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Let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong.

Ephesians 6:10  Contemporary English Version

It’s Been a Long Day!

We were awakened by the alarm at 3:00 this morning, and ready to begin our six-hour drive to Ellington, New York, by 4:00.

Sam Rittenhouse got up even earlier (1:30 a.m.) to be here by 4:00, and Bunny O’Hare never went to bed!

We had never been to the Ellington Community Church, but knew it was the right place when we saw this sign in the front yard.

Following Colleen’s funeral and burial, there was a meal in the church basement.  Her widower, Earl (right) joined us at the “TFC Table.”  Left to right – Pearl and Gary Nussbaum,  (Director of Church and Community Development) came from Ohio, Cerwin (Director of Chapel Construction), Sam Rittenhouse (Associate of Chaplain Care), Bunny O’Hare (Director of Chaplains), and Earl Carlson (Lead Chaplain at the Buffalo, New York, chapel).

Bunny and Earl

Earl and Sam

It was a long day, but I was glad that I took time to go along.  Everything I wanted to do in the office – before we leave for our trip on Saturday – seemed unnecessary compared to paying my respects to Colleen’s family.

We got home tonight at 8:00 p.m.

Think about things that are excellent

and worthy of praise.

Philippians 4:8 New Living Translation

God Is As Close As the Air We Breathe

We can choose to live life gasping and grasping…

…or we can breathe deeply

and experience His simple, restful presence.

Keri Wyatt Kent

A Funeral on Thursday

It breaks our hearts to say goodbye to Colleen Carlson, wife of TFC Chaplain Earl Carlson.  She loved the Lord and was a great friend.  She died of complications from asthma and congestive heart disease.

It is a five to six hour drive to Ellington, New York, which means neither of us will be in the office on Thursday.  Bunny O’Hare, Director of Chaplains, and Sam Rittenhouse, Associate for Chaplain Care are going with us.

Be in prayer for Earl as he adjusts to life without her. 

Get down on your knees before the Master;

it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.

James 4:10 The Message

Hershey Reunion

Sunday noon at our family pavilion.

I love when my uncles, aunts, cousins, and their families get together.

My uncle Glenn asking a blessing on our food – and praising the Lord for our family. 

Glenn is the only one of three brothers who survives.  My dad was the oldest of the siblings and died at the age of seventy-seven, Uncle Ken was next in age and died from a heart attack when he was sixty-three.  My Aunt Lois is the other person in the photo.  She is next to Glenn in age.

Time to eat.

This pavilion is in back of our house and property, but on my brother’s land.  You can see our house through the trees behind the serving table.  My sister and her husband also have a house on this four-acre woodlot. 

We love having the opportunity to invite our friends and family to this place.  It is especially fun when the Hersheys come, because this is the land were the five older siblings grew up.

My other aunt, Julia, youngest of the five siblings, is second from the left (in pink).  She is sitting next to Phil, her grandson (in black shirt).

I am blessed that God placed me in this family.

Take on an entirely new way of life

a God-fashioned life.

Ephesians 4:23 The Message

Saturday

Goodbye to our local grandchildren

Jordan and Nathan were the first to leave on Saturday morning.  Both were going to work on the farm where Jordan is employed.

Jared was not happy to see them leave.  He loves every minute they play with and tease him.

Then it was time to get everything organized for 11:30 a.m. when they were going home – suitcases, shoes, stuffed animals, and pillows were lined up inside the garage door.

~~~

After the hugs and goodbyes, we got ready for the next event – going to a TFC picnic near Shamokin Dam, Pennsylvania.

~~~

Because of the heat, the picnic was moved inside the Shamokin Dam Alliance Church.  In this photo, Cerwin is telling the group about our trip to British Columbia in April. 

Following the meal, the church and community were invited to a gospel concert by Saving Grace Band, New Berlin, Pennsylvania.

It was a wonderful evening, and the almost-two-hour-drive (one way) was a great time to relax, after having a fun and busy week with our local grandchildren.  (Josh was the only one not able to come this year  – due to being at camp.)

The house seemed empty when we got home.  I would never want to give up our Grandchildren Week, but it is nice to get back to the daily routine that has become part of my life –  and it is time to get back to my office. 

Seek the LORD and his strength,

seek his face continually.

1 Chronicles 16:11 King James Version