A Job Is A Job

Another of the writings for my grandchildren.

"Hi, ho, hi, ho, it's off to work we go!"  sang the dwarfs in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

           Another version that I've heard is "I owe, I owe, it's off to work I go!"  And, there is some truth to that.  Certainly, one of the reasons we work is to be able to pay our bills and to buy what we need to live.  But working just to pay bills or disliking your job can make going to work a real burden.  And for many, many people their work is a real burden that they must bear.

           On the other hand, the seven dwarfs seemed to have a special blessing – it appeared that they really enjoyed going to work.  You just can sense that in their song.

           I have been truly blessed throughout my life.  I have held many interesting jobs and there have been very few days that I haven't enjoyed going to work.  And one of the principles I've tried to apply to every job is found in Colossians 3:23, "And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."

           I learned early in life to seek the Lord's will and leading to find jobs.  I've learned to do my best work, in all situations, as His representative and to please Him.  I've learned that whether my boss is good or bad, I'm not working for the boss, but for the Lord.  And that has made my jobs more than just tolerable, but both interesting and enjoyable.

           The first job that I remember is cutting grass for my dentist, Dr. Charles Eshleman, on Broad St.  I also remember, about the same time, just after moving to Lititz, that I went door-to-door selling greeting and Christmas cards. I doubt that I earned much money doing this. 

           In junior high I began to umpire Little League baseball games.  Then I received my first "big break" when I was hired to keep score for a men's softball league.  This led to writing articles about the games for the Lititz Record Express.  Soon this expanded to writing reports about Little League games.  By the time I reached ninth and tenth grades I was beginning to cover all Lititz and Warwick sports events.  I wrote two regular weekly columns for the Lititz Record Express – Spotlight On Sports and High School Highlights – until I graduated from high school. I also worked for two years for a local medical agency delivering surgical supplies in several counties each night after school.

           For two summers I worked two weeks at Mizpah Grove helping to set up and tear down tents and prepare for Camp Meeting.  Then for two summers I spent five to seven weeks there in Allentown working in the camp store.  Here I learned valuable lessons in organization, sales, and handling of money.  I developed good friendships with many, many people and I grew spiritually by attending the services.  I also worked on the ice truck selling blocks of ice to tenters each morning.  Working here was a very special opportunity, which the Lord provided for me.

           At home my writing for the local newspaper expanded and for two summers I worked fulltime for the paper.  I covered all the local news, attended meetings, wrote headlines, helped with layout of the pages, and even sold advertising.  

           After I graduated from high school I worked for two summers with the Lancaster Sunday News in both the Lancaster and York offices.  Again, I covered all sorts of news and assignments and even had a chance to take some pictures.  I especially enjoyed the time I worked in sports, in preparing the weekly TV Guide, and in covering the courthouse.

           After my sophomore year I went back to the Lititz Record Express where for that one summer I actually worked as acting editor and was responsible for the entire weekly layout and production.  This was a major responsibility that I thoroughly enjoyed.  For two weeks before I was needed in this job I worked at a cemetery in Sunbury.  Here I helped dig graves by hand, fill the graves after burial, and cut grass.  That was very hard physical work.

           Though I was headed for a teaching job, I wasn't done with newspaper work.  The summer after my junior year I worked for the Sunbury Daily Item editorial staff.  Then for 25 years I worked again for the Lancaster Newspapers covering football games and some basketball games on a part time basis.  I covered many Saturday football games for Penn Manor, Donegal and Columbia in particular.  I enjoyed keeping stats and writing the stories.

           While in college I also worked as an assistant in the chemistry lab, washing dishes in the dining hall, and serving as a dorm monitor.  For most of these four years I also traveled with the football and basketball teams keeping all the statistics for Susquehanna and reporting them to the NCAA.  I thoroughly enjoyed this part of my college experience and never thought of it as work.

           After a summer of picking apples and cherries for Cherry Hill Orchards, I began my 39-year teaching career at Penn Manor.  I had four job interviews – Hershey, Donegal, Elizabethtown, and Penn Manor – and received a job offer at all four.  It was a hard choice, but the Lord directed me to Penn Manor and I never regretted this decision.  I always felt a call from the Lord to be a missionary in the public schools and I think this calling helped make me content in this job.

           For the first three years I served as a math teacher and then the Lord allowed me to become department chairman.  For the remaining 36 years I served in similar positions and I ended my years there as the district math supervisor for grades K-12.  I also had special opportunities during this time to serve as PR Coordinator, Computer Coordinator, TELLS and Chapter I math coordinator (we won national recognition for this program).  I coached freshman, boys' basketball (NBA star and Seattle Supersonics owner Wally Walker played for me), boys' varsity and freshman track, freshman cheerleaders and I served as a timer, scorekeeper, and track official.  I advised the Berean Club and the National Honor Society and served on many district committees.  I have many great memories from these 39 years at Penn Manor!

