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Church-Part 6C

30 Oct

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Back in September, in the posting I wrote, I mentioned the church we were members of in Wiesbaden, West Germany.  As it turned out, while we were in Heidelberg, Immanuel Baptist Church in Wiesbaden, was celebrating it’s 25th Anniversary as an established church (in 1957).   Since we were only one hour away from Wiesbaden, we took the girls with us and attended that celebration.

If you remember another previous posting, you might remember Immanuel Baptist Church had built a new building after we rotated Stateside.  It was in this building where the celebration was held.

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wiesbaden, West Germany Photo by Fred Wills

Photo by Fred Wills

Photo by Fred Wills

It was a joint celebration with the Americans and Germans together.  There was music by the German choir, there was preaching by the very first pastor of that church, Herman Dee Stout. 

Photo by Fred Wills

Pastor Herman Stout – first pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church

German choir behind him

Herman and his brother, Herbert L. Stout, had been military (U.S. Army, we think) at one time in Wiesbaden.  After they got out of the military, Herman came back to Germany and Wiesbaden to start that first church in Wiesbaden.  (Herbert was called as pastor to Bethel Baptist Church in Frankfurt the following year, 1958).   All the former pastors of the Immanuel Baptist Church were in attendance, except the gentleman who was pastor when we were there.  He was in ill health at that time and was unable to attend.

Fred was able to stand and bring greetings from our family – who were members 10 years before – and from the Grace Baptist Church in Heidelberg.

Following the upstairs festivities, there was cake, punch, and coffee downstairs.  It was a joyous time for us, as well as the Immanuel Baptist Church.  We felt blest to be able to attend that meeting, and be in Germany during that time.

Photo by Fred Wills

Downstairs, at the tables

Photo by Fred Wills

In another vein, I would like to tell a humorous story about our Heidelberg pastor, Greg.  In this picture, you will see a man with a very full beard – a former pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church who was pastor in Wiesbaden the same time we were in Heidelberg.

Photo from IBC webpage

Greg so admired that beard, that he determined to grow one for himself.  Unfortunately, Greg’s beard was not anywhere near as full or thick – or black!  One Sunday morning, he decided to shave it off.  All of us in the congregation were surprised to see him clean-shaven that morning, when he got up to preach.  Unfortunately, I can’t remember what the sermon was about, but I do remember that, in the middle of the sermon, he said, “folks, as you can see, I’ve shaved off my beard this morning.  As I stood looking at myself in the mirror, I realized that it was the first time in my life I’ve had hair on my chest!”

As you might imagine, we in the congregation erupted in laughter!  And that statement might just as well have illustrated a point in his sermon.  I just don’t remember – I only remember the laughter it produced!

WE….ARE THE CHURCH!

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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2022 Road Trip-Part 8A

26 Oct

A Slice of LIfe

Bill Lites

Day 8 (5/23/2022)

After breakfast this morning, I headed northwest 35 miles on US-68 to visit the old McCracken County Jail Museum located in Paducah, KY.  As it turned out, I forgot to add the word ‘Museum’ to my search, and I ended up at the ‘New’ McCracken County Jail.  No museum there!  I realized my mistake and drove just a few blocks to where I intended to visit the Paducah Railroad Museum, but it was closed.  So, as I was heading for the River Heritage Museum, I passed the old William Clark Farmers Market House entrance and stopped to take a photo.  This historic building, in the middle of Paducah was built around 1827, when the city was platted by William Clark, and was the city’s farmers market and gathering place for many years.

Photo Credit; Bill Lites

When I arrived at the River Heritage Museum, I discovered, it is a small museum located on the banks of the Ohio River that displays artifacts and memorabilia used to help educate and preserve the history of America’s river systems.  I have to admit that I have never been an avid American river history student, and really couldn’t tell you what rivers run thru what states. This museum was quite an education.

Photo Credit; Bill Lites

Just around the corner, I stopped to check out The National Quilt Museum there in Paducah.  This museum has three galleries which display some 600+ fiber art quilts from local artists as well as those from around the world.  The museum is also unique in that it provides workshop classes for fiber art students for all ages of children and adults.  Quite an interesting and beautiful display!

