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Chuck E. Cheese’s

I take our local grandchildren to Chuck E. Cheese’s as part of their birthday gift – usually one at a time (maybe two) – but today I had three!  Jana’s (left) birthday was the end of April, Jared’s (center) 2nd birthday is tomorrow, and I couldn’t think of anything better to do for Ian (right) for his half-birthday.

Jana likes playing air hockey.

This was Jared’s first trip to Chuck E. Cheese’s, and it was so much fun to watch him enjoy everything.

Ian’s favorite thing to do is run the train.

Riding a Truck

Playing Basketball

Time for a Drink

In the Tube Overhead

Counting Their Tickets

TFC Shop

After leaving Chuck E. Cheese’s, we shopped at Wal-Mart, then went to see how Grandpa was doing at TFC’s shop, and to get some updated pictures of the chapel construction. 

He is putting finishing touches on the interior, like – lights…

…and trim.

The boys were more interested in the truck!

They enjoyed climbing on the equipment in the shop as much as the games at Chuck E. Cheese’s.

 Back Home

 The boys were anxious to play with their new trucks.

Jana was pleased with her stuffed dog, Maggie, and carrying case.

 ~ ~ ~

Grandma was glad for a quiet afternoon and evening!

~ ~ ~

God is continually at work in your life

mysteriously accomplishing His eternal purpose

in you

through you

in spite of you.

We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves Him. 

Romans 8:28 CEV

A Diversified Day

A Perfect Blend

Several weeks ago, Joy (left) and Trisha (right) made plans to come to our place for a visit.  They live in the Philadelphia area, and love to come to the country.  This time we decided to go to a local tea room, A Perfect Blend, where lunch was delicious, and the company of these two ladies (who are sisters) was even better!  They became friends of mine through Transport For Christ.  Trisha and her husband are on TFC’s staff – David serves as lead chaplain on the chapel at Petro Stopping Center, Elkton, Maryland.

 A closeup of a napkin.

Preparing Our Family Pavilion for the Summer

Toward evening our family got together to clean up the pavilion area of the woodlot behind our house.

Raking and burning leaves and branches left behind by fall and winter weather.

Our granddaughter, Jana, my sister Nancy and her daughter’s boyfriend, Kevin washing tables. 

You can see my brother Clair’s house in the background.  My sister’s house is just to the left of this photo.  The three of us have houses in the same four-acre woodlot.  Our other two brothers live in the large farmhouse about a quarter mile away.  We all use this pavilion for picnics during the summer.  Sometime others rent it for an afternoon or evening.

My brother Dale and his grandson, Jacob, relaxing before supper.

My brother Clair and our oldest son Jeff taking a break.

Our grandson Jordan getting his supper.

My brother’s granddaughter, Katie, roasting a marshmallow.

It was a beautiful evening.

Our grandson Jordan cut 6″ to 12″ length pieces of branch from a fallen tree, and gave one to each of the younger set, then taught them how to peel off the bark.  They thought it was the coolest thing!

Jenna displays her finished product.

June 24, 2006 – TFC Truck Rally

I have been mailing so much Truck Rally literature during the past few days, that I figured I may as well continue advertising during my off hours! 

EVERYBODY WELCOME! 

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A TRUCKER TO ENJOY THE DAY.

 Trucks should be at the Lebanon Expo Center, Lebanon, PA by 10:30 AM to receive registration packets and prepare for the parade which begins promptly at 11:00 AM.

There is no charge to register or enter the Expo Center.

Last year we had 221 trucks on the grounds.

If you love trucks and talking to truckers, you will enjoy this day.  West Hall is filled with vendors of every kind – crafts, screen printing, model trucks, flowers, and a variety that are truck related.

There is a CDL Roadeo (driving skills course).

If you are not able to compete in that, or choose not to, you can try the Ruff & Tuff or Powder Puff Roadeo (pickup truck) or Pedal Pull competition.

 If you would rather go to an auction than look at trucks, there are four choices…

…Main Auction, Silent, Winross (model trucks), and Children’s.

 There are lots of things for children to do, including this sponge throw – a popular place on hot days.  There is also a garden tractor roadeo (skills course), 50′ Obstacle Course from Big Bright Bounces, games, balloons, and train rides.

 There are food vendors all day, but a favorite is the delicious chicken barbecue meal we serve at 5:30 PM.  There is a charge for the meal.  If interested, contact me.

 When everyone is finished eating, they gather in North Hall for the evening program, which begins at 6:30 PM.  Bring lawn chairs.  

No charge.  There will be a freewill offering.

 The first event is a half-hour gospel concert by True Heart, Milton, PA.

At 7:00 PM we give trophies to the truck judging and competition winners.

 The Talley Trio, Morristown, Tennessee, will close the day with an hour-long gospel concert.

