Us

Peggy's in Oregon

Hoping to do this.

Not sure if she will get to since the Rogue River is so high. Two rafters drowned in it last week. This is a photo of Peggy with text sent to her by her friend Carol Rheault, with whom she rafts.

Another Reason to Think Twice About Flying

Peggy and I are frequent flyers so we probably have fewer misgivings about flying than those who don't fly regularly. But the price of flying currently has us thinking about driving when we can, and even in my job, we are not flying as much because of costs.

Then you see a headline like this today: "Qantas Plane Dives 20,000 Feet After Hole Ripped Mid-Air in Fuselage."

Not the usual thing, but flying is certainly losing its luster.

Large Hail

We had large hail again today. Power was knocked out at HQ and everyone sent home early (2:30). Here is some hail I photographed from our last large hail storm in Springfield, MO. (These had actually melted some before I brought them in.)

This jagged chunk of hail is nearly 3 inches long.




This is not a baseball; it's a monster chunk of hail.

Homegoing for Missionary C. Earl Stubbs

Peggy and I attended the funeral of missionary C. Earl Stubbs today in Springfield at Central Assembly. Brother Stubbs passed away suddenly on July 15, 2008, in Hyderabad, India, at 65 years of age. During the past 34 years, he and his wife, Arlene, "have been involved in various capacities, but a large part of their ministry has been the pioneering and pastoring of New Life Assembly in Hyderabad. In 25 years, it has grown from four people to around 6,000 people in attendance each week. In addition to this, Earl Stubbs was also involved in ministries throughout South India."

We had never met Brother Stubbs, but Peggy is a close friend of one of his two daughters, Sherilyn McClaflin. There had been a funeral held in India, and many had traveled from India to attend the funeral here. There was a live satellite connection between Springfield and India during the funeral.

What a man of God the service showed him to be. He impacted countless lives for eternity. Our prayers go out to his family and to his church.

Schooner Margaret Todd in Bar Harbor, Maine

I did not know the name of the schooner until someone saw it on Flickr and asked me to post it to a group dedicated to just the Margaret Todd.

Sea Cat

I was asked to submit this photo to a contest featuring cats and water. This was a very sleek looking cat in a harbor in Malaga, Spain.

Deer Flies Attack

I worked most of my hours this week, despite my intentions to do half time as I recover from surgery. Momentous and stressful week at work. Finishing up my book this weekend. Peggy is in York, PA on a Convoy. I met Dennis Franck at Panera, then went out to the Springfield Nature Center to walk and photo. Photographed a gorgeous spotted fawn, resting in the brush. The deer flies were vicious. Thunderstorm cut short the hike. Almost a month into summer and we have not yet had to water the lawn.

Back to Work

Back to the office today. Lasted a little more than half a day. It was far more taxing than expected. I had thought I would be ready for full days by tomorrow but it looks like it will be partial days throughout the week.

Still, it was good to be out and about. Had also planned to get back to my regular walking schedule tonight but walking will remain moderate for a while. I guess a double surgery does require some time.

Halifax Citadel

Shot in 2004 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

One of Peggy's Favorite Stores

Feeling almost human today (still recovering from surgery) so will slowly start blogging again.

Recuperating Nicely

I am recuperating well after surgery on Thursday. We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 a.m. and it was 4 p.m. before my surgery started. They gave me a 2-for-1 deal. Removed my gall bladder and repaired a hernia. Much better than having two separate surgeries.

"Vacation" Starts Tomorrow

With gall bladder surgery. What a way to celebrate the fourth. Some people set off fireworks ...

Air Force Chief of Chaplains Major General Cecil R. Richardson

Air Force Chief of Chaplains Major General Cecil R. Richardson spoke in our headquarters chapel today. I got to meet with him in a small group later. Awhile back I did a podcast with him.

Listen to my earlier podcast with Chaplain Richardson. He has an incredible story.


Podcast with Chaplain Richardson Part 1

Podcast with Chaplain Richardson Part 2