Epcot

I'm en route to Epcot. We'll be seeing the Candlelight processional and other sights,

Before Devotions this past Monday morning, a fellow Wycliffe Associates volunteer approached me and asked if I'd like to go to Epcot with them this Sunday afternoon. I was thrilled and expressed my gratitude that they asked. The invitation got better!! Her husband works at Disney World and has free passes and free parking; I was (am) to be their guest.

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Postscript, 12/06/2010: I was home at 10:35 PM Sunday night. I was too exhausted to update the blog at that time. We walked many miles!! I did not dress in layers; I did not have adequate apparel to keep warm!! The wind was strong; the temperature was dropping!! (Unseasonably cold weather in Florida right now. Freezing temperatures!!) Blame the "fuzzy" last picture---getting on the tram---on an old lady photographer shaking from the cold!!

Picture #12 is the l-o-n-g, l-o-n-g line of people who paid $50. each for a "dinner ticket" that guaranteed them a seat for the annual Celebration of Christmas. My friends and I listened from a nearby outdoor food court. I apologized my way through the crowd to briefly take several pictures. The Bible passages were read, by Susan Lucci, regarding the birth of Jesus. Music by the London Philharmonic orchestra; traditional Christmas carols sung by the 1200 voice choir. After the poem "One Solitary Life," we listened to the glorious Hallelujah chorus. A very inspiring performance!!

Pictures #13 & #14 of a gigantic gingerbread house.

Picture #20 of the prices for food in the area with American attractions. We opted to go to the Great Britain area for fish and chips.

We rode the monorail from Epcot to and from Disney World. We saw the fireworks at both locations from the comfort (and warmth) of the monorail. Spectacular--but no pictures.

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Postscript, Sunday 12/12/2010, 7:00 PM: Last Sunday evening was mild compared to the arctic blast that has blanketed the Southeast. Most of the nation is suffering from bitter cold and snow.
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I'm grateful for sunshine & warm weather !!

Frost on the grass when I looked outside at 8 o'clock. The weatherman said a low of 32 degrees last night. It warmed up quickly and may have been in the low 80's in the afternoon. (I failed to listen to the evening news for actual Orlando high temperature.) From news, earlier in the day, I'm grateful for sunshine and warmth rather than the miserable weather in the Mid-west and the East.

A busy day!! I was bending, and lifting. I unloaded the KIA and set aside things to donate to the Wycliffe Associates auction in January. It was imperative that I get some of the things out of the KIA because it was loaded to the ceiling and I couldn't see out my rear view mirror!! I took a picture before I wrapped things up in the tarp. I hope to find someone who will put them in a storage area; I don't want to see them again until the auction.

In the process of moving things in-and-out of the KIA, I found the original November 2009 purchase of a set of Teardrop trailer patio lights. (They had never been opened.) I strung them across the front of the T@B.

Having access to free laundry, I washed the bedspread that covers all the things in the back of the KIA, and the rug that I have in my tiny trailer entry area. I also did my laundry from this past week. Clean clothes, clean sheets, clean porta-potty, fresh water in the tank. Everything ready for a new week!!

Counting my many blessings !!

Late yesterday afternoon, I was informed that I would have a campsite as long as I want to volunteer at Wycliffe Associates. I'm surmising that someone had to cancel their reservation. I'll be moving to site #60. A couple of weeks ago I took pictures because I'd been told that site ***might*** become available. It is twice the hike to the bathrooms, laundry room, clubhouse, etc., but that just means I'll get twice the exercise!?!? My only concern: Will I still be able to pick up the strong WiFi signal (from an antenna on the restroom building roof)? ~~ From the Holy Bible, 2 Corinthians 9:11: Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving unto God.

Where's the line to see Jesus ??

Another gift: A forwarded message from a friend and blog follower. (Thank you, Nancy.) Read the message and then listen to the song Where's the line to see Jesus?.

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Here’s the story behind the song:

While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four year old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, "where's the line to see Jesus"? My sister mentioned this to my dad, who immediately became inspired and jotted words down to a song in just a few minutes. After putting music to the words, and doing a quick recording at home, he received a great response from friends. He sent the song off to Nashville without much response, except for a Christian song writer who suggested adding a bridge at the end of the first chorus. My dad then asked if I wanted to record the song to see what we could do with it. I listened to the song, made a few changes to the words to make it flow better, and we headed to Shock City Studios. It was at the studio where Chris, owner and producer, rewrote the 2nd verse and part of the chorus... with goosebumps and emotions high, we were all hopeful and felt like we had something special. The demo was recorded in just under 2 hours and sent off again to Nashville... still no response. Then 2 weeks before Christmas last year, my cousins Greg and Robbie decided to do a video to see what we could accomplish on YouTube. The first day we had 3000 hits and it soared from there. We received e-mails, phone calls, Facebook messages from people all over asking for the music, CD's, iTunes, anything... we had nothin'. After a couple of meetings with Chris following the amazing response, we got serious. We headed back into the studio this past spring... this time with guitars, drums, bass, pianos, choirs... the real deal.... and here we are today. Getting iTunes set up, a website put together, and loving that thousands upon thousands of Christians have come together... remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults can not understand. Hopefully Spencer's observation will cause people all over to reflect on the love of Jesus, and that one day we will all stand in line to see Him. We are most thankful to our Heavenly Father to have this chance to share our music with you. Merry Christmas everyone.

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Where's the line to see Jesus?
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Yet another gift!! and it's only December third

A fellow volunteer rode by my campsite, on his bicycle, and said "You have two packages at the office." I anticipated that it might be my new business cards--and, indeed, the small box contained the cards. A large box, from Michigan, was a surprise!! ~~ The Smiley face Christmas lights are for indoor use so I strung them inside around one window. My little friend is displaying gift #1 and gift #2. ~~ I'm overwhelmed with gratitude to the gift givers!! ~~ (THANKS Debbie!!)

Another gift!! and it's only December second

I'm amazed!! Another gift!! An adorable Smiley face with a Santa hat--Christmas ornament. I don't even know the "sender."

Praise God from Whom all blessing flow!! Let us not forget that Jesus is the reason for the season!!

Gifts!! and it's only December first

It was just three weeks ago that I received the invitation to come to Wycliffe Associates in Orlando. ~~ I arrived..., I worked at a couple of projects..., I was recruited for phone calls and data entry. Data entry is a good "fit"!! (I love computers!!) ~~ Today I was given my own little office!! I haven't measured it yet but I think it is as large as my T@B. The sixth picture is the previous---perfectly acceptable!!---computer station.

After I left the office (at 5 o'clock), I stopped to check my mail. I've submitted a couple of Change of Address', and I've ordered new business cards. I received a personal letter with a gift inside. I'm thrilled by the thoughtfulness of one of my blog followers. Whenever possible I take pictures of my T@B with the Smiley face prominently featured. This kind gentleman obviously took note of the Smiley faces and I'm guessing he followed some of the Wycliffe Associate links that I posted on my blog (for this address). His thoughtful gift is greatly appreciated!! THANKS, John!! ~~ What was the gift, you ask? An adorable Smiley face with Santa hat jewelry pin that flashes and blinks colorfully in several places.