Wheel -- Hawaii -- Hope Chapel

Okay .. so the title makes absolutely no sense, right. Wheel of Fortune is on right now and I noticed that it was filmed in Hawaii and that brought back memories of a couple visits we made to Hawaii.

The first one was in 2000 right during the presidential election. Bob and I had absentee voted (is that how you say it?) and since there is a substantial time difference, we went to dinner thinking that by the time we got back, we would have a president. Well, suffice it to say, even though we didn't return home for a few days, we were still in limbo! And being from the state of Florida did not help things at all. I told friends that when people asked where we were from, we said, "Florida" and then ducked for cover!

We returned to Hawaii five years ago to go on a cruise with my sister, Rachel, and her husband, Allen. Allen was celebrating his fortieth birthday (guess that tells you how old he is!), they were celebrating their 20th anniversary and Bob and I were celebrating our 35th anniversary.

We decided to incorporate visiting churches while we were there. Bob had read "Let Go of the Ring" written by Ralph Moore and was quite fascinated and inspired by the story of "Hope Chapel" in Hawaii. So, we chose to visit two Hope Chapel campuses while we were there -- one on the front end of the trip and one on the back. What an experience that was!! (Click on "Hope Chapel" above to visit their site.)

One of the intriguing things I found was that they roped off the seats -- almost to the front and as each of those rows were filled, they would move the rope back. (Stretchy type of rope.) And people seemed very comfortable with that -- what a great idea! Somehow I think people in our churches might just jump the rope and say, "I'm a back seat person!" No one did it there nor seemed concerned that they might have to sit near the front.

If you get a chance to read Ralph Moore's book, you will be inspired ... as he describes how they plant churches and even how they fund those churches.

How can something so little change our lives so much!

This little "thing" weighs about 9-1/2 pounds so shouldn't affect anything too much, right? But, wow!! Our schedule seems to revolve around "her" -- I should never refer to Ava June as a "thing" and my apologies for doing so. (You would think I would just go back and delete that part. If it were in the "olden" days, I would look for the liquid paper or some sort of erase type of thingy. Remember those strips we would use to erase an error in our typing? Oh, how times have changed!)

Anyway, little Ava has certainly made an impression on all of us. Since Roxanne and Chris live in our home, too, that gives me quick access to our little great-granddaughter. And what fun that has been -- even when she spent most of the night with me when she just couldn't seem to get to sleep and her mommy was exhausted.

Now, along with changing our schedule, it seems our home has become Grand Central Station -- for high schoolers (who are Kasi's schoolmates -- she went back to school today!) This evening, a group from her cheer leading team dropped in including moms! I opened the door not really expecting anyone this evening -- and there was a whole line of people. So much for not really dressing up much today. Oh, well .. I'll hide in my office and write this up while they visit in the living room. Maybe in a little while, I can make a dash for my room and hope nobody notices. Sure ...

Ava's a good little girl already although she's already developing a personality. She started to smile (other than a 'gas' smile) yesterday and I think everyone cheered. You would think we haven't had a baby in our house in years! I'll admit that it feels a little different being "once removed" ... being a 'great' grandmother. However, it's interesting when either Rox or Kasi are unsure how to handle something, they are quick to come to me and ask. Maybe they are just trying to be kind and not wanting me to feel left out.

So .. we'll enjoy this little gal who has brought some change into our lives! Even if it interrupts our schedule and I awake to her sleeping peacefully beside me!

More weather news -- won't bore you with it all!

I received another weather bulletin -- this one longer than the last one. I won't bore you with the details other than to say that the concern is more about weather below freezing and how it affects our crops here -- oranges, strawberries, etc. Anyone been to the Strawberry Festival in Plant City? If not, it's a great place to visit in Florida. Oh, when was I there last? Probably once in the last ten years. It's great -- however, it is a very busy place and I prefer to stay out of the craziness.

By the way, big news! Ava smiled today -- really smiled. Okay, so I'm a great-grandmother and it's only been 18 months since the last baby smiled but each one is special in their own way!!

I was talking to her (no baby talk, just a nice little conversation) and she smiled so big, she almost couldn't contain it!

Tyler loves his cousin, Ava, but expressed some concern today as he sees that Ava has found a place in his mom's and dad's hearts, also. He wondered if Ava would take his place. Needless to say, he was very quickly assured that he has the very special place in his parents' hearts and no one can take that place -- ever! He seemed very content with the answer and told me that he would be Ava's protector -- and I am sure he will be just that. The photo tells that story!

You know you live in Florida when you receive this weather bulletin!!

I receive email weather alerts and this one just arrived a few minutes ago. Having been raised in the good ol' north, I still get amused when I read these and we've lived in Florida for 17+ years!

Here is how it reads:

WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAMPA BAY RUSKIN FL 546 PM EST SUN NOV 16 2008 ..A VERY COLD NIGHT IN STORE FOR ALL OF WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WITH AREAS OF FROST POSSIBLE OVER THE NATURE COAST...

STRONG COLD HIGH PRESSURE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD INTO THE REGION TONIGHT. A COLD AND VERY DRY AIR MASS ASSOCIATED WITH THE HIGH WILL ALLOW TEMPERATURES TO FALL OFF QUICKLY AFTER SUNSET. WITH THE HIGH BUILDING IN SURFACE WINDS WILL BEGIN TO DIMINISH AND WITH CLEAR SKIES ALMOST IDEAL RADIATIONAL COOLING WILL TAKE PLACE OVERNIGHT WHICH WILL ALLOW TEMPERATURES TO FALL INTO THE LOWER AND MIDDLE 30S OVER THE NATURE COAST...WITH POCKETS OF NEAR FREEZING...UPPER 30S TO LOWER 40S CENTRAL INTERIOR LOCATIONS...EXCEPT UPPER 40S TO AROUND 50 ALONG THE IMMEDIATE COAST...AND LOWER 40S INTERIOR TO THE UPPER 40S ALONG THE COAST OVER SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BY EARLY MONDAY MORNING.

IN ADDITION TO THE COLD TEMPERATURES ADEQUATE GROUND MOISTURE WILL LIKELY SUPPORT AREAS OF FROST IN THE NORMALLY SHELTER INLAND LOCATIONS OF THE NATURE COAST AFTER MIDNIGHT...WITH SOME PATCHY FROST POSSIBLE OVER EASTERN PASCO COUNTY AS WELL AS NORTHERN SECTIONS OF HILLSBOROUGH AND POLK COUNTIES MAINLY EAST OF THE I-75 CORRIDOR JUST BEFORE SUNRISE.

RESIDENTS PLANNING TO BE OUTDOORS THIS EVENING AND OVERNIGHT SHOULD PREPARE ACCORDINGLY. BRING SEVERAL LAYERS OF CLOTHING...AS THEY WILL INSULATE YOU BETTER THAN A SINGLE COAT OR JACKET. RESIDENTS SHOULD COVER OR MOVE INDOORS ANY COLD SENSITIVE PLANTS THIS EVENING. ALSO...BRING PETS INDOORS.