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Our Work Week

February 21 – 25

Harold & Lois Keller and Alta & Don Hollinger came at 9:00 a.m. Monday to help us label the March issue of Highway News and Good News.

Inge (left) from TFC’s International Office brought Jane (center) to see the process of mailing the single Highways. She also got a tour of my office.

Jane was recently hired as Director of Communications. Her job is to make the ministry of TFC known to other businesses who will benefit from our chaplains and chapels. Some people asked if I was retiring, because I also work in communications – but my job is a bit different. I am Director of Staff Communications, and help our staff set up newsletters and do their mailings.

Inge and I work together closely. It is a rare day that we do not send several emails to each other. She is the copyeditor of staff newsletters.

It was a busy week in my office, as I received nine newsletters for layout and design, and had two other mailings. Some of the mailings will have to spill over into next week. I was pleased to have them all ready for copyediting by Friday evening.

By Monday evening it was snowing – with five to six inches predicted.

That is about how much snow we had by morning – five to six inches.

I think this male house finch forgot to comb this morning.

There was a fire in our neighborhood on Monday evening which gave us a smoky sunset. I never did hear what happened or where it was.

I think this neighborhood cat was here looking for a quick meal at our bird feeders – and he wasn’t looking for bird seed.

Snow surely creates a beautiful landscape.

It was a frigid morning. As I neared some lower areas near the marshland, ice and snow covered branches and bulrushes.

An Amish wash line in our neighborhood.

By Friday morning we received heavy rain.

The rain and warmer weather quickly melted the snow.

Five days can make quite a difference in a landscape.

Keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.

2 Timothy 4:5 (The Message)

TFC Chapel Construction

During the Month of February

Photos by Cerwin – using his Nikon Coolpix S570

Cerwin and his construction helpers went into full gear during the past two weeks in refurbishing the interior of this trailer which was donated by a company in Michigan. 

They removed the back doors in January here, then Cerwin and Glenn cut out the entrance door, emergency door, window, and an opening for the air conditioner.

Preparing to lay the floor.

Cerwin is pleased to have Glenn Fahnestock, Clarence Weaver, and Parke Lefever help him with the early stages of the chapel.

Clarence, Parke, and Glenn enjoying a coffee break.

The living quarters window

The 2 x 4’s and insulation have been installed, and they just finished laying the floor.

The living quarters (emergency exit) door.

Installing wall sections.

Clarence assembling a wall section

Next week they will build the back wall and install it.

This will be used as TFC’s #2 promotional chapel – mostly for areas beyond Pennsylvania. It will also be available for use in a truck stop before a permant chapel has been built.

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If you are new to my site and wonder how we use a promotional chapel, go to here.

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What I want mostly is for men to pray—not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God. And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it.

1 Timothy 2:8-10 (The Message)

Winter Banquet

With Our Sunday School Class

Saturday Evening, February 19

This year our meal was at a local Amish home where guests are regularly served – busloads of guests.

I think there were close to forty in attendance.

Before I took any pictures, I asked Mrs. King if it was okay. She smiled and said, “As long as neither she nor any of her servers were in the photograph.” She also preferred if I took the photo with my back to the kitchen area.

A table setting

Amish do not have electric, so our room was lit by propane gas lights that were  under these beautiful shades.

The meal began with a salad that was passed to everyone at our table of ten guests.

Homemade bread

Chow chow – a pickled relish that is popular in our area.

The main course consisted of green beans, mashed potatoes, buttered/cheese-covered/noodles, roast beef, and chicken.

It was delicious!

The chocolate candy hearts were part of our dessert (I think our committee provided these). I forgot to photograph the dessert which was apple pie, chocolate cake, and vanilla ice cream. We also had coffee and iced tea.

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Following the meal the committee had some fun Bible games for us. I don’t have master sheets of the first two, but would like to challenge you with the last one we played.

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Name the twelve books of the Bible that begin with the letter J.

There are six in the Old Testament and six in the New Testament,  and yes count first, second, and third as separate books of the Bible.  

Don’t cheat! You have five minutes to write them down.

Tell me how you did – before you looked up any you missed.

I missed one of the minor prophets in the Old Testament.

Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

Psalm 90:1-2 (New American Standard Bible)

Infinito’s

Friday Evening, February 18

I expect Cerwin and Deb are hoping I have another picture of the group.

After bowling we took the girls to Infinato’s Pizza. We chose that because we had some things for Roy and Deb, and this is half way between our houses.

This photo is better, but I think they wanted to eat instead of pose for pictures.

We like this pizza buffet where there is a large variety of pizzas, pasta, and salad.

The result of Gloria’s first trip to the buffet – a bread stick and a chocolate chip pizza.

It reminded me of the quote: “Life is short, eat dessert first.”

This was my meal: bacon and ranch pizza, pasta, bread stick, cinnamon roll.

Someone’s pizza and pasta

My chocolate chip pizza for dessert. It was delicious!

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After supper we went next door to Ollies. The girls love when they can find bargains so we thought Ollies would be a good place for them to search for good deals. They were into blankets with sleeves or just plain, fuzzy, warm blankets.

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A Closeup Picture of Each Girl From the Weekend.

Diana with a breadstick at Infinato’s

Jenna in my office

Jana in the office.

A self-protrait by Gloria.

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Girls are so much fun!

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Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.

Romans 12:1 (The Message)

Bowling

With Our Pennsylvania Granddaughters

Friday, February 18

We had a great evening of bowling (two games) with Jenna, Diana, Jana, and Gloria

Cerwin

Me

Jenna

Diana

Jana

Gloria

This one is a bit blurry, but I love this expression of a good roll.

What fun!

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Cerwin had the highest score in the second game – 122

His two games combined – 228

 I had the highest score in the first game – 123

My two games combined – 216

Jenna’s high score – 103

Her two games combined – 202

Diana’s high score – 98

Her two games (with bumper guards) combined – 176

Jana’s high score – 87

Her two games (with bumper guards) combined – 172

Gloria’s high score – 104

Her two games (with bumper guards) combined – 177

Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people.

Ephesians 6:18 (Contemporary English Version)