Dog Days of Summer

We're in the "dog days of summer" - that time of the year when the air is thick with heat and, here in Virginia anyway, humidity. Open the door of your home or your car and step outside and you're engulfed in all-consuming heat. It nearly takes your breath away. That's the "dog days of summer." We're in it. Clearly.

Do you know where the phrase came from? In ancient days the star Sirius was known as the Dog Star...for what reason, I don't know. Maybe it was shaped like a dog? No clue. Anyway, Sirius was thought to live closest to the sun during certain times of the year. Those times became known as Dog Days.  For the northern hemisphere it's July - mid September; for the southern hemisphere it's January - March.

Our wonderful construction workers are working hard during these "dog days" (which, obviously, have arrived earlier this year than July). Please keep them in prayer. And when you're by the site, offer words of appreciation and encouragement! They deserve both!

Here are today's pics....workers having a lunch break under the trees...these guys are from Patton Masonry in Edinburg.

And these are pics of progress! The top pic is new bathroom stubs; the bottom pic is the new boiler room!

Dog Days of Summer can be sweltering...take care of yourself, and remember to offer a prayer of safety and well-being for our workers!

Post-Card History

I was recently given two picture post-cards of the church. One dates back to May 19, 1898, when postage was "1 cent U.S.", and "2 cts Foreign". This post-card was published by Schmitt's Drug Store in downtown Woodstock.

The second post-card has no date, but is in color, the kind that was painted on to glass before it was printed. It was made in Germany and published by Baltimore Stationery Company.

They're fascinating, these two cards. I enjoy things like this, with historical reference. These picture post-cards highlight things about our church that make me curious...

Here are the cards...

You might need a magnifying glass, but if you look closely at the first picture (a black and white photograph) you'll see a round ball on top of the Sanctuary steeple. I wonder what this is, and where it is now?....you'll also notice two chimney-looking structures on the side of the Sanctuary. Were they chimneys?

Looking at the colored post-card, you can easily see a cross above the chapel. Hmmm...wonder where that cross is today? And, what is the interesting feature on top of the "fortress" piece at the right?

We are all students of history, and history comes to life in fascinating ways as we build for the future. Do you have other pieces of history you'd like to share? I'd love to see them!