CLYDE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

We had several guests here for Clyde's birthday party on January 20, including Dan Sheridan, of Illinois, Sheree Morris, of Maine, Steve Hill, of Dubois, PA, and Bill Morgart, of Johnstown.

Breakfast in the morning before the party at night.
Nathan, Janet, Aaron, Clyde Cindy, Dan, me, Sheree.
Birthday boy in front.

The Three Amigos

Bill Morgart, Steve Hill 

While Dan was here, we recorded five shows in the upstairs studio. These can be found at http://martinzender.com/new_zender_sheridan/home.htm, and are titled: God And Christ In Person, Parts 1-5.

As Clyde wrote in Volume 16, Issue 379 of the Bible Student's Notebook, this home is a place of refreshment and encouragement, not just for those of us who live here, but for many others. Many times, Cylde has extended an invitation to come and visit, and even stay a spell. Many people have taken him up on it.

Between October and December, we had 52 different guests here. Some came for only a day, some spent a night, others a few nights. Some even returned for more. (This is a total of 81 daytime stays, and 123 overnight stays.) While here, these guests have found fellowship, answers to their questions, relaxation and rest for their spirits.

Here in Windber, we have dedicated guest space, and we're currently working on an online calendar that will show our family activities and who's scheduled to visit us, making it easier for you to plan to come on over.

Now the only question is: When are you coming?

SPRING FLORIDA FELLOWSHIP

Before I left Florida, Waylan and I visited the site of the March 1-3 conference, to be held at Dania Beach. Here are some photos. Check this place out; it's only three miles from the ocean:

Entrance to Tigertail Lake

Meeting place.

Side view.

Mosaic on outside wall.

Conference room.

Back of conference room.

View from conference room.

Another view from conference room.

Another view from conference room.

  Here are meeting details. I will also email these to the mailing list later this weekend:

Fort Lauderdale

Spring Gathering of the Body of Christ

March 1-3 2013

Teachers

Martin Zender; Dan Sheridan; Waylan

Dabbs; Clyde Pilkington

Schedule

Friday March 1

Evening Meet & Greet at the Courtyard Marriott

Hotel: 400 Gulfstream Way, Dania Beach, FL, 33004

Saturday March 2

9AM to 9PM Teaching & Fellowship (at Tigertail

Lake)

Sunday March 3

9AM to 1PM Teaching & Fellowship (at Tigertail

Lake)

Location

Tigertail Lake

580 Gulfstream Way

Dania Beach, FL 33004

(Southeast corner of Griffin Rd. and Anglers Ave.,

Right next to: Fort Lauderdale Airport, I-95, Tri-

Rail Train Station)

Accommodations

There are two hotels within walking distance:

Courtyard Marriott Hotel

400 Gulfstream Way Dania Beach, FL 33004

954-342-8333 (Airport Shuttle Available)

Fairfield Inn and Suites

2081 Griffin Rd Dania Beach, FL 33312

954-981-2700 (No Airport Shuttle)

Contact

Kate Horne

chorne61@bellsouth.net

Hope to see you there!

*  *  *

Dan Sheridan was here recently, along with other guests, and I will be sharing photos of this epic gathering later this weekend, God willing. I hope you are listening to my audio shows on 2 Timothy, because I think these will be very helpful to you in your walk. 

http://martinzender.com/new_zender_sheridan/home.htm

Grace and peace, 

Martin

JOYS OF FELLOWSHIP

Edith and me.

Mary Ellen picked me up for lunch two days ago and introduced me to her friend Edith, a charming Argentinian woman who loves truth. Mary Ellen had give Edith several of my books, and Edith brought a couple to be signed.

Mary Ellen had read the blog about my Pittsburgh Steeler trials here, so she showed up wearing a Steelers stocking hat. Yes, the hits just keep on coming. To humor my dining companions, I donned the cap and look correspondingly sheepish.

Speaking of Pittsburgh Steeler trials, Zack showed up the other day without his usual sweater. Unfortunately, the handsome sweater had been replaced by something far less pleasant.

Good Zender.

Bad Zack.

Here is another nice photo of Kate Horne and me, taken with her phone, sent to me yesterday.

Kate Horne is organizing the conference in Dania Beach on March 1-3.
Stay tuned for conference details, which I'll publish soon after I return home.

