GuyMelton.com: What Were You Thinking?

10 Take Offs, 10 Landings, 3 Countries, 7 Days

Got up at 3:45 a.m. this morning in Pisac, Peru, flew to Lima, and just got home to Miami. Going to bed. Lots to share!!!! Glad to be home.

Last Day with the Grandsons

Today was our last day with Gavyn and Caleb, our grandsons. It has been an incredible week! They couldn't have enjoyed it as much as we have, although they said they have loved being in "Hollywood" with Ta-Ta and Poppy.

For our last day we decided to end it with a bang. Went to Jungle Island, which is the former Parrot Jungle. It has been around since the 30's. Used to be one of the top tourist spots in the state before Disney. I cannot believe I have lived in South Florida all my life and never been to Parrot Jungle. About 5 years ago they left S.W. Dade to an island, next to Bayside and the Cruise Port on I-395.

The day was awesome with the boys. We had a great day. I recommend Jungle Island with some reservations and it won't be a great one. If you haven't been and you have kids, it might be good. I like that all the day camps go to places like this. Must have been 500 kids there on buses today. But good times for kids.

Too over priced for the experience in my opinion. $27.+ Adults, and  $23.95 for kids 3-10. It was not worth it. Especially the kids' price. I think we could have gone to the Metro Zoo and gotten a better experience. The parking was $7.00 Ouch!! That is rubbing salt into the wound. The food at lunch was hot dog and french fries fare for $5.00 with no drink. Not bad for a normal tourist trap, but not my cup of tea either.

Every where you walked they hawked their souvenirs and the ice cream in the machines!!! $3-3.50 for an ice cream bar. You've got to be kidding. Funny, why do we travel out of the state and country and go to all the tourist traps everywhere, pay the cost...but when it's in our backyard it just seems like a rip off?!

Not a lot to say about the parrots or other animals. I'm sure the kids loved it. The make-believe Everglades was underwhelming. Tonia said, "I don't like visiting the real one and I don't like this one.  Let's go!! (Read Tonia's comment in the comments section about what the boys did like!!! Ouch!! I guess I stand corrected.)

This tells you about the quality of the experience. I asked our 6 year old, Gavyn, "What was your favorite part of the day?"  "The Giant Water slide!" was the answer. Yes, a water slide right on the Bay. Now that was cool!! We enjoyed it. I didn't really want to go, but the little one, Caleb had to have an adult. So I volunteered!!! uh!!! No Tonia volunteered me.

But honestly, it was fun and the best thing about Jungle Island. It just seems like we could have gone to a water park and got that. Yesterday Tonia took the boys to T-Y Park water park and they loved it. I think it was like $7.00 and they took their lunch. Ok, at least we had a blast on the Water Slide.

I will say this, I am now praying God will give us someone who would love to buy Oasis Church one of these Hippo Slides!!! 40' tall, 170' long, and runs with two air blowers. Cool!!! Can you imagine the community and how they would love it in downtown Hollywood, NoMi and out at the Pines campus? I'm dreaming now!!! But why not?!!!

So, Saturday morning we pack the guys in the car and back to Indian Harbor Beach to mommy and daddy. I will miss these little guys!!! I love them. As Tonia likes to say, "Grandkids are God's reward for parents for not killing their kids"!!!

P.S. BTW the little guys said they really enjoyed swimming in our pool this year without coconuts falling on them in the pool. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check my video out!!!! See you this weekend as we continue the Satisfying Life!!! 

This little guy was the Gate Keeper, he was one of my Favorites) .

I Am Now Running for President!!!!!!!

Well, it was bound to happen. Several months ago I mentioned my frustration with the lack of leadership we had running for President. I jokingly said I was going to run since I could not vote for anyone running.

Well, before I know it I have been drafted. This caught me by complete surprise!!!!  Check out this news report I happened to see last night while watching the news. I am going to be taking contributions right here at guymelton.com

Time with the Grandsons

This past week Tonia and I picked the Grandsons up and brought them down to spend the week with us. If you were in one of the services where I mentioned the Coconut Tree Story, you know it was important the trees were free from coconuts before the grandsons came down to swim in our pool.