Photo Credit; Bill Lites

Leaving Paducah, I headed northwest, along the Ohio River for a while, on SR-306, picked up I-24, and crossed the Ohio River (border) into Illinois.  Then it was northwest another 70 miles on I-24 to visit the General John A. Logan Museum located in Murphysboro, IL.  This small museum is situated in the original house built by Tom Logan in 1885, and is filled with artifacts and memorabilia covering the life and times of General John A. Logan (1826-1886).  The General (at his wife Mary’s suggestion) was instrumental in the creation of our Memorial Day holiday (originally known as Decoration Day).  A mister Christopher C. Buller purchased the house in 1890, where he and his wife, Anna, raised 15 children.  In 1908 General Logan’s wife, Mary Logan, turned their ‘Calumet Place’ home in Washington, D.C. into a museum honoring the general, and later she donated the general’s furnishings to this museum.

Photo Credit; Bill Lites

Now I headed north 30 miles on SR-13 to visit the Old Perry County Jail Museum located in Pinckneyville, IL.  This museum is housed in the original 1871 Perry County Jail, which replaced the 1833 Perry County Jail, and served as the only correctional facility in Perry County until 1987 when it was replaced by a new jail facility.  The museum displays prison artifacts and memorabilia describing prison life as it was in the 19th and 20thcenturies in southern Illinois.

Photo Credit; Bill Lites

Next, I headed west 40 miles on SR-154 (a little out of my way) to visit the Spinach Can Collectables & Popeye Museum located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Chester, IL (birthplace of Elzie Segar, the creator of the ‘Popeye’ comic character).    This small store-front shop and museum sells and displays a large assortment of ‘Popeye the Sailor Man’ antique artifacts (some not for sale) and collectables.  The museum also hosts the annual ‘Popeye Festival’ held there in Chester each July.  Popeye was my hero as a youngster!

Photo Credit; Bill Lites

—–To Be Continued—–

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 65 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Manned Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, traveling, writing blogs about his travels for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing.  He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum there in Titusville.  Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.

One of Bill’s favorite Scriptures is:  John 10:10

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Quick to Listen

24 Oct

My Take

DiVoran Lites

My dearest brothers and sisters, take this to heart: Be quick to listen; but slow to speak. And be slow to become angry, for human anger is never a legitimate tool to promote God’s righteous purpose. Therefore, (with the help of Holy Spirit) abandon everything morally impure and all forms of wicked conduct. Instead, with a sensitive spirit we absorb God’s Word, which has been implanted within our nature, for the Word of Life has power to continually deliver us. James 1:19

Photo Credit Pixabay

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

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Church-Part 6B

23 Oct

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Just a side note to finding a new pastor in our Baptist church in Germany.  There was one young man, from California, who expressed interest in becoming our pastor.  The Search Committee heard audio tapes from some of his sermons. 

Credit Pixabay

When he said he wanted to come in-person to interview – at his expense – we were agreeable.  Unfortunately, when he preached – while it was a good sermon – those of us on the Search Committee had already heard his sermon, on tape.  He wanted to come in-person, since he had relatives in other parts of Europe, and planned to visit them after visiting with us.

The Pastor Search Committee (Fred and I both were on this committee) met with him during the weekend he was with us.  When I realized we hadn’t talked about the “nitty-gritty” stuff, such as salary, etc., I offered to make lunch following the worship service on Sunday for the committee, and we could sit around our dining room table and discuss things in private. 

Credit Pixabay – French Onion Soup – which I fixed for lunch that Sunday

Everything seemed okay until he asked how we were going to get all his household goods to Germany, as well as his two cars.  We told him that he could bring 2,000 pounds of household goods and one car – the same as the military allowed the rest of us.  That put an end to the discussions, as he said he couldn’t live under those conditions.

Funny end of that story – the very Saturday night before the church was to vote on calling Greg to be our pastor, this gentleman called from California, and asked Fred to ask the committee to re-consider him for the position.

Credit Pixabay

He said his family had had a house fie, and had lost all his possessions,

Credit Pixabay

and one of his cars had been totaled in a wreck. 

Credit Pixabay

He stated that he felt God was trying to get his attention!  Fred informed him that the vote on another man was the next day, and Fred would tell him the result.  As it turned out – the church voted unanimously to call Greg as our new pastor.  

