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Search for the Lord and his strength. Always seek his presence.

Psalm 105:4 (GOD’S WORD Translation)

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Day after day – after day – after day

Forty-eight years ago today we said, “I do.”

A Change of Pace for Me

~~ Monday & Tuesday, September 12 & 13 ~~

Monday

Having five grandchildren in the house for a few days certainly changes the flow of my day.

Jesse likes to go along to the bus stop with Ian and Jared.

I asked them to wave to their parents – I got Ian and Jared in this shot…

…and Jesse in the next one.

Jana waited with them, then got in the car with Josh who takes her to middle school while he goes on to the high school.

Notice that Jesse is running back toward the house.

Tuesday

This morning it looked like they were playing king of the mountain while waiting for the bus.

It’s nice there is one girl (Jana) to add some beauty and gentleness to this mix. She is a great help in getting the little boys ready for school in the morning.

After king of the mountain, they raced.

Their energy in unending.

I missed getting a picture of Josh again – but he is off to school – then on to work as a cook. I did see him briefly after school, because he forgot his work clothes.

The bus arrived just after Josh and Jana left.

Jesse says goodbye and heads back to the house

Maybe Josh has inherited forgetfulness from me. I forgot to send Jesse’s backpack with him. After going home for it, and returning to the school, I had opportunity to take a picture of the pre-kindergarten children in the Book Nook. I loved that the teacher was reading a Bible story. (Not unusual in a Christian school.)

Before going home I went to a new (for me) Curves, as the one I had been going to closed. I love it. There is even a bulletin board for prayer requests.

I had about half an hour at home before going back for Jesse. We came home, had lunch, then I took him to speech class. While he was there I went for a few groceries – took them home – dropped the carton of eggs . Thankfully only one broke, and there were three cracked ones.

After getting Jesse, he cleaned the kitchen/dining room floor while I made a french toast casserole for supper (made with the cracked eggs).

All that energy has come to an end for the three youngest for the moment. Josh is still working, and Jana is visiting with a bunch of young people who are in our “man cave” or as Jesse would say, “The cave man.”

Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you.

2 Corinthians 4:5 (The Message)

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I like to think of myself as an “errand runner” for Jesus.

Happy Birthday, Luke

~~ Saturday evening, September 10 ~~

His family and guests enjoyed surprising Luke Hess, owner of Communication Management, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and publisher of Today & Tomorrow Magazine.

The banquet room at Lititz Family Cupboard was a nice setting for this party.

Most of those in attendance were employees, advertisers, and family. Our daughter Deb (hidden in the back row between her husband, Roy, and Cerwin) does the layout and design for the magazine.

Each person received one of these cupcakes as a host/hostess gift.

A pretty centerpiece

I didn’t remember to take many food photos.

We had tossed salad, chicken, ham loaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and cranberry sauce.

Dessert consisted of chocolate cake with peanut butter icing, apple pie, and ice cream.

The birthday cake

He had a great birthday story. He was working in his yard almost to the time he needed to get ready to go out for supper with his brother Tim and family. This was the plan to get him to the restaurant.

In his haste, he picked up one of several tubes of stuff on his bathroom counter, and began brushing his teeth. He immediately realized something was wrong. He had Polygrip instead of tooth paste.  (He had that on the counter to deal with a problem tooth until he got to the dentist.) He said it took him several minutes to get it out of his mouth.

Opening gifts

He got several nice gifts and gift certificates, but he “smelled a rat” when he got to this one.

He thought he heard a faint squeak when turning the box, so was very cautious – then he saw it, a trapped rat.

I’m not sure if it was given because he told his brother Tim a few days earlier, that he smelled a rat concerning this party. Tim said, “Then get a trap.”

It was a great evening. We met many people who pay for the cost of the TFC ads in the magazine.

Hope returns when I remember this one thing: The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue.

Lamentations 3:21-22 (Good News Translation)

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How good to remember that.

Grandchildren

~~ Saturday, September 10 ~~

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Jere & Kristen’s children are here for a few days while they are on a business trip in Vancouver, British Columbia.

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Josh helped Grandpa clean one of our air conditioners on Saturday morning.

Jana took advantage of a quiet period of time to read a book.

I checked on Jesse, Ian, and Jared who were playing a game on one of my computers.

Meanwhile, today (Sunday) in Vancouver – Jere and Kristen took advantage of a free day – to go seal and whale watching.

They followed this pod of killer whales for two hours.

Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love.

2 John 1:3 (New Living Translation)

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I am committed to live in truth and love – because I need His grace, mercy, and peace every day.

Driving Home From Maine in Rain

~~ Tuesday, September 6 ~~

Maine – 7:19 a.m.

This bridge is a reminder that Maine will soon be behind us.

We arrived at Flynn’s Truck Stop, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, about 9:30 a.m.

It was good timing that this was the only time of day that it wasn’t raining or drizzling where we were.

Chaplain George (on the ground) wanted Cerwin to check out a leak in the emergency exit door. Cerwin did some caulking, and hopes that will solve the problem.

2:20 p.m. – probably New York

I didn’t think of taking a picture, but we were in very slow traffic twice. One was a disabled vehicle, and we never did figure out what was going on the other time.

Pennsylvania – 5:00 p.m.

This was our day. Not real bad for traveling, but a bit slower than traveling on dry roads.

Instead of this trip taking nine-and-a-half hours like the one on our way to Maine, this one took almost twelve hours.

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 This rain was the beginning of the flooding in our area – on Wednesday and Thursday.

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Let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness.

1 Peter 1:15 (The Message)

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Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.

Adelaide Addison Pollard 1862-1934