Venice to Orlando to North Carolina

I got to worship with Daryl and the boys at Grace Venice last Sunday. 

Tuesday I spent in Orlando at the Orlando Science Center with a bunch of pastors doing creative collaboration on sermon planning at The Pulpit Project. 

There was time for going out to explore the Center's exhibits and I got to hang out with Latricia and we checked out all the nature/animal exhibits.

Then I flew up to Durham North Carolina to visit faculty and students from Florida at Duke Seminary. The weather was cooler and it a great quick trip.

 

Celebrating 21 WIth Parker

For 21, Daryl and I took Parker to Epcot with CJ and Amy to "Drink Around the World Showcase." We even got t-shirts! We had a nice day going slowly between countries and letting Parker try all kinds of different things. He learned some things he liked and some things he's not a real fan of (mostly beer). We stopped a few different times for food and to go ride the Skyliner. It turned out to be a really nice way to celebrate our Disney-loving boy for his big birthday.

Ottawa Apples in Canada were first.

Orange Grand Marnier Slushie in France

A bit of strawberry sake in Japan.

A taste of Moscato in Italia.

And a beer flight in Germany. He liked the one in the middle and we helped him with the other ones.

Tropical Sangria from one of the flower and garden festival booths.

And we finished up with nachos and margaritas for the mamas in Mexico before heading out. 

Happy Birthday Parker!!!

 

The Big Boy is Really An Adult Now

Parker turned 21 on Saturday. It is so hard to believe how quickly the years have flown by. 

 

UM Conexion

Tuesday Daryl and I spent most of the day in Lakeland for the Bishop's Clergy Day Apart that I helped plan. It was great to be gathered together with so many clergy colleagues from around the conference.

And we did some improv....

 This is me with Drew the chair of the Clergy Care team 

And of course me with the Bishop

And my dear friend Latricia led communion at the end of the day. 

Here's a bunch of the pastors from around the SW District: 

And then afterwards, Daryl went home and I stayed in Lakeland to hang out and spend some time with our provisional pastors on their spring retreat.