Many years ago, I had one particular summer itineration that placed me in outside settings:  a VBS in Effingham where we sat under trees for lunch and outdoor activities, a youth camp in Southern Illinois, and a park worship service with picnic afterwards.

I remember those particular visits because of our closeness to nature, God’s world at its best.

Finally this past weekend, I was able to once again enjoy the great outdoors for a Day Apart retreat with Kankakee Asbury at a farm location outside of a small town called St. Anne.   Corn fields surrounded us as we positioned ourselves on lawn chairs under trees to hear about China and Amity.  How fortunate that the sun stayed away just long enough to keep the humidity down and our position to remain stationary, rather than everyone continuously shifting to follow the trees’ shade every time the sun’s rays alighted on us.

Amid our group we had a quartet of ladies in their 90s.  Such energetic, fit-and-trim women!  I was quite impressed.  While sitting at their table for lunch, I announced I would be a half-century old soon:  a spinster at 50.

“Oh,” one of them replied with humorous disgust,  “you’re just a baby!  You have nothing at all to complain about.”

That will be my only outdoors presentation this time around, which will definitely stay with me and not be soon forgotten.

My other landings included Coal City UMC, Long Point worship service and Waynesville. I’ve included the photo postings below.

The End is Near!

As unbelievable as it is, I am now down to the last 2 weeks of my itineration time. 40 presentations down; 8 more to go.  How in the world did that happen?!

This weekend, I’ll be around the Springfield area, first at Mission U and then at nearby churches.  Be looking for updates next week.

Until next entry, Ping An (Peace) for your day!

Kankaee’s Asbury church outside Day Apart gave us an opportunity to enjoy nature.

Can you believe these ladies are in their 90’s?! Fit and trim, sharp and ready to go.

Those needing to hitch a ride to cars and our shelter had a willing chauffer.

Sunshine stayed away to allow us to enjoy the shade of surrounding trees.

Our picnic spread included hotdogs and hamburgers.

Also included, plenty of fruit and cold salads.

Dixie awaits whatever crumbs fall on the ground, or whatever she can beg off of those eating. (She’s a very good beggar. Hotdog pieces came abundantly off my plate.)

An evening presentation at Coal City UMC with Braceville likewise invited.

Braceville’s Pastor Bennett Woods (Mr. and Mrs.) and me

Long Point UMC, located in a cozy town of about 400, had me for UMW Sunday

Long Point’s Sunday worship crowd

An evening at Waynesville UMC

My Waynesville overnight hostess, Jan Bryan, and Kitty

A selfie moment: “Just 2 more weeks to go!”