Xanga

 

Work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you’re really serving God.

Ephesians 6:7 (The Message)

 

 

         

Spending a Day With a Xanga Friend

Road Trip – Day 4 – Sunday, September 19

Clayton and Peggy (fwren)

 

It was a beautiful, slightly foggy, drive to Clayton & Peggy’s church on Sunday morning.

 

 

Their fellowship group meets in a local community center, and following an inspiring and challenging message, we enjoyed a delicious carry-in meal.

This is the only photo I took, because I wasn’t comfortable taking pictures of these new friends who made us feel very loved and welcome – even though Peggy said I could.

 

Following the meal, we went to Clayton and Peggy’s house where we relaxed and visited during the afternoon.

 

Yes, I did get to see her brand-new, purple bike.

 

 

Peggy and I met on Xanga, then scheduled a face-to-face meeting a few years ago when we were delivering a new chapel to East St. Louis – and made an instant connection. Peggy and I have been plotting on how and when to meet again, and finally managed to make it work on this trip.

 

As her readers might suspect, she has decorated their home with many things involving birds.

 

 

She also loves old books.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~~~

On Sunday evening we went to a neighboring church for a time of singing. Oh, what a wonderful experience! If you are interested in listening to their beautiful a capella singing, go to this link: praiseproject. When there you can choose any song. Peggy said one of her favorites is Love One Another.

Following the singing, we enjoyed a buffet of finger food, and made more new friends.

~~~ 

If you missed my post on what Clayton, Cerwin, Peggy, and I were doing following the evening church service, go: here.

 

The next morning, before daylight, and following a good night of sleep in their guest room, I walked around their yard, just to visualize where she feeds all her birds and squirrels – the ones we see on many of her posts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most of her yard decorations also display her love for birds.

 

 

Breakfast time

 

 

We enjoyed our last hour of fellowship over a delicious breakfast which had been prepared by Peggy.

 

 

 

 

We said our goodbyes following the meal, as it was time for us to travel toward home, Clayton needed to go to work, and Peggy was going shopping with a daughter-in-law.

~~~

Thanks for your wonderful hospitality, Clayton and Peggy. We are thankful for modern technology which brought us together.

~~~

 

 

         

Spending a Day With a Xanga Friend

Road Trip – Day 4 – Sunday, September 19

Clayton and Peggy (fwren)

 

It was a beautiful, slightly foggy, drive to Clayton & Peggy’s church on Sunday morning.

 

 

Their fellowship group meets in a local community center, and following an inspiring and challenging message, we enjoyed a delicious carry-in meal.

This is the only photo I took, because I wasn’t comfortable taking pictures of these new friends who made us feel very loved and welcome – even though Peggy said I could.

 

Following the meal, we went to Clayton and Peggy’s house where we relaxed and visited during the afternoon.

 

Yes, I did get to see her brand-new, purple bike.

 

 

Peggy and I met on Xanga, then scheduled a face-to-face meeting a few years ago when we were delivering a new chapel to East St. Louis – and made an instant connection. Peggy and I have been plotting on how and when to meet again, and finally managed to make it work on this trip.

 

As her readers might suspect, she has decorated their home with many things involving birds.

 

 

She also loves old books.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~~~

On Sunday evening we went to a neighboring church for a time of singing. Oh, what a wonderful experience! If you are interested in listening to their beautiful a capella singing, go to this link: praiseproject. When there you can choose any song. Peggy said one of her favorites is Love One Another.

Following the singing, we enjoyed a buffet of finger food, and made more new friends.

~~~ 

If you missed my post on what Clayton, Cerwin, Peggy, and I were doing following the evening church service, go: here.

 

The next morning, before daylight, and following a good night of sleep in their guest room, I walked around their yard, just to visualize where she feeds all her birds and squirrels – the ones we see on many of her posts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most of her yard decorations also display her love for birds.

 

 

Breakfast time

 

 

We enjoyed our last hour of fellowship over a delicious breakfast which had been prepared by Peggy.

 

 

 

 

We said our goodbyes following the meal, as it was time for us to travel toward home, Clayton needed to go to work, and Peggy was going shopping with a daughter-in-law.

~~~

Thanks for your wonderful hospitality, Clayton and Peggy. We are thankful for modern technology which brought us together.

~~~

 

 

 

Don’t seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people. Love your neighbor as yourself. I am God.

Leviticus 19:18 (The Message)

 

 

Don’t seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people. Love your neighbor as yourself. I am God.

Leviticus 19:18 (The Message)

 

    

Indy Chapel Dedication

Day 3 – Saturday, September 18

Road Trip to Indiana

 

Can you guess where we had breakfast with Glenn and Rachel?

 

If you guessed Cracker Barrel, you are correct.

 

 

On our walk back to the motel, we noticed this old car in the parking lot of a gas station, and knew the guys could not walk by without checking it out.

 

 

The owner had stopped for a break, and was glad to tell us about it. He was headed for a road rally in Holland, Michigan.

 

 

This hawk was looking for breakfast from the vantage point of a motel parking lot light.

 

 

 

We went to the travel plaza about 11:00 a.m. Notice the chapel on the left.

 

 

The lady in black slacks is handing out The Act of Dedication papers. Do any of you recognize my Xanga friend Christy bluebirdchris on the left? Her husband, Ed, is a volunteer chaplain at this chapel.

 

 

Chaplain Howard Burrell was the master of ceremonies.

 

 

Chris Girard, General Manager of the plaza’s store, welcomed TFC to the travel center, saying their goal is to meet every need of the truckers who stop here, and having a chapel on the premises is helping fulfill that goal.

 

 

There were between forty-five and fifty people in attendance.

 

 

Volunteer Chaplain Roger, shared a challenge from the Word.