I shall now show you a most disturbing photograph, so brace yourself. A friend of mine in Arizona, Kelli Spurgeon, somehow got the crazy idea to cross Martin Zender with Mona Lisa. She sent me an email titled, "Mona Martin," with an attachment. I saw the title and thought, What the ... " Then I opened the damned thing. The fact that I am showing you this attests to a supernatural ability to laugh at myself.

This is terribly disturbing, but terribly funny.

Regena brought a good friend of hers from work home for lunch yesterday: Michele. It wasn't long before we got into a theological discussion about salvation, and free will. Since my paperbacks were lying around, I decided to give her, Martin Zender Goes to Hell. When the topic moved to sin and salvation, I handed her How to Be Free From Sin While Smoking a Cigarette. The conversation was going so well, we invited Michele and her boyfriend Kahni over for dinner.

Man, was that ever a good time. The five of us were joined by Josh and Ashley. There we were, out on the epic God-patio again (how many times has this happened over the past week? many times) discussing the greatness of God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Waylan got on a fine roll, and the testimony of God's grace poured forth. Kahni and Michele are both tuned in to the spirit of God, and so the discussions were nothing but pleasant and edifying. Things started off around 7:30, and wound down at 11.

Good times, great oldies. Kahni is playing coy.
That's my CLNT in the foreground.

Love and affection; I love it.

In two hours, Waylan takes me to the airport. We are making time to have lunch, and to swing by Dania Beach, the site of the conference in March. I want to photograph the layout, which Kate Horne--the conference organizer--says is gorgeous, and include it in our upcoming announcements.

I soaked up the sun on my last morning out on the bank of the lake with Waylan, sipping our coffees. What a blessing this man has been to me. I can't say enough. I have been so busy here, but also so much in the zone of peace, grace, and love.

There is no better place to be.  

MIAMI

Little Havana, Miami.
(Click on photos to enlarge.)

Two more days in Florida. I am trying to suck up as much glory as I can from the sun, the surf, and the green grass. Then, maybe, I can store it like a solar cell and draw on it when the snow flies back in the great white north, otherwise known as Pennsylvania.

On Friday, my friend Mary Ellen, an art director in the Miami area, took me to her old stomping grounds in the Big City. It was a gorgeous day, and I was thrilled to explore a city I'd never truly visited.

I had once set foot in Miami, but that was during part of a bicycle tour down the east coast of Florida back in 1982. Back then, I barely bicycled past the "Welcome to Miami" sign, and headed to the train station. Here, finally, was a real tour!

Mary Ellen in the restaurant known as "Versailles," in Little Havana, Miami.

All Cuban, all the time in Little Havana. Don't ask me what these dishes are called.
All I know is, Cuban coffee is delicious, and the perfect finish to a perfect meal.

Outside Versailles. It's a  famous restaurant, visited by presidents
and outspoken Bible scholars.

Inside an authentic Cuban cigar shop. In my hand is a package
of cigars I bought for Waylan, as thanks for all his hospitality.

I think this is Biscayne Bay.

Part of the Miami skyline.

A visit to the Hard Rock Cafe yields some treasures.

Along the walk at Bayside, the downtown shopping area.

Lots of cruises depart from Miami.

We strolled down South Miami Beach, where Mary Ellen
spent lots of time as a kid.

On the jetty.

Some skyline from the jetty.

He held still for me.

Driving along the South Beach clubs on Collins Avenue.

We had to hurry back so I could join Waylan and Regena, and their friends
Marc and Stacy at Saitos, a Japanese steakhouse. This was a going-away dinner for Marc,
who is moving from Waylan's branch of Crown Lift Trucks, to a branch in Texas.

Enjoying a drink outside Saitos.

Waylan does enjoy his cigars.

Regena and Stacy.

Marc Davidson.

Thank you Mary Ellen, and thank you Waylan and Regena, and Marc and Stacy, for all the fun and enjoyment I had this day. What a memorable day you all provided for me.

I did not spend a single dime of my own money all day, for no one would let me. God has been blessing me with good friends and good times here in South Florida. I have come a long way from holding a letter opener over my heart, back on the morning of October 9. June-December was one of the hardest periods of my life, emotionally and spiritually. God has granted me some times of respite since then, and this has sure been one of them. There are many storms in life, but also many ports where God gives us rest.

Because of them, and the people in them, we can go on.

© 2013 by Martin Zender