To Enjoy The Good Life We Have...Permission from God...

Daily Word — Friday, April 24, 2009
Vacation
I am travelling new paths of exploration and renewal.
Whatever my lifestyle and responsibilities, my work or hobbies, I need and deserve a vacation from my routines. Maybe it's simply time enjoyed being at home. Perhaps it's a weekend at a spiritual retreat. A trip to the ocean can be exhilarating to my spirits. Visiting another culture or country can expand my mind.
Taking time for exploration and renewal, I am investing in my well-being, allowing time for recharging myself spiritually, mentally, and physically. A break from my usual schedule brings me new insights and ideas, divine guidance toward goals. I discover additional ways to achieve, to serve, and to care. Old routines give way to new, additional paths of exploration and expression.
I thank God for the opportunity to work and to play, to be renewed and to heal.
"He said, 'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'"--Exodus 33:14

Our Lil Chuck is 4 years old today...

We love you Lil Turkey!

REMEMBER....Those who have 'invested in others'...

You are forever held in the love of God.
This is a day of remembering those who have blessed me personally and of honoring those who have blessed others through their commitments of love and peace.

As members of the family of God, each one has shined the light of God that is within them out into others and the world.
The faith they showed in times of adversity gives hope to those who need to hope, encourages those who are facing hardship, inspires those who follow in their footsteps.

Their legacy compels the best within others to come forward and to be lived every day.
For those who are still present in my life and those who have passed on, I see them through eyes of love, knowing that they are forever held in the love of God and in my heart of love.

"For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers."--Romans 1:9

(Daily Word — Tuesday, April 21, 2009)

Laughter is GOOD Medicine at ANY Age :)

Laughter is AGELESS!

Why Worry? When You Can PRAY!

"People who do what is right may have many problems,
..... but the Lord will solve them all."
(Psalm 34:19
New Century Version)

Easter...Joshua, Britt, Dylan, Carla & Kason

Easter Sunrise Service at St. Pete Pier

Arriving at 6:00 a.m. it was still dark as families came together
to experience the sacredness of this Easter morn.

And then it happened...a glorious sunrise over the waters of
Tampa Bay...

A Cappella Gospel Ensemble from 20th St. Church of Christ
proclaimed the truth of ..."He is Risen, He is Risen Today!"

Charlie thanks one of the singers who blessed us all...

Glorious Sunrise...

"This is the Day the Lord has made...

let us Rejoice and Be Glad in It..."

The Lord Is Risen!

Are You having a Easter Party?

Visiting with our dear Liz yesterday in Orlando was a heart-rendering experience.

Liz is now on Hospice care and time may be short with this precious one we love.

Charlie, Lynn, Chad and I called ahead to her Assisted Living facility but we were unprepared, emotionally, for her physical condition.

Liz has been a '2nd Mom' to Charlie and he not only loves her as such but respects her place in his life of opportunity, teacher and friend.

It was extremely hard for him to see her in this suffering condition since our last visit.

Lynn and Chad being there brought he and I both great comfort as it did to Liz herself.

The amazing thing is that even though her chain of thought drifted in and out, her sense of humor remained intact!

Liz always has a quick, dry sense of humor...

It still exists!

Her 'one liners' showed her personality as strong today as it did in her youthful days of zest and fullness of life.

What a joy it was to see that part of her alive and well .

A young dear friend, Kim, who has been faithful to her for 4 years showed up (by Divine Appointment) and we all formed a 'love circle' around Liz and prayed from hearts of love for her and peace for all the family.

Lynn, a prayer warrior, prayed explicit prayers in all our behalf for this gracious lady we love.

Yes, the story of EASTER is being made real and relevant this week for us.

We know that 'Sunday's coming'......

Sunday is a celebration called Resurrection Day!

Life as we know it on earth is only a glimpse of the 'Real Life' after our journey on earth.

This is what we carry in our hearts as Christians and members of Liz's family.

The Good Life is not just for the here and now....

it is FOR E V E R!

We dedicate this Easter Family time to our dear Elizabeth who so eloquently told us yesterday that she still believed in 'family party time' because "you know that I was married to Victor!"

