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I Couldn’t Believe What I Was Hearing

  

 

I was in a small specialty shop on Saturday afternoon, hoping to pick up the last of my Christmas gifts, when it happened.

The shop (a fairly new one) is only a few miles from our house, but I had never been inside.  I immediately noticed short Bible quotes and references (like John 15:5, which I later learned is the shop’s theme verse) neatly painted on small boards, and placed discreetly throughout the store.  I like to patronize Christian-owned places when possible, and determined to find a gift in the shop.

There were two other couples in the store – probably in their sixties.  I soon overheard one of the men say, “That reminds me of John 3:16.”  He then asked the other three, “Do you know what John 3:16 means?”

None of them knew the answer.  Then one of the men said, “I think it has something to do with football.”

I looked toward the two couples – trying not to look surprised – checking to see if they were joking.

Then one of the men walked over to me and asked, “Do you know what John 3:16 means.  I replied, “I sure do.” and proceeded to quote:  

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

He said, “That sounds familiar.  So, why do people hold up John 3:16 signs at football games?”

I replied, “I expect it’s so people will check out what it means.”

He walked back to the others, and they soon left the store.

 

~~~

I was surprised that four people in their sixties (in the United States) did not know anything about John 3:16. 

~~~

 

The owner said, “It sure proves we cannot assume that most people know the basics of the gospel.”

 

 

 

Nothing and no one is holy like God. 

1 Samuel 2:2 (The Message)

 

 

 

Family Christmas Dinner

 

 

 

It was a cold morning for a buggy ride.  I expect there was Amish church in the neighborhood.  However, we only saw a few buggies this morning.  Most must have taken another road today.

 

 

 

Following church, we went to a reception center in the area for a family dinner.  This was Cerwin’s aunts and uncles and their families on his dad’s side of the family.   

Our grandchildren played in one of the rooms while waiting for lunch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were about 105 people in attendance.  The seats on this table are empty, because our family was getting dessert.

 

 

Jared and Jere posing for me.

 

 

 The other end of the room. 

There were four generations in attendance:  Cerwin’s aunts and uncles, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

 

 

Following lunch, our family enjoyed seeing Jakey and Crystal’s wedding album. 

 

 

Jakey, Crystal, Jere (our son), and Pat (Crystal’s mom).

 

 

This was the wedding where our daughter Deb and I took the pictures on a very rainy day in early September.  Click here to see part one of the wedding, then choose “previous” to see more wedding pictures.

 

 

Cousin John guarding the candy box.

 

 

Cousins from the second generation.

 

 

Cerwin and Uncle Eli

 

 

Cousin Deb and our nephew Donald oversee a few of the fourth generation children.

 

 

Cousins from the third generation.

 

 

More second generation cousins

 

 

Our brother-in-law Mel visiting with Uncle Ivan

 

 

Cousin Karen and Cerwin’s sister Velda.

 

 

Cousin Brenda picking up her Christmas cards.

 

 

Cousin Larry and his wife talking to Uncle Sam.

 

 

Brothers from the fourth generation.

 

 

Cousins Audrey and Karen, visiting with Audrey’s mother, Aunt Gloria

 

 

Audrey and Karen

 

 

Our sister-in-law Pat talking to our niece Gabi

 

 

A cousin’s son finishing up at the dishwasher.

 

 

A cousin’s husband visiting with Aunt Alice and Aunt Betty.

 

 

The same three from another angle.

 

 

Cerwin’s mother visiting with her nephew Roy.

 

 

Cousins, and cousins through marriage.

 

 

Cerwin on cleanup duty.

 

 

Take time to enjoy Christmas week.

 

 

 

You’re blessed when you get your inside world

—your mind and heart—

put right.

Then you can see God in the outside world.

Matthew 5:8 (The Message)

 

 

 

Visiting Friends

&

A Christmas Buffet

 

 

Last night we were invited to Gerald and Joanne’s house (right) for dessert, and a visit with Wycliffe missionary friends Craig and Shannon.

 

 

When invited to Joanne’s house for dessert, we know not to eat a large meal before going.  We had cheese, pretzels, crackers, pecan pie, cherry cheese cake, ice cream, and a vegetable tray.

