Wednesday August 29, 2007

 

 

Monday

Flying Home from East St Louis

Our trip was fairly routine – departures and arrivals on time – with only one minor gate change in Dallas/Ft Worth. 

 

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Then, about sunset  – during our flight to Harrisburg – we noticed the two young children in back of us were becoming quite restless, and the young mother was not sure how to nurse her baby and take care of her four-year-old, who also wanted to be on her lap. 

Cerwin held her baby while she tried to settle Zachary in the next seat, but he wasn’t content very long. 

Their flight began in Seattle, so this was their second three-hour trip of the day.  She was visiting her parents – and her husband was coming in a week or two

 

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When four-year-old Zachary stood in the aisle and wined that he wanted in her lap too, I asked if he would like to sit in my lap?  He nodded and said, “Yes.”  I asked his mom if she had any books, and she passed her large bag front to me.  I searched, felt a book, and pulled out one I often read to our children, “Blueberries for Sal.”

He sat quietly, then toward the end of the book, I felt his body relax and get heavy.  When I read the last page, he gave up and fell asleep.  His mom was amazed.  She said he never goes to sleep that easy. 

While we were waiting for our luggage at Harrisburg, she introduced us to her dad, then said, “This morning I asked God to help me get through the day.  I couldn’t have done it without you.”

It was neat to be God’s lap for a little bit of time!

It reminded me again, how many times you and I are God’s hands and feet – or lap.

 

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While I read, Hezekiah enjoyed the sunset, and taking pictures with my camera as the sky changed colors.

 

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I liked the designs created by these pictures  – taken when we were arriving at Harrisburg Airport.

 

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Thank you, Lord, for seating us near that wonderful woman and her children – and permitting us to be an answer to her prayer.

 

~~~

 

I Saw Something Amazing Today

 Wednesday

I was able to watch my seventh caterpillar (Monty) go through the pupating stage.

 

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I kept a close watch on Monty all morning, knowing this might be my first chance to watch a caterpillar change to a chrysalis, then shortly after lunch, I noticed that he was becoming active.  Then his body straightened (from the J formation) and he began wiggling.

 

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Splitting his skin.

 

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Then his skin dropped to the countertop. 

I had removed the screen from the aquarium and placed it on water glasses so I could observe him better.

 

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It was so amazing!

 

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His chrysalis was a different shade of green than the others – until it hardened.

 

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Tonight there are six chrysalis and two more caterpillars on the screen.

 

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Tuesday August 28, 2007

 

Sunday

Worship on the St Louis Chapel

 

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Chaplain Dan Stuckey was on duty Sunday morning

 

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There were three drivers, plus Cerwin, Hezekiah, and me in the worship service.

 

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Singing, “Trust and Obey”

Afterwards we enjoyed lunch with Dan and one of the drivers.

 

~~~

 

Visiting the Arch

Sunday Afternoon

We were pleased to have an extra day in the area – due to the fact that if we flew home on Sunday, we would have had to use double air miles (I treasure my free air miles more than that!)

 

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This gave us time to visit the Missouri side of the river and learn more about The Gateway to the West.

 

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We spent an evening here with Dan and Raydean in early July, after delivering the chapel, but it was too late in the day to visit the museum or go to the top of the arch.

 

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 This time we had the entire afternoon available.

 

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We purchased our tram tickets, then had an hour and a half wait, so viewed a half-hour film on the building of The Arch.  The construction began a few days after Cerwin and I announced our engagement – forty-four years ago.

 

~~~

 

After that we visited the Museum of Westward Expansion.  It was interesting to learn more about Lewis and Clark and the development of the west.

 

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I took this photo while Hezekiah was listening to Red Cloud tell a highlight of his life.  I told Hezekiah it would be good to do some research on how Red Cloud was involved in the development of the west.

 

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~~~

 

Then it was 3:20 PM – Our Turn to Board the Tram.

Five people fit into the tiny capsule-like vehicle that took us to the top and brought us down again.

 

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Hezekiah and Cerwin looking out one of the windows.

 

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The red arrow points to the Pilot Truck Stop where we had been in the morning.

 

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Mississippi River

 

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Facing West

After returning to ground level, we enjoyed a free supper at Ruby Tuesday – thanks to two gift cards (one from our youngest daughter and the other from friends at church) – then relaxed in our motel room. 

I caught up on my blog while the guys watched TV.

 

~~~

 

Update on My Monarch Caterpillars Tonight – Tuesday

 

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There are five chrysalis and two caterpillars on the screen this evening.

