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The LORD be exalted!

Psalm 40:16 NIV

 

 

 

Quick Summary of Saturday’s Rally

 I’ll spend the next week posting pictures of each event, but today I’ll just give you a few highlights.

 

 

Our day started early when about forty rally workers (committee and several key volunteers) met for breakfast at 6:00 a.m.  We have about 200 people helping with the day’s activities.

~~~

After making sure the cash boxes were distributed to the auction, ticket, flower, ministry material, and candy/balloon tables – and helping some vendors get situated, I took my lawn chair to a good spot for taking photos – and watched the trucks arrive.

 

 

Since I am only putting a few truck pictures on today, I am going to start with one of my favorite truck drivers – Paul Rissler from California, Missouri.  (I have lots of favorite drivers, but he always tells me how much he enjoys my blog, so he gets priority today.) 

I almost didn’t recognize his rig because of the new decals he added.  I have been so used to it being plain white. 

Good choice of colors.  It is beautiful, Paul and Michelle.

 

 

I was thrilled when I saw Wolfpack rigs arriving – and arriving!  There were eighteen of them.

 

 

Most of the day was hot and sunny – however, there were three short intervals of rain.  A very short time of light rain when the trucks were arriving, a longer (ten minute) and heaver rain during the two-hour parade, and an even heavier (maybe fifteen minute) rain during the auctions – which brought all the people inside.  That is a good thing for vendors and auctions.  

We think that was a first in the twenty-seven rallies – rain during the parade. 

That was fun for me (even though I got dripping wet) as I got to look for some interesting, creative pictures.

 

 

We’ve heard that large truck shows are down in numbers – due to the price of fuel – so we expected ours to follow suit – and it did, but we were thrilled to have about 189 beautiful rigs.  We will hear the official count from our registration/judging team at the committee meeting today.  UPDATE:  The official count is 191 Trucks.

 

 

The lower count in rigs did not decrease the number of people who attended the evening program, as North Hall was very full – probably about 2,000 people.

 

 

The 8:30 p.m light show was gorgeous.

 

 

 

This photo is of a t-shirt at one of the vendors, and summarizes my thoughts of the day.

 

 

 

 

Truck Rally Setup Began Tonight

 

 

After supper at Quentin House, the committee began the process of preparing for tomorrow.  The food committee wrapped potatoes for baking and packaged cookies for tomorrow’s supper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the trailerload of flowers (donated by Espenshade’s Greenhouses) was unloaded, some of the early arrivers began shopping.

 

 

The sun was just setting as I prepared to head home.  About that time my cell phone rang, which was a meal ticket order, so I went back into the building to pull the tickets from the extras.

 

 

I was glad I was delayed, because I would have missed seeing these trucks arriving. 

 

 

They looked to pretty – and our light show isn’t until tomorrow night.

 

 

This driver was waiting for his turn to park.  Seeing more than a dozen rigs in the parking lot has me ready for the start of the rally in the morning.

 

~~~

 

TFC happens to have two truck rallies tomorrow.  If you want to follow the other one, go to verna’s site.  The Kidron, Ohio, Rally had their light show and parade tonight.

 

 

 

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now,

and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.

God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Matthew 6:34 MSG

(And you all know I need this verse today.) 

 

 

 

Transport For Christ Activities

 Thursday

 

I had a 1:00 p.m. appointment at the International Office, so planned to arrive early enough to get some pictures of Josiah and Cerwin working on the chapel for Racine, Wisconsin.

Josiah was preparing to trim a small framing piece before installing it in the chapel.

 

 

Cerwin was polishing the wheels on the International tractor, in preparation for the Truck Rally on Saturday.

 

 

The interior of the trailer – standing in the living quarters facing the chapel.

 

 

Standing in the chapel – facing the living quarters.

 

 

Then it was time to meet the husband/wife teams who are going through Candidate Training School this week.

 

 

My job is to give them information on how to effectively write newsletters, share PowerPoints, and use display boards when communicating with their support team.

 

 

 I was impressed with the five couples who are preparing to come on staff with TFC.  Three are from Michigan, one from Nebraska, and another from Wisconsin.

 

 

After I was finished they went on a tour of the new chapel.

 

 

It was a busy, busy day and I am ready for bed!

I think I need more time than I have left to get ready for the Truck Rally. 

 

 

 

 

Get Your Rig Polished!

 

It’s Only One Day Until TFC’s Truck Rally

 

 

Saturday, June 28

Lebanon Expo Center, Lebanon, PA

 Everyone Welcome

 

Morning

Parade of Trucks – 11:00 a.m.

