Penn Connection

This morning I attended a meeting of historians held at the Muddy Creek Library. I don't go to all of their meetings but I always learn something when I do go. Today was no exception.

I also saw some things that would have been worth the trip in themselves. One of them was a recent acquisition. This little German New Testament was printed in 1584 by Christopher Froschauer.

 

 

The left side of the paper beside it is a transcription and translation of the inscription inside the book. The handwriting on the right side tells how and when the library acquired the book.

 

 

The inscription is written in Latin and reads:

Ex dono Affinis

charissimi Guli: Penn

tenet Joh: Penington

Anno 1685

 

Translation:

From a gift of brother-in-law

my most beloved William Penn

holds [to] John Penington

in the year 1685

 

How the English William Penn got this little book is not known but it may have been given to him when he visited some Mennonites in Germany who highly prized the Froschauer Bible. How it found it's way to Lancaster County is another story which also is not fully known.



Wall Words

Wall Words have been increasing in popularity since I first heard of them a couple years ago. I have a spot in my living room that has always been bare. I thought that would be a good place for some Wall Words. The big question was WHICH Wall Words I want stuck on my wall. There is a huge variety to choose from but I wanted to choose carefully because I knew I will be stuck with them for years to come.

After searching periodically, I found one I liked and thought I could live with for the long haul. But I gave it some time and then looked again. Nope. Still didn't find anything I liked better, so I bit the bullet and ordered it. We put it up Monday evening.

 

 

 

This is a reminder that life is a constant series of changes. We can't go back and do things over nor can we change many of the events that come into our lives. But we can accept what life hands us and adapt to the circumstances. As I was putting these words on the wall I thought how appropriate it is at the moment since I've had to adjust my sails and accept using a cane (temporarily). I'm sure this reminder will be appropriate for years to come.

Another Man's Moccasins

Within one week, Leroy and I both added a piece of medical equipment to our support systems. When he went for his physical to renew his CDL, he was ordered to take a sleep test. The results showed he has sleep apnea and needs to use a C-PAP machine. It was delivered yesterday and he used it for the first time last night. He claimed he was awake a lot but I noticed he was not as restless and did not snore. It might take a week or so for him to get used to it. These machines do not work for everyone. He has three months to try it. If he decides to send it back it will cost him his CDL. So that's an incentive to stick it out and give it a fair trial.

My medical equipment is not as high tech as his. It's a simple black cane to help me walk without a severe limp. I've been having trouble with my hip since April. The pain draws all the way down my leg to the ankle. Some days are worse than others but the ache in my leg is always there. The doctor sent me for a month of therapy which did not help. I will see the doctor again in July and then probably go for some testing to see what is going on in there. The physical therapist wanted me to use a cane and I resisted until I saw the therapy wasn't helping. Then I swallowed a large chunk of pride and got one. It does help, but it is NOT going to be a permanent part of my life if I can help it.

In the meantime, I'm learning some things. Leroy always accused me of being impatient and marching on ahead. My pace has slowed considerably and we can now walk at the same speed. I can wait for him to open and close doors for me. And he actually has to wait for me as I wiggle my way in and out of the car.

I'm learning how far it is to walk from a parking space to a store and then up and down the aisles to get what I need. I do not have a handicapped sticker so I can't park in the handicapped spaces. I never paid much attention to who parked in those spaces and if the occupants qualified to be there. This week when I went to Walmart I saw all the handicapped spaces were filled but only one vehicle was parked legally. I never felt indignation toward the illegal parkers until I limped past them. I understand now how important it is to respect those reserved spaces. Even though I was not certified to park there, someone else who is and needs it would not have been able to use those spaces.

The sanctuary at our church is not on the ground level and cannot be entered without going a flight of stairs. Several years ago we constructed an outdoor ramp along the side of the building, mainly because we have a wheelchair member. Now I'm finding how much easier it is to use the ramp rather than the stairs.

In short, I'm getting a bit of a taste of what handicapped people live with and am gaining more sympathy for them. It's an opportunity for me to better understand the saying “walk a mile in another man’s moccasins.”

Family Time

We had a great weekend with all our children and grandchildren under one roof for a couple days. I enjoyed it immensely but am glad they all have their own roofs too. Here are some highlights from the weekend. (Click to enlarge)

Friday night bedtime snack of smores.

 

Unhooking a string of ladder balls from a tree branch.

 

Have creek, will slop

 

Mountain pies over the campfire and then story time until after dark

 

Tie-dyed shirts

 

Great-grandma joined us for Sunday dinner

Jesus, Lover of My Soul - SCMC Community Hymn Sing 2013

The Shenandoah Valley of Virginia is rich in musical history. Here, local Mennonites played a significant role in the development of church music in the South.

The small town of Singers Glen was home to Joseph Funk in the mid-19th century. Joseph and his sons were instrumental in developing a shaped-note system that made four-part harmony accessible to the common people. (Their four-shape notation system was eventually replaced by the now popular seven-shape system.) They actively promoted this development with singing schools which they held throughout the area and which eventually spread into the surrounding counties and states.

In addition, they opened a printing press which included among its early projects the printing of a shaped note song book called “The Harmonia Sacra.” It is still commonly used in hymn sings throughout the central Shenandoah Valley and includes some hymns that have become very common in the Mennonite community.

Here's some  Mennonite music enthusiasts gathered in Virginia for a Community Hymn Sing, sponsored by the Shenandoah Christian Music Camp and led by Brandon Mullet. Listen and enjoy the beautiful harmony that closes with eight parts in the last verse. The human voice is the finest of all instruments.