2022 Road Trip-Part 13 A

4 Jan

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Day 13 (5/28/2022)

After a quick breakfast this morning, I headed southwest 30 miles on I-75 skirting Cincinnati, OH, where I picked up I-71.  I had wanted to visit the Creation Museum, but it was too far out of my travel route so, I just continued south another 30 miles on I-75/I-71 to where I visited the Ark Encounter located in Williamstown, KY.  I had hoped to beat the crowd, if possible, but there were lots of people already waiting in line to buy tickets by the time I arrived at the attraction. 

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

The wait to purchase a ticket was short, and the agent gave me a ‘Double’ discount for being a Veteran and over 65 years old.  I was pleased with that start of the day.  However, the wait for the bus to the Ark entrance was another story.  It was like being at Disney.  The lines went back and forth forever, it seemed.  Once we arrived at the Ark, I was blown away by the size of the thing.  At 510 feet long, 85 feet tall, and 51 feet wide; it is huge!  They told us it took 3.3 million board feet of lumber, 1000 workers, and six years to build.  This photo doesn’t begin to show the size of the Ark, as it is far behind me.  Just try to see the people down near the right end of the Ark.  You can hardly see them for how tiny they are by comparison!

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

It was a pretty good walk from where this picture was taken, where the bus dropped us off, to where we actually entered the Ark.  There was a sloping ramp for wheelchairs on the outside, and elevators for those who needed them at the main entrance.  Then it was one long ramp after another to reach the first level.  

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

The Arc was divided into three levels.  The first, or lower level, was specifically designed for, and held, models of large caged animals.  I never did see where they would have kept the really big animals, like the elephants and giraffes.  The cages for these animals emitted very realistic sound effects of the various types of animals.  Food storage bags for these various animals were arranged, floor to ceiling, on the other side for easy access.  

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Tons of animal food storage bags gave the impression that it took a hugh amount of food to keep all those animals fed.  It was amazing at how organized the animal cages and food storage bags were.  I guess it needed to be that way in order to be able to take care of that many animals for a long period of time.

The second, or middle level, held the smaller animals, reptiles, and birds.  There were also sound effects of the many various types of birds.  Food storage containers for the many types of small animals and birds lined the walls from floor to ceiling on this level also.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

The top level was set aside for living quarters, food preparation area, and workshops for Noah and his family.  There was a large amount of food containers and clay oil jars lining the walls.  Many of these items were located close to the food preparation area for ease of access.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

I would have thought that food preparation for Noah and his family was the least of their problems.  My guess would be that feeding and caring for all those animals would have taken up most of their time every day.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

The Bible doesn’t mention that God told Noah how long he would be in the Ark.  Noah must have planned for a long voyage, or, he was used to a very comfortable living, as the family living quarters were quite luxurious for the ‘zoo boat’ they were in.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

And of course, Noah needed to preserve as much history as he could for future generations, so there was a library, or study, of sorts.  This room was filled with scrolls, charts and writing materials for Noah to record the past history, his experiences in the Ark, and the New World he and his family would find at the end of their voyage.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

And, of course, there would always be the need for a workshop, to make repairs to any part of the Ark as the need arose.  You know, like broken animal pens, leaks on the boat’s hull, and other such mundane  tasks.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

There was a lot to see and read on each level.  I didn’t read everything and only spent two hours going thru the Ark.  A person could easily spend the whole day in the Ark and the other things that are a part of the Ark Encounter attraction, such as the Ararat Ridge Zoo and even a camel ride if you dare. 

Photo Credit: https://arkencounter/ararat-ridge-zoo

—–To Be Continued—–

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 65 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Manned Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, traveling, writing blogs about his travels for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing.  He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum there in Titusville.  Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.

One of Bill’s favorite Scriptures is:  John 10:10

Tags: , , , , ,

Perfect Peace

2 Jan

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Isaiah 26:3+

You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in You.

Trust in the Lord forever; he will always protect us. He has humbled those who were proud. 

Lord, you make the path smooth for good people; the road they travel is level. 

We follow your will and put our hope in you; you are all that we desire. 

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

Tags: , , , , ,

Memories of New Year’s Past

1 Jan

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Reblog

I guess I am just like most people when it comes to New Years – “I AM going to lose those _____ pounds this year!” “I AM going to get the house in order!” “I AM going to scan all those pictures and get them in an album!” etc., etc., etc.

So, resolutions not-with-standing, what are my memories of New Years past? I guess my favorite memory is of growing up in my church in Albuquerque.

