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Changing of the Guard

The children had a good morning, then after lunch our daughter-in-law, Chris, brought Jordan and Diana for their turn at spending a day with Josh and Jana.  She took Nathan and Jenna home.

Jordan (foreground) and Josh did some ball practice while Diana and Jana played in the background, sometimes picking up stray baseballs.

After that, they designed a foursquare game with masking tape, (because I didn’t have chalk).  I love creative kids!

Mint Tea

During the late morning, I cut a lot of mint tea, washed, and trimmed it in preparation for when Cerwin’s sister brought Mother here in the early afternoon – to make tea for the Truck Rally auction. 

We will freeze it, then take it to the auction.  This is a favorite and will sell for bids as high as $20 per half gallon!  (The gallon jug and two pitchers of tea are what we get to keep!)

My other accomplishment for the day was preparing a chaplain’s newsletter for the post office.  Since Mother was here, I brought the newsletters to the kitchen, stuffed envelopes, and prepared the six mail trays for the post office while visiting with her.   

 Taking Great-Grandma Home

The children loved the idea of stopping at a local burger place for supper on the way to great-grandma’s house.  After arriving at her apartment in a retirement community, Cerwin and I took care of her financial reports for the past month (bank reconciliation, etc.) while the children played a marble game.

Josh, Mother, and Jordan

Mother labeled (size, etc.) several comforters that she and a few others made for the Truck Rally auction.  We will store them at our place until June 24.

We Won!

Today was the last day of school for grandchildren Nathan and Jenna, whose turn it was to spend a day at our house with Josh and Jana.  We picked them up at 1 PM.

A few hours later, we took Josh to his baseball game.

While they spent an hour in practice, the girls and I went to the adjoining playground.

Play Ball!

Josh is one of the catchers.

The girls “played” cheerleader!

When Josh was at bat in this inning, his team was down by two points – and his hit didn’t change that, as a fielder caught it. 

Shortly after that, the game was tied – and by the time it was over, we were one point ahead –  12 to 11.

Josh and Nathan

We celebrated by going to McDonalds for supper.

Jana, Jenna, Josh, and Nathan.

These four had a great day.  It’s now just after 10:30 PM – rather late for me to still be awake – and our house is finally quiet.

Late Day Alert!

From Pennsylvania to Finland

Jana just pulled her other front tooth a few minutes ago!

I told her to put that in her journal, and reminded her to write the date.  She asked if it was the 5th?  Did you ever try to say fifth with two missing front teeth?  We laughed and laughed as she tried to say fifth!

Balloons and Legos

These pictures are especially for Jere and Kristen, but the rest of you may look at them too!  The children had a great day.

Cousins

Gloria (left) came to spend the day with Jana. 

I captured them having fun with balloons.

Josh

Sending an email to his parents in Finland.

Building interesting things with Legos.

We received an e-mail from Jere and Kristen this morning to let us know they arrived safely in Finland at 11 AM (4 AM EST).  PTL for an uneventful flight.

Finland

Cerwin and I left church after Sunday School, as our son Jere and daughter-in-law Kristen are leaving for Helsinki today, and we are keeping their two oldest children for the next week and a half.  The two little boys are with our youngest daughter and her husband.

Jere was invited to speak at a dairy-related conference in Finland, and it wasn’t difficult for Kristen to decide to go along, because an exchange student from Finland lived with her family when she was a teenager.  The women have stayed in touch and are anxious to see each other again. 

We thought we were half-an-hour early, however the limo was entering their driveway just ahead of us.

The driver and Jere confer about plans to travel to JFK.  

Josh and Jana had to check out the interior.

 I took this picture from the driver’s seat.

Then it was time for Jere and Kristen to leave.  I think it will take them a while to unwind – after their extra busy schedule at LAMS for the past six days.

Hugs and kisses from Jana.

They should be in the air by early evening.  Have a great trip.  We love you!

LAMS Auction

Lititz Area Mennonite School’s Country Auction is a big deal in this area, and is fun for us to attend and support as two of our grandchildren attend this Christian school.  It begins on Friday evening with a meal and opening auction bids.  Saturday’s first activity is a country breakfast.

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Theme baskets (related items in one basket) and quilts are a big hit, and bring in a lot of financial support for the school. 

Our son Jere and daughter-in-law Kristen are Executive Coordinators. 

This morning at 9 AM Jere welcomed everyone to the day’s activities.

Three of our grandsons helped at the auction by being runners.

Nathan and Jordan are sons of our oldest son Jeff and his wife Chris.  Josh is Jere and Kristen’s oldest son and attends LAMS.

My theme basket purchase

Another purchase will hang in our patio flower bed.

By the end of the day the auction committee and volunteers were weary, but pleased.     

It was a good day.

Sunset at 11 PM  – Fairbanks, Alaska

I took this photo during our 40th Wedding Anniversary trip – July 2003

There’s a Bus in Our Yard!

A few days ago our Maine son-in-law, Mark, asked what I was doing for lunch on Thursday.  I  didn’t have any plans, but figured that was about to change.

Doug and Mark (right) brought two buses filled with middle school students and chaperons from New Hampshire to Pennsylvania this week – the last stop being Hershey Park – which isn’t too far from us.  (Doug left his bus at Hershey.)

I felt blessed that they chose to spend their time at our house while the students enjoyed a day at the Park.  After a light lunch, they slept a few hours, in anticipation of spending the entire night on the road.  Our sons and daughters-in-law stopped in for a few minutes – as they don’t get to see Mark very often. 

After supper the men prepared to leave so they would be at Hershey for their evening pick-up appointment.

Cerwin made sure Mark had coffee for the road.

There is no longer a bus in our yard.

Evening

The evening was bittersweet, as we attended the viewing of one of Cerwin’s aunts, who died at the age of 93 (almost 94).  She honored God, loved life, and treasured her family, which reminded me that physical life is short – even at its longest – and to never lose the wonder and privilege of living here on earth. 

There was no sunset to capture tonight, because of the clouds, but as I waited in the car – while Cerwin picked up custommade sliding glass doors for the chapel’s display case – I watched the clouds on the left move around the only visible signs of the sun.

Suddenly, like a volcano erupting, sunlight appeared on the upper right.  Then it was gone – as quickly as it arrived – and all signs of the sun were gone for another day.

~ ~ ~

It’s now 7:20 AM Friday.  Mark just called to say that he was on his way home from CYR’s terminal in Portland.  They delivered the children to their drop-off spot in New Hampshire at 4 AM.

Watering Plants and Wi-Fi on the Patio

Yesterday was a beautiful morning to babysit three of my favorite people.

 Tuesday

They wanted something to do, so I put them to “work” watering flowers.

Jana carefully watered each one.

Ian made sure to water everything green.

Jared mostly enjoyed playing in the water!

I was nearby in my office!

Wireless hookup is one of the neatest changes we made in our computer setup in recent years.  I can deal with my email, access the computers in our basement office, even print from any of my printers.

Evening – Morning

Fire on the Mountain

I will never understand how God paints the western sky with a different pattern each night.

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Last night it was so brilliant, it even reflected on the eastern sky.

Wednesday

This morning our son Jere was here before the sun even rose.

Cerwin and he wanted to feed and fertilize the yard before daybreak.

 ~ ~ ~

“It is wonderful each morning to tell about Your love and at night to announce how faithful You are” 

Psalm 92:2 CEV.