Welcome to this collection of photos of family, friends, and travel.
Memie & Anika
Downtown park
I 84 south of Mt. Home
Jenna, Jordan, and Memie
Ed & Eddie
Jerilee's singing mother's day card
Debbie, Jordan, Jenna
Ed & Debbie
Robert M. Ayres, Jr. Receiving the Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) Degree
Receiving her Master of Divinity degree
Jamestown HS reunion
Jamestown HS reunion
Opa, Memie, Sabina
Mar 2011
First time I've seen a live mountain goat in the wild
Our 2001 Chevy Impala took us on this 6,656 mile, 29 day trip without missing a beat and it only has 155,000 miles on it. I believe this was it's 4th cross-country trip.
Years ago it was the local fresh fish market
Is that Possom?
Seymour the camp guard dog
Yes, there is really such a place
In front of the Alamo
Chuck was my supervisor at my last Air Force assignment, 20 years ago.
Boat ride down the river
Jenna & Jordans' school
Science fair project gets an award
Science fair project gets honorable mention
Memie and Granddad with our favorite Texas grandchildren
Showing off birthday gifts
7th birthday present
Coming east from Monarch pass
A short reunion in Grand Junction, CO
My cousin, Larry, whom I'd not seen in almost 40 years.
Columbia river valley
This was "our" gate, there was another gate for Vietnamese nationals.
A drunk officer ran the staff car into the ditch the night before.
Three day R & R to Hong Kong in Feb 1967
Three months before my tour was over, we were moved to new barracks. They had indoor showers, but there was no running water. This was luxury, especially the beer and snacks in our very own snack bar.
One of many sand bag bunkers all around the base. They were home for the rats
In the early 60s we used lots of Napalm
Old 1000 lb bombs, some from the Korean war era
We arrived together and left together. Some to new assignments, but most of us to civilian life so we did not have to return to Viet Nam.
May 1967 as an Air Police augmentee guarding F 100s on alert
The only major attack on the base during my tour. Rockets and mortars destroyed several barracks, vehicles, and at least one of every kind of airplane on the base.
View from the entrance of the bunker where I was during the attack. As soon as the attack was over, I went back to the barracks and got my camera.
Tracer rounds from AC 47 on the far side of the runway. Trying to get the bad guys
Eight of us lived in the tent and we had all the conforts of home, refrigerator, TV, and a family of rats.
Bic our house girl (actually tent girl). We gave her a watch. Before I left Viet Nam, she had some of us to her home for dinner.
My home for about 6 months of my tour. The motorbike was mine too.
The tent was convenient to work - our airplanes (F-5) were on the ramp just behind the tents.
These are the guys I lived and worked with for 9 months of my tour. We were in the 10th Fighter Commando Squadron, F-5A & F-5B; The "Scoshi Tigers"
Nancy and Sylvia's visit to Mt. Home in Sep 1987
Nancy & Sylvia's visit to Mt. Home in Sep 87
December 1978
Okinawa
Kadena, Okinawa
Okinawa 1978
A block from our first house on Okinawa
Near our house on Kadena AB, Okinawa
Beth's pet bunny at Mt. Home AFB, ID
St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Fort Walton Beach, FL
From the roof of our first house in Okinawa, near Kadena Circle
Left to right: Betty, Mary holding Nancy, Louise, Donald, Ernest, Jeanette, Eldwin
Ship we sailed to Germany on 1951
Where we lived in Germany 1951-1953
Drive across country upon our return from Okinawa - Travis AFB, CA to Fort Walton Beach, FL December 1978
Ed's Paternal Grandparents
Spokane, WA
Move from Virginia to Spokane
Ed's maternal grandparents
A wonderful trip - covering 6,656 miles in 29 days. It was great to visit family and friends all over the country. Covered parts of 16 states.
Longest traveling day - 10 hours
Most traffic - San Antonio, TX / Least traffic - Wyoming
Friendliest people - West Texas / Least friendly people - Mississippi
Worst roads - Western Tennessee / Best Roads - Texas
Highest gas prices - Washington / Lowest gas prices - Wyoming
Best rest stops - Oregon / Worst rest stops - Mississippi
Worst drivers - toss up between Mississippi and Washington
Fastest speed limits (on interstate) 75 - Lowest limits 65
Most interesting place visited - Lovelady, TX (Yes, there is really such a place)
First night out in Moberly, MO. Second night was supposed to be in Western NE, but a snow storm with blizzard conditions caused so many accidents on I 80 out of Lincoln, that it was closed, so an unexpected overnight in Eastern NE. We got out early before the idiots who like to drive fast and in bunches in blowing snow and icy roads.
Next night (I think it was Monday) was in Laramie, WY and the final night on the road in our old "stomping grounds" of Mt. Home, ID. We were too tired to visit our friends there and were out early. Arrived in Olympia about 3:15 on Wednesday.