 

 

It was so good to spend an evening with Craig and Shannon, and hear about their work in Brazil.  Craig is a pilot and Shannon is a teacher.  (Their four children were with his parents for the evening.)

We also had fun reminiscing about youth activities and the summers that Craig went with us to a first nation reserve (Pikagikum) in northwestern Ontario, Canada, to teach Bible school in the mid ’80s.

They have been home on furlough, and will be returning to Brazil in a few days.

 

 

A Christmas decoration in the kitchen.

 

~~~

 

This morning we were awake early, picked up our friends Harold and Lois at 5:50, and arrived at the TFC Christmas buffet near Harleysville about one hour and forty-five minutes later.

 

 

I understand there were about sixty people there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The opening song was, Away in a Manger by David.  He’s familiar with singing to an audience, as he is a member of the Fehr Family Singers. 

 

 

Donna Godshall presented a fabulous concert – reminding us that – Jesus got the birthday, but we got the gift.

 

 

She sang another song that I hadn’t heard in awhile.  I was challenged by the reminder that when Jesus came to us…

Hope was given hands

Freedom was given feet

Love was given a heartbeat

Grace was given a face

Compassion was given a tear

Joy was given laughter

and

Peace was given a smile.

 

 

Her husband, Jeff, runs her soundboard.

 

 

Their friend John accompanied her on guitar for the last few songs.

 

 

I was blessed!

 

 

Bunny O’Hare, TFC’s Director of Chaplains, shared several testimonies from drivers.

 

 

His wife, Peg, read a testimony from someone who called the office for prayer.

 

 

After Cerwin gave a chapel construction update (I always forget to take his picture – probably because I am usually running a PowerPoint for him), Sam Rittenhouse (above) gave a challenge about supporting TFC financally.  The economical challenges that are facing the country are having a heavy impact on the trucking world, and consequently trickling down to us at Transport For Christ.  Sam is Assistant Director for Chaplain Care.

 

 

The room was beautifully decorated for Christmas.

 

 

It is always good to be reminded of God’s faithfulness – through friends or concerts.

 

 

 

Put your hope in God

and know real blessing!

Psalm 146:5 The Message

 

 

 

Rain, Sleet & Birds

 

Rain and sleet seemed to be the order of the day.

 

 

 

 

Sleet on our porch.

 

 

Our entrance door light reflected on the driveway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think if I was a bird today, I would have found a nice dry spot, but our feeders were very busy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will not look at you.

 

 

The window reflection and the bird’s quick flight made this an interesting shot.

 

 

 

I am the world’s Light.

No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness.

I provide plenty of light to live in.”

[Jesus]

John 8:12 (The Message)

 

 

 

A Portable Sawmill

 

Those who read my blog on a regular basis may remember when Eli, our Amish neighbor, cut down a damaged tree in my brother Clair’s woodlot – just behind our house.  If you wish, you can see the story here.

 

 

Clair hired a local man to bring in his portable sawmill and cut the white oak tree into boards.

 

 

It was interesting to watch the process.  The outer edges were trimmed off first.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turning the log

 

 

We were surprised to see nails in the upper part of the tree, and were trying to imagine who put them there – was it our grandfather, our dad, or someone else – and why? 

 

 

Our nephew Kurt helped move the boards.

 

 

Changing the saw blade

 

 

Clair said he did this five times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When they were finished, there was a pile of sawdust…

 

 

another pile of scrap wood…

 

 

and neatly stacked boards.  I think the ones on the left are from a different tree, as it looks like it has been on the ground for a longer period of time.  If I understood correctly (from a conversation Cerwin had with Clair tonight), that one is walnut.

 

 

After lunch, new staff chaplain, Joe Matthews, came to have his first newsletter set up.

 

 

It is actually his second letter with TFC.  However, the first one was an introductory letter from our President and CEO, and his and Marianne’s testimony.  This is the first one that I am helping him set up.  From this point on, he will probably email all the information to me.

 

 

 

Those who wait upon God get fresh strength.

Isaiah 40:29 (The Message)