Ever since Ryan and I moved to Ocala, we’ve been “church shopping.” We loved our church in Orlando and are really hoping to find something that fits us as well as our previous church did.
We’ve spent the past few weeks going to one church but just haven’t connected with the pastor. We’ve loved the music, the people and the ambiance of the church, but the pastor just wasn’t the right fit and we really wanted him to be.
This morning we tried a new church and may have found a winner! We really enjoyed the service, the pastor had a lot more enthusiasm and it was much more relatable. We’ll be going back again soon, hoping it will be our new permanent church!
The church was located right near a new McDonald’s and Ryan and I walked over for hot drinks after the service.
A peppermint mocha for me (with a side of an awkward smile, apparently) and a hot chocolate for Ryan.
Surprisingly I really don’t like McDonald’s hot chocolate. It tastes so funky to me! Anyone else with me on this one? Ryan thinks I’m crazy.
Even though we just had breakfast before church (egg sandwiches again), Ryan is a serious fan of McDonald’s hot cakes and ordered them for a “snack.”
He ended up sharing and I had about a third. They really are fantastic! I tried to replicate them before with a recipe that called for lemon-lime soda, but my attempt didn’t measure up.
Post McDonald’s we hit up the grocery store and came home to change before making lunch.
Today’s midday meal included smoothies and a LUNA bar for me.
My smoothie contained:
- 2 frozen bananas (for maximum thickness)
- 1 cup milk
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
Three ingredients and bam… an awesome smoothie.
I was sent a box of LUNA bars to sample earlier in the week and have been really loving them as my afternoon snack. (They caught wind of the fact that these bars are my favorite pre-race snack. Very true!)
Today’s flavor of choice was the Nutz Over Chocolate bar which totally satisfied my love for the peanut butter and chocolate flavor combination.
It was great, though my all-time favorite LUNA bar is the White Chocolate Macadamia bar. Tastes like a healthified cookie!
Lunch fueled another day of hiking. We are addicted!
It really is such a treat to live so close to the Ocala National Forest and take advantage of such well-maintained trails.
Sadie agrees.
And now for a little fun!
Can you spot Sadie?
She’s a hunting dog and her pinkish nose, tan coat and beige eyes camouflage her so well on the trails.
See her?
The three of us had a great time on our two-hour hike. The weather was a bit cool and perfectly sunny.
You know how they say people and their pets can start to look alike after a while?
I’m beginning to see it…
They’re quite the duo.
Taking pictures with Sadie is never easy!
She loves my kisses. Don’t let her fool you.
She just loves herons more.
Now that we’re home, we are planning on making the rest of the day very low key, complete with a crock pot dinner and a movie night.
Oh! And the answer key to Where’s Waldo: Sadie Edition:
She’s sneaky.
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I literally spent a minute staring at that picture to find Sadie with no luck. Looks like my skills are a bit rusty haha
If you’re ever in NYC. Come check out Hillsong Church . It’s amazing. You wont regret it.
I’m w/ you with the church shopping — my husband and I just moved back to our home state (but hours from our home towns) so we’ve spent the last 4 weekends at different churches. It’s SO hard to find the right place — especially with the Christmas season as many services are atypical. We know we’ll find it — but it’s so hard while in process.
After reading articles like this: http://www.naturalnews.com/032820_Chicken_McNuggets_ingredients.html
I cannot eat at McDonalds…
Haha. My daughter and I were staring and staring to find Sadie. LOL. Good one.
she’s the best at hide-and-go-seek!
I’m with you on the Luna Bars- white choc macadamia nut is the best!
The hiking looks seriously amazing!!!! The Where’s Waldo Sadie is COMEDY! 🙂
I adore your blog 🙂 I just wanted to wish you a happy holiday, and let you know that your blog is so fun to read! It’s informative and quality writing; it provides a different perspective on different things and products (like LARA bars!)
Thanks for all the great entries!!
what a nice comment! thank you, chloe!! 🙂
McDonald’s hot chocolate is different, but I am not the biggest hot chocolate so I thought that is why I never liked it. I have not tried their hotcakes ever but I have wanted to!
I’m jealous of your warm FLA weather! It’s finally starting to feel like winter in the DC area and I’m not a fan- shouldn’t have complained about the humid, 60 degree weather we’ve had the past few weeks 😛
Q: Why did you use lemon-lime soda to replicate a batch of McD’s pancakes?
so random, right? that was what a recipe that i googled said to use. it was the only recipe that popped up when i tried to find a recipe to recreate the hot cakes!
Your little family is so cute. 🙂 I love that you and Ryan spend all day on Sundays together—it’s sweet. Looks like a great weekend!