 EVERYBODY WELCOME! 

Sunday, June 25

Rally Celebration

True Heart will provide the morning worship, in North Hall, beginning at 10:30 AM. 

An all-you-can-eat buffet will be served at noon by Country Home Catering.  

If you would like more information or meal ticket prices please send an email to tfcner@dejazzd.com or contact me through this blog. 

Timber!!

About five or six years ago lightening hit our woodlot so severely that it instantly killed two large trees and severely damaged several others.  Bark from this tree was projected into our yard – about 75 feet.  The strike also killed several birds who had been nesting in this tree, and took out most of my office equipment (computer, fax, and phones).  The damaged trees have been gradually falling during the past three years.  The other night it was this one’s turn.

Rhododendron

A blight, or something, overtook our Rhododendron this year, so I am treasuring the few beautiful blossoms we have.  Usually the very large bush (tree) is covered with flowers. 

Be still before the Lord

Wait patiently for Him.

Psalm 37:7

 Just for you – http://www.xanga.com/Auntnancy81 

Are these the brothers you told me about?

 They did a great job on Saturday evening.

Mother’s Day

Visiting Great-Grandma 

As part of their birthday gift, we take grandchildren to visit their great-grandmas.  On Sunday we began our visit with Cerwin’s mother, by attending church at the retirement community where she lives.

After church Jana wanted to go to the recreation room.

She loves to operate the elevator.

After arriving, she quickly challenged each of us to a game of Carpet Ball

Jana loves to beat us – which she did quite often yesterday.

Just before noon, we went to the dining room for a delicious lunch…

…then, after walking Mother to her room, we joined Jana’s parents and younger brothers on her other grandma’s porch to watch the Make-A-Wish Parade.

Cerwin took grandsons Ian and Jared for a walk while we waited for the trucks.

When they got back, Ian removed one of his boots.  I asked why he was taking his boot off?  He said, “My foot needs air.”

Make-A-Wish Parade

The parade began with this fancy police escort…

…followed by lots and lots of beautiful rigs…

…many with special needs children or those battling serious illnesses on board.

We haven’t heard an official number, but Cerwin heard on the radio that there were more than 400 semi’s, straight trucks, and emergency vehicles.

Despite very loud horns and fire sirens – it was too long an afternoon for Jared!

Lord

I am grateful

For Your promise of

Hope

Faith

And

Strength

To meet life’s problems.

Today I ask

That You give

Hope to those whose anxieties have buried their dreams

Faith to those whose illnesses have hospitalized their hopes

Strength to those whose burdens are bigger than their shoulders.

Now that you’ve had a-more-than-week-long trip to Minnesota, via my blog, it’s time to get back to our real life in Pennsylvania.

Friday

I caught up on work in the TFC office in our home, and Cerwin went to the International Office (19 miles away) to be available to give a group of first and second graders, from a local Christian school, a tour of our newest chapel, the shop, and office.

Trucker Gerry (center) was instrumental in bringing the group to TFC’s office and shop.

It was the first time since our trip that Cerwin saw the chapel with the lettering finished.

He was also pleased to see what a good job a local truck repair shop did on polishing the wheels of the TFC tractor.  (Lettering and polishing jobs were both donated.)

Saturday

In the afternoon we attended the annual Truckers’ Day at New Covenant Church, where truck drivers from the church are invited to bring their rigs.  

 There were nine rigs and three pickup trucks. 

To those of you who took time to check my addition – yes, I know there are only eight here – the ninth was being used in the driver skills competition.

 Most of the CDL drivers tested their skills – some were pleased with the results, others were not!

The drivers took time to polish their rigs so well that many of the bumpers could have been used as mirrors.

I love to check out extra signs that drivers add to their rigs…

…especially those sharing their faith.

Food is sold by the youth group, with profits going toward a mission trip.

The children loved “train” rides…

…and going through the obstacle course in the gym.  Notice our TFC display in the background.

For our part of the evening program, Cerwin gave a TFC update using PowerPoint photos and asked Jake Wise (above – with his son, Jesse) to share how God called him to serve as a volunteer chaplain with TFC.

It was a neat afternoon and evening.

Closing My Minnesota Photo Gallery

 Leaving the Familiar Terrain of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Arriving in Northern Minnesota

A Bog Floating by on a Windy Day.

Aimee’s Wash Line

Dawson and Hope’s Farm

Inquisitive Calf

Old Truck

A Tick 

It took us a day or more to stop checking for ticks after arriving home.

End of a Day

Nighttime on the Lake

View From the Dock

A Calm Lake

Find the Real and the Reflection

Evening on the Lake

Bulrushes at Sunset

I wish these photos could convey the sounds of the lake – redwing blackbirds, loons, ducks, insects. 

We have wonderful, fabulous things to store in that special place of our brain where memories go.