How early can Easter be???

Have you realized how early Easter is this year? As you may have know, Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar.

The nearly full moon rising over the Beaver Pond, Thursday evening.

Based on the above, Easter can actually be one day earlier (March 22) but that is pretty rare. Here's the interesting info. This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives! And only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above!). And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier!

Here are the facts:

1. The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now).


2. The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you're 95 or older, you are the only ones that were around for that!).


3. The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now).


4. The last time it was on March 22 was 1818. So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year!

We pray that you enjoy a Blessed and Happy Easter!!!

Mmmmmmm, Chocolate Pie

A pie for my birthday???


Yes, Susan made me one! As she told me that it was waiting in the fridge in the fellowship hall, she said, "Laurie said, what would his Mom had done for him?"

SPOT ON!!!

Susan (and Laura), thank you so much!

Bible Quiz Time

You know the Bible 100%!

Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic!

Ultimate Bible Quiz

w00t!!!

Really, it was quite easy if you eliminate the "dumb" answers.

In Loving Memory

Mrs. Yvonne and Mr. Robert (Homecoming 2006)

Yvonne Sutton Garrett

Monday, May 25, 1936 - Monday, November 19, 2007

Services for Mrs. Yvonne Sutton Garrett, 71, were held Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 2:00 PM at the Liberty Baptist Church. Burial followed in the Dublin Memorial Gardens. Visitation was on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM.

She was a member of Faith Baptist Church in McRae, Georgia. She is survived by her husband, Robert. Also surviving are three sons and daughters-in-law, one brother, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Robert and Mrs. Yvonne celebrated their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary in 2005. It was around that time Mrs. Yvonne was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Robert was faithful to his vowed he made to Yvonne. He cared for her, sought the best of medical care regardless of the location and was by her side every single minute possible.

We visited with Robert and Yvonne last Friday morning. They were preparing to go home in East Dublin for the first time in over four weeks and talking to the health care folks about what they would need in order to make her as comfortable as possible. We excused ourselves for a few minutes to visit with the mother of another church member that had heart surgery earlier in the week. When we returned, they were both smiling, they were going home. Mrs Yvonne and Sarah were talking, "Sarah, when I get home I want you to come see me."

Monday, when I arrived home from work and before our rescheduled Mid-Week Prayer Meeting, I told Sarah that we were going to see the Garretts tomorrow evening after work. We promised to go see her when she got home. As we arrived at church, we were told the sad news - Yvonne had passed away around 3:00.

Mrs. Yvonne, while we didn't get to see you at your house; we did come to see you and Mr. Robert when you made it HOME.

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 2 Peter 3:13

First Shovel Full

Ground Breaking for the new Fellowship Building was Sunday afternoon.

Bro. Bill with the Gold Shovel

The Building Committee

Shhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

To help occupy their son during church services a young couple supplied him with toy cars...

You remember the kind - like Matchbox or Hot Wheels. Only now they are called Diecast Replicas.

This worked well until the lad started adding sound effects to his play.

"Vroooooooom, Vroooooooom, Vroooooooom."

His parents tried to quieten him but he continued.

"Vroooooooom, Vroooooooom, Vroooooooom."

Finally the preacher, in frustration, paused his sermon, "Son, will you please STOP!!!"

"Screeeeeeeeech."

Young Folks at Church

We are very bless to have very talented and dedicated Youth at church!

Blake plays the piano, guitar, bass, banjo and he sings. He taught at VBS this year

Laura is plays trombone, piano and sings. (only she is away at Barry College now)

Emily plays the clarinet and sings.

Cole plays the drums and sings.

Linsey plays the flute and sings.

Miranda plays the saxophone and sings.

Jenna plays the clarinet and sings.

Brittney plays the flute and sings.

Jarrod & Matthew sing and round our the Youth Choir on Wednesday night.




Did I miss anyone??? Oh yeah! Jessica!!!

Jessica had been missing. Not from church, she has been in church. Every time the doors were opened. Just not at Faith! She had been attending where her brother William had been preaching. She knew that this summer contained the last weeks that she would have him closeby. William and Caitlin were married at Faith yesterday.

Now, Jessica is back at Faith!!! Starting with VBS and every service since, she has been there. It is good to see her smiling face.


Oh by the way, Jessica plays (wait a minute, it been so long I forget what she instrument she plays???). And she sings, I heard her sweet voice tonight!

Really, I remember the instrument Jessica plays. Saxophone!!! It is saxophone, right???

Laura and Jessica

Jessica, all dressed up for her brother's wedding!!!

Wedding Cake

The cake was beautiful!!!

The flowers were lovely!!!

The food was delicious!!!

The Kitchen was CROWDED!!!

