We may be entering Fall here in Florida but it still feels like summer to me. We’re told that the first year or so we’ll be walking around in shorts and t-shirts during the winter but eventually we’ll wrap up like everyone else. It is hard to think of it being cold right now but we know it will get cold. The temperatures are still in the 90’s but we are starting to see a dip into the high 80’s. Life in Florida is different to Pennsylvania, for example you can buy Vegemite in one of the local supermarkets, we have access to public television, there are fire ants, and nearly everywhere you go you can hear people speaking Spanish.
The church we’ve decided to attend is Deltona Lakes Baptist church. The worship service sounds like a rock concert, which we like. The Bible study we go to on Sunday morning is great, its’ interactive and informal with coffee and snacks. The Sunday school teachers are experienced with having kids with Autism, so that is a huge blessing. Dean and I have been asking the kids how they like it and they’ve said that they like it so that gives us some peace of mind. We really want church to be a positive experience for our kids.
Some other things that I, Trudy have noticed are you have to buy sod grass to maintain the look of your yard; the grass is this weird, spongy stuff, the bird life is delightful, the lakes are gorgeous, the large numbers of homeless people is heart breaking, driving the kids to school and back has been an adjustment, we are taking the kids to splash parks or to the swimming pool almost every week, and of course it is hot, hot and hot.
We did not really experience any or have many of these things when we were in PA. The things we miss in PA are first of all our family and friends, the lush greenery,creeks and hills, the beautiful colors of Fall, the Susquehanna river and the cooler temperatures.
It is good to be here and we are excited for the new phase in our lives. God has proven Himself faithful once again. What a joy and privilege it is to serve Him. We celebrated Mariah’s birthday on September 12; she is now 2 years old. The kids are settled into school and Dean is training full time as administrative assistant at the NTM home office. I, Trudy am happy and fulfilled in my role as stay at home mom, I’m slowly making friends and will start the Fall 40 days for life prayer vigil on September 22. Thank you to everyone who has supported us and prayed for us; we could not be here without you.