Spring Update - part 1

​Wow! Where do I begin? It has certainly been a very busy spring! Revival in the local church with John and Betty Case was a wonderful time with several victories around the altar. Sunrise service at the local church followed by Cheri’s “Biscuits and Gravy” at the parsonage! And then one tremendous Easter Sunday Service! God is so good! Thanks to all those who helped! Let’s remember all throughout the year – HE IS RISEN!
Next, Cheri and I were privileged to attend IHC Dayton. I call this my ministerial. It was so good to meet and greet “old” friends! We enjoyed every part of the convention, and the weather was just perfect. I started attending the convention in 1976 as a young boy, now here I am almost an old man still attending every year and loving it! There is always rich spiritual food to be had and a trip or two to Skyline Chili’s as well! ;-) Thanks to the Plank and Sankey team for another great convention! IHC has always been the highlight of the year for me and if you’ve never been to one, I would strongly encourage you to go at least once.
On our way back east we were able to spend some time with Dad in Lancaster, OH which is always wonderful. He still lives in the same house he and Mom purchased 53 years ago. Believe it or not their house payment was $59 a month! Times certainly have changed a bit! I’m so grateful for a Christian father who lives what he believes!
Then we travelled to visit some dear friends of ours, Ernie Ingold and his wife, where we picked up a new “house speaker” for our church sanctuary. Ernie owns Ingold Sound System, which specializes in church sound systems. (www.ingoldsound.com) He and his wife are two of the best people in the whole wide world! Ernie was recently diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer and I’m sure he would appreciate your prayers!
Toward evening we headed over to Apple Creek, OH to spend the night with Lloyd Hershey and his wife, dear friends for many years. After a brief visit we drove down the road to an Amish home where we were invited to supper with several fine families. A few years ago Lloyd and I took four young Amish boys to Montana for an elk hunt in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, then two years later we went again, tonight we re-lived the past.  It was a very  enjoyable evening to get back together and reminisce with everyone, looking at the pictures and retelling the stories.  After a delicious supper and prayer with our friends we made our way back to the Hershey’s place for the night. We just love the Amish country in Holmes County, Ohio.
Saturday morning before heading into Pennsylvania, we stopped in Salem to visit Deb Thomas, she had recently found out that she had cancer and was already in serious condition. We visited and prayed with her and her precious daddy for quite some time. Debbie was such a blessing to our family in so many ways, today she is safe in the arms of Jesus never to suffer anymore.
It was so good to get home to our home church in time for Sunday. We love our congregation, they are all so kind!  We also missed the community visitation which both of us stay very busy at. Some may never get to attend our church, but what an awesome privilege to share Jesus with them in their individual settings.                          Well I’ll pause for now, but stay tuned I’ll be back!