Florida, Part 3

We spent a couple of days at St. Pete's Beach, just west of Tampa. I wanted to stay here, at this hotel.

But when we were looking at hotels on-line, it was not something affordable for us. So we chose this hotel.

And this was the view from our room!!! No complaints there!

There really weren't many people at all. Off season. There were lots of beach chairs that hotels would rent out (for $20 a day!) and I think I saw one person do that. We were fine sitting on the sand. The sand was so soft - like talcum powder!

It was relaxing walking along the beach. And just sitting and watching the waves. And birdwatching. And watching dolphins leaping in the water.

sandpiper

a snowy egret

Pelicans. They were everywhere!

royal terns

A blue heron.

(I'm a novice birdwatcher so I might have not got all the names right.)

*********
On Friday we drove up along the barrier island road to Clearwater. We stopped at a little place on the beach called the Snack Shack for lunch. We were the only ones there eating at the time. The young owner gave us a very generous sandwich. He told us that he came to visit from Maryland and never went back.

We got to Clearwater where we were going to go on a dolphin sight-seeing boat. While the young lady was getting us tickets, we asked her if she was from around there. She replied that she had come from Maryland 4 months ago to visit her grandmother and ended up staying here. So we told her about the guy from the Snack Shack who also had come from Maryland recently. "Is he young?" "Yup!" Can't you just imagine that maybe they will hook up???? I see love in the air!

We took a 2 hour trip out on the bay/gulf area. We did see 1 dolphin. They advertize that if you don't see dolphins, you get another day out on the boat. We wouldn't have been able to do another day anyway, but we are happy that we did see dolphins at our hotel and also the next day (pictures later). Oh well, it was a fun trip anyway. The crew of the tour boat were very friendly and nice! And free pop!

Ok. I would like to live here!

Notice that the house and boat match! Both pink.

We passed this pirate ship. Don't worry, Sophia! They did not attack us.

The picture above is a home belonging to Tom Cruise if I remember correctly.

This next home Sylvester Stallone purchased for his mother-in-law.

After our boat trip, we headed back to our hotel. We had passed this Japanese restaurant on the way coming up and I knew right away that it was the real thing. Many of the so-called Japanese restaurants here in America you would not find in Japan. But I could tell this was a place I could get food like we get in Japan!

There were 2 young Japanese boys in their 20's running the place. Well, they are probably American citizens. The waiter said he moved to America from Yokohama when he was 13.

I ordered "omu rice". Yum!!

Watching the sun set.

The end of a wonderful day.

Florida, Part 2

Al's meetings finished Wednesday afternoon. Before heading out for St. Pete's beach, we decided to go to the Holyland Experience, a Biblical theme park that showcases architectural recreations of Jerusalem, historical exhibits and various plays. Most of the actors and actresses were probably in their early 20's. Very professional and obviously in love with Christ!


The museum had many old Bibles, including a Gutenberg Bible and much more.

Below is a showcase of John Bunyan (not Paul Bunyan, the mythological giant lumberjack). John Bunyan lived in the mid 1600's in England. In those days, meeting-houses (house churches) were not allowed and all citizens were required to attend their Anglican parish church. It became punishable by law to "conduct divine service except in accordance with the ritual of the church, or for one not in Episcopal orders to address a congregation." He was imprisoned for preaching. At first he was imprisoned for three months, but on his refusing to conform, his confinement was extended for a period of nearly 12 years. His refusal of "If you release me today, I will preach tomorrow" kept him imprisoned. It was during this time that he conceived his allegorical novel: The Pilgrim's Progress.

That huge key is the actual key to his prison cell. The wood is from the prison.

I was fascinated with all the old, old Scriptures.

We saw several plays - the woman at the well, a modern day skit about a skeptic at a coffee shop who comes to know Christ, and also a humorous version of Daniel in the lion's den. Below is the return of Christ.

We also had communion at the "Last Supper" in the upper room with other believers - and with "Christ". Pretty cool. We drank from small wooden cups that were from Israel. We were given these to take home.

Next - St. Pete's beach.

Florida, Part I

Last Monday, Allen and I flew to Orlando, Florida. No, we didn't go here. We drove by it. Infact, the hotel where we stayed was right by it. Someday, we would love to take our grandkids!! Allen had a meeting in Orlando with Med Assets, a consulting and revenue cycle management service group for health systems, hospitals and healthcare providers. The meeting was at the Grand Hyatt, a very nice 5 star hotel which recently underwent a $45 million remodel!!

These are the elevators inside the lobby.
We were greeted by this parrot. Mellot. He would say "Hello, Mellot." The 't' is not pronounced so it rhymes, like "hello, mello". One day as I was watching, I said "Meow" to which Mellot answered "Here, kitty, kitty." We all burst out laughing. He also imitated a horse.

Our room was decorated so fancy! We aren't accustomed to 5 star hotels, so we were impressed.

The grounds includes 5 restaurants, pools, hot tubs, lake, bike and jogging trails and golf course. While Al was at meetings, I kept busy exploring.

There were these signs around the lake. It made me a little nervous when we went out on the lake in the paddle boat. I was hoping I wouldn't fall in and get gobbled up.

I met another wife by this bridge and I noticed she was doing her Bible study. And I recognized that she was doing a Beth Moore Bible study! We had a good chat.

The hotel has 12 waterfalls.

And you could swim under the "caves".

It was luxurious and so very relaxing! Allen's conference finished Wednesday afternoon. We decided to spend a few more days in Florida before returning to Kansas. I will share more about our next days in another post.

Kid Fix

Since we were gone last week, we needed a kid fix. Adam and Jill were willing to oblige. They had "Inside Grace" so we got to play with Hannah and Sophia.

They wanted a ride in Papa's pickup.

They sang "Oh no, You never let go, You never let go of me" all the way to

McDonalds!

After a hearty meal, we went to the park to play.

A bathroom need cut the park a little short, but that's ok. The girls had brought their bikes over and they had fun racing down the driveway.

ZOOM!

Bath time. Hannah said, "Nana, put this on the blog and write 'can you find the children?'"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Tonight is our young married's group. (One couple is engaged but the rest are all fairly newly marrieds) We've met a couple of times already. We did a DVD session that Adam wanted all the small groups to watch. We were challenged. The next night was game night and we played Catch Phrase and Mad Gab. Tonight we start this study.

Here is a description of the course:

In order to grow strong, a tree needs to burrow deep into the life-giving earth. When a tree takes root, burrowing deep into the soil, it’s not long before the action is mirrored above ground. New branches shoot out. Green, healthy leaves appear. Even the trunk grows sturdier, more storm-resistant. Because of the roots, the tree becomes firm and fruitful. And so it is with you. The deeper you root your life in Christ, the stronger you’ll become. This first book in the new 2:7 SERIES is designed to help you build a strong foundation for your Christian life through enriching Bible study, Scripture memory, and group interaction. With its biblical and practical approach to discipleship, this workbook will yield long-term, life-changing results, such as: •A closer relationship with God •A keener sense of priorities •Renewed concern for nonChristian friends •A growing camaraderie within your study group The New 2:7 Series Book One: Growing Strong in God’s Family Book Two: Deepening Your Roots in God’s Family

We have taught this course several times over the years and just love how it helps one grow in their walk with the Lord. It's been exciting to see the fruit from the study in the couples who have gone through it! Excited to see how God will work in these couples' lives!