BOATING

This poor guy needs a new boat...the boat is taking in more water than he can bale out... Photo taken in St Croix

ANOTHER THANK YOU!

Another "thank you" to Bolivia... now let's see who do I know in Bolivia? Oh Yes indeed R.B.... :-)

THANK YOU!

A BIG THANK YOU to all of you in Great Britain, China, Russia, Georgia and Germany who keep up with my Blog!

FREE BEER

I am glad God doesn't work this way! When he promises us courage and mercy, it is offered today...this very hour ...this very minute!

This photo was taken at a store in St Croix.

LOVE AND ELECTRICITY

Love birds in St Croix... catch the electricity:-)

Speaking of electricity, the Holy Spirit filled the air tonight at Orlando Presbyterian Church's 6:00 pm worship service... 40 worshippers including some first time guests rejoiced in the love of Christ! The Atwells offered excellent music and the children were introduced to the new "Orlando Bears and Friends"! {"Bubba" from Pennsylvania and few others form the new bear ensemble.}

We are on the ground and trying to keep up with God's amazing plan for this new church!

90 YEARS AND A GLASS OF WINE

Jim Robinson a long time prominent lawyer in Orlando, celebrated his 90th birthday. Many years ago his doctor told him to quit drinking... Jim responded that on his 90th birthday he was going to "lift" a glass of wine to celebrate. Here is just one part of Jim's birthday party!

RETIRED

If you are ever near Seattle, the Maltby Cofe is the place to eat breakfast! The portions are huge and the food is aw so yummy! Outside the cafe are two antique tractors...who have seen a lot of work in their day, but for now retired and "put out to pasture"!

BIG VALLEY, PA.

The State College area has more than one valley...besides the not so "Happy Valley" there is the Big Valley!

5 GUYS and a TABLE

It is funny to think of the things that impress you as a kid... this is a photo of the bottom of a card table that we used at the Brandywine Grange in Chester County about 50-75 years ago. I was always taken with the number of grown men that could stand on one of these old folding tables! I don't have the card table anymore, but the memories burn bright!

SPEAK UP AGAINST SEX SLAVERY

This is a tee shirt display from the national Presbyterian Women's conference PCUSA... it calls attention to the sex slave traffic that not only exists around the world but also right here in the United States.  In fact there are more slaves today than at any time in world history.

May our eyes be opened and hearts filled with outrage to this sin against humanity and God.

COFFEE +

I must live a rather sheltered life... I have never seen coffee served with shaved chocolate, sugar with cinnamon cubes and just plain sugar cubes. I don't drink coffee but I sure pinched a few shaved pieces of chocolate!

GOD AT WORK

Our first regular evening worship service went so very well... great music... visitors present ... children involved in the service ... great meal before the service...Spirit of God present and moving in our midst.

Photo is from one of the many lakes in the Orlando area....

CHOCOLATE DELIGHT

Talk about yummy...have you ever been served dessert with a chocolate covered spoon? All at the Gaylord Palms!

WHERE'S MY TAIL

Spent the afternoon at the Presbyterian Women's national conference at the Gaylord Palm's Conference Center near Orlando, FL.

Amazing women of faith and  amazing surroundings in the hotel's lagoon.

SEEING THE FACE OF JESUS

Picture this... I am walking in downtown Orlando with a shopping bag after just leading a Bible Study at a local homeless shelter.  I am in bluejeans and a tee shirt with my everyday tennis shoes. {Dressed to spend time with homeless men and women.} And it dawns on me - some people could take see me as a homeless person... what a new perspective on life.

I taught at "Compassion Corner" a significant outreach to the downtown's homeless population.... 15 to 20 men and women who were very receptive to hearing God's word and prayer. This morning I saw the face of Jesus in the faces before me. In the group there was one Steeler fan but a roomful of people eager to hear about God's love reaching into the cracks and corners of their lives.

ORCHID

Part of adjusting to Florida is learning to appreciate the flora  of this warmer weather. One of my new Elders brought me this beautiful orchid that rests on my patio. His advice... water it once a week and leave it alone! My kind of flower!

CASTLE

Somethings never grow old...
 this "castle" is over 35 years
old ... it entertained the
 imagination of my son and
now my grandchildren.
Guess who is holding the
castle's flag?

FIREWORKS AT OPC!

Things are starting to pop at Orlando Presbyterian Church! This Sunday we kick off our Sunday night worship service at 6:00pm at 309 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL ! (In Park Lake Presbyterian Church's sanctury)

Prior to worship we gather for a potluck dinner at 4:30pm with children's Sunday School 5:00 till 5:45. "Earlene" the pink haired puppet will also attend worship this Sunday.

Five Ministry Teams have been formed with Elders serving as chairpersons.

George Atwell, well known Orlando musician and organist, has been hired to begin a first class music program.