 

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There should be a butterfly in the next few days.

 

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Tuesday August 28, 2007

 

 

We’re Home…

 

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…and grateful to God for safety in the air and on the road.

 

~~~

 

PS:  There are now five chrysalis in my Monarch aquarium, and some very large caterpillars!  After our daughter-in-law, Kristen, added fresh milkweed yesterday, she left a message on our cell phone (while we were en route to Dallas/Fort Worth) saying, “I’m not sure if this is good or bad news for you, but another caterpillar hitchhiked along on one of the new leaves!”

 

 

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Monday August 27, 2007

 

Happy 33rd Birthday

to

Our Favorite 2nd Daughter

Deb

You’ve Blessed Our Lives

We Love You.

 

~~~

 

East St. Louis Chapel Dedication

Saturday, August 25

 

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We went to the truck stop early to help Chaplain Dan Stuckey prepare for the service.  The first job was setting up the tent.

 

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Barrels were attached to each corner post to keep it stable in case of wind…

 

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…then covered to match the tent.

 

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At first I thought Chaplain Wayne was just using the barrel for a prop – then I noticed…

 

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…he was filling it with water.

 

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Raydean cleaning chairs.

 

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Putting up the food tent.

 

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Aligning the stage to the audience.

 

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A beautiful bench that someone brought for the dedication.

 

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A view of the area.

 

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I love this photo of Dan and Raydean’s girls holding Wayne and Rita’s grandson – looking out the door of the chapel.

 

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The music group singing and playing prior to the service.

 

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Hamburgers on the grill added a fabulous scent to the area.

 

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Chaplain Dan welcomed everyone – amid the sound of trucks coming and going.

 

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There were about sixty-five people in attendance.

 

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Gary Nussbaum, TFC Director of Church and Community Relations, gave the history of how this chapel came into existence.

 

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Dan and Gary honored Ron and Brenda Hershberger for their vision in beginning the ministry at Pilot Travel Center, East St. Louis, IL.

 

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Dan thanked the Pilot managers for permitting a chapel to be located at their truck stop.

 

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The Audience

 

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Howard Moses, TFC Director of Chaplain Care, prepares to dedicate this chapel to the Lord.

 

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First he anointed and prayed for the chaplains and volunteers.

 

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Each person was asked to lay hands on the chapel while Howard anointed it and prayed for its service to drivers.

 

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Then it was time for food and fellowship.

 

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A highlight for us was meeting Chaplain David Phiri from Africa.

He serves with Gospel Servants Ministries, International, and is affiliated with TFC in Zambia.

 

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He is in the States being trained in both ministries.

 

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It was encouraging to meet Myrtle West, who told me how much she enjoys reading my blog.  She learned to know about my site through The Extra Mile newsletter.

 

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Then it was time to tear down.

 

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Emptying the barrels was the last item on our agenda for the day.

~~~

After going to the motel to refresh our dusty bodies, we went to Dan and Raydean’s house for dessert. 

Thanks, Dan and Raydean, for planning a wonderful day.  Good job!

 

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Monday August 27, 2007

 

 

Our Rental Car

We got a good deal on a full-sized car through Hotwire and were pleased to get this really nice Dodge Magnum.

 

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When Howard and Angie saw it, they said, “You got a gangsta’ car!”

 

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Hezekiah trying to look cool in our gangsta’ car!

 

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Our own GPS was helpful in getting us around on unfamiliar streets – except when we were going back to the motel from Lotawata, and Cerwin entered the wrong location!

Prior to being invited to Lotawater, we planned to go to Ruby Tuesday because we had two gift cards – and had that location entered in the GPS.  Cerwin invited Wayne and Rita to follow us back to the motel, since we had directions – but instead of taking us to the motel, our GPS took us to Ruby Tuesday! 

 

 

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Sunday August 26, 2007

 

 Flying to East St Louis

Friday

 

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We had free air miles, so it cost us only $10.00 (for taxes) per person.

 

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It was fun taking our grandson, Hezekiah, for his first flight. 

 

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Cerwin enjoyed his seat partner on the flight out of Harrisburg.  He works at a local tank manufacturing plant, and was going to Texas to oversee the installation of tanks at a Pilot Truck Stop.

 

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Hezekiah was at the window and enjoyed the cloud formations and landscape – especially as we neared Dallas/Fort Worth – where we had a short layover before going to St Louis.

 

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Hezekiah took these pictures.

 

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Some serious construction is going on near St. Louis, MO.

 

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Flying by the Arch before landing at Lambert Airport in St Louis. 

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We arrived at our motel on the Illinois side of the Mississippi, just ahead of a heavy thunderstorm that caused the electric to go off in the entire town.

