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Tired & Full of Praise

The Truck Rally is over, we are weary, but amazed that it did not rain on our parade.  We heard from many truckers that they drove through lots of rain to get to the Rally.  Several told us their friends didn’t come because it was raining where they live, and they didn’t want to drive their newly polished rigs in the rain.  

We had a bit of drizzle about 10:30 – that was it.  There were 218 trucks on the grounds this year. 

 Since I am tired and ready for bed, I am going to feature only one rig.

Unusual Rig

This beautiful horse trailer won “Best Combination” in the afternoon judging.

I could hardly believe what I saw when I walked into the living quarters.  You will notice the bed in the rear – lighted area.  I could not capture the beautiful, black leather seating area to the left – just in front of the bed.  The foreground is the bathroon area , with the shower to the left.

Even the horses travel in luxury.

Truck Rally is Getting Closer!

Cerwin decided to take the chapel to the Lebanon Expo Center early – for two reasons:  to get there before the predicted afternoon rain; and to get the keys for the buildings.  I met him there with a car – so he had a way home.

We knew there were a few campers there already, but were surprised to discover the first trucker – polishing his 2005 Pete.  He was in the area, and decided it wasn’t worthwhile going home to New Jersey, and then travel back again.

How do you like that 350 inch wheel base?

Cerwin and Barry Grim had to check that out!

Barry and Lucy coordinate camper parking, and come early because several campers set up on Friday afternoon so they are ready to help with Rally setup in the evening.

The next three pictures are by Don Hollinger

The entire rig is 86-1/2 feet long.

Evening

One of the first things we do is unload the trailerload of flowers donated by Esbenshade Greenhouses.

They certainly add beauty to the vendor room.

Some of the truck vendors also set up tonight.

We were amazed that there were a dozen trucks there by the time we left at 8 PM.  We often have three or four park on the lot Friday evening, but have never had this many the night before the Rally.

Maybe that is a good sign there will be a lot of trucks tomorrow!

 TFC Leadership Meetings

This is what TFC’s International Leadership Team looks like – minus Dwayne Johnson, Director of Development, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Directors are from Canada, Ohio, Wisconsin, Colorado, and various areas of Pennsylvania, representing our Overseas, Canadian, and USA ministry.  Most of the Pennsylvania Directors work out of the International Office, Marietta, PA, where the meetings were held – Wednesday and Thursday.

We meet three times a year, and spend a lot of time fine-tuning policies, making sure TFC continues to be postured to impact the trucking industry with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and assisting our staff to be set up for successful ministry in their specific field (chapel) locations accross the country.

During a discussion of our mission statement, President and CEO, Scott Weidner brought out one of TFC’s first booklets to remind us of the original mission statment of Transport For Christ when it was established in 1951. 

One thing for sure, when this group is together, not all discussions are serious!

Cerwin was pleased to show them the newly completed chapel.

Everyone was impressed with the finished product.

When we went out for supper last night, Dennis Finnamore, Canadian Director, made sure he got his order in to Cerwin for the next chapel.  This one will go to Chilliwack, BC, to replace the mobile home chapel that has been there for quite a few years.

He gave Cerwin a rough idea of how he wants the interior set up.

Several spouses joined us at the Country Table, Mount Joy, for our evening meal.

Cerwin and I are blessed and honored to serve the Lord with this incredible team.

Leading Truck Drivers, As Well As the Trucking Community, to Jesus Christ and Helping Them to Grow in Their Faith.

No one ever got lost on a straight and narrow road!

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  Matthew 7:14  KJV

Splendor and majesty are before Him;

strength and joy in His dwelling place. 

I Chronicles 16:27 NIV

I Told You The Bus and its Crew Would Be Back!

This time everyone’ s overnight host brought them to our place to get the bus on Sunday morning.  (My brother thought maybe we are starting a bus terminal!)

I had prepared breakfast for our Maine family, plus a few others. 

It was a beautiful morning to enjoy the outdoors.

Our daughter Diane, Me, and my stepmother Velma.

While the adults packed, the younger set played games.

After the bus was ready, some of the men joined the fun.

L. to R.: Mark, Hezekiah, Lydia, Diane, Abigail, Josiah, Hannah, Elizabeth, Me, Cerwin

Someone suggested that we take a family picture in front of the tree we planted in memory of Elijah, Mark and Diane’s son who died twelve years ago at the age of five months.  (It’s difficult to see the tree, because it blended in with the rest of the trees.)

Everyone is on board.

After prayer for traveling mercies, they were on their way.  (If you look closely, you can see everyone waving to us.)  It was awesome to have this short time with our family and friends. 

Visiting Great Grandma

 After being challenged by an excellent Sunday morning sermon, we enjoyed lunch, and a few hours of rest before taking three grandchildren to visit Mother Hershey.  

Mother, Cerwin, Jordan, and I enjoyed a game of Scrabble.

Jana and Gloria had fun with great grandma’s toys, then enjoyed ice cream cones before we took them to their respective homes.

Transport For Christ Truck Rally

Saturday, June 24

Everyone Welcome

No Registration Fee – No Entry Fee

Bring Lawn Chairs

Pray for us as we work through the busiest week of our year.

