Fair weather in Flordia

After a week we now have wifi.  Apparently, lightening blew out all the routers here at Hope International Children's Home.  Been fixed and everyone is happy.  Today we went to a PCA Presbyterian Church.  Very conservative which was sweet after last Sunday's booming music.  It was a special dedication service for a new building just finished.  The church hosts a Chinese church and today it was a combined service.  The Chinese pastor translated the service for the Chinese Christians.  Very interesting.  Afterwards was a potluck....do we know how to pick a church!
Yesterday we went to a perserve and walked a 4+ mile hike.  Nice hike, tired legs....lots of birds and armadillo's, turkeys and a huge turtle. 
Today wore shorts for the first time.  Beautiful today, although I slept most of the afternoon. 
The new RV is working out great.  I cook all of our meals and the kitchen is FANTASTIC.  It is very easy to cook, lots of room and the bigger frig.
There is a nice pond on the property.  Dale has found a friend to fish with and there is a little boat available.  Almost heaven!  He has also been treasure hunting.  Found a couple of brass monkeys....

It's cold here but not at cold as you are....

<> <> <>

Haven't had wifi access since we left Roanoke on Wednesday.  Spent the first night at WallyWorld.  Our very first Walmart overnight.  Not bad at all except for a couple of over RVer's who contrary to RV Wallymart parking etiquette ran generators into the night.  Not very pleasant.  Anyway we both survived,.  Our bodies stopped vibrating sometimes the next morning.  We drove a few hundred more miles and stayed in a Florida rest area that gives notice with a very sign "Overnight camping Prohibited".  We asked the very nice, professional armed security guard and he said we could overnight.  Glad we asked.  I'd hate to answer the door to a gun wielding fellow late in the night in our jammies.  Friday we arrived at our first project, just north of Tampa, Hope House international.  Today, I'd like to tell you a little about them. The children live at Hope House. Some are from one family, two, three and even four children.  It is a permanent living place for most of the children.  The families could not or would not take care of them.  They range in age from 2 through high school.  This is their home and they are part of a big family.  They are not adopted out.  They are not troubled youth, but neglected and left behind. Between 70 and 90 children live hear, ages 2 to high school graduates.  There are siblings, even 3, 4 and 5 family members.  They are neglected children.  Many left by a mom who can't care for she children.  They grow up here as part of a loving family.  A big family. I am working in the "Birthday Building" with one other lady.  Margaret and I are sorting through piles and piles of leftover Christmas gifts.  We are organizing them in boys, girls, young and older, games, sports, crafts and a few other categories.  It's a little building, I think an older one room camp cabin.  There are so many gifts it will take us all three weeks to finish the project. Dale is working on remodelling an apartment for house parents.  They live with the children, but seem to have a bit of their own space. It's chilly here, in the 50's, but from what I hear we are hot compared to anyone north of here.

Getting to the warm places

Burr, it's cold outside!  Tomorrow at first light tomorrow morning we are off again.  We have two projects planned, both in Florida.  How is that for good planning.  The first is at Hope House, a residence for neglected boys and girls.  We'll be arriving on Friday. 
Last night we enjoyed the peaceful company of our very small Bible group.  It is a place of the soothing "Balm of Gilead" for me.  The past few months have been very hectic for this frail child of the King.  Monday nights are a place of the sweet fellowship of the dearest of brothers and sisters.  A place of trust, comfort and learning about our Savior.  I miss those Monday nights when we travel.
Daisy has been bathed and is ready to go.  She knows change is in the air when we start cleaning and packing the RV....she is glued to my side.
No photos today...they are all on my laptop which is packed.