Jimmie Gail called about 10:50, "WE NEED HELP!!!" --- not her exact words, but that is what she was saying. So we drove into McRae with the intention of helping for a while and then coming back home to dress for the wedding at 2:00...

We were put on sandwich and slicing detail - Pimento Cheese and Chicken Salad. Pinwheels Wraps and Mesquite Chicken in Crescent rolls.

"As they are saying their vows, we need to put the Buckeyes (peanutbutter/chocolate balls) and the bowl of Pimento Chesse dip on the tables."

No one answered... Sarah and I looked at each other and with agreement and in unison we volunteered to forgo changing clothes and sitting in the sanctuary.

Trudie, let us know when we can see the video of the wedding. Okay???

William and Caitlin

How long had it been? Probably 18 ½ years??? Yep, it has been that long since I took photos for a couple getting married.

I was just doing a favor for the family. Just using my time and talent (and our Rebel XT) to record the people and events of the wedding rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner. The Kilpatricks are a very special family and it was my pleasure to take the photos.

I can imagine the conversation as they planned their wedding:

Caitlin: I know, lets get married July 14th...

William: Hey, that's the day after my birthday!

Caitlin: Oooooh, it is, isn't it! (note to self: Now, he will have no excuse for forgetting our anniversary!!!)

What I learned at VBS

My sister in Tennessee -- Hiya Sis! -- has been on many Vacation Bible School Mission trips across the southeast over the past several years. We have discussed lesson plans and visual aids employed to teach the children that attend VBS. Last night, Amy had a colorful lesson on the Plan of Salvation... Black - For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 Red - While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 Blue - We were buried with Him through baptism. Roman 6:4 White - Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7 Green - Grow in the grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:16 Yellow - Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10

Rain at VBS

Katherine said, "It always rains at least one night during Vacation Bible School."

How about two evenings in a row. Just enough to settle the dust last night. But tonight, we receive almost 1/2 inch. And a RAINBOW as a bonus - it was very faint and did not photograph very well. But I stood under the awning, gazing to the east until it completely faded away!

Not the way I had planned to spend Father's Day

Sunday's sunrise was awesome! Sun Rays stretching out from behind the clouds. We were dressed and ready for Sunday School a little early and actually took time to eat a bite of breakfast for a change. Mmmmmmm, fresh egg sandwiches! We picked up Mama, and drove
into town...


Mama ( who will be 93 years young on July 1st ) was seated in her lightweight wheelchair that we kept in the PT Cruiser. Not because she depends on us to push her around, sometimes she get around better than we do. It is just easier for her to ride from car to classroom to auditorium to car.


I was pushing her up the ramp that is beside the cement flowers when I got dive bombed!!! I saw it coming, but I had both hands on the handles of the wheelchair. BAM!!! I was hit! I took a direct shot in the upper lip. SMACK! Right in the KISSER! A wasp had stung me. It felt like a hot coal. Sarah said, "I've got Mama... go to the kitchen and get some ice."

I was already heading that way. When the ice wasn't on my lip, it felt like some one was holding a curling iron to my mouth. With 25 mgs. of Benadryl from the First Aid kit, I went on to our classroom. Shortly, I started feeling nauseated and my head was beginning to ache. Sarah asked, "You need to go home or to the ER?"

HOME, please!!!

My upper lip was swelling!!!


Katherine is a nurse! And there are three others of our church members that are nurses! She has already heard of my encounter with the wasp. She handed me another 25 mg capsule and made me a ice pack for my ride home. It continue to swell and the burning sensation increased for about an hour. Then slowly it began to ease. Then the Benadryl kicked in and I dozed off for about fifteen minutes. By the time we left for the first session of Vacation Bible School at 5:00, I was almost back to normal.


My special request of my sister --- here is the photo taken after Sarah drove me home!

Donkey Parable

The little donkey was old, weak and nearly blind. So it was he stumbled into the old, dried up well behind the barn.

The farmer knowing he couldn’t lift the little donkey out the well, he decided to solve two problems at once. He would fill in the dried up well and bury the little donkey at the same time.

He called his neighbors to bring their shovels to help him in his task. With the first shovels of dirt, the donkey brayed and hollered. With each round of dirt sent down, the screams from the donkey grew louder and louder. The farmer hung his head - but kept throwing dirt down the hole. Then the sound of pain and despair ceased. The farmer encouraged his neighbors to continue.

Meanwhile, deep in the well, the little donkey was thinking his end was near. His yelling was no avail. Shovels full of dirt cascade upon him. His reflexes took over. He began to shake to rid his head of the dirt. Then shaking to free his shoulders, and finally his back – he waited for more dirt to fall. He lifted his hoofs, stomped a couple of times and stood on the newly deposited ground. More dirt, more shaking and again stepping up.

