Taylor’s Travelogue–June 23

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We got a well needed night’s rest last night, but not near enough as the boys were up WAY TOO EARLY for vacation time!! But, who can blame them as they were so excited to go to the beach and “see the fish.” We slowly got ourselves around and ate breakfast in the condo and ventured out to see about a boat tour to Shell Island. We took the Capt. Anderson III to look at the dolphins and go to a beautiful beach on Shell Island. There was an alligator at the dock on Shell Island called “George.” He was right next to the dock when we pulled in and stayed right by the boat the whole time! Pretty amazing. The captain said that we needed to stay on the boardwalks to the other side of the island where the beach was because of the alligators and such. He said, “alligators can travel up to 35 MPH on land and the only way you can get away from him is to outrun your friend!” That’s probably in the Florida tour guide’s Jokebook, 3rd Edition! Absolutely beautiful beach there on shell island. We also saw several dolphins on the way to and from the island. We also saw some people feeding the dolphins from their boats. That is a $10K fine . . . obviously not enough to deter these folks!

Got back to the condo and the three boys went to the pool while mom got the dinner started. I switched off with her and grilled out steaks! We had a really good meal . . . and we didn’t have to fight the crowds at a restaurant and it only cost us a fraction of what it would somewhere around here. There was a guy on the boat tour that said, “I think everything here in Panama City Beach costs $40.” No doubt. Everything costs much more than normal . . . including eating out.

Here is Taylor’s Travelogue for today . . .

Today I went to a dock and rode a boat ride. It was fun! I found seashells. We found an alligator in the bay by the dock. His name was George and he was ten feet long. I saw a baby fish in the ocean. I was sea sick on the the trip to Shell Island. I also saw a jellyfish on the side of the boat.

After that, we went to the pool. It was fun!

Will try to get some pictures up soon . . . left the camera at the condo!!

Seriously, you’ve never been on the tour??

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As I mentioned earlier, we went to the Welcome and Information Center for Panama City Beach this morning to get. . . um, information . . . about what there is to do here in Panama City Beach. Of course there are those little brochure kiosks everywhere to try to get you into their place of business. But we wanted to hear an “insider’s view” of the attractions. Someone who has a “been there, done that, DIDN’T buy the T-shirt” (or vice versa) kind of informational experience. But it simply isn’t going to happen! Not today anyway!

Here’s a little tip for the city of Panama City Beach. See if you can’t spring for a couple of bucks to send the help to some of the excursions–ANY of the excursions. Basically, the lady(ies) who helped us had not been to ANY of the tours or whatnot in the town. “They were too busy working to have time to go on those things.” What!?! Isn’t that your job to know what tours are good and what tours stink?? Shouldn’t you be able to steer people clear of spare tours and tourist traps?? Seriously, you can be more help than “I think there are some brochures over there on that kind of stuff!”

For what it’s worth, I think that we in the church are a lot like that aren’t we? We are representing something that many of us aren’t really that enthused about, let alone even experienced!! To put it the way Rob Bell puts it, “we aren’t ‘smokin’ what we’re sellin’.” You can’t talk about an experience with Jesus until you have come face to face with Him and He comes in and changes your life. This isn’t simply something that you “do” . . . this Christianity thing! It is your “LIFE!” Every time someone comes into one of our environments (churches), people ought to get an “insider’s” view of the Gospel–EVERY TIME! They shouldn’t just hope they “get the good one [volunteer]” or not get the “guy having a bad day, ur, life.” Think about the consequences of not having an insider’s view of the Gospel at your church. Who is there because they had an insider’s, “I once was blind, but not I see” kind of person helping them to understand this crazy thing called the Gospel and the Church? Is someone there because you are “smokin’ what you’re sellin’?” Or are they turned away unsatisfied because you are no better than a bunch of brochures sitting all neatly in a row–lot’s of information, but no passion of an insider’s perspective.

Monday is for . . . Missions

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Our friends, Charles and Pat Boyd are coming home soon from their extended trip to England to be an interim pastor. I just got an email with the last newsletter concerning the extent of their ministry there as well as the plans for the next couple to take their place. The next couple are the Spurgeon’s from Springfield, MO. They are actually in my mom and dad’s Sunday School class. They arrive in England on the 26th and the Boyds will leave on the the 30th to return back to the states.

Pray for a missionary today! If you don’t know of one (shame on you if you don’t!), please be in prayer for the McMillan’s. Valarie McMillan is fighting an awful cancer that has come back after a five year remission. She is so weak that it is difficult for her to even take the chemotherapy and Kent has to carry her everywhere she goes as she has no energy. Please pray for them today!

Taylor’s Travelogue–Sunday Morning, June 22nd

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We made our second and final leg of our trip to Panama City Beach, FL on Saturday. It was a LONG day in the van riding across the country. We had to have a couple of “unplanned pit stops” for Taylor on the side of the road!! (Gary and Fran, do you remember those on our trip to Montreal??) Actually, the boys did really well for how long of a trip it was! We got in to Panama City Beach just after dark, so we didn’t get to see the ocean until this morning when we woke up!

Here is Taylor’s Travelogue entry from his journal . . .

We are in Florida!! It took 10 hours. It was no fun, but it was worth it! It is our first day in Florida! We are having fun already! We went to the ocean! It was fun!