Our new pastor, Greg and his wife, Carol – 1981

Sorry about the clarity of this photo.

We enjoyed our three years with Grace Baptist Church, there in Heidelberg.  We became friends with Greg and his wife, Carol, and his three children.  As I mentioned last time, our Karen and their Brian fell in love, and later married.   Greg and Carol’s middle daughter, Michelle, was a delightful young lady.  She was one of the highlights of the young peoples group at the church.  Our Janet was the same age as their youngest daughter, Deanna, and they became fast friends, as well.

Last time, I mentioned that we had a family from Canada in our church membership.  The wife/mother of the family approached me at one time, about teaching her two boys piano lessons.  I had never thought to teach piano, even though I played, and was the pianist for our church there.  However, when she told me that Canada had a “conservatory” system of teaching and learning piano, I agreed.  Canada has a program where the child can be taught in any province of Canada, and if moved to another province, they can pick right back up where they left off.  It’s an interesting concept.  The boys had already had several years of learning, and it was a delight to work with them within this system.  That allowed them to keep up with the program, and not be far behind when they returned to Canada.

Credit ChurchArt

As with other churches we had been part of, that had a large military base, about one-third of the congregation left for the States every year.  Fortunately, they were replaced by incoming military members the following Fall.

Greg and his family stayed in Heidelberg for about five years, with Brian returning Stateside in our second year in Virginia, to study at the same University where Karen was.  They married in another year, and both completed their education.

WE….ARE THE CHURCH!

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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What To Do While We Wait For The Answer

22 Oct

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Reblogged October 22, 2022

October 21, 2022

Have you been there? Waiting on answers from God? Unanswered prayers bring on doubt. Doubt turns to fear. And then opens the door to anxiety. Before we know it, we join the rest of the world in their gloom and complaining.

We’re not alone; the Israelites join us in that grumbling.

As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?’ It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14: 10-14

Have you ever complained like that?

I have. And that’s because we’re deep into our own struggles. We end up terrified like the Israelites. We grumble in the hot desert of frustration. And as we trudge through the dry land of conflict, of uncertainty and nervousness, we desperately look for God’s answer, a clear path, a solution; we look to be rescued now.

But no one is there. And we have our own Egyptians called stress and anxiety that chase us, threatening to ruin our day.

But if Moses were alive today, he might post a message to all of us, “Do not fret, God will fight your battles. His answer is already here. You need only to be still.”

While we wait for the answer, that reassuring peace is what we invite into our sleepless nights. The battle doesn’t belong to us. The outcome is already in His hands. And the promise of a brighter tomorrow is what fill His promises.

That’s because it’s in the still of His presence that His peace can fill our nights. In the still of our heart is when His whisper brushes through. And in the still of the moment is when we see His promises come alive.

Let’s Pray

Father, calm my heart, whisper your peace into my longing. Silence the voices of fear so I can be secure as I wait for your answers. In Jesus name. Amen.

In the midst of your hectic life, what keeps you from being still enough while you wait for God’s answers?

Janet

______________________________________

Did you know I wrote a book filled with words of encouragement, uplifting thoughts and illustrations of real-life triumph to empower you? Its title, Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life. You can get it HERE.

CLICK HERE for a one-minute inspirational video.

Looking for a speaker for your upcoming event? A great speaker makes the difference between a so-so event and one that shines with impact. I invite you to view one of my two-minute videos HERE.

Please share: Feel free to share Janet’s posts with your friends.

Let’s connect:

Janet Eckles Perez

Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR

Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.

www.janetperezeckles.com

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2022 Road Trip-Part 7B

19 Oct

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Day 7 Continued (5/22/2022)

Next door to Willie’s Museum was the Nashville Palace, which is a live music venue that was once the home of ‘The Grand Ole Opry’ and TV shows like ‘Hee Haw’ and others.  The Nashville Palace is a place where Country singing stars can come to relax and share some of their songs with visitors.  Some of the greats who have appeared at the Nashville Palace, over the years, are Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Roy Acuff, George Jones, Randy Travis, and Mel Tillis just to name a few.  Unfortunately, no performers were on hand while I was there, so the only music I heard was piped out from loud-speakers I could hear from the parking lot.  That’s OK, as I liked what they were playing. 

