Merry Christmas!

Tucker & Tanner LOVE Christmas morning!

Tucker picks out a present.

Tanner chooses a present.

Merry Christmas from Coshocton, Ohio! May this day be one of great joy and reflection on God's giving us the greatest gift of all...Jesus Christ!

The Great Cocker Christmas Cookie Caper

During Monday's pre-Christmas errands I'd been blessed with such plate-load of iced sugar cookies shaped like stars, candy canes, and Christmas bells. Tanner was in the car with me riding shotgun and there was a short period where he was alone in the car separated from the cookie plate by only a row of car seats. When I came back to the car, realizing the risk I'd taken, expecting the cookies to be gone, it was as if the cookies had never been on his mind. Little did I know...

So, this morning rolls around (it's great being on vacation this week) and I'm wailing on those cookies washing them down with several cups of fresh-ground, fresh-brewed Caroline's Coffee from Grass Valley, California and Tanner still isn't paying attention to the cookies. It was odd, normally he'd be sniffing out the counter where the plate was stored but I was so enjoying those cookies I didn't pay much attention to the Cocker calculations going on between his big floppy ears.

Then Karen needed to go do the final grocery shopping for the Christmas festivities and I needed to run by the post office and stop by the library. So I re-wrapped the cookie plate, pushed it back on the kitchen counter and didn't think any more about it until I arrived home to find the Great Cocker Christmas Cookie Caper had been pulled off in our absence.

I came in the kitchen door and saw plastic wrap on the floor. That's ALWAYS a bad sign...I quickly scanned the counter top and realized the cookie plate was missing. I crept around the corner into the dining room and this is what I found:

Tanner in the dining room with an empty cookie plate.

Tanner trying to come up with an alibi.

Tanner blaming everything on Tucker.

It wasn't that long ago they conspired to pull a full packet of hot dog buns off the counter. You can read about that from Tanner's point of view here. No matter how far back we push things on the counter, Tucker and Tanner continually amaze us with their ability to snatch things off of it while we're gone.

Tanner's currently curled up in his bean bag rolling his big brown eyes with an expression of extreme guilt. Oh well, I guess we didn't need those extra calories anyway. But then...neither did Tanner!

Tanner The Missionary Mutt

Tanner and I are heading out for more pre-Christmas errands today. I thought you might like to see a couple of yesterday's snapshots of the #1 missionary mutt and resident trouble-maker.

Tanner waits for permission to run into the snow-covered grass field across from the airport.

Tanner Lou

Another Gray Day

This is the part of the year where the sun is a rare visitor. Overcast is rather constant over Coshocton from December through April. Everyone just lives kind of a depressingly gray, damp, wet, and cold life for the next four months. The constant is the clouds. The variables are temperature (cold or colder) and water form: winter haze, rain, snow, or ice. We're not forecast to really see much, if any, sun for the next ten days (and beyond).

Here's a summary of the weather forecast for the next week and a half: everyday temps fluxuating between the low 20's and 30's with: snow flurries, snow flurries, partly cloudy, mostly cloudy, rain showers, snow showers, snow flurries, snow showers, mostly cloudy, followed by more snow showers. I'm not sure of the finer points differentiating between snow flurries and snow showers...but I'm sure they do exist.

After the beautiful pictures of winter in Lancaster, PA (see previous posts) I thought I'd include the contrast of winter in Coshocton, OH.

Keith & Karen's front yard.

Keith & Karen's backyard.

Like I said: cold, dark, and damp.

On Vacation
We're actually on vacation his week. Karen spent the day in the basement doing laundry from our trip to PA and wrapping Christmas presents. Tanner and I drove around town taking care of pre-Christmas errands. Now everyone else is taking a nap (Tucker, Tanner, & Karen) while I pull this post together. Once I get this posted, I'll probably lay down for a bit as well. Hey, have a great day and if it's sunny where you are, ENJOY IT!

Home From Lancaster, PA

Karen and I just walked in from our return trip from Lancaster, PA. The roads were dry and clear and traffic was surprisingly light.

The snow stopped about midnight last night and the sun rose in a clear sky over Lancaster this morning. Here are some final snapshots from Steve & Cindy's:

Steve & Cindy's Backyard Shot 1

Steve & Cindy's Backyard Shot 2

Steve & Cindy

Thank you Steve and Cindy for being such gracious hosts while we were "snowed in"! Thank you Jay and Rene for returning my winter jacket after I'd left it at your house. We look forward to spending time with Ryan & Audra, Duane & Cindy, and Elvin & Mary, on our next trip into Lancaster as the weather altered our plans to visit this trip.

