Visiting Jon for Easter

When Jonathan made the decision to go to Florida for ministry training at Advance, we just knew we'd have to visit him (and the beach) sometime around the cold temps of Missouri. Phillip and I flew down for five days and the dates happened to work out for Easter.

It was a stressful trip, no doubt about it. Stormy plane landings (motion sickness ensues), car towed (the towing-est place I've ever seen!), driving in traffic in a vehicle you're unused to on highways you don't know..... 

But, it was also warm and wonderful to see the place Jon has settled into and meet so many faces he has talked about.

We attended one of Jon's classes with him and were very pleased with the scholarship and content. We got to talk a little with the director Travis and the visiting professor. We also met Mrs. Norma and Mrs. Glorimar who live in the duplexes where Jon lives. They take care of him and he takes care of them. Especially Mrs. Norma who is 97! He reads his Church History book to her out on the porch swing, and she enjoys it immensely.

From class Phillip and I headed to Daytona Beach for a couple of days. We did not spend a lot of time on the beach, but the hotel was lovely with onsite restaurant and coffee. Our room was on the first floor and we had a cabana so we would walk right outside to the pool and the beach and keep our door open to hear the ocean. It was a relaxed time to be together. I got a pedicure. 💖

I did get up in time for the sunrise our last morning. 

I had a beautiful walk down the beach and enjoyed all the different birds in Florida. Shorebirds are so quick and funny.

Very good barbecue on the way back to Kissimmee: Colt's Pig Stand. And later with Jon we ate at 4 Rivers Smokehouse, another we can highly recommend.

We met Jon at his duplex and hung out a little while.

After pizza, we walked down Kissimmee Mainstreet and saw all the shops and whatnots.

Sunday was Easter! I have to say that it's hard to be in the right frame of mind for Resurrection Sunday when you've been traveling. Nothing feels right, at least to me. But we heard an excellent sermon from Jim Book and enjoyed being with Jon on this day. 

Jonathan was teaching the young adult Sunday school class, so we got to sit in and hear him. He did a great job covering the evidences that Jesus actually did die (refuting those who say that he just fainted and came back to life and so never rose from the dead ~ the Swoon Theory). He's part of a great class here. They have a lot of fun, you can tell. 

More of the young adult class.

Jonathan and I went to several parks. He knows how to find the good stuff. They were lovely walks. We saw and heard so many birds! Saw a couple of alligators.

At this park there were a pair of sandhill cranes and their two chicks. They ignored us and continued to hunt for food. Their chicks are brown and blend in so well with the grasses.

Hanging out at Starbucks.

Phoebe and Harrison held down the fort back home. Unfortunately Phoebe got sick, so they didn't get to do much that was fun. Phoebe was the cook though and she kept them fed. Mimi and Papa took them out for Easter lunch, which is wonderful since we couldn't be here. I prepared a scavenger hunt for them to find their Easter treats. Wasn't sure if it would be a dud, but they both said they enjoyed it. We sure missed them!

Amos and Lanaya Elizabeth sent us their Easter picture from their church backdrop which she helped put together. I love her dress.

Lanaya also has her art work set up at the coffee shop she works at. There are three locations and each location displays her work for a month. She's sold several pieces already.

We are back home! I think we're almost caught up on sleep and relaxing back into normal life. So happy to see Jon. We'll see him again when he's back home for the summer.