So far so good in Orlando! And up until today, the weather has been sunny and warm. Warm enough to engage ourselves in reviewing the new addition to Sea world...the Aquatica water park. Now...I can't say that I have been to an entourage of water parks in my life time but enough to know that this particular one is right on! From the landscaping to the virtual white sandy beach, this water park is going to be a fave. It has an extremely relaxing atmosphere with tropical music playing throughout the park, accompanied with very talkative tropical birds and a very friendly staff. I cannot remember the last time I laughed so hard. The rides and water activities seemed as though they were specially designed to be nothing but pure fun! Even us adults were having the time of our lives. The water itself is so inviting because of it's bathing temperatures. It is a really nice park. The wave pool was probably my favorite...but it's hard to choose.
Today however, we visited the Atlantic Ocean. The weather wasn't the greatest but when you are looking at the vastness of the open sea...I guess it really doesn't matter if it's accompanied by sun or clouds. We shopped the Ocean walk a bit..drove on the beach and grabbed a cup of java at Starbucks. And while we were enjoying our space on the shores of the Atlantic, we had a surprising visit by Mark and Denny from Delaware. Two students on their own Spring Break but not spending it in the typical fashion. It wasn't hard for me to think after they had left that while we were enjoying our shopping trips and water parks and relaxing in the sun. These two students from the University of Delaware were witnessing for Jesus. That is how they were spending their Spring Break. They were simple and to the point. Their first question was engaging."Can we talk to you about religious views?" I kind of chuckled and said, "which one?" And then I added, "we are Christians". To which they replied, " so are we!" But what surprised me was their next question. "So, do you believe in works and good deeds...." and before he could even finish the question I said, " nope...our salvation rests in Jesus Christ" and their faces lit up as I continued "so we're cool". I thought it very profound that these two "witnesses" were not satisfied with my "we're Christians" confession. They wanted to affirm that we were indeed on the one true path to God. We exchanged prayer requests and they went on their way. But I was left with the suspicious feeling that their visit was a divine appointment. Maybe they needed prayers or maybe just an encouraging word, I don't know. I do know that I was left with a gift of hope and a conviction that I need to witness more in my world.
Those are my highlights....now Mary's is her "airbrushed tattoo" that she very successfully and determinedly talked me into allowing. I say "talk" but that is really an understatement. Why are teens so efficient at the art of wearing you down to the point of saying yes? And why is it that we parents have not learned this same art of persuasion at wearing them down to get them to do what we want? We had it when we were teens right? Gee....do we actually grow out of it?
Well, that 's the highlight for today. My activity for the night is to nurse my sunburn. Yes...one does not come to Florida without at least one!