Wednesday September 24, 2008

 

 

Happy Birthday

 

To Our Second Son, Third Child, and Favorite Jere

 

DSC_0131.JPG

Thirty-Nine!  Where did those years go?

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Wednesday September 24, 2008

 

There is no wisdom

no insight

no plan

that can succeed against the LORD. 

Proverbs 21:30 NIV

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Wednesday September 24, 2008

 

 

TFC Sioux Falls Banquet

Monday Evening

 

2-22-08 Sioux Falls Banquet (1).JPG

We had a leisurely drive from Omaha to Sioux Falls – arriving at the Ramkota Hotel Exhibit Hall by 4:00 p.m.

 

 

2-22-08 Sioux Falls Banquet (2).JPG

 

 

2-22-08 Sioux Falls Banquet (5).JPGn

Chaplain Rallyn & Carolyn Van Beek were already there – setting up their TFC information.

 

 

2-22-08 Sioux Falls Banquet (7).JPG

 A short time later a friend of theirs arrived to decorate the stage area.

 

 

2-22-08 Sioux Falls Banquet (6).JPG

 

  

2-22-08 Sioux Falls Banquet (9).JPG

 

 

2-22-08 Sioux Falls Banquet (10).JPG

 

 

2-22-08 Sioux Falls Banquet (11).JPG

 There were just under 200 people in attendance.

 

 

2-22-08 Sioux Falls Banquet (19).JPG

 The Vermeer Trio (husband, wife, daughter) provided beautiful music.

 

 

2-22-08 Sioux Falls Banquet (21).JPG

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

 

2-23-08 Omaha Chapel.JPG

 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.

 

 

2-23-08 Omaha Chapel (3).JPG

 Dave, Cerwin, Kathy, and Laura walking toward the chapel from the truck stop.

 

 

2-23-08 Omaha Chapel (4).JPG

 Dave and Cerwin cleaning the chapel air conditioner.

 

 

2-23-08 Omaha Chapel (7).JPG

 A bee and pretty marigold next to the chapel.

 

 

2-23-08 Squirrel in Dave & Laura's yard.JPG

 The squirrels in Dave and Laura’s yard are similar to our grey squirrels – but with red/orangeunderbellies.

 

 

9-23-08 Red Lobster.JPG

 Cerwin and I took them to Red Lobster for supper as a thank you gift for putting up with us the past four days.

 

 

9-23-08 Red Lobster (2).JPG

 

 

9-23-08 Red Lobster (3).JPG

 A pretty rose at the restaurant.

 

 

9-23-08 Red Lobster (4).JPG

 So ended our last full day in Omaha.

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Tuesday September 23, 2008

 

Jesus replied,

“Why do you say, ‘if you can’?

Anything is possible for someone who has faith!” 

Mark 9:23  Contemporary English Version

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Tuesday September 23, 2008

 

 

Life is Tough in Omaha!

 

Saturday, Sunday, and Monday

 

 

9-20-08 Saturday.JPG

 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.

 

 

9-20-08 Saturday (2).JPG

 The potatoes came from the Minnesota farm of Don and Jean Swanson – who were also staying here for a few days.

 

 

9-20-08 Saturday (3).JPG

 Add eggs to the bacon and potatoes and we had a larger breakfast that we are used to.

 

 

9-21-08 Sunday.JPG

 Sunday morning he made potato pancakes and turkey bacon.

 

 

9-21-08 Sunday (2).JPG

 

 

9-21-08 Sunday (3).JPG

 

 

9-21-08 Sunday (4).JPG

 Laura and I decided that this is the good life!  David makes breakfast and Cerwin serves the coffee.

 

 

9-21-08 Sunday (5).JPG

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.

 

 

9-21-08 Sunday (8).JPG

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.

 

 

9-21-08 Sunday (7).JPG

 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.

 

 

9-21-08 Sunday (8).JPG

 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.

 

 

9-21-08 Sunday (9).JPG

 Dave and Laura clowning on Sunday evening when we were putting supplies away from the Saturday evening banquet.

 

 

9-22-08 Monday.JPG

We woke up to a gentle rain on Monday morning.

 

 

9-22-08 Monday (2).JPG

Frying french toast smelled good as we talked and listened to the rain. 

 

 

9-22-08 Monday (1).JPG

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.)

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Monday September 22, 2008

 

Depend on God and keep at it

because in the Lord God you have a sure thing. 

Isaiah 26:4 The Message

 

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Sunday September 21, 2008

 

 

TFC’s Omaha Banquet

 

We spent most of Saturday visiting with David and Laura or preparing for the evening’s banquet.

 

2 (1)

Two of the ladies put centerpieces and TFC information on the tables.

 

 

2

 Volunteer Chaplain John Murray modeled one of the centerpieces!

 

 

2 (5)

A beautiful centerpiece.

 

 

2 (2)

John (without headpiece) putting programs on the tables.

 

 

2 (3)

A program

 

 

2 (4)

Dave & Laura’s TFC display.

 

 

2 (6).JPG

As guests arrived, they walked by the reception area and were directed to their table.

 

 

2 (7).JPG

There were seventy-three people in attendance.

 

 

2 (8).JPG

Dessert

 

 

2 (9).JPG

Chaplain Wayne Foreman shared an update on the ministry work at Sapp Brothers Truck Stop, Percival, Iowa.

 

 

2 (10).JPG

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.

 

 

2 (11).JPG

Bill and Lucille Sapp – one of the owners of Sapp Brothers – were introduced by Chaplain Dave.

 

 

2 (12).JPG

The chapel at Sapp Brothers, Omaha, Nebraska.

 

 

2 (13)

Cornerstone Worship Team, Nebraska City, Nebraska, blessed us with a great concert.

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Saturday September 20, 2008

 

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

 

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Saturday September 20, 2008

 

 

Dallas to Omaha

  

Omaha NE

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.

 

 

Omaha NE (1)

Nebraska farmland

 

 

Omaha NE (2)

 

 

Omaha NE (3)

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.

 

 

Omaha NE (4)

Getting closer to the Omaha airport.

 

 

Omaha NE (5)

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. 

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Friday September 19, 2008

 

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.

 

DSC_0015

LaApproaching Dallas Ft Worth. 

Notice the plane in the upper right.

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments