I Love the View From My Front Door
I took these photos a few minutes ago.
If I look to the west I can see Eli cutting hay.
It is a beautiful day in our neighborhood.
If I turn to my left and look toward the southeast I see someone cutting hay in my brothers’ field.
You can see our yard in the foreground of all four photos.
A Big Game!
Last night after Bible School, our two church teams were scheduled to play each other – something that happens during Bible School each year. I expect it is the game that draws the largest audience from our church – because everyone is already dressed up and away from home.
Many of these were cheering for the red team.
It was fun watching friends play friends.
Waiting for his turn.
You can see many of Gray’s supporters through the fence.
The body language tells you that Red is not winning.
Our oldest son and his wife watch their son’s team during the final, losing play.
The Red team congratulating the winning coach. I didn’t get a photo of the two teams congratulating each other.
Home Improvement Day #2
Cerwin is anxiously waiting for the new trailer to be delivered to TFC’s International Office, but is enjoying having extra days to get some home projects completed.
Today he began working on adding a lean-to to the shed.
Grandsons Hezekiah (pictured in blue) and Josh (I didn’t get a picture when he was here) helped when Cerwin needed extra hands.
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The reason this needed repaired…
…a storm in 2005 took the first one down.
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That was an interesting situation. A tree in my sister and brother-in-law’s yard fell over in a storm – knocked down another tree – which hit our shed.
Today
Sealing the Driveway
Today Cerwin and Hezekiah applied driveway sealer.
Because the next chapel trailer is not available for another day or so, Cerwin had a free day to get one thing on his to-do-list done.
With Hezekiah’s help, they completed the entire job by early afternoon.
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Tonight ~ Bible School
I love the enthusiasm of Bible School ~ especially the first night.
Teachers hold up grade numbers so students know where to go for class.
Superintendents (red shirts) discuss last minute details before the 7:00 PM start.
Children and teachers file in to their respective places in the sanctuary.
Bible School songs
A broad view before the children went to their classrooms.
Jon, a superintendent, explained this years projects and the reason for a boat in the pulpit area. This year’s subject is “Plunge In.”
Story time – before going to classrooms. (The young women were “bugs” who caused each other to become ill because of saying unkind, nasty things to each other.)
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Tonight’s Subject “Plunge Into Obedience”
I was challenged by adult teacher, Harold Martin, on the well-known story of Jesus (a skilled carpenter) telling Peter (a skilled fisherman) how to fish!
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
Luke 5:4-5 NIV
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If only we were all that obedient to the Lord – responding to Him by saying, “because you say so” – I will…
Like a Hidden Treasure
I almost missed this patch of weeds and flowers ~ until I had time to get closer.
When we stopped at a rest stop on Saturday I was delighted to have time to investigate this area while Cerwin checked the oil and some other necessary things on the truck.
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Look What I Found!
If you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 2:5 NIV
It’s Good to Be Home!
We arrived at the TFC Office about 4:00 PM, unloaded the tractor, went home to freshen up a bit and go to Jere and Kristen’s for supper and a fireworks display.
What fun to see baby Jesse again.
I didn’t take a photo tonight – this one was taken by our daughter, Deb, and sent to me while we were in East St. Louis.
Jere (our son) enjoys doing a small fireworks display for the children.
It is wonderful to be home and see family again.
Heading Home
This is our vehicle for getting there. We left only the trailer (chapel) in East St. Louis. This tractor is part of the International Chapel – TFC’s promotional rig. The one we use for churches, fairs, etc., in Marietta, PA.
Hezekiah enjoyed the luxury of having a pool at the motel where we stayed while in East St. Louis.
There is a pool in the motel where we stayed last night (Friday), however, there is a youth group or scout troop here – with lots of kids – so he opted to not go in a pool that was already full.
We were privileged to see this large cross when heading west on Wednesday…
…and again on Friday when heading east.
I noticed these pretty flowers when entering our motel in Dayton, OH, last night, and took time to take a photo before walking across the street for supper at Tumbleweed and a bit of shopping at Meijer’s.
Continue to pray for safety as we complete our trip today.
A Wonderful Evening!
A shower and change of clothes never felt so good after a long, hot day of setting up the chapel.
Dan and Raydean wanted to treat us to supper, and asked us to choose a restaurant. We thought a steakhouse sounded good ~ so they took us to Lotawata.
Dan, Raydean, Amie, Me, and Cerwin
We told Hezekiah that it looked like he got half the cow when the waitress brought his hamburger!
Earlier in the day I asked Dan if it would be possible to go across the river to St. Louis, MO, and see the Arch. I had never been there. Cerwin drove by on a hunting trip before we were married (44 years ago), but did not stop to see it close up.
What an awesome sight!
Hezekiah standing under the huge structure.
The weather and time of day could not have been more perfect.
It was too late in the day to go inside and ride to the top.
Hezekiah standing beside an outside wall.
Looking through the arch to the courthouse.
Amie, Dan, Cerwin, and Hezekiah sitting on the top step enjoying the activity on the river.
A perfect close to a wonderful day.
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Thanks, Dan and Raydean!
Setting Up East St. Louis Chapel
After leveling the chapel – the next job was setting up the steps.
Hezekiah, Dan, and Amie. Cerwin is hidden in the back.
Chaplain Ron Hershberger arrived about the time the steps were ready to use for entrance – and proceeded to hook up the ceiling fan.
Amie helped with the fan.
How many TFC staff/volunteers does it take to attach a ceiling fan? Three: One to stand on the ladder and two to turn the ladder! 
Ron installing florescent lights
Cerwin, Dan, and Hezekiah installing the window canopy.
Dan insulating the area around the chapel air conditioner.
A view of the truck stop from the chapel door. Notice the entrance to the current chapel – at the top of the steps.
Chapel area.
They have a nice setup, but are anxious to have a chapel that is more visible.
Fellowship area
A view of the new chapel from the entrance door of the current chapel.
Cerwin explaining a few last minute things.
Setup is finished!
Amie taking a few tools to the tractor storage area.
Cerwin putting his tool bucket into the storage area.
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We had a fabulous evening with Chaplain Dan, his wife Raydean, and daughter Amie. fwren just wait until you see what I took pictures of last night!
We’re Here!
We reached our destination ~ Pilot Travel Center, East St Louis, IL
10:00 AM ~ Central Daylight Time
We knew we were at the correct spot when we saw the St Louis Arch ~ as it is just across the river from the truck stop.
Chaplain Dan Stuckey and his daughter, Amie were waiting for us.
The men talked by cell phone so Cerwin knew where it was supposed to be parked.
Backing into place.
Cerwin looked at the chapel and said, “That won’t take much leveling.”
How is that – before leveling – lengthwise?
They did have to level it a bit on the width.