           Over the years I had many additional part time jobs.  I taught adult education (GED), served as an adjunct math professor at Millersville, tried to sell World Book, worked on the editorial board of Books In Print, served for over 25 years as chief basketball statistician for the PIAA, ran the clock for play-off games at the Farm Show Building, tutored many students in math, served as a consultant for an Addison Wesley geometry text, wrote SAT questions, and helped develop a computer touch-screen mathematics program for ICS.  What interesting experiences.

           As a result of my work experiences, I urge you to seek the Lord's will in looking for every job.  When you are in His will you will find a job that is both interesting and satisfying.  It may be challenging but He'll give you wisdom and direction when you "work for Him".  And remember, money is not the measure of success (but don't forget to honor Him with your tithe).  Being in His will is the true measure of success.  Work heartily and enthusiastically (don't be a complainer or a slacker like others) to please the Lord and hopefully you'll be able to sing, with a smile on your face, "hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go!"

Another Heat Wave

          As you know, we are in the midst of a tough wave that is affecting many countries.  Many records are being set.  Because of this I have decided to repeat a blog that I previously had shared.  Think cool!

        

So which would you prefer, the record heat waves we have been experiencing or the frozen record cold days of the winter?  Both can produce serious challenges and health risks.

           That can be a tough question and it depends upon other issues.  Do you have electricity to run your furnace or ac?  Are both pieces of equipment working?  Must you travel or even be outside?  Must the sidewalks be shoveled or the grass mowed?

          Now I imagine everyone has a preference, but assuming my furnace and ac are operating and my pipes aren't freezing, I prefer the cold.  When it is cold you can put on heavier clothing ot blankets.  But when it is hot you must take things off ... if that is even possible.  And I do hate the humidity which can accompany the high temperatures and be horrendous especially  in Lancaster County.

          I am one of those who grew up without air conditioning.  My parents never had central air.  Later in life - after we three kids left - they did purchase two window units, one for their bedroom and one for the dining room/kitchen.  I'm not sure when they finally bought their first car with ac but I know it wasn't until later in life.  Central air and air conditioning in your car were seen as luxuries to them.  They were only for the "rich".  We "poor" folks just learned to adjust to the heat the best that we could.  And adjust we did, or at least we tried to.

          I can still remember those horrendously hot and humid nights when I was growing up.  Often I would take my pillow and a cover down from my second floor bedroom to the living room.  I would open our side door to the porch and lay in front of the door just trying to catch a small breeze.  Sometimes I did, but it was always small and never too refreshing.

          When we rode in our car we always rode with all the windows open and you tried to get a seat next to the window and enjoy the resulting breeze.  A neighbor boy owned a convertible and if you were fortunate you could go for a ride with him once un awhile.  We endured sitting in school and in church and living in tents at camp meeting in the hot summer days.  And we didn't complain - we had no other alternative.

          When I was in college I attended church in Sunbury, without ac of course.  But outside the right side of the building were row homes whose porches adjoined the side of the church.  On hot summer days the church windows were opened exposing the porches.  The residents had no privacy from the church services on Sundays and the congregation had to endure the actions of the neighbors.

          Incidentally, early in June we were married in that sanctuary.  I wore my black wool suit, the only suit that I owned.   The heat, humidity, my suit and my nervousness were a great combination that day.

          In our early days of marriage our only relief from the heat came from a large window fan which we purchased.  It would blow the hot air out and pull the cooler air in from other open windows.  It was the best that we could afford in those days.  Years later we were able to add some window air conditioners that served us until 1991 when we finally could afford central air.  That was 29 years after we were married.

          In 1967 we spent eight weeks in Tallahassee, Florida, while I was attending Florida State University.  It was really hot there but not nearly as humid as we were used to back home.  And at that time, every place there, including our apartment had central air.  That was a summer that we enjoyed.

          But probably my worst experience with the heat came during my teaching career at Penn Manor.   For almost two thirds of my 39 years my office and classrooms were on the third floor, east side of a brick building with no ac or even cross ventilation.  The sun would hit those windows and it was often over 90 degrees when the day began.  And while we had a fan for each room it did little to make it comfortable all day.  After an hour of teaching I was often "soaked" with perspiration and often had to change my shirt.  I pitied my students who had to suffer through those conditions as well as through my teaching.  For years I begged the school to at least install some exhaust fans to move the air.  But as they sat in their air conditioned offices the administrators could never decide to support my requests.  So we suffered.

