Two different kinds of old

Loved this view, though neither my eyes nor my phone camera could capture the pod of dolphins in the distance

Hello from the "warm" state of Florida. Which was so NOT warm last week that we had to turn the heater on. = ) But it's okay, because I absolutely LOVE Fall.

This summit has been one of rest and                   

joy in the children I teach. These kids 

are so easy to love and I do believe I 

will miss them...well, most of them: 

there's always that one kid...

The first day I was playing a game with them and I had mentioned that I had a hard time seeing and I would appreciate it if they would tell me their names whenever I threw the ball. That way I would learn them faster. Every single kid told me, multiple times, and I had all of their names pretty much down pat within three days: that has never happened to me before and I think it really helped me connect with them. I think it helped them know me better too, I've never had so many kids seem so eager to talk to, hug, and tease me. One girl, Kailey (NOT Kaylee, that's the OTHER one. Lol) brought me the sweetest letter on Sunday. She even said she chose some stamps to put on it that made her think of my personality...hearts and flowers?

My host parents this summit have been absolutely wonderful as well. He's a retired Air Force Fighter Pilot and she's the most caring and wonderfully chatty host mom I think I've ever had. I've also had my own room and my own bathroom here and a day doesn't go by that I don't thank God for this place and these people. They are all very open and friendly and polite. The other day I was kinda wishing they weren't quite so polite, though...

See, wha' ha' happen' wuz...I was signing the kids in using two different colored markers to make the sign out process easier. My goal was to keep the same amount of kids on each list and I was doing so well that I asked several kids which color they would prefer: orange or purple.

Like I said, I did this several times for several children. Not a single one of them (or their parents) felt the need to tell me that the "purple" marker was, in fact, brown. It's a small thing, and I laughed when I found out - at the end of the evening - but I really wish people would just tell me. I would not find it rude.

I very rarely become offended over reminders/jokes about my eyesight. What with traveling and meeting so many people, it's actually a blessing because it's a fantastic conversation starter. I feel as though I've grown leaps and bounds in the "talking to strangers" department. Phew: it's still tough some days, but I'm getting there. Kids have always been my comfort zone: it's the adults and teens that get me. 

My very-easy-to-talk-to host parents took Tara (the other team girl staying here) and me to the beach and sight-seeing around Destin and also on a historical tour around Pensacola. Here're some of the pics.

 This is my favorite from the whole two days of sight-seeing. I was just trying to get the pelican and then when I looked at my phone later I saw this sneaky little photo-bomber.

So. Stinkin. Cool.

I think God just likes to make me smile.

 This was while we were walking down by the marina/docks/
whatever you wanna call 'em. I just love the whole atmosphere - especially the play of light and shadow on the water.

This...This I just found to be weird...interesting...but mostly just weird

Dewey Destin Seafood Restaurant and Market: best hole in the wall little place with the best fried shrimp ever!

Me taking a picture of Tara taking a picture out on the dock at Dewey Destin

 The whole time we were at Dewey Destin (eating out at the picnic tables on the dock = so cool and relaxing!) this little guy and his friends were making quite a racket. I turned my head from where I was sitting and he/she was just four feet away: I could see him plain as day. I guess everybody else kinda thought they were a nuisance but I was once again amazed by seeing a bird...free...in nature: things like that make me feel like a little child staring wide-eyed at her first sight of a Christmas tree. Maybe because it's rare for me to be able to pick out as a shadow, much less seeing features, but things like this just dazzle me.

These pictures are from when we went on the historical tour of Pensacola. I love old things probably just as much as I love being surprised by nature.

This beauty here is what they call a "Courting bicycle." I have decided that these would come in handy in Life Action. We could go out on "dates" with our nice (and brave) chaperone sitting on the backseat while in the front seats the two lovebirds pedal off whatever "best meals" the church has served us that week. It would really do well for me because my beau would be the one to steer and I wouldn't have to worry about running over any little old ladies.


 

I really want to ride in a horse drawn carriage now. Maybe I was meant to be Amish?

I also really like the stove. You can't see it, but there's a "warming oven" up above where we would nowadays have a microwave. There was one fellow who had gone through the tour and told the tour guide that his Mama had put him in one of those as a baby because he was born up in Washington in the middle of winter and she couldn't find a better way to keep him warm. Eep!

The house is where I saw the stove and this marvelous piano. I felt as though I had walked into one of Jane Austen's novels or any other book about the upper class of the 1800s. Honestly, I was enchanted.

Last one. I don't remember the name of this church but it was absolutely beautiful. I really can't describe how an old church like this can bring such a quiet joy to my soul. Some are old and musty and some have ridiculously uncomfortable pews; some are bright and simple, like this one, while others are elaborate and full of drafts - but every time I step into an old church it is a sweet reminder to me that God is eternal. 

He Was and Is and Is to Come. He holds my life in His ancient and exceedingly capable hands. His power has not lessened with the passage of our time: it just gives us more opportunity to discover how great His power really is. He is constant and He is beautiful. He is just and He is love. 

I hope God fills you with the truth of that today as He has been doing for me.

See y'all soon!

Love,

Anna