I love the Nutz over chocolate LUNA bar too!! It was definitely my favorite until I had the peppermint one..oh good gosh. DELICIOUS!!! A bit sweeter, but it tastes just like candy..mmmm
We have not moved … well other than four years ago when we moved from Italy to the US. We have been somewhat distant from Church (NOT our faith) so recently we have been Church “shopping” ourselves … contrary to the trend we are looking for a more traditional Catholic Church, with traditional music … we are not there yet, but closer …
I hope this church is a winner for you! I LOVED our church in my old hometown, and the people and my Bible study group, and that was one thing I was most upset about leaving. We have found a new church here but its just “not the same” and it’s so hard not to compare the two b/c its really not fair, but still hard.
Good luck!
I totally know what you mean by needing to find the right church with a pastor you really connect with. A great pastor changes everything. I hope you find the one that’s right for you!
I’m so glad you found a church you like! I went to about 8 different ones around me in Chicago and never found one that fit me. And I’m so jealous of your hiking! I wish I had something like that around me!
What!?!? I love their hot chocolate.
Alsoo, my favorite Luna flavor is Peppermint Stick, it taste just like a thin mint.
Hahaha! This made me giggle, all your Sadie anecdotes, and the Spot Sadie picture. So cute! 😀 I love hiking so much, it must be wonderful to be so close to that many trails. And extra wonderful to have a lovely pup to share the walks with! <3 Sounds like a fun day! xyx
I can totally relate to the process of finding a church! My boyfriend (of 4 years) and I have tried to find a church in Chicago that fits us, but I swear it just doesn’t compare to the church we go to at home in Gloucester, Massachusetts! It’s amazing how the littlest things just don’t click! I’m glad that you were able to find one that is right for you, especially so close to Christmas!
I know! Church shopping is HARD, but so worth it to find a place that really fits. I gladly found my church 2 years ago and love it! Its so important to me to know where the money is going. My church now definitely is funding TONS of missions world wide 🙂
Julie-
Finding the right church feels great..but is such a tiring process sometimes! Don’t give up, God will lead you to the right place.
Good way to handle “Katherine” with the snide comments… your response was respectful and classy. It’s hard to want to be nice but you know what? It pays off. You reap what you sow and you just sowed some pretty nice seeds. Way to go! 🙂
ohh awesome!! So happy for you guys~It’s truly not easy to find the church God wants us to be in and serve at! But when we follow His leading, then it’s just plain wonderful 🙂 I’ve been going through sooooooo many transitions for the past year! And still will be with perhaps MORE church moving b/c of my fiance’s ministry stuff, and then MARRIAGE! lol. But it’s all about how we respond.
Ok, I NEVER would have seen Sadie if you hadn’t circled her in the later picture.
I actually think that is one of the prettiest photos I’ve seen of you!
So many people rave about McDonald’s new hot chocolate but I completely agree that it tastes funky!
Glad you maybe found a church!..my husband and I have been living in Pittsburgh PA for 2 years now with no luck on finding a church…looks like you had a nice weekend 🙂
I found the same thing with the McD’s Hot Choc, I found a almost chemical taste..
Have you ever made your own Larabars?
try these they are awesome..
http://www.americanadianrunner.blogspot.com/
opps.. I copied the wrong link,, here’s the bars
http://www.losetheshoes.net/2011/09/homdemade-larabars-recipe.html
Hey Julie! Glad you found a church that feels right, it can be tough, I know. I feel I’ve had to church shop so much with moving around lots these past few years. Hope all goes well and you settle in super quick! I find just jumping in and serving is a sure fire way to click in and meet people.
And as for the mean comment – don’t listen! I LOVE reading your blog each day and you honestly inspire me to be so much healthier and happier. You have such a balanced approach to food and such a zest for life. Love ya. That is all 🙂
I would have never been able to find her! Lol…that is too funny. I think it’s great that you guys live so close to a place that you can hike. I would have to drive an hour just to hike something like that!
I think it’s wonderful that you are also looking for a church to attend. I will be praying for you both!
I totally agree with you about the hot chocolate! I tried it last week, one sip and I was done!
Congrats on finding a church 🙂 That’s one of the hardest parts about moving, especially when you have a great one that you have to leave!
Love Ryan’s shirt! I have the same in green 🙂 The outrigger is so much fun.
Just started reading your blog. Your story about your love/hate relationship with running inspired me to start running and do a 5K in October.
Just saw this post, and I am thrilled to learn that you are a church-goer. Even more reason to follow your blog!
Thanks!
I’m am new to your blog but already loving it!! I’m an (downtown) Orlando resident and a UCF student. I’ve had a hard time finding a church in the area to call home. Can you please share what church you and Ryan attended while living here?
Thanks so much! You’re an inspiration to the rest of us!