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Now I headed northwest about 50 miles on I-24 to visit the L & N Train Station Museum located in downtown Clarksville, TN.  This museum is situated in the old restored 1859 L & N Railroad depot, and displays many antique railroad artifacts and memorabilia related to the railroad’s influence on Clarksville and the surrounding Montgomery County area dating from the early 1800s.  The museum also has a restored diesel locomotive and caboose on display outside.

Photo Credit: https://www.google.com.my/travel/l&ndepot/clarksville/

On the north side of Clarksville, I visited the Fort Defiance Civil War Park located on a bluff 200 feet above where the Red River and the Cumberland River converge.  Over the years, the area around this famous site (originally Sevier Station) has been the focal point for Native Americans, early 18th century pioneer settlers, a long-standing trading post, and a stronghold for Confederate forces during the Civil War.  The fort and interpretive center provide a wealth of information related to the use of this site, prior to, and during the course of the Civil War.

Photo Credit: clarksvilletn.com/fort-defiance-civil-war-park/

Now I headed north another 35 miles on US-41, across the border, to visit the Hopkinsville L & N Railroad Museum located in Hopkinsville, KY.  This small depot was built by the EH&N Railroad in 1868.  It was   acquired and refurbished by the L & N Railroad in 1892.  The station closed when the last passenger train left Hopkinsville (Hop Town) in 1968.  However, the L & N Railroad merged with the CSX Railroad in 1982 and CSX still runs trains on the tracks alongside the museum.     The L & N Railroad Museum displays many antique railroad artifacts and memorabilia dating from the early to mid-1800s.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Now I headed northwest 30 miles on SR-91 to check out the Adsmore Museum located in Princeton, KY.  This Greek Revival style residence was built in1854 by John Higgins and served as the family home until, Katharine Garrett, the last surviving relative passed away in 1984.  This living history museum consists of four acres on which one finds the original residence, filled with period furnishings, a carriage house (gift shop), a restored mid-1800s log cabin, and the Ratliff gun shop.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

My motel was in Benton, KY tonight, which was about 30 miles west of Princeton.  So, I gave Greta (My Garmin) the address and using I-24 she took me right to it.   On the way I crossed the Cumberland River and then the Tennessee River before arriving in Benton.  After I got to the motel and checked in, I carried my things in to my room and warmed up my leftover St. Louis Ribs from ‘Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q.’  I really enjoyed that delicious meal again.  Yummm!!   I tried to watch some TV, but there was nothing good on, so I recorded the day’s activities and went to bed.  Boy, was I tired.

Photo Credit: yahoo.com/big+bob+gibson+bar-b-q+st.+louis+ribs

Just looking at this picture, and remembering, makes my mouth water!

—–To Be Continued—–

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 65 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Manned Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, traveling, writing blogs about his travels for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing.  He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum there in Titusville.  Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.

One of Bill’s favorite Scriptures is:  John 10:10

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God Says Listen

17 Oct

My Take

DiVoran Lites

To all my dear, dear friends, 

God says LISTEN to the truth I speak to you. Mark 11:22

And then you will have the truth and the truth will set you free! John 8:32

I was connected with God and the Holy Spirit when I was five years old. Our dear Sunday School Teacher taught us a song called, “Jesus Loves Me’” What a great thing to know. I was His and He was mine. But just in case, I did ask Jesus to come into my life and heart many times Over the years, just because I needed to be sure. I was Baptized when I started going to church with my now husband Bill. He’d already been baptized years ago. Then we once had a Pastor who asked his regulars if he could baptize his faithful ones just to make sure, so we were well covered as far as religion was concerned. You don’t have to do any of that twice. Once is enough. 

When we trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not to our own understanding. God’s truth sets us free. (Not ourtruth, but God’s truth) He is always there for us whether we know what’s going to happen or not.

He stands at our doors and knocks. If anyone hears his voice and will open the door, He will come in. 

One thing I’ve not known and not done in my Christian life was to wait on the Holy Spirit to tell me what to do in any situation. Instead, I’ve rushed off in a panic worrying about what the answer should be. It was a way of generating stress which isn’t really good for us. 

I don’t know why such an obvious thing as quietly listening for Him to take care of me got past me. Sometimes, I still don’t get it. First, I begin to panic, but He is always on my side!  (Thank the Lord) the panic gets pushed away leaving room for big things as well as small ones to come to mind and heart and I quiet down and wait for Him, and he shows me the way.

