Sometimes when you are preparing for the next leg of your journey, it’s important to take a few steps back. To remember where you came from and then begin to move forward again with a better understanding and appreciation of all that God has been doing in your life. That journey of reflection took place for us last weekend as we returned to South Florida with the help of some great friends from Flamingo Road Church. The house pictured to the left was my Grandma and Grandpas house. They lived there for well over 30 years and raised 8 children in that house at 1 time. All 1200 or so square feet of it. I was saddened by it’s present condition, but could remember  great times there with the family. Especially Christmas as the house was filled with presents from front to back.

This picture on the left is the house that I grew up in 801 Hunting Lodge Dr. It’s the first house that I brought Mary Jo to to meet my parents. Well, thinking back maybe they were not home the 1st time she came by because I think we were having an unscheduled party and Uncle Neil and friends were involved too. Sorry mom, had to spill my guts after all these years.

Mary Jo grew up in this house in Hialeah, Fl. They have kept it in some amazing condition. She has some great stories about that place.

We took a few moments to drive by my dads old business. I worked at Purity from the age of 13 years old until I was 23. I packed pickles, loaded trailers, got fired because I was very bad at the manual labor part, then ended up working in the office honing in on my computer skills. It was here that I watched my dad and uncle lead people by loving people. They had people working there for 20,30,40, even 60+ years. It was an amazing time in my life where I learned a great deal about leadership and life by watching how dad conducted himself. Interestingly enough, it is also the place where Mary Jo and I mustered up the courage to walk into dads office and let him know that we were having a baby. As mere babies ourselves. They supported us and helped us and now our baby Matt is himself heading out the doors on his own journey of life.

We stopped by the place where we got married. It still looked amazing. Almost unchanged after 19 years. Since we are confessing. We lied to the priest so we could get married. I told you that we had issues.

We look just a little different than we did 19 years ago, but man do I love Mary Jo just as much as I did back then when we took the pictures with my swatch watch on. Isn’t she still a babe.

I had to drop this picture in because the place was so significant in my life as a teenager. The Circle Theater also known as the $1 theater when I was growing up was the Jr and Sr High hang-out. I mean everybody went up to the movies to hang out. It was an awesome time. Breakdancing was all the rage. Man where there some cool times there. It has been abandoned for about 15 or more years. Many times I drove by that place saying – man this needs to be a church.. Maybe someday.

As we continued down memory lane we stopped by main street in Miami Lakes and took a picture under the same tree by the same fountain as where we had our 1st official date. A trip to the movies. I have no clue what the movie was, I just knew I was excited to be there with Mary Jo.

As I begin to wind down this long blog post, I couldn’t do so without CRCC. It was the most significant place of spiritual growth in my life. I am forever grateful to Pastor John and the gang for having the courage to believe in Mary Jo and I and give us opportunities to lead and grow in Christ.

The house pictured to the left is where ministry started for Mary Jo and I. We held our first small group right there in that small 1600 sqft townhouse. Sometimes we packed as many as 55 people in their sitting on the stairs to be a part of a move of God. It was an amazing time for us.

Look what was still sitting right outside the house. Hand Painted by Mary Jo some 10 or 15 years ago. How cool was it to see that.. Memories..

Life just wouldn’t be right without Pastellitos from Hialeah.. Yeah baby we ate some serious Cuban food..

A special thanks to Raul, Troy, Sammy, and Igor for your hospitality in bringing us down to visit Flamingo Road. What a church you all have. keep reaching people for Jesus.

PS – Sammy I love you man. What an awesome opportunity you have in Hallandale to reach a diverse group of people for Jesus. Walter your awesome too. I know I have forgotten some people. But trust me I love and appreciate all of you. You are incredible.

So reflection is important. Mary Jo and I are still seeking to discern the next steps of our journey, but wow was it cool to spend some time getting back to our roots. Never forget where you came from!

In His Service,

Eric and Mary Jo

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