Yet another update.....

Greetings from sunny Florida! I must say I am enjoying the weather, although I do miss the snow! Doesn't quite seem like Christmas time when it's 75 degrees out and sunny!

Yesterday was the annual Christmas Tea at Baylife Church. It was a formal tea and there were finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam (sounds gross, but was actually quite yummy), and many varieties of tea. There was a play presented by the Baylife drama troupe -- it was very funny, but made me miss Randy and his creative genius! There were door prizes galore and it was just an old fashioned good time. Here are some pictures:




The first picture are of my two friends, Jill and Joy. They were table hostesses and decorated our table. The next two are pictures of the table itself. They did a beautiful job! Much of the decorations were from our antique excursions. Jill and Joy were two of the first ladies that I met at Baylife. We are all great friends and I am so thankful for them! Their families are my family here :)

I was asked to lead the Prayer Ministry at Baylife Riverview. The Lord has been preparing me for this for some time, and when my pastor asked me to do this I knew that this was the time. I am excited about this and am very thankful for the way the Lord prepared me and confirmed it. It's humbling and exciting at the same time.

I have an interview tomorrow with a Bank...we'll see what happens. I want to be where the Lord wants me. Would you mind praying for me? Tuesday, it's off the airforce base to pick up a Christmas tree for my friend, Ro. Another one of my friends, Michelle, is an Army wife whose husband just got deployed to the middle east. The military is giving military families free live trees, and Michelle already had one, so she is giving her tree to Ro. It will be fun to get out of the house and go on an adventure of sorts! And I LOVE being on a military base....weird, I know, but it's in my blood I guess as a veteran!

Steve is doing well, just getting over a cold. He has exams next week, but only has to take a couple because of his GPA and attendance, quite a change from last year. He auditioned for the worship band at church and made it, and will begin practising this week! He also leads worship for my wednesday night lifegroup. Pretty proud of that kid, I must say!

Oh, last but not least, Angie is coming to stay for a week after Christmas! I can hardly wait to see her and introduce her to everyone here and just visit! And just to go sit on the beach somewhere! I can see her dancing on the beach, but don't tell her that! haha It's a set-up!

Florida, lately.....

It's been awhile since I have shared an update...here it goes....

Had a great Thanksgiving weekend; we were invited to spend Thanksgiving dinner with my friends Jill and Jeff Aubin. Their family of six and my two made for an interesting and fun time. It included Steve jumping into their pool! In Florida that isn't such a big deal, but it has been barely over 70 degrees over the past several weeks and the pool isn't heated....I am so surprised that the police didn't show up after Steve screamed....just like a little girl! It was SO funny!

They live in a gated, golf course community - right on the thirteenth hole and there is a pond in the back. It is complete with fish, numerous water fowl, fish and an alligator. Oh, and can't forget the otter! I pray every time we go there that Steve will not end up in that pond! He and their kids end up around it and in the woods everytime we go. Fun times :)

Steve and I had a gift card to Chipotle (thank you, Ticknor family!) and since there are no Chipotle's around the Riverview/Brandon area, we took a day trip to Clearwater for dinner and to see the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico. I took a bunch of pictures, and will post them soon. It was absolutely beautiful! The sand was pure white, and the waves were two feet or so...we kicked off the flip-flops and ran to the water....boy was it chilly! We had such a good time, and I am thankful that the Lord allowed us to move so close to such beautiful places!

Yesterday, on our way home from church, we saw another of our animal friends down here in Florida..........

Yep...an armadillo! It scurried across the road in front of us...we had seen several as road-kill, so it was a welcome site to see one...alive!

Steve is going to Minneapolis for Christmas and New Year's to visit with his Dad and Julie. He is really excited! I know, I will be here alone...but it's okay! Angie is coming to visit after Christmas and my friends will keep me busy! OK, OK....if you are having pity on me and you want to donate to my Bahama's fund, that's great! HAHA! I know, I'm dreaming...the Bahama's over Christmas, alone, suffering on the beach...sounds like torture..haha Lord???