The big house where most of us slept and ate and hung out. 

The little house where the teenagers used to sleep. The last few years my sister Doris's family slept in it, since they usually have the most people there. 

The rec hall on the hill where we have always had our Sunday morning worship services. 

Chow time again. 

Eating in the kitchen at Camp Andrews one last time. 

My sister Betty and her family drove all the way back to New Hampshire today. 

Ready to head for home. 

We aunts took good care of your son, Barb!! 

Something to celebrate

Today I got a phone call that I've been waiting several weeks for. Our son Sam had told us that there was a good position opening up at his company, and he was one of three who were called back for a second interview. The other two people were not from within the company. It has seemed to take forever for them to announce their decision, but Dick and I kept praying that God would turn their hearts toward Sam. Finally today he was called into an office where he was told that he has the job. It is a promotion, a pay raise (although again, not quite what he was hoping for), and involves a good bit of travelling. He said he actually will now work for headquarters in New York, but they are letting him keep an office at Exton where he now works. The name of the company is Pall Corporation. Needless to say, we are just bursting with pride.

Twelve years ago he came to our family as a 16-year-old right from the streets of Reading, PA. It's been quite a journey from there to here, and I believe, as I always have, that the hand of God is upon him. You go, Sam!

Sam, the 28-yr.-old businessman.

Sam, the 16-yr.-old, from the "hood".

Grandparents Day for the music teacher

Today was Grandparents Day at school. It was the first time I wore the dual hats of music teacher and grandparent. I felt like I was chasing around all day between the two roles. In the morning I combined two classes so I could be free to be in Destiny's room for their special activity with their grandparents. Later I got a volunteer parent to finish my 7th grade class so I could go eat lunch in the gym with Destiny and the rest of the primaries. I could only stay for half the time, because I had to rush back to my room for Middle School Chorus. When I got there a few minutes late there were grandparents sitting in the room, the middle school chorus was on the risers, and instead of being wild and crazy, they were singing one of the songs from the Christmas musical acappella under the direction of two of the eighth grade girls. I was so proud of them.

Five minutes before the end of that period I dismissed them to go to the stage. Two of the eighth grade boys pushed my digital piano to the gym, and by the time I got there, the intermediate and primary departments were in their places on the stage ready for me to lead them all in two songs for all the grandparents.

After that I had a short break before starting my afternoon classes. What a day.

After school I took Destiny to her dance class at the rec center. I was too tired to walk on the treadmill, so I sat and read my mail. While doing that my cell phone rang and it was my Delawarian friend calling to say UPS had delivered her Wilbur Buds! We talked a long time.

When I left the rec center my car needed gas desperately. I drove back to Manheim because I know that the Hess station has the cheapest gas - $2.09. On the way home the scenery was so beautiful with the late afternoon sun shining on the farmland. Since I had my camera along, I stopped and snapped some pictures. I confess that after I got back on the road, I saw more beauty and took pictures while I was driving. Bad, bad, I know. But enjoy the pictures anyway!

Destiny's class did a little program for the grandparents. Here they were singing, "If I were a crocodile I'd thank you, Lord for my big smile." 

The grandparents doing an activity with their grandchildren. 

My granddaugther. 

Manheim farmland. 

Manheim farmland.  

Manheim farmland. 

I liked those trees against the clouds. 

The sun was playing hide-and-seek behind those thick clouds.