Xanga

Stay calm;

mind your own business;

do your own job.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 (The Message)

Saturday, March 14

Supper With My Family

At the House Next Door

Our sister-in-law Anne was ready when we arrived.

My oldest brother Dale (but I will always be older than him).

My stepmother, Velma, and Anne’s mother Myrtle.

Clockwise starting at 12 o’clock:  Marlin, Nancy, Cerwin, Brenda, Velma, Myrtle (partially hidden), Anne, Anne’s brother, Henry, his wife Andi, Dot and Dale. 

Nancy, Dale, and I were the only siblings there.  Our brother Clair is in Rome, and Steve was milking the cows.

Anne served two kinds of soup.  This one had ham as its meat base.

My choice was the seafood soup. 

Nancy brought the salad.

Andi and Dot brought fruit.

Velma and Brenda brought rolls and bread for the sandwiches. 

I took a molded salad.  I joked that the reason I don’t like cooking, is that I can even cut my finger when making a molded jello salad.    The salad included chopped walnuts, and I cut my finger when cleaning the chopper.

The best thing about hanging out with family is the fellowship.

It is a great time to hear what is happening in each others life.

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord

and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. 

Jeremiah 17:7 (New Living Translation)

Friday, March 13

A Visitor

Signs of Spring

Meeting Xanga Friends

All in One Day

This time our son Jeff said I can take closeup photos of his truck because it was clean.

I love when he has a few minutes for a coffee break at our house.

It is especially difficult for him to drive by the house when he sees that Cerwin is here – because the TFC pickup is in our driveway.  I think he likes me too , but he is his father’s son.  They think and act alike.

There’s nothing better than seeing one of our children, in-laws, or grandchildren – hearing their voice on the phone – or receiving an email.  It makes my day.

A sure sign of spring is seeing our first crocus.

I like this view.

This purple one will soon open as well.  Notice how the tender plants are pushing up last season’s mulch.

Another sign of spring is seeing the Canada goose couple at the farm pond.

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Meeting Xanga Friends!

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I was excited when buckeyegirlie invited us to a fundraiser banquet at Shady Maple Smorgasboard – and pleased that it suited us.

The fundraiser was for Followers of Jesus School, Brooklyn, New York. 

It is interesting to learn about another ministry and observe the tools that are used to reach a specific people group with the gospel.

It was wonderful to meet each of these people, whose names or faces I knew from Xanga.

Daniel and Mary Ann (Certain Man and Buckeyegirlie)

Buckeyegirlie and I have been exchanging greetings on Xanga for several years, but this was the first time we met.  They made us feel welcome at the banquet and introduced us to two of their daughters and several friends.

We decided that we must get together again.

Seated to our right was Robert and Loretta thisisloretta, and as we talked, we discovered that Robert and our brother-in-law Bob Stauffer had served together at Popular Hill School in northwestern Ontario many years ago.  It’s a small world!

Me and Mary Ann

Me, sweetmama1129 (Mary Ann’s mother), and Mary Ann.

I did not get a photo of their daughters, but knew jesses_girl99 from Xanga.

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Thanks Daniel and Mary Ann!

We had a wonderful evening.

Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules.

Treat everyone you meet with dignity.

Love your spiritual family.

Revere God.

Respect the government.

1 Peter 2:15-17 (The Message)

Congratulations to Lance Mackey for Winning the Iditarod…

and to Jessie Royer

the one we love to follow – for coming in eighth – the best finish for a woman this year.

Jessie was the commentator at Susan Butcher’s Kennels when we were in Alaska several years ago.

Racine, Wisconsin

TFC Chapel Construction Update

And a Repaired Sign

I thought it was time to give you an update on what is happening with the chapel that Cerwin is building for Racine, Wisconsin. 

You may remember that TFC put a hold on chapel construction for a few months due to lack of finances, then at the end of the year, we received a donation that was designated especially for the completion of the chapel. 

When Cerwin is ready to do the trim, he always calls in Karl, who is a finish carpenter.  He faithfully volunteers a few hours for each chapel.

Cerwin says that what Karl does in a few hours, would take him a few days – especially if he had to do the crown molding.

Thanks Karl.

Before long Cerwin was ready to have the carpet installed.

For this job, he also calls in professionals.

Lloyd and David get this job done is short-order.  They have installed carpet in many of TFC’s chapels.

Chapel area

Facing the living quarters

In the living quarters

Howard Moses, TFC Director of Chaplain Care, is also a commercial electrician.

Not all electrical work can be done in a standing position.

The other day we stopped at the sandblaster to see if he is ready for the chapel on Monday.  (He is ready.)  I watched one of his workmen sandblasting a vehicle while Cerwin talked to Amos.

It should be ready for the trip to Racine by the end of April.  I am so anxious to help deliver another chapel.

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Repairing the TFC Sign

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If you read my blog on a regular basis, you will remember that the headquarters entrance sign was destroyed on Christmas Eve by a young driver.

Cerwin recently picked up the repaired sign, and a masonry contractor rebuilt the damaged pillar.  Cerwin was glad to have Glenn help him put the sign in place.

It looks so nice again.

(The last two photos were taken by Inge, TFC Executive Assistant to the President.)

Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:18 (The Message)

Saturday Evening, March 6

A Special Dinner & Lunch

Sunday Morning, March 7

You’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—

the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly;

things to praise, not things to curse.

Philippians 4:8 (The Message)