Medicine Cabinets and Travel

Open or think about your medicine cabinet. Now imagine if you will if everything in the cabinet would fall out when you open the door. That has happened to me every move. Just to prove I am not a complete idiot, I just empty the cabinet before we slide in and pack out. I have saved the lives of numerous spray bottle tops with this simple move.

Sunrise on the Delaware Seashore

You have to get up pretty early to get a shot like this. All right, sunrise is at 7:19, not really too early. It was a brisk 53 degrees.

Thank you God for the majestic reminder of who you are and who we are not. You care for us in season and out. You are in control of all things. You make the ocean tides move whether we are watching or not.

PB and J

When we parked our house, haRVey in Olney at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, we were able to be part of a PB&J assembly line and make sandwiches for an area homeless shelter. Most of the youth we were working with said that PB&J was not their favorite sandwich, but guess what they had for lunch? Yes, PB&J.

Our Friends, Molded over the Years

Dave offered to do premarital counseling with Brad and Angelina, but they were non-committal about the prospect.

Jackie is wearing a hat, I am wearing a hat ... I had to pose with her - oh, and President Kennedy was there too.

Contrary to what you may think, these folks are tight-lipped in person and had a waxy look about them.

In His Hands

Dave has the Washington Monument and Capitol in his hand... I don't think the song will catch on. Besides, I know for a fact, God already has it covered.

Hanging out in DC

If you look closely at Lincoln’s hands, his left hand looks like an “A” in American Sign Language and his right hand looks like an “L”. Sculptor David Chester French was quite familiar with ASL – his son was deaf.

The Washington Monument with the moon was taken by Dave.



The photo of Dave and the brick wall - was taken at the base of the Washington Monument.

Veterans

It was very moving to spend time in our Nation's Capitol. Pictured above are WWII veterans who gathered for a reunion. My favorite comment - "Well, we don't march as good as we used to," another replied, "that's okay with me."

Sign of Changes

This sign was posted at the Capitol. There was indeed construction going on - a platform is being built.

Pastor Brennan Gaertner

Pastor Gaertner is pictured front and center in this photo. We were privileged to be living in the parking lot of Ascension Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, PA, on the day of his installation. He has worked as a missionary in Bolivia; with men and women in recovery, and with at-risk youth in East Harlem; helped start a church on Manhattan's west side... then he went to seminary!

On Monday, October 6, Brennan helped us take in the sights of downtown Pittsburgh. The city of many bridges, home of the first heart transplant, and celebrating 250 years!

Art Rooney

"He's a quiet man, but with a solid sort of wisdom," said Dave, who listens intently to what this larger than life NFL owner has to offer.

Art Rooney was the original owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team and is a beloved figure in Pittsburgh. This statue sits at the foot of Heinz Stadium near the site of the old Three Rivers Stadium, which, as Dave learned, has been gone for several years.

Pittsburgh is an extraordinarily beautiful city, especially downtown. If you want to think great thoughts, grab a friend, seek out one of the pedestrian overlooks on Mt. Washington and look out over downtown Pittsburgh. All the problems of the world will be solved in 20 minutes or so, tops.

Cuyohoga Valley National Park

Normally in a state park you would expect photos of trees and such, but when Dave is with you in the park, you take pictures of trains. (Dave: "Yeah, but that's a B&O Alco FA! Very rare!") Dave's older brother, Steve, was a brakeman, conductor and engineer, and passed along a good share of his love of trains to little brother.

Singer Bob

Bob Stoesser was Dave's opening act at a concert hosted by Community House of Joy in Brecksville. Dave has never had an opening act - it was exciting.

Bob has just finished his first CD and called up friends to come and listen to him on Sunday evening. We had a full house. Dave and I would have called our friends too except we do not have any in Brecksville, Ohio...

It was a great evening to share the Cross and the Empty Tomb. Thank you Doug Zelesky for allowing us to sing for your people.

Pastor Dan - Luthier

Pastor Dan Esala hosted a concert at his church recently. After the concert we had an opportunity to see his guitar collection - all hand-made by Pastor Dan. What a hobby! Dave thought the craftsmanship was extraordinary and the sound was great. Dan improves with each guitar. He has built five or so thus far. Dave looks forward to playing #18 or #23.