Too tired to make church on Ash Wednesday - the first time I've missed Ash Wednesday church since 1975.
Wonderful visit with the kids and grandkids in Nashville. An adult dinner out on the last night of our visit. Headed home - a five day trip of about 2700 miles. We've picked a route that looks best for weather so we'll miss making connections with some family and friends - catch you next time.
So far - WA, OR, ID, UT, CO, NM, TX, LA, AR, MS, TN, KY, IL, MO and several to go. Blessings from Moberly, MO
Great visit with my family in Monroe and a short visit with my sister, Betty. Got some small jobs done around my mother's house and installed a new storm door. Our last night in Monroe we went to dinner at a real Louisiana seafood restaurant and watched the people get ready for the Mardi Gras parade in Monroe.
It was a nice day's drive to Nashville, good weather and little traffic (everyone must have been watching the Super Bowl pre-game shows).
In Nashville it began to snow last night and the county schools have a snow day today; only Danna had to go to school, so Debbie and I are hanging out with Riley and Braden.
Arrived yesterday afternoon at Jerilee's. Great to see the grandkids - they've grown a bunch since last April when we last saw them. Walked the girls to school this morning.
Drove into Austin to visit our friend Emma Jean at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. Emma Jean is from All Saints', Las Vegas and in her second year of seminary. Great to see her and a first time visit to the seminary.
Jordan's 7th birthday tomorrow, so there's likely to be some excitement around here. A few more days here and then on the road again.
From Grand Junction, HWY 50 across CO. Good drive, and spectacular mountains as we crossed Monarch pass. Stopped in Canon City for lunch at a French restaruant and had Crawfish pie. Went to see Royal Gorge - it's a rip off - fenced in so you cannot see the gorge or bridge without buying a ticket ($24 per person). Skip this if you're traveling through.
Arrival in Pueblo to stay with family - the Levinson family, where Debbie grew up. It was wonderful to see Shirley, Sherry, Karen and their families.
Snow and messy roads through UT, a slow go in spots, expecially coming into SLC.
In Grand Junction, had the chance for a short reunion with my cousin, Larry. He and were close when we were kids and he lived in AR and I lived in OK and LA. We've lost track over the years and hadn't seen each other since our Grandmother Lovelady's funeral (almost 40 Years). It was great to see Larry and to meet his wife, Cindy and son Ron.
Episcopal Asiamerican Ministries (EAM) Consultation – June 2009
Some reflections from my participation in the consultation
The Rev. Ed Lovelady, Rector, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Las Vegas, Nevada
It was HOT and HUMID when I stepped out of the airport in Tampa to get to my rental car to drive to Day Spring Episcopal conference center for the 36th Episcopal Asiamerican Ministry Consultation. This was my second time to attend EAM. We’ve been sending representatives from Holy Child Filipino Ministries for the last 4 years and only last year did I discover the value of my attendance (The decision was easier since last year’s meeting was in Taiwan).
Fr. Arsie and Bernadette Almodiel, Melissa and Madelyn Sese, and I attended, representing All Saints’ parish and Holy Child Filipino Ministries, this year’s consultation of about 150 people. EAM is an annual meeting of clergy and lay people involved in Asian ministries in the Episcopal Church. It is led by The Rev. Winfred Vergara, Asian missioner for the Episcopal Church (and founder of the Holy Child congregation in All Saints’) and the EAM Council. The consultation is made up of several convocations, young adults, diocesan representatives, Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Southeast Asian, and South Asian, who meet to discuss their particular ministry interests and concerns.
This year’s conference keynote speaker was The Rev Canon Chye Ann Soh, the same speaker we had last year, continuing with the theme of “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord in an age of Globalization” (See http://www.allsaintslv.com/eam_consultation.htm for information and reflections on the 2008 EAM Consultation). This year his presentation was less “scholarly” and more “practical.” I’m most impressed with his perspective, being Chinese from Singapore and having worked in mission work in Africa and now living and working in England. He related his experience of buying face masks for this trip to the US, responding to foreign media coverage of the swine flu pandemic, and wondering if everyone would be wearing one when he arrived at JFK airport. He found that a few people wore them on the airplane, and no one was wearing a mask in New York, or elsewhere in the US. He reflected about how the United States is viewed by the rest of the world and the fact that what happens in the US effects the rest of the world directly or indirectly, and how that fact impacts our ministry at home and abroad.
He talked about the fact that Asia is the place of origin of most of the world’s major religions and that recent historical studies show that Christianity was taken to Asia before it was to Europe. Saint Paul’s journeys were to what was then considered “Asia.” There is some evidence that the Christian faith was brought as far as China in the early years of its history, and was overcome by the indigenous Asian religions. Long before the Western European mission fervor, the Christian faith was part of the Asian religious experience.
