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Visiting Mother

Sunday Morning and Afternoon

Cerwin and his mother in her apartment

It is always a special treat to go to church with Mother ~ at the retirement center where she lives ~ then have lunch in the pretty dining room. 

This time we were taking advantage of her Christmas gift to us ~ lunch in the dining room.

She had a knotted comfort for us to take home ~ for the Truck Rally Benefit Auction on June 23.

~~~

On the walk from the dining room to Mother’s room, I noticed several quilts hanging over the railings in the library ~ and went back with my camera. 

They were on display for a future benefit auction.

~~~

On the way back to her room ~ I stopped to capture a photo of pussy willows that were arranged nicely in a vase outside someone’s apartment.

Their simple beauty reminded me of a note I took during morning worship.

“Be still and know that I am God”

Be still

Not always talking

Just be with Him

Walking

Listening

Holding His Hand

“If I Could Do It All Over Again

I’d Do It With You.”

Wendell Boyle to his wife Betty at their 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration ~ Saturday, May 5, 2007

1957 ~ 2007

The bride and groom from their wedding cake ~ fifty years ago

~ was also placed on their Fiftieth Anniversary cake.

Betty’s Wedding Dress

Wendell and Betty

 They have been friends of ours since the early ’70s – through Transport For Christ. 

TFC credits Wendell with bringing the ministry to the northeast when he began distributing The Highway Evangelist (later changed to Highway News & Good News) to local truck stops ~ and eventually challenging other drivers to do the same.

He became aware of Transport For Christ when delivering mushrooms to Ontario, Canada, where the ministry was founded by Jim Keys in 1951.

TFC became so strong in the northeast, that the International Office was moved to this area in 1991. 

With their two children – Kenny and Kathy

Kathy’s Family

Kenny’s Family

Grandchildren

Great Grandchildren

Everyone

Wendell and Betty’s response to, “Speech! Speech!”

This is where he kissed Betty, and told her if he could do it all over again ~ he’d do it with her.

A reflection in the large mirror behind them.

The audience – unreflected.

Wendell saying goodbye to our mutual friends, Dick and Cindy Weaver.

~~~

We were honored to spend Saturday afternoon with their family and friends.

Outside Our House This Week

Tulips

Three Varieties of Dogwood

Azalea

Bleeding Heart

Dandelion

Newly Opened Fern in Our Memory Garden

 Mint Tea

What is That Smell?

 Maybe all this country fertilizer is the reason for our pretty flowers and green grass!

 I commend these guys for keeping the road clean by reserving a clean strip at the end of the field.  There were trucks (3 or 4) going by our house for many hours – and the road was still clean at the end of the day.  

 ~~~

The Little Boys Are Back

    Friday afternoon Ian and Jared came marching right by my desk (along with dad and grandpa) on the way to grandpa’s shop – which is in the room next to my office.

They didn’t even stop – just kept walking after saying a quick, “Hi grandma.” 

They were on a mission.

Before long they walked by me again and were on their way up the steps.

Jere

 Cerwin said they needed one of his tools to make a door jam for Jere’s barn.

And just like that – the four workmen were gone!

Red Won on Friday Evening!

Score: Red 11 – Salem 1

We haven’t followed our church’s baseball games since our oldest son played for White Oak Red more than twenty years ago.

Our interest has been rekindled this year since his son – Jordan – #9 – is playing.

I know most of the guys, however, #9 is my favorite!

The Game

This was the first game we watched, and were pleased at how well they did.

They are having a good season so far – 3 wins and 1 loss.

There’s #9 again!

The cheering

Watching

Parents, spouses, grandparents, girlfriends, siblings, and friends

After the Win

Hearing from Coach Heisey – recap and future games

The coaches – Jeff and Ken – having fun.

They eventually got fairly serious.

The Team

 T

Playing in the Sand at Home Plate

A few younger ones found things to do while waiting for their parents.

