How time flies!

We finished our first week of work at Straight Ahead Academy on Thursday. The guys have been remodeling the interior of a building, and we girls were tackling a couple of painting jobs. The weather had turned cold and rainy, so we were happy to be working inside.
Friday (actually “Saturday 1” in the Sower World) we left early for a weekend trip to our cabin in Vermont. Yippee!!! As many of you know that corner of the world is Very Special to me, and the opportunity to get there this early in the season could not be passed by. Our friends, Stan & Carlie, came along for an overnight and then we stayed until Sunday. Friday was one of those perfect spring days, and we soaked up the sunshine and early spring beauty of the day. Saturday was a little less perfect (weather wise only!), but we still took the opportunity to hike to the top of Wright’s Mountain. Here is a shot of the view from the overlook. We couldn’t see the cabin (it is tucked behind a ridge), but it was pretty cool to pick out the landmarks nearby.
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And of course, I always take my favorite “cabin reflected in the pond” picture, but this time I used my photo program to make it into a “watercolor” picture. –
cabinspecial2006

Sunday afternoon we headed back to SAA. It was a perfectly delicious weekend, spending time at our little cabin in the woods with friends and family.

And now it’s Tuesday already and our project is half over! Another SOWER couple has joined the group (they had been delayed due to truck troubles) over the weekend, so we’re keeping busy and getting lots accomplished. The fellowship has been sweet – we might even head into Boston if the weather cooperates this weekend!

Hey, did I mention that we’re flying to see Lara in California on Friday next week? Such excitement! (especially for Gary who really doesn’t like to fly!)

After 21 months, we’re back where we started!

First I’ll try to catch you up!
We had a wonderful “travel” week. Since we didn’t have far to go, we were able to spend time with friends (the Croswells in Danbury, CT) and family (the Lakes in Shrewsbury, MA). Both visits were delightful. When we set out 21 months ago, the Lakes’ driveway was the first stop in our adventure. Hmmm…almost two years on the road, and they’re back where they started, you say? Well, we’re a little puzzled too! But it seems that the Lord is directing our steps back this way this summer for a variety of reasons, and we’re just trying to follow His leading. While we are still anxious to see all of the beauty of the West, we are content to be here in New England for a spell. And I must admit there is something very comforting about driving through familiar terrain and visiting with dear friends.

  • So we have landed at our May home – Straight Ahead Ministries in Hubbardston, MA. This is a relatively new Sower Project, so we’re all learning as we go. Apparently Straight Ahead Ministries purchased this property last spring to use as a residential school for at-risk young men. It’s located right on a small lake (Williamsville Pond) just outside of a classic New England town. Here’s the view from the pool house…..
    IMG_5113
    Pretty sweet, eh?
    It’s been quiet here this weekend – the boys are all on home visits – and the weather has been perfect. The drive to church today took us through the beautiful New England landscape, dotted with homesteads and gentlemen’s farms. How very lovely it was.
    Tomorrow we get started on the “job” – whatever it is that needs to be done. And so the adventure continues!
  • Oh – here are some additional shots of our time at Sandy Cove.

    On the road again!

    After a wonderfully busy weekend (Friday back in Jamison to wrap up some loose ends with the house, Saturday to Lancaster to meet up with some SOWER friends, Sunday back to Lancaster to worship with and visit with a dear friend whose husband had recently passed away, and then this morning we even squeezed in a factory tour at Herr’s Snack Foods – with warm chips and everything!), we packed Lizzie up and began our trek northward. It was hard to leave Sandy Cove. We loved working with our friends, the Walkers, and staff was very warm and welcoming. It was a blessing to be able to help them get ready for their busy camping/retreat season. And such a beautiful spot! Living among the trees in the spring time was a delight. Sneezing aside, we were able to literally watch spring burst! One night last week we took a drive out to Turkey Point Lightstation. We walked out to the lighthouse and enjoyed the sunset. I promise to get some of those pictures posted. It was so beautiful!
    So tonight we’re at the Danbury, CT, Walmart and the next several days will be filled with friends and family. Ah, that will be lovely! Our final destination will be Straight Ahead Ministries in Hubbardston, MA. Don’t know what will be in store there, so I’ll keep you posted.
    But something tells me I’ll get to watch Spring spring all over again!

    HE is Risen!

    HE IS RISEN INDEED!
    Happy Resurrection Sunday! It’s a beautiful morning here on the Chesapeake and we’re looking forward to celebrating our Lord’s resurrection with the family of our co-workers, the Walkers. However, last evening as I sat and watched the sunset I was struck again with the awesome nature of God’s love and faithfulness to us~in the Big Things – our salvation through Christ, and in the Little Things – the beauty that he paints all around us each and every day.
    SandyCove Sunset 1

    Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you…
    I Peter 1:3&4 (NIV)

    and said just a little differently in The Message
    What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven–and the future starts now!

    Seeing the country……Serving our Lord!