TFC Prayer Breakfast

Bucks-Montgomery Chapter

Harleysville, PA - Saturday, February 16

We were on the road early to make the one hour and forty-five minute drive to Harleysville by 7:30 a.m.

We had a light snow during the night - coating some of the tree tops.

We always enjoy meeting with this group of Transport For Christ friends - and the food at Henning's Market is delicious.

Herb (a local friend of Sam Rittenhouse) sang a few songs relating to the theme of "love" for Valentine's Day.

Cerwin and I tried to think of a title for our talk that related to love and truckers - so titled it "Is Love Your Dedicated Run?" (A dedicated run for a trucker means he makes the same trip every week - or drives similar runs each week.)

In other words - Is loving your neighbor as yourself part of your lifestyle?"

~~~

This is an excerpt from my part:

What does loving your neighbor look like

when you are in a stranded cruise ship for four days?

What does loving your neighbor look like

when your spouse has a terminal illness?

What does loving your neighbor look like

when you have a rebellious teenager?

What does loving your neighbor look like

when your neighbor is throwing trash in your yard?

What does loving your neighbor look like

when a coworker tells a lie about you.

What does loving your neighbor look like

when a hurricane comes through the next town.

How do we truly make love our choice—our dedicated run?

My conclusion is that it will look different for each of us because of our gifts and talents.

The challenge is to daily remember the words of Jesus - to love the Lord your God with your heart, and mind, and soul, and your neighbor as yourself.

Jesus never told us that those words were an option - something to do if it fit our schedule - or if the other person returned our love.

Sam Rittenhouse shared the prayer requests that involved TFC staff and volunteers - and other local ministry information.

After the breakfast and a short visit with Sam and Alice, we were back on the road - about 10:30.

Now that it was daylight, it was easier to see the beautiful scenery the snowfall left behind.

By the time we got closer to home, there was no snow on the ground - but only in the higher elevations.

~~~

The snow created a beautiful road trip.

~~~

The Lord is my shepherd;
I have everything I need.

Psalm 23:1 (Good News Translation)

Waterfront Restaurant

Friday Evening, February 15

We were supposed to meet Roy and Deb here one week earlier, but it was a snowy, icy evening so we postponed it a week.

For the locals, this is near Eden - just off of Route 23.

I was interested in the origin of this building, and asked our waitress about it. She asked one of the owners to come to our table to give us the history.

He said he understands that it was originally a gun barrel factory, and most recently a variety of restaurants. 

He said they recently learned that the upstairs was a brothel  - maybe in the early 1900s. At one time when the owner of the brothel was arrested, the woman's husband had to go to jail. (That was before they sent women to jail in our area, so her husband had to take her place.)

This meal was Roy and Deb's birthday gift to me.

I liked that this restaurant owner exposed and restored the original brick walls.

Deb and I chose spots closest to the fireplace.

One of the appetizers was Grilled Elk. Roy ordered it just so the four of us could taste it.

Menu description: Grilled Elk, dried cherry goat cheese wonton, pink peppercorn demi glaze reduction

Deb and I got Crab Wellington.

Crab Wellington - wrapped in a puff pastry with Cabot cheddar, sundried tomato cream sauce

Cerwin's Beef Tower - Grilled petit filet mignon with panko crusted potato cake on roasted portabella, with Danish blue cheese crumbles and fried spinach

Roy's Crispy Panko Crusted Pork Tenderloin with honey mustard glaze and pumpkin risotto

Cerwin's dessert - Apple crisp with ice cream.

Deb and I got lemon Crème Brûlée.

Roy's cheese cake and ice cream.

In summertime you can eat on the patio right next to the Conestoga River.

~~~

Thanks Roy and Deb. We had a wonderful evening!

~~~

The Lord God is our sun and our shield.

He gives us grace and glory.
Psalm 84:11 (New Living Translation)

After the Snow

Thursday, February 14

I love getting my boots and walking around our yard after a snow fall.

I thought you may like to see what I saw on this particular winter morning.

I love a sunny winter morning!

This is my Son, whom I love.

Listen to him! [God]

Mark 9:7 (GOD'S WORD Translation)

Sometimes I Embarrass Myself!

Thursday, February 14

To celebrate Valentine's Day, Cerwin and I decided to go to a local restaurant, and made reservations for 5:00 p.m.

As we drove into the parking lot, several other cars were arriving and people were walking toward the restaurant.

I thought to myself, "We better hurry so we can get ahead of some of these people." Now, how awful is that? I am walking on the same earth as these people. What made me think that I am more important than them?

And we had reservations!

Nobody else knew what I was thinking - and I did not push my way ahead of anybody. As I "moved rather quickly" toward the door, my senses returned to me, and I said to myself, "Doris, get a grip, slow down."

About that time I noticed another couple arriving at the door - and she was walking with a cane. I "kindly" opened the door, and invited them to go ahead of us. (I told you, my senses had returned to me.)

She smiled and said, "Thank you." As he looked at me and said, "Thank you." I recognized them as the parents of Scott Weidner, the President and CEO of Transport For Christ. I thought to myself, "I am glad I was nice to them."

They recognized us about the same time and we exchanged greetings as we walked up to the hostess.

The hostess said to Mr. Weidner, "Table for two?"

He said, "Yes", and then looked at us and said, "Would you like to sit with us?"

We agreed that we would enjoy eating supper with them, and asked the hostess if our reserved table had room for four.

Our table did have room for four, and we had the most delightful evening. As you know, I rarely go anywhere without a camera, but on this night I figured that I did not need it, so these photos were taken with Cerwin's cell phone.

To honor Valentine's Day, these ladies walked through the restaurant singing old love songs - barbershop-quartet-style.

~~~

Despite my earlier attitude, God blessed us with a wonderful evening.

~~~

Growing strong in body is all right

but growing in God-like living is more important.

1 Timothy 4:8 (New Life Version)

Before & After the Snow

February 13-14

Birds always seem to be busy before and after a snowstorm.

We've has so many pretty, little snowstorms this winter.

By little I mean less than one inch of snow.

They seem to happen at least once or twice a week.

Everything looks pretty when it is snow covered.

It also looks pretty when it is melting.

How blessed the man you train, God,
the woman you instruct in your Word,
Providing a circle of quiet within the clamor of evil.

Psalm 94:12-13 (The Message)