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Progress

Those who read my site know that Cerwin is Director of Chapel Construction for Transport For Christ.

He backed this trailer into the shop at the end of October, then took most of November off to finish some jobs at home and go hunting. 

He had been working full-force for the previous ten months – remodeling a chapel for Elkton, MD, building a new one for East St. Louis, IL (delivered in July), then another one for St. Liboire, Quebec, Canada (delivered in October).

The interior of the empty trailer.

Floor insulation and framing was begun in early December.

Cerwin making sure the stud is plumb.

The week after Christmas three of our grandsons helped with the wall insulation.  This is Nathan.

Jordan (grandson) and Norm Getz removing old decals.

Jordan

Josh

This is what the interior looked like yesterday.

Cerwin appreciates the help of Glenn Fahnestock, as the other two regular volunteers are dealing with health issues and have not been able to help for the past month and a half.

Glenn finishing the ceiling this afternoon.

~~~

Cerwin is glad that there is not a lot of pressure to finish this chapel, because he is short of helpers.  It will be placed at a truck stop near Chilliwack, BC, Canada, and nobody wants to take it across the Rockies until spring!

~~~

Pray for Ted

He is one of Cerwin’s key volunteers, and is having open heart surgery tomorrow, Wednesday, January 23.

 ~~~

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus.

2 Peter 3:18

Memories of a Warmer Day

It was cold in Pennsylvania today.  I was busy in the office working on a newsletter, and at one point trying to find a certain photo, when I came across this one from a warm evening on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan ~ near Muskegon.

I can feel the breeze, see the lake, and remember the relaxing evening before the start of TFC’s Staff Conference ~ September 2006.

~~~

Another nice memory from that conference was leading a session with the ladies. 

This was the cover of the folder I prepared for each one.

My challenge:  Never stop growing in your relationship with the Lord.

As a bonus I gave each lady a green pen – which also wrote in green ink.

I asked them to remember ~ green signifies growth ~ and growth is a choice.

~~~

That’s my challenge to you today.

I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts…

Ephesians 3:7 TLB

Sunday Afternoon

At Our Feeders Today

A Tufted Titmouse with its tuft down.

A Goldfinch making sure I don’t get too much closer.

Look at its pretty wing design.

Even common sparrows have a pretty wing design.

A Junco and its shadow.

~~

My Ten-Day Exercise and Food Plan

Okay, this is it – the last you have to hear about it.

Some of you have asked what an Air Climber is.  Cerwin saw this advertised on TV a few weeks before Christmas, and thought he might like it for extra walking exercise.  Our house is fairly small, so we don’t have room for large gym equipment.  (I think I like it better than he does.)

Other than being lightweight and small, I like the bellows that make you feel like you are walking on air.  There are several levels of resistance.

It’s also nice that I can walk anytime of the day without having to change into gym clothes.  I can do any of the four routines when wearing a skirt if I wish.

Cerwin likes using the cords more than I do.  I often go through the routines without using them.

~~~

I do not enjoy floor exercises, so try to do a lot of walking.  I love to walk outside on beautiful days, and prior to this often used Leslie Sansone walking videos on days I didn’t feel like walking outside.  The Air Climber workouts are a bit like Leslie Sansone – on caffeine! 

The results after ten days – I lost five pounds and know that I am in much better physical shape.  I think I will try for another four or five pounds, but will spare you the details as I go through another routine.  

I walked 2,902 steps today – doing three routines.

The food plan I used came with the Air Climber.  There are several.  This one is called Jumpstart Meal Plan and is made up of 1,000 calories per day – using lots of vegetables, grains, fruit, 1 % milk or soy milk, chicken, and seafood.  I didn’t like a few suggested menus, so substituted something similar – or from a previous day.

Favorites:  baked sweet potato slices, spinach/cottage cheese/egg omelet, lettuce/tomato/cucumber pita or tortilla, and of course the fruit smoothies.

Be self-controlled and alert.

1 Peter 5:8 NIV

Refreshing Saturday

We were up early to be at Yoder’s for breakfast, fellowship, and prayer for TFC.

We always enjoy attending this breakfast, as most of these people have been our friends for many years.

 Several were missing today due to other commitments – and Harold and Marian are in Hawaii on a mission trip.  What a great time of year to go there on a mission trip!

Cerwin was asked to share a devotional this morning.

“Contentment comes when God’s will is more important that our wants,” was one of his challenges.

~~~

I love the drive to and from this restaurant because it takes us through territory where many people ride bikes and still use horse and buggies.

There are old cemeteries…

…and lots of farms.

Another favorite of this drive is a stop at Wal-Mart.

How many of you have designated horse and buggy parking at your local Wal-Mart?

Back home again – I enjoyed watching my busy birds.  I had outdated oatmeal and put some in the feeder tray, but they don’t seem too impressed.

 Fruit smoothies are my favorite food item from this ten-day food plan.

Blend one cup of frozen fruit and one cup of 1%, 2%, or soy milk.

Today I used frozen pineapple.  Other suggestions:  blueberries, peaches, bananas, melons, strawberries, or mix them. 

(This would be a great way to use leftovers from a fruit tray.)

~~~

I worked out with two of the Air Climber programs, which amounted to 1,765 steps.

  ~~~

..seek peace and pursue it.

1 Peter 3:11 NIV

Melting Snow & Carrabba’s

It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon.

Which means a lot of our snow melted.

~~~

After taking a bulk-mailing to the post office, we went to the hospital to visit Mary Jane, a neighbor of our son, Jeff, and his family.  Her husband died about a year ago, so Jeff, Chris, and their children have been helping her on the farm.  We were pleased to find her doing well following major surgery on Tuesday.  (Jeff, Chris, and their five children were also there.)

Cerwin thought it’s been awhile since we went to a nice restaurant, so after leaving the hospital we went to Carrabba’s (Ca-rob-a’s), a really nice Italian Grill.

Cerwin was hungry for lasagne.

I chose a shrimp and scallop salad – to keep with my ten-day diet. 

~~~

I walked 1,893 steps on the Air Climber by following two exercise programs that came with it – a  good workout.

…Declare the praises of him

who called you out of darkness

into his wonderful light. 

1 Peter 2:9 NIV