Sweet Aroma of Forgiveness

This was the title of our pastor's sermon this morning, one of the best I have ever heard, yet one that affected everyone present as they listened to the voice led by the Spirit of God. Taken from Ephesians 4:25-5:2, the key thought for today's message was forgiveness. We were all reminded of the fact that we should hold no grudges, forgiving those who have offended us. Usually, this takes a lot of praying because of the human factor, and, oftimes when we see this person, all those feelings of unforgiveness return. Time and a forgiving heart with help from God are the only way we can begin to forgive as God would have us do. Where would we be if we were not forgiven by God, if He hadn't loved us enough to remember our sins no more when we truly are sorry for our actions? Help us all to strive to be more like Jesus.

Now, there are so many wonderful aromas surrounding our little world each day, but nothing smells sweeter than the aroma of God's forgiveness.

Week of Pleasure

A week has passed since last I blogged here; forgive my negligence. We have been busy yet not too busy to keep my friends informed. For example, last Saturday, the park had its annual street/yard sale. That was a fun day of walking and/or riding bikes around the park looking at everyone's trash/treasures. Mostly, I just socialized with everyone who was out with their goodies. A pancake breakfast was provided first, then a hot dog lunch was enjoyed. That night, there was a park dance with a small band.

Sunday, we had a wonderful church service and were informed of the current Gideon happenings; off to a brunch after that. We always have church at 9:00 AM.

Monday was a day of sightseeing in the area, Bingo on Tuesday and Wednesday, and a day trip on Thursday. We toured Marco Island (a very upscale community there); on to Collier National Park and Everglade City (at the end of the peninsula where we enjoyed a very nice lunch). From there, we went to the town of Ave Maria, a community funded by the founder of Dunkin Doughnuts. It is quite a unique place with a university built around the town. It is well worth the trip and the 45-minute bus tour they offer.

From there we traveled to Immokole, the Indian reservation, and we spent an hour or so in the casino. We returned to Ft. Myers at 9:00 PM after enjoying dinner at the Cracker Barrel on I-75.

Now, this is probably more detailed than you bargained for so just skip the boring places.

One of our friends from home had to leave yesterday due to health problems. I ask you to please remember John in your prayers since he will probably be hospitalized when he gets back home unless his condition improves.
Also, one of our Ohio friends was hospitalized yesterday. Please keep her in your prayers as well. They are conducting tests on her today so we have no details.

Parades, Parties, Sports

I realize I haven't blogged in several day. NOthing exciting has been happening although we have been enjoying being with our friends. I have been playing Bingo each Tuesday and Wednesday nights in our parks and am up to a winning of $159.50. I have been with my friend to the big Flea Market last week and again today; that is always fun. Tomorrow, our park has the big street sales. We are provided with a pancake breakfast followed by a hot dog lunch. Tomorrow night, there is the annual park dance beginning at 6:00 until. We will go to that at least for awhile. Also, tomorrow is the annual Edison Light Parade which brings in many visitors. It's a beautiful parade held in the evening and the floats are all lighted. We will probably not go to that this year because of the cold nights we have been having (no one brought thick coats for standing out in a parade at 40 degrees). I only brought a few sweatshirts and am getting tired of wearing the same ones over and over. We heard on the news yesterday that Florida has had a record-breaking 50 consecutive days of temperatures below the normal.

Have you been watching the OLympics? They have been quite interesting; however, it's scary to watch them, especially when some of them take serious falls(one guy has just fallen and looks like he's out cold...I pray he is all right).

And, that seems to be the gist of my news tonight: parades, parties, and sports. Life is wonderful.

Unwinding Now

Two lady friends and I just returned from another concert: this one was Danny and the Juniors, another group that was popular in the 50's and 60's. Their #1 song, and the #1 song in the United States and Europe for the longest period of time, was one of my favorite, "At the Hop". There were other pop numbers too but this was absolutely the best. Several twist numbers were also hits for them: "Twisting USA" and "Twisting the Night Away". They were also considered Dick Clark's #1 band on his show for many years.

