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Josh’s Eighth Grade Graduation

From LAMS

Monday, June 1

Eighth grade is the highest level available at LAMS.  Josh will finish grades nine to twelve at our local public high school.

Graduation was held at LEFC – Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, not far from LAMS.

Josh greeted us and directed us to our seats.

Ian entertained himself with his reserved sign until the program began.

There was a PowerPoint slide show that included each of the thirty-three graduates.  Josh as a baby on the left, and with Jesse on the right.

A variety of pictures of Josh.

Pomp & Circumstance was played during the Processional.

The students and audience sang Amazing Love.

This was my view of Josh during the program.

Mrs. Good – “Find a vocation you love.”  “Let your light shine.”

Mr. Siegrist – “You have a brain in your head and feet in your shoes.  You can step up or step down in any way you choose.”

Singing their class song, Mighty to Save.

Each student received a character award.  Josh won the “Moses Award” due to respect from his classmates and his potential for leadership.

Receiving his diploma from middle school principal, Mr. Garner.  School principal, Mr. Fry in on the left.

Each student gave their mom a carnation.  I was focused too close, and almost missed him.

Posing for photos after the program.

After taking a photo of the entire group, I focused on our favorite LAMS eighth grader.

With his parents – our son Jere and daughter-in-law Kristen

 A hug and kiss from mom.

With his diploma

With Grandpa High

There were delicious refreshments.

It was an evening that pleased these grandparents.

 Receive and experience the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, deep, deep within yourselves.

Philippians 4:23 (The Message)

 After the Retirement Celebration

Saturday, May 30

Update on Cerwin’s Shoulder

Monday, June 1

 If you visit this truck stop in western New York (I-90 East TA, I-90, Exit 48A) look for the TFC chapel.

This is a location that truckers as well as four-wheelers can easily find, as it is parked next to the restaurant.

Chaplain David Smith or one of the volunteers will be glad for your visit.

Bunny and David discuss monthly reports. 

 David and Bunny “fighting” over the door.

Chaplain David gives directions for Niagara Falls to Chaplain Jim Harkless

 God has brought a lot of interesting people into our lives, and Korney is certainly one of them!  He shares the gospel by a “Popeye” act.  His wife (who is deceased) was “Olive Oyl.”  She is the one pictured on the van.

 Bunny posed in a hammock in the gift shop, which is part of Country Cupboard Restaurant http://www.countrycupboardinc.com/ – where we stopped for a delicious supper.

After getting to Bunny and Peg’s home, he asked me to bring my camera to their back yard.  He wanted me to see this nest of four robins.  Now that is a nest full!

 I could not leave their yard without taking pictures of their beautiful peonies.

Photo taken toward the sun

 Same peony with my back to the sun.

~~~

Update on Cerwin’s visit with the surgeon this afternoon – Monday, June 1.

 Surgery is Thursday, June 11.

I am the LORD All-Powerful

So don’t depend on your own power or strength, but on my Spirit. 

Zechariah 4:6 (Contemporary English Version)

Retirement Celebration

For Chaplain Earl Carlson

Saturday Morning – May 30

Part Two

My responsibility was to create a PowerPoint of photos I have taken of Earl.  This was the last photo in my series of slides.  Earl was walking to his van following Winter Retreat a few years ago.

Following the PowerPoint, Bunny read an emotional letter to Earl from TFC President Scott Weidner.

Earl listening to an amusing part of the letter.

Bunny reading Earl’s retirement plaque.

Bunny and Earl

Earl made a few comments

Chaplain David closed by inviting everyone to continue in prayer for the work at I-90 East TA, Exit 48A, Pembroke, New York.

Several truck stop employees came to honor Earl with best wishes.

He received lots of hugs…

…and best wishes.

Some grandchildren and great-grandchildren

A kiss and hug from a daughter-in-law

Earl’s son Tom, his wife, and Earl.

Sam Rittenhouse, me, Earl, and Cerwin

Sam Rittenhouse, Eunice, Earl, and John

~~~

I will post a few more pictures tomorrow night.

Stay calm; mind your own business; do your own job.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 (The Message)

Retirement Celebration

For Chaplain Earl Carlson

Saturday Morning – May 30

Part One

Those who arrived by 8:00 this morning joined in prayer before beginning the setup, in preparation for the breakfast and celebration.

By 9:00 a.m. a group of fifty people filled the dining room section of the truck stop.

You will notice that the sun was a challenge to me as I tried to take pictures.

Sam Rittenhouse (left), TFC’s Assistant Director of Chaplain Care, organized this event, and was MC.  He opened by giving us the schedule for the morning.  Chaplain David Smith (right) opened with prayer.

Earl was the center of our attention. 

He laughed and cried as people shared memories and songs in his honor.

Earl’s great-granddaughter, daughter-in-law, and son

These grandchildren are the parents of Earl’s great-granddaughter in the previous photo.

More grandchildren and the oldest of his two great-granddaughters.

Those who traveled the fartherest were Chaplain Jim and Dixie Harkless who live in South Carolina, and serve on the chapel in Greensboro, North Carolina.  They are on vacation, and heading to Niagara Falls.

Ernie, Helen, and Korney played and sang songs to honor Earl while we ordered our food.

Eunice and John (daughter and son of Sam Rittenhouse) played a few songs while we enjoyed our meal, then opened the program by singing two songs that reminded us of Earl’s dedication and commitment to the gospel.

John’s hammered dulcimer also got the attention of several drivers in surrounding booths.

Craig is a professional country gospel singer and friend of Earl.  He chose a song that honored Earl for his faithfulness in sharing the gospel to truckers.

~~~

I will share more photos tomorrow night.

The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God.

Galatians 2:20 (The Message)

Traveling to Pembroke, New York

Our traveling companions for the seven-hour trip (which included lunch at Fry Brothers’ Turkey Ranch north of Williamsport and a few other breaks) were Bunny & Peg O’Hare.

Bunny is TFC’s Director of Recruitment and Public Relations.

My delicious cup of turkey vegetable soup.

We arrived at our motel about 5:00 p.m., rested for an hour, then went to the truck stop for supper.

Left to right:  Ed (a driver), Peg, Cerwin, Chaplain David, and Volunteer Chaplain Keith.  Bunny was in the chapel interviewing a prospective chaplain.

Chaplain David Smith

Volunteer Chaplain Keith Carrio

~~~

We are here for a retirement breakfast for Chaplain Earl Carlson, which will take place in the morning.

God is strong, and he wants you strong.

Ephesians 6:10 (The Message)