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I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.

John 10:10 (Contemporary English Version)

Lancaster Barnstormers’ Baseball

Part II

Friday Evening, July 17

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. 

Psalm 119:1 (New Living Translation)

Lancaster Barnstormers’ Baseball

Friday Evening, July 17

This was the first time I attended a Barnstormers’ game.  They are members of the Atlantic League and were playing the York Revolution.

It was Ag Night, and we were invited to be there by our son Jere.  Our grandson Josh, his friend Andrea, and grandchildren Jared, Ian, and Jana on the field waiting for the milking contest.

Those who arrived early received cow bells.

Jared making noise with his.

Cylo (Barnstormers’ mascot) demonstrating his bell.

Jared and Ian had fun with Cylo.

He kept trying to cover their faces.

Jere demonstrating his new digital scales in preparation for the milking contest.

Jere introduced Dennis Wolff, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, to his children.

Secretary Wolff was going to be one of the milking contestants.

About this time Jere received the news that the vehicle bringing the cow had a flat tire – and the contest had to be canceled.  Oh, well, there’s always next year.  Jere has done this for the past few years.  The contest is always between two Pennsylvania Ag officials and two ballplayers.

Our friend Frank Bewersdorff (center) noticed us on the field and came to say hi and invite us to his display with Binkley and Hurst.

Then it was time to find our seats and enjoy the evening.  (Notice our “grave-choosing” partners from Thursday evening, Warren and Ada, in the upper right of the photo.  Warren picks up milk samples for Jere at the Lancaster DHIA lab.)

More “Barnstormers” in tonight’s entry.

With a loud command and with the shout of the chief angel and a blast of God’s trumpet, the Lord will return from heaven.

Then those who had faith in Christ before they died will be raised to life.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 (Contemporary English Version)

A Grave-Choosing Party

Yes, you read correctly.  Tonight we chose our future gravesite.

We have talked about doing this for the past few years, then several months ago the subject came up when I was talking to my Aunt Julia (white/pink blouse).  I discovered that the contact person for doing this at our church’s cemetery is her husband, Glen (center left). 

She said Warren and Ada just mentioned that they need to do that too.  I replied, “We will need to have a grave-choosing party.”  Sometime later I mentioned it to Warren and Ada, and they agreed.  This was the day we choose.

First we went out for supper at a local restaurant.

They were featuring tomato pie.  I could not turn that down – and it was delicious.

From there we went to the cemetery behind our church.  Uncle Glen showed us the diagram and told us that all the white areas are available.  Yellow is chosen, and red represents a burial.

Our church has a few old cemeteries in the area – dating back to the 1800s – where most of my Hershey ancestors are burried, as well as a young grandson.  This one was started about ten years ago, so there are many available plots. 

While walking around, Cerwin noticed that Marian Miller had a truck engraved on her husband, Daniel’s (Herb), tombstone.  (The bronze one in the background.)  In front of that is where Ralph Bollinger (a trucker friend) is buried.  I said, “Would you like to be buried with the truckers?”

After some discussion, that is the location we chose. 

Glen said this is a much nicer way for him to help someone choose a gravesite.  Most times he is helping a widow or widower, or parents with a young child.  This also makes it easier for survivors. 

Warren and Ada chose a spot behind where I am standing to take this photo.

Standing on our gravesite.  It’s interesting to think seriously about ones mortality.

The place where our lifeless bodies will someday lay – and the “real us” (spirit & soul) will be more alive than ever before.

Unless the Lord returns before our death –  one day there will be a tombstone between the bronze and grey ones – with the names Cerwin & Doris engraved on it.

It will be a pretty place for our bones to await the time when the dead in Christ will be resurrected.

In Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.

So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. 

Colossians 2:9-10 (New Living Translation)

July Fourth Celebration

At Jere & Kristen’s House

Fireworks

The guys started our small fireworks display about dusk.

The fireworks crew:  Jordan, Nathan, Jere, Jeff, and Josh

These were fun for our grandsons, because they shot off like small cannons – maybe three or four times.

After a lot of rapid fire photography, I got the picture I wanted.

The audience

Notice the ice pack on Jesse’s left arm.  This was a short time after the fall that broke his elbow.  (He is still in a cast, but is doing just fine.)

There were lots of pretty colors.

This vehicle – propelled by smoke and fire – was fun to watch.

Notice Jake in the upper right.  Last year, when he was a puppy, the fireworks frightened him.  This year he just stood and watched, and barked a few times – until the end when there was a lot of noise.  Then he hid behind Kristen’s potting shed.

The men kept the ones that made the most smoke, noise, and light until the end.

Sunset on July 4.

I love fireworks, but still think God paints the prettiest sky.

Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see. 

Hebrews 11:1 (Contemporary English Version)

July Fourth Celebration

At Jere & Kristen’s House

Fun & Birthday Cake

 How did Ian get there?

(His brother Josh – who is standing nearby.)

 Josh doing a juggling act.

 Jenna helping Jared get on Roy’s shoulders.

Diana, Jared, and Josh watch Nate dunk a basketball.

Whose could this be?

 Time for Jesse’s birthday cake.

 We also surprised Roy with a birthday cake.

 Jere thought Jake deserved a piece of cake.

 “Shake my hand and I’ll give you another piece.”

 Time for presents

 How many brothers does it take to open a John Deere tractor box?

 Finally!  I get to play with it.

 Lydia and Gloria put in time being silly until it was dark enough for fireworks.

 Tomorrow night – The fireworks.