Happy Birthday
To Our Second Son, Third Child, and Favorite Jere

Thirty-Nine! Where did those years go?
Happy Birthday
To Our Second Son, Third Child, and Favorite Jere

Thirty-Nine! Where did those years go?
There is no wisdom
no insight
no plan
that can succeed against the LORD.
Proverbs 21:30 NIV
TFC Sioux Falls Banquet
Monday Evening
We had a leisurely drive from Omaha to Sioux Falls – arriving at the Ramkota Hotel Exhibit Hall by 4:00 p.m.
Chaplain Rallyn & Carolyn Van Beek were already there – setting up their TFC information.
A short time later a friend of theirs arrived to decorate the stage area.
There were just under 200 people in attendance.
The Vermeer Trio (husband, wife, daughter) provided beautiful music.
Prior to and after Cerwin and I presented our PowerPoint, Carolyn & Rallyn shared ministry information.
We left Sioux Falls at 10:00 p.m., and arrived at Dave and Laura’s house in Omaha at 1:30 a.m.
Tuesday
Needless to say, we didn’t get started too early in the morning, but after a midmorning breakfast, we went to the chapel so Cerwin and Dave could do some preventative maintenance.
Dave, Cerwin, Kathy, and Laura walking toward the chapel from the truck stop.
Dave and Cerwin cleaning the chapel air conditioner.
A bee and pretty marigold next to the chapel.
The squirrels in Dave and Laura’s yard are similar to our grey squirrels – but with red/orangeunderbellies.
Cerwin and I took them to Red Lobster for supper as a thank you gift for putting up with us the past four days.
A pretty rose at the restaurant.
So ended our last full day in Omaha.
Jesus replied,
“Why do you say, ‘if you can’?
Anything is possible for someone who has faith!”
Mark 9:23 Contemporary English Version
Life is Tough in Omaha!
Saturday, Sunday, and Monday
Saturday morning we woke to the smell of bacon and potatoes frying. Dave is usually the in-house cook because he thoroughly enjoys that job.
The potatoes came from the Minnesota farm of Don and Jean Swanson – who were also staying here for a few days.
Add eggs to the bacon and potatoes and we had a larger breakfast that we are used to.
Sunday morning he made potato pancakes and turkey bacon.
Laura and I decided that this is the good life! David makes breakfast and Cerwin serves the coffee.
A last rose of summer.
I took this photo while waiting for the others to come to the van, before leaving for church. We went to Millard Bible Church – where Dave and Laura often attend when not serving on the chapel. Millard is a suburb of Omaha and the area where Dave and Laura live.
Kathy (an ex-trucker who gave her heart to the Lord at the Omaha chapel) has stayed in contact with the Dave and Laura, and went along with us to church.
Dave, Don, Cerwin, and David Nispel (next to David’s truck) following church and lunch at a local restaurant. David had to leave to deliver a load on Monday morning.
David Nispel is a roving chaplain for TFC, and serves on a variety chapels – as needed – while continuing to drive truck. He plans to retire within the next year, then serve with TFC fulltime.
He rededicated his life to Christ on the Harrisburg Chapel in the mid or late ’80s when his life was a mess, and he wasn’t sure life was worth living.
Just after getting back from the truck stop, driver James called and wanted to visit with Dave and Laura, so the men went back to the truck stop and brought him here. (Another chaplain was on duty at the chapel, but James wanted some counsel from Chaplain Dave, who has become his friend.)
It was interesting to hear his testimony and how the Lord led him to TFC’s chapel in Sacramento several years ago, where he surrendered his life to Christ.
Dave and Laura clowning on Sunday evening when we were putting supplies away from the Saturday evening banquet.
We woke up to a gentle rain on Monday morning.
Frying french toast smelled good as we talked and listened to the rain.
We enjoyed a relaxing morning while preparing to travel to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for an evening banquet. Cerwin and I changed the PowerPoint slightly to personalize it for the Sioux Falls chapel.
We left the house before noon, stopped to pick up meds for Laura, dropped off rented supplies from Saturday’s banquet, enjoyed lunch, and took a few rest stops before arriving at the banquet hall. It was a three-and-a-hour trip – plus the rest breaks. We got home about 1:30 this morning. (More of the evening on my next entry.)
Depend on God and keep at it
because in the Lord God you have a sure thing.
Isaiah 26:4 The Message
TFC’s Omaha Banquet
We spent most of Saturday visiting with David and Laura or preparing for the evening’s banquet.
Two of the ladies put centerpieces and TFC information on the tables.
Volunteer Chaplain John Murray modeled one of the centerpieces!
A beautiful centerpiece.
John (without headpiece) putting programs on the tables.
A program
Dave & Laura’s TFC display.
As guests arrived, they walked by the reception area and were directed to their table.
There were seventy-three people in attendance.
Dessert
Chaplain Wayne Foreman shared an update on the ministry work at Sapp Brothers Truck Stop, Percival, Iowa.
Chaplain David Hertle gave the Omaha Chapel report prior to introducing Cerwin and me. We gave a PowerPoint presentation on TFC, as well as an overview of our responsibilities.
Bill and Lucille Sapp – one of the owners of Sapp Brothers – were introduced by Chaplain Dave.
The chapel at Sapp Brothers, Omaha, Nebraska.
Cornerstone Worship Team, Nebraska City, Nebraska, blessed us with a great concert.
My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,
says the Lord.
And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
Isaiah 55:8 New Living Translation
Dallas to Omaha
I am always amazed at how many airplanes take off in a short period of time in large airports. The one in the top right is waiting to take off, the one in front of us will leave about a minute after that, and we will follow a minute after that – and there are more behind us.
Nebraska farmland
I love the feeling of power when the back part of the wing (not sure what to call it) drops and I can feel it slowing down for landing.
Getting closer to the Omaha airport.
Cerwin, Kathy, Laura & Chaplain David Hertle, and their friends Jean & Don Swanson (who drove in from Minnesota). The photo was taken at the Cracker Barrel where we met for supper after Laura picked us up at the airport.
Guess What?
We’re on “the road” again – this time it’s in the air – heading to Dallas Ft Worth, then to Omaha by mid-afternoon. I’m not sure how often I will have Internet access during the next few days, but I will stay in touch when I can. We’re in the Harrisburg Airport preparing to board at the moment.
Our oldest daughter sent an email:
“May the Lord bless and keep you.”
I love the thought of being blessed and kept.
e~~~
~~~
We were blessed and kept while traveling to Dallas Ft Worth.
LaApproaching Dallas Ft Worth.
Notice the plane in the upper right.