With a Little Help From Our Friends

It's that time of year again.  What time of year you may ask.  The time when we celebrate the only occasion the bible tells us too.  The Memorial of Jesus Christ death.  With that occasion comes the annual cleaning of the Kingdom Hall.  As usual, Paul and I were with the group that cleaned the outside.  And of course, it had to be the coldest spring in history...at least the history of my life.  However, we had help this year.  Yes, the Spanish group worked with us in that cold, cold weather.  Working shoulder to shoulder with our dear friends, we were able to clean the outside in record time.  And I must admit, it was actually fun!

                                   

Many hands made the load light...and it looks very nice.  Now, if only it would stay that way till at least Wednesday.  Unfortunately, they are calling for snow tomorrow.  We'll see what happens.  March has definitely come in like a lion, the problem is, we haven't seen the lamb, as of yet.   For now, Spring has not sprung.   The calendar may be reading Spring, but the temperatures are screaming winter.  Therefore, I am hibernating myself to the comfort of my couch with a nice cozy blanket and a cup of hot joe...um mm.
See Ya all...when I thaw!!!
                                        

Hello Again...My Friends!

Long time no see. O.k. so maybe it is my fault for not blogging sooner. What can I say...I went south for a few weeks and enjoyed beautiful sunny days the whole time. Since returning it has been dark and dreary, and I have had trouble adjusting. Quite depressing, even the view of the mountains, I love so much, didn't seem to cheer me. But enough about that...let's concentrate on something encouraging. Like all the friends in the Lewistown Congregation. They are thriving. It has been requested that I include some pictures of these dear friends. Since, I aim to please, here's one to start off with.

Quite a nice looking bunch, right? Of course, as you have probably noticed, there are some missing. Now, now, don't get excited. There's more to come. But first, let's talk a little bit about how Lewistown congregation is changing. There are many new ones attending meetings, which is both exciting and encouraging. In addition to that, there are several new families that have moved into the area...bringing along little ones...yah. And then there are the Spanish...and what a happy group they are. Altogether these ones have brought a big change to Lewistown. Of course you know what they say...seeing is believing! So here's another photo of all our "new ones".



                                         


 Ahh...isn't this another nice looking bunch. Jehovah's people are beautiful indeed. Now if we could just get them to cooperate with pictures.  They either seem to disappear when a camera comes out or they just aren't there to start with.  And then there's me and my missing family.  It seems a plumber always has a leaky faucet and a photographer never has pictures of himself or his family.  Well, that just won't do...I'm going to have to change that.  Oh...that's right, I already did.  Here's many who were missing on the above photo's.  Unfortunately, there are still some missing.  Maybe I can get them next time!!!

Even though our Lewistown Congregation is thriving, we still miss all our dear friends who have moved on to new and different territories.  Speaking of territories, I happen to have some photo's of our Amish territory.  This is "Big Valley".  Enjoy!

So you see, we too have interesting territory and we meet many different peoples.   Granted, they aren't begging for bible studies...yet...but they are taking time to listen and who knows what may happen in the future.  After all, it is Jehovah who is drawing people.  We are just the instruments he is using to do so and...  together we can become a beautiful orchestra.  With that pleasant thought, I shall fade out....

A River Runs Through It

The river I'm referring to is none other then the Juniata.  Can you believe, at one time, it was known as the Blue Juniata.  Right about now, any who have ever seen this river, are saying WHAT...is she kidding?  I would say to that...NO... I am not kidding.  Although I shall admit, even though the river has a beauty of it's own, it in no way looks blue to me!   Apparently, that was not always the case.  In fact, there was a song written by Marion Dix Sullivan in 1841, entitled "The Blue Juniata".  This song was one of the most popular parlor songs of the Nineteenth Century.  It was also the first commercially successful song written by an American woman.  So who can argue with Miss Sullivan.  Well let's face it, no one can...she's long gone.  But,  if she thought the Juniata looked blue in the mid 1800's, then it must have been blue.  That was then, this is now...and I have present day photo's for your examination.  So I'll let you be the judge...does the Juniata look blue to you?

                                                   This is the river bridge.

                                              This was taken along the Lewistown narrows.

I'm glad you tackled time out of your busy schedule to bob along the Juniata with me.  I'm not fishing or anything, bait I hope you swim on back again reel soon...Toni

New Things In Lewistown

What's new you ask?  I'll tell you what's new.  The golden arches.  Well, actually the arches themselves remain the same.  However, that's all that is the same.  That once familiar icon has been razed to the ground, then raised back up as a completely different place.  It is now a McCafe.  It looks like a throwback to the 70's, complete with wooden shutters and indoor stone work. Dark and drabby. And seating...I think they forgot about comfort, plus there's about half the seating as there was before.  But hey they have lots of plugs for Internet devices and 3 TV"s.   Yikes... what were they thinking.  The owner says it's designed for adults and older teens. Families should go to the one by Wal-mart.   It's kind of sad, for over the last 40 years it has been there as a beacon.  Calling not only local families, but families passing through to stop and enjoy a quick break.   What does this tell me?  New is not always better.  Sometimes old is just fine!

                                              Woohoo... they now have a double drive threw.

                                                         I think this speaks for itself!

                                                 Their color scheme is the same as BK's, but dingy.

                                                         I actually like the outside look

                                               Unfortunately, it looks much bigger then it is.

Although I don't have pictures, Pizza Hut has jumped on the band wagon and made some changes of its own.  First they moved locations.  They are now beside K-Mart, where the dollar tree originally was.  Needless to say, it's a lot smaller then it was.  That's because they have gone to mostly take out and delivery.  Yes, that's right you can now have your pan pizza delivered to your door.  Cool...that's if you can eat pizza.  If not, well, there's always Chinese!!!

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What else is new?  Drew is new.  Who is Drew?  He's the newest member of the Lewistown congregation... Chad and Wendy's precious little baby boy...and is he ever cute.  I held him for the first time on Tuesday and to be honest, I didn't want to give him back.  There is nothing like holding a tiny little bundle in your arms.  He just melted my heart.  He would yours too, if you were here :-)  What does this tell me.  Sometimes new is wonderful, beyond your dreams!

Well, I'm sure there are more new things that are going on in Lewistown, but that's all I'm covering this time. I hope you have enjoyed the ride and come back again for another trip around town.  Till next time.  Toni