Mom's 80th Birthday Trip

Bev, Kaye & I were planning a party for Mom in Kansas on the weekend of her 80th birthday (April 5th). In the midst of our email conversations (without Mom's knowledge) -- Mom emailed us forwarding an ad she had got via email about the production, "Behold the Lamb" at the original Sight and Sound Theater in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. She said, "I sure wish we could go see this......." (wishful thinking, of course). But that got the ball rolling.......Kaye & Rob offered us their free airline miles for our flights and Mom offered to pay for the rest of the trip -- so off to Pennsylvania we go!! This picture is out of order -- but to begin my blog -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM - and thanks for such a memorable trip!

I drove up to Girard, Kansas Wednesday afternoon, April 1st, after working part of the day, in time to be at Mt. Olive for the last night of the revival services Jeff was doing. Then after the services, Jeff, Mom & I drove to KC and stayed in a hotel near the airport. We took off very early Thursday morning for Philadelphia. Bev & Don flew from Dallas and Kaye & Rob flew from Little Rock. We all arrived within a few minutes of each other. After arriving in Philly, we went to the Visitor's Center at Independence Hall and got a "game plan" for our visit. We then drove to our hotel, unpacked and then had a fun evening at P.F. Changs and back to our suites for a little 9,8,7!!



Friday morning, we woke to the sound of rain :-( and it rained (sometimes poured) till the middle of the afternoon. However, it was warm, so that was a blessing and in spite of the rain, we had a really fun, fun day! Please overlook the very "flat" hair -- rain and pretty hairstyles do not go together!!

We drove about an hour to the Lancaster, PA area, enjoying the beautiful countryside, dotted with many Amish farms. Then we took a very interesting tour of a AmishVillage.

We were first given a tour of a former Amish home with explanation of their way of life........clothing, traditions, etc.
The Amish women wear no buttons or snaps on their dresses.......but use straight pins to pin it all together very day - very strange and what a pain (ha)!!

They sure can make some beautiful quilts!
After the tour inside, we took one of the grounds.....thankfully the rain let up for this tour! Here is Bev, Don & I in a covered bridge.My favorite building was the old schoolhouse -- reminded me of my "Radley" school days! Jeff is the teacher (of course).........

Bev, Kaye & I are the students.........Rob & Kaye by a buggy -- we saw lots of these horse drawn buggies and their owners as we drove the roads/city streets........

Bev & Don.......
The Amish do not want you to take pictures of their faces......but we did "sneak" this picture from our car window of a school yard with the cute children. Even though we were in the Lancaster area, we didn't try to find the school that had the horrible massacre :-(


From here, we went on to Strasburg and took a fun train ride through the countryside....
From the train station, we journeyed on to the Theater.....but since we had a few extra minutes, we couldn't resist getting some ice cream!
We got a "kick" out of the name of this town and their newspaper -- so Kaye made Mom pose for a picture :-)We saw this Amish man pull up to a bank, so while he went inside, Bev & I had to get some pictures!
He's back - whew - just made it back across the street!
As you see - they just travel along the same roads as the vehicles.........We have arrived to the Sight & Sound Theatre..........
A couple of pictures outside in front of the pretty Lion and the Lamb statute....
Yes, the wind was blowing!!

















