Saturday, August 30, 2008

Daytona Repeat?

Once again we find ourselves back in Daytona Beach for almost 2 weeks at International RV Campground about two miles from the Daytona Speedway. This time we learned our lesson and are NOT on the beach. Now to see if we do a repeat with the Tropical Storm issue. We're praying not but know that we are in God's hands.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Calling for Back Up ...

Oh the things we do for entertainment. We’ve been prayerfully considering whether to keep our van or not. Well, yesterday while Randy was at work the boys and I went to look at a Dodge Caliber (good fuel mileage, not much on comfort). The boys keep bugging us about a convertible so I consented to test drive a convertible Mustang thinking the wind would beat them up in the back seat and thus mute issue. Boy did God's sense of humor strike once again ... and He's probably still laughing! Needless to say, the backseat pretty much pockets the boys and the wind doesn’t beat them up. You guessed it … they LOVED it! Even better, the Dealership sent the car home with us overnight to test since Randy was working (obviously a desperate attempt to market/move the car … an inexpensive way for us to experience one without renting one). Well, liking the idea of the convertible part ... hating the price/economy of the Mustang engine part (Love the looks though!) we drove to Gainesville to check out a more affordable convertible and some other cars. The drive was nice with the top down … Randy thought the highway winds would be a deter. (PTL! God doesn’t save His sense of humor just for me!) Guess again … our sons quickly figured out it was easier to get semis to “honk” with the top down and sounded far cooler too. One more PLUS for a convertible. Got to Gainesville, found the dealership that had advertised the cars only to find out the convertible was off the lot. Drove a couple other cars that didn’t compete with the Mustang or van that God already owns but we gained another experience/memory. It started out as just another normal test drive. Randy behind the wheel. Salesman crammed in backseat with boys. Me in passenger seat inspecting interior, asking about acceleration, handling, leg room, etc, reminding him of speed limit and not to speed. New Component … Flashing lights. Randy, “What’s he pulling me over for, I wasn’t speeding.” Young officer - license and registration. Randy - test drive thus no registration, intro of Salesman to Officer via backseat window. Officer appeared a bit flustered made quick recovery with license request to run check anyway. Officer running license check. Wendt family & salesman waiting in car … and waiting … and waiting … checked out all there was to check out on the interior … still waiting … verbal speculation about it taking so long to run the license … still waiting … still waiting … Malachi’s innocent, unusually clear, sincere voice with the ‘only obvious’ answer …“He’s calling for back up.” Lots of laughter and affirmation that was a good answer. … STILL waiting … Randy popped the trunk button (Don’t think it was an accident but you never know…) thus had to get out to shut it. Michelle decided to inspect the trunk and outside of the car while we waited. … Still waiting. Finally the officer returned license. Every thing checked fine, slow due to out-of-state license. Apologized, said car was nice. Randy (with humor) wasn’t thinking it was nice if he got pulled over before he even owned it! Officer laughed. Randy told him about Malachi’s statement … Officer laughed even harder. Commented we were pretty innocent looking with the salesman, wife and kids in the car. Everyone left (in appropriate cars!) We continued to laugh. Got back to dealership … gate locked. Salesman told manager story … had laughs … returned to our vehicle (the sporty, convertible mustang) … and Malachi said, “Finally, a car that they wouldn’t think about pulling us over in! Priceless: God has blessed us with yet another day as a blessed family with two amazing sons, never ending joy, memories and laughter to last a lifetime! THANK YOU GOD!!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Wiped Out!


Amazing ... we survived Tropical Storm Fay but since arriving at Ocala FL the boys and I haven't ventured out. Okay, so we couldn't go far with Randy's truck in the shop and he having our van ... but it wasn't until yesterday that the boys finally wanted to even go to the pool(and boy is it an amazing pool!). I honestly didn't realize the exhausting toll the storm took on ALL of us. We're all still so ever thankful to be back in our "home" ... and back to some home cooking! ******************** PTL! We are not having to make a fast trip (Ha! If you can go anywhere fast pulling a 37' ...and I'm sure probably overloaded ... trailer!) to Carrollton TX for a job. We now are having to sit it out and see what the new storm does as we are to head back to Daytona Beach before heading back to Augusta GA where we are anxious to meet up with our friends!! We were suppose to be in Augusta this weekend and have all been bummed that it isn't so. At least we have it to look forward to in 2 weeks!! ****************** Stay tuned to see what develops for the Holiday weekend. I'm sure we can find some thing new to do ... ******************* PS Thanks for all the prayers for God's protection during the storm and for my mom who was in the hospital. She's now home but still gaining back strength. God is Good ... ALL the time!

Friday, August 22, 2008

Can you say ... We're OUT of HERE!!!