Photo credit First Baptist Church, Albuquerque Google search


For many years, on New Year’s Eve, the church would have a program that started about 6:00 p.m. with a dinner. Now, this was a fairly large church, and we had a paid staff who made the meals every Wednesday evening, before the regular activities began. And those ladies made the BEST dinner rolls!!! Nothing I’ve ever been able to duplicate!

Anyway, dinner started at 6:00 p.m. After that, I remember either a movie shown on a large screen in the sanctuary, or games. Perhaps there were games for the smaller children – I just don’t remember. But then there was a time of “remembrance” or sharing. Just being thankful for the year that was passing away, and looking forward to the new one approaching.

But the best thing about the entire evening, was that, after the sharing time, we would – literally – ring the outer edges inside the sanctuary, holding hands to make a funny-shaped circle, and pray in the New Year. We could hear the fireworks going off, and people yelling outside the church building. But inside, we were asking God to bless the New Year, and us in it, and our part of it. It was an extremely wonderful time.

And then I remember some New Year’s Eve’s in our small church in Virginia.

Seaford Baptist Church, Seaford, Virginia Oldest buildings

We would gather for a time of sharing and remembrance, then share the Lord’s Supper together, and then pray in the New Year. I do remember one year that Karen and Brian married (on December 30). As we were sharing thoughts, I shared that I would have to learn to keep my mouth shut and be a good mother-in-law!

The pastor would try to do the Lord’s Supper differently some times, to make it more meaningful for us.
I remember a time when he had a loaf of bread, and we pinched off our own little piece. I also remember a time when there was a community cup for each family to share the “wine” (grape juice in the Baptist church!).

But in all the memories I have, it always culminated with prayer for the New Year. And I can’t think of a better way to start any New Year, than asking God’s blessings upon it.

May YOUR New Year be blessed beyond measure.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit
Romans 15:13

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

Tags: ,

2022 Road Trip-Part 12 B

28 Dec

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Day 12 Continued (5/27/2022)

So, after missing out on a visit to the Gasoline Alley Museum there in St. Marys, I just headed east 15 miles on US-33 to visit the Armstrong Air & Space Museum located in Wapakoneta, OH.  I had visited this museum once before on another road trip, but since I had worked on the Apollo-Saturn V launch vehicle (at KSC) that put Neil Armstrong, and the other eleven American astronauts on the Moon, this museum held a special interest for me.   The museum is housed in a specially designed 17,291 sq. ft. building and displays artifacts and memorabilia related to the military and space life achievements of Neil Armstrong and what led to man’s first steps on the moon on July 20, 1969.  There is now doubt that he was an amazing person. 

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

After that great trip down memory lane, I headed south 30 miles on I-75 & SR-273 to visit The Bicycle Museum of America located in New Bremen, OH.  This 2-story museum is absolutely jam-packed with 150+ bicycles of every size and configuration dating from 1816.  The curator told me the museum is a part of the private collection of one man, Jim Dicke II, and consists of some 750 cycles (600+ in storage).  I even got a chance to try my luck on their 1870 ‘Big Wheel’ cycle (fixed in place).

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Now it was less than 10 miles south on SR-66 to where I visited the Wilderness Trail Museum located in Fort Loramie, OH.  This museum is situated in the old renovated 1852 two-story brick building that was originally a hotel used by Miami-Erie Canal travelers to the area.  The museum is arranged to represent a mid-1800s hotel and displays antique artifacts and memorabilia related to the history of Fort Loramie and the surrounding Shelby County area from the late 1700s.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Now it was another 15 miles south on SR-66 to where I visited the Johnson Farm & Indian Agency located in Piqua, OH.  The Johnson Farm is a 200-acre site where General Anthony Wayne built the Fort Piqua in 1811.  After the military withdrew from the fort around 1858, John Johnson extablished a traiding post and Federal Indian Agency at the site.  The farm includes the Johnson home (circ 1815), restored portions of the old Fort Piqua, and a one-mile restored section of the Miami-Erie Canal.  Visitors to the Johnston Farm can also take a ride in a replica of the 70-foot mule-drawn ‘General Harrison’ canal boat (circ 1845).

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Now it was only about 10 miles south on SR-25A to where I planned to visit The Museum of Troy History located in Troy, OH but they were closed.  So, while I was in Troy, it was only a short drive to visit the WACO Aviation Museum located there in Troy.  This museum has a restored 1856 barn that was relocated from Lorain, OH and two other large hangers, filled with a beautiful collection of restored WACO biplanes dating from 1921.  WACO built some of my favorite “Golden Age” aircraft, and I love seeing them up close and flying (Not today).

