Flexibility and Other Important Things

So we got down to Lake Norman Motorcoach Resort the 8th of May, for what we thought was going to be a 2-year job. 

Lake Norman Motorcoach Resort -- our home for 3 months

Let’s just say that one of the greatest things about this way of life is its flexibility!  Things didn’t work out there as we had expected.  But that’s OK. Actually, it's more than OK, because that was God's plan for us! While we were there, we met some wonderful people and had sweet fellowship with members of Christ Church (ARP) in Denver, NC.  Though our time there was brief, we feel that some of those friendships will last a lifetime.  Thanks go out especially to Ken and Julia Zappone for the warm, heartfelt hospitality we experienced in their home.  We’ll also always remember Jeff and Dawn Parris, who followed us there from another church in the area, and also blessed us with amazing hospitality.  God’s ways may not always be clear to us at the time, but we can trust that He is always in control!

Which brings us to more evidence of God’s grace.  Before leaving Lake Norman, we secured workamping jobs at Gulf Pines KOA in Milton, FL.  And we had no idea how many ways we would see God’s hand of provision through leading us here.

First of all, there’s a pool here.  Heated. Covered.  20 yards long.  Open every day.  Anyone who knows me knows what this means to me.  I’ve been in virtual paradise since early December.  And I managed to complete my 150 mile goal for 2014 because of that pool.  When we arrived, I still had 30 miles to go.  30 miles.  And I did it.  God is so good.  I also started a water aerobics class 3 times a week in this pool, introducing many guests here to this wonderful form of exercise.  And this area of warm temps and flat roads has encouraged John to start running more often also.  He has even completed two 5Ks since we've been here -- The Pensacola Beach Run in January, and the Blue Angels Rock 'n' Fly at NAS Pensacola on March 21st.  

Then, there’s the medical benefit of being here.  Back in NC, we had been involuntarily kicked-out of the military Tricare Prime system (on the same day that Obamacare went into effect, but I’m sure that’s a meaningless coincidence), presumably because we lived more than a 30 minute drive from any military base.  But now, being back in the Florida Panhandle, we’re able to be re-enrolled in Tricare Prime.  So we’ve been using this season to get caught up on routine medical stuff (I won’t go into any details here -- it's all good!).  It’s been a HUGE blessing, to say the least.

And, there’s all the people we’ve seen — both expectedly, and unexpectedly.  We knew we’d be in contact with my old friend Colleen (it's the friendship that's old, not you, sweet friend!), who still lives in Milton, and it’s been great fun seeing her, her husband Mike, her mom, aunt, cousin, friends.  They’re a crazy bunch.  But I didn’t expect to  have the opportunity to visit my Aunt Nancy and her husband Herb down in The Villages.  And to see cousins Barb, Jim, and Christine down there.  And Doris Korecky, a long-time friend from our church when we lived near Pensacola 28 years ago.

John, Gayle and Doris selfie!

John and Colleen in Fairhope, AL

And speaking of church, that has been another blessing as well, as we’ve been enjoying worship at the same church — sort of.  What had previously been Northeast Presbyterian Church (PCA) when we were here before is now Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church.  We’ve been very thankful for Pastor John Schortmann and the saints at this church.  You can listen to Pastor Schortmann’s sermons at sermonaudio.com.  We’ve truly been blessed.

We also enjoyed an unexpected visit from friends Dave, Renae and Lydia Davis when they were here bringing Lydia back to school. And we hope to get together soon with a former faithful Via Cappuccino customer, John Batchelor, who is now a UWF professor, and with friends David and Terrie Cash, with whom we were stationed in Misawa Japan. And we're wrapping up an eventful two weeks of visits from my mom, her friend Trudy, and Jake and Sean.  But you'll have to read the next blog to find out more about that!