Miss April
Flat Stanley and I made it home late Sunday evening.
Miss April had sent us on our trip together earlier in the week. We had a great time together and are very glad Miss April chose Pastor Dan to help with her first school project. For those of you who do not know Miss April…how could you ever think of saying no to this girl?
Sunday was a great day in upstate NY. Early in the morning we got up and had breakfast with Chip Jeremy. Chip was in youth group seventeen years ago it was fun to see how he has grown and what he is doing today. While we had breakfast we were surprised to have another youth group member (Jessica Hazel) walk into the diner. It was fun to just walk over to her table and sit down and say hello. After she got over the surprise we had a few moments together.
We joined Church of the Redeemer for worship. When Nancy, Joseph and I served there it was known as Memorial Baptist Church. We saw some friendly faces and enjoyed a great time of worship. Worship was simple and pure. A guitar and two vocalists led the congregation into the presence of God. The voices from the pews joined together to create a special time of worship.
Church of the Redeemer
Following church Nancy, Rayann and I went to Beak & Skiff Apple Orchard. Beak & Skiff was a special place for our family when we lived in Cortland. We would sneak off during the week to get some fresh cider donuts and spend some time picking apples. When we arrived there were hundreds of cars and we almost turned around. I was not quite up to walking from the parking lot to the barn to get some apples. Nancy remembered my handicapped sign and next thing you knew we were parked within easy walking distance of the apple barn and bakery. After a few minutes we were out of the crowds and back on the road.
Later we met Chip’s dad Bud for some ice-cream. Bud was a very influential person in my life and ministry. He gave me a copy of the Ragamuffin Gospel and told me I had to read it seventeen years ago. Reading that book changed the way I viewed grace and the way God pursues a relationship with His creation. Over the years of my ministry I have given away plenty of copies of the Ragamuffin Gospel. I have led small groups in reading the book and used it to guide and shape the ministry of multiple Deacon boards. Bud challenged my faith and caused me to grow deep. It was good to catch up with him.
With the chicken eaten we hit the road for PA.
We all enjoyed our travels with Flat Stanley.
I thought Miss April would enjoy a place to see all the pictures we took on the trip…so I put them all below.
I think my favorite is the one with the bride and groom.
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