The Beach

For over two decades we have been going to the same beach for a week of creation therapy. Putting some distance between me and the place I call home always gives me a little perspective. During this time away my thoughts always turn to family. My own family and families I know and love.

I have watched year after year as those who come to the beach return one year older. Children who are no longer children and adults who are beginning to fit the senior citizen label.

My own father has gone before us to that far away kingdom. We are all headed for Heaven or Hell. It has nothing to do with our behavior but who we follow. It is who we follow that influences everything we are.

My father once told me life is to be shared. Truly family is God’s plan. The family you were born into and that dies around you. The family you may be given that you nurture and soon enough go on before to the kingdom of your choosing. To live beyond time with our without your creator.

South Tampa Fellowship VBS Finale Day 5

Once again as in the past decade South Tampa Fellowship’s vacation Bible School has come to an end. All the bright  little people are safely tucked in their beds where ever their families reside. This year we had a record number and it was a real blessing!

For me who has little responsibility VBS at our church has always been an opportunity be a part of other’s responsibility to grow up kids in Godly love. Most of the hard working volunteers are quite happy to see their work for the week done. They have a life long commitment to their own little people and what a testament it is to their faithfulness that they obediently take on this extra work load for the week of VBS.

There is no one right way to do VBS. You can buy it in a can or stir it up from scratch it just has to have the Word of God as it’s foundation.

We had a good old BBQ dinner like one big happy family!

We all settled in for the show!

The kids had a great time hamming it up in the relaxed light heart atmosphere!

South Tampa Fellowship VBS Day 4

Yeeee Haaaw it’s time to finish strong. Just like every year before I do not wan it to end but end it must. One more day a dinner and finito.

Today there was a big ole critter dispute. Dusty Trails and another rancher were about to have it out.

It all worked out with a cause everyone handled it like Jesus.

Some of young unsung who spent a lot of time in the heat. Thanks a bunch guys for being willing to take on the hard work!

South Tampa Fellowship VBS Day 3

Get along little doggies we are heading on down the trail !

South Tampa Fellowship VBS Day 2

We are full steam ahead now. Every morning we have about 240 children stampede through our doors. They are an amazing blessing every last one. Three more blessed days and it will once again be over.

 

Here is our secret to success. The raw power of  woman kind most of whom have the extra and most advantageous distinction of motherhood to round of their stellar credentials. They cannot be broken!

Every morning truth from God’s Word is lovingly spoken into the the ears of the future.

Just before we all head back into the world the line dancing begins and the smiles abound. Like I said three blessed days to go and as always I will miss all the activity when it is over.

South Tampa Fellowship VBS Day 1

 

Ok ya’ll we are off to a big ole start for this years VBS! First day and there is a whole passel of cow pokes roaming through the ranch. I bet you there will be even more when the stragglers hear about the big doings and come out tomorrow! Here is a moving picture I captured today that will show ya’ll just what is transpiring at the ranch.

 

I have been to more than 11 vacation bible schools with our beloved church and have watch so many grow up and away. I am so thankful for one more VBS at South Tampa Fellowship. Thank you God for  making one more possible. Now on to four more days of fellowship on the ranch!

STF VBS 2010 preparations Whoopie!

I was wandering the halls of the church yesterday and everything is coming together for this years VBS.

     

Looking forward to seeing a lot of new faces and plenty of familiar faces from the past!

Sanibel & Marathon With Friends!

You can do so many pleasing things in life but I am learning none are as pleasing as the adventures your friends share with you. This week I was privileged to meet with friends at Sanibel Island and later the next day at Marathon Key. We then buzzed out to the wreck of the Thunderbolt on the Water Walker followed by lunch and some more diving at Sombrero Reef. I took along my Canon SD960 safely enclosed in a WP-DC32 housing.

 

With Captain Brent at the helm we easily made it to both dive locations. At the Thunderbolt Brent, Doug, Luke and I suited up and spent 20 happy minutes waving in and out of the 189 foot vessel.

We brought you along and you do not have to even rent a tank just click play!

 

 

Our dive at the Sombrero was full of leisure and the weather and water were great throughout the whole tour.

The fish come right over as soon as you get out of the boat!

 

A big thank you to my friends making this great adventure happen.

7:24 Foundation 5K run 1 mile walk

 

7:24 Foundation held an event this morning at Al Lopez Park benefitting The Pepin Academies. Seeing as how I know so many of the fine folks there I quite enjoyed the fellowship!