Miami Life

Daryl and I got to spend a couple of days in Miami this week for the Cabinet and Spouse learning retreat. We got to visit three different churches to learn about the redevelopment efforts that they are going through: First UMC Coral Gables, First UMC Miami and Ebenezer UMC in Miami. And we had our Cabinet Christmas party on the 7th floor of the new First Miami space on their balcony overlooking Biscayne Boulevard and beyond. 

First UMC Coral Gables - and they put on a chapel service for us too. 

 

Monday night dinner at the mall.

Tuesday exploring First UMC Miami - they created a mobile of their old stained glass windows for their new building. Each of these panels is 16 feet tall.

Our Cabinet dinner on the balcony and views of the city. 

And on Wednesday morning before we headed home we visited Ebenezer UMC. 

 

I'm so glad that Daryl could join me - it was nice to be away for a few days. AND the boys stayed home by themselves and managed fine.

A Little Anniversary Trip in Miami

Daryl drove down to Miami on Wednesday afternoon to spend a little time with me - like a little mini anniversary trip, a few days early. In the afternoon, we walked to the Birckell City Centre and had dinner at a Cuban restaurant there. 

On Thursday morning we got up and drove down to Key Largo and John Pennekamp State Park. Since I'm not released to swim yet after surgery, we just took some time walking around. 

When we got back, we took some time at the pool - I dangled my feet while Daryl swam. 

Dinner that night was at a food hall, called Julia and Henry. Three floors of food stalls. 

I had a chicken kebab and a bowl of Burmese rice noodles. 

Daryl had an amazing chicken sandwich and truffle fries. 

Friday morning we walked through Bayside Park again and rode the Miami SkyView (Eye). We grabbed dinner before we left town from The Knife, an Argentinian steakhouse. 

 

A Week of Ministry

I started out the week visiting Terra Ceia UMC for their 8:30am worship service. This is an island church right at the east end of the Sunshine Skyway bridge. 

 

And then on Monday I drove down to Miami. I am staying downtown thanks to the generosity of the First UMC of Miami. They sold their property on Biscayne Boulevard to a developer and are currently getting ministry space built out in a 49 story hotel/condo building. I get to stay in one of the 1 bedroom suites this week as a respite and I am using the time to work on my dissertation. Daryl will join me on Wednesday afternoon for a couple of days to celebrate our 24th anniversary (which is next Monday). Their pastor Audrey Warren and Daryl were commissioned in the same year. I'm on the 28th floor and I can see the Florida Marlins stadium from the balcony and from the gym I can see the Miami Heat stadium a block away. 

And Daryl posted some more pictures of the guys celebrating his second year of ministry with their bow ties!