OPC is off the ground and catching the Holy Spirit's wind!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Tonight we celebrated
Jake and Emma's 8th
Birthday! What a blessing
to be here and host my
family for a dinner! Peter's
 favorite "Mom's meatloaf"...
 { Yes I know it is hard to
believe but I used to cook
all the time for Peter and me.} ,
real mashed potatoes, veggie
 and salad with ice cream
cake for dessert! I am
indeed blessed!

STEELER NATION

I just can't get away from Pittsburgh! Taken at a
Walmart in Orlando!

Go Steeler Nation!

MISS YOU...

It's been a year since I lost my good friend, Gabe aka the Gabster. Miss you, friend.

HANDS

What do these hands do?


They guide a 1200-1500 pound powerful horse in elegant dressage movements... filled with not only strength but also beauty. {Haley Goodwill on Leo}

What will our hands do tomorrow ... to bring beauty and strength to the people around us? ...holding a door for someone ... offering a hug to bring comfort ... mowing a neighbor's yard ... carrying food to a food bank ... playing ball with your kids ... signing a check to give support to your local church... ?

Remember: "I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength."

TO RUSSIA WITH LOVE

A BIG "HELLO" to all my followers in Russia! You have been so faithful in viewing my blog on a daily basis. In 1968 I traveled by tour bus through Russia, for two weeks.... St Petersburg... Moscow... and then on to Poland. Loved your countryside and the people we encountered along the way. Because of a minor eye problem, I received compassionate care at one of your Moscow hospitals.

And for the last few years, my favorite "youngest nephew" and his family live in Moscow.

THANKS AGAIN FOR FOLLOWING the roamingretiredreverend!

FRIENDS

Good friends not only stick with you but keep you laughing... these friends helped me clean out my Thomas Church office when I retired.... Laverne, Jackie, Ellie, Kathi, Marilyn and Peggy!

What great looking friends!

THE ROAD TRAVELED

Sometimes God allows us the advantage of seeing what lies behind us...the road we traveled and how it led us to our current position.

Picture taken on route to Yellowstone National Park in WY

A GREAT BEGINNING

Here is another before and after picture of my PA garden in years past. 

This evening 37 people gathered for our first worship service together as pastor and Orlando Presbyterian Congregation. The "beginning" picture beamed with people of all ages giving God glory through worship. I wonder what the "along the way forward" picture will be?

As God so blessed this PA garden, I am confident he will more than bless our efforts to continue to glory him and reach out to meet human need in our community!

Stick around to see God's handiwork or if you are in the Orlando area, hang out with us!

THE LOVE OF GOD SEEN THROUGH A BOOKSHELF

I love my new IKEA bookcases and desk! ...all stained wood... Here is a "before" picture. I wonder how long it will take me to shoot the "after" shot?

Here's the thing about Jesus Christ- He knows the "before" and "after" view already. And loves us inspite of it all. In response to that kind of love and acceptence, shouldn't we try to work at it abit...get some things in order... build a few things right...maybe even throw a few things out to make room for the important stuff?

MAKING PROGRESS

Still boxes and boxes... but I did cook my first meal in the apartment kitchen... and even have a loaded dishwasher to run!

A wonderful elder from OPC is coming in the morning to remove the mountain of empty boxes at my doorstep! God has blessed me in so many ways in this move south.

Tomorrow is my traditional sermon / worship prep day... I have the added company of multi generational roaches for company! { The "bug" man said it will take 2 weeks for the spray to take full effect:-(

But each day I make a little more progress in getting my life in order! As you can see I have a long way to go!

AUCTION

I really didn't think it was going to be a problem watching my stuff walk away with strangers and in some cases friends. And for the most part it wasn't... but when it came to personal treasures held close for far too long...

my heart felt the loss.  I must remember to fill the loss with my life vision - "In Jesus I have more than I need."

FLORIDA STORM DAMAGE

 Brenda Thompkins was surprised to find her large tree snapped off and turning her metal shed into a duplex!

Grandson, Andrew from TX, Daughter Liz and friend Jethro from Florida get a closer look!

BLESSED

Everything hurts except my heart:-) The OPC new friends showed up in force to help me move into my new apartment.  They worked so hard! Rich Gardner  worked so hard at both ends of my move. There are boxes everywhere.. but thanks be to God - my bed is made and the shower is ready for this tired sweaty body.

Love surrounds me in so many ways... Peter and Luke were such a big help... so many friends at both ends of my journey.. so I will put my achey body and full heart to bed now.

CHUBBY GRANNY

The kids are watching TV... the program mentions someone is "chubby"... kids ask me what does "chubby" mean?

My answer, "I am chubby...it means being over weight.

Suddenly there are three kids in my face, kissing me and saying, "Granny, you are beautiful."

Moments to treasure :

Started working with these wonderful people of the Orlando Presbyterian Church...warm, funny, sincere and casting a future vision...

moving in tomorrow :