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In Review

When I removed my digital camera card this evening, I was surprised to discover I had not downloaded any pictures since Monday.  I usually do that every day.

This is what I found.

 

A sunrise picture taken from our living room window.

 

 

The same sunrise through miniblinds

 

 

The same morning when the sun was higher in the sky.

 

 

Our snow-covered patio

 

 

A Morning Dove

 

 

A Tan Morph enjoying the morning sunshine.

 

 

A Dark-eyed Junco with a white tail feather.

 

 

This Song Sparrow had to scratch through old bird seed.

 

 

Fresh seeds a few days later.

 

 

Making room for an incoming flight on the upper right.

 

 

Today’s snow and sleet was for “the birds.”

 

 

 

Love is not easily angered.

I Corinthians 13:5 NIV

 

 

 

More Pictures from the Mud Sale at Honey Brook, PA

Photos taken on Saturday, February 16, by our daughter, Deb. 

 

Information from Deb:  There were lots of quilts, Amish furniture, antiques, food, horses, steers, sheds, windows, wood, boxes of food.  

It was just neat to be among the Amish and see a little bit of their ways and their world.  The food was amazing and made right in front of your eyes:  doughnuts (the blueberry was my favorite), stromboli, and pretzels.  There were 400+ pies. 

All six auctions were going on at the same time. 

 

 

 

 

 

Making Stromboli

 

 

Deb said this stromboli was delicious.

 

~~~

 

Deb does the layout and design for a magazine called Today and Tomorrow, and e-mailed the following description of mud sales – taken from a recent issue:

Fire company sales have been a regular event in Lancaster County since the mid 1960s.  These auctions help local volunteer fire companies raise funds.   Since many of the items are sold outside during spring, these events have affectionately become known as “mud sales”.

Often both inside and outside auctions take place simultaneously, and sometimes numerous auctions take place at once throughout the grounds.  The winter and early spring dates work out best for local farmers.  That’s when they have more time available.

Items sold vary from auction to auction and include a wide variety of donated goods and consignment merchandize.  Auctioned items often include: furniture, craft items, quilts, building materials, livestock, buggies and carriages, tools, farming equipment, farming supplies, garden items, and more.

 

 

 

 

Amish Mud Sale

 

Mud sales have become popular ways in our area to raise funds for Amish schools and fire companies.  Usually a fire company and the Amish community work together to make the event happen. 

The sales are held in late winter or early spring – when the ground is thawing – the reason they are called mud sales.   

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Photos by our daughter, Deb

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Observing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will not be sold!

 

 

Horse racing is popular at this sale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bareback riding.

 

 

Great pictures.  Thanks, Deb.

  

 

 

 

 

 

Another Family Member is on the Road!

 

 

 

Congratulations to our sixteen-year-old grandson, Jordan, on passing his driver’s test today.

~~~

Cerwin just called to congratulate him.   He wasn’t home.  He was enjoying his independance, by driving to a nearby hunting supply store. 

 

 

 

Love does not demand its own way.

I Corinthians 13:5 NLIV

 

 

 

Last Day of Staff Conference

 

Monday, February 18

 

An Early Morning Walk

 

Outside the meeting room (lower level) and dining room (upper level) at Sylvan View lodge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TFC President, Scott Weidner

 

 

Other early risers ~ Christianna Nussbaum and her dad, Jason.  Jason is lead chaplain on Crossroad Chapel at TA Travel Center, Lodi, Ohio.

 

 

 

 

Sam Rittenhouse loading their truck.

 

 

Chaplain Earl Carlson, Buffalo, New York

 

 

Our final view of Camp Hebron’s sign ~ about 3:15 p.m.

 

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Love does not behave rudely.

I Corinthians 13:5 NKJV

 

 

 

Sunday, February 17

 

This is the day my favorite Abigail turned sixteen!

 

Happy Birthday!

Grandpa and I love you.

