At first glance, most of you will think,

"Ken's found another snake." But in

actuality, Judy and I happened upon

a different wonder of nature.

Take a closer look and you'll appreciate

the magnitude of this oddity of nature.

It's a chain of those spiny caterpillars

that are commonly seen singly all around

yards, gardens, and woods. 

We encountered this eye-catching phenomenon

just in front of Judy's Aunt Elsie's front door.

Judy said they looked like circus elephants

marching with trunks-to-tails.  She was also

concerned I might get in serious trouble for

posting these pictures if they were actually

"propagating" their species while "marching."

However, all activity seemed innocent.

In this short video, you can observe these

creatures marching to the steady beat of an

 unseen drummer in an orderly, purposeful way.

And I might add, would God look down on

us, in our typical daily activities, and see us

going about our business in an orderly,

purposeful manner?  I'd like to know that I'm 

fulfilling God's purpose for me and my life

as well as these supposedly "lower creatures."

***

Judy and I both just finished reading a book

for youths called The Seven Wonders of

Sassafrass Springs.  In it, a young boy who

finds his town boring is challenged by his

father to find seven "wonders" in seven days.

They are to be local and man-made, along

the lines of the ancient Seven Wonders of

the World.  It's a fun, clever, and thought-

provoking book.  And it reminded me yet

again how the extraordinary is often right

alongside the ordinary. But we have to keep

our eyes open.  And that's true in both the

physical and spiritual realms.

***

When we departed from Elsie's house after our

 visit, the mysterious larval parade had vanished.

But they had taught their lesson for the day.

A week ago, Manor Care Health Services

held a nice luncheon for its many volunteers.

My relationship with Manor Care goes back

32 years, when Beulah Hill Baptist Church

began its nursing home ministry.

Countless people have tirelessly and selflessly
given to this ministry over the last three decades.

Seven of them were able to attend the
volunteer recognition luncheon.

Left to right are: Margie, Jim, Melissa,

Johnny, Jane, Ken, [Chipper], David

I could tell you volumes about the love

and dedication of each of these fine folks.

Johnny and Jim converse with other

long-time volunteers, Roland and Caroline.

Several tables of wonderful folks from all

over Moore County enjoyed a delicious 

meal together, including wraps, veggies,

potato salad, and ice cream cake.

Here's Margie with Brenda, assistant

activities director.  Brenda is very supportive

and assists us with filling the dining room

for our church services or for my 

monthly singalongs.

Kristen is the activities director and a

dynamo of ideas and creativity.  She

thinks I won't photograph her silliness.

But like me, she will sometimes behave.

She and the entire staff are wonderfully

encouraging to those of us who visit.

Meet Aaron, who assists at our other

ministry at Pinehurst Nursing and Rehab.

Donna frequently helps out at

both locations.

Jim (center) regularly leads and shares

devotions for us at Manor Care.  He had

to work on the day of the luncheon.  Jim's 

family has often provided special music

to enhance our Sunday services.

Faithfully serving in this ministry since its

inception in 1980 are my in-laws, Jack and

Thelma.  They have now passed the reins

on to fellow laborers, and the Lord continues

to supply workers who have a heart for 

the residents of these homes.

Here is Margie with Ray.  Ray passed away

in December and is greatly missed by all

who knew him.  For several years he was

my constant companion and sidekick at

the Sunday services as well as my monthly

singalongs.  Ray had a tremendous heart for our

 friends -- and he could play anything on guitar!

Rest home ministry is very rewarding.

You meet some of the most remarkable 

people.  They are deeply appreciative of

time spent meeting their spiritual needs.

I'm thankful to be a part of this endeavor.

The residents, staff, and my co-workers

are all a blessing to me.  And each time

we gather, God's love and presence are

evident in the relationships and special 

moments we share.

Here is our regular schedule if you would

ever like to drop in and join us:

Church Services

 Manor Care: 2:30 each Second Sunday

 Pinehurst Nursing: 2:30 each Fourth Sunday

Singalongs with Ken and Friends

Manor Care: 2:30 each Fourth Monday

(though this month it will be April 30)

Pinehurst Nursing: 2:00  each Third Thursday

One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure

It is well known that I'm a collector of

many things.  As a history buff, I like to

delve into the stories told by artifacts.  After

35 years, retirement has finally given me time

to investigate decades old trash heaps deep

in the tangled woods of our own property.

There was once a house even older than ours

back in those woods.  Now gone for decades,

the lives of its occupants are told only through

the piles of refuse they discarded in the days

before landfills.

I've worked through the summer to clear

away rusty cans and metal scraps and 

broken glassware of every description.

In the same way that I've recently blogged

about reminders of God in nature, I've 

likewise found reminders of well-known

scriptures in artifacts from the trash piles.

"... But store up for yourselves treasures

in heaven, where moth and rust do not 

destroy, and where thieves do not break

in and steal.  For where your treasure is,

there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6: 20-21

Here's an old three-sided file I discovered.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one

man sharpens another."

Proverbs 27:17

This old lantern was not ornamental, but

a daily necessity in bygone days.

"You are the light of the world.  A city

on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do 

people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  

Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives

light to everyone in the house.  In the same

way, let your light shine before men, that

they may see your good deeds and praise

your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5: 14-16

One of my favorite treasures is this glass

kerosene lamp, with wick intact, preserved

unbroken. How practical, but inexpensive.