As the hole filled, the donkey continued, slowing gaining elevation. As soon as he was able, the donkey stepped over the edge of the well and walked away.

as told by Bro. Bill this morning

Aren't we just like the donkey in the well sometimes? We all have days when we feel as if we are trapped. We can't get out, and there seems to be a never-ending stream of dirt raining down on us. So when you find yourself down and out by some mistake you made, don’t let others bury you with ridicule and harsh words. Rather, shake them off and STEP UP.

Donkey, from Shrek - Dreamworks

Moooooo and Baaaaaaaa BnB

After picking the strawberries, it was a short ride to the next destination.

White House Farm Bed and Breakfast

The lawn was perfectly manicured. The large pecan trees were dressed with new leaves and shaded the yard with fragmented shadows. We were invited inside by the owners (Anna and Christian Yoders) and received a tour of the three rooms available that welcome guest with the names – Magnolia Room, Rose Room and Spring Banquet Room.

But it was the things outside that sparked our interest. Pheasants (Rainbow, Golden and Silver) Bantam and regular size chickens and Great Pyrenees mom and dad and their 5 week old pups. Sheep, peafowl and cat and kittens. Including a set of quads that were just opening their eyes for the first time.




Anna saw that we also had a love for animals and made sure we enjoy our time on their farm. “Would you like to hand feed the sheep?”


4 o’clock, whether it is AM or PM is a busy time on the farm. The 120 to 130 Holsteins will gather outside the milking parlor. Inverted showers give the ladies their twice a day rinsing. Twelve at a time they walk up the ramp to the line of four legged steel and rubber spiders. Fifteen minutes later, 30 pounds of milk per cow is delivered to the 1000 gallon stainless steel tank. (That’s about 7 gallons per cow daily).




One of the ladies is a recent transfer from Pennsylvania. She was apparently spoiled as a calf and still craves human interaction. We were invited to give her a hug!!!

Strawberry Fields Forever...

Nope, not the Lennon/McCartney collaboration...

Rather, one of the sweetest, ready to eat fruits around. I remember picking strawberries as a youngin'. Let's see - one in pail, one in mouth, two in pail, three in mouth.


Blackberries were done the same way, except you had to worry about the chiggers crawling on your legs.

After lunch on Tuesday, we drove over to Kauffman Farm Market.

Fields of plastic covered rows with straw covering have become the accepted practice of planting for many crops. And for sure it was in use here. But another method was also employed... A unique planting technique eliminated the stooping over to pick the berries from ankle height. Pyramids of 4 pots were stacked, largest of about 10 inches at the bottom to 4 inches on top. With the irrigation pipes acting as the trunks, it made for rows of strawberry trees. The results were an easier harvest and virtually grass/weed free crop. The ruby jewels glistened against the towered emerald backdrop. Each one with the promise of juicy goodness.

A pair of puppies slept and played in the greenhouse.

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream! How and the world did we have room for a cup so shortly after the lunch we had enjoyed. But we did!

Can you guess what this is???

You may have passed many as you drove through the country side. But most likely you've never seen one from the inside... I hadn't. My engineering mind went crazy with possibilities!

From the Halls of Montezuma...

The journey began at 9:30 this morning. 19 folks loaded into the church bus. We traveled the sixty seven miles that took a little under two hours (with the 'necessary' stops). But we travel back in time... to a simpler time and life.

Montezuma, Georgia was our destination. Just outside Montezuma is a large community of Beachy Amish Mennonites. The roots of these Mennonites go back to the Old Order Amish of Somerset County, Pennsylvania and they share many of the same beliefs. They wear plain clothes and the women wear head coverings. Unlike the Amish, they have church buildings, drive automobiles and use electricity. But they do not watch television or participate in other forms of modern entertainment..

We were a few minutes early for the 11:30 opening time for the Yoder's Deitsch Haus Restaurant and Bakery. So we made the loop around the area viewing the various farms in the community and the options for the afternoon of sights and shopping. More on those later.

The food is served cafeteria style. But the selections are nothing like the ones 'the Lunch Lady' of your school days flopped on your tray.

First of all, right after the salad bar, was the deserts. "Life's short... Eat Desert First!" Pecan Pie, Buttermilk Chess Pie, Coconut Pie, Lemon Custard, Strawberry Pie, Chocolate Pie. Mmmmmm, PIE!!!

Meatloaf, Shredded Roast Beef, Skillet Fried Chicken, Pineapple Glazed Ham, Fish Fillets, Meat Balls in a yummy looking sauce.

Rice and Gravy, perfect Mash Taters, Mac and Cheese, Turnip Greens, Creamed Corn, Fried Apples, Fried Okra, Broccoli & Cheese Casserole, Yeast Rolls and Corn Muffins.

The food was excellent, the atmosphere was just right for a relaxing meal, the waitstaff was courteous and attentive.