There were 229 rigs last year

 

Afternoon

 

 

  

 

 

 

Benefit Auctions, Truck Judging, CDL Roadeo, Ruff & Tuff Roadeo, Powder Puff Roadeo, Garden Tractor Roadeo, Pedal Pull, Food, Vendors, Big Bright Bounces 60′ Obstacle Course, Balloon Sculptures by Trist’n Shout, Clowns, Childrens’ Activities

 

Evening

5:30 p.m. – Chicken or Pork Barbecue Meal (tickets needed)

 

 

 6:30 p.m. – Gospel Music by Good News, Myerstown, PA

 

 

7:00 p.m. Awards Ceremony

 

7:30 p.m. Gospel Music by Karen Peck and New River, Dahlonega, Georgia

 

8:45 p.m. – Light Show Competition

 

Rally Celebration

 Sunday, June 29

Lebanon Expo Center, Lebanon, PA

10:30 a.m.

 

Worship by:  Good News, Myerstown, Pennsylvania

 

Catered Lunch (tickets needed)

 

Questions?

  Leave a comment, message me, or write to:  tfcner@dejazzd.com

 

 

 

What a God!

His road stretches straight and smooth.

Every God-direction is road-tested.

Everyone who runs toward him
   makes it.

II Samuel 22:31 MSG

 

 

Stone Structure

Meet Jake

Belated Birthday

Newer Vehicle for Jeff & Chris

 

Cerwin did not go to the TFC shop yesterday due to lots of other projects ~ taking his mother to the heart doctor for a yearly checkup, picking up items for Saturday’s auction, getting some yard work done here, and making phone calls concerning the Rally ~ which left Josiah with some idle time.  He likes to be doing something, so asked if he could arrange the rock piles in the woodlot into something more creative.

 

 

I like what he is doing.

 

 

Jake and Jana

Last night we went to Jere and Kristen’s for a belated birthday party for Jared.  They had a party in May – without the grandparents – and he did not forget, so we had his real party last night.  Jake is the new puppy (American Bulldog mix) their family recently purchased.

 

 

He has cute, sad eyes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then it was time to party.  The theme at suppertime was dinosaurs.

 

 

Kristen could not find dinosaur party hats – which is what Jared wanted – but he loved the party noses.

 

 

Dad and Jared comparing noses.

 

 

Ian

 

 

Jana

 

 

Kristen

 

 

Making dinosaur noises for Jesse

 

 

Jesse wasn’t convinced he liked them.

 

 

This was the first time we sang Happy Birthday at their house with accompaniment.  Great job, Jana.

 

 

He loved his “Cars” birthday cake.  I forget the name of the car – but he knew.

Marmee Ann’s comment reminded me that it is Lightening McQueen!  Thanks. 

 

 

 

 

Kristen did a great job of decorating it.

 

 

Time for presents.  A dump truck from Grandma Buch

You will remember that our present was the Build-A-Bear dinosaurs (Rex and Baby Rex). 

 

 

A present from big brother Josh

 

 

A remote-controlled car!

 

 

Grandpa making sure he kept his eyes shut for the entrance of his next present.

 

 

A scooter from Dad and Mom.

 

 

 

 

Jesse watched from the dump truck.

 

 

Riding the scooter

 

 

Jeff and Chris stopped in to show us the Chevy van they purchased this week.  Their old one was on the verge of giving up the ghost – and threatened to do just that a few weeks ago.

Jeff found this one while checking out a vehicle for their oldest son, Jordan.  They were blessed to have found this and feel it was a “God thing.”

 

 

Chris showing Cerwin some of the neat interior functions.

 

 

Josh and Josiah shooting hoops.

 

 

 

 

I am not sure was caused Josh’s “Erkel-ish” behavior, but this grandma laughed so much she almost missed getting a picture.

 

 

Jake loved all the activity, but never looked happy about it!

 

 

Testing the skateboard.  He almost looks happy here.  Maybe we can teach him to ride it.

 

 

Jesse keeps his distance, as Jake is the same size, and his puppy antics cause him great distress.

 

 

The beautiful scene at the end of their driveway when we left for home last night.

 

 

 

 

Friends

 

We were delighted to visit with Randy & Nadine Fontaine and their three youngest boys ~ friends from Council Bluffs, Iowa ~ on Monday evening.

 

 

Gene Gehman, Randy Fontaine, and Cerwin

Randy and Nadine are staying with our friends Gene and Rose Gehman for a few days, and we were invited to the Gehman’s for dessert last night so we could spend some time with Randy’s family.

 

 

Gene, Randy, and Nadine

We spent some of the evening learning more about Christ For the City International, the ministry where Randy serves.

 

 

Our dessert included homemade banana ice cream!  It was delicious.

 

 

Ryan (Randy and Nadine’s son) serving coffee.

 

 

I was disappointed to discover I had not included Rose in a photo – except this one.

 

 

It didn’t take long for Nathan and Jonathan to get back to their floor games after finishing dessert.

 

 

Yummy cookie bars.

 

 

Randy enjoyed the honors of cleaning the ice cream paddle.

 

~~~

Friends are one of life’s greatest blessings.

~~~

 

We will see a lot more of Gene and Rose this week, as they are coordinators for the Truck Rally.

 

Rose at the ticket table during a past rally.

 

 

Gene using the Gator to take tables to an outside vendor.

 

 

 

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other,

in step with each other.

None of this going off and doing your own thing.

And cultivate thankfulness.

Colossians 3:15  MSG