it started early one morning

 

While reading and praying one morning, I paused and thought about all the good news, the truth that I know and just how often do I share it? !

Well, I was going to be volunteering at the Library shop in a few hours and since I do not read novels, it is comforting to know that my partner usually does.
( I started this "job" a few years ago to sort of get me out of my Christian cocoon )
So, I just asked the Lord to give me the words to share, if it worked into the conversation

This week my partner was a neighbor that I have worked with before and know just a little about.

The shift is 3 hours, and close to the final hour I asked her if she read much... actually assuming that she did in our chatting.   "Yes", she said, "I do, and just recently I have been reading the Bible and it is fascinating". 

open door

After a little more details of her interest and background, I invited her to the study of John this fall through BSF.  Yes, she wanted to come

As we locked up and said our good byes she said..."don't forget to invite me"

I live an exciting life 

Florida Chapter two

 

 For some years, we have made a trip to Orlando, but this is the first time we have spent three days ahead of time, and adjusted to the three hour time difference.  Maybe that is why I feel like this might be the best time ever.

( of course trips with family are at the top of the list )

And this year, I did not take as many photos
 (phone charger did not work, but that is another story )

There are always pictures to view from previous visits ( just scroll to March 2022 for starters) 

The highlights take a different turn so to speak, because even though there are always changes ( a new ride, a new "program" another way to spend money )  Walt Disney World is a very happy place for us.  

This year was crowded, very crowded, and cold, pretty cold.  But we have learned the ropes of getting to our favorite rides before the lines get too long

enough..

Special memory # 1 

Since our first family visit about 30 years ago, we have dined at "Prime Time Cafe"  We try to get a photo wearing our matching shirts, well they almost match.
The turquoise chaise lounges are gone, but that is another story.

Special Memory # 2

Both of us were impressed by the hall of history that shares how  Mr. Disney had many failures and disappointments, but he just kept going. There is more to WDW than rides.

Proverbs 24:16 The righteous man falls 7 times and rises up again
( and again ) 

Special memory #3

Three years ago, we ordered this pretty amazing dessert that was described "serves two".  Well, it served both of us, and the family sitting next to us accepted the remainder and just happened to be at our resort the next morning and said " thanks, we ate every bite"
This year, a large family was sitting next to us. When our dessert arrived and we offered some to them, they very politely said they had also ordered one. They had no idea how large it was.  Rebecca was sitting by me and said they were celebrating their dad's 50th birthday.  We chatted and she was so polite, I commented about it and she said, her parents had trained her well.  Then she added a reference to God (I don't remember exactly ) and I said, you must love Jesus.  She said yes I do. Funny, I was not surprised, but very touched by the reality I could observe in that little space of time.  The love of the Lord does that. 

Special Memory # 4


 

While Darrell went back for seconds, Piglet came for a little chat.  When he left, a lady came over and said " you looked so cute sitting there with Piglet, I took your picture. Can I send it to you?"
Of course.  Then Darrell (being the more friendly of two of us )  asked where she was from.  Memphis.  Oh, our son lived there for a couple years, his client was FedEx. Oh, she said, I worked there for 20 years, BDA was one of our biggest accounts. 
She did not recognize Damon's name, but after she sent me the photo and her name, I asked my three kids that worked at BDA if they remembered her. 
I texted her back to explain the names of the other kids and ...Oh, she knew Tiffany. 
And then heard back from Tiffany, she had just been thinking about her and how much she loved Mt.Rainier. 
I call this a divine encounter 

And here comes Tigger and we are wearing out new matching long sleeved shirts ! 

Another highlight...
Waiting for our table at the Grand Floridian Café, the table nearby was the vacation club ladies. They also had a pin display for trading. A few guests came up to trade and the lady standing next to it was smiling each time and seemed like she enjoyed her job.
I couldn't help commenting to her ( folks do like a compliment ) She said this was a dream comes true. She had come from a European country ( can't remember which one) She also made it evident that she had some inner joy. So, I asked her "Do you love Jesus?"   and she said "Yes"   We hugged.
Sweet how you can often tell "Who" someone belongs to.    

I did have a theme as I went along because now I am in the know... there is a backpack that is the new trend...

Loungefly...

take a look 

You can wear just about anything you like and it is always fun to watch people.  

It is also good just be be together with my hubby and not hear the phone, chain saw or doorbell.

I live an exciting life

.

o

Florida Chapter one

 

On the way to Orlando....

Ok you movie buffs..

Watched two movies that made my eyes swim...

First... a true story of the injustice to men of color in Alabama and the black attorney from Harvard who came to help....and he did !

Second... maybe the third time around for this great old story... from a classic.... first time I remember was with Peter Lawford  and Elizabeth Taylor...

Off the plane and into the love and life of our friends who used to live in Bellevue, but now reside in Indialantic Florida !   Probably never heard of this little island town, but it is right between the Atlantic ocean and the India River... check it out

We were greeted with hugs and were swept away to our "better than a resort" for three days. 

Their Family with us at their front door 

More than Coffee...but first things first 

 A walk around the back yard...

Time to pick up that little angel from pre school  and then see some of the town.

She is very comfortable here and shows us some of the projects going on

 Then we head to....the oldest building in the area 

We can't go inside today,  but we can peek  through the window 

And we can enjoy the garden swing 

and unusual vegetation. 

But, in the afternoon we attend Bible club. This family shared music, reading, cooking, acting and the love of God to about 12 of us.  
I don't mind admitting my eyes were swimming.

( a highlight of the day for me ) 

Making cookies  & slicing fruit 

fellowship time and then
an invitation to dinner.

Kind of a big day, but still time and energy to "play" with Legos.

Little one swims every day, sometimes twice a day.   In the afternoon we attend a little known farm.   Easy to see everyone enjoyed this adventure.

But not before a wonderful brunch

At the end of the day, the little lady convinced hubby to go for a swim 

Sunday morning we gathered at the very place where our host and hostess were baptized many years ago.  Now that they are living back in Florida, they are attending once again.

I loved it.  First the worship meeting and every song ( except one chorus ) was familiar and hymns I have known all my life.  A special time, a very special time of worship.

After coffee and treats, another time in the Word.

We enjoyed brunch/lunch together, the 5 of us, and then off to our resort.

Pretty unusual to feel so comfortable with friends and be waited on hand and foot and then be told we are welcome to come back, anytime.  

We are blessed.

OH, they plan a trip to our place next year.

I live an exciting life

 It had been a while since we had chatted, so last night we made up for it... 3 hours and 6 minutes to be exact.

Not many friends keep you laughing and crying for 186 minutes, but together, we did it.

It was about 11:03 and a little too late to bake banana bread, so  I saved that for today. 

The main reason to get caught up is the "promotion" of her youngest granddaughter to college basketball. We have the tv app on our computer, so we have watched several of her games..  Yes, she is amazing.

We chatted about a few other things. and taking first place...
One grandson called her, ( he is a firefighter) he said "Grandma, I am a Christian !" 

another grandson planned a birthday party for her. He is in high school and did all the invitations and food and well,  he loves his grandma

She lives an exciting life....

          so  do  I   

.