We have about three inches of snow on the ground here in Coshocton. Thank you Tim and Michele for watching Tucker and Tanner and shoveling/salting our walkway!! We look forward to returning the favor for your cats very soon...

The Snow Just Keeps Falling in Lancaster, PA

The snow continues to fall hard and fast. The rumor is it's going to stop later tonight but that remains to be seen. Here are some snapshots taken before it got dark.

Karen and "Ace" enjoying a walk in Steve's backyard this afternoon.

The deck earlier this morning.

The deck later this afternoon.

Steve and the Snow Blower

Portrait of Man and Machine vs. Nature

My brother-in-law Steve and his snow blower.

Snow Emergency in Lancaster, PA

The glaciers are descending, Eskimos are moving to PA, I think a polar bear just walked down the street...somehow we made it through the night warm in our beds and awoke to a SNOW EMERGENCY! There's frozen white stuff flying everywhere...with "the heaviest snow yet to fall" according to all the breathless meteorologists blanketing the airwaves.

With my belly already full of coffee, eggs, bacon, toast, and Christmas cookies...let it snow. We have plenty of "milk and bread" so let the next ice age begin...The flakes are definitely growing in size with 2-4 inches already on the ground. We have plans for lunch and dinner out but we'll see whether or not we do venture into the "blizzard of the century" at all. Steve found his snow shovels and placed them strategically at the front and back doors. He just finished re-stringing the starter rope on his snow blower. The snow blower will not only blow the snow it will also generate more CO2 so summer will come even quicker and last longer...it doesn't get any better than that.

More snow updates as time and weather allow...

The Calm Before The Storm?

Karen and I made it safely into Lancaster County, PA last evening and enjoyed a wonderful evening of food, fellowship and gifts with "Mom and Pop B". Traffic was light and the roads were dry. The six hour drive seemed short because we were so enthralled with a book on tape (or CD as the case may be) titled: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. We actually finished listening to the story this afternoon in the comfort of the Harnish's house. Thanks Jay and Renee for letting us stay over at your house last night and letting us relax today!

This evening we headed across town to Steve and Cindy's house for dinner and fellowship. Steve is Karen's brother. Our nephews Craig and Chris and his family were there as well. Now that the meal is over, everyone's gone home, and the kitchen is clean, Karen, Steve, and Cindy are in the living room by the fire chatting.

Everyone is talking about the big snow storm that's supposed to hit tonight and tomorrow. Depending on your weather source, Lancaster, PA is supposed to get 2-14 inches of snow in the next 24 hours. We'll see...you know how much I like snow...Karen's REALLY EXCITED!


Here's Karen and "Ace" (the resident Beagle) on the one couch and Steve in the background checking weather and radar reports on the rapidly approaching storm. All is calm, all is quiet, the winter storm "watch" has been changed to a "winter storm warning". They're about to turn on the Weather Channel so we can get constant weather updates as the end of the world looms...

If we're not all turned into a glacier by tomorrow, I'll try to post up some photos of global warming in action.

Signing off...

This Post Is For Aunt Betty

While in Southern California this past weekend, my Aunt Betty cornered me to let me know how tired she was of going to our blog and not finding any new posts...so Aunt Betty, THIS POST IS FOR YOU!

Actually, Aunt Betty is the sweetest person you'd ever want to meet, and how she ended up marrying my Uncle Kenny so long ago is beyond my understanding. It's beyond Uncle Kenny's understanding as well, but he does realize how blessed he is!

Keith Turns 53
Yep, I had a birthday yesterday. Number 53. Turning fifty was kind of weird, but 53? No sweat. It just means life on this earth is getting one year shorter for me which, in the light of eternity with Christ, isn't a bad thing...ever.

Here I am enjoying one of my favorite meals cooked by my beautiful bride especially for my birthday: meatloaf, cheesy potatoes, and peas. Can it get any better than that? I don't think so unless one tops it off with a cherry cheesecake!

Birthday dinner bonanza...

Cheesecake for dessert!

The cherry topping was added after I blew the decade candles out.

With the dogs sleeping contentedly in their nearby beds, Christmas carols playing quietly in the background, with only a few graham cracker crust granules left on our plates, and Karen and I gazing into each other's eyes...the evening was so wonderful I'd gladly turn 54 today just to relive it.

