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Saturday Morning, March 7

Pancake Breakfast

At the Missionary Conference

We were at the church bright and early to have the chapel ready for visitors.

Chaplain David Hoy, at his display in the church, visits with Chaplain David Weaver.

Starting to make pancakes.

The sweet roll and fruit table is almost ready.

Juice table

The missionary committee and missionaries were served first so they could be at their displays and meet visitors.

A typical breakfast

Sam Rittenhouse (Associate for Chaplain Care) and Cerwin

A little boy enjoying his iced sweet roll.

These two girls brought pictures and letters for Chaplain David to give to truckers.

If I remember correctly, David and Trisha had challenged the children to do this at a meeting earlier in the week.  (This was a week long conference.)

Arne and Lisa told us they have an aunt and uncle involved with TFC, and asked if we know Gary and Pearl Nussbaum.  (Pearl is a sister to Arne’s dad.)  We certainly do know them – they serve TFC in ministry development.

The community and friends are invited to this free breakfast.  I understand there were several hundred who attended.

Chaplain David & Trisha’s display.

The church has a beautiful, inside courtyard.

Body painting anyone?

Cerwin made the children happy when he allowed them to sit in the driver’s seat of the chapel tractor.

Most of them blew the air horn.

We were very busy in the chapel.

I was so busy at my post in the living quarters that I forgot to take pictures.  I took this one at the end when I remembered that I should take a few.  Trisha and David are on the left.

A highlight of the day was giving a Bible to this young woman who accepted the Lord earlier in the week.  She is expecting her first baby in a few days – and her husband will be home from military service about the same time.

A woman brought us this Bible shortly after we opened the chapel in the morning, and asked us to give it to someone who needed it.

When we heard from her mother-in-law (left) that she did not have a Bible, it seemed the right thing to do.  It was a real “God thing.” 

If I keep my eyes on God, 

I won’t trip over my own feet.

Psalm 25:15 (The Message)

Friday, March 6

Aldan Union Church

74th Annual

Missionary Conference

Aldan, Pennsylvania

Cerwin kindly cleaned the windows of the chapel tractor – for my photo pleasure.

Chaplain David Hoy met us just off Exit 13 – to lead us through back streets toward Aldan (near Philadelphia).  He made sure we didn’t have turns that were too sharp for a rig, or any low bridges. 

When you follow David, you notice by his bumper stickers that he is involved with Transport For Christ, and a fan of NASCAR’s Mark Martin.

This purple dump truck was beside us through many turns and streets.

The parking lot of Aldan Union Church

David and Cerwin discussing where the chapel will be parked.

Two church members came to give the men parking advice and approval. 

Trisha had grapes, cheese, and crackers waiting for us.

After putting the chapel in place and setting up the interior, we went to David and Trisha’s house. 

Gifts to us from Trisha and her sister, Joy. 

Joy makes the BEST biscotti.  This was the first time we tasted her scone bread.  It was delicious.

Dinner is almost ready.

Their beautiful centerpiece

David serving their specialty drink – a mixture of grape juice and gingerale.

After a delicious Italian meal of stuffed shells, meat balls, and salad, Trisha surprised David with a spiritual birthday cake.

I just missed their kiss!  I should have asked them to do it again.  I bet they would have. 

Cerwin and I looked at this photo, and thought, “Oh, for a slice of that with our coffee tonight.”  It was the most delicious nut cake I have ever tasted.

Cerwin and I slept well in their comfortable guest room.

Dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you:

compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.

Colossians 3:12 (The Message)

March 2 – 5

Breakfast With My Sister

Supper With Cerwin’s Family

Ian and My Computer

I’m Still Catching Up After Getting Home From Vancouver

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Breakfast With My Sister

Monday, March 2

A few days after getting home from Vancouver, I had a breakfast appointment with my sister, who wanted to take me out for my birthday – which had been a month earlier.

There was barely any snow on the ground at 7:15, so we decided to brave the five or six miles.  Her house is in the background (we live in the same woodlot.)

About the time we started, the storm went into full force – like a blizzard.

The restaurant was empty, which made us a bit nervous – but we determined to enjoy our breakfast.