We were surprised when we had an added bonus with special entertainment from The Crests. This group made popular, the song, "Sixteen Candles". What a wonderful night of fun with friends and other white-haired folks who remember the golden oldies from the fabulous 50"s! What can be better!! Now, it's unwinding time as I add notes to my blog!

Concerts and Sky Watching

I've been making up for a not-so-special week since yesterday. Hubby and I enjoyed an afternoon with the Lee County Community Band yesterday and they were absolutely fantastic! They used a country/western theme with their music (and dress) and played such music as "Grand Canyon Suite", "Happy Trails", "Hootenanny", and "William Tell Overture". It was an afternoon that was well-spent...and, it was free (except for donations).

Today, I started my walking regiment and traveled 2 + miles. I haven't been keeping up with the distance or steps so I have to do that now.

At 4:00 AM, Hubby and I went outside and watched the space shuttle, "Endeavor", as it was launched. It is carrying an extra room up to the space station to give them more space. The shuttle will return in about 8 days. My camera wouldn't pick up the sight because it was still too dark. We were able to see it as it crossed over our horizon but not as clearly as last year's. This launch was significant because it will be the last night launch so they are saying.

Nothing Special Week

This week has been a "nothing special week" for the crowd from North Carolina at least, as far as activity goes. In many way, it has been a wonderful week, I must admit. Sunday was the day for church and rest; Monday was a hang-around-the-park day; Tuesday was special with Bingo and my winning $35.00! (I had to split a $70 pot with another lucky winner); Wednesday, another Bingo day, for a lucky one for me when I won a $90.00 jackpot! (I won this one all by myself, too); Thursday was another stay day and we enjoyed a spaghetti dinner in the park (delicious!) and company from a couple from PA who stay in a different park from us; and, Friday, my friend and I went to the biggest flea market in Southwest Florida! (I was unhappy to see many of the booths closed and many others with half as much inventory. The economy is getting difficult for everyone, it seems.One of the booth owners is in a wheelchair and I heard him tell someone that he had to re=mortgage his home to get going! Now that is so dangerous and I feel so badly for him; he has the best attitude about it though, and so upbeat! I will keep him in my prayers).

It is extremely windy here today; we had to roll up our awnings to keep them on our RV's! Last year, one of our neighbors lost theirs during heavy winds; of course, they didn't have it tied down at all so everyone but the owner knew that it would go airborne, which it did, right into the side of another neighbor's RV and car! (I think that cost them $500 + to get the car fixed; luckier with the RV). Rains were very hard yesterday with tornado warnings in the area; the Lord protected us for which we are so thankful.

Now our granddaughter who lives in Washington, DC, is snowed in I'm sure! I need to talk to her mom now and see how she is.

Wherever you are, I hope that the weather is being kind to you and yours, that you are safe and warm, happy and healthy, and thankful to be alive and one of God's children.

Rambling Around

I can't believe that it's already February! Someone asked me if time continues to speed up and, from my experience, I would say this is definitely true! I guess when you start downhill, everything just speeds up.

Tonight was Bingo night again. I finally won a game but had to split the pot with another winner; however, $35 wasn't a bad night. My sister-in-law won again too; so far, I think she has won every single night since I have been playing.

Today has been a very rainy day for us; I would have much preferred the snow like they have been getting at home. In fact, I have heard that school will be out again tomorrow. One of my friends and I decided to get out in the rain today just because we were beginning to climb the walls. We went grocery shopping and, when I came home, I was so hungry that I cooked a big meal of chicken, peas, corn and collards. Vegetables are difficult to find when eating out (we have no cafeteria here): potatoes and salads are just about the limit. Thursday, we will be attending the big speghetti dinner here and they make the best sauce I have ever eaten!

There has been 8 of us here from my hometown; last week, 2 more arrived and will be here until the first of March. yesterday, another couple arrived from home and they plan to stay a month. If we keep on, NC will take over the park, at least our end of it anyway!!

Rambling is all I could do in my blog tonight but at least it will give my readers the chance to know what's been going on in the park.