          Thankfully, during the last third of my years of teaching I took on K-12 duties and then was first given an office in the ninth grade building and then in an elementary school.  Both had central ac.  Then, in 1997, a major renovation also gave me a classroom with ac.  That helped make teaching fun once again.

          As I've watched the news of the recent heat waves I can't help but wonder how folks survive, especially vulnerable seniors.  Many of the folks in the northwest region didn't even have ac, something you just assume everyone has today.

          I also often think of my parents and how they survived all their lives without central air.  But they were hardy folks who lived through many difficult times.  And they trusted the Lord and He provided - ALL their needs.  May I  exercise the same faith.

          Keep cool - the summer isn't over yet!

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday dear Bowen,

Happy birthday to you.

 

          That is the song that we will be singing today with our neighbors as they celebrate their son's fist birthday.  They have spent the entire week preparing for the party by painting, trimming shrubbery, mulching and cleaning the yard.  Everything looks great and his parents are excited.

          They've also purchased a large plastic inflatable pool for him.  If I were in better shape physically, I would love to just go and sit in it to keep cool.  But I might not be able to get out when I was done.

          We've been invited to the party but I don't know if we will go.  We've purchased a present for Bowen.  However, I have trouble walking and standing, especially on uneven ground.  

          I do look forward to the day when I might be able to entertain Bowen.  It has been 16 years since we have had a baby in our family.  It will now be three months until we have another one, but since he will live in the Boston area our chances to hold him will be very limited.

          Now every family celebrates birthdays differently.  Some have big celebrations with parties and loads of presents.  Others have low key celebrations.  Others, like us, have never done much to celebrate.

          I don't know if I ever had a birthday party growing up.  I don't remember any presents, but then I don't remember any Christmas presents either.  I think I might have had a party or two as an adult. Most years birthdays are just another day for us.

          As we get older our celebrations also change.  We did go out to eat on my wife's 82^nd birthday this week but we also stopped to purchase our colonoscopy prep kits.  And we also went to get our covid booster shots.  What a contrast with the celebration of Bowen's birthday.

          We did have low-key celebrations for our boys, a few parties and usually cash gifts.  It's not much of an excuse, but our family finances were very tight when they were children.

          But we did take the birthdays of our seven grandchildren more seriously.  For each birthday we prepared a special shaped birthday cake – animals, sporting goods, instruments, etc.  Then they were able to plan their own special birthday meal which the entire family met to enjoy.  These are special memories.  Unfortunately, the pandemic brought these celebrations to an end.

          Now there is one very special birthday that we do celebration – the birth of Jesus at Christmas.  We have many traditions that have included Candlelight Services, Christmas Eve buffets, enjoying memories from the past year on DVD's, praying together, exchange of gifts and times of sharing.

          But the best celebration is still to come and I hope that you will join me.  Someday soon we will celebrate with the Lord in heaven.  Many of our family members and friends are already there celebrating and we will soon join them.  That's a party I look forward to attending!

A Summer Job?

          This year there are many openings for those looking for summer jobs.  And some of the jobs could be very interesting.  If I were younger and physically able there are many I would enjoy trying.  But, …

          Some of these jobs would be challenging, especially those dealing with the public.  You never know what to expect when you deal with people.  Most tourists are friendly but others are "nuts".

          For example, here are some actual comments left last year on Forest Service registration sheets and comment cards by backpackers completing wilderness camping trips.  Read and enjoy and be glad that you aren't the one dealing with these tourists.

 

"A small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? Please call."

 

"Escalators would help on steep uphill sections."

 

"Instead of a permit system or regulations, the Forest Service needs to reduce worldwide population growth to limit the number of visitors to wilderness."

 

"Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands."

 

"Ban walking sticks in wilderness. Hikers that use walking sticks are more likely to chase animals."

 

"All the mile markers are missing this year."

 

"Found a smoldering cigarette left by a horse."

 

"Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill."

 

"Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests."

 

"Please pave the trails so they can be plowed of snow in the winter."

 

"Chair lifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them."

 

"The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake.  Please eradicate these annoying animals."

 

"Reflectors need to be placed on trees every 50 feet so people can hike at night with flashlights."

 

"Need more signs to keep area pristine."

 

"A McDonald's would be nice at the trail head."

 

"The places where trails do not exist are not well marked."

 

"Too many rocks in the mountains."

 

So what do you think?  Should we pass these on to President Joe?  Afterall he'll promise to do everything, no matter what the cost.

Best Friends

 I have been including writings which I have made for my grandchildren.  

A brother can be a very special friend.  A brother will defend you and share with you when others won't.  A brother will help you and go out of his way for you.  I have been very fortunate to have a great brother and I thank the Lord for him.

