Summertime

...is lovely around here

Trees for Father's Day

Kable and Emily Dale provided  a tree for each father for Father's Day this year.  


Levi Shaffer (far left with back to camera) won the award for the father with the youngest child present.
Charlie Barno (shown in the parking lot with his tree) won for the father with the oldest child present.
Buddy Hawk won for the father with the oldest child present who is still living at home.


Kable proves that he is one of the strongest fathers present, and Charlie Anderson proves that he is a kind one.
We're grateful for all our fathers!

Father's Day

...makes me think of my dad, of course.  He was raised in Alabama, the son of an American sailor from WW1 and an Irish girl, and used to go alligator hunting with his dad.  He was an only child, living next door to a "Waltons" type of family, and he followed these friends up to a small Christian high school near Philadelphia for his senior year.  His father divorced his mother when he was gone, which was quite unusual at the time. Dad had to stay home from college to earn money to take care of her.  She lived with him - and us - the rest of her life.
He met and married my mom, daughter of an architect and contractor who built the largest laminated beam arch of the time.
Dad went off to WW2, flying a bomber in the Pacific arena.  He was with the first occupation forces into Japan.
After the war he began selling cash registers and then became a car salesman.  He moved up to manager, and took over the VW division just as they took off in sales.
He went on to have eight children, eventually having a creative house built for us before he changed jobs and leased an airport.  He led family devotions, and saw to it that we all went to church.
He took us on vacations across the USA and across Canada.
He had his faults, but I think he did an OK job, especially in view of the example he lived under, and also having 8 kids.  I think my oldest brother was 12 when my youngest sister was born.  Dad died shortly after Carrie and Ryan were married.  He lived long enough to meet my first grandchild, Asa.  At his funeral about 5 of his flying friends flew in formation over the cathedral where the service was held, to honor him.  I miss him.
I have often noticed how John as a preacher has a platform for honoring his parents, or anyone he wants to.  And now I have this little opportunity.  And if you would like to write us a little about your dad, please write something in the comment section for us to enjoy.  Thanks.

Zechariah 10:1

Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men. 

Meza wedding

It's nice that folks feel comfortable using our church for important times in their lives.  Doesn't that pastor clean up nicely?

Tenwek Hospital

This is the hospital in Bomet, Kenya, where Craig will be working this summer.  The newlyweds have arrived in Nairobi and will make it out here soon.  Notice the lush green farms in the background - looks a lot like Pennsylvania.
You can google it to learn more.

creative decorating

Mezas set up today for  Shelby's wedding tomorrow - I thought their draping of tulle looked very nice.  I've never seen the sanctuary decorated this way before.