Since the waitress wasn’t very busy, she was glad to take our picture.  When I looked at this, I thought, “You look like you just woke up.” 

As a matter of fact, I did wake up not long before our 7:30 a.m. appointment because I was still adjusting my sleeping habits from west coast time to east coast time.  (7:30 still felt like 4:30 to my body.)

As we enjoyed the blowing snow from inside, we began to worry about our drive home.  Nancy was glad that I was driving.  It snowed several inches while we ate.

Our trusty CRV did get us home just fine.  This was our front yard view later in the day.  We got about six inches of snow.

Today (March 15) it is a bit warmer (45 degrees) and the crocus are blooming.

Left to right:  Jakey, Crystal, Denise, Ted, Bryan, Leslie.

Crystal, Ted, and Bryan are children of Cerwin’s brother, Elvin, and his wife, Pat.  The reason they invited us to this meal was to let us know that Jakey and Crystal are expecting their first baby.  They also wanted to introduce us to Ted’s friend Denise.

Left to right:  Mel and Velda (Cerwin’s sister), Cerwin’s mother, Elvin and Pat.  Cerwin could not be there because it was the evening it suited the finish carpenter to do the trim on the TFC Racine Chapel.

Ian is so easy to take care of – even when I am working – as he can occupy himself on one of my computers.

He played with this computer until I was ready to go to my office.

One of his favorite things to do is “cook” for Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go.

I’m telling you, Don’t panic. 

I’m right here to help you.

Isaiah 41:13 (The Message)

Sunday, March 15

Happy Birthday

Hezekiah

Fourteen years old

We love you!

You’re our favorite Hezekiah in the whole world.

Love

Grandpa and Grandma

Sunday, March 1

Josh’s 14th Birthday Party

A Month Late

(actual date was February 8)

 Josh didn’t mind celebrating several weeks after the actual event. 

It took that long for our schedule to mesh with Jere and Kristen’s.

 Josh getting a birthday kiss from his mom.

Betty (Kristen’s mother), Jere, and Kristen

 Ian and Jared playing with a cute race track.

 Tussling with Dad

 Time to eat

 Deb was having a slow week in the office, and asked Jere and Kristen if she could have Jesse and Jared for a few days.  For that reason she and Roy were also there for the party.

Pretty flowers from Roy

 Jesse loved playing with the feathery ferns, and laughed when they tickled his fingers and face.

 Happy Birthday!

 You’re our favorite Josh in the whole world.

Betty looking at a test paper that Jana wanted her grandparents to see.

A+ – good job Jana. 

 A birthday card from his little brothers.

 We got a preview of an upcoming concert.

Jared and Roy

Cerwin and Deb displaying a quilt that Roy bought at a mud sale for his mother.

 Ian tried hard to be brave when Roy and Deb left with Jared and Jesse. 

Sometimes it’s a bummer to be in school – without free time to spend with Aunt Debbie.

 So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion.

For the Lord is a faithful God.

Blessed are those who wait for his help.

February 26-28

Resuming Life in Pennsylvania

Yard Cleanup & Girl’s Bible Study

 Following our short night (morning) of sleep, I spent the day doing laundry, putting suitcases away, and sorting the mail that had arrived during our week in Vancouver.

Cerwin spent a few hours in the yard, cleaning up branches and sticks.  It must have been windy while we were gone.

~~~

On Saturday (28th), I finalized my thoughts and notes for the girl’s Bible study in the evening.

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This winter Bible study is planned by the youth group girls from our church, and includes their mothers and female youth advisors. 

I gave my camera to Tiersha (who loves photography) while I was teaching.  Isn’t it interesting to see what one looks like while teaching.   

 I must have been saying something serious or thought-provoking.

Visiting after the study. 

It was a great evening, and I loved sharing “My Story” and how respect for authority (or lack of) has affected my life – also linking respect for authority with the life of Esther in the Bible.

 We have wonderful, godly girls in our youth group.

 My photographer for part of the evening, Tiersha, (left) playing ping pong with three other girls.

 Enjoying our snack of fruit, milk, and cookies.

 My delicious gift from the girls.