The Eye of the Storm has moved and the squall is getting ready to dump even more rain and winds on us so being the Kansans that we are ... we left for Ocala! By the time we got everything out of the cottage and the 5th wheel hooked up Randy & I were absolutely drenched as the rain had hit full force. I don't think I've been that wet (even in the shower) in a very long time! To top that off, I needed fuel in my van and due to the storm no one could accept credit cards. So on 3/8ths of a tank of gas and a family prayer - we headed to Ocala. The trip to Ocala was a bit "fun" at the start until we got above the storm squall line. We saw a couple wrecks where people hydroplaned coming through the National Forrest but other than that all we saw were very tall trees and ... rain off and on. I know, that's surprising! Ha! Randy has a job in Ocala this coming week and we have parked our home at the Ocala RV Camp Resort. After feeding our boys (they're always hungry!) we dropped the pickup off at a place to have the brakes checked as they were causing problems while driving and headed back home to check out the hot tub, sauna and TV recreation area. Now I'm going to sign off, check on my mom who is doing better and hopefully getting out of the hospital tomorrow (It's their anniversary tomorrow.) and then hopefully go to bed!! I hadn't remembered how exhausting living on faith can be ... or maybe it was just the prayer filled, sleepless, stormy nights catching up with me ... or the rainy drive ... or all of the above! Nonetheless ... Sweet Dreams and Blessings to you!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

The Eye of the Storm

Well ... it was a very noisy, windy, wet night but we are still here and our home is still upright and attached to semi-dry land although covered with a fine layer of ocean salt, sand and vegetation. Being in the Eye of the Storm is a very peaceful and beautiful place ... but knowing there is more to come keeps us alert. Have seen a lot of God lessons in this storm. I've been taking God & Mom walks on the beach while the boys are doing school work and it's been amazing. It started after we got here when the boys and I were looking for seashells. The boys and I had been talking about faith and God wanting to give us the desires of our heart. I shared with them that I believed that God would provide a specific shell that I would like to find. From there God has taken it into a lesson for me as I walk and talk with God. He gives me glimpses of partial shells to show me that it is possible to find the type of shell I have in mind. I'm getting a firsthand lesson in it being in God's time. When I'm walking on the beach I am looking and asking if I've overlooked & missed it. Which brings me to the life lesson in which I have to ask if I'm seeking God's will and purpose with my own life as openly and adamantly as I am this shell. He's also given me object lessons in that I need to be open-minded as to where I might find this shell. At first I thought it would be the obvious ... the beach, but ... I've found partial shells in the grass, near our camper and the closest I've come to "the desire of my heart" shell has been in the cottage underneath the bed where we are waiting out the storm. So ... while I'm keeping my eyes open to any possibly sighting we're not letting the other shells that we have found go to waste. The boys have decided it would be wonderful to build a small beach by the fountain/pond in Grandma's backyard with the shells we are collecting. Thank goodness for a very loving Grandma ... as I'm sure she won't be able to say no to her grandsons and their idea of a Kansas beach. Enjoy the pictures of our time in the Eye of the Storm.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Fay - Tropical Storm or Hurricane?

Well, we're clinging to our faith and riding the storm out. It has been an unusual one as usually they lessen when they hit land but this time ... it intensified. We are currently under a tornado watch besides the Tropical Storm possible Hurricane Category I conditions. Fortunately the place we are staying has moved us in to a cottage so we are not rocking any more in our 5th wheel, just praying a hedge of protection around it and us. All prayers will be appreciated. God is faithful and loves us so. It's so apparent in the beauty of all this massive energy so capable of destruction. I'm proud to be on His side!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Sunrise Fellowship


Randy's Birthday may have started off with a late start for him but I was immensely blessed with being awake to watch another of God's beautiful sunrises.  Oh the many things He has laid on my heart and spoken to my soul.  What a blessing and sweet oasis the beach has been for me.

Happy Birthday Randy!!

Randy's special day started with his alarm not going off and being late to work. Mom shoved him out the door with a "nutritious" breakfast of ... 2 Smores Poptarts and water!! (Lucky for him she had given in and gotten some the day before.) Fortunately the day got better. The boys decided they wanted to make the traditional German Chocolate Double Layer Cake from scratch that mom usually makes. They did an amazing job for their 1st time and it turned out nice and moist. (Quite a feat since we were using a small portable combination oven to cook it in as our propane oven in the 5th wheel cooks uneven and burns at least one corner.) The frosting was a little runny but still yummy. (Malachi got hurt so mom opted to love on him and shut the frosting off too early ... didn't ruin the cake though as it was still scrumptious!) The boys gave their dad a shell necklace & bracelet and ... a swimsuit. (What else would you expect from my beach boys!) Needless to say, after a meal of steak, baked potato, green beans, carrots & Watkins Cucumber & Dill dip and asagio bread ... we lit the candles (which were trick) and headed down to the beach to eat it. Matt from work came to help us celebrate. What a wonderful way to celebrate the day. We are very thankful and appreciative of the wonderful husband and dad that God has given our family.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Family Day!