 

~~~

 

Back to Retreat

 

Chaplain Ted Keller led us in morning worship (he has a fabulous voice) and told about his recent hospital experience due to serious heart problems.

 

It has been a long tradition to close the weekend retreat with a communion service.

 

This one was officiated by Jesse Deems and Bunny O’Hare.

 

Cerwin was the morning MC, however, this was the last meeting he attended.  A short time later, he was sick with a virus that was taking its toll on several other retreat attendees.

UPDATE:  Today – Tuesday – he is feeling better and went to the International Office to continue the chapel construction.

 

Dr. David Dorsey, Professor of Old Testament at Myerstown Theological Seminary, gave us a challenging message on finding inner peace.

 

Phil Miller and Jim Harkless visit during lunch.  Mike Hayden and Jesse Deems are in the background.

 

We were pleased that Joe Stuckey, Sr. and Jr. came for the morning meetings.  Joe, Jr. is in a wheelchair due to a stroke several years ago.

 

Karen and Scott Weidner (right) listen as Ted and Tammy Keller share about his near fatal heart problems a few weeks ago.

 

~~~

 

Staff Conference

After lunch our TFC friends and supporters went home.

 

We did not have an official pianist to open our staff meetings, so Tish Jones played a few simple tunes (like Chop Sticks) to get everyone to their chairs.

 

TFC President, Scott Weidner told us about some exciting, future challenges and possibilities.

 

 

 

 

TFC Retreat

Saturday, February 16

 

Saturday morning activities began at 7:30 a.m. when Hazel Sensening welcomed us to Prayer Time.

 

Her husband, Charlie, led us in Prayer Time.

 

Breakfast (egg casserole and potatoes), plus ham, fruit, cereal, yogurt, and a variety of breads.

 

Breakfast Fellowship

 

Nancy and George Freeman wait for the morning session to begin.

 

Betty and Wendell Boyle – with Oliver Bredbenner in the center.

 

George Freeman and Mark Garrett

 

Our speaker, Gerald Mounce, and his wife, Mary.

 

Mary had not planned to attend, but when Gerald became ill with a virus, she came as his backup – and was needed on Saturday morning.  They often do this presentation together, so this was not a difficult transition for her.

 

Betty Boyle and Peg O’Hare discuss the workbook during a midmorning break.

 

Anna Ruth and Glenn Beiler visit Luke Martin.

 

Maryellen and Jeff DeShaw talking to Dee Gross.

 

Jim Wardrop and Phil Miller getting acquainted.  This was Jim’s first retreat.

 

Cindy Smalley and Grace Wardrop.

 

Jim Harkless and Bunny O’Hare

 

Rallyn Van Beek and Tom Kemp

 

Rose Gehman talking to Tammy and Ted Keller

 

Janis Kemp, Rose Gehman, and Peg O’Hare enjoy a refreshing walk during afternoon freetime.

 

The other view!

 

I checked for some photo opportunities after completing some business at Camp Hebron’s office.

 

 

Grace Wardrop and Marie Miller

 

Rose Gehman and Jim Wardrop

 

Nancy Freeman

 

Dominoes

Clockwise:  Cerwin (red shirt), George Freeman, Mother High, Barb Bredbenner, Oliver Bredbenner, Tish Jones, and Maryellen DeShaw.

 

Barb Bredbenner

 

Laura Fox, Lois Keller, and Tish Jones

 

Howard Jones, Leon Fox, and Harold Keller

 

Benjamin Lutz liked when I took his picture, but this time I caught him unawares.

 

Timothy Lutz wanted to show me his “cool” look.

 

Suppertime lineup

 

 

Sisters

 

Eunice Landis and Debbie Millette

 

With their dad, Sam Rittenhouse

 

Commissioning of Chaplain Richard and Janette Guy

The Office of Chaplains officiated:  Sam Rittehouse, Howard Moses, and Bunny O’Hare

 

TFC President Scott Weidner giving a ministry update on Saturday evening.

 

Mike Hayden, Jesse Deems, and Howard Moses

There is a story to Jesse’s hat!  His luggage was delayed at the airport.  We all cheered when we saw him hatless and in fresh clothing the next morning.

 

Mike Hayden, Director of Business and Finance.

 

Not Yet (Stephen, Jane, and Mark) presented a fabulous concert. 

 

Ambassador Advisor representatives (Adrian and Bernie) presented stewardship possibilities and challenges.

 

Chaplain Rich and Jannette Guy wanted an updated photo, so we did that following the evening program.

 

The evening snack was an anniversary cake for the Harkless’ and Kellers.

 

Dixie and Jim Harkless and Tammy and Ted Keller.

~~~

Many states were represented at this retreat:  Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North Carolina, Iowa, Ohio, Maryland, Georgia, Tennessee, and West Virginia.