This was a fabulous production!!! Great performances in re-telling the beloved story of our Savior's life, death, burial, resurrection, and now His place in Heaven on that great Throne!
No pictures were allowed during the play......
Afterward, we stopped at a nearby restaurant that served Amish food. Some of it was very good.....other things not so good. But it was neat to try out the local fare.
*********
Saturday - the sun was shining! Yeah - but it was chilly and very windy....25 mph with 40 mile an hour gusts. But thankfully, no rain. We went back downtown to Philadelphia on this day to tour all the historical locations that marked the beginning of our country. We got an all day pass on this double-decker bus and just got off and on as we pleased........
One of our first stops was at the home of Betsy Ross.....
One of our stops was at the first state penitentiary.....goodness, I sure would not wanted to be incarcerated there! Horrible conditions........but it was very interesting!
Then to Freedom Hall and the famous steps from the Rocky Movie......Jeff & Rob looking at the Rocky Statute.......
Here are our cute "Rocky" boys!
Jeff running those famous steps.....
He said it was a 'piece of cake!'
From there, we went downtown to South Street and ate a delicious Philly Cheesecake sandwich--yum, yum!!
After eating, we hurried back to Independence Hall, before they closed, to tour the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall Center where the Declaration of Independence was signed.........
This family was in line in front of us to go inside Independence Hall.......this little girl was such a doll and Beverly immediately fell in love with her........she's hoping to be a Nana to a little girl like this someday!!
Pretty Street.........

















Where the Declaration was signed.......

Taking a break........
















The family before heading back to our hotel for the evening. Another great day!
*********
Sunday, we had just a few hours before heading back to the airport, so we decided to tour Valley Forge which is not too far away. This too was interesting. George Washington.........

Inside one of the cabins, our soldiers slept in that winter getting prepared to fight the Revolutionary War that gave America her freedom from Europe.We were treated to the pretty sight of a herd of deer........
Last shot before we left here to head home.......


Wonderful, wonderful trip. And as always on our family trips - I know to never take one for granted. I'm so thankful for Mom and my sisters and brother-in-laws and love each time we are able to travel and spend time together.

Again, thank you Mom, and Kaye & Rob for making it all possible!!

Love to each of you -- and Mom, we pray you have many more wonderful birthdays!!

A Great Weekend in Girard

Jeff and I spent the weekend with our Moms in the Pittsburg/Girard Kansas area. Saturday, we got a very pleasant surprise - a beautiful snow event!! Probably the prettiest snow since I was a kid. At times, the flakes were quarter-sized!! It snowed for 4 hours straight. So, so pretty - those of you who know me well -- know I am a 55 yr. old big kid at heart when it comes to snow. Here are a few pictures - but they don't do justice to the beauty of it!
I had to have a couple of cups of snow to munch on.............
And then Mom fixed my favorite.........snow ice cream - yum, yum!!
And then the best thing -- Sunday morning, the sun was shining brightly, the roads were clear and we had a great day at Mt. Olive Baptist Church (the church I grew up in) as Jeff began a revival on End Times..........

I had to come on home Sunday afternoon to work a few days - but will return in time for the Wednesday evening final service. Thursday, Mom, Jeff & I, Kaye & Rob, and Bev & Don are flying to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for a mini vacation to celebrate Mom's 80th birthday! Will post all about it when we get home.

One more picture.........this is a big ole' tree in Mom's backyard, that our cousin, Lloyd nailed a face too - I took it from inside, so it's kinda hard to see the eyes, nose and mouth! :-)

Birthday Fun for Andy

Andy turned 29 on March 25th -- Happy Birthday, Son. He invited Jeff & I and Erika to join he and Carman at a new "fun" place here in Rogers, "Fast Lanes". It's really big with lots of activity including an indoor go-kart track; a Lazer tag room; lots of video arcades and an area with stuff like a fair or carnival. We ate pizza, etc., and then played 1-1/2 games of bowling (had the lane for an hour). Josh is working in Scotland and Rachel & Derek were in Conway, so we missed the rest of our family. But the night was lots of fun!

Carman was our first bowler.........
Then ole' Mom.......
Trying to get it to move with my hand - ha!
Then Erika
Jeff.....
Then the birthday boy......

The birthday boy and his missus......

The "old folks" ............

The cute daughter-in-laws......... Not really happy with his game.........

Strike!

Back at the house, we enjoyed the oreo ice cream dessert for Andy's cake :-) Yum!!!

Then we watched one of our favorite shows -- American Idol!! Go KRIS & DANNY!

Last picture -- of Andy and his dog........Hondo........who is GROWING...........

