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The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth

to show Himself strong

on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.

2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV

Happy 13th Birthday, Hezekiah

A Bit Late

While I was posting Jenna’s thirteenth birthday party, I had a sickening feeling that I forgot to post birthday wishes for another thirteen-year-old’s birthday.  I checked my site for March 15, and sure enough there was no birthday wish.

Hezekiah, I hope you agree that two weeks late is better than never.

~~~

I love the following series of pictures when Hezekiah was trying different looks with his hat.  These were taken during our drive to his family in Maine – after he had spent the summer of 2007 at our house. 

I might be old and forgetful, but you are – WITHOUT A DOUBT – my favorite Hezekiah in the whole world!

Monday, March 31

Happy 13th Birthday to Our Granddaughter, Jenna

You’re our favorite Jenna in the whole world.

~~~

On the way to her birthday party, we stopped at Jere and Kristen’s house to give Jana her “token” birthday gift.  (She received her real gift the other week when we got manicures.)

We always give them a small bag of goodies.  This time it was some gummy bears and hot chocolate packs, plus a few leftover “red beet eggs” from yesterday’s lunch.  (She loves pickled eggs.)

Then I went downstairs to see what the boys were up to.  Jared wanted me to join him in his “tent.” 

~~~

Jenna’s Birthday Party

Jenna and her dad (our oldest son) lighting thirteen candles.

Her other grandma was sick, so while Jenna and her mom drove to Lois’ house for her gift, Diana and I went next door where Jeff and Chris keep some sheep.

I was particulary interested in the lambs.

A mama and her baby

~~~

Meanwhile back at the house…

Nathan showed us the clock he made in shop class at school.

Good job!  Can you tell he likes old Chevys?

Then – just because both boys were in the same room – a wrestling match developed.

Then – because he couldn’t resist – dad began testing Jordan’s strength.

As I watched them I had a sense of deja vu. 

Jeff and Jere seemed to think they had to wrestle every night after supper when they were teenagers.

~~~

Okay, it’s time to settle down and watch Jenna open gifts.

Gloria and her dad

I loved her reaction to opening the card from Jere and Kristen’s family.

“If there isn’t a crisp hundred dollar bill in this birthday card may I be struck by lightening.”

When she opened the card there was the sound of thunder and lightening!

On your feet! 

Bless God, your God, for ever and ever!

Nehemiah 9:5 MSG

The Weekend

Saturday

Nobody is going to believe this!

We helped organize a large TFC banquet on Saturday night – 532 people – and I forgot my camera.

Despite the forgotten camera, we had a fabulous evening.  The highlight was hearing the testimony of a driver whose life was changed because there was a TFC chapel and chaplain at a truck stop when he was searching for truth.

This year, instead of a concert, we invited Ryan and Friends, who brought an evening of laughter to the audience.  Ryan is a skilled, local, ventriloquist who tells Bible stories and clean jokes with his “dummy” friends.

~~~

Sunday

Happy 9th Birthday to our granddaughter, Jana.

You’re our favorite Jana in the whole world.

~~~

I prepared lunch for our Advisory/Prayer Council.  Following the meal, we spent a few hours sharing TFC goals and prayer concerns.

Shorty Clymer opened our meeting with a challenging devotional time.  He began by reading Bible verses that reminded him of Transport For Christ and our purpose of leading truck drivers as well as the trucking community to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith.

We are blessed to have these couples as part of our support team.  A few were missing this time due to illness or a schedule conflict.

We invited Bunny O’Hare, TFC Director of Chaplains, to share what is happening out on the field, future goals, and answer questions.

~~~

Following that meeting, we went to friends for supper.

Eva and Ray (foreground – left and right) hosted this meal so we could spend an evening with Merle and Rita Nisly (to the right of Ray), who were in the area for the Living Hope Ministries banquet we attended on Friday evening. 

Cerwin and I, Gary and Orpha, and Ray and Eva became friends with Merle and Rita when we took teams of young people to Pikigikum (an outpost of Red Lake) to teach summer Bible School in the mid and late ’80s.  Merle served as our coordinator and pilot the first few years we spent a week on the reserve.

I couldn’t leave Ray and Eva’s house without taking a picture of the pretty roses on the dining room table.

I know the Lord is always with me.

I will not be shaken

for he is right beside me.

Psalm 16:8 NLT

The Weekend

Friday

A female Downy Woodpecker grooming herself in our Dogwood tree

It seems like our male Goldfinches are turning bright yellow overnight.

~~~

Friday Evening

We enjoyed attending Living Hope Native Ministries banquet.

It was encouraging to hear native men share how they came to follow Christ through the faithful example of missionaries.  The mission’s headquarters are in Red Lake, Ontario, Canada.

Another highlight of the evening was when http://www.xanga.com/misssteph101 introduced herself to me.  She was part of the organizing committee, and recognized our names (Cerwin and Doris) from my blog!

You who love the Lord,

hate evil!

He protects the lives of his godly people

and rescues them from the power of the wicked.

Psalm 97:10 CEV

Saturday’s Photo Shoot

Last Installment

Happy 80th Birthday to Alice

I loved this picture of her stealing a taste of icing while waiting for family members to assemble around her for a photo.

The dog didn’t miss the icing on her lips!

~~~

Music to My Ears

Eunice is learning to play the McNally Strumstick she recently purchased.

Family Singers

~~~

A Few of My Favorite Pictures

Three Generations

Watching a Video

Cousins

Pondering

A Drink of Water

Laughter

A picture of me?

Mother and Daughter

From the Hat Rack

Father and Daughter

Husband and Wife

Saying goodbye to a granddaughter-in-law and grandson

~~

The Old Part of the House

The new part of the house accommodates many people, and is quite comfortable, however, I enjoyed investigating the original basement (under the kitchen).

Thank you to this wonderful family for inviting us to invade their space during their Easter celebration.

Jesus Christ is the same

yesterday

today

and

forever.

Hebrews 13:8 TLB