This is a Cessna 337 owned by LAMP (Luthren Asssociation of Missionary Pilots). This bright red aircraft had been operated in Canada where the color would greatly enhance visibility in snow. It is at MMS for a dual engine overhaul and various airframe work. The unique arrangement of front and rear engines gives the power and reliability of a traditional twin engine aircraft without the assymetrical thrust experienced with an engine failure. In other words, if you lose an engine in a 337, the remaining engine won't try to pull you to the left or right.

Here is the rear engine mounted vertically by the crankshaft flange. This position allows access to every part of the engine for disassembly.

Notice the shrinking size of the engine as Paul Jones (left) and Scott Grote (right) remove components from the engine assembly until it is nothing but individual parts. Some of the subassemblies and critical parts are shipped out to specialized subcontractors for overhaul or inspections that look for defects beneath the surface.

This is Paul's first engine overhaul so he's getting great experience for his next engine, which will be the one on the front of this same airplane!

I just completed the Annual Inspection on the Cessna T310R operated by Gospel Carrier International. Fortunately I had the help of several men who volunteer in the hangar. Logan and Doug help out one day a week. Gary and his wife are from Pennsylvania and travel to Ohio for several weeks each year to help out at MMS. These folks make it possible for a one man team to get something done in a reasonable amount of time.

Annual Inspections are an FAA requirement for an aircraft to be considered airworthy. Everything on the plane is looked at and tested for proper operation to assure the safety of the crew and passengers. It takes a few days work just to remove all the panels and open up the interior for the inspection. Problems that are discovered during the inspection are then fixed, and the aircraft is returned to service. Fortunately, all the discrepancies on this inspection were minor, so we were able to keep on schedule.

Friends from a far

Last month our friend Karen from PA arrived for a visit. This was her second visit with us.

We spent a day in Dresden, the birthplace of Longaberger baskets. Enjoyed the stores and the sales.
Ate lunch at a local resturant, shopped some more and then headed home.

Karen was a real blessing, she assisted me in designing and installing our church's Relay For Life display.

We look forward to seeing her again next fall when we are home for a Missions Conference at our sending church.

This is Karen standing in front of our beautiful County Court House on Main street.

Spring in full bloom

This is our beautiful backyard. When we lived in PA we tried to grow Dogwood trees, but to no avail. Here we are blessed with 2 dogwood trees, one pink and the other white. We planted a second flowering crab a few years ago. The Japanese Maple was already here. Our yard is a haven of rest here in town, most people are amazed that we have so many trees and it does not feel like town. We enjoy having coffee in the afternoon on our patio and on occasion a meal.

Almost home free!

Here's Tim sitting next to the hole that he had dug before moving the Azalea. It took a few more grunts and groans and success at last! The Azalea is now happily adjusting to its new locations amongst Daffodils and Day Lillies! In case you are wondering, the other 3 Azaleas are doing well too.

Now what?

So, how what? How does one move the thing? We managed to get the root ball onto a piece of heavy duty plastic, Tim wrapped rope around it, tied on the tines of a pitch fork to hold onto as we dragged it across the yard to its new resting spot! We did laugh at ourselves as we stopped to catch our breaths!

Moving day

After using all the shovels, 2x4's, waterbed boards, we were finally able to free the Azalea from it home of 20 plus years! It took brute strength, physics and sheer determination, but we got it out of the ground.

"Hercules" aka Tim

We are very blessed to have so many beautiful plants, trees and shurbs on residental property here in town. In front of our home is a row of Azaleas, white, pink, red, and a purple/pink. 4 of them had become overgrown, so we decided to move one. Tim and I (mainly Tim) spent an entire Saturday digging out and moving the one you see here. It had a tremendous rootball, Tim thought it was about 6oo pounds!

Cupcakes and more

Lambs were my theme for April's cupcakes for the Christian school. The eyes and noses were all hand applied, coconut tinted green for grass. It takes a little time to do all this, but it is so much fun and the children love them!

Another way in which I can help the school is that of tutoring/volunteering once a week. I'm currently helping 2 brothers with their reading skills as well spelling and vocablulary words. Having had reading difficulties as a child I understand what the little guys struggles are. On a positive note, I love to read, I so appreciate all the help that I received along the way.

Friends near...

We recently discovered that one of our local squirrels likes to lick our back door steps! I open our kitchen door to discover this little guy happily licking the steps, we think it is probably salt residue from the winter. He also likes our front door mat, its probably not as tasty as the back door steps.