In late June, amidst all the preparations for our annual Fourth of July party, we unexpectedly took a week long trip to Florida. I was overly anxious about this trip, and especially since I hadn't found out about the trip until three days before we left, I was VERY overwhelmed and frankly didn't really want to go on the trip. But after much prayer, and asking forgiveness for my bad attitude, I packed my bags for what would turn out to be one of the best trips of my life. It was an indescribable journey, that surpassed all my expectations!
Here's a piece of music that orchestrates the journey we took.
O.k. Get ready to see lots of pictures of the journey!
Leaving Portland....
After a safe flight, we arrived in Pensecola,
We found some delicious drinks in the airport.

We arrived at the campus, and were amazed at the architecture, and....
Interior of the buildings.
We met up with our friend Elijah who was living at the college for the summer, Some beautiful trees. I kept saying that everything looked so tropical, and then I realized that's cause it was tropical:)
After meeting up with Elijah we headed into the "chapel" for the Wednesday evening church service.
The service was well attended for it being the summer, and the message was very good about the purpose of the church, and how the foundations of the culture are based upon the morals of the church and family.
Mom and I with the founders of the college:)
We stayed late after the service to look around the stage.
From there, we went to Panera Bread:) and then checked into out hotel. We were happy to find out that the pool was still open, and we went swimming for a couple hours.
The next morning we were eager to get to the beach. After getting some great instructions from the hotel staff, we headed to the white sand:)
After finding a beach that wasn't filled with people....
we headed out to the water.
I was overly excited because this was my first time in the Altantic ocean in over 12 years.
We were amazed at how white the sand was, and how clear and warm the water was. I think I could have stayed in it for days.
I think we went a little overboard with the hats and sunglasses. It's always fun to shop with Evan:)
After purchasing some sunglasses, we were excited to get lunch at Chick-Fil-A.
Then we headed back to our hotel and changed before.......
It was fun to meet Isadora for the first time. I was amazed at her size for being only 6 months old.
The resturant was called Wild Olive named after Romans 11:17 "And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;"
I liked this sign on the way out the door. It's not entirely true, but I thought it was funny:)
The next mroning, after a good night's sleep,
We headed over to Erin's house......
......to help him clean his garage.
It was really hot working in the humidity, and I was glad for the air conditioning after getting so hot.
After we cleaned the garage, we took a walk around Erin's yard to see his many tropical plants.
It was amazing to see Palm trees, and Lemon trees, and other tropical plants growing outside.
Mom and Isadora......you can tell they're related:)
Evan and I on the walk in the yard:)
Then we headed down to the beach area again to do some more swimming and shopping.
We stopped at Bass Pro Shops, where Evan and I found some four wheelers we had to get a picture with.
From there, we went swiming and then went to dinner with Erin and his family.
The next morning we headed to the airport for our flight, after having lunch with Erin and his family. Unfortunately, we unexpectedly missed our flight, and weren't able to fly out until the next day. So, we decided to see what we could do in the area, and were suprised to find several great things to do.
Evan and I even got to fly one of the planes:) j/k
We enjoyed looking around the museum, but unfortunately we only had a few minutes since they were about to close. We decided we would have to return sometime to see the rest of it. (There were over 5 buildings to the museum)
Across the street from the air museum, was Florida's tallest lighthouse, which also doubles as the highest point in Florida, since it's pretty flat.
We were excited to find the lighthouse still open......
So we headed to a local amusement park, and enjoyed racing in the Go-Carts. It was SO much fun.
Dad and Evan and I raced, while Mom filmed us.
Then Evan and I decided to do a frog riding photo.
And even though it doesn't look like it from this picture, I was especially good at hitting the balls way off the green. Let's just say, I'm glad no one else was on the course at the time, cause they might have been hit:)
At the end of the course there was a cannon which we thought should launch our balls somewhere, but it turns out it was a decoy to catch the balls, and keep them. All in all, it was a very fun day, and we were glad for the extra time in Florida.
The next morning we headed to the airport, with plenty of time to catch our flight home.
Overall, we had a great time in Florida, and I was sad.....
To have to leave the sun behind:)
God was gracious to take us on a wonderful journey that made a big impact on my life.
As we flew home, I couldn't help but realize how much I had to be grateful for, and how much joy there is in trusting God every step of the way. He is the only one who can see the end of the journey.
"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen." Romans 11: 33-36
Wow! How exiting!! I have personally only been 'down South' when I was a baby. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved your comment about the swimsuits and how you went to a Goodwill there! We always seek them out too! Ha ha!
You look beautiful in all the photos! ;)
love,
Cassie
the elder sister
The tropical flowers are stunning! Looks like a very fun vacation. Chick-Fil-A was a great choice of where to eat. The campus looks pretty neat; I especially liked the photo of you and your brother in the bright lights! Looks like you found a great spot on the Atlantic!
ReplyDeleteAha!!! The way you are holding that golf club gives away your secret baseball talent. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love the pictures that show your personality ;) How fast did those frogs go?
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you got to go spend time with your brother! Your niece is absolutely adorable! Hopefully you can see her again before she gets too much bigger.
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