The Little Boys

This week I took care of our youngest grandchildren, Ian and Jared, during the day – for three days – while their mom was on a bus trip. 

They went home with their dad when he was finished at work – and came back in the morning.

Both were so good and enjoyed playing while I spent most of the time adding several hundred names to the TFC database and designing a brochure and flyer.

I did most of my office work on our wireless laptop, because the boys have more to do if I am working where they have access to the children’s room.

They have gotten so good at racing cars and playing tennis on the Nintendo GameCube.

Snack time was always a favorite.

Since neither take afternoon naps on a regular basis, I encouraged a rest time by having them relax with a movie.  They usually chose Seventh Brother – a cute cartoon from Family Feature Films – about a rabbit family who adopted a lost dog. 

They wanted to be where I was, so I brought a small TV to the living room.

Another favorite was playing with cars and trucks.

 Their mom had a well-deserved birthday vacation, and I am now back to normal, quiet days – without little boys and their toys.

But I have a feeling they’ll be back. 

Elementary Spring Arts Festival

Thursday evening was a continuation of Tuesday evening’s concert.

We enjoyed another concert by local elementary schools.

The program began with a great performance by the band.

The very large chorus, which included our granddaughter Jenna, closed the program – and did a super job.

Another photo of the chorus – using a different camera setting.

A New Lawnmower For The TFC Office

Today when I arrived at TFC’s International Office for a special birthday lunch, I noticed Cerwin was mowing yard with the new lawn mower.  He told me later that It had arrived a few hours earlier.

He was having so much fun, he never noticed me!

Last week, shortly after beginning to mow yard, the old one died.  Cerwin went to several dealers to see where he could find the best price.  He couldn’t turn down the deal for this new Cub Cadet.  It was free – thanks to someone who believes in the ministry of Transport For Christ!

Special Birthday Lunch

A few weeks ago Bunny O’Hare, Director of Chaplains, told me he was making a special lunch for Cerwin, and since he hadn’t made a meal for my birthday, he wanted to serve our meals at the same time.

Those who know us, know this was the meal I ordered – lobster cakes and shrimp.

Cerwn ordered chopped steak with mushrooms and onions.

Seasoning Cerwin’s steak

Our pretty fruit bowl.

We felt so honored as we ate our delicious meals while the rest of the staff had sandwiches, or microwaved the lunches they brought.  However, they each get their turn, as that is Bunny’s gift to everyone on their birthday.

Thanks, Bunny!

Spring Arts Festival

At our local high school on Tuesday evening

The main attraction for us was granddaughter, Jenna…

…who was one of the violinists.

Her youngest sister, Gloria waits for the program to begin.  Her mom and other grandma are in the background.

Since her mom is on a Longaberger bus trip, we invited granddaughter Jana to go along to the program.

She and Gloria played a game while waiting for the opening song.

We are always amazed at how well the elementary students perform.

They played Simple Square Dance, Boogie in the Straw,

Walking Basses, and Saludo.

Yellow Submarine was a favorite song performed by the chorus.  They used cute props to help us visualize water and a yellow submarine.

Ice Cream!

Even before the program began, Gloria made sure Grandpa knew she was expecting to be treated to ice cream afterwards! 

It seems that hot fudge sundaes and root beer floats were the items of choice

Look Who Else Was There!

Five of the finest young ladies from church.

Ashleigh, Val, Tara, Kate, and Sarah. 

 They gave us the good news that White Oak Red won the ball game a short time earlier.

We Know

That God is always at work

for the good

of everyone who loves him.

Romans 8:28  CEV

Fear of Tomorrow and Faith in God Cannot Coexist

By faith

the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe

and

time would fail me to tell of

Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah,

also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 

 who through faith

subdued kingdoms,

worked righteousness,

obtained promises,

stopped the mouths of lions,

quenched the violence of fire,

escaped the edge of the sword,

out of weakness were made strong,

became valiant in battle,

turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 

Excerpts from Hebrews 11:31-34 KJV