We have had a blast with them. My mom had rented a studio apt. on Hollywood Beach for the week, as she has done for years. My niece, Kari, and her family spent the week with her. We took the boys over off and on the last 3 days between work and church this weekend. They enjoyed being with Granny, the beach and the cousins, Kari, Jon, Johnny and Katie.

If you haven't been to Hollywood Beach lately, the Broadwalk is awesome, and the new Parking Garage along with Charnow Park is complete. Gavyn and Caleb really enjoyed the fountain at the park. These fountains today are like going to a water park. Man, when I was growing up, fountains were off limits and if you did anything in them, you put soap powder in them and watched the suds flow all over the place. Don't try this at home kids.!!!!

This afternoon we went to watch Wall-e. The kids were excited and honestly I thought it would be good with all the hype. If you have little kids don't bring them to see it. Way over their heads. Although the boys liked Wall-e, they had no clue.  It was a big disappointment. I could have sworn Al Gore had directed and written it. It's the "Inconvenient Truth" he did, but in cartoon setting. It was terrible!!!! I should have known with the Liberal Media pushing it so much it would be an Extremist Environmental Wacko movie. The only good thing, is the kids didn't get the "trash" message it was sending.

The boys loved having Uncle Jim along for the Movie and then Red Lobster afterwards. The best moment was when the waitress called Jim their father!!! She was great other than that.

Poppy and Ta-Ta are loving this week with the boys.    

   

Oasis Weekly Newsletter/July 4, 2008

For those who are not on our Email list at Oasis, I am posting this so our Extended Oasis Family from around the Globe will know what is happening at Oasis Church, South Florida. I hope for those of you who reside outside South Florida have a wonderful July 4th . (The links on the Original email, do not work on this, but you can always go to our Visitoasis.org website or my blog site to find them.  (Unfortunately when I place my Email on the blog, it cuts a few words off the end of the sentence. Sorry) 

Pastor's Email
Dear Guy,   Are you experiencing the Dog Days of Summer yet?  The doldrums?  I hope not. But if you are, I want to share some exciting things happening at Oasis Church. We don't have time to experience the doldrums…too much work to do!!!! If you’re going on vacation or having some extra days off during the 4th of July Weekend, that is awesome!  I hope you will celebrate, relax and be safe. Please remember our soldiers who are stationed around the world, and especially in the war zones, during this Holiday Weekend. Just last night Tonia found out her nephew, Phil Gilmore arrived safely home from Iraq this week after his 3rd tour of duty there in 4 years. His two little girls had this big banner celebrating his return. I pray for the men and women who are there, that they will experience the same honor as they defend the Freedom of America and continue to protect our Independence that we will celebrate this weekend.   I want to share some exciting things with you about our church. Did you know?   Our long-awaited Baptistry Fountainis being gunited (blown concrete) as you read this.  If you are on the Pines Campus tonight or this weekend, you will see the new Baptistry with the roughed out concrete form!  PTL!  Pray for an August completion.  I hope we can baptize more on that first Sunday than ever before.  If you haven’t been baptized, you need to be!!   What an awesome time to do it. KidsWorld Director, Suzie McCord reported this week that their 140 volunteers serve 375 children every week in our services on 3 campuses and during 7NOW…you guys are awesome!!  You are doing a GREAT JOB!! Oasis Church baptized 207 new believers in 2007, who were obedient in following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.  This past week, the day before breaking ground for the new Fountain and Baptistry at our Pines Campus, I received a letter from our denominational office which congratulated Oasis Church for being the 19th ranked church out of almost 3000 churches in Florida, in total Baptisms in 2007.  God has been so good to us. As of this month the faithful givers to Oasis Church have given 2 million dollars toward the ministry of Oasis Church, for the Budget Year that ends on August 31.  I thank God for those who Tithe 10% to the Lord’s work here at Oasis.  You are a major reason God has used Oasis in such incredible ways this past year in North Miami, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and around the world. We do not count attendance very often, but in April the last count that was taken, there were 2,099 who attended our weekly services that week – 200 more than last year.  We will normally have between 2,100-2,300 on any given week worshiping at Oasis Church.  That is remarkable when you consider our limited parking and buildings at our Pines Campus.  Approx. 600-700 of those attending, attend our 7 Nights of Worship Services (7NOW).  Approx. 250 attend our Oasis NoMi and Oasis Hollywood Campuses. Joel Collins, our Tech Director, reported this week that 650 persons have listened to Podcaston our visitoasis.org website.  That is up from 480 last month, which was up almost 200 from the month prior.  There is an increasing thirst to hear God’s word taught in our church, and also, an awareness that it is as easy as clicking on our website and listening to any sermon we preach here at Oasis Church. Oasis Hollywood has a Picnic in the Arts Park scheduled for next Saturday…you’re invited! Oasis North Miamiis planning a BIG Vacation Bible School at the Campus in NoMi July 20-24  -- Sun through Thur evening from 6-9 p.m.   So many more things, but I don’t have time here.  You can go to my blog to check out the most popular Blog Post of the last month, and also to get an update on 3 Staff Members who have said, “So Longggg” to us this past week.  There is also information on lots of other things in my first-ever, Wednesday Dumpon my blog – guymelton.com.   See you this week, and have a happy, safe 4th of July!!  God bless you.  It is a privilege to serve you.   Guy Melton, Pastor Oasis Church
Hollywood Campus Pines Campus N. Miami Campus Prayer Requests www.visitoasis.org

