Bishop Installation

Saturday Daryl and I attended the installation service for Bishop Tom Berlin as the episcopal leader for the Florida Area. The cabinet members served communion. It was a lovely service of celebration and it was such a good time of reconnecting with folks as we got to fellowship before and after. 

And the bonus on the day? We got to visit with Parker and take him to dinner! 

Random Debbie and Daryl Moments

I got a big haircut this past week - loving the short hair again. 

And Daryl got to replace all of the lights in our ceiling tray at home. Now the lights operate on wifi with an app on our phone and also change color! 

 

Daryl Update

Last week Daryl had the opportunity to go on retreat with his covenant group brothers for a few days on Flagler Beach on the east coast.  So glad that he was able to get away with others for support. 

And here's a few pictures of the recent ministry fair at Grace UMC in Venice! 

Life Around the District

I got to spend time in a few different cities this past week - two worship services at Emmanuel UMC and Rogers Community UMC in Bradenton. 

We celebrated the birthday of one of our district staff, Lynn Ball! 

And I got the chance to visit Lighthouse UMC at Boca Grande and watch the sunset. 

A Few Pics of Davis

This was Davis the other day hanging out in the driveway playing with some kids from the neighborhood. 

And some sleepy time snuggles with the dog on the couch. 

 

Lunar New Year

Welcome to 2023 with Lunar New Year. For the Chinese people this is the year of the Rabbit (Vietnamese people celebrate Year of the Cat). 

We've decorated the house for Davis for Lunar New Year (and Valentine's Day). Lunar New Year or Spring Festival lasts for two weeks and we are planning a party with friends at the house for Saturday February 4th in the afternoon. 

Disney Time

Tuesday night I took off late to meet my friend Amy Hill at Fort Wilderness for her belated birthday trip. Amy booked three nights at the cabins in Fort Wilderness. While I've tent camped here many times, including with Amy and her kids, the cabins are considered a "deluxe" Disney resort. Amy and I had a blast hanging out together. 

Wednesday we started out slow, sleeping in and getting coffee in the cabin. Then we headed over to Epcot. 

We had lunch reservations at Le Cellier in Canada. The food is divine and allergy friendly. 

Amy had the cheese soup and the filet mignon. 

I had allergy friendly bread, maple whiskey brussel sprouts, along with bison loin and sautéed green beans and also carrots. 

Then we wandered around the various nations in the World Showcase and some of the festival art booths. 

We drove back to Fort Wilderness and then caught the ferry over to the Magic Kingdom for the evening. 

From the People Mover, we could see the new Iron ride which opens in April - finally. 

We rode Mine Train during the fireworks and afterwards caught the rest of the fireworks show from near the Carousel. 

Some snacks and a ride on Pirates and then the Enchanted Tiki Room. 

On the ferry boat ride back to the Fort, we saw the Electric Water Pageant. 

Thursday morning we got up early to enjoy the amazing breakfast buffet at Boma inside Animal Kingdom Lodge. Their POG (passionfruit, orange and guava) juice is to die for! 

We met up with the rest of the Hills and headed over to Animal Kingdom. 

We rode Dinosaur, met Chip and Dale and then rode Everest. 

Lunch was at Restauransaurus. 

Then Tim and CJ left for back home and all of the girls headed back to Rafiki's Planet Watch in the back of the park. You have to ride a train to get there. There is a petting zoo. This is also where they film a lot of episodes for the Disney+ show about Behind the Scenes in Animal Kingdom with all of the vets and the animal care. 

This is one of the surgery rooms that you can see through the glass. We were fortunate enough to get a behind the scenes tour of the whole animal wing and meet a couple of the veterinarians. No pictures but that was super cool! 

So thankful for the time to get away with Amy and take good care of my soul with some Disney pixie dust!