their motto "we don't know what it means but that's ok because it can mean what we want it to mean-right?"

Earl and Edie Expert - This couple lives by the statement "if we want your opinion then we will give it to you." They know what to do and how to do it. Some of the things they share and implement have been on their minds for years and years. And now that the group is gathered and they are the so-called experts the attitude comes out my way or the highway. However sometimes enough is enough, and if challenged they will take their ball and go home! Their motto "it's not as easy as it looks to always be right."

Mack and Mabel Mono-ministry - they take a ministry and own it, do it and build a fence so high around it that it would take an act of congress to get into it! When Mack and Mabel show up they dominate and dictate their own ministry area. There is no Timothy support or back up plan. And if others offer. Their motto for others who want to involve themselves in their ministry "do not go away mad, just go away."

Ted and Thelma Teflon - whenever they are approached regarding problems they have caused you can be sure that nothing sticks to them. Their motto "we didn't do anything wrong, just ask us."

Dick and Darlene Deflective - this couple has the extraordinary ability to put everything back on those that come in contact with them. The strategy is not to deal with the problem but deflect it away from themselves. By the way they are first cousins of Ted and Thelma Teflon. You might hear statements like the following "of course we would join small groups if the leadership team would stop having people in them." Their motto "take it easy greasy because the problem your trying to lay on me has got a long way to slide."

Ben and Bonita Been-Around - This couple looks the part except they have been to 12 other churches over the years. Upon talking to this couple each church they left has been somewhat off in doctrine, method of understanding of this couples skill and abilities. Their motto "we leave right before church discipline can arrive."

Sammy and Sandy Snitch - this couple comes to attend but really never joins. However they call and meet with pastor in order to give inside information on some of the problem people. Their motto "maybe this pastor will confront them on the sin that we are too intimidated to discuss with our family member, friend or co-worker."

Grant and Gertrude Grumpy - it doesn't matter what you preach, teach, or what you do, this couple finds a way to be and stay unhappy. Their motto is "of course we are happy just look at our face."