Grandma Gets To Go Home!

Karen and I just returned from a trip to California where we gathered with family to celebrate the life of my grandma who passed away last week. She was 101 years old and very ready to leave this life for the next one. You may remember last year's post about her 100th birthday party.

Grandma was still on her own in her assisted living apartment right up to the last two weeks of her life. She finished well in a beautiful hospice setting and entered a Christ-filled eternity as she slept.

It's not hard for me to imagine she's already hard at work making beautiful drapes for all the windows in all the mansions Christ is building for those of us yet to arrive.


I have many wonderful memories of grandma that will have to hold me until I too get to go home. The joy and peace of knowing one's eternity is true security. We're only here for a short while and then...forever really begins.

There are two eternities, but only only one true God. There are many paths, but only one trail leads to Heaven--the trail blazed by Jesus Christ and marked with His blood. I beg you to seek His face, trust in faith, walk in His steps, and rest in His completed work. If you do, maybe Grandma will make you curtains too!

Our Latest Coshocton Flyer

We hope you enjoy our latest newsletter!

We Are Alive And Well

Greetings from Coshocton! The past couple weeks have been rather crazy with ministry commitments, producing and mailing our latest personal newsletter, Thanksgiving, and just keeping up with daily life.

Be that as it may, Karen and I are doing well. This afternoon we're headed into Zanesville to pick up the December issue of MMS's GroundCrew newsletter from the print shop. Since that takes us all the way into "town" we'll probably do some Christmas shopping and maybe even have a meal out (if you call the Sam's Club hot dog combo a "meal out").

Speaking of newsletters, Lord willing, I'll have the electronic version of our newsletter sent out and posted here before too much longer.

While life at 368 McClain may not be all that noteworthy right now, there's plenty of excitement in the hangar as the three active mission projects move ahead.

Brazilian 206
Rivets of all shapes and sizes continue to be driven in the Brazilian 206 in preparation for painting the fuselage.

Paul drives rivets to secure the rain gutter he'd just fabricated. Josh bucks from inside.

Honduran 206
The Honduran 206 continues to creep toward completion. Final steps are being taken to clean and "close-up" various aspects of the project!

Andy vacuums beneath the floor panels of the 206 before securing the access plates in place and "closing-up" the floor.

Canadian 337
The airframe repairs and engine overhauls continue simultaneously on the Canadian 337.

Scott and Dale double-check critical data prior to joining the engine case halves for the front engine of the 337.

Move Ahead Monday

Now that we're all back from Thanksgiving, here's an update from the hangar:

Honduran 206
The push is on to complete the project before December 24th. Mike is putting together the logbook entries to document correction of the more than 400 discrepancies encountered in the course of restoring the airplane. Andy is cutting and fitting new "floor boards" to protect the aluminum floor panels from damage in the rough and tumble world of missionary transportation. Jim will soon fit the plastic side panels to the cabin interior.

Andy cuts new floor boards.

Andy checks the new floor boards for fit.

Brazilian 206
The wings are prepped for paint and the rear window is going in the fuselage. Once the window installation is complete the fuselage will be ready for paint. After painting, new floor panels will be fabricated and work on the instrument panel will begin. In preparation for assembly, many of the other airframe components have already been painted.

Ian drives rivets to secure the 206's rear window in place. Josh is inside bucking the rivets.

Paul works with the bell cranks that guide the steel cables operating the 206's ailerons.

Canadian 337
As Chuck continues to inspect and repair the airframe, Dale and Scott are nearly prepared to assemble the first of its two overhauled engines.

Chuck installs an in-board flap on the 337.

Scott checks data and organizes engine components for assembly.

Fresno Bible Church Worship Team

Fresno Bible Church's worship team practices every Wednesday evening after prayer meeting. I've been blessed to play the drums for the past three years. Here are some snapshots Karen took at last night's practice.

From left to right: Josh, worship leader and acoustic guitar; Kyle, electric guitar; that's me on the drums; Alison, vocals; Ben, electric bass; and Kendra, vocals. Helen is our keyboard player but she's right behind Josh so you can't see her. Karen's also part of the vocal team, but she just finished her latest six week rotation.

Badabada-Badabada-Boom!