tel 954.433.4838 | fax 954.433.2004 | info@visitoasis.org

Independance Day, July 4th, What it's all about!!

Tonia received this picture from her nephew's wife last night. It says it all. He has just arrived home from his 3rd deployment to Iraq!!! He is our Family Hero!!!

Thanks, Phil Gilmore, for making it possible for your girls and all of us to continue to Celebrate Independence Day, July 4th!!!

God bless you and all the other men and women who make our Freedom possible.

Wednesday "What Were You Thinking?" Dump!!!

Haven't done this before but thought I might DUMP some things on you all in one post. I'll try to keep it relatively short. (That word Relatively, is Relative of course)

• Kids World Director, Suzie McCord reported this week their 140 volunteers serve 375 Children every week in our Services on 3 campuses and during 7NOW, YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!! YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB!!
• Oasis Church Baptized 207 new believers, who were obedient and followed the Example of our Lord Jesus Christ. I received a letter this past week the day before breaking ground for the new Fountain and Baptistry at our Pines campus, from our Denominational office which congratulated Oasis Church for being the 19th ranked church in total Baptisms in 2007 out of almost 3000 churches in Florida. God has been so good to us.
• As of this Month the Faithful Givers to Oasis Church have given 2 Million Dollars toward the ministry of Oasis Church for the Budget year that ends on August 31st.  I thank God for those who Tithe (10% ) to the Lord's work here at Oasis. You are a major reason God has used Oasis in such incredible ways this past year in North Miami, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines and around the World.
• We do not count attendance very often but in April the last count that was taken there were 2,099 who attended our weekly services that week. We will normally have between 2,100-2,300 on any given week worshiping at Oasis. That is remarkable when you consider our limited parking and buildings at our Pines Campus. Approx. 600-700 of those attending, attend our7 Nights of Worship Services. Approx. 250 attend our Oasis Nomi, and Hollywood Campuses.
• The most-read Blog Posts this past month in case you missed them are in order:  XXX Part 1  For Men Only Please and Part 2, The Secret is Out!!! , Thanks for the Memories, and The Day That Changed My Life FOREVER!!!
• One year of Blogging just passed last week!!!   I cannot believe it's been a year since my first blog post about my Mentor, Mr. Johnson.  400  Blog Postings later (399 to be exact as of this post)  and 54,000 Blog Page Views is something that I have a hard time getting my mind around. I know I bore lots of you in my long posts, but I have to be me!!!! Some I have made mad, but my Blog is named, What Were you Thinking?  I want to thank those of you who have commented (677 of you) even if you haven't agreed with me. When you do agree, the kind words you have written, the verbal encouragements to keep blogging and even the constructive criticism some of you give. Thanks for honoring me with the time you've taken to read my thoughts and sometimes my rantings. It's a privilege to have so many friends and family.  I especially want to thank my boys for their constant effort to keep me humble by their comments on the Blog, and then last but not least, Tonia and her perseverance with having to take the heat for some of the things I write and also the pictures of her I have posted. Tonia, I love you, and thank you for your patience. I love all you guys!!! I'm a blessed man!!

