Brevard County Zoo

We have been painting the exterior of our house now for about 6 weeks. It's finally done! It's a long process when you only paint in the mornings before the afternoon rains come.  With that being said,  we needed a day to relax and enjoy.  Clif has been antsy to get back to his photography.  So, we ventured over to the Brevard County Zoo.  Even though it was hot, it wasn't as brutally hot as Augusts usually are in Florida.  It was actually tolerable.  It must not have been so hot because many of the animals were active.  Enjoy the pictures!





The meerkat village.  They had some interesting facts.  For example, they play tag to teach the young ones to keep up with the group.  Another thing they are born blind, and the adults help the babies poop.  Try to figure that one out!



This one was born in June.  It's only 2 months old.





The giraffe was my personal favorite. :)



The impalas.

















They fed the gators.  Not as impressive though as when they feed gators at Gatorland.



The American crocodile.  They fed 2 of those as well.



The barn owl is real but sitting in a tin house.  It kind of looks like a painting!

We spent a leisurely 3 hours there.  Another day, we'll return, and if I have the nerve, we'll do the treetop course.  This is a series of zip lines and high wire trekking that allow you to view the zoo from overhead.  I can't imagine zip lining across the alligator/crocodile exhibit!  I wouldn't want to fall in!  The people on the course seem to have been having a ball. :)

The Blessed Mother

Just over a year ago, I stumbled upon a website www.locutions.org .  I like the disclaimer on the home page Concerning Private Revelations:  These are private revelations and there is no need to believe them.  If these revelations help your faith, then receive them.  If not, you can set them aside.  We are called to believe only public revelations.

I have prayed and wrestled with posting this on my blog the entire summer.  What has held me back is people's opinions.  I know there will be many that will think I've fallen off the deep end, I have become even more of a "holy roller" than I already am, that I have lost my mind, that I am following false doctrine, etc., etc.  However, the longer I have procrastinated, the more urgent I felt on my heart to share, despite warnings and concerns of family/loved ones.  However, I realize, I must do what I believe the Holy Spirit is calling me to do, and sometimes that means having courage to go against what the "world" thinks.

I can attest that these locutions have helped me in my faith, therefore, I feel it placed upon my heart to share them with you.  After reading all locutions by Fall of 2013, I found I was yearning for more.  But, for some reason, I wasn't able to find any written from that point.  However, this past Lent, when exploring the website further, I found that they have the messages organized so it makes it easier to read locutions that would be of particular interest.  Since then, I have caught up on missed reading and stay current on a weekly basis.  I have pasted the link here for easy reference.
http://www.locutions.org/read-the-locutions/

These locutions have been read and discerned by Msgr. John Esseff who at one time served as spiritual director and confessor to Mother Teresa of Calcutta.  As to who writes them, I have no clue. All I know is I am a person who is prone to anxiety, fret, and worry.  In reading these locutions, I have found peace, joy, and a calmness I never knew.  Yes, some of the revelations are alarming.  Even with that, I still feel a deep peace that I know I can only receive from my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Along with these posts, I also follow Medjugorje where Our Blessed Mother has been visiting visionaries since 1981. http://www.medjugorje.com/index.html and http://www.marytv.tv/ . Mary TV is the latest addition thanks to my cousin Sharon.  It is incredible to see how many pilgrims visit Medjugorje.

Now, I must also admit that there are Mysteries within the Catholic Faith that I do not fully understand.  Devotion to Mary is one of them.  However, I can tell you from personal experience that devotion to her and her intercession with her Son, Jesus works.  She has brought me closer to Him than ever before.  Promptings I get from the Holy Spirit have deepened.  Changes I need to make have been placed firmly on my heart in where I can no longer deny them.  It is simply amazing the journey I've been on these past few years!

In my quest of unraveling mysteries, I have done much reading, including scripture.  I realize that I am not a theologian, so I have found it helpful to read other materials to help me discern the Word of God I read.  I found many books to be helpful from the Dynamic Catholic Institute. http://cart.dynamiccatholic.com/Free-Catholic-Books-CDs-s/1844.htm 
 In the past year, I've done more reading than I ever did in school!  In any event one of the most helpful books I've read is titled Made For More by Curtis Martin.  In this book, he explains Mary's role in a way I never knew.  He goes all the way back to the Davidic Kingdom.  Here he explains that Kingdoms of that time had 3 significant parts.  One of course being the King.  He is the one who establishes the way the Kingdom is to be. The second is the Queen who was always the mother of the King!  Her job is to listen to the people of the Kingdom, and present their petitions, concerns, etc to the King. In other words, she interceded for them.  Her seat is actually at the right hand of the King. And third, the prime minister whose job was to ensure the people were aware of and followed the rules of the King.  He goes further to explain as if you don't put two and two together that Jesus is the King, His mother, Mary is the Queen who intercedes for us to Jesus, and the Pope is the Prime Minister.  WOW!  When Jesus came to earth, He stated,

Mark 1:15

and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

He also says,

Mark 10:15

Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

I have meditated on what was revealed in this book Made for More, and I am so excited with what I am learning, I just have to share it with you!

It is my prayer that you deepen your relationship with Christ through the links I have provided.  May God's Kingdom on Earth truly reign.

In Christ,
Trish :)

Departure Day from WI

Being my flight was due to leave around 6:20pm, we decided to have an early picnic dinner at High Cliff State Park near Appleton.  It was actually about 30-40 minutes from the airport on the NE side of Lake Winnebago.  This lake is so big that you can't see the south shore from the north shore.  You can only see across it from east to west.  The temperature was a cool 68 degrees.  I'm glad I wore a long sleeve shirt.  The kids however seem to be acclimating nicely. 