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

The original 1820s building in which the Overfield Tavern Museum, is housed is also located there in Troy, and was in the process of being renovated when I stopped by for a visit.  So, all I got for my troubles was a photo and then was on my way to the next museum on my list.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

It was another 10 miles south on I-75 to Vandalia, OH where I wanted to visit the Sunwatch Indian Village, but they were closed.  So, I just continued south another 50 miles on I-75 to Sharonville, OH where I planned to stop for the night.  I found an IHOP Restaurant in the Oakley Center and ordered one of their ‘Colorado Omelettes’ and enjoyed that delicious meal.  Yummm!  It was hugh, and I even had enough left over for tomorrow night.

Photo Credit: ihop colorado omelette – Bing images

After that great meal, I gave Greta (My Garmin) the address for the motel there in Sharonville, and she took me right to it.  I got checked in, got my stuff into the room, and recorded the day’s activities.  Then it was to bed for this tired puppy.  No TV again tonight.

—–To Be Continued—–

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 65 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Manned Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, traveling, writing blogs about his travels for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing.  He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum there in Titusville.  Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.

One of Bill’s favorite Scriptures is:  John 10:10

Tags: , , ,

Shouts of Glory

26 Dec

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Psalms 148:1-7

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

Let the skies be filled with praise and the highest heavens with the shouts of glory!

Go ahead—praise him, all you, his messengers!

Praise him some more, all you heavenly hosts!

Take it up even higher up to the highest heavens until the cosmic chorus thunders his praise!

Let the entire universe erupt from nothing to something. He spoke and created it all. 

He established the cosmos to last forever, and he stands behind his commands so his orders will never be revoked.

A little Christmas humor.

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

Tags: , , , , ,

Christmas 2022

25 Dec

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

To quote myself from 2016…..

Christmas, Christmas, Christ-mas….in the air…  If you are ever at Walt Disney World, and EPCOT in particular in the Christmas season, stop by and hear the Voices of Liberty in the American Pavilion.  The singers are dressed in Dickens-themed attire, and their songs are all Christmas, as well as a few Hanukkah songs.  Totally delightful!

Picture by Judy Wills

And now to 2022 – it’s been far too long with the Covid pandemic for Christmases to be as joyful and filled with joy as previous years.  But this year promises to be more.  And for that we are grateful.  

Our church is more filled this year than it has been the past two years – and we are grateful.  Our Sunday School classes are ramping up with more attending to learn the Word of God – and we are grateful.  While we don’t have a Minister of Music in our church, we still have music – and we are grateful.

Our church building/Sanctuary has undergone some renovation this year.  Here is a picture of the original way it was – pews and old blue carpet.

2008 – Picture by Judy Wills

Here it is newly renovated – chairs and carpet squares.

As I mentioned last time, we have Cast members from Disney who give of their talents to decorate our building.  Here are a couple of pictures from past years and this year:

2013 – Picture by Judy Wills

2022 – Picture by Judy Wills

2022 – Picture by Judy Wills

I am grateful to be living in a free country, where I can go to church and worship with fellow believers.  We are free to worship as we feel God wants us to worship.  I am not afraid or ashamed of my beliefs.  I am grateful to have the freedom to say these things.  May that always be true for this country.

Also from 2016…

As we all know, the future is in God’s hands…and His plan for our lives is so much better than anything we could devise for ourselves…..  We will continue to share the Good News of Christmas with those we meet and love – that God sent His one and only Son to this earth as a baby, so that He would die on a cross for our sins, but, miraculously, by the Hand of God, be raised from the dead and grave, to give us eternal salvation. 

GOD IS AMAZING!!  And He is LOVE.  And He is PEACE.   And He is JOY.  And He is all of those things, and more, in this life, with the promise of eternal life with Him.  How great is that??!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

Tags: , , , , ,

This is How Stress Turns to Peace This Christmas

23 Dec

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

My friend went bananas. During the last lock-down, she posted on Facebook: “If you’re looking for ripe bananas anywhere in town, don’t bother. I bought them all.”

And she did! She was in the middle of a banana nut bread baking marathon. Who got a loaf? Anyone who posted their request on Facebook. She kept going and lost count after the 75th loaf. Was she nutty? Yup…and so was her banana bread.

Some she mailed, others she hand-delivered. Comments of gratitude poured in. She asked for no payment, no exchange of anything. Everyone got a loaf just for asking.

