Days 24-26, Feb 18-20, Temple #8 Orlando Florida

 The last three days have been spent in cleaning up our gear from our outstanding Dry Tortugas camping trip and regrouping for the next phase of this incredible journey...a week in Walt Disney World with 3 of my kids and half of my grandkids.  It was with heavy hearts that we left the best campground we've been in, Long Pine Key in The Florida Everglades.  What a fabulous 2 weeks we had there; the campsites were spacious and quiet, clean and lovely, the staff kind and happy, the setting unbeatably gorgeous.  


Ending up in Kissimmee for the week with the kids, we ran into a major snag.  From research I'd done months ago, I was confident the trailer could rest on the driveway of our AirBnB close to WDW.  But no, there is not enough room on the short narrow driveway.  Alas, Plans B, C, and D failed me also.  Seems more people have come to this area for President's Day Weekend and Spring Break than can fit; every storage facility and/or RV park we've called is full.  We spent a most anxious evening and morning trying to figure out where to park Bambi for the week while we play in the Parks.  Finally without any other options, we turned to the good fellow saints in the Toho Ward of Kissimmee.  Before Sacrament Meeting, I introduced myself to the Elder's Quorum President and told him of my dilemma.  Before we even left church, we had met our new friend, Bro. Chad Tucker, who is all too happy to lend us his huge front yard for storage. 

Three amazing things:  1- The generosity of people like Chad Tucker blows me away.  Little does he know that he, the self-proclaimed redneck, is the angel who answered my prayers of distress.  2- Two evenings while walking in the dark to the showers at Long Pine Key, we encountered young but highly venomous Cottonmouth snakes.  Made me pause and shiver.  3- The Orlando Temple is large and well used and loved.  What most impressed me, however, was the sweet Spirit that I felt as soon as I entered and dawned my whites.  Truly, this is the House of the Lord.  Cannot express my gratitude for the privilege to attend. 4- Sweet Bambi is a comfortable shelter filled with love, and the bed we sleep in is the most sumptuous bed I've ever been on.  I was rather thinking I would like to sleep in my Bambi even while at the AirBnB, but alas we will be separated for a few nights.  I love and will miss Bambi this week.




Good deed:  While it wasn't much, I did find one opportunity to help someone; it's forefront of my mind a great deal that I must report in to this blog daily about the good I've done.  While at Aldi picking up fresh fruit, I noticed a man searching his pockets in vain for the necessary quarter to unlock a shopping cart.  Shrugging, he gave up and was headed out when I offered my cart, pretending that I was done with my shopping.  He was gracious and appreciative, and while it was such a small deed, I can't help but resolve to continue to look for ways to be kind and thoughtful long after this blog ends because it just makes me smile to do so.  As well, we were insistent on contributing generously to the mission fund for the son of Bro Chad Tucker, my thoughtful new LDS friend who thinks nothing of allowing me to park Bambi in his yard all week.  His good deed to me exemplifies the behavior of a true Christian.  

Now on to DisneyWorld with those I love!  We miss you Kate and family.  And Bryan.  Always.



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