We heard in presentations and conversations about the successes and failures and personal stories of ministry in a wide variety of settings. I had the opportunity to make a presentation about our multicultural ministry at All Saint’s that generated a conversation about what it means to “one” parish with more than one “ethnic congregation.” Most of the discussion was about name; why do we label ourselves as “All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Holy Child Filipino Ministries; Iglesia de Todos los Santos” and not just “All Saints’ Episcopal Church”? If we are truly “one church” why a variety of names? I agreed that the name seems to indicate that we are separated, and that even with the best of intentions, we are multiple congregations, i.e. the 5:30, 8:00 & 10:30 English language services are in many ways “separate” congregations not so different from the 1:00 Spanish language and 4:00 Filipino. I believe name is important for two reasons; one is they let the community know that we have the ethnic ministries in our parish, and the other is the cultural connection (i.e. Holy Child – Santo Nino – is an important connection with Filipino heritage). The disturbing stories were about ethnic congregations whose church property was taken from them by diocesan bishops or situations were they are not allowed to advertise their ministry as part of the parish to which they are attached. Many seem to be “tenant” congregations, paying rent for worship space, and having no participation in the life of the congregation to which they are connected (i.e. status of ethnic clergy, representation on vestry). Asian ministry, just like Latino or Black, or Native American seems to continue to be the “red headed step child” of the Episcopal Church.
The distinction that catches our attention most readily is the worship that is in a language or cultural expression other than “Anglo Episcopal”. This is not just an outside observation, but is the one issue that seems to be part of my own concerns about multicultural ministry – the “other” and where they fit with “us”? How about the question “where do we fit with them” or even better, “where do we fit together”?
We talked about the proposed budget for General Convention and some agreed that we will have continued funding for talking about ministry, but little to actually do ministry. I’ve also observed that the traditional expectation is that ethnic ministers should be satisfied with no pay or lower pay than their Anglo counterparts. The next “glass ceiling” that we need to break through is the cultural barrier for other-than-Anglo clergy in senior leadership in parishes and diocese; I see some cracks already.
I attended two of the four workshops offered, one on using PowerPoint, particularly in worship. Although I didn’t find the PowerPoint presentations that we used for worship very well done. It was good to get some hints about the basics of using PP (colors, font size, etc). It was also good to be reminded how important it is to have a good presentation that will not distract from the purpose (giving information or worship).
The second workshop was on Faith Formation and Congregational transformation and presented the question, “What makes our congregations private clubs and what might prevent it?” The difference, of course, is to continue to seek new ways of being Church and reaching out beyond ourselves. The hazard is when we get comfortable; we might be a club, instead of a church. This is a problem across cultural lines and probably the most significant thing that keeps the church from growing.
Of course, the best part of the conference is the people. Making new friendships and connections, and renewing relationships from earlier meetings. I believe that I see a change in the representation from the many congregations and ministries represented. There seems to be more recently ordained Asian clergy and more in primary leadership positions in the Episcopal Church, diocese, and congregations. We celebrated the Hmong congregation in Minneapolis, and the first Hmong postulate who will begin seminary this fall. Several seminarians were introduced representing a growing leadership from the Asian community.
Fr. Arsie and Bernadette represented Holy Child ministries in their participation in workshops, convocation meetings, and in the general discussion. Their perspective on the multicultural ministries of All Saints’ parish lends an authenticity to our work together.
Melissa and Madelyn participated in the young adult convocation, workshops and fellowship. This year’s EAM had the highest percentage of youth and young adult participation of any Episcopal Church gathering in which I have participated in 35 years in the Episcopal Church. It is also worth noting that these young people were part of the convocation and not segregated out to “kid” activities. They participated in the conversations, workshops (although Melissa and Madelyn didn’t find the “Planning for Tomorrow” workshop about retirement very helpful), and as full members of the consultation.
Once Melissa announced my retirement in the Filipino convocation meeting I became sort of a celebrity, with people offering their appreciation for my ministry and my presence in and support of EAM. It didn’t help that Melissa and Madelyn sang a song after the banquet dedicated to me. I intend to remain active after my retirement in October in multicultural ministry development and in the EAM community and plan to attend the consultation next year in Sacramento, where I’ve been approached about conducting a workshop on multicultural ministry.
I’ve worked with Holy Child since I came to All Saints’ in 2004 and it has been a valuable part of my ministry at All Saints’ and a particular ministry and group who are dear to my heart. I’ve had an appreciation for Asian culture since my first encounter in Viet Nam in 1966, reinforced by assignments to Okinawa, Guam, and Korea in succeeding years. My experience with Holy Child Ministries and participation in EAM has reinforced that appreciation. I am wonderfully surprised and honored by how I have been accepted and included in the Asian ministry community.
I am proud of my participation in Holy Child Filipino ministries, and the development of Iglesia de Todos los Santos, and in the full life of All Saints’ parish, including the many meaningful ministries that were already part of the life of our parish before I came. My ministry at All Saints’ is truly blessed by the Holy Spirit present in our many varieties of ministry and outreach.