God uses the same method.

He has the bread of life prepared in the oven of His love. It’s ready to ease our hunger. Ready to dismantle stress and bring on peace.

But as crazy busy as we are, we don’t stop to ask. We have all kinds of reasons: the Christmas season is way too hectic to pause and receive. We’re way to committed. Way too focused on pleasing others, and driven to bake those cookies and hang the ornaments. Bedtime can’t come soon enough.

How sad, caught up in the frantic and frills, we miss the beautiful, rich, and wholesome bread of life, which by the way, God hand-delivers to the doorstep of our soul.

But that gift of love remains unopened, untouched. Could that be why our peace turns to pieces of stress instead? It does while we’re in the midst of the rush, in the middle of the worry, and in the depth of our busy days.

But if you halt that busyness and pause to inhale the delicious aroma, this allows your soul to delight in the truth spoken by the apostle Paul.

God’s Message for You

Although he wrote to the Ephesians, the message may be for you today, for this very moment. Instead of dwelling in how life used to be, how sad things seem, how wide and long and high and deep your troubles are, Paul says: “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…” (Ephesians 3:17-18).

It’s the depth of that love that satisfies the deepest hunger. Love that soothes past wounds. Love that transforms stress to peace.  And, it’s that love that “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work with in us” (Ephesians 3:19).

Beyond what you can ask or imagine, in spite of what anxiety grips you, gloom that surrounds you, or the loneliness that invades you. He goes beyond your expectations: He not only heals, He restores. He not only provides, He gives you riches. He not only satisfies, He brings a lifetime of delight.

Pure love was born on Christmas day. That’s worth celebrating. How about slicing some of that delicious bread, and delighting our soul in the bread of life prepared with God’s love. Christmas comes alive—nourished by His love, strengthened by His Word, and empowered by His promises.

Let’s Pray

Father, thank You for showing me that fulfillment, satisfaction, peace and meaning aren’t found in the frills of the Christmas season. Thank you for granting me the wisdom to pause and realize my hunger was for you—the bread of life. I praise you for allowing me to savor Your love through Christ—love that permanently delights my soul.

What will satisfy your hunger today?

It’s my joy to have you as part of my inspirational family. Please feel free to share today’s post with others.

Janet

Let’s Stay in Touch

You and I are only a click away. Hop on over to this CONTACT FORM.  Once there you can leave your prayer request, make a comment, ask a question, or invite me to speak to your group.

I also invite you to visit my brand new WEBSITE.  You’ll find more inspirational blogs along with my story, books, and videos. You’ll also learn the passion and mission of JC Empowerment ministries.

Janet Eckles Perez

Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR

Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.

www.janetperezeckles.com

Tags: , , ,

2022 Road Trip-Part 12A

21 Dec

My Take

Bill Lites

Day 12 (5/27/2022)

This morning, after breakfast, I headed northeast 25 miles on US-24 to visit the Science Central located in Fort Wayne, IN.  This science center is housed in the old original 1809 City Light & Power plant.  A 30,000 sq. ft. section of this 75,000 sq. ft. building has been renovated for use by the Science Central and is filled with interpretive exhibits and will keep children of all ages busy all day.

Photo Credit: https://preparmy.com/fort-wayne/science-central/

It was just a few blocks from the Science Central to where I stopped to check out the Old Fort Park there in Fort Wayne.  This park is a living history fort replica of the original fort, built on this site in 1816 by Major John Whistler, at the confluence of the St. Mary, St. Joseph, and Maumee Rivers.  The fort has several log homes and buildings with 1700s furnishings, and hosts the annul Colonial America, and other 1700s era re-enactments for visitors from far and wide.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Next, it wasn’t far from the Old Fort Park to where I visited the Indiana National Guard Base and the 122nd Fight Wing Heritage Park located adjacent to the Fort Wayne International Airport (Baer Field).  This outdoor aviation park displays seven restored static aircraft utilized by the Indiana Air National Guard since 1947.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Now I headed downtown to visit the Firefighters Museum there in Fort Wayne.  This museum is located in the old renovated 1893 firehouse No. 3 and served Fort Wayne until 1972, when a new firehouse was built.  The museum is set up to represent an 1800’s firehouse, with living quarters on the second floor and a fine collection of antique fire engines downstairs in the engine bay, that date from 1860s.  The museum’s fire engine centerpiece is the 1893 Amoskeag horse-drawn steam fire engine that was first used in Detroit, Michigan.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

