CHRISTMAS GATHERINGS

December 9th the Friends and Fellowship Sunday school class had a Christmas party. Even though we no longer attend that church we are still friends and stay in touch. Roger and Carol hosted the party at their home. Karla did not come for it was just a year since her husband, Vic died. 

No it is not a real fireplace, but the weather has gotten a little cooler. 

Enjoyed sitting around and talking, eating and exchanging white elephant gifts. I got a LED light for the toilet. I love it. Sorry Dick for stealing it from you. 

The United Women in Faith decorated the Community of Faith church the end of November. 

There were six trees to put up. The one on the stage was the biggest and full of angels.  With lots of hands it didn't take to long to finish.

On December 11 the UWFaith at New Horizon in Davenport invited the UWFaith group to join them for their Christmas party. 8 women form Community of Faith attended. We had a very good lunch and enjoyed getting to know each other.
 

On Tuesday morning I have been doing an Avent book study at Community of Faith and then taking chair yoga classes. This Tuesday we had a Christmas breakfast at Keke's. The lady on the left is Jill who teaches the yoga. 

Poor Cindy, the woman on the right never got her meal till after we all had finished eating. Yes, they did comp it. I have enjoyed getting to know these ladies. 

Tuesday evening we gathered at Juanita's for a Christmas get together. We use to meet weekly when we all first moved in 8 years ago.  Edie and Jim moved to Kissimmee four years ago and this is the first time we have been all together. Earl, Jim H. Jim C and Larry. 

Juanita, Dottie, Edie and Pat. 

Lots of food was eaten and we played some silly games. Picking up bows with a spatula when blindfolded or popping balloons with oven mitts on. It is nice being with friends. 

SAD NEWS

 We were to celebrate Thanksgiving with Lynden and Sabra in Lakeland this year. They had just come back to Florida for the winter.  Sabra experienced heart pains on Monday so she went to the hospital. She had had another heart attack ( she had a massive one two years ago). They repaired some shunts and she was released at noon on Wednesday.  She still was complaining of chest pain but they said it was from the muscles when they fixed the shunts. She went home and rested.  At five Lynden went to see what she wanted for dinner, she sat up, said she was in pain and fell back. He did CPR but could not revive her.  Her daughter and grandson flew in from Arkansas and Lynden's children and two grandchildren drove down from PA.  She was to be cremated, so on Friday we all went to the funeral home to view her body  and Larry and I did a short service. Lynden is struggling, they had been married almost 10 years and did everything together. He went back to PA to be near family and friends for a while.  In March he plans to have a celebration of life/anniversary gathering in PA.

On December 16 Georgine, Larry's sister passed away. This is the first of the five siblings to die. She had been in a horse accident as a teenager. She was in a serious car accident years later having to wear a full body cast for awhile. She was always in a lot of pain, but she was her own doctor and didn't follow doctor's orders. She was proceeded in death by her two daughters. She did get to see her grandson, that she raised, married this year. There was no services held for her as she did not want anything viewing or funeral.

PLAYS AND CONCERTS

November 10 we went to East Ridge High School and saw this musical.  The production is all done by students, including all of the sets.

 The stage set was so cute.

 They did an excellent job. Wasn't sure if Larry was going to like it, but as the characters and story line developed he got into it. 

 

November 24th we went to Garden Theater in Winter Garden and saw Moonshine and Mistletoe. A lot of  talented musicians, they played many different instruments. It was an Appalachian Christmas tale showing the love of family, music and Christ. 

 We traveled to Longwood to  Northland Church to see Christmas at the Movies. We went to a presentation on mental health right before it and got free tickets. The seat were in the last row. Larry went to check that the event tickets I had were for the same seats we were given. Miracle, they moved us to the front ($30 seats) . Don't know why I paid nothing, but we really enjoyed being so close.

Large Community choir, which included members with disabilities of all kinds.  There was a full orchestra and 6 dancers.  It was a very enjoyable concert with different holiday music.

Still not able to take walks from hip and sciatica pain even after doing physical therapy twice a week. I braved walking into Epcot to watch the processional December 13. Even though we got there by 4 for the 5:15 show the line was way too long for me to wait in, and we probably wouldn't have gotten a seat. We sat at the tables across from the stage and listened to it from there.  If you look closely you can see the choir in the middle of the picture.

