Florida and the SBC

We had the opportunity to go to Florida last week for the Southern Baptist Convention. We usually take advantage of these times and squeeze in a family vacation. Well since this one was in Orlando, we visited Disney's Magic Kingdom. It was a long and exhausting week, but we had a lot of fun. My sister came with us and was a huge help.

We left Sunday night around 10:30 and drove all night. We arrived into Fl. around 10:00 am. (Just in time for Martie to go to the the Pastor's conference and hear Matt Chandler) The rest of us went to Denny's to eat since we couldn't check into our hotel until 11:00. Martie stayed at the conference all day! We eventually checked into our hotel and then took naps. When I woke up Carissa and I went to the grocery store to get food for the week. I've found it is cheaper for us to stay in a hotel w/ a kitchen, than to eat out every meal. We stayed at a Residence Inn which also has free hot breakfast. I then picked Martie up and went back to the hotel to make dinner. The kids went to the pool w/ my sister while I was gone. Later that night I went with Martie back to the conference to hear David Platt.

Tuesday Martie and I were at the conference all day. Some very exciting things happened. The most important was the "Great Commission Resurgence" passed. That will have to be another post. Alley (my sister) and the children stayed at the hotel and went swimming. Martie and I went to a panel discussion during lunch. We listened to some great men who love Jesus such as Chandler, Mohler, Aiken, Platt. We came home for dinner.

Wednesday more conference. We had a portion of the afternoon off. We spent that afternoon resting up. More conference that evening. Taylor went back with us. Casting Crowns played and Tony Nolan preached. A great end to a fabulous and historic SBC.

Thursday we got up early had breakfast and went to Disney. It was HOT! My sister almost blacked out a couple of times. (and she was drinking water) I packed our lunch and lots of snacks. Shortly after lunch it started to storm. (like majorly) Thunder, lightening, rain going sideways. We sat in a restaurant lobby and waited for the storm to pass. We considered eating there for dinner until we looked at the menu and saw it was $39 a person!!! There we waited! hahaha Martie eventually ventured out to find somewhere cheaper to eat dinner. 2-3 hours later the rain lightened up. (but it was still drizzling) Fortunately we had brought the umbrella. We went to another restaurant and had chicken fingers and fries. When the storm did pass it was nice. It turned out to be a blessing. It cooled off so much, and the lines were a lot shorter. We stayed for the "electric parade" and the fireworks. It was a long but great day!

Friday we went to the "Holy Land Experience." Martie and I were expecting something very different. However, it was great! They have shows going on all the time. The acting was great. Each show was a different bible story and they always pointed it to Jesus. The whole place was very gospel centered. There was a model of the holy land. We also went through an exhibit called "The Scriptorium." This was very neat. It was filled with old writings and printings of the bible. It walked you through time from the first writings of the bible to the reformation to modern day. This was my favorite exhibit.

We left Saturday morning and drove home. The ride home was more interesting. The kids did wonderful, we had other things get in the way. Traffic at 2:30 in the afternoon, major rain, Tabitha broke out into hives, looooong lines at a fast food restaurant, gas pumps that took foooorevvvverrrr. hahaha BUT.... we made it home! (and actually in good time)

We had a great trip! We are tired, but getting back to our regular schedules. Laundry is getting caught up, the children are getting taught their lessons again, house is getting messy again. ;) Oh it's good to be home!