Christmas 2023 | FindPenguins

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Traveler Christmas 2023
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- Dec 12, 2023, 11:36am
- ☁️ 57 °F
- Altitude: 174 m
- United States Texas Dallas County University Park 32.86693, -96.80970832°52’1” N 96°48’35” W
Day 1
3Score and Dinner with retirees
December 12, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F
We took Dad to 3Score Christmas program. Folks really enjoyed seeing him. We sat with Joe Hull and Ken Wiggers. It was good to see Lola, the Coxs, the Adams and many others.

We helped dad with his prescription order at CVS. We saw mom several times and I told that I loved her.

Glenn and I drove to South Arlington to meet up with retired missionary Rosellie that served in Brazil and also Craig and Barbara that served in Mexico, Spain and USA. Wow we had great conversations as we talked about each of our ministries.

I gave them each a gift bag full of miscellaneous things such as devotional book, calendar, lotion and gift certificates to What-A-Burger and Chilies. It was great encouraging them and realizing how God was providing their every need. Rosellie mentioned that it was just 70 years ago this week when she and her husband took a 3 week boat/ship from New York City to Fortaleza, Brazil where they lived for 35+ years. Her husband died in 2018 I believe and her 60 year old son died of COVID-19 in 2020. She is still active in miscellaneous ministries in the area. Wow, what a great ambassador for Christ.

Afterwards, we drove 93 year old Rosellie back home and we headed up I35W.Read more
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Traveler Christmas 2023
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- Dec 12, 2023, 8:53pm
- ☁️ 55 °F
- Altitude: 196 m
- United States Texas Tarrant County Bisbee Action Aero Airport 32.646747, -97.18681432°38’48” N 97°11’13” W
Day 1
My Agenda and a New Friend
December 12, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F
My Conversation With a HighSchooler

Glenn and I stopped here at Chic-fil-A to empty our bladder and buy a holiday shake. Madison, a high school employee made a comment “I love your tie. Where can I get one of those?” I looked at Glenn and gave him a nod. He immediately took the Santa Claus tie off and tied it around her neck. She was ecstatic and overwhelmed with joy.

Madison asked for a foto. After Glenn took a selfie, I told her I would just text it to her. She said she can’t text while she’s working! Wow, that’s great I thought.

I asked Madison if she goes to church. She said she went to Calvary, maybe in Fort Worth but that she would go to church on Christmas Eve.

We wished each other goodbye and I told her to text me after she gets off work.

The story doesn’t stop here:

Once we settled into our hotel room in Ardmore Oklahoma, I realized that I had left my pink agenda at Cheddars. I frantically called the manager. I didn’t get an answer. So thinking ahead, I texted Madison if she would be willing to go on Wednesday and see if it was turned in. Her quick reply said she could stop by between work and school. What a nice offer.

In the mean time, Glenn called the manager and he said he had it in his hands. Shew! So glad my day-timer has been found!

Barbara will now pick it up and mail it to us in Illinois. So that’s the story of reaching out, being friendly and engaging to people you meet everyday and sharing the light of Jesus.

I texted and thanked Madison for being my “back-up” plan in picking up my agenda.Read more
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Traveler Christmas 2023
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- Dec 16, 2023
- ☁️ 41 °F
- Altitude: 265 m
- United States Missouri Liberty Township White Hall Fields 39.246135, -94.45464539°14’46” N 94°27’17” W
Day 5
Lunch with friends
December 16, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 41 °F
We had a quick visit with Abe and Clarice. She’s having wrist surgery next week and Abe will have a heart bypass surgery after the new year.

On Saturday we had lunch with Alicia and Scott. He’s a big Buffalo Bills fan. The Bills play the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.Read more
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Traveler Christmas 2023
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- Dec 17, 2023, 3:15pm
- ☁️ 41 °F
- Altitude: 190 m
- United States Illinois Woodside Township Southern View 39.749472, -89.67036339°44’58” N 89°40’13” W
Day 6
Scheel’s
December 17, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 41 °F
We needed to stop in Springfield. Instead of the local hotel, I noticed the sporting goods store.