We picnicked on the top of the bluff near the viewing tower.  After lunch Michael and I climbed up for the view.



The airport could be seen by the naked eye directly across the lake from here.

There was also a short trail to Redbird.  I thought it was about an actual bird.  Little did I know. Ha!



Red Bird was a chief of the Winnebago.  There was a war between the Winnebago and the US back around 1827.  I wasn't aware of such an event.

One last photo before departure.



I thoroughly enjoyed spending a week with the kids.  I miss them, but look forward to future visits. :)

Wisconsin Expeditions

We've been having fun exploring Madison.  First up, the State Capital building.  It had been renovated recently from 1990-2001.  It was gorgeous inside and the view from the balcony was cool because you see exactly how close the 2 lakes are to each other.  The city is nestled in the middle.



I love how the locals eat lunch on the Capital lawn.  They just sprawl out the blankets and enjoy.



This is Lake Mendota to the north of the city.



This is Lake Manona to the south of the city.

After the tour of the Capital, we bought some lunch for a picnic and ventured over to Picnic Point, a nature preserve area to the north behind the University of Wisconsin.  Being not familiar with the area, and not having info or a map, it was definitely an adventure.



When we got to the area we'd thought there'd be picnic tables. Instead we were met by Mama Duck and her ducklings.  They instantly popped out of the water in hopes of a meal.  Valerie didn't let them down. She started feeding them bread from her sandwich.  Chloe was the only one who had a seat... her stroller.  I sat on a log, and Michael and Valerie stood to eat.



We decided to head down the trail further up the point to see what might be there.  There were benches and fire pit areas, but no tables.  When we got back to the car, we realized each fire ring was marked.  We didn't go all the way to the end of the point because that would have been an additional mile to walk.  Who knows, maybe the tables were another 1/2 mile down the trail!



The Capital building can be viewed from just about anywhere in the town, including the nature preserve!

 

Later that evening, I watched Chloe while Michael and Valerie went out to dinner.  Chloe decided she'd chum around with the watering can.

 

I finally figured out how to do the upload!

 

We went to the zoo this morning.  It is a very popular area.  It too is free like the botanical gardens we went to on Wednesday.  Parking is limited so you are left to fend for a space on the neighborhood streets.  I told Michael I wouldn't want to live in that neighborhood despite the pretty houses because of the numerous cars parked down both sides of the roadway.  There were 2 city parks surrounding the zoo.  It would have been a delightful place to have a picnic lunch if we were thinking ahead!

 

 

They had standard animals at the zoo, but they also had animals I hadn't seen before.  This was a double humped camel.

 

 

This is a Capybara.  The world's biggest rodent.  It is 4 1/2 feet long.

 

 

I tried to get Michael to get Chloe to poke her head through one of the holes.  She wouldn't have it.

 

 

She'd rather run around instead.  She didn't want to have anything to do with posing for pictures.

 

 

She did enjoy Grandma playing peek-a-boo with her sunglasses though. :)

We have been having fun with our adventures.  When we got home, I watched her so Michael and Valerie could do a landscaping project.  They are clearing out old shrubs along their fence line in hopes of putting in a vegetable garden next spring.  One thing I definitely noticed in this community is every house has a garden, even if it has to be planted in the front yard!

Wisconsin Trip

It has been 3 months since I've seen Valerie, Michael, and Chloe in person.  I've been counting down the days for my trip to Wisconsin to visit them.  They picked me up at the airport, and of course they were all smiles as well as myself.  It was so good to see them and give them big bear hugs!

Tuesday was a day to get familiar with the area.  Michael brought to my attention the train was out back.  I didn't even hear it which surprised me.



He says it's not often that the locomotive is right there.  What a special treat.
It was a long train.  I couldn't even see it all.  Not only that, I didn't even hear it when it left!



We spent our afternoon driving around town.  This would give me ideas as to what we might like to do as the week progresses.  Michael took me to CarMax.  It is a different layout than the older stores.  I like this design much better.  It's got an open, clean, crisp atmosphere. :)
Then off to Joann Fabrics to pick up some supplies for a crafting project we hope to do for Chloe.



Chloe and I spent some time at the park across the street while Valerie and Michael caught an afternoon siesta.



Just like a typical toddler, she has an inquisitive eye, and notices things most people don't.



We even sat on the front porch and blew bubbles while Mom fixed dinner.



But that was short lived once she saw Daddy. He had to coax her back to the area.



After dinner we walked down to Lake Mendota to catch a glimpse of the sunset.  They live on the southeastern side of the lake.  The Madison community is really into fitness.  I am amazed with how many trails there are.  Even at this time in the evening, there were quite a few people out jogging, walking, biking, etc.  There is a map just to show all trails in the area, and there are so many, it looks like a street map!



 I tried to take a picture of Chloe in this hat Tuesday night, but this morning (Wednesday) Chloe decides to put it on and come over to me as if to say, "I'm ready!  Now you can take my picture!"

Valerie and I decided to venture to Olbrich Botanical Gardens.  It was a gorgeous day.  Much like a February day in Florida: breezy, low humidity, and high in the low 70's. 



The gardens are on the northeast side of Lake Monona.  This is the lake view taken from the Sunken Garden display.



These are a series of pictures taken from within the grounds.





















They even had a butterfly conservatory.  Chloe really liked this area.  She pointed and babbled up a storm to let Valerie and I know about all the butterflies!!





They even had quail in there.









We had a wonderful time.  If you only want to stroll the Botanical Gardens, it's free.  It only costs to go into the Butterfly Exhibit, but it is well worth the money. :)

I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.