Leaving Eustis - beginning our trip.

Our plans changed a bit at the last minute.  The plan was to leave Wednesday, April 1, but my best friend’s stepfather died and his funeral was on Wednesday, so we delayed our plans so we could go to Hobe Sound for the funeral.  The upside of funerals is seeing old friends you haven’t seen for eons.  I love all of Sheila’s family like my own,  so it was great to see her mom of course, as well as Kevin, Stephen, Larry and Kendall and their families, as well as some old friends we knew from our days at Hobe Sound.  The service was lovely with beautiful music!

We left after the service and on our way home, stopped for lunch at Cabo Flats, a Mexican restaurant in Stuart that we’d never been to, and it is definitely a must to go back and eat  again when we’re visiting Sheila.

Thursday we met Ryan, Vicki and Connor and Lisa, Justin and Hannah at Hollywood Studios for one last family day.  Mark had to work, unfortunately, so we missed him being with us.  When we left, we had to say goodbye to Ryan, Vicki and Connor, knowing we won’t likely see them for some months, so it was sad. 

 

Y'all will have to bear with me - I'm a long way from really knowing what I'm doing, so I'll have to ask Kayla why these are posting this small and figure out how to make them show properly.  But you'll get the idea.

We then dropped off Earl and Justin and Hannah at their house, and we had to say goodbye to them.  I had been dreading that.  Knowing Justin and Hannah, ages 6 and 4 don’t even really know what’s happening.  Mark told Justin we were leaving to go on a long trip in the RV and Justin said, “Grammy, will it be more than 100 days?”  awwww  I hugged them tightly and they went on their merry way with no  difference  than if it had been “see you tomorrow”.  I’m going to miss those little munchkins.  We left for some Mother/Daughter time…. Lisa and I went to see the movie, Cinderella.  SO GOOD!  I was almost surprised it was so good.  Definitely a chick flick.  :-)  Lisa took me back to the RV and after a few minutes we knew we couldn’t delay our goodbyes any longer.  Shewee, ripped my heart out to leave my baby girl.   Hoping they can fly out to see us at some point and we may have to fly back a time or two if we just can’t stand it.  I took a shower with tears pouring, but the long awaited time for our departure had finally come.

Friday, April 3, we left mid-morning and after stopping for lunch at one of our all time favorite restaurants, The Ivy House, in Williston, we drove to Perry, Fl, staying just overnight at the KOA park there.  

 Today is Good Friday, a weekend our thoughts always turn to the spiritual significance of the weekend.  So very thankful for the sacrifice God made for us, that we might have an abundant life. May we live every day with a grateful heart.  He gave everything for us – that’s amazing love!

Saturday, April 4 – we drove to Navarre, FL, stopping at the Cracker Barrel in Tallahassee.  Wouldn’t you know this is a rare one that did NOT have RV parking!  Yikes.  You cannot take a big rig into tight quarters and towing a car eliminates the ability to back up at all, so you have to think ahead.  Fortunately, there was a convention center right next door and we were able to park in that lot and walk over. Close call.  Earl chose a great route of good roads but very light traffic.  Forgetting that this is Easter weekend as well as Spring Break – we found the RV parks mostly full.  We wanted to be right on the water for this week of just relaxation.  We got a site right across from the sound in Emerald Beach RV Resort in Navarre.  We chose this park specifically because this is where Jeremy and Kristin Gates live, and we wanted to go their church tomorrow.  So anxious to see old friends.  

After enjoying a couple of hours sitting outside reading and enjoying a slight breeze, we went over to Navarre Beach.  Gorgeous!!!  NOW I see why they call these Emerald Beaches!  Photos just don’t do them justice!  

We walked the beach for awhile, and then went to eat dinner at East River Smokehouse BBQ – so good!! 

Then we went back over to the beach to walk the longer pier on the Gulf and stayed there to marvel at the beautiful sunset.  God is an incredible artist!  The colors were exquisite. We just kept feeling like we had to pinch ourselves to realize this is really real and we’re off on the adventure of our lives!  Now back to the RV to shower and relax for the evening.  Tomorrow is Easter!

Easter Sunday – for Christ-followers the most important and spiritually significant date ever.  To think about the ultimate sacrifice God made for every one of us – because of His great love for us – it defies all reason, and can only be paid by our recognizing the great Gift and thanking Him by living our lives, devoted to our Lord.  So thankful that the world changed in 3 days – Thank God for Sunday!

Today we surprised our dear friends, Jeremy and Kristin Gates at their church in Ft. Walton Beach, Wright Baptist Church.   What a great Easter message!  Excellent service all around.  We’re happy to see them pastoring such a nice church with delightfully friendly people.  We spent much of the afternoon and early evening recalling old times.  Love our friendship. Looking forward to spending most of tomorrow with them.  Hope y'all had a blessed Easter Sunday.