Look What the Downey Woodpecker Did Now!
Remember in yesterday’s post, the woodpecker made a hole this size.
Today when we came home from church it looked like this!
It is now much larger than the hole in the front of the birdhouse.
It has also been working on the other side.
God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 (New Living Translation)
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The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7 (Easy-to-Read Version)
Cookies and a Woodpecker
Thursday & Friday, December 8 & 9
The first full week of December was quite busy for me, as I had been out of the office for a few days, and this is the time many of our staff are writing newsletters. So it was a special treat to get a plate of Christmas cookies from my sister.
I just had to take time to make a cup of coffee to go with a few of these.
The next day I watched a Downy woodpecker work at getting to some bugs inside this bird house.
I would have had a headache if I pounded my head against the birdhouse as long as she did.
She worked on one corner so diligently that she made a hole almost as large as the one in front of the birdhouse.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.
Psalm 18:2 (New Living Translation)
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The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Psalm 18:2 (King James Version)
Hunting and Cattle
Cerwin left for a hunting trip to West Virginia with our brother-in-law Marlin (my sister’s husband) just before I left for Maine.
Marlin works at New Holland Sales Stable and through that made friends with John, a cattleman from West Virginia, who invited him to hunt on his property.
Cerwin and Marlin stayed in this house, a farmhouse (and second home) for John and his family.
Antlers in the living room.
The fireplace
There were ten-foot ceilings throughout the house. Cerwin liked the unique, old-style steps.
The kitchen where they had breakfast and packed their lunch. They went to a restaurant for supper.
Cerwin’s hunting blind.
Marlin’s blind
Cerwin shot this unique six-point on Thursday evening, December 1.
He thinks this is the weirdest rack he ever got – four points on one side and two on the other.
He didn’t think he was going to get it mounted, but I convinced him to get a European mount. It will be an interesting conversation piece in our garage.
Cerwin went out to the barn to take some pictures of the cattle.
John owns several tame, wild turkeys that followed Cerwin as he walked around taking pictures.
Cerwin took these pictures for our son Jeff who was buying three of these Angus heifers.
When Jeff and Chris saw that there were some red Angus, they asked John if they could purchase one of those. So those in our area who know Jeff and Chris and see two black and one red angus heifer in the field across from their house, this is where they came from.
As of a few days ago, there is also a young Herford bull.
The trailer where hunters stayed years ago.
When leaving the field to head home, they had trouble convincing the cattle to move.
They gradually moved as the truck got closer.
About a week later Jeff’s Angus were ready to be picked up at the sales stable in New Holland.
Moving them from one cattle trailer to the other.
I have not seen them yet, but sometime in the near future, I will insert a picture of them happily grazing with Jeff and Chris’ sheep.
Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:11 (The Message)
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May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Philippians 1:11 (New Living Translation)
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
By Lititz Area Mennonite School
Wednesday, December 7
Our grandson Jared waiting for first grade’s performance
I got only one photo of Ian and caught him with his eyes shut. His class was part of the orchestra and stayed in their seats when they performed – when it was dark.
Jesse (third from left) was not sure he wanted to go on stage with the rest of the prekindergarten class. He wanted to stay in his classroom and play. 
Maybe that is why he looked so serious on stage.
The entire prekindergarten glass.
“Bells Are Ringing”
First Grade Performance. Jared is fourth from the left (back).
“Go Tell It On the Mountain”
“All Through the Night”
The Bradley Family
Mother Bradley (Christina – second from left) had an incredible amount of script to memorize and had it down to near perfection whether playing the mother or the director of the play.
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This year’s play was called “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
by Barbara Robinson & Samuel French
Six of the “Herdman Family” tried out for the annual Christmas pageant – to the frustration of everyone else because they were tough street kids.
Ciara was Imogene Herdman and played her part perfectly – eventually adjusting her street attitude to being a perfect Mary by the end of the play.
By the end of the play the rest of the cast were amazed that “Mary” gently cuddled baby Jesus and even had tears in her eyes.
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We were pleased to attend and observe the talented children who attend LAMS.
Only Jesus has the power to save! His name is the only one in all the world that can save anyone.
Acts 4:11-12 (Contemporary English Version)
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No one else can save us. Indeed, we can be saved only by the power of the one named Jesus and not by any other person.
Acts 4:11-12 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Flying Home
Portland, Maine, to Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Monday, December 5
This is what I saw as I was packing my suitcase on Monday morning.
In the air – leaving Portland, Maine.
I always request a window seat.
I love to look at scenery from the air.
Landing at Philadelphia Airport
In the air again – heading for Baltimore.
I am always surprised at how pretty sunsets are in the sky…
…and how sunny it is above the clouds when it is gray and rainy below.
Landing in Baltimore
I was amused at how tiny the Cape Air plane looked next to the United plane – and the United plane wasn’t that big. There were three of us waiting for the Cape Air flight to Lancaster.
Part of me wished that I could open a window of the plane and take a flash photo of what I was seeing below. However, since I could not use my flash, you will have to be satisfied with squiggly lights.
The lights of Baltimore were breathtaking from the air.
By the way I was in the copilot seat again. The other two guys chose seats in row 2 and 3. I was surprised that when I went to the front, I had the same pilot as on the trip from Lancaster to Baltimore. I told him that we should have a good flight since I am experienced at sitting in the copilot’s seat.
Flying over Lancaster
Landing at Lancaster airport at 6:30 p.m.
It was another great day for flying. I had two hours at Philadelphia and Baltimore, so there were no concerns about connections on this trip.