Making Laundry Soap

One of Karen's homemaking skills is making her own laundry soap. Why do that, you might ask? Well, Karen's done the math and her home made detergent allows her to wash 32 loads of clothes for 81 cents worth of raw materials. That's right. Karen can wash 32 loads of laundry for 81 cents TOTAL. That's 2.53 cents per load AND it gets the clothes clean!

All it takes is a little time, a bar of Fels-Naptha soap, some Borax, some washing soda, and storage containers.

Karen shaves, chops, and measures some of the soap bar--

stirs her bubbly brew in a bucket after mixing the ingredients in boiling water--

and pours it into old milk and detergent containers for storage.

Pretty amazing. The stuff really does work. If you'd like the recipe, let us know and we'll pass it along.

As a bonus...because Tanner hasn't had his picture on the blog for a while, here's Tanner enjoying his bean bag this afternoon.

Tanner takes it easy on a cold, wet day in Coshocton, Ohio.

Home Improvement Project: Utility Sink

Yep, we survived another home improvement project. This one was small scale compared to others but still necessitated several trips to the hardware store and a request for assistance to our local home-improvement project problem-solver and all around nice guy, Tim Obarow.

When Dad and Jane were here on vacation last month we toured Keim Lumber. During our walk-through of Keim, Karen noticed a plastic utility sink on sale. We'd discussed the benefits of having a utility sink in the basement several times over our seven years of marriage but the timing hadn't been right. Suddenly, the time was right.

We ran back out to Keim the next weekend, picked up a sink kit at "floor display" prices and brought it home. This past weekend we purposed to put it in and were doing fine until we needed to remove the old spigots from the galvanized pipe for replacement with new ones. We tried some alternative methods of working with the pipes to no avail with a growing fear we would soon create a real plumbing problem if we continued down the path we were on.

A quick visit across the street and I found Tim in their garage working on their car. I explained our dire straights and Tim was kind enough to come over with two pipe wrenches. Hmmm, PIPE WRENCHES. What a concept. They proved to be quite the tool in Tim's hand and the hard work was done in a manner of seconds after we'd already invested a good amount of time not getting the job done with the wrong tools.

Karen didn't waste any time putting the sink to work. It's now the #1 dog washing station. Bending over the tub and wrestling with reluctant and resistant Cocker Spaniels takes its toll on middle-aged knees, backs, necks and arms. The sink is a grand improvement. Both Tucker and Tanner were comfortable and relaxed in the utility sink and it's a comfortable height for standing and working. Ah, the simple things that make missionaries and missionary mutts happy!

Karen washes Tucker in our new, basement utility sink.

We praise the Lord for another practical addition to His house provided in His time, in His way, and at a good-stewardship price.

Personal Update and MMS Pocket Calendar Mailing

Hey Everyone!

Thanks for being patient with our posts. Let's see if we can bring you up to speed--Karen and I enjoyed a wonderful weekend during which we took on another home improvement project (I'll post about that tomorrow), prepared and taught another Sunday School lesson with the young adults, nailed the music set on worship team, and I even made it out in the 75 degree weather Sunday afternoon for nine holes of golf ($10 with cart) at our local course shooting a 51. Considering that includes two 7's and an 8...I didn't do too badly on the other six holes. Karen rode her bike to the park and walked with a friend. It was very, very nice.

At MMS we just completed the annual pocket calendar mailing. Everyone who donates to MMS over the course of the year is sent a nifty pocket calendar for the upcoming year as a tangible thank you. Writing the accompanying cover letter is one of my annual responsibilities.

Karen photocopies and folds the letter, runs the mailing labels, and organizes the mailing. Once the mailing is organized, a couple other MMS wives come in to do the labeling and envelope stuffing. Then Karen seals and posts each letter on the handy-dandy MMS postal meter.

Karen, Dana, and Sherry work in the MMS conference room to label and stuff the envelopes with the letter and calendar.

Karen seals and posts the envelopes.

Here I am in my office with the actual letter.

Another MMS wife, Kristin, helped with labeling and stuffing the envelopes but she helped from home so wasn't in the photo. Thanks ladies for being such servants!

Once all the envelopes were all stuffed, sealed, posted, and placed in postal trays, we drove them down to the post office loading dock for mailing. For those of you who have graciously donated to our ministry over the past year, THANK YOU... and be watching for your 2010 pocket calendar!

Three New Families Begin Service With MMS!

Over the past two months, we've been blessed to welcome three new families to MMS: the Beckwiths, the Gettles, and the Newmans. It's my pleasure to introduce them to you.

