Praise God for My Family!

Fairly early in our marriage, Abigail and I realized that we would never be the Pinterest-perfect family with all of our ducks in a row. We realized that if we waited until our house was perfectly clean to have people over, we would never practice hospitality. Both of us are idea people and like to think big. Our greatest strengths can also be our greatest weaknesses. After two miscarriages (and thinking we were miscarrying our third pregnancy and might never have biological children), God has now blessed us with five children within 8 years. All of our children are energetic with big personalities, so our household leans more toward chaotic than boring. We are learning to admit our many imperfections, rely heavily on God’s grace, and be quick to ask forgiveness from each other.

Nathan Crockett

Born in 1980, Nathan grew up in Anderson, Indiana in a Pastor’s home with three brothers. Nathan’s parents were wonderful role models of a loving husband and wife and caring parents. From an early age, Nathan grew to love animals, the outdoors, sports, and reading. He is naturally an entrepreneur and loves thinking of ways to do something better or fill an economic or humanitarian need. Nathan Crockett earned a PhD in Theology, and serves on the faculty at BJU. He’s actively involved at Morningside Baptist Church; speaks regularly at camps, youth retreats, school leadership conferences, and for children’s events. Nathan serves on a few non-profit boards and has partnered with amazing teams of people to run several businesses.

Abigail Crockett

Also born in 1980, Abigail grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, with two younger sisters. Like Nathan, Abigail grew up in a Pastor’s home, and her parents (Mark and Linda Minnick) were likewise remarkable role models. Abigail studied music in her undergrad and graduate degrees (double masters in piano and flute). She has done further seminary training, and enjoys speaking for women’s retreats and Bible studies. Abigail is a fun-loving mom whose smile is contagious. She is constantly thinking of ways to make the world a better place, and she has learned patience being married to a serial entrepreneur.

Shepherd Crockett

Our oldest child, Shepherd Crockett has an easy going personality. Shepherd has a sensitive conscience, a delightful smile, and a desire to get along with everyone. He’s a true peacemaker, easy to befriend, and a great example for his younger siblings. Shepherd enjoys soccer, basketball, football, karate, table tennis, pool, archery, kickball, and dodgeball. He attends Bob Jones Academy with his siblings and plays piano and cello. Shepherd helps with oversight of a couple of our shopping centers, works with www.Mega-Cards.com, and he and Nathan are working on a business concept (6Pens.com) that Shepherd hopes to lead in a couple years. Shepherd hopes to be an engineer, wood-worker, or business owner when he gets older (maybe all three).

Lily Anne Crockett

LilyAnne Crockett (aka Daddy’s princess) is a spark plug and a Daddy’s girl. She enjoys soccer, gymnastics, basketball, floor hockey, kickball, karate, climbing trees and drawing. From the time she was a toddler, LilyAnne has been fearless. She always wanted to try the tallest slide on the playground, and her desire to balance on high objects has led to more than one difficult fall. LilyAnne is an excellent helper with her younger siblings, and she loves teaching others new things. LilyAnne enjoys helping Abigail cook dinner, and she is frequently found wandering the house picking up after toddlers while whistling a hymn. LilyAnne is close friends with her cousins. She plays violin and piano and would like to learn flute. She wants to be a dog veterinarian when she grows up, and she loves date nights with Daddy at The Cheesecake Factory.

Christian Crockett

Born at a whopping 10 pounds, 8 ounces, Christian Crockett is a perfectionist. As a young boy, his penmanship was better than either Nathan or Abigail’s because he can’t stand having anything less than perfect. Christian’s toddler art projects looked like they were colored by an adult. He is known for his huge permanent smile, infectious laughter, loud voice, and enthusiastic approach to life. Christian makes friends easily and enjoys soccer, basketball, carpet ball, kickball, dodgeball, and diving. Christian plays cello and piano and is hoping to add acoustic guitar. He gets extremely excited when it lands on his turn to be Daddy’s travel buddy for one of Nathan’s speaking events. Christian is often seen carrying around Rudy, his six pound toy Poodle and best friend. When he gets older, Christian wants to be a police officer or firefighter and also would like to oversee construction projects with heavy equipment.

Avi Crockett

Avi Crockett is all boy. He’s quick to jump up from a fall; loves playing in the mud, and he constantly has to be reminded not to be too rough. But he’s a very protective older brother to his little sister, Genesis. From the time she was born our “rough and tumble” boy treated Genesis like she was his personal doll. He’s often seen hovering over her and making sure that she has what she needs. Avi LOVES animals and creatures big and small. He enjoys catching snails, worms, minnows, ladybugs, butterflies, toads, bullfrogs, lizards, salamanders, newts, and snakes. He loves taking his little disciple Genesis on backyard excursions to teach her how to catch things. Avi has a long attention span for his age and can spend hour after hour outside exploring. He loves going on “creature walks” with Nathan and Abigail.

Genesis Crockett

Genesis Crockett is a sweetheart. She learned to talk very early, and as a seven-year-old often has the rest of the family rolling with laughter. She loves her morning walks with Daddy, and her three older brothers are great protectors for her, while LilyAnne loves drawing her cartoon pictures. Genesis is sugar and spice. She loves dressing girly, and looks like a little doll, but she’s also tough as nails. Being the youngest of five, she’s learned to hold her own with the other kids and is often spotted standing next to Avi who is holding a lizard and encouraging her to pet it.

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