We decided to take a day off before we headed west and today we went to the Beach! Yahoo! The day was bright and sunny, so we packed a bag of snacks, grabbed our shades and headed south! Before we landed in the sand we took a slight detour to visit DeFuniak Springs – the home of one of only two naturally round spring fed lakes in the world. We enjoyed a little tour around the lake and reading about the history of the town. It was very interesting! But the beach beckoned! Instead of going to Panama City we chose the beaches of Fort Walton. And what a good choice it was! While the beaches were more crowded than any others we had been on yet (the public schools are on spring break now), we found a beautiful stretch of sand and claimed it as our own. It was wonderful just to stretch out and enjoy the morning sun! We took a long walk and then headed back to the car to search out lunch. Found a yummy spot right on the bay, enjoyed some great local food, and then headed home.
We got home in time to get the outside packed up and ready to go, and then wash the windows. Tomorrow it’s the laundry and final packing. Then we’re off!
(I posted the pictures from today over on the pictures page – check ‘em out!)
OH – and a Big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our son Josiah – 24 today!

Here is a composite of some scenes at the Teen Challenge Ranch. We had some very beautiful time here!

Here is where we started the day on our “day off” – The lake at DeFuniak Springs, FL

And this is the beautiful beach on the Emerald Coast of Florida – Yes, it was a good thing!

And finally – here’s the view from our lunch table

I don’t have any pictures of me washing the windows, but it happened, honest!

We couldn’t be with our family for Easter, but Toby and Tammy sent along some pictures of the girls in their Easter best.
Aren’t they beautiful?

He is Risen – He is Risen Indeed! We worshiped with our Sower Family today at the First Baptist Church of Bonifay. We were all missing being with our own families on this Resurrection Sunday, so it was good to be with the folks that we’ve come to love over the last few weeks. Our project here has officially ended, but Gary is trying get the porch just a little more finished before we head out, so he’ll be working the first few days of this week too. We’ll get packed up and be heading north-west by Wednesday.
Our big excitement here (other than getting that porch done) has been a couple of tornado watches/warnings that have new meaning now that we’re living in an RV! The weather was pretty wild yesterday – over three inches of rain – and the tornado watches had us enjoying time in the dining hall! There is another group of volunteers here (MAPS RVolunteers from the Assembly of God Church) that have been on this project for most of the winter. While our projects don’t overlap, it has been great to get to know them and spend some of our down time with them. We’ve enjoyed couple of ice cream socials, Gary made his famous Caesar Salad, we went to a piano concert in Dothan that was excellent (and free!), and checked out a couple of local buffets. Plus we’ve played lots of cards! It’s been a great project and we’ve been blessed to be here. Here’s our official picture…..

From here we head to Harriet, Arkansas where we’ll be working at the Shepard of the Ozarks Retreat Center. There is just one other couple on the project – more new friends! While we’ve been here at Teen Challenge we’ve enjoyed a great wireless internet connection (which is a good thing since our phone connection (and usual internet access) has been pretty sketchy). I don’t know what we’ll find in the Ozark Mountains (in any regard, let alone in the world of internet connectivity!), but I’m sure we’ll find someway to stay in touch.
And this trip we finally cross the MISSISSIPPI!!! Westward HO!
PS – Check out the new grandbaby pictures over on the family page!

Here they are – the latest of our little darlings!
Hayley’s almost 4 months old – and what a cutie! We’ve been waiting for her to find those fingers!

What a great smile!

Hayley and Ellie bonding – Big sister Ellie has her “smile for the camera” face on!

Daddy and Ellie and a new friend in the yard!