Hometown Christmas

We had fun at Hometown Christmas last night in Fruitland Park and then hanging out with the Hills and Landstedts afterwards. Amy made me some awesome yummy dessert treats I could actually eat! 

Advent Retreat

Tuesday Daryl, CJ and I got to spend some time in Davenport with other pastors for an Advent Retreat with the Bishop and it was a lovely time of much needed pause in the midst of the busy season.

Scouting News

Monday night was the last Court of Honor for the Boy Scouts for the year and Wesley got two merit badges and Parker got one for cooking. He only has one more to go! It was also their Christmas party. 

And then on Tuesday night, we took Parker to Lake Sumter College to meet with District Boy Scout executives to get approval for his Eagle Project. He is all good to start fundraising. He will be renovating several elements on the low ropes course at Warren Willis Camp. We'll start with all of that in the new year. 

Disney Fun

Soon our Disney passes will be on blackout for the holidays. So before that happened, we ran down to Epcot this afternoon in order to get the new holiday passholder magnets - the first time ever they've handed out a pair of magnets - Chip and Dale! We rode Soarin' while we were there and we also got a selfie in our new Disney t-shirts, made by our dear friend Amy Hill! They look awesome, thank you!!!

Two From Galilee

Friday night and Saturday afternoon we did a full scale musical at church - Two From Galilee, based on one of my favorite novels of the same name by Marjorie Holmes. In the first act, I was an unmarried girl in the chorus and in the second act, Daryl and I played the innkeepers. We had such a great time with the cast and crew, made up of folks from all three services as well as folks from the traditional choir and the contemporary band. In many ways the musical reminded me of a cross between Fiddler on the Roof and the Christmas Story. It was very moving and touching to be part of. 

Looking a Lot Like Christmas

It was so good to see the Christmas decorations up at church this past weekend. We had our advent ladder up again in the 9Thirty worship space. 

And I adore this nativity in the sanctuary narthex. 

At home, we're all decorated except for the white and gold tree - we were able to finish up the dining room tree on Sunday. I think this is one of the earliest years I've decorated but at least I don't feel behind yet for Christmas.

Preaching Fun

Daryl preached on Sunday. Since it was communion Sunday there was no children's Sunday school so they have these little fill in sheets to work on during the service to help them stay engaged. Two parents sent us pictures of their kids' forms after the service.

The first one, because her kid listed the preacher as "Davis' dad"! He's one of Davis' friends.

And the second one, because her kid drew a picture of Daryl with his bicycle, which was an illustration he told at the beginning of his sermon.