Xanga

Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me.

Matthew 5:11 (The Message)

You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

Matthew 5:10 (The Message)

You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight.

That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

Matthew 5:9 (The Message)

Potatoes ~ Noise ~ Set Free

Fergus, Ontario, Canada

Another smokin’ rig

(Read my previous post if you don’t understand smokin’.)

Many drivers decorated the area around their truck (or trucks) with items they haul or something that identifies their fleet or rig.

W.D Potato Limited had a creative display…

…using potatoes of course!

Even before you see the name on the trucks you know they have something to do with dairy products.

These antiques were displayed on a flatbed behind one of their trucks.

Two pictures of Chaplain Len and Sue Reimer in action at their vendor spot.

When walking between the vendors, I heard a familiar sound…

…because the truck pulls were happening.

A driver making his/her best effort in pulling the sled. (Of the two pulls I watched, one was a female.)

Outside the arena, tractors and trucks of all shapes and sizes were preparing for their competition.

The ground was vibrating all around me – as were my ear drums.

Another noticeable thing when walking through this area was the strong scent of fuel.

Methinks this one was in the demolition derby. 

It was much quieter here – across from the chapel. This company prepared a really nice display with their equipment, mulch, and flowers.

The police department was directly behind us…

…and patrolled on a regular basis.

Visitors continued to come to the chapel to see what we were all about.

The highlight for us came on Saturday night when this young man (Jesse) in yellow came to the chapel and asked questions about eternity. He was not sure that he was prepared to meet God.

It was a joy to lead him to faith in Jesus – then introduce him to Chaplain Len – who invited us to Fergus, and had been praying for at least one salvation at the show.

Jesse kept saying, “I feel free. I feel free.”

Pray for him, because his circumstances do not seem to be the best in which a young man can grow in the Lord.

You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

Matthew 5:8 (The Message)

Fergus, Ontario, Canada

This was the scene in the dining room when I went to the kitchen on Saturday morning for my first cup of coffee.

Bert joined us on this morning, as the campers had all been registered. I loved listening to him respond to our questions, because of his great English accent. He was born in Durban, South Africa. He also seems to be the mastermind and caretaker of the gardens and lawn surrounding the house. Although he says he couldn’t do it without Marilyn.

If I had to choose a favorite of our three breakfasts, this Pineapple Upsidedown French Toast would win by a slight edge – because each meal was delicious.

Before long it was time to leave this beautiful setting.

Each time I walked through the front doors, I paused to take in all the beauty surrounding me.

At the truck show, arriving trucks continued to rumble by the chapel.

During my first walk around the grounds on Saturday, I came upon this beautiful rig – decorated with 357 lights. The driver (I think he was the owner’s son) was being interviewed during my visit.

The owner told me that each light is 9 dyodes.

When walking away from here, I heard a woman say,  “That is one smokin’ rig.” Maybe smokin’ is the correct term according to truckers – rather than the word beautiful that I have been using.

And the floor is granite!

“I bet you don’t wear shoes when you drive.” I said.

He smiled, and replied, “You got that right.”

Granite covered the entire floor – back to the sleeper.

By Saturday morning Bell City Transport had their trucks beautifully arranged.

Another “no shoes” floor.

This was one of my favorites.

That is one beautiful scene.

On one of my walkabouts, the driver, Merlin Weber was polishing the tractor.

He and his family had the front beautifully decorated.

While visiting with his wife, Cherylanne, it began raining – pouring rain – so she invited me inside their tent.

Merlin, one of their sons, and Cherylanne. Their other son is partially hidden on the left.

I appreciated their kindness, as I would have been very wet if I had to walk back to the chapel during the rain.

This truck was new when I was a senior in high school.

This 1950 Mercury was on the road for the first time when Cerwin was nine. It was his favorite antique at the show. It has a flathead V-8 under the hood.

There was no shortage of beautiful (smokin’) rigs

Vendors with creative names lined the field.

More of the Fergus Truck Show tomorrow night.

You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

Matthew 5:7 (The Message)