Thanks for the Memories

Thanks for all the 33 years of memories. Thanks to your dad, here are some all the way back to your beginning. I love you!!! 

Tonia and her little Brother, actually her little brother passed away at 11 years old, Jimmy, from complications of heart surgery. This is her middle brother.,Barry. Youll see him later , he has grown just a little.

Tonia and Little Brother Jimmy!

Nephew's Phil and Barry Jr.

Phils daughter and Tonia's Great Niece

Little brother Barry.

Mother Daughter (Thanks Yvonne for the Gift 33 years ago!!! I love you)

Corey Sings at his Grandparents 50th Wedding Anniversary.

Is she beautiful or what? Sr. Picture!!!

Skiing in Utah and Colorado with the boys.

Nates Wedding

Jims home for Christmas from College

Jenni our beautiful daughter in law.

Ta-Ta with the loves of her life!!! Wow! Have they grown!!!

Our trip to Disney with the grandsons. Caleb and his Ta-Ta on late night date at the Animal Kingdom Lodge!!! Long story on this. Gavyn the oldest wasnt playing this game!!!

 The Family Pic, with LITTLE BRO Barry!!!!!

Finally the house is empty , just the two of us!!

 Celebrating our 30th Anniversary Cruise to Mexico with the Gilmores and their 50th Anniversary!! (Bad hair day for me!!)

Christmas 2004, New York.

Central Park, New York City.

One of the Possible sites for Corey and Sabrina's Wedding next year. Just before flying home this week.

Tonia's Dear Friend Sally Rogers. We all miss her!!

The Real Tonia we know and Love!! She was over it and ready to come home. This was taken last week on vacation, in the Conservatory Gardens in Central Park. Corey and Sabrina were discussing possible options for the Wedding. 

 

Tonia at age 100!! I still think she is beautiful and I love her more than I do today 33 years later.(That will be like 81 years later)

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES BABE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Day that Changed my Life Forever!!!!

 Thursday, June 26, 1975, was the day that changed my life forever. For that I am grateful!!! 33 years ago tonight, Tonia and I were married in our home church First Baptist Church of West Hollywood, at the corner of Taft St. and 441. We stayed just 4 miles from our present downtown Hollywood home, for the first night of our Honeymoon. It was and still is the Marco Polo in Sunny Isles. Just south of Hollywood. Today as I drive by it is definitely dated and not the contemporary high rise it was in that day. But it was the beginning of a journey that has been nothing less than phenomenal. That night, as this young 19 year old, college student opened all the envelopes with the anticipation of enough gift money to take us to Disney World the next day for our Honeymoon; I would have never imagined that 33 years later, I would be more in love with my high school sweetheart than on my wedding  night. I would have never dreamed I would think she is more beautiful today than that day at the age of 19. But I really do!!!  Actually even more so.  I didn't dream, I would be pastoring a church like Oasis, in 3 locations, every night of the week, 70 countries from around the world. I had grown up in a very conservative, legalistic church  background, in a South Florida that was more deep south. Nothing like today. But I love it and even more I love Tonia for being willing to take this journey with me and not just support me in it, but has had so much to do with what God has done here. She has been an awesome Pastor's wife and help mate/soul mate. I would have never dreamed I would have 3 grown sons, and two grandsons. You just can't think that far ahead when you're 19 years old on your wedding night. I would have never dreamed, we would have traveled to the Mediterranean, Italy, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Canada, practically every state in the USA and Israel two times. This was a kid who grew up in a 2 bedroom house in old Miramar, with 5 other family members, one bath and about 899 sq. feet. Never saw a mountain till my senior year. Never left Florida till I was 18 years old. I didn't see snow until my freshman year of College.