Lebanon Expo Center, Lebanon, PA

11:00 AM – Parade of Trucks (last year there were 221)

1:15 PM – 5:00 PM –  Benefit Auctions; Skills Roadeos (CDL, Ruff  & Tuff, Powder Puff, and Garden Tractor); Pedal Pull for all ages; Children’s Activities, Food, Vendors, Awards.

5:30 PM – Chicken Barbecue Meal (tickets needed)

Talley Trio

 6:30 PM – Concert featuring The Talley Trio, Morristown, TN, and True Heart, Milton, PA.

Truck Rally Celebration

Sunday, June 25

Lebanon Expo Center, Lebanon, PA

True Heart

 10:30 AM – Worship Service featuring True Heart, Milton, PA

12:00 Noon – Catered Lunch (tickets needed)

Questions or Information – tfcner@dejazzd.com

There’s a Man on My Roof!

It was a beautiful Saturday morning, so Cerwin decided to clean out the spouting.  I used the early part of the day to prepare an overnight french toast for a dozen or more people who plan to be here for breakfast on Sunday morning. 

Moving to Florida

Saturday evening we went to Cerwin’s sister’s house for a farewell party for their daughter Denise, her husband Dave, and children Brittany, Daniel, and Samantha, who are moving from Pennsylvania to Florida.  They will be leaving on Wednesday.

 Our grandson Josh, Dave, Daniel, and our brother-in-law Mel.

Dave fell a few days ago, while painting their current house, and broke his wrist in two places.

Our niece, Denise.

Cerwin’s sister Velda and her daughter-in-law, Gabi.

Cerwin’s mom and our son Jere

Blowing Bubbles

Our granddaughter Jana.

Brittany (moving to Florida) and our grandson Ian.  The evening was also a celebration of Brittany’s twelfth birthday.

Our grandson Jared was so pleased with himself for learning to blow bubbles.

Time for Goodbye Hugs

Cerwin’s mom and granddaughter Denise.

Brittany and grandma Velda.

Cerwin’s mother and Dave

Discussing last minute moving plans.

A beautiful sunset closed another week. 

Surprise!

On Wednesday our oldest daughter, Diane, called from Maine and asked if we could put up eight or nine people overnight – Thursday and Saturday!  Her husband Mark had offered to charter and drive a CYR bus (where he is employed) to the funeral and burial of their pastor’s wife, Angela, in her hometown area of North Carolina.  (She diligently fought a long battle with cancer, and was in her 50s).  Before long they had a full bus.  Mark tried to get a second bus driver so they could drive straight through, but that did not happen.

By Friday Morning There Was a Bus in Our Yard.

They got in after midnight and were busy getting repacked by early morning.

Our daughter Diane labeling sandwich bags.

Breakfast in the garage – Diane, Hezekiah, Abigail, and Franzi (a friend).

Others had breakfast in the kitchen – Elizabeth, Cerwin, Hannah, and Wendell (friend who stayed with a neighbor overnight).

Josiah making sandwiches for everyone on the bus.

Snack bags ready to be filled.

Our son Jere and his wife brought their family to see everyone.  (Jana, Abigail, Hezekiah, Ian, Jared, Elizabeth, Lydia, and Franzi).

Hannah and Abigail gave Ian and Jared a tour of the bus.

Everyone (and their overnight hosts) met at our church for the continuing trip to North Carolina.

Beds Are Waiting for the Return Trip

When we expect nine guests, we put carpet on our garage floor and set up mattresses from the attic.  We asked them to bring one air mattress.  This is where the five girls slept.

The living room has two beds for the boys – the couch and a mattress on the floor.

We pull the trundle out from under the guest bed.  This is where Mark and Diane sleep.

~ ~ ~

They will be moving in again at midnight.  I expect we will be sleeping, and not hear them.  They all know where to find their beds!

Hobo Supper

Last night we were invited to our oldest son’s place for supper and a birthday party.

Jeff, Chris, Gloria and Jenna checking out the results.

Everything (smoked venison sausage, carrot, onion, potato) was wrapped in large cabbage leaves – then tin foil.  It was delicious.

Jordan enjoying his supper.

Happy 13th Birthday Nathan

An ice cream birthday cake.

A glow-in-the-dark basketball was one of his birthday gifts.

The Children

Jeff giving Diana a ride on the dirt bike.

Diana climbing the tetherball pole.

Jenna and Diana up a tree.

Gloria and her kitten.

Chris and Diana enjoying the moment.

Jenna and a kitten.

Gloria picking raspberries.

Beautiful raspberries.

 Yard Decorations and Flowers

Jeff and Chris have done wonders with their little piece of the earth.

Bluebirds

There are three eggs in the bluebird house, but because of the close quarters I could only capture two.

The Barn

Chickens

Newborn Bunnies

The drying alfalfa that Jordan gathered (see June 14).

Enjoying the fresh alfalfa.

Grazing

Praise the Lord, the God of Israel.  He always was and always will be.  Let all the people say, “Amen!”  Praise the Lord.  Psalm 106:48 ICB