Happy, Happy Birthday, Andrew Ryan. We love you!

A Vivid Reminder of the Fragility of Life

I have been reminded once again that life is so short and we are only on this earth for a short time. That for some like Bro. Gaylor, that may be many many "short" years, but for others, like Chris, it's just a very few "short" years.

We are praying for the families of these who have lost their loved ones in recent days/weeks:

Deby Hyatt - Jeff & I went to Girard High School with Deby and we all graduated together in 1971 - so she was our age. I don't recall that we have seen Deby or talked to her since graduation. Our prayer is that she had a personal relationship with Jesus. Our prayers are with her family.

Last week, a sweet "sister" from our Antioch Baptist, Conway days, Becki Jackson, passed away. Becki always had a warm smile and an encouraging word for us each time we saw her. Her mother, Miss Kathleen was very faithful to Jeff's Wednesday Home Group. We know Becki leaves behind two children and a grandson that are sure going to miss her. Becki is another one who is very close in age to Jeff & I. To Tiffany and the rest of the family - you are in our prayers!

Also last Friday, our good friend, Carolyn Smith lost her 55 year old brother, Lynn Smith. It was a sudden death and a shock to the family. Carolyn was a very active, faithful member of our mission work in Nevada, Missoui. After Jeff & I moved to Jacksonville, Texas for Jeff to be Dean of Students at JBC -- Carolyn followed a few months thereafter and also worked at JBC. She now lives and works in Tyler, Texas, but thanks to email, we have remained close. Sadly, my memories of Lynn involve yet another sad event. While at Nevada, Lynn and Diane's baby boy died of crib death. It's the only funeral I've attended for a baby. He was so precious laying in that tiny coffin. Lynn's in-laws were members of our church when Jeff pastored Mt. Zion, Garland - so we are so sad for all the family and are praying for them!

And then this week........two more deaths:

Bro. Leon Gaylor from Jacksonville, Texas. Bro. Gaylor was father to our sweet friend, Jean Galyean and Pastor Emeritus at Craft Baptist Church, where Jeff pastored in the late 80's. We were very close to the Galyeans and to the Gaylors!! God blessed Bro. and Mrs. Gaylor with long, fulfilling lives and they were faithful to their last breathe to their Lord. On a humorous note, Jeff still laughingly talks about Bro. Gaylor's driving......it made him a nervous wreck :-) Jean and family -- we love you and are praying God will comfort you during these days.

Yesterday, we received word of the very unexpected death of Chris Bell. Chris is the son of Larry & Claudia Bell of Mesquite. The Bells were very active at Calvary Baptist Church while Jeff was pastor there. Chris and his brother Brad were great friends of our boys, Josh & Andy. We have many wonderful memories of fun, fun times with Larry & Claudia.......two people who could make you laugh and laugh and enjoy life. Larry, Claudia, and Brad.....please know our hearts are very saddened in your loss. Many prayers are being offered for all of you!!

As I pondered these untimely deaths, I was reminded of many passages from God's Word, which have brought me comfort and reminded me about some things......

God does know the number of our days; life is short.........we must know Jesus personally and then live every day for the Lord, so that we will be ready when He calls us home!

Psalm 39:4"Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life."

Psalm 89:47: "Remember how fleeting is my life."

Psalm 104:33: "I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live."

Proverbs 8:35: "For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD."

Psalm 116:15: "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints."

I am "borrowing" something someone said on Lynn Smith's brother's status on Facebook - that is so very true: Why do we wait so long to tell someone that we love them, or just to call them to say Hi to see how they are today.... We all live too busy of lives and forget the important things like friends and family.

Forgive me, Lord, as I know I'm so guilty of that! So from this blog posting -- I just want to tell all my family and friends: I am so very thankful for you - for your love, for your friendship, and for your encouragement down thru the years. May each of us never take a day for granted and may we be found faithfully serving our Lord...........till He comes to rapture us from this earth or takes us home in death. What a day, glorious day, that will be!

I love you!