Memory Lane can be quite a trip

Purely by coincidence, we decided to take a little trip down memory lane. What started out as going to lunch in Lakeland on Saturday afternoon, soon turned into a cruise thru the Dixieland Historic District and also the Lake Morton Historic District. It was amazing to see how these old bungalows have been tastefully restored to their original beauty. As we were working our way around town, Bobby showed me a small house near Lime Street that he had lived in as a boy. He told me about who lived their with him. He asked what I thought- the only thing I could think is "wow! how did ya'll fit so many people into that little house? " His grandma sure could pack them in when needed.

We took Taylor by the first house that we lived in off of Crystal Lake. The old neighborhood still looked pretty good. I got to doing the math and it has been nearly 17 years ago that we lived there... Then we took her to show her the house we lived in the first 3 years of her life. I was amazed at the way the house looked- nothing like when we were there... We did however have a good laugh about the boganvilla in the back yard that would rip apart Bobby's arms when he would cut them back... Many years ago, I pledge to him that never would there ever be a boganvilla planted in any ground anywhere that we owned.

Sometimes, it is good to look back on our past, not to dwell on them, but to reflect. Yesterday has burned an impression into my mind. I have taken for granted the many ways that the Lord has truly blessed our family! When we came home to our home, I just looked around and silently thanked God for all that he has been so gracious to give to us. Ya, so we dont live in the gated community or the biggest house on the block, but what a blessing that he has delivered us from our past and has shown so much blessing to us. I am thankful that HE has done so much for us and that HE has allowed us 10 years of living here. I never really knew exactly why we moved to Winter Haven in the first place. It dawned on me yesterday- this is where God wanted us to be. He knew that we needed to be here.