Brendan Fraser was the guest narrator, apparently he has a big following.

Using the camera on the phone Larry got a good picture. Even being far away you could hear it all. Nice to have the Christmas story shared so publicly.  

December 17 we went to Clermont to hear a concert at the Methodist church, now called Living Hope. Our neighbor, Teena went with us. It was a beautiful concert with singing and instrumental music.  Unfortunately on the way home we saw an accident on 27. A motor cyclist fell and was run over by 6 cars. It had just happened when we drove by. It shook us up. 

EAST CENTRAL DISTRICT SOUL RETREAT AND ANNUAL MEETING

East Central District Soul care retreat and annual meeting was held at Warren Willis Convention Center October 13-14. The theme was Joy with Laugh-ing a take off of Laugh In.  We did some coloring, line dancing and lots of talking. There was only 20 attending, but all had a good time.

Our Laugh In skit had Holy Humor and You might be a United Women in Faith if..... Janet was Edith Ann.

Mary Ann with Ernestine, she had the snort down perfectly. Linda was Goldie Hawn, love her wig. and Gillian was a love child. I dressed as Ruth Buzzy - hair net and purse. Lots of laughter.

GLASSES

 

Waited  till October to get new glasses to use my insurance. Found it cheaper at Lens Crafters to buy two pairs without using insurance. Left frame my new glasses and right frame for sunglasses. 

After wearing glasses a month I decided I hate glasses and wanted to go back to contacts. So I am now have soft contacts and loving them. (had worn hard contacts for over 50 years)  My insurance paid $45 for the contacts. I paid $265 for a year supply.  Insurance not worth the wait. 

"YEAR OF THE WOMEN" TEA

Community of Faith United Women in Faith Unit held a tea on Saturday. 

I attended with friends from Clermont, Barb, Diane and Evelyn.  The cards on the balloon were inspirational quotes from women.

Each table was hosted by a lady from the unit. They decorated it, and provided the tea pots, china cups, the napkins and chose a women from history to honor.

During the luncheon each hostess talked about the woman they had chosen and why they chose her. Oprah Winfrey

Amelia Earhart

Dolly Parton

Hats were encouraged to be worn.

"Ruth Ginsburg" talking to Diane. This woman shared that when she was in the service women did not get medical coverage for their husband where a man did get it for his wife. Some of the rulings by Ruth Ginsburg helped to change it. 

Gillian shared about Susanna Wesley.

Diane talked about Princess Diana.

Interesting information about hand fans was shared. Fans became the accessory to have. The fan was used to cool, to conceal and to communicate.  At the end of the 18th century there were instruction for how to use the fan to spell out messages. How one held the fan and at what part of the face or body sent a message to a man. Such as you have won my heart, or I am married, or kiss me. We played a multiple choice fan game guessing what message the fan was saying. I didn't do to well.

We were given a beautiful fan made out of sandalwood. As a room heats up the sandalwood gives off a subtle fragrance like that of a fine perfume.

Profit from the luncheon and money that was given went to help support HELP NOW . It is an agency in Osceola  County that provides safety, empowerment and healing for survivors of domestic violence.

A  picture of all of us that sat with Gillian at her lovely table.

Janet showing her pretty Disney animal character dress and having some fun at the end of the tea.

The tea was a very nice affair, good food, fellowship, fun and information. Glad I was home in time to attend. 

PATTY UPDATE

 Patty was a great traveler. She never got out.  She liked getting into this little space below the TV in the bedroom, unfortunately that is where Larry often had thigs stored. When traveling she liked to lay on the floor in the space behind the driver's seat and the slide out. I am glad she is back in the house where she has more room to run and play. 

SHARING CHRIST'S JOY IN ILLINOIS

NOMADS annual meeting was a little low in attendance this year with only 53 rigs. If your name is missing from the list I hope to see you next year.
 

Du Quoin fairgrounds was big and very nice.

This building had three rooms where we had all our meeting and activities.

Jim Posz welcomed everyone on Sunday morning.

The theme for the meeting was Sharing Christ's Joy in Illinois. 

Aden Wertz had the sermon on Sunday morning. JOY Jesus- Others -Youself

The choir sang.

