Xanga

Mountains encircle Jerusalem,
and God encircles his people—
always has and always will.

Psalm 125:2 (The Message)

Catching Up

Cerwin brought his camera home from the TFC shop today, so some of these pictures are a few weeks old.

I added some pictures of my own at the end of this post.

Chapel Construction

Glenn Fahnestock walking toward the “next chapel” – the ALTL trailer we picked up in Michigan on November 1.

The first job for Glenn and Cerwin when converting a used trailer into a new chapel is removing the back doors.

Glenn pushing the second door to the ground.

Backing the trailer into the shop.

~~~

TFC’s developement team always know of truck stop owners or managers who are looking for a chapel, but none of these are quite ready for a chapel due to staff or finances.

Because of age and deteriation there are several current chapel locations in need of a new chapel, and we just learned that this one will be going to Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

I am looking forward to that road trip – probably in early July.

~~~

Chapel at Flying J Travel Plaza, Frystown, Pennsylvania

After many drivers backed into these chapel steps, Chaplain Jim Smalley received permission to have the chapel moved.

The steps were hit several times a month since it was placed there on June 5, 2012. Most accidents happened when drivers backed out of the IdleAir area.

~~~

For my non-trucking friends: IdleAir service allows truck drivers to turn off their diesel engines and APU’s and still enjoy heating, cooling, standard electric inside and outside the cab, Satellite TV, internet, and many of the comforts of home—without the noise, vibration, and exhaust fumes from idling.

~~~

Cerwin and Glenn moved the chapel forward about forty feet – to a much safer spot.

It has now been there for several weeks without incident.

~~~

Cerwin’s Mother

Mother spent about two weeks in a guest room at Landis Homes while her regular room was refurbished.

She is glad to be back in her apartment – which has been her home for seventeen years.

~~~

Back to My Normal Posting

A beautiful sunset on January 5.

I was surprised to see even a bit of a sunrise on Sunday morning, January 6, because it was supposed to be a cloudy day.

Josiah, Nathan, and Elizabeth playing the North American version of Ticket to Ride.

It was a relaxing Sunday.

Catching Up

Cerwin brought his camera home from the TFC shop today, so some of these pictures are a few weeks old.

I added a few pictures of my own at the end of this post.

Chapel Construction

Glenn Fahnestock walking toward the “next chapel” – the ALTL trailer we picked up in Michigan on November 1.

The first job for Glenn and Cerwin when converting a used trailer into a new chapel is removing the back doors.

Glenn pushing the second door to the ground.

Backing the trailer into the shop.

Our development team always know of truck stop owners and managers who would like to have a TFC chapel on their premises, but at this time we either need staff or finances for those locations.

There are also several current locations in need of a new chapel due to age and deterioration. We just learned that this one will replace the old chapel at Roadking Travel Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

I am already looking forward to that road trip – probably in early July.

~~~

Chapel at Flying J Travel Plaza, Frystown, Pennsylvania

After many drivers backed into these chapel steps, Chaplain Jim Smalley received permission to have the chapel moved.

The steps were hit several times a month since it was placed there on June 5, 2012, usually when drivers were backing out of an IdleAir spot.

For my non-trucking friends: (from the internet) IdleAir service allows truck drivers to turn off their diesel engines and APU’s and still enjoy heating, cooling, standard electric inside and outside the cab, Satellite TV, and internet without the noise, vibration, and exhaust fumes from idling.

Cerwin and Glenn moved the chapel forward about forty feet – to a much safer spot.

It has been there for several weeks without incident.

~~~

Cerwin’s Mother

Mother spent about two weeks in a guest room at Landis Homes while her regular room was refurbished.

