Big Tent

A larger tent was erected by the church and for the last couple of weeks we have had beautiful Sunday morning weather.  We were all able to worship together outside under the tent.  When I first walked up to the tent, I had a feeling like I was going to attend an old time revival meeting.  I was half expecting Billy Graham to show up and start preaching!  We did hear the gospel preached, and that's what we were expecting.  It's good to be able to fellowship together again.

I spent the early part of the week sidedressing Nitrogen on the corn.  With that finished, I went on an outing to Peoria with the wife of my youth for the first time since February.  She had a doctors appointment, so I read in the car while waiting.  Then we checked out the new Faire Coffee shop in Grande Prairie Mall.  I don't drink much hot coffee, but I do enjoy frappuccinos and flavored iced coffees.

Sister Rita wanted to host family vacation at her new house this year.  We were only able to be there three nights, but we were glad to make it.  Her house plus a couple neighbors with loft apartments, and the group that was able to make it was housed.  Their landscaping nor pool were finished yet, but the neighbors let us use their pool and there was plenty of water activities on the St. Joseph River/Cedarville reservoir.  She also arranged several trips, shopping, and tours.  One evening we went to one of her Amish friend's farm for buggy and wagon rides.  Amish Patriarch Ben let me "drive" his Percheron team of horses on the wagon.  They pretty much knew where they were going and I just had to hold the reins.

She had the evening meals catered in, and Friday evening a pizza company brought their portable wood fired pizza oven to the house and we had all you can eat freshly made pizza! It was excellent pizza!  They had a little trouble keeping ahead of our family, but they did a great job.

And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the Lord.
II Chronicles 31:2

Worship

Sunday, for the first time since March 11th, we had a real church service with the congregation.  A small tent was set up on the church lawn to seat the elderly, the ministers, and to shelter the podium and electronics.  The congregation sat in lawn chairs around the tent, social distancing.  It was a beautiful day; sunny, light breeze, pleasant temperature, and low humidity.  Since it was outdoors, we could sing and not wear masks.  It was good to be together again, even if a little different.  Tonight we had our first indoor service in the church building.  We sat every other bench and social distanced.  Everyone had to wear masks except while listening.  Then we were ushered straight outside to fellowship.  It was a little awkward, but again, good to be together in church again.

Parishioners arriving with lawn chairs in hand prior to services. 

Nephew Clayton came over Saturday afternoon and installed a new garbage disposal for us.  He did it in a fourth of the time it would have taken me to do it.  Not the most flattering picture of him, but that's the plumbers life.  It's good to have a plumber in the family!

I have the corn replanted finally, but am waiting a little to replant soybeans as some are still coming up.  I definitely have drowned out spots that need to be replanted.  Another strange spring drawing to a close.

And gather thou all the congregation together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Leviticus 8:3