GAMBLE ROGERS MEMORIAL STATE RECREATION AREA

We camped here from Dec. 16 to the 19th for a little get away. Larry drove the RV, only challenge was the last 10 miles of very narrow road and construction on A1A. We learned when we arrived we should never come that way but go one exit further on 95 and then come south. 
 

They are very nice camp sites, but water and electric only.

Across the road is the ocean and we can hear the waves crashing.

There are two campgrounds and this one is on the other side of A1A right by the ocean. The sites are more rustic. 

Who this area is named after.

Interesting facts about this area.

The weather was rainy when we arrived Monday afternoon, but Tuesday morning was bright and sunny. We took advantage of the nice weather and biked 3 miles to Flagler Beach. In the afternoon we drove along  A1A to St. Augustine. We parked ($20) walked around, ate at Harry's and left at 5. We came back on 95 and saw the trail from the rocket launch. 

Wednesday morning was sunny so once again we rode our bikes to Flagler Beach Pier.

We ate lunch at Funky Pelican.

While we ate we watched some surfers. 

SOUNDS OF THE SEASON

Sunday morning at church some of our members shared their musical talents singing and playing instruments of beautiful Christmas music. 18 of us then went to St. Luke UMC in Apopka for a Community performance of Sounds of the Season. They always put on such great shows. They had dancers and one girl, from NY,  said it was better then Radio City Rockettes.  I never thought to take  pictures until the end. 

The end of the show highlighted Jesus' birth. It was a live baby.

Beautiful costumes and great voices, even this young man sang perfectly.

The children's choir did a great job. I never took a picture of the large adult choir and orchestra. If we weren't in the Christmas spirit before Sunday we were after all the beautiful music.
 

PARTY TIME

Roger and Carol opened their home for a Christmas gathering of the Clermont Friends and Fellowship class, both past and present. We all brought some food to share, had a gift swap opening and then played a game to guess the Christmas word tied on your head. Roger, Noelene and Karla. 

MO and Carol trying to figure out their word.

Larry and Carol.

Dick figured out his word and then forgot it. 

Carol and Roger's granddaughter watched all our silliness. Old people can have fun too. It was a nice party with good food and friends. 
 

CHRISTMAS AT EPCOT

Friday evening a group from our Sunday School class at Community of Faith went to Epcot for dinner and the Processional.
 

Doug works at Epcot and made the arrangements for us to eat in Italy at Tutto Italia. 

Before dinner we met at the American Pavilion to hear Voices of Liberty  sing Christmas music.

It was a perfect night, full moon and great weather.

After dinner we walked around Epcot and enjoyed the sights. 

We had tickets for the 8:15 Processional performance. The Voices of Liberty make up the Christmas Tree.

Then the processional begins with many volunteer singers.

The orchestra and choir what beautiful music. 

The narrator that read the Bible story of Jesus' birth was Ralph Macchio. We knew him as the Karate Kid.  It was a beautiful Christmas performance. 

VISUAL HELP

Larry has been getting a lot of support from the VA low vision group. He has received a large screen computer, an apple phone, an apple I Pad, magnifiers, and META glasses.

The frames were to be light brown but they put his prescription into these black frames. They reminds us of Chase. He can take pictures with them, ask them questions and they tell him the answer, they  read things to him, and they can tell him what he is looking at. He just has to say "hey Meta". Amazing.

He also has a pair of sunglasses. They want him to wear sunglasses when he is outside, but if it is cloudy or any kind of shadow he can not see well enough with them on. 
 

CAROL'S BOOK CLUB

Carol Belzer has started a book club. Most of the women are members from the Sunday School class we attended in Clermont. For December we read the 13th Gift. It is a true story about a woman who lost her husband suddenly. She had 3 children ages, 17,14 and 10. Unable to cope with the holidays, gifts started mysteriously appearing at their home for 13 days. A poinsettia, two packages of bows, 3 rolls of  wrapping paper, 4 boxes, 5 candles, etc.  On the 11th day they received chocolate mice, so I had to make some to take to book club. We had a good discussion and would recommend this book.
 

FAMILY VISIT FOR MY BIRTHDAY AND THANKSGIVING

    Friday morning at 5:30 on my 75th birthday the Bush family arrived from PA after driving 16 hours. they came to spend a week with us. Mom and Dad rested while we played with the grandchildren. Then we went to Robata Japanese  Steak House for a fun birthday dinner. Larry got a delicious cake from Publix for us to have a little celebration at home. 
 

They wanted to go to Universal so we helped get them a five day pass. They went four days. The girls got magic wands for Harry Potter and Hunter had a Spiderman mask. We did not go with them so I have no pictures.   To take a break they enjoyed time at the pool. 

Hunter is learning to swim, and after a few times at the pool he was getting more confident and making progress. I am sure he will be swimming this summer.

A few years ago when they came for a visit they bought this whale. Once again Mystique blew it up.

They had fun playing with it in the water. Most times there was no one else at the pool so they had it all to themselves.

Eric played with the children in the water for a long time. I was in once but tired out quicky. The pool is heated to 82, so even in the evening or when it was a little cooler on Thanksgiving they could enjoy it. 

Ashtyn getting on the whale. They enjoyed playing at the pool.

We had a very nice visit.  Randy, Ali ( a friends of Mystique we have know for years) and her daughter Sadie had flown down a few days before and were staying at Universal. One evening they took an Uber over to our house for dinner and played some games. We were surprised when they were able to get an Uber to pick them up in a few minutes. 

I made the turkey and gravy on Wednesday for Thanksgiving. Eric and Mystique made the rest of the meal while I was at the pool with the children. I appreciated all they did for I have come down with a cold and don't have a lot of ambition. The sofa in the living room is a pull out bed and using the side sofa it was perfect for the three children to sleep on. We enjoyed watching some movies each night. Hunter spent many hours drawing and coloring. They children get along so well. 

They left Friday morning at 8 and were back in PA by 11, a long drive. I am happy they came for a visit.

OUR POND

 

For over a month there has been large equipment working behind our pond. It is another part of Sanctuary  development. They are putting in retention ponds, roads and town houses. Besides hearing trees being ripped out, rumbles of trucks and ground being dug up and moved we noticed that the water in our pond was getting lower and lower. They then refilled it using this tarp and hose.

We had a waterfall for over a week, and finally the ponds were full again.  But the big tarps were floating around in the water.

In another week the water started going down quickly again. So they came and got the tarps out, and now a hose is putting water back in.  It is scary how the building is effecting the environment and the view from our home. 

REMIND, RESTORE, REFRESH

The FL Conference United Women in Faith was held at Lakeland United Methodist Church on Saturday, November  9th. 
 

Message and invocation was given by Rev. Dr. Simon Osunlana, S.E. District Superintendent. The scripture that had been read was Matthew5:13 about being salt. He shared how salt is used to preserves and prevents decay.  United Women in Faith has that mission today.  

Bishop Tom Berlin was the speaker. He talked more about salt and that we are the salt people need in this world.  We need to invite women in to fight off the problem of  loneliness. Our mission is powerful. People need us to show goodness, love and kindness. United Women in Faith in Jesus Christ.  Women don't join if all we do is gossip, complain and argue about how to spend a few dollars. We need to show wisdom, love and caring. We need to be grounded in scripture, prayer and service. 

We had a nice lunch and on display were 260 dolls of all races that units had bought and dressed to be given to daycares. 

Linda Parrish the conference president and Donna Spears, the conference treasurer holding one of the dolls.

 So many cute dolls and outfits. Much love shown.