"Be dressed and ready for service and

keep your lamps burning . . . . Because

the Son of Man will come at an hour you

do not expect Him."

Luke 12: 35a, 40b

The lamp also recalls one of my favorite

children's choruses:

"Give me oil in my lamp,

keep me burning,

Give me oil in my lamp, I pray,

Give me oil in my lamp,

keep me burning,

Keep me burning

till the break of day."

Among the volume of broken rubble, I

have salvaged dozens of unbroken jars and

 bottles of all sorts.  They once contained

common items of daily use.

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of

darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts

to give us the light of the knowledge of the

glory of God in the face of Christ."

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to 

show that this all-surpassing power is from 

God and not from us."

2 Corinthians 4: 6-7

This brass door knocker once alerted a

family to guests at their front door.

"Behold! I stand at the door and knock.

If anyone hears my voice and opens the

door, I will come in and eat with him,

and he with me."

Revelation 3: 20

Do you recall the children's song that begins

"Behold, behold, I stand at the door

and knock, knock, knock"?

Such songs are laden with biblical truth.

The last time I used a true "fountain pen,"

the type you had to fill from an ink bottle,

I was in elementary school learning cursive.

My own children and grandchildren never

used one and may have never seen one.

"I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth

disappear, not the smallest letter, not the

least stroke of a pen, will by any means

disappear from the Law until everything

is accomplished."

Matthew 5: 18

This pen from antiquity brings to mind

words from the song "The Love of God."

The love of God is greater far

Than tongue or pen can ever tell;

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade,

To write the love of God above,

Would drain the ocean dry.

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky.

Now you might think I'd be hard pressed
to find a biblical reference to this toy truck cab.

Well, this isn't directly from scripture,

but in the '70's someone added a verse

to "Give Me Oil in My Lamp."

"Give me gas in my Ford,

Keep me truckin' for the Lord."

Yes, reminders of our God and the

Lord Jesus Christ are on every hand

in our world.  Not just through the 

wonders of creation, but even the works

of man's hands are tied to countless 

scriptures, parables, and teachings.

Let me close with one of Paul's benedictions

found in Colossians 3: 15-17.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,

since as members of one body you were called

to peace.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ

dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one

 another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, 

hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your

hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether in 

word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Up to date -- FINALLY!

With this post, I'll be caught up on photos--

at least until Tuesday-- haha.  This is the

FOURTH post of the day-- I'm rockin'

and rollin', so if you haven't seen them 

all, keep on scrolling down (if you have time).

Lately, when we go to Hunter's house, I 

take this car along, because he can really

zoom on those hardwood floors.  Our

house has quite a few more obstacles.

When Grandma's around, reading a good

book is always a popular option.  And

sometimes, Bri reads the book-- her way.

Little Miss Daredevil

Bri suggests a snack of Clementines.

Counting slices becomes a math lesson.

When Judy read a book about a

ballerina dancing on her toes, Bri

trotted off and came back with her

bunny slippers, so she could 

do a ballet demonstration.

Now it's tunnel time.  Who's that coming out?

The next day, Claire and Evan were back

at our house.  They love this folding seat

for story time or video time.

And sometimes they're a little shy

when they're picture's being taken.

Claire's surrounded by several favorite

things: an airplane, Curious George, Sammy

the Seal (the book), her blanket, and a

fiber optic angel Margie recently gave Judy.

Evan has other interests and decides to 

provide a little music.  Everybody wants to

play the harmonica to be like Grandpa Loyd.

It's a great way to get your aerobic exercise.

Evan's all about having fun on this day.

And Claire has decided that the fiber optic

angel is her new favorite.  Thanks, Margie!

There may be some videos coming up soon,

but at least I'm caught up on pictures.  Not for long!

Still More Fun at the Loyd Place

These pictures are from the same afternoon

as the previous blog. Be sure to check it out, too.

Evan and Hunter spent quite a while racing

balls and cars down this track.  Uh-oh.

Hunter, didn't anyone ever tell you it's bad

luck to crawl under a race track?!

Calamity of calamities.The giant Easter egg 

won't fit in the basketball goal. 

When Hunter pulled up a chair to drink

his juice, Evan dragged one right alongside.

Judy and I thought this looked like a couple

of old men sitting around a barber shop.

They sure do want to be grown up.

Have shovel, will dig.

Evan hit the ball so hard Grandpa

had to resort to duct tape on the bat.

We have never, ever run out of things to do.

Grandma Judy starts up a game of "Hide

in the Sheet." Claire's disappearing.

Bri is practicing her new skipping.

This sheet is a moving target.  It was a very

 windy day, which made the game more fun.

Aha!  I've got you AGAIN!

Will Hunter become the hunted?

Only if Evan would rather chase him than

play in that big hole.

The fascination of "the hole" wins out and 

Bri joins him.  Hunter says, "Well, if you're

not going to chase me, I'm coming back in."

Free-for-all!  3 on 3.

As far as Kitty Cat is concerned, the children

can wrestle an tumble all afternoon.  Just

don't interrupt his nap, please.

Nope, this still isn't the end.  Another 

post full of pictures coming up.