Harlingen, Texas

Following the Health Assembly, Nila and I traveled 4 hours south to Harlingen Texas to visit her folks. Her dad had recently been hospitalized for a month and was home just in time for her visit. It was so much fun to listen to them visit and share old stories. Her dad and Eileen took us to dinner and this was one of my favorite moments of the week. She has wonderful parents and it is comfortable and great fun to be with them for these couple of days. We will leave in the morning and head to Corpus Christi.

Nila and I visited the Iwo Jima memorial in Harlingen. We saw an excellent film of the history of the war and walked through the museum.

This is the original model of the Iwo Jima Memorial that is in Arlington Cemetery in Washington DC. This is the clay sculpture that the bronze statue in Arlington Cemetery is made from. The detail is incredible.

As I took these pictures, the sun was just ready to peek over the top of the statue. It was a powerful moment!

After lunch at The Lost Galleon, Nila, her dad and I drove to South Padre Island. Nila could hardly contain herself after arriving at the very end of the island. She RAN through the sand to get her feet into the Gulf of Mexico.

This girl loves the water! I'm soooo glad that she brought the car to a complete stop before she jumped out and started her run!

San Antonio... Some Of My Favorite Moments

I know begging when I see it. Nila had Bob York on his knees! Either that, or he's praying. It was a precious moment captured in a picture. (He needed a document adjusted and Nila was there for him.) Dennis Russell, a consulting associate for MHS Alliance, chats with Keith Stuckey.

While perusing the MHS Alliance bookstore, I was thrilled to find Howard Zehr's book since Howard is a friend of mine. We were neighbors for many years in Elkhart, Indiana and his wife Ruby visits me twice a year. Our kids grew up together. I was thrilled to find that our Saturday speaker, Ingrid DeSanctis, is good friends with Howard and wrote a play based on one of his books. Small world isn't it?

This was a very special moment....the four Shirk sisters were together again!

Look at these love birds! Tim and Jan Stair glow after Jan arrives in San Antonio. Jan and I taught 1st and 2nd grade together for many years until I retired in 2005. Jan recently announced that she will retire at the end of this year. I think I will text her and see if she can do lunch with me the day after school is out. I'm free!!!

These college students attended the Health Assembly. They look like future leaders to me!

I loved this picture of Emily Reese. We were on the River Walk on our way to dinner when she looked right at the camera. It's a great birthday pose!

Ingrid DeSanctis was our Saturday morning and evening speaker. At dinner Friday evening, Ingrid joined our group for dinner and we were captivated by her charm, humor, intellect and genuine sweetness.

Finally, Saturday afternoon arrived and Nila had some free time. Jan Stair, Nila and I walked to the River Walk and took in the sights. Of course, we first needed lunch! Notice the healthy choices.Time for a ride on the river.

On our ride down the river, we wondered if we were seeing things!!!

DUCK!!!!

Such a beautiful ride down the river.

If you don't recognize two of the people standing on top of the bridge, you won't notice that this photo must have been taken after the boat ride.

As we rode down the river, the river was being changed to green in preparation for the St. Patrick's Day celebration. It was a perfect time to be in San Antonio!

Jan and I enjoyed the wonderful afternoon as Nila took our picture and then....

...we took Nila's picture. We want to remember this trip for a long time!

Yes, ducky. The water really IS green!

Dessert??? Did someone say dessert? Oh we couldn't! It's nearly dinner time!

As we headed back to the Crowne Plaza, Jan posed for a picture by one of the beautiful waterfalls. Looks like she might need a towel!!!

Don't get wet Nila!

It was necessary to welcome these new members to the Health Assembly and make sure they feel welcome.

San Antonio....Wednesday & Thursday

Wednesday was the beginning of a very busy few days for Nila. I thought that this table in the Board Room of the Crown Plaza was so nice. I was wishing that I could have it in my house when we have Christmas dinner. Of course I would have to build a huge room onto our house. What are the chances? (Notice who had to work while other Board members were on a break. What a girl!!! Below is a photo of Marvin Zehr and Lee Snyder. Marvin is retiring from the MHS Alliance Board this year. Such a sweet man. Lee is a dynamite Board Chair.

I love the picture below of Valerie Rempel who is a Professor of Old Testament. I have met so many wonderful people. I'm so glad I don't have to take a test to match faces and names! I visit with them and feel so comfortable. Later Nila tells me that they are a well known doctor or the President of a huge company or college or something really impressive and I wonder what really stupid thing I probably said to them. Mim Shirk (seated next to Valerie) is a terrific lady who put this conference together.

Lee and Nila with Jay Shetler in the background.

The Commission for Sponsorship begins their meeting.

Wanda Heise(left) is so much fun to be around. She has a very impressive work history but said that now focuses on serving on several Boards. She is next to Nancy Hopkins-Garriss.

Tim Wiens chairs the Governance Committee.

I was thrilled to see Tim Stair since he is actually one person that I know. Tim was MC for the Health Assembly.

I was near the registration desk when the lady below looked at me, looked at my name tag, looked at me again and said, "You taught my son in 1st grade!" It is Eunice Culp. I couldn't believe it!!! That was a lot of years ago!

I couldn't resist taking a picture of this sweet lady. Her smile was infectious.

Mim (right) is one of 4 sisters! This was the first sister to arrive with the other 3 arriving Friday. What a treat!

Mark King and Ron Litwiller are below.

Lee and Mim discuss the agenda before the MHS Alliance Members Meeting begins.

Orville and LaJane Yoder saw my last name and said, "We know Tom". Sweet, sweet people!

After the meeting, Nila introduced me to "Celebrity Bob" (left). Bob is from Luthern Services in America and a delight to talk to. He is speaking in place of Rick Stiffney who had surgery yesterday morning.

Nila and Bob

It was about this time when Marvin came to me and asked if I could help with a project. I was there to help whenever I was needed so I said yes. He led me to a room which housed the huge unfinished banner that I was to complete. It needed blue, green and yellow material PINNED to the banner to create the illusion of the River Walk and land (going under a bridge) with yellow added at the bottom. It was to be poofy. I told him that this was not my field of expertise and he left me. I prayed and pinned for an hour. I asked God to send help. Seriously!!! I knew that this was to be the back-drop of the big opening session in the Texas Ballroom and I didn't have 2 weeks to complete the project...I had 2 HOURS!

After an hour, God sent me Jan Showalter. Not only is Jan the sweetest lady on earth and an RN, she has sewing gifts. She was amazing and saved my life! With her knowledge, together, we completed the project successfully.

I can't thank Jan enough! We were a good team and held our breath as the banner was lifted and put into place. Success!!!

The banner was hung in the center of the two power point screens. This was the only way to give the proper perspective as to the nature of its size.

Following the Worship and Plenary was an ice cream treat.

It was a very long couple of days. Nila even worked after we finally returned to our room. We got to bed after midnight. Good things are being accomplished so it was all worth it.