WHAT DO AIRPLANE MECHANICS DO FOR "AFTER HOURS" FUN?

 



 

Dennis creates tools.

 

 

Rebuilds our piano

 

After years of "sitting idle" with broken elbows (in the piano, not Dennis) and broken bridles (yes, both horses and pianos havebridles), our piano was due for an overhaul.  This picture is the inside working mechanisms of our piano with Dennis replacing all the elbows and leather bridles.  The goal was to have every key in the piano working again.  That goal has now been met and the parts reinstalled in the piano.









 



 

 

Now Dennis is learning to tune the keys.

 

It's been a long winter!

A HAPPY PILOT PICKS UP HIS PLANE

We often feature pictures of airplanes under repair, but thought you might like to see what we see when a pilot picks up his airplane. This Cessna 206 went through 3 years of repair and restoration. It was especially "outfitted" for the conditions that will be encountered as it serves missionaries and nationals in Honduras. When George (the pilot) picked up his airplane a few weeks ago he was so excited to see what had once been a worn out airplane now in "like new" condition. Why would he fly from Honduras to Coshocton, OH to have the work done on this airplane? MMS does not charge Christian ministries for our labor, saving almost $100,000 on this project alone (while training airplane mechanics for future overseas mission assignments).

Final "lift off" as the Cessna 206 begins it's journey back to Honduras.

Little Scottish Gal Gets First Horse Ride

Heather & Andy - this Blog is for you.

Today we met Andy, Heather, Matthew & Abigail. Three year old Abigail ran up to me and announced "I'm going to ride your horse". It seems this was her "childhood dream" (to ride a horse). Little girls and horses just seem to go together. Andy and Heather are here from Scotland for an evaluation to see if the MMS training program is a fit for them. They have already been approved for service with MAF-Intl. Now it is time for Andy to get the mechanical experience and licenses he will need to maintain airplanes on the mission field. After dinner, it was time to make Abigail's wish come true (even Heather and I took a horse ride). Not every little girl has to travel from Scotland to America to ride a horse, but we're glad this one did. It's fun to share with others the horses God has provided. And, it was a beautiful evening to be outside.

IF APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS, WHAT DO SNOW DAYS BRING?

TIME to spend the day at home with a book and 2 faithful friends (Mary just finishing page 206 of the "2010 Church and Nonprofit Tax & Financial Guide"). Two phrases on the front cover caught my attention immediately "Latest Tax Law Changes" and "Easy to Understand". Who do they think they are kidding? At least it was confirmation that I am "on the right track" at MMS and we are in compliance with government regulations for charitable organizations. Now time to head outside and carry a 50 pound bale of hay, uphill in 12 inches of the remaining snow, and feed the horses. Hey, this is something I can tell my grandkids! Nothing like country living :-)

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES. Dennis and MMS's newest apprentice, Paul, doing some troubleshooting on a Cessna 337. Some airplanes have one engine in the front of the plane, some have two or more engines on the wings of the plane, but the 337 has an engine in the front of the plane and an engine in the back of the plane (I believe I have heard the term "Push/Pull" regarding that plane). This plane is here for an annual inspection, repairs and two engine overhauls. It is used in missionary work in Canada.

RESEARCH. The day is not over until the parts are ordered for the next few days. There are a lot of parts suppliers out there. These are the moments when 23 years of experience ordering parts, repairing airplanes, and building relationships comes in handy.

THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE . . .

What a day this has been. The snow is up to Dennis' knees and the beauty of creation surrounds us. So far we even still have electricity out here in the country. I've gotten my 2010 taxes done. While I figured taxes, Dennis shoveled paths (hard to tell who got the "best deal") and spent time taking pictures. Now we're just enjoying the evening and getting in a little "reading time".

Time to enjoy the sunshine.

A new play opportunity for "the girls".

OUR LITTLE MIRACLE BABY

For months it looked like Rachel was going to lose this baby. After months of appointments, bedrest, an ambulance ride to the hospital, then a ride by helicopter, Cayde made his appearance 6 weeks early. Even though he was only 4 lb 11 oz, his lungs were well developed and he only had a 6 day stay in NICU before going home to be with his family. This photo is 2 months later (weighing in at over 12 pounds). We are certainly praising God for His care over Rachel and Cayde.

MMS books are done, Dennis is making labels for the Repair Station Parts, progress is being made in the hangar on airplane repairs, and the sun is shining so I am heading out to enjoy this beautiful day. Time to walk the trail at the park, then head home to ride horses.

AHHHHH, VACATION AT LAST

Day 1 of vacation and only 2 calls to/from MMS for Mary and 1 for Dennis. That's pretty good for us - so far, vacation is a success :-) After lunch out at Chicago Pizza (where Seniors get their drinks free with the buffet on Mondays), it was time to head to Zanesville for a little tool shopping errand (the one type of shopping Dennis actually enjoys). Lowes, Home Depot, WalMart here we come!Okay, let's try this thing out! Well, it was fun (?) while it lasted, but back to WalMart to return the paint spray gun (which did not work as well as Plan A's old paint gun try). Time to put Plan C into action. At least, I'm counting on Dennis having a Plan C (and I hope it's not for me to paint the fence by myself again with an old fashioned paint brush).

What do "accountant types" do on vacation? While Dennis is trying to make at least a little progress on painting the fence, I thought I'd organize some of our own paperwork, work on our blog, and a quick link to Facebook. It's pretty slow going with dial up internet connection. After several frustrating attempts to upload photos, I think I'm about ready to head to the barn, clean some stalls, and see if I can find a horse to ride. After all, I am on vacation :-)

These two REALLY know how to enjoy a vacation!