May we all Celebrate Real Life this Easter.

Family Love is something to Celebrate every day...this is the best reason to have 'a party'!

"See Future Gator Football Star", says proud Poppa

Below is our Joshua Shane and his Sea Hawks team at their game last night....
He was so 'precious' and he would cringe if I said that word to him.
Needless to say, his Pops was on Cloud 9 seeing 'his star' perform...
Ask Pops if the playing field was 'easy' to find!

#48 is THE 'LITTLE' MAN.....We are soooo proud of you JJ!

Pops just has to 'touch'....Mom, Britt, looks on....
Dylan is off playing and talking a mile a minute 'as usual'....

A H A P P Y & P R O U D Poppa

Gumbo-Limbo Tree in Everglades 10,000 Islands

The Gumbo Limbo Tree

The gumbo-limbo tree is a huge bushy tree.

Its color is red.
The trunk and branches are thick and covered with resinous, smooth peeling coopery bark.
The bark’s color is a mix of red, brown and green.

The leaves color is green.
The gumbo-limbo tree’s leaves are shaped like ovals.
When the gumbo-limbo trees mature their small oval leaves turn into big bushy leaves.
The gumbo-limbo trees height is 25-40 feet and it is 25-30 feet wide.
The gumbo-limbo tree is called the tourist tree because the red bark looks like a person who has stayed in the sun too long.
The gumbo- limbo tree’s scientific name is Busera Simaruba.
Gumbo-limbos are always cool when you touch its trunk.

Even on the hottest of days.
Gumbo-limbo trees can be used to make carousel horses.
That is how carousel horses were made before plastic was invented.
Because of all of these great features, the gumbo-limbo can survive so well in the Hardwood Hammock.
However the gumbo-limbo tree is considered endangered.

Welcome to Ten Thousand Islands...

Charlie & I had a wonderful week with friends and family in Everglades City.
Staying on a private island, Pleasure Island, as special guests of Debbie & Marty, Pat's nephew and niece, was a Florida treat...The abundance of nature was a thrill to experience in the Wilderness Reserve...We were blessed....
Thank you Debbie & Marty for your generosity and allowing us this use of your wonderful property...
God Bless You both....AND YOUR BUSINESS!

I get a turn at being 'Capt.' on the Ferguson River...

Sally is not too sure about my 'expertise'....

He who seeks a friend without a FAULT remains without one...

"To be aware of a single shortcoming in oneself
is more useful than to be aware of a thousand in someone else." ~ the Dalai Lama ....web

Building boys is easier than mending men....

This is a great story and link....Feeding Others

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/03/19/cnnheroes.jorge.munoz/index.html

Randy & Suzanne flew in from P.R. on business and they and Charlie and I had dinner at Fresh Harvest.
Catching up on family news, eating crab legs, oysters and shrimp took three hours.
Needless to say, it was a wonderful time.....well spent.

Daily Word — Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Divine love heals me as it flows from me.
As a child, I learned skills and adopted habits that continue to be of great value to me as an adult. Saying "thank you," I express my appreciation of others.
I know the surest way to make a friend is to be one.
I understand that saying "I'm sorry" and accepting another's apology are acts of love that bless the giver as much as the receiver.
By forgiving, I'm not accepting or excusing the negative behavior of myself or others. I am offering us another chance to do better in our relationship.
I let the love of Christ within me come forward, and I share this blessing with others.
The love within my heart heals me as it flows out to others as words and acts of forgiveness.

"Then came Peter to him, and said, 'Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?'

Jesus saith unto him, 'I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.' "--Matthew 18:21-22 (KJV)

Let's LAUGH Now!

Family Day

Aunt Lynn with another one of her favorite's...

Dylan waits for Nena to get off phone to give him 'shrimp without-tails'....

Matt in his usual spot listening to all the 'silly' talk....

Yep, here is some of the 'crazy' girls...Gen, Britt & Ash

Which one is known as 'hot lips'?

CraZy cousins....who really love each other....good, bad and ugly....

Family time is precious....today was a little more crazy than others as we reminisced about 'remember when'.....some tales seemed outlandish....each persons memories are really from their very own perspective...remember that you'll!