 

 

 

TFC Vice President, Dwayne Johnson, told the audience that TFC is delighted to have a permanent chapel at this location…

 

 

 

…and led us into the dedication portion.

 

 

Dwayne reading The Act of Dedication.

 

 

The audience had a response part to read.

 

 

Cerwin led in the prayer of dedication for the chaplains and chapel. You will notice that Ivan Brown is holding the microphone for Cerwin, as he did for every speaker – because it is difficult to hold a mike and read from the Bible when it is breezy.

 

 

Cerwin anointed and prayed for each Indianapolis chaplain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anointing the chapel door

 

 

Prayer of dedication

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ivan Brown has a great voice, and blessed us with several gospel songs.

 

 

Closing Prayer

 

The staff of chaplains for this chapel.

 

 

We enjoyed fellowship and delicious homemade cookies, soda, and coffee at the close of the service.

 

 

An employee of the truck stop noticed the action and came to see what was going on. He had never seen inside the chapel. Cerwin had the privilege of showing it to him and telling him about the ministry.

 

 

 

 

Christy and me in front of the newly dedicated chapel.

 

 

A few of us went to MCL Cafeteria, Indianapolis, where their chapel’s annual banquet will be held on October 23.

 

 

The food was delicious! If you live nearby, you will not want to miss this banquet.

 

 

    

Indy Chapel Dedication

Day 3 – Saturday, September 18

Road Trip to Indiana

 

Can you guess where we had breakfast with Glenn and Rachel?

 

If you guessed Cracker Barrel, you are correct.

 

 

On our walk back to the motel, we noticed this old car in the parking lot of a gas station, and knew the guys could not walk by without checking it out.

 

 

The owner had stopped for a break, and was glad to tell us about it. He was headed for a road rally in Holland, Michigan.

 

 

This hawk was looking for breakfast from the vantage point of a motel parking lot light.

 

 

 

We went to the travel plaza about 11:00 a.m. Notice the chapel on the left.

 

 

The lady in black slacks is handing out The Act of Dedication papers. Do any of you recognize my Xanga friend Christy bluebirdchris on the left? Her husband, Ed, is a volunteer chaplain at this chapel.

 

 

Chaplain Howard Burrell was the master of ceremonies.

 

 

Chris Girard, General Manager of the plaza’s store, welcomed TFC to the travel center, saying their goal is to meet every need of the truckers who stop here, and having a chapel on the premises is helping fulfill that goal.

 

 

There were between forty-five and fifty people in attendance.

 

 

Volunteer Chaplain Roger, shared a challenge from the Word.

 

 

 

TFC Vice President, Dwayne Johnson, told the audience that TFC is delighted to have a permanent chapel at this location…

 

 

 

…and led us into the dedication portion.

 

 

Dwayne reading The Act of Dedication.

 

 

The audience had a response part to read.

 

 

Cerwin led in the prayer of dedication for the chaplains and chapel. You will notice that Ivan Brown is holding the microphone for Cerwin, as he did for every speaker – because it is difficult to hold a mike and read from the Bible when it is breezy.

 

 

Cerwin anointed and prayed for each Indianapolis chaplain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anointing the chapel door

 

 

Prayer of dedication

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ivan Brown has a great voice, and blessed us with several gospel songs.

 

 

Closing Prayer

 

The staff of chaplains for this chapel.

 

 

We enjoyed fellowship and delicious homemade cookies, soda, and coffee at the close of the service.

 

 

An employee of the truck stop noticed the action and came to see what was going on. He had never seen inside the chapel. Cerwin had the privilege of showing it to him and telling him about the ministry.

 

 

 

 

Christy and me in front of the newly dedicated chapel.

 

 

A few of us went to MCL Cafeteria, Indianapolis, where their chapel’s annual banquet will be held on October 23.

 

 

The food was delicious! If you live nearby, you will not want to miss this banquet.

 

 

 

God’s Spirit is in you and is more powerful than the one that is in the world.

1 John 4:4 (Contemporary English Version)

 

 

God’s Spirit is in you and is more powerful than the one that is in the world.

1 John 4:4 (Contemporary English Version)

 

 

Upper Sandusky, Ohio, to Indianapolis

Day 2 – Friday, September 17

Road Trip to Indiana

 

 

Old Barn

 

 

Our motel for Friday and Saturday.

Don’t you wonder why someone has their slacks hanging outside the window? Did they smell bad? Was someone playing a practical joke?

We arrived at the motel (on the outskirts of Indianapolis) about 2:00 p.m. and relaxed a bit before meeting our friends Glenn and Rachel, who were staying at the same motel.

 

 

Supper at Whitestown TA Travel Center

Left to right: Dwayne Johnson (TFC Vice President), Tammy Stauffer (TFC Administrative Assistant to the Office of Chaplains), Dorinda and Chaplain Howard Burrell (Lead Chaplain at this location), Glenn and Rachel Fahnestock, and Cerwin. Glenn is Cerwin’s key assistant in chapel construction.

 

 

Whitestown is a neat, clean travel center

 

 

The chapel is located on the other side of the fuel island – where the yellow truck is fueling.

 

 

I love to see chapels at night because of the lighted crosses. Glenn designs and attaches the lights and wiring to an aluminum frame (designed by a local business).

 

 

 

 

We were there just after sunset when the sky still had an orange glow.

 

 

 

 

At this point the Burrell’s went home, and the rest of us went to our respective motels to get some sleep in preparation for the next day – The Chapel Dedication.

 

 

Day 3 – Saturday, September 18

 

Rachel and Glenn wanted a few photos taken of them next to the chapel, so we went to the travel center a bit early on Saturday to get some shots before there were a lot of people there.

 

 

Tomorrow’s entry will feature the dedication service – which happened shortly after these pictures were taken.