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Those who wait upon God get fresh strength. 

Isaiah 40:31 (The Message)

Make-A-Wish Convoy

Part 3 of 3

Sunday, May 9

More photos of my view from the cab of TFC’s International Tractor.

 Because we were close to the end of the convoy, we hadn’t gone very far before we met the beginning of the parade.

 Like that Cadillac!

 Brownstown Exit

 The girls took turns blowing the air horn. (Jenna, you forgot to remind me to take a picture of you!)

The pink stickers came from the clowns. They walk through the crowds with stickers and an offering bucket – to benefit the children of Make-A-Wish.

Our last view of onlookers.

It’s not often that we get to drive a truck through the countryside and have so many people cheering and waving. It’s quite fun.

There will be a highway called the Holy Road. No one rude or rebellious is permitted on this road. It’s for God’s people exclusively.

Isaiah 35:8 (The Message)

Make-A-Wish Convoy

Part 2 of 3

Sunday, May 9

During the break – between chapel services – the girls asked me to go with them for a walk.

They wanted pictures with some of the creatures walking around the parking lot.

Jana was the only one brave enough to stand with this guy.

This guy draped his long “wings” around the girls.

They loved this basset hound.

We got back to the chapel a few minutes before the second service.

The chapel was again filled when Chaplain Jake opened this service.

His wife, Jane, leading a song.

Jake again challenged the audience to bear sweet and not sour fruit for the Lord.

The convoy of 348 trucks began at 1:30 p.m.

The following pictures were taken from my seat in the TFC chapel as we left Burle Business Park and traveled the thirteen-mile parade.

After getting out on the highway (we traveled routes 30, 222, 272, and 322), we saw lots of people who made serious preparations to watch the long convoy of trucks on a cold, airy, Sunday afternoon.

More about the convoy tomorrow night.

My people have forgotten Me, they burn incense to worthless gods and they have stumbled from their ways, from the ancient paths, to walk in bypaths, not on a highway.

Jeremiah 18:15 (New American Standard Bible)

Make-A-Wish Convoy

Part 1 of 3

Sunday, May 9

We were up early on Sunday morning (5:30) and on the road by 6:30 to pick up TFC’s International Chapel. I was ready for my first cup of coffee by the time our rig was on the road.

 Jenna and Jana in the top bunk – taking a break from playing a game for a photo op. (Our grandchildren take turns going with us to the Make-A-Wish Convoy.)

We arrived at Burle Business Park about 7:50 a.m.

The girls helped Cerwin set up the steps.

After the chapel was set up – outside and inside, I walked around the lot to see what was going on, and who was there. This is Jeff Brown (Livestock hauler – in the blue jacket). I always enjoy seeing the stuffed animals he has attached to the trailer sides when he goes to shows. Notice the cow on the left. There is a pig just above the head of the man in the grey sweatshirt.

 Jeff also has a little man polishing his wheels.

Pretty tow trucks.

 Our friend Marv Sauder’s truck.

 Those who carried a “Wish Child” received one of these bumper banners.

 Polishing chrome

I liked the eagle design on the front of this truck.

People from our church may recognize Elvin and Verna’s son Mark and his family. 

 Another clown showed up just as the chapel service was ready to begin. He tried to convince John and Karen Rissler’s family that they needed tickets to get in the chapel.

He looked at me and said, “They don’t have tickets. They need tickets.”

Then he was on his way – on his unicycle.

By 10:00 a.m. the first service was ready to begin.

Chaplain Jake Wise shared a short devotional on bearing fruit for the Master. “Do people see you as sweet or sour fruit?”

Jake’s wife Jane closed the service by leading this meaningful song.

Make-A-Wish Convoy

Part 1 of 3

Sunday, May 9

We were up early on Sunday morning (5:30) and on the road by 6:30 to pick up TFC’s International Chapel. I was ready for my first cup of coffee by the time our rig was on the road.

 Jenna and Jana in the top bunk – taking a break from playing a game for a photo op. (Our grandchildren take turns going with us to the Make-A-Wish Convoy.)

We arrived at Burle Business Park about 7:50 a.m.

The girls helped Cerwin set up the steps.

After the chapel was set up – outside and inside, I walked around the lot to see what was going on, and who was there. This is Jeff Brown (Livestock hauler – in the blue jacket). I always enjoy seeing the stuffed animals he has attached to the trailer sides when he goes to shows. Notice the cow on the left. There is a pig just above the head of the man in the grey sweatshirt.

 Jeff also has a little man polishing his wheels.

Pretty tow trucks.

 Our friend Marv Sauder’s truck.

 Those who carried a “Wish Child” received one of these bumper banners.

 Polishing chrome

I liked the eagle design on the front of this truck.

People from our church may recognize Elvin and Verna’s son Mark and his family. 

 Another clown showed up just as the chapel service was ready to begin. He tried to convince John and Karen Rissler’s family that they needed tickets to get in the chapel.

He looked at me and said, “They don’t have tickets. They need tickets.”

Then he was on his way – on his unicycle.

By 10:00 a.m. the first service was ready to begin.

Chaplain Jake Wise shared a short devotional on bearing fruit for the Master. “Do people see you as sweet or sour fruit?”

Jake’s wife Jane closed the service by leading this meaningful song.

Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God.

Philippians 2:15 (The Message)

Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God.

Philippians 2:15 (The Message)

Mothers’ Day

Cerwin – my best friend and the father of our four children honored me with…

a beautiful bouquet of mums.

I love you Cerwin.

Diane, Jere, Deb, and Jeff with us on a trip to Ithaca, New York.

It doesn’t seem long ago that there were only six of us on Mothers’ Day, and I thought I knew a lot about mothering and love.

Photo from Mothers’ Day 2009

Today I talked with each one on the phone while sitting in the cab of the TFC truck waiting for the Make-A-Wish Convoy to begin (more about that tomorrow).

Jeff

I always know that he will show up on Mothers’ Day Saturday with flowers. He rarely sees me without greeting me with a kiss.

I love you Jeff.

Diane

She is great at making sure I know that she loves and appreciates me. This year she wrote:

Jere

He may bring flowers, he may write a note, or maybe he will do something else creative. He is quick to say, “I love you Mom.” This year he delivered this card…

Remember giving your children a “spit bath” on the way to church when something from breakfast was still on their face? Remember using spit to make a stubborn hair lay flat?

I am going to like this – a date with him.

I love you Jere!

Debra

Deb is very vocal about her appreciation and love for me. She does it with phone calls, emails, kind words, gifts, and cards.

This year she sent two cards and scheduled a future lunch date with Cerwin and me.

I love you Deb

~~~

I cannot imagine life without our four children. They taught me far more than I ever taught them. 

Then they all decided they needed a partner – who multiplied my love by leaps and bounds and blessed my life with sixteen grandchildren.

Jeff and Chris

Jordan and Nathan

Jenna, Diana, and Gloria

Mark and Diane

Elizabeth, Hannah, and Josiah

Abigail, Nathaniel, Hezekiah, and Lydia

Jere and Kristen

Josh and Jana

Ian, Jared, and Jesse

Deb and Roy

~~~

These twenty-six people bless my life to overflowing.

I am blessed – so very blessed.

~~~