She was glad to get back into her apartment – which has been her home for seventeen years.

~~~

Back to My Normal Posting

A beautiful sunset on January 5.

I was surprised to see even a small bit of sun on Sunday morning, January 6 as it was supposed to be a cloudy day.

After lunch, Josiah, Nathan, and Elizabeth played the North American version of Ticket to Ride.

It was a relaxing Sunday.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.

2 Peter 1:3 (New Living Translation)

Traveling Home From Maine

&

Some Home Happenings

Thursday, January 3 – Saturday, January 5

The sky showed signs of a recent sunrise when we pulled out of the driveway at the Myers house on Thursday morning shortly after 7:00 a.m.

Several minutes later.

I didn’t take many pictures on the trip home, but couldn’t resist the reflections on this river.

I am always fascinated with the houses on this river bank.

~~~

We got home about five o’clock that evening.

~~~

Jordan and Kezi’s photo

The next day was difficult for our grandson Jordan, his girlfriend, Kezi, and her parents when they said goodbye at the Harrisburg Airport. She is spending six months in Australia with Youth With A Mission.

The other young man in the photo was also traveling to Australia. His parents are on the right.

Jordan and Kezi’s picture

They have been faithfully communicating via Facebook and Skype since this last hug.

Back at our house, we are enjoying having our oldest grandchild, Elizabeth, in the house. 

I especially enjoy her love of cooking on days when I am busy in the office.

Right after taking the pictures of her, I noticed a beautiful sunset.

It is difficult to take my eyes away from the western sky on evenings like this.

Elizabeth’s oldest brother Josiah lives near us, and came early Saturday morning to take her to a wedding – one of the reasons she came here from Maine.

The bride was someone Elizabeth met when they were studying in Thailand during the spring and summer of 2012.

~~~

Elizabeth plans to return to Maine after attending a weekend conference during the first weekend of February.

~~~

Only someone who has God’s Spirit can understand spiritual blessings.

Anyone who doesn’t have God’s Spirit thinks these blessings are foolish.

1 Corinthians 2:14 (Contemporary English Version)

Celebrating Diane’s and Gideon’s Birthday’s

In Maine on January 2

The two birthday people in a variety of poses.

The cupcake birthday cake.

A few of the following photos include Gideon’s big brother, Obadiah.

Opening Presents

Diane, Gideon, Obadiah, and Sarah (the boy’s mother).

A Build-A-Bear gift.

~~~

Following the birthday supper, we went upstairs to the sanctuary as others arrived for prayer meeting.

~~~

Observe how Christ loved us.

His love was not cautious but extravagant.

He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us.

Love like that.

Ephesians 5:2 (The Message)

My Special Day With Diane

In Maine

January 2

Our lunch at Frontier Cafe (continued from yesterday).

Diane’s Sweet Potato Wrap

Sweet Potatoes Roasted with Ginger and Coriander, Quick Pickled Red Cabbage, Sweet Chili Sauce and Fresh Spinach in a Whole Wheat Wrap

My cup of clam chowder and…

… Anger (On-zay) Salad

Boston Bib Lettuce, Blue Cheese, Walnuts, Pear D’anjou, and Frontier Vinaigrette

I could not stop looking at the view outside the window.

After our meal we walked to the other end of the building to visit Cabot Mill Antiques where there are 160 displays in 16,000 square feet of floor space.

I rarely buy anything, but I love antique shops.

On the way home we stopped at Skillins’ Greenhouse – across the street from our family’s house because we wanted to check out their gift shop.

I forget what we did with the rest of our afternoon, but toward evening we went to church to have a birthday party for Diane and a little friend – Gideon.

Diane, Mark, and Gideon’s dad, Josh, in the church basement.

Gideon was excited to be the center of attention.

He loves monkeys.

Diane’s balloon

Gideon’s balloon

Gideon’s mom, Sarah, made this delicious salad.

There was also taco soup and potato soup.

These two are special sweethearts.

Tomorrow night – Gideon’s presents.

Nothing is more precious than your loving kindness.
All people can find protection close to you.
They get strength from all the good things in your house.
You let them drink from your wonderful river.

Psalm 36:7-8 (Easy-to-Read Version)