It is wonderful when He takes something small and magnifies it and I know Holy Spirit lives in me and He cares about the smallest and largest thing and I can live, not in fear, but in delight wondering what the next thing is going to be. Good or bad it’s all in His hands and I am learning that I don’t know it all, but He does.  And I love being guided by them and Him and His love. He can do anything, healings, deliverance, and get this He owns all the cattle in the world and can show us about finances too. I’ve wasted too many years not practicing that kind of prayer, but He’s still with me and I am still His and always, always will be.

Oh How He Loves You and Me

Love, 

DiVoran

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

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Church-Part 6A

16 Oct

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

This English-speaking church (Grace Baptist Church, Heidelberg) had a tradition of going to one of the American resorts in Bavaria for a week’s recreation (i.e. skiing) between Christmas and New Years.  A bus was chartered, and those who wanted to go went with the group.  They went to a different resort each year.  They all stayed in the same hotel.  Some of the “after hours” was fun, as we got together for games, or just fellowship to get to know each other better.  Our family was able to go with the group to Garmisch one year,

The Patton Hotel, Garmisch, Bavaria, Germany – Photo by Fred Wills

 as well as Berchtesgaden another year.

Hotel Geiger, Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, Germany – Photo by Fred Wills

However, since none in our family were skiers, we decided to stay home the year the group went to Chiemsee.  That was about all there was to do there.

Chiemsee castle and fountains – Bavaria, Germany – Photo by Fred Wills

As it turned out, that was a good thing.  As I mentioned earlier, the pastor was ready to rotate Stateside within the first year we were there.  And so we began to look for a new pastor.  (Our Karen and her husband, Brian, seem to remember the pastor’s name was Charles, and his wife was Pauline.  That sounds familiar to us, as well.  Glad they have such good memories!)

Since our church was away from the U.S., the process of searching for a new pastor was different.  We contacted the Baptist Seminaries and asked for references.  When we got them, we contacted the ones we thought were most agreeable to being in Europe, and asked for tapes of some of their sermons.  This was NOT a popularity contest!  We always and foremost, looked for God’s man for our body of believers.  We took the person we thought fit us the best, and worked with him.  If that one didn’t work out, for one reason or another, then we went to the next name.

We contacted a man named Greg. We were most impressed with him, and he was willing to locate to Heidelberg.  We presented his name to the congregation, and the church voted to call him as our pastor.  Greg and his family arrived during the week the church group was at Chiemsee.  Because we had not gone with the group that year, we were there to welcome the family to Germany as well as to Heidelberg.

Our new pastor, Greg and his wife, Carol – 1981 Sorry about the clarity of this photo

The church had rented an apartment for Greg and his family, and the ladies of the church had furnished and decorated it as best we could.  They were unable to bring more than the military allowed us to bring over, so they were mostly ready to just move into the apartment when they arrived.

Our family had planned to have Greg’s family come to our apartment for supper before we left on a bus trip to Paris.

The Eiffel Tower – Judy, Karen & Janet – Photo by Fred Wills – 1981

As it turned out, Greg had injured his back when he helped a German man push his car out of a snow bank, and therefore, his family was unable to come to our apartment.  So I wrapped up my big pot of spaghetti and Angel Hair pasta, picked up some lovely German bread from our favorite German bakery, and took it up the hill to them!

Greg sat at the table long enough to eat, then went back to the couch to rest.  Our Karen and their son, Brian, did the dishes together after supper.  That’s how they met, and have now been happily married for over 35 years!

WE….ARE THE CHURCH!

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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Nothing Much

13 Oct

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

I think we are settled back into mountain life after our time in Florida. We’ve restocked our freezer and refrigerator and are ready to enjoy fall. The mornings have been chilly, upper 40s to 50. In the past I would layer my clothes, grab two blankets and enjoy coffee and quiet time on the porch. But this year, I am lazy, so I have my coffee and quiet time inside, then enjoy my second cup on the porch.

It’s been almost two weeks since we put out our hummingbird feeders and we haven’t spied even one. Yesterday I took the feeder down, cleaned and stored it for next year. I am always sad when they migrate south.