Here are some pics of our trip down through Birmingham to Panama City.

We ate at a McDonald’s in Birmingham that was decorated for Miles Davis. Don’t know if he was from there or what, but there was a modern art deal at our table. Tucker called the trumpets, “TUBAS!” He wasn’t taking trumpet for an answer at ALL!! So to keep the peace, they are tubas buddy!

There is also an Ozark, Alabama. The kids thought that was really funny!

We got up to a wonderful view of the ocean from our condo (thanks to Katie’s parents!!) We ventured down to the ocean for a bit before heading to one of the largest Wal-Mart’s I have ever seen in my life. Talk about turning some merchandise over–wow! They were all OUT of vanilla ice cream!! All brands except Blue Bell (expensive) and fat free, sugar free (are you kidding me . . . this is vacation man!!) The beach road is like Hwy 76 in Branson, except much less “family friendly” in places. You’ve got to get good at changing the subjects when some places come by!!

We prayed for Finley Crossings today as one of my mentors, Dr. States Skipper spoke today at CFC about change. I am looking forward to the podcast on that for sure!!

Better go, the Panera Bread Co. people are wondering why Taylor and I haven’t ordered anything!!

Taylor’s Travelogue–Friday, June 20

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We left for our trip to Florida on Friday, June 20th after the routine old change before the trip, running to the bank, etc., etc., etc.

Here is Taylor’s journal entry for our first leg of the trip to Memphis, TN. . .

We saw Elvis’s and B.B. King’s statue. It was fun! We saw the front of the Peabody Hotel, where the ducks walk through the lobby. We didn’t get to see any ducks though, bummer!

I saw a crane. It was big!

We ate at Neely’s Bar-B-Que and a lady tripped and fell and probably sued them. The BBQ was really good because we had a long trip and were VERY tired and HUNGRY! We got back to the hotel and it was 11:00 p.m. and we went to sleep.

Here is a gallery of the photos from Day 1 of our journey to Florida ? including some B.B. King worship action and serious BBQ eating!!

Crazy week of Realtors and Tornado Warnings

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We had a really interesting week of lots of storms in Ozark. We met with our Realtor on Tuesday morning and therefore I had a LOT of work to do to get our house ready to be put on the market. We really like our realtor . . . she is a real go-getter and is going to do a good job for us!

I dodged the rainstorms and power-washed and stained our deck . . . tell me again why we make our houses look awesome BEFORE we sell them?? We are really bummed that we are having to sell our house! Getting it all shinned up really reminds us why we moved there in the first place! I’m sure someone is going to really love it just like we have over the years!

Back to the Realtors and Tornado Warnings. . .

We had a meeting to finalize the listing and papers on Thursday afternoon. While we were meeting with our realtor, the skies opened up and dumped a TON of rain and hail. Then it started blowing–REALLY HARD . . . and then in a “circular” manner! Needless to say, we turned off the Cardinals/Royals game on cable and turned in on to ol’ Ron “body bag” Hurst and the KY3 weather show. Basically, they said the tornado was right over our heads . . . and looking out the windows, I wouldn’t doubt that information. Needless to say, we were pretty freaked out by the whole situation. I guess we wouldn’t have had to finish this paperwork to SELL our house and begin some other paperwork with our insurance company after our house is hit by a TORNADO!!

Needless to say, we don’t have a storm shelter or basement . . . so David, Jenny, and our realtor are sitting in our bathroom waiting out the storm!! Man, what a sight . . . our realtor and Jenny sitting in the bathtub with big pillows all around!! Man, I wish we had our camera!!

All said and done, we got our house listed and we got all of the painting, scrubbing, and packing for vacation done and left on Friday for vacation! Yeah!

We will blog more this week as we have internet access! Actually, Taylor is going to be starting a new blog category on Stone’s Throw called “Taylor’s Travelogue.” He is keeping a journal of our journeys to Florida and our transition to Forest Park Carthage! We are really proud of our Taylor boy! He is really good at math,science and reading (much like his uncle Tad!!) but can work on his writing–this is a perfect way to do that!! We are going to be uploading some pictures of our journey as well! Enjoy!!

Davis Gray McKenzie Pics

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One good gallery of pics deserves another!!? Here is Davis Gray McKenzie, Mom & Dad (Daniel and Deanne) and big brothers (Clayton & Carter)!? Enjoy!

Pictures of Landon Max Jones

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Here are some pictures of Landon Max Jones.? From Lyndall’s Facebook page–proud papa!? Times and life . . . they are a-changin’.? Enjoy!!

Welcome Davis Gray McKenzie!!

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Our friends Daniel and Deanne McKenzie in Johnson City, TN just had a baby boy, Davis Gray, this morning at 5:20 a.m.? Weighing in at a big 9 lbs. 6 oz. and 22 inches long, he is doing great!? They had a long sleepless night last night and this morning to say the least.? Mom, Dad, and big brothers Clayton and Carter are doing well.? Congrats!!!

Ozark Tigers State Baseball Champions!

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Congratulations to the Ozark Tigers Baseball team for winning the Class 4 State Championship last night at Meador Park in Springfield, MO.? That makes 2 state titles in the last 5 years.? Pretty amazing stuff.? Here is the article in the News-Leader . . . and a few photos.