More DeLand, Florida

Sunday afternoon, our family joined other Stetson alumni and members of Sigma Alpha Iota for a sweet time of fellowship and snacks.

 



 

It seems like only a few years since we were in school together and members of the Eta Pi chapter! 

 

At one point in the afternoon, one of the moms got a call that her son, who had fallen off a scooter and given himself a big knot on the head earlier in the day, was vomiting.  So, she left the party early and headed to the emergency room to meet her husband and son.  A few minutes later one of the ladies received a text asking us to pray for the boy, who had indeed sustained a concussion.  I loved that we paused the conversation, bowed our heads, and prayed for this family.

 



We've only changed a tiny bit.

 



Three husbands joined this crazy crew of ladies, the guys are also Stetson alumni.  They look remarkably similar, don't you think?

 



While the ladies chatted inside, the kids went outside to play



 
 
 

and shoot off leftover fireworks from the 4th of July.

 



 

I love this sweet, hospitable woman!  Eva just celebrated her 80th birthday, and as long as I've known her, she has opened up her home to love on people.  I think we counted twelve adults and fourteen children running around her house.

Our crazy friends from Avon Park thought we needed another trip to Rodeo Whip,





Two times in two days.  We have to make up for lost time.

 



Even the second time around, garbage pail and peanut butter fudge crunch still came out on top in the flavor race.

 



Since the Loomis clan talked us into going for ice cream, we talked them into going back to GrandMollie and Grandpa T's house to visit for a little bit.



Sweet times!  (Aren't they the cutest couple ever?!?)

 



We are forever grateful that the Lord led us to DeLand and allowed our paths to cross with so many amazing people who love Him.

 





DeLand, Florida

One of our sweet college friends came over Sunday afternoon to visit.  She learned a few new fist bumps while she hung out with our kids.

 



"Aunt Tara" has a beautiful voice and a smile to match!

 



Tampa and DeLand, Florida

On our way north from St. Petersburg, we stopped in Tampa to eat lunch with my college roommate's mother.  It's always so fun to reconnect with old friends.

 



Then we continued our journey north toward DeLand.  Our first stop was our favorite ice cream shop, Rodeo Whip, to meet a former professor's family.  Garbage Pail ice cream is our kids' favorite flavor. 

 



I think we could chart our children's growth by the pictures we have taken in front of the Rodeo Whip sign.

 



Our college cello professor was out of town, but his beautiful wife and daughters gave us some of their time to catch up over ice cream. 

 



St. Petersburg, Florida

Aaron and I lay in bed amazed last night at how God led us to go to a little bitty school in the small town of DeLand, Florida.  We had no idea of the impact that decision would have on our lives.

 

 While at Stetson University, not only did we receive a fabulous education, but we also met people who still continue to influence our lives. 

 



James and Barbara were newlyweds pregnant with their first child when we met them.  They opened their home to two college freshmen a thousand miles away from home.

 



They did a lot of pre-marital counseling, allowed us free access to their washer and dryer, encouraged us to jump into service at Stetson Baptist Church, and opened their home anytime we needed a place to stay or eat.

 



They are still doing those things for anyone who needs a listening ear or an open home.

 



And we're still building on more than twenty years of memories together.

 



The two Benjamins in 2004:

 



And the two Benjamins now:



Me holding Megan as a newborn:

 



And Barbara holding Katherine as a newborn:

 



 

Michael, at about age 12 (the same age as my Benjamin), helping Benjamin make GrandMollie's famous waffles:



When James performed our wedding ceremony sixteen years ago, none of us had any inkling of the results:

Sweet friendships, godly wisdom passed down from one family to another, a new generation making memories together and spurring one another on to be like Christ.

 



Avon Park, Florida

I'm just going to jump back into "real time", and maybe someday later I'll be able to catch up on pictures from our choir trip.

 
 
 
 
 
 

We arrived in Avon Park, Florida, Wednesday afternoon to find friends standing outside with a sign and silly string.  Wow!  Did we feel welcome!

 



Our hearts have been knit together since college, 



and through weddings.

 



 

They even drove all night to be at the hospital only a few hours after Sarah was born in Arkansas.

 

And they've been one of the few families who believed and acted upon the old adage that "the road goes both ways".

 

Olivia and her buddy, Hannah, in Mississippi in 2003



Dutch Blitz tournaments,

 



grilling ribs,

 



and hanging out with extended family (which feel like our very own),

 



 

just a few of ways we shared life together.

 

For our evening celebration of Independence Day,

 



we visited a sweet lady who opened her beautiful home and allowed us to bring

 



red velvet-berry cobbler and cream cheese ice cream

 



to combine for a red white and blue dessert.  It felt so good to cook after several weeks on the road!

 



Avon Park puts on quite a fire works show,

 



 

and sitting by the lake with fabulous company was a great way to wrap up the day.

 

This hospitable prayer warrior has been praying for our family for years, and we finally got to meet her!

 



 

All too soon, July 5 dawned, and it was time to pack up the vehicle in preparation for the next stop.

 

 

Our faces are always hurting by the time we leave because we've been smiling so much.

We love you guys, and we appreciate your grateful and generous spirits, even while dealing with the situation God has given you.  What a gift friendship is!