When we were in Florida I bought four yellow mum plants that we on sale at Aldi. Last week we visited with friends in South Carolina. After a delicious lunch the ladies left the men home to guard the comfy leather recliners while we ladies visited “the flower man.” He has a name, but I can’t ever remember it. He has several greenhouses in his yard and sells beautiful flowering plants. I chose a flat of darling pansies in several colors. I love how they bloom all winter and I can enjoy their cheerful color over our security camera. I was surprised to see that he was also selling snapdragons. I thought they were only spring and summer flowers. The flower man explained that snapdragons will bloom two or three seasons. I had to get some!

Tuesday my husband planted two of the mums in a large pot that sits on our front walkway. Wednesday he planted one of the mums in a container with snapdragons on each side. I am excited to watch them grow and bloom. In the spring I hope to fill the container with snapdragons.

When we returned from Florida I was delighted to find my geraniums were not only living but thriving. We still have one more mum to put into a pot. I haven’t decided if I will pot it with other flowers or leave it on its own.

When we went down to Florida, we took two of my hanging baskets that don’t tolerate cold, to winter at my daughter’s house. This is the same type of plant, dipladenia, but it was too large to take to Florida at that time. It is so beautiful and I’m glad I get to enjoy its pink and white flowers for a while longer.

The cost of gas has limited our adventures but we hope to take a short drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway soon to enjoy the Fall color. We are thankful to be able to spend time in these beautiful mountains.

Someone is speaking at the end of the video, not sure who. It is a very popular area. One can walk behind the falls.

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I work as the publicist/marketer/ amateur editor and general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2022 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

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2022 Road Trip-Part 7A

12 Oct

A Slice of Life

Bill LItes

Day 7 (5/22/2022)

This morning after a quick breakfast, I said my goodbyes to my friends, Terry and Mary and headed north 25 miles on SR-29 & SR-166 to visit the Sam Davis Memorial Museum located across the border in Pulaski, TN.  This Memorial Museum is a small mausoleum dedicated to Sam Davis, a young Confederate soldier, who was captured while carrying Union battle papers and hung as a spy on November 27, 1863, at this location.  The museum was closed today this photo of the mausoleum was the only thing I had to remind me of my visit.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Now I headed north 30 miles on US-31 to visit the President James K. Polk Home and Museum located in Columbia, TN.  I discovered this museum was only open for appointment tours, but their website tells me that this is the first home of the eleventh President of the United States.  The house was built by his father, Samuel Polk, in 1816 and was in the family until 1871 when the last Polk relative to live in the home passed away. Sarah Polk was instrumental in preserving many of President Polk’s White House furnishings, which are now displayed in the museum.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

I headed north 45 miles on I-65 to visit the Johnny Cash Museum located in Nashville, TN but by the time I got there, the tourists were out in force, and I couldn’t find a place to park.  I drove past the museum and the streets were so jammed with tourists that I decided to pass up that museum.  That was a very disappointing decision, as Johnny Cash is one of my favorite country singers.  What a Bummer!   Just a few blocks away I tried to visit the Tennessee Central Railway Museum, but it was also closed.  Today was turning out to be a driving day and not a viewing day.  I took a photo of this museum and headed for the next museum on my list.

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

In another part of town, I visited the Lane Motor Museum (I finally found a museum I could visit today!).  This museum made my day.  It is the collection of Jeff and Susan Lane and consists of some 500+ cars (150 on display) from all over the world.  Many of these cars are one-of-a-kind, prototypes or antique models.  The collection is rotated periodically, and many are loaned out to other museums for special events.  One event is the annual fundraiser where donors are allowed to drive one of the museum’s cars on a nearby rural route.  How about that for a donor prize!  This is a fantastic museum for car buffs!

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

Not to be deterred by the many museums being closed on Sunday, I pressed on to visit the Willie Nelson & Friends Museum there in Nashville.  This wild and wooly multi-purpose attraction features a Museum, General Store, Gift Shop, and a Snack Shop.  The Willie Nelson Museum is filled with artifacts and memorabilia that relate to Willie’s life and career.  This whole block is home to several Country Music establishments.  A person could spend a whole day visiting just the stores on this one block!

Photo Credit: Bill Lites

—–To Be Continued—–

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