The sign out front


Our Waitress

After the meal, we visited the gift shop and investaged the 'Tea Rooms' and Gazebos.

The old tractors brought back some great memories... I remember driving a Model A John Deere on my uncles' farm so many years ago --- that one seemed much larger or was I much smaller?!?

Miracle

Lawrence is an amazing man. I have work along side him on several occasions. On the roof of the sanctuary – in the landscape surrounding the building – in the heat of church attic in the middle of the summer – cutting lumber for him for the new orchestra pit behind the pulpit - under the preacher's house. He was never tiring, or so it seemed. He would work circles around me, even though he is 18 years my senior.

Even more amazing is the fact that Lawrence did all this with a less than visible handicap. He wears prosthetic from just below his right knee.

He had walked into his shop one October afternoon – some seven years ago – to put away the odd tool, to rummage around for a scrap of lumber or perform some other mundane task. As he stood near the small air compressor, decay and oxidation give way to force, and the tank exploded. After painful therapy and rehab, Lawrence was able to get back to the labor he loved – doing for others and serving the Lord with his hands as well as his heart.

I could only imagine working with him before that accident. Or rather, in his dust…

On November 3rd of last year, near tragedy walloped Lawrence again. He was trimming and clearing dead pine trees around his house. He was on a scaffold on a fork lift, some 40 feet in the air, handling a chainsaw. Only problem was - he forgot to place the safety chain around the forks of the machinery.

Being an engineer, I did the math.

• 32 feet second per second


• 40 feet in the air


• 6 square inches of heel

I came up with – trying to stop a one ton car, traveling at 45 miles per hour with the heel of one foot. Since Lawrence tried to protect his right leg, all of the impact was absorbed by his left side.

Damage was intense. A broken left hip, broken femur, shattered knee joint and knee cap, broken tibia and fibula and a general rearrangement of the metatarsals.

A hip replacement and pins to realign the upper leg were the first order of business. External Pins in the lower leg with a splint (not a cast) until the pins were removed. Additional surgeries for the knee and heels were discussed and planned. But they are yet to happen. Early on, the doctors thought he would be bed bound for many months and confined to a wheel chair for years, if not the rest of his life.

Around the middle of January, Lawrence was back at church. On the first Sunday of February, he was back teaching our Sunday School class from a wheel chair. Three weeks later, he was walking with the aid of a walker.

This pass week I witnessed something that many would consider a miracle.

During Passion Week communion, Lawrence walked from the back of the sanctuary to the front and returned to his seat in the back of the auditorium by taking security on the ends of the pews.

Did I mention that “Lawrence is an amazing man” ???
He IS a WALKING testimony!

Lawrence during the Valentine's Banquet 02/09/07

How not to complain!

The old farmer was most proud of two things: his prize bull and his amazing bird dog.

Driving home from the Cattle competition at the county fair with a blue ribbon on the dash, the bird dog on the seat beside him and the bull in the bed of the pickup, the farmer was smiling from ear to ear.

As the trio was approaching home, a tire blew on the truck and into the ditch they went. All three were thrown from the vehicle – the bull to the back, the dog to the side and the farmer toward the front.

What a mess, the farmer did inventory of his injuries. He wasn’t able to move.

The bull was bellowing in pain, the dog was yelping from his injuries. Surely, neither one could survive such bodily damage.

Just then a State Trooper, happens on the accident scene. Seeing the condition of the bull, he pulls out his service revolver and –

BANG!!!

The Trooper turns his attention to the bird dog –

BANG!!!

Then moving to the front of the truck, the Trooper asked the farmer, “How do you feel?”

The farmer immediately jumped to his feet, “Never better in my life!!!”

Trading Up!

And speaking of Roadside Produce Stands....

I was reading some emails from two years ago from a member of the Yahoo Group Yorkie South.

At the roadside stand, Mrs. Miller was bagging some early potatoes for me. I noticed a small boy,delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller and the ragged boy next to me.

"Hello Barry, how are you today?"

"H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. Sure look good."

"They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?"

"Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time."

"Good. Anything I can help you with?"

"No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas."

"Would you like to take some home?"

"No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with."

"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?"

"All I got's my prize marble here."

"Is that right? Let me see it."

"Here 'tis. She's a dandy."

"I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?"

"Not zackley . but almost."

"Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble."

"Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller."

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, perhaps."

I left the stand smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering.

Several years went by, each more rapid that the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his viewing that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts ... all very professional looking.

They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.

Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and mentioned the story she had told me about the marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

"Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about.! They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size ... they came to pay their debt."

"We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho."

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

Royal Ambassadors

Make learning FUN!

This is one of the goals of Royal Ambassadors. Six boys divided into two teams.

After three innings, the score is tied at one run each...