 

But the Bible says, "there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother"  (Proverbs 18:24) and that friend is the Lord Jesus Christ, the best friend anyone can ever have.  He has told us that "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5) and He has always kept that promise.  He is the best friend that you can ever have.  I pray that He is your best friend, too.

 

An old hymn says "What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. Have we trials and temptations?  Is there trouble anywhere?  We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer."

 

But the Lord also blesses us by giving us some very special human friends. It is so important to have friends who love the Lord and help us do things that please Him.  When I was in junior high and working at Mizpah Grove the Lord blessed me with some adult friends who watched over me during the summer.  These were Charlie Mann, Roy Hertzog and Leonard and Nina Buck, all of whom went on to serve the Lord as missionaries around the world.  They were friends who had a profound influence on me and my Christian life..

 

While I didn't have any real close Christian friends in high school, that changed in college.  I met Jim Herrold as a freshman and then we roomed together for two years.  He has been like a brother since that time.  Through our church in Sunbury I became close friends with Paul Brosious and Norm Zellers.  They, too, were very special and the Lord used them in various ways in my life. Later in life Gary Varner, Ralph Michel, and Claire Harstad became close friends and they and their families shared much with our family over the years.

 

But as special as all of these folks have been, none of them became my closest friend on earth.

My first contact with my closest friend on earth came when she wrote me a letter before I entered Susquehanna University.  The letter, written by the secretary of the youth group, was an invitation to attend her church and youth group while I was at Susquehanna.

 

And, I did attend church there, not so much because of the letter, but because my grandfather was pastor there.  And, I did meet this Dianne Bickle.  But that was as far as my interest in her went at that time.  Actually, since she was a year older than me, I didn't give her too much thought.  What neither she nor I knew was that some folks in the church were praying that we would get together.  And, the power of prayer …

 

A few months later Norm Zellers asked me if I would go with him and his wife June to a regional youth gathering in Shamokin.  He also asked if I cared if he would invite someone to accompany us.  I said yes, without any idea who this person would be.  I was very surprised when it turned out to be Dianne and even more surprised when we had a very good time together.

 

Norm followed up by taking the two of us out for ice cream several times with his family following the Sunday night services.  And, as my interest developed, I got enough nerve to call her and we began to spend time together.  We attended a church banquet, a concert, church activities, basketball games ….

 

Several things made it easier to spend more time together.  First, the church had prayer meetings on Tuesday and Thursday nights and we managed to attend both of these as well as Sunday services, morning and night.  Second, she had her own car, and this certainly made it much more convenient to be with her.

 

As our relationship developed we spent more time together.  I would come to the bank where she worked to meet her when she was done working on Friday nights at 8:30.  I would often go to her house and study on Sunday afternoons.  She would take me back to college following services and then she'd race home before her curfew.  We wrote daily letters when I was at home.  It was obvious that a special relationship had developed.

 

I don't remember when I actually asked her to marry me, but we were officially engaged on New Year's Day, 1962.  We had a big dinner at the Bickles with her family, my family and the Wolfs.

 

Since she had a good job at the First National Bank, we decided that we could afford to get married before I graduated.  With only six weeks to go, we planned a June wedding.  I found a summer job with the Sunbury Daily Item and we hoped to find an apartment by the end of the summer where we would spend my senior year together.  The next few months were very busy.

 

On June 2 we were married by Grandpa Wolf in Sunbury.  It was a beautiful windy day.  Dianne was beautiful in a dress borrowed from her cousin.  I bought a black suit for the wedding.  We had a big crowd and a nice reception at the YMCA.  We went to Watkins Glen for our short honeymoon.  The bank didn't want to give Dianne any time off for her wedding but she did take Monday off.

 

We moved in with the Bickles and began looking for an apartment.  We finally found one but before we could move in when it was available in September, we discovered that, unexpectedly, our family was about to grow.  We know that the Lord had all that planned so we stayed with the Bickles where we had our own "apartment" with a bedroom and a living room.  It worked perfectly for us while I finished my senior year.

 

Without any hesitation I can say that Grammy really has been my closest and best friend on this earth.  That is because, for both of us, Jesus is our best friend.  Ours has been a very special relationship, with very few disagreements, mainly because Jesus has been the center of our lives. He alone has united us and made us one.  We can't imagine what a married life would be like without the Lord at the center.  He has provided purpose and direction for our marriage both in the good and in the challenging times that develop in any married life.

 

We have prayed not only for you but also for your future spouse.  Pray with us that the Lord will lead you to a spouse who loves the Lord and puts Him first in his/her life.  Don't compromise and settle for anything else.  Life is too long to spend it with someone that doesn't put the Lord first.  We pray that your spouse may also be your best and dearest human friend on earth.