Fairfield, CA May 4, 2012

As we drove out of SFO toward the east and Fairfield to be with Pastor Stonestreet and family, we saw many signs.  One said The San Francisco Bridge is using $100 billion of Foreign Steel.  It should be Made in the USA.  Apparently the additional bridge is being constructed at a huge cost-overrun and some US steel companies are not happy.  Why am I not surprised?  When government does anything, it always costs way more than if private companies would do.  But that is another issue not for this blog.

 

The writing on the hill says South San Francisco, The Industrial City.  The hills were barren, seemingly, as there were no tall trees.  The housing has the Southwest flavor to it.


The Stonestreets have three dogs--two German shepherds and a smaller breed.  She was very happy to see us.   :-)   There are also four birds, one a mackaw.

Pastor grilled ribs--yummy--and  special treat.  Janet made marvelous slaw with ramen noodles, and baked beans and corn on the cob. 

Sara found a new friend. 


That evening we went to an Eagle Scout ceremony involving a young man from the church.  It was so heartwarming to see these young men demonstrate what the Scouts are all about--honor, truth, honesty, patriotism and love of God.   Matthew is the second son of this family to reach this level.  The Dad is a scoutmaster, too.

Flight to SFO

Friday, we had to get up at 4:00 a.m.  (groan) to depart the house for the airport.  Joe spent the night so he could drive us to Dulles Airport.  We managed to leave just after 5:00 a.m. and got to the airport about 6:00 a.m.--good timing as the roads were not that crowded.  However, there was a lot of cars on the road at that hour going someplace...

We were able to check in at the curbside area and proceeded to wait until our flight about 9:30 a.m. after a short delay.  The flight itself was great, although the seats were cramped, but that is to be expected in economy class.  We don't usually fly United, but have some free miles for the tickets.  The airline service is not like it was a few years ago.  The airline now charges for checked baggage; if you want a meal, you have to buy it for between $6-9 and it came in the form of a snack box--lots of carbs, little protein.  Anyway, I prefer the hot meals with eating utensils.  Cleanup was easier, but air travel is just not the same, expect for those who can afford business and first class.  Ok, that's off my chest, so on to the rest of the trip.

 Sara had the window seat and spotted this lake which may have been man made. The rim was rather even and smooth.

 This is a bridge across the San Francisco Bay as we approached the airport. 

  As we walked the airport to get our luggage there was a display from the Singer Sewing Company.  It was spiffy seeing all the old sewing machines and patterns from 80 years ago.  These were working toy machines.  Aren't they cute?

One of the last ones was of quilt blocks, so I had to take a photo!

Fabric Finds

 These are the fabrics I found at  the three or four quilt shops I've been to so far.  There was no particular project in mind for getting these, except I needed to replenish my stash. 

 The one at the bottom left is actually prints of various stitches on white, rather unique.  The other white print is colored doggie prints.   Then some florals and fireworks, patriot prints.

These last ones were found at the Material Girls in LaPlata, MD. It is a family owned business for the past nine years. 

My favorite ladybugs were there and bright butterflies, as well as Dr. Seuss. 

http://www.materialgirlsquilt.com/


I also bought a Brother machine SC9500 with some 90 stitches and alphabet capabilities for about $200 (lots of English classes taught to get this one).   This I got at Hancock Fabrics and will take it back on the plane.  I've decided not to open it and leave it factory sealed so hopefully the screeners at the airport won't think I have something in there I should not have.  We shall see.

Little Noel

Noel is a Chapoodle about 5 months old.  Matthew came over one night after work and was sitting on the couch.  This little dog started licking the bottom of his shoes.  Must have been all those marvelous flavors from Panda Express.  Sara got down there with the camera and filmed it.   The dog got a little upset when Sara tried to make her stop.   :-)

The First Baptist Church in America

This church was started by Roger Williams back in 1638 and has been continuously meeting since. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Baptist_Church_in_America

Pastor Crichton knows the bell ringer, a former fire chief whose job it is to keep the premises in order.  He gave us a personal tour of the building which has an amazing history.  We even got to go up to the bell tower, some 110 steps up! Spiffy view of Providence, Rhode Island.  

We got a photo of us behind the pulpit.  The pipe organ is amazing.  Here is a photo of the bell.

Sara, Henry and Pastor Crichton in front of the church.  I'm behind the camera.

Rhode Island April 28-29, 2012

We had a meeting in Johnston, RI, on Sunday,  so we left Friday and drove about seven hours to get there.  It was a pretty ride on some parts of I95; we have traveled this route numerous times in the past.   Most of the water towers we have seen before, but the sky was pretty in one part of the ride.

We arrived at the Great Rhode Island Baptist Temple in Johnston about 5:30 pm and were met by Pastor Crichton who founded the church 38 years ago.  His wife was in Florida visiting her elderly mom, so was not there to meet us.  We stayed in the Prophet's Chamber which is located behind the baptistry.  That means the chlorine was rather strong just outside the door.  Anyway, it was a beautiful room and we were very comfortable.    Pastor took us out to dinner at a place called Uno.  I ate a huge salad while the others had huge sandwiches and side dishes. 

Sunday morning we were awakened about 6:00 a.m. by the honking of a pair of Canadian geese, one whom perched on the awning just under our window.  Eventually they walked off together to the woods.

Sunday morning Henry taught the men and teen boys and I spoke to the women and teen girls.  My topic was basically a testimony from the time we became missionaries back in 1989.  My text was from Psalm 37:25 "I have been young and am now old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken nor His seed begging bread."  When we started out Henry quit his job and since I was a SAHM, we had NO income, yet all the needs were met.  We never missed a rent payment; had plenty of food and gas for the car and in the process of it all, had another child half-way through the two years we were on the road.  Some things I would have done differently, but it is always good to count your blessings  when you find yourself in a tough situation.  That way we can remember what God has done in the past and has promised what He will do in the future.  The best thing to do is keep a diary (as it was called when I I grew up) or a journal of the blessings God gives; then when the hard times come it will be easier to recall what God did do.

The people were great, very friendly and interested in our ministry.  The GRIBT has supported us since about 1990 and have been very faithful. 

Pastor preached the morning service, then took us out to lunch.  This time we went to the Yamato Japanese Steak House, a place he had not been.  We wanted to see how authentic it was.  Come to find out all the staff there are Chinese.  :-)   Sara had a chicken dish, I ordered a shrimp dish, Henry had a variety of items and he tried to get Pastor to taste, including gyoza--fried dumplings with a garlic flavored meat.  He was game.  It was actually quite good but the rice was more a long-grain than the short type in Japan, but good, nonetheless.

During the evening service Henry show our presentation and preached a familiar message.  Then we went out for ice cream after church.  Pastor Crichton told us about the oldest Baptist church in America that was nearby, so we decided to go there on Monday.