We just returned from a fun, refreshing, relaxing and encouraging time in Florida! It was a relatively quick trip, but we made the most out of it. We were sad that Kathryn and Joel weren’t able to come with us, but were so glad that Matthew and N’gella were able to fly down and meet us there.
Daniel packing the car top carriers.
The drive down was rather uneventful except for the chunk of time that we sat completely still on I-95 in Maryland in the middle of the night. That’s right. The traffic was not moving at all, and we actually shut off the van and just sat there, listening to Patch the Pirate on CD. After a little over an hour, a police officer came along and told each car that they would need to go back to a cut through the median and head north. The highway was going to be shut down for a few more hours. So that’s what we did, drove back north, figured out a way to work our way back south, and then on the road again!
Once in Florida, we had a nice relaxing time. Daniel and Jonathan brought Axis and Allies, and played that for a while.
Daniel and Lydia roller-bladed to a nearby pond to take pictures for a photo assignment from Lenspiration, trying to capture a picture to go with the verse, “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” (1 Kings 3:9)
Jonathan went with Lydia to the beach for sunrise another day for the same photo assignment.
We had supper one evening at the beautiful missionary apartment where Matthew and N’gella were staying.
It was great to visit with the Petrick family once again! We spent Saturday evening with them at the church, playing games and making music together.
Practicing for the concert at Harbor Baptist Church.
N’gella, Carolyn and Julianna
The guys sang a trio of the song, “He is My Strength”
Julianna playing “The Lord’s Prayer”
Lydia, Carolyn and Daniel sang “He Knows Just What I Need”
Sunday was Fathers Day, and Dad’s birthday! We are grateful for Dad and all the ways he has invested in each of us, training us to love the Lord and serve others.
Michael Petrick and Matthew – the “Musical M&M’s”, as Pastor Todd called them. They enjoy playing piano duets, and played for offertory together on Sunday morning.
Daniel with Joshua Petrick
Packing the van after the concert.
Jonathan – the guy who makes everything fit in there!
What Bennett/Petrick guys photo-shoot would be complete without a little goofing off?
Jordan, Daniel, Jonathan, Matthew, Michael, Joshua
And then for the ladies photo. That is, once they stop chatting…
Carolyn, Julianna, Susanna, Rebekah, their friend Lynea, Elizabeth, N’gella, Lydia
The Bennetts and Petricks
On our way back home, we stopped at the Mighty 8th Air Force museum in South Carolina.
Airman Bennett
We stopped in New York for a few hours to visit our friends the Bosnyaks, then headed home. When we got home, Kathryn was there with a crockpot of meatballs, and spaghetti ready to go – something Grandma used to do when we would come home from vacation. Joel came over after work and joined us for supper and s’mores around a campfire.
“For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.” (1 Corinthians 16:18)