Adaptions and appetites

This is the motley crew we work with at Park of the Palms. The couple who lost their son a couple of weeks ago are back with us again. They are from Michigan and are in the middle of the seated people. This day the group was going to tour to St. Augustine, a tour is planned for most Fridays. We did not go along because we had spent several days there on our trip down here and we had other things that we needed to do. Some of the group think all activity must be done as a group. We are not quite in that mind set and do occasionally like to prioritize our needs and desires for activities.

I work in the kitchen with the woman who is standing up on the left side. That has been an experience as well. I have never worked in a large kitchen so it is a learning experience. We have made many pies but the ones that got the most attention were the ice cream pumpkin pie and the turtle ice cream pie. They really went over well. Then this week we made a huge apple cranberry strudel. And our ultimate was making 4 different cream cheese pies in a morning. Good thing it was a morning when we were working good together because it was a big task. Again, the best was probably our chocolate pecan caramel cheesecake. We ate at the cafeteria here at the Park this noon and had a piece and it was good and very rich. The man next to us knew we were leaving in a couple of weeks so he suggested we make a bunch of the cheesecakes and freeze them so they can continue eating them. Wonder what caloric creation we will have to work on this week. We don't do any cooking, just baking and it has turned out to be fun, at least when the other woman doesn't decide I need to check my brain at the door. I know the picture looks like I just did!

In May last year we were in Washington D.C. to see the Cherry Blossoms in full bloom. This year we are in Florida but didn't really know that the azaleas would give us a fantastic dazzling show of color and beauty. Most are dark pink or rose color with some white and lighter colors. They just started blossoming last week and are at their full beauty right now although some pedals have already fallen on the ground.

One morning when we rounded the corner of the building for our devotions we were amazed by the scene in the picture to the left. The sun was rising over the low land and small lake but the haze made the scene so beautiful. What a lot of fantastic creation scenes we have seen in the last 8 months. We stand humbled and amazed at the privilege.

We begin a new Bible Conference again this week. The speaker is Dr. David Reid and his messages will be a series on Hermeneutics. Sounds dry as hay, right? From what little we have heard him so far it looks like it will be more interesting then what it sounds. He takes a miracle or parable and then goes back to the context of the story and finds its meaning from its context which may be quite different than what we have previously thought. We are really liking the opportunity to learn from so many different speakers at these Conferences. And we are warmly received by all the people and we don't feel the need to "fit in" by having to wear a head piece of some description on our head during the preaching. Such things are interesting but the message far eclipses the different traditions we have.

Last night we went to a restaurant that serves fresh catfish. Of course, they abound here but we were told about one that was suppose to be so good. It was. An abundance of catfish, hush puppies, cheese grits (for me, baked potato for Wilmer) and cole slaw. The whole meal was delicious but the catfish was superb.

Guess who our cutie is today? No, I don't think I have goofed this one up. Looks like she is in motion and she hasn't slowed down ever since. The next question probably should be, "how many countries has she been in?" I don' know the answer to that but guess she does. It is a few!
So long for today. We are doing well. Have a big birthday to celebrate next Sunday. The numbers just keep adding up and we appreciate the fact that they do. Have until the 24th here and then we go on a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas. Then start heading for home with a few stops along the way.

Hope you are all doing well. Enjoy your calls and catching up on all the families. What a terrific family we have, each one unique and interesting, each one busy and involved with their family, each one doing what they are called to do at this particular time, each one loved by us so much. May God continue to shine his light on your path!

Love, Dad and Mom/Wilmer and Marilyn/whatever