Enjoying Dad's day off in our back yard (Ormond Beach). We took a break and checked out Flagler Beach for supper so mom did't have to cook. First time for us to eat outside on the beach. Then ... back to our yard!!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Backyard Beach

We can officially say we have a beach for a backyard now.  We are currently at Coral Sands Inn & Campground in Ormond Beach FL and here's the lucious view from our home.  The boys are loving playing in the sand and ocean and mom's loving not having to drive to the beach and especially not getting sand in the van!  It's wonderful to have an outdoor shower to wash the sand off with.  (Or at least most of it!)  Watch from more pictures from the Wendt yard to come!!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Canaveral National Seashore

Today we journeyed to Playalinda Beach on the Canaveral National Seashore. It was an overcast day but nice temperature wise. The boys had fun swimming and picking up shells & fossils but it wasn't our favorite beach nor the best for using the boards on. Cocoa Beach definitely ranks higher in our books for Florida beaches with cleaner water, better sand, good waves, etc. We parked in P3 to swim then drove up the road till it ended at P13. It was a pretty drive especially near the end of the road where you can see water on both sides of your drive. We got out and went up on the walkway to get a better view of both sides unfortunately the naturalists were out but fortunately for us not out in full force (however FYI - they definitely do gather from P13 on up the beach). What an eye opener for my sons and a great discussion starter for the trip home! Oh the situations being a parent puts you in ... Ha! I wouldn't trade it for the world!!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Fun at Mims FL

We've spent a lot of time just hanging out at home and enjoying the pool and hot tub in between the showers. They say there's a tropical storm possible hurricane coming but we'll take the sun when we can get it!

Monday, August 11, 2008

Cocoa Beach FL

Today we met Dad for lunch then went for some fun at Cocoa Beach FL. The waves were great and our part of the beach not crowded ... unless sand crabs count and then Mom's says it was over crowded. (There was one that kept eyeing mom or maybe it's her new pet!)

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Airboat Ride

With God's leading we ended up at AirBoat Rides at Midway in Christmas, FL for our family event for Dad's day off. What a beautiful and amazing ride!  The boys got to pet Porkchop the pet pig and all but Malachi held Hollywood the 2 yo alligator they have.  There were 10 total in our group, 2 from Washington, 3 from Georgia, ourselves and Dave the guide. 

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Welcome to Florida!

After the fine service from our Pit Crew we arrived safely at Seasons in the Sun Motor Coach Resort just north of Titusville FL (in Mims). The place is a little snobby if you're not in a motorcoach but since it's off season they were happy to take our money. Amazing enough they actually have a lap pool, play pool and hot tub ... Wow! Who would have guessed. Needless to say we immediately checked them out.

Georgia Roadside Pit Crew

Starring Crew Members- Josh Fetters, Randy, Josiah & Malachi Wendt In our travels from Augusta GA to Titusville FL (Mims FL)we got to do on the road training!  Josh had been following Randy and had noticed some movement in the right front trailer tire when he drove by to check it out and had radioed for Randy to check it out the next time we stopped.  Well, needless to say within 1-2 miles I heard a loud pop like a gun blast. Randy pulled into the inside lane and I drove beside him to let him know he had blown a hole in the side wall and it was going flat.  Thus no need to check it when we stopped it was an obvious no brainer to change it.  The guys worked great together as a team and had it done in record time!  (Not hard to do since this was their first time ... thus a record setter.  Ha!)Once again evidence of God's hand of protection on us as we endeaver to seek His will.  Once we went online to check on the tires we have found all kinds of horror stories from faulty Carlisle tires. Even more amazed at God's protection.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Golf Anyone?

Amazing but true ... yes with the influence (or should I say instruction) of the Myers family the Wendt family went golfing at First Tee in the Golf Capital of the World. There were 9 of us (4 adults 5 kids). Randy & I took all 5 boys to none other than ... Krystals for breakfast. Tee time was 9 AM so the 9 of us and our 4 golf carts were off with a finish around 11 and boy did it get HOT! It was fun and somewhere after the 3rd hole ... we stopped keeping count! (or whatever its called!) FORE!!! Just kidding ...

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Josiah's 11!!

Amazingly enough Josiah made it to 11 and we celebrated in Augusta GA at Heritage Mobile Home & RV Park with our new friends/neighbors Joe, Kim & Dakota Myers.  Lincoln & Crockett Myers even got to come spend the week with Nana & Papa to help make the party merrier!  God is ever so good in providing our needs … even for birthday parties.  It was very hot in GA so Malachi’s gift provided great entertainment and relief from the heat.  It even cooled the space down between the two 5th wheels.  The Fetters family (Josh, Heather & Sadie) got to come enjoy it too!