By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.
2 Peter 1:3 (New Living Translation)
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This is awesome and amazing.
I Think We Live in a Rainforest
We have had so much rain in the past few weeks that it is beginning to feel like a rain forest.
We had times of sunshine, but many more days looked like this.
After a two-day break with sunshine, it was delightful to see the farmers being able to plow their fields.
This field is next to our yard, and was plowed during the night one day last week, but it has been too wet since that to plant corn.
We had to get a new rhododendron a few years ago after our very old, large one died. It was beautiful this year.
This week has been especially rainy. It looked like this when I drove to Curves on Tuesday morning.
When I went to the post office later in the day, I got my first glimpse of the Canada Geese goslings.
There was also a childless couple on the pond.
I was most surprised to see this duck on the bank beside the pond. I had never see one of this species.
I looked for it in my bird book, but found nothing.
I Googled it – but still nothing.
I thought maybe it had been hanging around my brother’s holsteins too long.
Then I finally found it under domestic ducks, and think it is a magpie duck. What do you think? (This picture is from the Internet.)
Last night – in between rain drops – we visited Cerwin’s mother and saw this rather tame rabbit near our car.
This is what the sky looked like on our way home.
Today it rained again, but that didn’t deter a hummingbird from visiting our feeder.
It’s fun seeing them again.
Even the birds looked wet today.
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I hope it dries up a bit for the weekend – as forecasted – because we are expecting between fifty and sixty of my family members to come here for Sunday lunch – a belated Easter dinner.
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I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven.
Psalm 123:1 (New Living Translation)
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Lord, I look to you again today for my strength and wisdom.
Three Granddaughters
stay for a few extra days after their family returns to Maine
May 10-13
It was fun to have Lydia, Hannah, and Abigail here for a few extra days after their family went back to Maine on Monday morning, May 10.
Abigail had lots of things to do in preparation for her marriage to Nathaniel in early July – among those things was helping to work on their basement apartment.
Nathaniel took off work on Wednesday to install insulation in the ceiling.
They will be living 1.6 miles from us. That will be nice.
I like how her shadow showed up on the wall on some of these pictures.
The girls headed back to Maine early Thursday morning.
The next time Abby comes to Pennsylvania, she will be staying with us – probably two or three weeks – until the wedding.
Set an example for other followers by what you say and do, as well as by your love, faith, and purity.
1 Timothy 4:12 (Contemporary English Version)
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We are all setting examples – for good or bad.
Make-A-Wish Convoy
Sunday, May 8
Part 4
Enjoy the final leg of our trip from Akron to the east side of Ephrata.
Every time I look at this, I think, “I hope there isn’t any poison ivy in there.”
Our favorite sighting on the entire trip – Jere, Kristen, Jesse, Ian, Jana, Josh, and Jared.
It is always fun to see how many young people can sit on this wall.
The end of a wonderful day.
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8 (New Living Translation)
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I need to do a better job of fixing my thoughts on these things.
Make-A-Wish Convoy
Sunday, May 8
Part 3
Enjoy the trip and the people who were watching the trucks.
Before long we met the beginning of the parade heading back to Lancaster.
A better view of the beginning and end of the parade.
The final photos tomorrow night.
Keep your roots deep in him, build your lives on him, and become stronger in your faith, as you were taught. And be filled with thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:7 (Good News Translation)
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I want my roots to be deep in Him
Make-A-Wish Convoy
Sunday, May 8
Part 2
The convoy began at exactly 1:30 p.m. We could hear the noise of the fire trucks and air horns, but it was about forty-five minutes before the trucks in our lot began moving.
Our friend Kraig was helping to direct traffic. You may remember him from the previous Sunday when his family was at the same place where we were for Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.
Before the trucks beside us began moving, I could see others leaving the lot in my rear view mirror.
Finally the ones next to us began moving.
People gathered in the main lot to watch the trucks.
Because of the way we are parked for chapel services, we were the last truck to leave the lot. However, the final vehicle is always a fire engine.
I always like this view of all the people as we leave the main lot.
Preparing to enter Route 30
We love seeing all the people who come out to watch the convoy.
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Some stats I found on a website.
This was the 22nd Annual Make-A-Wish Convoy.
There were 335 trucks.
It took fifty minutes from the time the pace car left Burle Business Park until the fire engine (behind us) left the lot.
We traveled twenty-seven miles – round trip.
The line of trucks was ten miles long.
The pace car left Burle at 1:30 and returned at 2:55 – one hour and twenty-five minutes later.
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More pictures tomorrow night.