Sunday evening was the Memorial Service.

Louie Lyon had a very nice service. 46 NOMADS had passed away since our last annual meeting in 2023.

Two of them we had worked with and gotten to know. Gary Melvin

and Paul Hope. We miss seeing them and their wives at annual meetings.

Every morning this group led us in singing for 1/2 hour. They were accompanied by the harmonica.

This is the mission project we support from the area. It helps those who might become homeless or are homeless with items and knowledge.  

Bill has the funeral home in town and it started with them putting our a small blessing box that people could take items from. Many NOMADS donated  hats, gloves, blankets, toiletries and diapers.  Plus   over $1000.00 was donated to give to them. 

Betty and Jim Posz did a great job a chairs for this annual meeting.

Jack Small and Bill Block. Jack made sure we could hear it all and Bill had all the information on the screen. They did a great job.

Each morning there was a business meeting, with one of the board members giving a report.

Everyone was encouraged to become a board member.

A new committee to help with giving and the assisting with the Every Member Campaign. 

Kevin Culver updated us on the Disaster Rebuilds NOMADS have been working on this year.

Disaster projects for the fall of 2023 that could use more workers.

A big part of the annual meeting is the auction. We bring the items,then bid on the items. All the money is used to help give grants to agencies that need a little help to get materials or park our RV to accomplish the project. 

We were on the auction committee this year, The system they have made it very easy and efficient to take each item, have it at a table and then to find it and gather them to give to the highest bidder. Thank heavens for the computer program and those who did all the typing in of each item and the table it where it was located. 

There was a lot of items donated, more then last year and less people this year.

The Country Cupboard was full of games, puzzles and many other items. You can just make a donation for the thing you want from the table. 

More auction items.

Bidding on the item you wanted started on Tuesday at noon. 

We bid on a few things but kept our eye on a flag pole and a Rumba which we are now the proud owners of.  The bidding ended at two, the cards for each item were collected and the person's name and amount to be paid was put into the computer. Tuesday evening the committee had a pizza dinner and then began gathering the items.  We took a yellow sheet with a person's name on it and the list of items they had gotten. Beside each item was the table number so you knew where to find it and put the item in a bag, which we had written their bid number on. The next day everyone  went to the pick-up table gave their bid number. We had two sheets with all the items and their amounts they bid and the total. They paid the total (often rounding up) and a runner went and got the bag(s) that had their bid number on and gave it to them.  It was amazing never knew how they did this before. What a system.

After the silent auction the live auction began. Eddie and Wayne were back to auctioneer. They always keeps it going. 

Some item that were chosen for the live auction. Between the silent and the live auction over $43,000.00 was raised!

We had a bountiful pot luck dinner on Wednesday night.

This was the entertainment for the night.

The Texans were  great quartet with lots of good music.

This small person could really sing and enjoyed a little fun.

Thursday some members were recognized for their service. Gene and Carolyn have done 102 projects.

Sara Donaldson will soon be 90 and is still driving her RV and doing projects. She is a force to be reckoned with.

Larry gave the Project Coordinator report.

Louie gave the Sunshine Report and said how important it is to keep in contact with those who have losed a love one, not just for a short while but for awhile. Send a card or call and let them know you are thinking of them and just checking in. 

Jack recognized the members of the board who were leaving after their 4 years of service. Katy Phelps 

and Charlotte Tincher. They did a great job on membership and promotions.

Jack handing the chair position over to Mariel Lynch.

Glad to go and glad to start.

The board for 2024

How many do you know?

Barb presented a skit for next year's annual meeting.

It is in Texas but don't think these horses are going to get them there.

Come, help and make it a BIG annual meeting. Let's double the number of attendees next year.

Full hook-up with 30 and 50 amps.

The choir entertained us after a catered meal on Thurday night.

Their accompliment sounded so pretty.

We left Friday morning and got around Nashville and Chattanooga before stopping for the night. Saturday we headed to Atlanta. We were told it was best to go through at 11:00, We got there at 10:30 Saturday morning and had no problem, easier then Chattanooga. 

So we had a good trip back to Florida from the annual meeting, No more RV problems, no major traffic jams, and good weather. Two months away and ready to be home.