~~~

Chaplain Dan and Raydean made plans for us to meet them at Lotawater Creek.

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We were glad they had electric.

 

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Raydean went there ahead of the rest of us, reserved a table, and ordered cheesy french fries and…

 

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…onion rings for appetizers.

 

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Angie Moses pretended the entire container was for her!

 

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Chaplain Wayne and Rita Foreman (Omaha, NE) and their grandson, Alex, were also in town for the chapel dedication.

Seated to the right of Rita is Howard and Angie Moses, from the International Office.

 

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 Chaplain Dan and Raydean Stuckey and their three children were at the other end of the table.

~~~

The Foreman’s, Moses’, and we were staying at the same motel, and were glad that the electric was on by the time we got back.

 

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Sunday August 26, 2007

 

 

Farewell Luncheon for Brandi

Thursday Lunch

 

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Brandi Moses has been TFC’s receptionist during the past year and is now off to a local Bible College.

 

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Since her brother Matt was home, prior to leaving for Bible college in Philadelphia, he came to help celebrate.

I thought this was a good time to get a family photo.

 

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As you can see, Brandi is the serious one in the family.

 

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Finally a serious shot!

Howard (Director of Chaplain Care), Brandi, Angie (Donor Relations), Matt. 

 

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Lunch is ready.

 

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The International Staff who were in-house on Thursday.

 

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Thanks, Brandi!

Bunches of Blessings

 

 

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Sunday August 26, 2007

 

Lobster Supper

Wednesday Evening

 

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Our son, Jere, prepares to steam the lobsters we brought home from Maine.

~~~

While they cooked, some of us took turns holding baby Jesse.

 

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Big brother Josh

 

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Big sister Jana

 

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Finally – it was my turn.

 

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The lobsters are ready!

 

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Thanks, Jere and Kristen for inviting us to enjoy it with you.

  

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Saturday August 25, 2007

 

 

Home from Maine

Tuesday

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This was written on our van window when we prepared to leave our family in Maine on Tuesday morning.

 

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Abigail, Nathan, Josh, and Hezekiah

After loading our crew of four grandchildren, and stopping at a local seafood market for lobster (for our son’s family), we began our drive back to Pennsylvania.

It was a fairly quiet ride, as they were all linked to IPODs, listening to music.  It was fun listening to them singing now and then.  

The reason for our trip was to bring Abigail back to Jere and Kristen to continue being their nanny for a few more months.  She had gone back to Maine to help with a week-long youth camp on a horse farm.

 

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TFC Chapel, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.

Our first stop was Dunkin’ Donuts for coffee and donuts; next stop McDonalds for breakfast; then we visited Chaplain George Freeman at the chapel in Shrewsbury. 

 

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He was on the phone when we arrived.

 

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Our visit was fairly short, but it was great to see him again.  We stopped in for a key to the chapel in Canaan, NY, which is being moved to Quebec in a few weeks – as a temporary chapel until the new one is ready. 

TFC has problems keeping a chaplain at the Canaan location – the reason it is being closed.  A weekly Bible study will continue in the TV room.

 

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After stopping at the Canaan chapel, we decided to follow our GPS unit and went through some beautiful country, on roads we had never traveled before.

 

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We saw turkey…

 

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 …and deer.

~~~

The rest of the trip was fairly routine.  It was good to be home again – for two days.

 

  

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Friday August 24, 2007

 

Monday Evening in Maine

Supper at Taste of Maine

 

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Diane (daughter), Mark (son-in-law), and Cerwin.

I like going to this restaurant for my lobster stew fix (lobster is too expensive) once or twice a year.

 

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The view outside our window.

 

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Cerwin and I shared this Maine Blueberry Cobbler for dessert.

 

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Mark’s Cheesecake.

For some reason I didn’t take a picture of Diane’s dessert.

 

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This osprey nest in the parking lot is an attraction to all visitors. Notice the camera – upper left…

 

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…so the visitors can watch the chicks from the lobby. Notice the lower part of one of the parents – upper left.

 

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A beautiful sunset.

We were not the only car that stopped on the bridge between Woolwich and Bath to take pictures.

 

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Bath Iron Works at night.

 

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coolmomofeight – I bet you recoginze this!

 

~~~

 

Putting the Neighbor’s Chickens to Bed

and gathering eggs while they are on vacation.

 

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Goodnight!

 

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