Bountiful Success

Yep believe it or not there is a prairie in Florida called Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park.  It is located about 25 miles north of Okeechobee, off US 441. It is part of the Everglades headwaters and protects the largest remaining tract of Florida dry prairie. It is over 50,000 acres.

We arrived after dark and had no idea what to expect. The only road is a five mile long washboard road so its a good idea to make sure you have plenty of gas in your tank. The first sign we saw was instructions to have all vehicle head beams on low. There are no street lights as it is light pollution free.  The outside lights of the office, and showers/restroom building have red lights that give just enough of a glow for campers to see their way.  Even the buggies that the park volunteers ride on have their head lamps covered with red tape so they don’t give off a bright glow.

The very first thing I noticed was how dark the skies were and how bright the stars appeared and so many!  Living In Niagara Falls, Canada we get too much light pollution from the Falls which makes it difficult to see all the stars. Here at the Preserve I was able to see the Milky Way!  Astronomers have their huge telescopes set up in a field so they can study the beauty of the starry skies light pollution free.

The first night we camped we were fortunate enough to get a spot in the family section right across from the washrooms but then the next day we had to move to another spot that was quite a long walk from the washrooms.  It was either walk or use the nearby chemical toilet.  The only hook up we had was electrical.  There is primitive camping for those adventurous campers.  This means you hike two miles out to your spot with your tent, food and anything else you may need for the evening. (Not my cup of tea).

Our friend who is a volunteer camp hostess took us on a buggy ride to see the alligators in their natural habitat.  I was quite apprehensive about getting out but we met up with a camper who camps at the Preserve quite a bit and he assured me that these alligators were well fed and were all laying on the bank digesting their food.  Being assured that I would not be breakfast for these guys I ventured out with my husband and our friend to see these guys indeed sunning themselves on the bank.  The only thing between us and them was a stream of water.  I guess they are so used to people staring that they paid no attention to us. Did you know when alligators are sunning themselves and have their mouths open that they are digesting their food?  Just some trivia info for you.

There are things to do there such as horseback riding, hiking, buggy ride (cost applies), a fun activity for kids to do that will enable them to become junior park rangers complete with badge. Campfires at night but only with the firewood purchased within the Preserve. The pictures below were taken across the road from our campsite. Beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For me personally I enjoyed the 2 nights that we spent here but I don’t think I could stay any longer than that. Call me chicken, but I am a person that likes a bit more light at night; especially when I’m camping in nature’s backyard. It is a beautiful, quiet and peaceful place though. I would definitely say a must see to experience.

 

Jenny Schwartz (Dec. 2018)

 

 

 

 

 

It’s the season for festivities, gift giving and receiving, Santa Claus and Christmas movies.  For some reason this year, I’ve noticed how some of the movies have depicted Santa.  He is kind, caring, and children and adults are drawn to him.  He listens and answers their requests.  The term “Christmas Miracle” has been coined a lot in the movies.

Why is it the season for giving?  It’s because God gave first.  He gave His only Son as His gift to all mankind.  His Son Jesus grew to manhood and gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins so He could offer us the gift of eternal life.  All we have to do is ask Him.

I asked myself, “Why do children flock to Santa Claus?”  The answer is they believe.  They believe that Santa listens to them and they believe he will answer their requests.  We need to do the same with God. We need to believe that He listens to us and answers.  He gave His Son, and His Son gave his life.  What could we ever give Him?  I have the answer.  Our lives totally!

I urge you this Christmas to ask Jesus for His gift of salvation.  It is a precious gift He wants you to have if you will only ask Him.  He truly is the Reason for the Season.

From our home to yours a very Merry and Blessed Christmas.

 

The Christmas season is here with all the lights, decorations, shopping, parties, gift giving and receiving, and everything else that comes with the season.  It’s the time of year for churches all over the world to either tell about, or re-enact the Christmas story of the angelic birth announcement of Christ.

As I sat in my office thinking about Christmas and yes, enjoying my decorations and lights, a question came to mind. What if? What if Christ had not been born? My immediate response was, “There would be no Easter.” That is certainly true but there would have been further ramifications.

In the Old Testament at least 44 Messianic prophecies about Jesus would not have been fulfilled.  What if they hadn’t have been fulfilled?  Then we would have to say the Bible is a book of half truths or lies.  What if that could be the case? We would then have to say that God the Author is a liar.  However in Number 23:18 it says, “God is not human that He should lie, not a human being that He should change His mind. Does He not speak and not act?  Does He promise and not fulfill?”

What if the Bible was a book of lies and half truths and God not real, and His Son’s birth a nice, feel good story to act out every December?  I would have to conclude that we as a human race are doomed!!!

However.  What if the virgin birth is true?  What if the angels did announce to the shepherds that the Messiah had been born?

What if God so loved this world that He gave His only Son as Saviour to the world?  What if peace, good will and salvation rested in that little baby all swaddled and placed on a bed of straw in a manger in a stable? 

Then rejoice all the inhabitants of this earth for unto us a child is born and unto us a Son is given and the government shall be upon His shoulders.  He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

What if there was no Christmas?  Then there would be no Easter.  What if there was no Easter?  Then there would be no salvation, no hope, no peace, no forgiveness of sins, no Heaven.

How do we know all this is true? I have to say it has to be because so many people are trying to wipe out the message of Christmas.  It’s now politically incorrect to say Merry Christmas or Christmas tree because it may be offensive. We now are supposed to say Happy Holidays and Holiday tree.

Last week a Nebraska elementary school principal decided to ban Santa, Christmas decorations and candy canes from her school.  Her reason was that the shape of the candy can which makes a J historically represents Jesus, the red colour representing His blood and the white symbolizing His resurrection.

In the Illinois Capitol rotunda a snaketivity statue was set up alongside a nativity scene and menorah.  In Lansing, Michigan a haloed goat head will replace the snaketivity statue there.

People.  We need to wake up and smell the coffee.  Why is this happening?  Why are people so offended with Christmas?  Why are people trying to stamp out the message of Christmas?  I have one answer.  It’s because it’s a powerful message.  It’s a life-changing message. It’s God’s message of peace instead of war, love instead of hate, redemption instead of condemnation.  It is a message that can never be silenced because it is God’s message and to try to silence the message is to try to silence the Almighty.

The what ifs have been answered.  Christ was born, grew up, was crucified for the sins of mankind, rose from the dead, and now sits at the right hand of Almighty God.

As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. We choose to serve Christ who is The Reason for the Season  

From our home to yours we wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.