The Engine Arrived--Full Speed Ahead At MMS

The engine I mentioned in yesterday's blog post arrived at MMS! The guys spent a good portion of the day preparing the engine and getting ready for installation on the Navajo. Lord willing, they'll hang it on the airframe Tuesday or Wednesday.

The overhauled engine still in its shipping crate.

Me? I spent the day in my office pounding on my keyboard working on emails, answering the phone, directing calls, updating documents, supervising approved candidates, recruiting, record keeping, compiling reports, and preparing for upcoming meetings. I did break away a couple times to take the photos on this page. With the institution of our Substance Abuse Program I've been provided a whole new avenue of activity to pursue.

We had some nice weather today. It was clear and in the mid-20's. We are, as of this evening, under a Winter Storm Warning for the next couple days. We'll see what we get out of it.

In other parts of the hangar:

Jim worked with Paul G. on the Skipper annual inspection.

Chuck continued installing the Navajo's crew door.

Paul J. and Andy S. ran the the Aztec engines in preparation for the airplane's annual inspection.

Paul J., our most senior apprentice, is leading Andy S., our brand new apprentice, through the inspection process.

We now have two "Pauls", two "Andys", and one "Mark" in apprenticeship.

Thanks for your friendship, prayers, and gifts. We daily thank the Lord for each of you who are paying and praying so that we can serve. Without you at our side, we'd be unable to be here preparing people and planes for worldwide mission service.

Week's Re-Cap & Winter Storm Watch

The last week of January has come to a close, February is set to start, and another Winter Storm Watch has been issued.

The big news from the mission is I have a new role as part of my HR responsibilities. I'm now the "Administrator" of our Substance Abuse Program (otherwise known as random drug testing). While not typically a problem in a hangar situation like ours, it is a standard aviation industry practice for random drug testing to take place where commercial aircraft are maintained or operated. While we don't fall directly under that industry standard (as we don't work on aircraft that fall into the "commercial" category) the MMS Board felt it would be a good testimony to our customers and partners to voluntarily initiate such a program.

After working with a substance abuse consultant for nearly a year, Jon Speckman of ADATC, Inc., we finalized our specific policy with him in December. Karen and I had the privilege of hosting Jon in our home two nights when he arrived Wednesday evening to provide the required group and individual training on Thursday. There were three different training sessions which encompassed the entire day: one for the whole group, one for specific supervisors, and then a final session specifically focused on policy administration with an inspection of our local "collection point" at Coshocton County Hospital. I was part of every session as was Terry McClary, our production manager who is my Assistant Administrator. Jon did a great job leading the training. His 35 years of experience in the field provided depth of insight and information not many others could share. We greatly enjoyed having Jon in our home and I look forward to working with him as I grow in my new responsibilities.

Karen and I spent yesterday working in the basement. It must have something to do with the weather outside that drives us underground this time of year. With the basement cleaned and straightened we had worship this morning and then took the rest of the day off.

Speaking of taking Sunday off...here's a rather typical way we spend part of our Sundays:

Here I am surrounded by my books and covered in Cocker Spaniels. It won't be long until nap time.

Karen works a puzzle. According to the container, this puzzle is the smallest 1000 piece puzzle in the world.

Those are some tiny, tiny pieces and the sky pieces are all the same shape!
(Thanks for driving Karen crazy, Lynette!)

Sundays are restful days for us. We hope you are able to enjoy a day of rest on Sundays as well.

A winter storm watch has been issued for the region with rain and ice and snow predicted to start Monday night and to run through Wednesday. We'll see what we get and keep you posted.

Thanks for your prayers and gifts which enable us to serve! We'll be back at ministry tomorrow!

Asas 206 Engine Run & Taxi Test

It was an exciting afternoon at the hangar yesterday as Ian and Paul pulled the Asas amphibious 206 out to run the engine for the first time and take it on a taxi test. After extensive restoration and repair, the airplane started on the first crank and performed well. And yes, it was snowing lightly which contrasts somewhat with the tropical environment the airplane is headed for down in Brazil.

The upper cowling was left off to facilitate engine inspection and access.

Here's the video I put together this morning:

Cabin Fever: Or How to Enjoy a Walk in 11 Degrees

It doesn't me or Tanner long to develop the need to get outside and go for a walk. We'll walk almost anytime as long as it's not raining or icy and it's light. Both of us greatly enjoy walking and we have a regular three mile loop that we take across the railroad tracks (right behind our house) and through several Coshocton neighborhoods. The snow hasn't gotten icy yet so ice really wasn't an issue and THE SUN WAS OUT! The last two snow storms have been very un-Coshocton like. The snow has been dry and fluffy and the sun has come out and stayed out the next days after the storm. I like that. Colder, drier, and sunnier makes things much more enjoyable.

However, with a -3 degree temp outside when we got up this morning, we didn't rush right out for a walk. Tanner slept in and I met a friend for breakfast returning around 10. After that, Karen and I settled down to discuss a devotional book we're working through and before we knew it it was noon! By then I needed to stretch my legs and Tanner had his "If you guys are done talking can we go for a walk NOW?" look on. It's really clear when he wants to go for a walk He just comes up and sits and stares at me with a very expectant look on his face. He just sits there and stares. Follows me around and then just sits and stares. When I go for my shoes he perks up and when I grab his leash he is very pleased that I finally caught on.

Heading out


Happy to be outside on our nicely plowed side street!

It was 11 degrees when we took off for our walk. We had a GREAT walk! Tanner was an icy, snowy, mess on his legs and belly but that's just part of the experience. He LOVES being toweled off once we get home. We stop along the way so I can check his paws for ice and then we keep moving. It took us a little longer today because not everyone shovels their sidewalks, the snow plow covers others, and I don't have snowshoes (nor do I want any!). Consequently we took some side streets as alternatives as the streets were clearer.

Tanner slept most of the afternoon after his big day out. He likes wearing his snappy little green sweater that Karen made for him.

Tomorrow's supposed to be cold again with a low of -5 predicted for the morning. So wherever you are it's either colder or warmer (my Dad said it was 70 out at their place in Southern California) or colder (praise the Lord, God didn't call us to Minnesota or Canada!) so stay warm! or stay cool!

Thanks for your friendship, your gifts, and your prayers.