Almost forty years ago.

Who ARE these people?

Well, I'm sure my children know who they are and would like me to take this picture out of my BLOG.  To the left is Phil, my only son, at age 7 or 8; then comes Alan in his early 30s, Cyndi, our youngest; me; and Becky, our middle child, age 5.

This picture is almost 40 years old.  Weren't my children adorable?  My girls are beautiful women and my son --- well my son isn't beautiful, and if anyone ever said he was he'd probably punch them out, and get killed in the process.  But I have to admit my son is a very lovable person and he has four children who wish he would be able to spend more time with them.


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This and that.

So many people were praying for Mt. Calvary and the near demolition of that century old church.  I know several area churches were praying.  Many contributed money so that the church could be restructured and the members could once again worship in their familiar building.

I am not sure when the church was built but there is a corner stone that says 1911.  And there was a water hole cover in our back yard, later moved to the edge of Mom's garden on the side of the house,  that also said 1911.  I didn't see that marker the last time I was in Runnemede and did my walkthrough of mom's garden, which was her successor's garden, which then became the church community garden, I suppose.

Anyway, that round cover, which has disappeared since the water hole (aka cesspool) was filled in, wasn't in use for over 50 years.  But I remember that cover, and it was made of cement and stones -- which is called pea gravel these days.  Give stones a special name and you can charge more for them.  Thus pea gravel rather than stones.

I, myself, am so very glad that the church is being rebuilt and that it is now safe enough to be occupied. 

Christmas Eve was the first service since the flood in late July took out the east lower wall. 

I know when dad was pastor they didn't have a Christmas Eve service.  He always went to the Lutheran service (and dragged me along with him, when all I wanted to do was open my gifts) and recommended that anyone who wanted to attend a Christmas Eve service should go there. 

My dad and Pastor Lott had a lot in common theologically, and dad loved that service.  He surely did.

So MCUC opens its doors again.  I pray that the church will grow and be a light on the North side of Clements Bridge Road, as Evangelical Lutheran Church is on the South side.

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'Twas The Night Before Christmas - Fred Waring and The Pennsylvanians - ...

Not a creature was stirring

It's very quiet at our present home right now, but it wont be on Sunday.  That's the day my son and his family visit us for their Christmas "DAY" with dad's parents.  I know they will probably be bored most of the time, but we're keeping the time short.  Maybe we'll play Bingo, maybe not.  It's a tradition with the grandchildren no matter what their age to play Bingo, but I'm way behind this year and I don't know whether I'll have Bingo "cards" ready by Sunday. 

Did I have days like this when I was a child?  Well, not exactly.  All of my grandparents were gone, as in passed away, so there wasn't a trip to my grandparents, but...

We did have trips to my Aunt Annie's and then later in Christmas week, a trip to my mom's brother, Joe. 

Aunt Annie's game was Chinese Checkers and we giggled our way through that game.

Then at Uncle Joe's all we cared about was eating Aunt Rita's delicious rigatoni and sausage, and her baked chicken was so good as well, and then, of course she had an anti-pasta and a mixed greens salad.  Yummy. 

I have tried to mixed both events -- games and food -- for my grands and up until this year I have had pretty good success (Alan and I had the stomach flu one year). 

Do I miss my Aunts and Uncles and cousins?  You bet I do.  We had such fun times.  At least that's how I remember it.

I hope you all have pleasant memories of Christmases in the past and that this year you will make another pleasant memory for your family for years to come.

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MCUC update

I received an e-mail from a friend in Runnemede who said that the church has been saved!  An organization in Runnemede provided help in the form of Engineers and foundation builders to get the church back onto a foundation. 

I am so glad the church will be opening soon.  There is still no heat in the building because the heater (boiler) was so damaged, but being in a cold church is just like in the early 1900's when folks brought hot bricks to church with which to keep warm (minimally) by stashing the bricks at their feet or putting them in their coat pockets.

I'm sure the Lord will provide what is needed for this tiny church that has faithfully taught the Bible above all else.

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