Well Saturday was another beautiful winter day for central Florida with mild temps. We had the doors and windows open but shut them later in the evening as we were expecting between 25-30 folks for the salad portion of our Life Group's progressive dinner. Even though the a/c was on it didn't run all that much and by late evening it had cooled down to where you needed something on your arms.
I did several chores around the house then helped neighbor Carol cut down a small tree and trimmed her hedges. She was in need of some strong arms so I helped her out. We sat and chilled until it was time to head over to the appetizer house at 5. There must have been 20 different foods but the best was the deer bites which were so tasty. Everyone raved about them after they got over the idea of eating wild meat. Andy prepared them like brats then cut them into small chunks which were so good.
They all came back to our place and filled it up to the brim. We have the smallest house of the group but they just loved the fresh garden salad, Caesar's and a fruit salad. Many of the men wanted to know all about raising a garden in Florida so I share my tips and "how to's". They were most impressed with the plants. They were here about an hour before we headed over to the really big house which could easily fit 75 folks in the main common area. We had noodles with beef gravy as the main course and then afterwards we headed back to our street at the Botbyl's where Nancy had made a chocolate cake, Carol a strawberry chiffon cake and a key Lime pie. We were close in the their house but the common area is so much bigger than our abode. We took prayer requests them prayed for each as well as for our church and the news we are starting a 4th campus next fall in Clearwater.
Sunday I was up at 5'ish to head out to the college for the load in for BridgePoint along with 30 or volunteers who each Sunday set the college up for church. That takes about an hour and half so I was back by 7:30 or so and then we got ready to head out. We both worked the front door as greeters, door holders giving out our hugs, hand shakes and warm greetings. We had nearly a full house for the 9:30 service and then we sat in on a class given for members called "rooted" as we learn of our foundations. It was nearly a 45 minute class so we headed out afterwards for home just at noon. One of the campus pastors was leading the message for this morning.
We just chilled the rest of the day as I set the sprinkler on the gardens. I read for a couple ours and took a 15 minute power nap after cleaning up the small burgers from Friday night. We just picked for supper and then I watched the Lightning win again in Miami in a hard fought game. I was ready for some horizontal lab by 10 as the day started early for me. We are expecting Mechelle and a friend to come this week for an over nighter before boarding a cruise ship out of Tampa. I have a couple VA appointments and a couple small jobs to do before they get here. The weather is gorgeous and they will be pleased as its snowing in the mountains. We spoke with Dee and Mike for an hour or so and they seem to be doing well after Mike lost his dad a couple weeks ago. They have a lot on their plates with settling the estate and taking care of his mom, LATER
