An Enjoyable Evening

After our new members reception service last night (for more pictures from that, click here to see the ones on my parents' blog), we were invited to the Sicklers' home for a time of fellowship and refreshments.

Everyone got involved in the preparation for this time of fellowship -

from clearing the table . . .

. . . to making the lemonade . . .

. . . to washing the dishes!

It was an enjoyable evening!

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Memorial Day

As we head into the Memorial Day weekend with all of the festivities and events that go along with it, I got to thinking about the patriotic part of this holiday.
This is an old poem that I have heard before but I still get chills when I read it.


Ragged Old Flag

I walked through a county courthouse square,
On a park bench an old man was sitting there.
I said, Your old courthouse is kinda run down.
He said, Naw, it'll do for our little town.

I said, Your flagpole has leaned a little bit,
And that's a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it.
He said, Have a seat, and I sat down.
Is this the first time you've been to our little town?

I said, I think it is. He said, I don't like to brag,
But we're kinda proud of that Ragged Old Flag.
You see, we got a little hole in that flag there
When Washington took it across the Delaware.

And it got a bad rip in New Orleans
With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seams.
And it almost fell at the Alamo
Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on though.

She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.
There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg,
And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag.

On Flanders Field in World War I
She got a big hole from a Bertha gun.
She turned blood red in World War II
She hung limp and low a time or two.

She was in Korea and Vietnam.
She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam.
She waved from our ships upon the briny foam,
And now they've about quit waving her back here at home.

In her own good land she's been abused --
She's been burned, dishonored, denied and refused.
And the government for which she stands
Is scandalized throughout the land.

And she's getting threadbare and wearing thin,
But she's in good shape for the shape she's in.
'Cause she's been through the fire before
And I believe she can take a whole lot more.

So we raise her up every morning,
Take her down every night.
We don't let her touch the ground
And we fold her up right.

On second thought I DO like to brag,
'Cause I'm mighty proud of that Ragged Old Flag.

Written by Johnny Cash

One Of God's Beautiful Creations

We had some rain here for a short time this afternoon / evening. Actually it rained pretty hard for a little bit. When it had just about quit, Dad called for me to come look outside and this is what we saw. I've seen many rainbows, but I still think they're beautiful every time I see one.
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Congratulations!

I realized tonight that it has been awhile since I have posted any pictures of Tim Calhoun on this blog.
I thought I would use this occasion to do just that and congratulate Tim on his apparent election as constable.
Congratulations Tim!
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My Mother

My Mother is a listening ear when I just need to talk – even if it doesn’t make sense!
My Mother is a shoulder to cry on – yes I still need that sometimes.
My Mother is a counselor when I’m confused and don’t know which way to turn – this happens more often than I’d like to admit.
My Mother is a source of encouragement when I’m frustrated and don’t know which way to turn – ever felt that way?
My Mother is always there to pray for me when I ask, and even when I don’t – I need that every day!
My Mother is a taxi driver when I need a ride – I know I should have my driver’s license by now, but I don’t!
My Mother is a cook when it’s meal time – even when I’m late getting home from work.
My Mother is a seamstress when my clothes need fixed – I don’t even attempt that!
My Mother is a laundress on wash day – something else that I don’t even try!
You see, my Mother is many things to me. Some people have gotten on my case about me not being married yet. They seem to think that is a crime. I have told some of them, “My Mother cooks my meals, packs my lunches, and does my laundry. What do I need a wife for?”
The most important thing that my Mother has been for me has been a consistent Christian influence. If it wasn’t for that influence, I don’t know where I would be today.
Thank You Mom!
I Love You!
Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers who read this.
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My New Toy

We went to some yard sales today and I bought several things. Here is my biggest purchase of the day.
We have another tractor, but it's just too small for what we were using it for.
This one is a 12 horsepower Gravely with a 50 inch mower on it.
Fortunately, we can get both tractors in the shed. The concern with this one was the width, but it does fit - the total width of the mowing deck is 54 inches, the opening for the shed doors is 58 inches!
I'm just thankful that I was able to get this tractor. The man that I bought it from was very helpful and told me just about everything there was to know about it.

My new toy in action! I really like it!


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Just An Update

This is just an update on my week so far.
Our Revival services ended Sunday evening - it was a great Revival!
Monday evening - I didn't do a whole lot of anything.
Tuesday evening - Dad and I went to Penns Creek and from there to New Berlin to look at some books which Dad ended up buying.
Wednesday evening - Prayer meeting
Thursday evening - Barbershop appointments for Dad & I
Friday evening - We're planning on going to New Berlin to get the rest of the books from Tuesday evening (we couldn't get them all in the van!). From there, we're going to Penns Creek for the annual Drama / Reenactment (Is there a difference?).
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