Mark, Jenny, and Abigail Beckwith
The Beckwiths come to us from England and are missionaries with Mission Aviation Fellowship, United Kingdom. They'll spend two and a half years here as an apprentice family helping us maintain missionary aircraft. After completing service with MMS and gaining his FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic certificate, Mark will continue in ministry by joining one of the many MAF flight programs operating in remote locations around the world.

The Beckwiths

Paul, Kristin, Grant, Cole, & and Evan Gettle
The Gettles drove up from Alabama to begin apprenticeship. Before making the move to Coshocton, Paul worked for several years as a quality control inspector for a large company that manufactures the engines used by many missionary airplanes. Paul & Kristin still seek the Lord's will for which mission to join after completing their term with MMS. (Karen and I are administering Pre-Service Orientation to the Gettles today and tomorrow!)

The Gettles

Jim, Mary, Jordan, Catherine, and Danielle Newman
Jim & Mary are missionaries with World Gospel Mission and came to us after completing nine years of service with WGM's flight program in Bolivia. Jim is already an experienced A&P mechanic and has come onboard as long-term staff in the role of Production Mechanic. Jim and Mary are maintaining their relationship with WGM and will serve with u in an "on loan" capacity.

The Newmans

We are thankful for the Lord's leading and provision for each of these families. Please keep them in your prayers as they adapt to life in Coshocton and learn the routines of hangar service.

We're Doing Well & Staying Out of Trouble

We're all doing well out here in Coshocton, Ohio. I'm just finishing a round of chemo-creme treatment on my forehead which is a bit discomforting, but I'm now on the healing side of the process, which is nice.

Karen had a great weekend in Pennsylvania with her family and seems to have fought off the migraine headache that had been lurking for several days (Praise the Lord!).

Tucker and Tanner are still living a dog's life and never cease to be overly excited whenever we come home. Our evening "Couch Time" together is one of Tucker and Tanner's favorite parts of the day second only to breakfast time, snack time, and getting dog biscuits every time we leave the house. Sometimes we're not all that sure whether they're happier when we leave or if they're happier when we come home!

Karen and I will administer the first part of Pre-Service Orientation to the newest MMS family tomorrow. I'll continue the orientation on Friday while Karen shifts over to work for the MMS accounting department.

We're both discipling individuals from our church, we have at least seven more weeks leading the young adult Sunday school class through a study of Grace Walk, and I'm still playing drums for the worship team. Karen just finished her latest shift singing on the worship team.

It's prayer meeting and worship team practice this evening!

I'll see what I can do about taking some photos...

Thanks for paying and praying so that we can serve. It's a privilege to serve as your missionaries.

Chris Rice: Go Light Your World

There are a lot of great songs about the missionary call and purpose. I just thought I'd share one with you from Chris Rice. Thanks for making our missionary service possible through your gifts and your prayers. And through our service, together helping transport and deliver "lit candles" to the remotest parts of the earth through the use of airplanes.

MMS mechanics on Rapid Response in Uganda.

Home and Hangar Update

Karen's in PA enjoying a "girl's weekend" with her cousins and sister and I'm getting ready to head up to the mission to lead a tour for a prospective candidate. We're having some rain showers today. Tomorrow I'll teach the young adult Sunday school class and play the drums with the worship team. Here's an update from the hangar floor:

The Brazilian 206 Restoration Moves Ahead

Purchased in pieces in Alaska and trucked down to our hangar last year, restoration of the Cessna 206 for ministry in Brazil has been limited due to more pressing manpower requirements. With return to service of Moody Aviation's Cessna 182 and with the Honduran 206 project nearly completed, work on the Brazilian 206 has moved to the front of the production schedule.

And because we do our work "labor free," airplanes that were scrap, or should be scrapped, are able to be restored and returned to mission service in "like new" condition for far less than what the respective mission would pay to purchase a comparably configured replacement airplane.

Ian, Josh, and Paul are focused on getting this airplane back in the sky. It's quite the project as you'll see from the photos below. The photos are indicative of the level of maintenance we're regularly involved with here at MMS.

The goal is to have this aircraft ready for return to service by the end of March 2010.

The airplane arrives from Alaska.

Paul works with the control cables.

Josh fabricates new "skin" as part of repair.

Ian pulls rivets in a repair to one of the 206's two cargo doors.

There are still many parts to inventory, clean, and inspect before learning what components will need to be fabricated in-house or purchased from outside vendors.