The Right Place at the Right Time

THE TRAIN heading our way as it was taking off from Sheldon, IA . It had just a 15 minute stop, and was mobbed the entire time by anyone who could possibly get up close for a better look.

It isn't too often that you get to see the "world's largest" of anything, but this past week we got a tip (thanks Dad!) that there was a "must see" just 20 miles away. It was scheduled to be passing through Sheldon, IA at noon. My sister, Deb, packed the picnic lunch and we ran off to see this incredible sight...the World's Largest Operating Steam Engine.

The cousins with the engine in the background.

Union Pacific's "Challenger" No. 3985, built in 1943, is an articulated locomotive with a "hinged" frame that allows it to negotiate curves. It is 122 feet long, weighs more than 1 million pounds, has 6-foot diameter drive wheels and can reach a top speed of 70 miles per hour. No. 3985 was built for fast freight service. It was retired in 1959, but UP employee volunteers restored it to running condition in 1981 for special service.

information taken from: http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/heritage_and_steam/2008/0919_railfest-onboard.shtml

Finally, my very own smashed penny!

As a kid I had always heard of people putting a penny on the track to have it smashed flat by a train. I can't tell you how much I have always wanted to do that. When I saw people placing their hard earned pennies on the track, I could hardly pull one out of my pocket fast enough. After all, I have waited 40 years to have one!

Of course, we didn't forget our picnic in the park!

Ta-Da!

Fuchico (pronounced "foo-she-coo") bed cover that the girls and I made on our travels since June.

Over the last 4 months, the girls and I have been working on a wee project. It started out as something productive to do on those long days we had to spend in the car. I figured after we had worked on the pieces for a while, we would decide what to make out of them. When it was decided that Jessica would stay in the US to do 10th grade, we wanted to make something to leave for her.


A look close up.

Each of the circles is called a "fuchico" which comes from the word "fuchicar" which means "to gossip". I am guessing that ladies would get together and "visit" while they worked. :)

Lest you think I am making this all up, here is a little coffee shop in a remote corner of Brazil we saw on vacation in 2004. These table coverings are made out of smaller fuchicos than we made for our project.

A HUGE thanks to Julie, Johanna and Elizabeth Ratzlaff for helping cut out so many of our circles. I am convinced that we were able to finish only because of your help!

Mmm Mmm Good!

Jessica and her homemade tomato soup and grilled cheese.

I am feeling a little silly for writing about food again. Honestly, I really don't have an obsession or anything. Yeah, right...I will just ignore those comments that were just made and continue with this amazing coincidence.

Many times in our travels over the last 4 months we have been asked what we would like to eat. My response is always the same: tomato soup and grilled cheese. This only results in blank stares and then comments about how that won't be acceptable. Then they proceed to wine and dine us on many other delicacies that are also wonderful and supply all our needs of nutrition and palate.

As we walked into the Manna household in Shenandoah, IA, we were met with a small look of chagrine and apology that we were "only" going to eat canned tomato soup for lunch. Woo-hoo! At last! Wonderful was the soup and fellowship.

The next day we traveled to my sister's and brother-in-law's in NW Iowa and arrived just in time for supper. To my delight my sister asked if it would be a problem to "only" eat her homemade tomato soup and grilled cheese for supper. Would that be enough? Woo-hoo! Two days in a row!

And I didn't even have to ask. :)

CELEBRATING SUE ELDERT

FLOWERS FROM THE BGFM FIELD
A TRIBUTE TO SUE ELDERT

On Sunday morning, September 21st, Sue Eldert was taken home to be with her Lord Jesus. Sue battled cancer for 7 years. Her first 4 years of treatments were done in Brazil and the last 3 years in North Carolina, close to her three daughters who cared for her together with Sue's husband Dave. She suffered much, especially during the last 5 weeks. All who were close to her prayed for her speedy departure. These few and delicate flowers are a humble expression of tender love from Sue's Collegues in Brazil. She will be deeply missed by all who were privileged to have known her and especially by those who served beside her.

MK GATHERING AFTER LUNCH ON SUE'S DAY

Nearly 20 MK's and about the same number of Retired & Active missionaries were present at Sue Eldert's Celebration Service on September 25th. After the grave side prayer, many returned to Grace Baptist for a "southern" lunch served by the dear ladies gifted for just such a moment. Thirteen BGFMer MK's, plus an honorary Jeff Reiner, gathered for a once in a life time photo. Everbody's only regret was that Sue couldn't be there. Our prayers are lifted for Dave Eldert and his four grown children, Kathleen, Paulette, Andrew and Regina (and their families).

Ken Stucky - guest contributor to Lori's spot

Serious about Mexican

Jalapenos that will make your nose run and your eyes water. Fantastic!

Whenever eating out, our all time favorite is Mexican. In the past, we have been chided for our poor culinary choice by dining at Taco Bell, but no more! This particular evening out in a suburb of Chicago we feasted on the REAL thing. This place is so authentic, they serve jalapenos along with the chips and salsa. MMMMM.....

If you don't believe that I would actually put one of these babies to my lips, guess again. After eating 4 or 5 I decided that my internal organs might rebel, so I decided to stop while I was ahead.

And here is the rest of the crew with Eric who found the place for us. They were much more content to leave off the jalapenos and stick with the chips. :)

Extinct?!?!

Alicia with a fossilized dinosaur footprint at the visitor's center.

The age old question...did the dinos really exist? Were they on Noah's ark? What happened to them? In Dinosaur, Colorado, there is proof that they roamed the earth. In case you were doubting, check it out...

Now that's a REALLY OLD church!

In Brazil they name streets after people who have died. In this town...well, you figure it out.

And one last time...in case you were wondering...

For Real!

Today, September 12th, we encountered on our travels...SNOW!!!! Yes, it was the REAL stuff...falling before our eyes.

Driving through Colorado we found it was actually SNOWING at 10,000 feet elevation. No one could be more excited than Anabel. (Take note of her South American attire.) She thanked Jesus profusely for several minutes after we got in the car. :)

Another attraction on the I-70...THE TUNNEL.

According to Wikipedia, the tunnel was built under the Continental Divide, and at a maximum elevation of 11,158 feet (3401 m) it is the highest vehicular tunnel in the world. It is also the longest tunnel built under the Interstate highway program...

The tunnel is a two-bore tunnel with each bore approximately 1.7 miles (2.7 km) long. In 2002, over ten million vehicles passed through the tunnel, many of them driving between the Denver area and popular skiing locations west of the Continental Divide.

Needless to say, the kids were more than mildly impressed. :)