I immediately called Sherrie, cause she recommended this place (Denver location) several years ago.

It had an indoor Farris-wheel. One dollar. Of fun! Merry Christmas to us.Read more
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Traveler Christmas 2023
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- Dec 18, 2023, 7:43am
- 🌬 28 °F
- Altitude: 218 m
- United States Illinois Brown Township Fisher 40.316842, -88.35905540°19’1” N 88°21’33” W
Day 7
Grammie Camp (Holiday Edition)
December 18, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 28 °F
Arrived Sunday night with eager grandchildren waiting. We’ll be spending the pre Christmas and Christmas Day with the Rosenbergers.

Emily made cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

Monday was a fun and relaxing day with the 2 youngest (Annie, 3 and Amanda 1)

After David and Emily returned home from school, we opened Christmas presents. (Forgot to take pictures. I guess I was enjoying the moment).

Over the next 2 days we’ll be keeping all 6 kids as Ellen and Luke celebrate their wedding anniversary uninterrupted.Read more
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Traveler Christmas 2023
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- Dec 20, 2023, 4:18pm
- ☁️ 43 °F
- Altitude: 227 m
- United States Illinois Champaign County Wilbur Heights 40.13667, -88.2485240°8’12” N 88°14’55” W
Day 9
Swimming in December
December 20, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 43 °F
We checked into the hotel and immediately dashed to the heated swimming pool. The grandkids loved the water.

Then we headed to McDonald’s for cheeseburger. We drove through several Christmas neighborhoods that had beautiful lights.

Unfortunately the hotel manager said we had too many children in one room, so we packed up the wet bathing suites, pillows and blankets and returned back home to Fisher Illinois. We “gifted” the hotel room to Ellen and Luke to celebrate their anniversary.

I told the kids they could sleep in their clothes and we watched Home Alone 2.

We’ve played Tri-Ominos, You’ve Got Crabs,and put together the Office Puzzle.

We’re calling this “Grammie Camp Holiday Edition.Read more
Traveler "Too many kids in one room"????? Is that even a thing?
12/23/23Reply
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Traveler Christmas 2023
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- Dec 22, 2023, 9:03pm
- 🌧 45 °F
- Altitude: 218 m
- United States Illinois Brown Township Fisher 40.316887, -88.35910840°19’1” N 88°21’33” W
Day 11
Merry Christmaa with the gkids
December 22, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 45 °F
Friday was a day of relaxing and being with the gkids. I had my normal Bolivia ladies zoom call. Aunt Virginia and Beverly Smith got to see us all around the breakfast table while Granddad made Pirates Eyes.

I played. Rummicube with Emily. We also did Two 300 puzzle and One 500 Disney puzzle.

Glenn took the kids and the dog for a ride while Ellen made lunch.

Annie and Amanda both took a nap.

Pizza was our dinner. Then the grandkids opened our presents to them. And they each gave Glenn and I presents too. I think Moody alumni ornaments, Lucy’s Encanto. Microphone and Legos were big hits.

Merry Christmas!Read more
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Traveler Christmas 2023
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- Dec 23, 2023, 10:15am
- ☁️ 50 °F
- Altitude: 246 m
- United States Illinois Normal Township Greenbriar 40.508838, -88.95426240°30’32” N 88°57’15” W
Day 12
Visit with Scott and Carol
December 23, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
Saturday morning we got up early and headed towards home. Around the breakfast table at “The Original Pancake House” in Bloomington, we had a blast connecting with Scott and Carol. Dear dear friends. We’ve known them since 1995 I believe. The time went way too quickly before we needed to start heading back to Texas.

Normally we don’t like to drive non-stop back to Tyler - we’re too old for this! But we did! At first the roads were very foggy in Illinois for several hours, then it cleared up. The last 3 hours it was raining through Arkansas and Texas. The traffic came to a standstill on I40 before Little Rock for about 45 minutes because of an accident. I dove in the afternoon until it became dark and Glenn drove the rest of the way home. Good trip. Glad we got to spend time with the grandkids. We pulled into Eagles Nest at 12:30am. on Sunday morning. Home.Read more
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