We have had our ups and downs like any couple. We have our disagreements, and our moments. We get irritated at each other. Our sons were normal (are) boys who got into trouble and didn't always live up to what some people felt the Pastor's Kids should be. As if Pastor's kids chose that role. But I am so proud of them and the men they have become. Who would have dreamed one would live in New York City, one in Indian Harbor Beach and one just a mile away in downtown Hollywood. We have had family disappoint us, friends let us down, watched other pastor friends and their families fall apart. We have journeyed through the dark days like anyone's family. 

But 33 years later tonight, I would not trade the vows I made on June 26,1975 to Tonia Felice Gilmore. I would do it all over again. I said, "Till death do us part"...I hope to continue to live out that vow. That day in June, changed my life forever and I am so glad it did. I LOVE YOU BABE, MORE THAN EVER !!!!!!! THANKS FOR YOUR LOVE FOR ME, OUR BOYS, OUR GRANDSONS, DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, OUR CHURCH FAMILY AND SO MANY OTHERS YOU HAVE SHARED YOURSELF WITH, THESE 33 YEARS. YOU'RE A SAINT!!!! 

Thanks for the Memories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   CAN'T FIND ANY WEDDING PICS DOWNLOADED. MY FATHER-IN-LAW IS WORKING ON IT. THANKS, GIL FOR SUPPLYING THESE FOR ME. I AM GOING TO SHARE MANY MORE FROM TONIA'S BABY DAYS, AND OUR FAMILY'S 33 YEARS IN ANOTHER POST, SO COME CHECK OUT OUR "WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE"

Waldo has been Found!!!!!!!!!

Last week was an awesome time with my wife. We visited New England. I would have loved sharing each day, but I was really trying to be good and not spend my time working. But , I must say I'm paying big time this week. It's been non-stop. But wanted to let those who have been googling all week trying to find "Waldo". Well, the pic's below will share a little of our wonderful week, and also remind you that you must "come apart" or you will "come apart". Even Jesus got away from the everyday stress to rest. What do you have planned? Doesn't have to be exotic, or expensive.

Our first two nights were in Kennebunkport, Maine . Stayed in the Maine Stay B&B. Tonia and I love them. This was for our Anniversary, which by the way is today, June 26, 1975. 7:00 p.m. Thursday night, 33 years ago.

Boothbay Harbor -- next stay up the Maine Coast, not far from the first place the sun rises each day in the United States. The sun came up about 4:30 a.m. each morning. Just about the same time Tonia and I normally get up and begin our day!!! Right!! This pic is where Bobby Flay did his Crab Throw Down, The Lobster Dock. We came home and Weds. night the throw down was on the Food Channel. It will be on again this month. I'll look for the dates. Worth the visit if you're in the area!!! This was taken in Ted Williams Fav Resturant in Warrick, Rhode Island. My good friend and Lay Pastor at the Hollywood Campus, Chuck Mahoney, in the Pic, took us there.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Loved the city and having some time with Chuck. We love to argue Politics and Sports. But we try to keep it civil. But have you ever tried to have a civil conversation with a Red Sox, Celtic and Patriots fan? Just won't happen. Thanks Chuck for the bed, and the beautiful view of the Bay. Had lots of Lobster Rolls while there. Here I am basking in the 60 degree afternoon after eating at the Clam Shack, featured on Rachel Ray's Show. Stayed in Bar Harbor, Maine which is at the entrance of the Acadia National Park. The Park was the main reason we drove toward Northern Maine's Coast. Unfortunately the Park was awesome and beautiful but it had fog roll in and the incredible rocky coast you could not see. That was about the only disappointment we had the entire trip.  

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