From the Firefighter’s Museum, it wasn’t far to where I visited the Fort Wayne Railroad Museum.  This museum is situated in the old 1914 Baker Street Station and displays antique Railroad artifacts and memorabilia that date from the early 1900s.  The museum also has one of the last 1944 Nickle Plate Railroad steam locomotives (No.765) which they use, along with other pieces of rolling stock, to give visitors local excursion rides and other event train rides, during the year, from New Haven to Angola.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

On my way to Decatur, IN to visit the Peace Monument, I had to detour thru Monroeville, and was impressed with a city mural I passed.  So, I stopped to take a photo of this mural before continuing on my way thru more back roads.  From that mural, it’s not hard to guess what most people who live in the Monroeville area do for a living.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Greta (My Garmin) finally got me to Decatur, IN and found the Peace Monument there on the grounds of the Adams County Courthouse (in the background).  This beautiful cenotaph memorial was designed by Charles Mulligan in 1912 and is in honor of peace and the sacrifice of all soldiers in war.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Now, I headed southeast 35 miles on US-33, across the border, to visit the Gasoline Alley Museum located in St. Marys, OH.  I was a fan of the Gasoline Alley gang comics when I was a kid and was eager to visit this museum.  However, it was nowhere to be found.  I talked to some locals at a gas station near the ‘address’ for the museum, but they said they had never heard of the museum.  It’s hard for me to believe the museum was not known by locals of a small town like St. Marys when I see the photos of the museum on the internet.  Bummer!

Photo Credit: https://aldrichpears.com/gasoline-alley-museum  

—–To Be Continued—–

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 65 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Manned Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, traveling, writing blogs about his travels for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing.  He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum there in Titusville.  Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.

One of Bill’s favorite Scriptures is:  John 10:10

Tags: , , ,

Mighty Warriors

19 Dec

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Ps. 45:3-4 TPT

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Now strap your lightning sword of judgment upon your side, O mighty warrior, so majestic!

You are full of beauty and splendor as you go out to war! In your glory and grandeur, go forth in victory!

Through your faithfulness and meekness, the cause of truth and justice will stand. Awe-inspiring miracles are accomplished by your power, leaving everyone dazed and astonished!”

The Joy of the Lord is my Strength

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

Tags: , , , ,

Church-Part 11

18 Dec

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

What have I loved about my church – going to church – being at church?  Well, I love being with fellow believers.  I love sharing events that happen in our lives, and that we can pray for each other, and see God’s hand in it all.

Photo Credit Pixabay

I love seeing people come to faith in God through Christ Jesus – both young and old(er).  I love to see the faith in older believers being given to the next generation.  I love seeing young families in church – just the fact that Moms and Dads come and bring their young children with them.  Perhaps the young ones don’t understand everything right now, but they will see the faith of their parents, and that will last them their whole life long.  

Photo Credit Pixabay

I love to see the Pastors and teachers willingly give of their time to study God’s Word and bring the truth of God to the Sunday School classes and the congregation.

Photo Credit Pixabay

I am grateful that we have the capability of the live streaming of the worship services on those Sundays that I am unable to attend the service myself for illness.  And that’s the ONLY reason I don’t attend church services.  While I am glad to have that opportunity…..it is just NOT the same as being in the same building with the same people, worshiping the same God.  I really LOVE that time together!  And, I must admit – I don’t usually sing along with the live stream!

I must say, however, that while I was Church Secretary all those years, it occurred to me that I was going to “church” six days a week and only getting paid for five days – because Sunday was one of my days “off.”  When I worked in the private sector, Sunday was a day that we went to church, as part of that weekend.  But here I was working at the same place I worshiped each week.  It was a strange feeling, and one I had to get past.

I love, here in Orlando, that we have such talented people in our body of believers, and that they are willing to share their talents with our church.  I love some of the decorations that our Disney Cast Members create for our special events – Christmas, Easter, military observances, etc.  We have former Disney Cast Members who work our sound and lighting equipment – and the live streaming.  Their talent is unmatched!

Photo Credit Judy Wills

Photo Credit Judy Wills

I love that we have, among our body of believers, those who work with Wycliffe Bible Translators and CRU (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ).  They are a fountain of information.  It amuses me/us when the guy in our Sunday School class, who works on the logistics for the Jesus Film, gets into a discussion with some of the class members and writes some kind of formula on the white board!  The rest of us, who are NOT engineers, just sit and laugh at them.  It makes for a fun class.

There is more I can tell, but that will have to wait for another posting.

WE….ARE THE CHURCH!

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

Tags: , , , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →