January 8, 2007       Florida Here We Come!
Southeast Florida that was our target.  We figured somewhere between Daytona and Jupiter we would find a piece of land and build a house and sell it.  So we looked...New Symrna, Daytona, Melbourne, Cocoa Beach, etc. 

It just wasn't working.  Anything near the water was way out of our price range.  Then it seems to jump to another extreme of I can't believe people live like this.  It was impossible to find something in the middle.

Finally in Ft. Pierce we were about to abort.   In Syracuse there is affordable land, and we can do what we had just done and make more money.  This couldn't be.  How could God really mean for us to give up what we knew in our hearts.  That night we prayed very earnestly to the Lord, and literally said we need a miracle. 

The next morning I refused to help pack the car to return.  I went to the lobby of the hotel with the lap top and phone to make my last efforts to call realtors to find somewhere in Southeast, FL that was affordable.  Being Italian my voice does project.  A man approached me after several phone calls, and said he couldn't help over hearing my frustration (I am sure everyone did).  Then he asked if we had ever thought of Pensacola, FL.  The prices are lower and there are not the impact fees for building.  His name is Paul DeRibas, and he is a Deputy Sheriff in that county, and would be glad to help in any way. 

Trace had come at this time to say the car was all packed, but now after talking with Paul we had a new destination.  There was hope.  The Lord sent Paul to show us the way.
When we arrived in Pensacola we gave Paul a call as he said, and he helped us get a room for a couple nights on the Naval Air Base, and has been a huge help ever since.  We think he should be wearing a big "S" on his shirt. 

We also remembered at this time that David Wagner, a prophetic minister we met in Nyack, was also from Pensacola.  The church service we were at in Nyack basically spiritually sent us off on this journey, and here we meet again.  We ended up going to see what Jubilee International Ministries church (David Wagner's church) was like, and we have been going ever since.

We have now been in Pensacola about a month and a half.  We have met so many great people.  The Southern Hospitality is so welcoming!  For a small city there is a very large art community, and to me that is very exciting. 

When we first arrive we started pursuing the same avenue of looking for land or a house to refurbish and sell.  What we ran into here is the prices are still really inflated from when they were hit by hurricane Ivan two years ago.  They are gradually making their way down to normal.  We looked hard for a month, and then decided to rent an apartment with a 7mos lease and take our time.

During this time we have decided to pursue the desires in our heart concerning the type of work we would like to do.  Trace is now working on customizing motorcycles.  He is presently working on his first one.  I am getting involved in the art community.  I am putting some of my photographs for sale in a local coop gallery.  I am also looking into other avenues in the arts to make a living. 

So far Pensacola has been very good to us.  We have warm weather and the ocean.  We are in a community that welcomes us and our dreams.  We have found a great church to get involved in. 

It is amazing what can happen when you step out in faith to follow the desires that are planted inside your heart.  God's the one who planted them there when you were being formed, and He is the one who is pleased when you follow them, because that is the path He created you for.

It may get difficult at times during the pursuit, but if you keep pressing into Him for the answers and strength - He will always come through.

So when you ask yourself, "What is God's will for my life?"  Look inside at where your desires lead you, because most likely God planted the desire in you to do what He wants you to go after.

We are still on this road of discovery.  We can't say we arrived, but we are in pursuit.
   January 12, 2007       Pensacola, Florida
These are pictures of Daytona Beach with its hard sand beaches that you can drive on.
In the morning.
Home of the Blue Angels!
Lil Cooper parked in beautiful East Hill area where we lived for two weeks in a flat of a very old, old house before moving to the apt. complex that is still in the East Hill area.
These are Camellia trees. They look like rose trees, and they are in bloom all year.
What is not to love!  This photo represents Pensacola with its water everywhere, palm trees, and gnarly oak trees on a warm sunny afternoon.
This is one of my favorite photos that I have taken while in Pensacola.  It is called "Mist on Bayou".  It is a great example of the huge gnarly oak trees with the mist of a rainy day.
Pensacola Beach is another huge plus for this area. They have that beautiful white sugar sand, aqua blue water, and even some sea shells and sand dollars for the taking.
On one of the warm 75 degree days we went for a bike ride along the beach.  This is an example of what Hurricane Ivan did to the road along a section of the beach.  This area of course is closed off to cars, and they are making it into a wildlife reserve.  It goes for miles of pure beach.
On the way home we caught a gorgeous Panhandle Sunset.
Yes, Florida has Squirrels!  They are very little though, and they don't have full bushy tails.  But they are still cute.  This is our adopted friend.  Her name is "Nutty".  We have actually trained her to come into the living room to get her nuts. 
On February 26th "California Brenda" visited.  She is originally from Mobile, AL (not far), and she was in town for her mothers B'day.  Brenda is a huge Blue Angels fan so we went to the Aviation Museum on the Base again.  Brenda was our first visitor.  Our door is always open to Family and Friends!!
For any of you Blue Angel pilots out there, don't forget to look down now and then.  There might be a pretty Alabama girl looking up and waving.  Oh by the way did I mention Brenda is single.
Brenda flying blue skies! Well pretending anyways!
"Flying Tiger" Mustang P-51
Officer Friendly & our good friend, Deputy Sheriff Paul DeRibas.
The Ashley Club is the apartment complex that we live in.  Above is the view from our patio.  The tennis court that we play tennis on about every day.  The other pictures are the pretty grounds of our complex.
Trace has been working hard on customizing this Kawasaki ZX10 motorcycle for resale.  It is now finished and looks great!
  April 1, 2007
  Pensacola, Florida