Saturday, December 13, 2008

Orlando, FL

We'll, here we are again in a place we hadn't intended to be. It's not that we don't like Orlando - it's just that we did the Disney thing last April. But the inevitable happened...Rich had to fly to Seattle for business which meant we needed a decent airport and a place for the kids and I to feel safe. Orlando was a short drive from Hilton Head so we spent the week at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground.

We decided to do the Magic Kingdom since we didn't go there in April. We enjoyed the day including a boat ride to and from the park. Disney was fun, but the highlight of our week was something much less expensive, much less hectic, and much more meaningful. On Thursday night the kids and I spent the evening making Christmas decorations out of construction paper and glitter glue! I cannot tell you how much fun we had - and how much creativity flowed from all three of us! This is not the norm for us at all. Ask my friends - "artsy craftsy" is not my middle name. But this was AWESOME. In past years we've never taken the time to do this. Why? That's the question I'm pondering this week...

On Friday we visited
The Holy Land Experience which was another highlight. We saw musical dramas on everything from Hanukkah to the Passion of Christ to the Tabernacle to Christmas. Talk about the Bible coming to life! It was a glorious day spent immersing ourselves in the Reason for the season. I am so grateful for a place that exists to glorify God in this way. Oh, and we even learned two Hebrew phrases: Shalom (which means peace &/or wholeness) and yom tov (meaning good day).

Rich arrived home on Saturday morning after a very long red-eye flight from Seattle. We are very happy to have him home - and he's even happier to be here!

Which brings us to the video. As we spent time crafting our Christmas decor, we listened to a variety of Christmas music. This song by Go Fish grabbed my attention every time I heard it and it spoke even more deeply to my heart after seeing the passion play at the Holy Land on Friday. The line that really hits me is:


"It's about every drop of blood that flowed from Him when it should have been me."

Christmas is not just about a baby in a manger. It's about Jesus paying for my life with His. It's about the cross.

God's love for us a radical! Thank you, Jesus!! And Happy Birthday!


3 comments:

Boat Driver said...

What a great video, We enjoy following your journey. Maybe we will met up someday. We stopped in on the Evens (The Loud Family)last week in SC and Jakesmom, Viki and Joey and their great kids out in CO last summer, both FOTR families. My wife and I travel in a Bluebird motorhome or a Lance truck camper or both. My Kids are now working and in collage so we don't have them must of the time. My one daughter Water Skis at Sea World San Antonio during the summer and we live in Melrose FL when we are not traveling. We do live on a lake and always enjoy guest if your kids ever want to water ski. We are good at it since we are in a water ski club and volunteer for In His Wake Ministries were we teach 30+ inter city kids a day during those events. Anyway sorry to be long winded, We do enjoy your site. Thomas & Nancy Rembert http://remberts.shutterfly.com/

Connie Bendickson said...

Hi Thomas and Nancy,
Thank you for your comment and your invitation. We'd love to meet you someday and learn how to water ski! Blessings to you this Christmas - Connie

Anonymous said...

Hi Connie and family,

My husband and I (and our 2 small children) are planning to full-time for at least a year beginning this fall/early next year. I am wondering, if it's not too personal to ask, what you all do for income. We are actively starting a ministry and hope that will provide for us, but aren't even sure how to go about budgeting for this adventure! We so desire to purge our "stuff" and be together as a family. All of the same things I read about on your blog and on the FOTR site. Any input you could offer would be much appreciated! If you wouldn't mind communicating via email versus posts on your blog, that would be great as well. My email is rckngill@yahoo.com. God's blessings on you and your beautiful family! Cheyenne Gill