Home Again!!!

After an awesome twelve day trip to Europe, Josiah and I are finally back home.  And as you noticed, I wasn't posting a whole lot of pictures, mainly because its more fun showing you the pictures in person (rather selfish, I know...)    But in the next several days, I'll be posting more "real" pictures.  Today, we'll be in...

Switzerland

"Our cozy, little, Swiss Chalet"

"Spring was in full bloom, and the flowers were too" 

"And, of course, The beautiful Swiss Alps"

 One of the many churches we stopped to photograph.  Two of us were taking pictures, while the others were trying to get us back into the van :)   So much fun!!!

The Trachselwald Castle:  the place were many anabaptists were imprisoned for their faith.

The Team

The Cousin gang that traveled Europe, with a bit what they did!  

Linford Ranck:  Historian & Tour guide

Kelvin Ranck:  Driver & pesto collector

Maria Ranck:  Photographer & Cook

Martha Ranck:  Cook & assistant driver 

Josiah Slabaugh:  The entire film crew!

Jordan Slabaugh:  Driver & Photographer

More Switzerland Pictures

Sorry if I've posted one kind of like this already, I just can't get enough of them!!!  

"An OLD herdsman cottage, built in 1741"   They still make cheese, over an open fire, in this building.

Random coolness... 

"The Heidi fields"

"We drove around this beautiful lake.  It made for some awesome pictures" 

"The Swiss Alps: Up close"

En route to France, we stopped in Geneva, Switzerland, to do some souvenir shopping, 

and then spent some time walking along the lake.

Coming up next:  France, and all the adventures had in that country!  

Warm, Sunny France!!!

Today was quite an interesting day, but I'll save the details for a later time...but I will share several pictures! Hope you enjoy!  Starting off with one of the most fun guys to have on a trip! And, he also makes a good subject, whenever I'm lacking one....   Oh, and the first two pictures are at the Mediterranean Sea!

travel + brother = fun trip

Maria and Martha...with matching scarves from Switzerland! 

Now to France, in an OLD section of town!

A beautiful city street!  So fun to photography!  Wish I could show you the really cool ones!

Cool little details...

Then finishing out the day with a camp fire, an owl hooting in the park 

next door, and singing...life is good!

Our "cook out" in the courtyard

Hope your enjoying the pictures as much as I am enjoying taking them!  We are having a wonderful trip...but am remind how much I appreciate the body back home, and how ready I am to see all of you again!  Thanks for your prayers, emails, and comments! They are greatly appreciated!    ~Jordan 

The "Cousin Gang" in Europe

Here's the church, here's the steeple....but where are all the people?   Thankfully, its not tourist season yet, so for the most part, we have had the "touristy" spots to ourselves! Which is very nice.  this post is just several more random pictures of Europe, hope you enjoy!  

"A beautiful church in a beautiful swiss town!"

"A flower shop along the street"

"More spring flowers"

"One of many group shots we took this trip...this was at our guest house in Switzerland"

"Another group picture"

We are now in southern France as of 9:00 pm, thursday evening... we will be staying in this area till Sunday, seeing lots of different castles, ruins, etc.  stay tuned for more updates.  Let me know if you have any unanswered questions!  :)    ~Jordan 

     PS:  I want to say thanks to all of you that are praying for safety for us, we have had several close calls, but we are all safe and healthy, and I believe that is a direct result of your prayers!!! Again, thank you!  

The Flowers of Morning

This morning (while most of you were sleeping), I went out into the beautiful swiss country side.  It is so beautiful here, the mountains are just amazing!  Can't wait to show you more pictures.  But here are a few flower pictures.  Enjoy!  

 "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you..."  Matthew 6:28-30

The beauty of morning...I just love it!  Any flowers at home yet? 

Switzerland...

Here are several more pictures for you guys... we had a long day on the road, all the way from the Netherlands to Switzerland.  

Beautiful fields of canola flowers... 

A random house in the Alps  

One of the many cathedrals in Europe

Supper tonight... authentic swiss cheese, and homemade bread!  Absolutely delicious!!!

More Alps, and traditional Swiss coming tomorrow!!!   Anybody hungry? 

Frankfurt to Heino

  We had a great flight over, and managed to find Linford with minimal difficulty...and here are several pictures of the day... 

"random street view"

 We stopped at this awesome cathedral...it was really really cool!  Unfortunately, we didn't have a lot of time, and we needed to pick Kelvin up at the airport, so we didn't get to go up to the top, but the inside was still really neat!

 The stained glass was so much fun to take pictures of...

Just so you know, we made it, safe and sound, and are currently staying in a cabin in Heino, Netherlands... tomorrow is the Corrie ten Boom house, and a bunch more...  stayed tuned for more!  

Thanks to everyone that is praying for us, we really appreciate it! 

To Germany & Beyond!!!

And now, the post that I promised awhile back...

"stock photo"  

Thursday afternoon, I, along with Josiah, and three of our cousins are leaving for a 12 day trip to Europe, to visit another cousin that is studying in Germany.  CHEERS!!! We will be leaving April 10th and coming back April 22nd.  Unfortunately we aren't going to all of the countries listed in the picture, but we will get to three of them, plus one thats not on that list.   We are planning to see some cool castles, museums, mountains, famous houses, etc...

Needless to say, I'm REALLY EXCITED!!!     

Some of you had asked about flight information.  (Airbus A340-300) 

      To Germany:  Lufthansa flight #427

           Leaving from Philadelphia Intl Airport -- Apr 10th - 5:45 pm.

           Arriving at Frankfurt Main Airport -- Apr 11th - 7:45 am. 

      Coming Home:  Lufthansa flight #426

           Leaving from Frankfurt Main Airport -- Apr 22th - 1:10 pm.

           Arriving at Philadelphia Intl Airport -- Apr 22th - 4:00 pm. 

     We really would appreciate all your prayers...we will be traveling many miles, have multiple border crossings, etc.  Yes, this is a "vacation", but my prayer is that we would have opportunities to share the love of Christ, and if nothing else, that people would see Christ, in our actions, and the way we live. 

Stay tuned for the "actual" pictures and stories of life across the sea...  till next time ~ Jordan 

"Be Strong in the Lord"

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might."  Eph 6:10 

"The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation..." Exodus 15:2

We just got back from an amazing weekend with Light of Hope Prison Ministries.  My brothers and I again had the privilege of being a singing team this year, and my dad was the evangelist.  

(this year we were at SCI Rockview).  

It was SO encouraging to go into a this place, expecting to try to get these terrible sinners to see that they need to accept Christ as their personal Savior, and instead, walking into a living, vital, body of Christ.  A lot of these men have no hope of ever getting out of this place, but that doesn't keep them from believing what Christ has done for them, or from sharing the love of the Father with their fellow inmates.  By the end of the weekend, I wasn't sure who had been more blessed, us, or them.

      But going into the weekend, I was feeling anything but ready to go sing and minister to these guys, I felt dry, and discouraged.  But every morning, as I spent time alone with Him, the Lord faithfully encouraged, and strengthened me...  And I want to encourage all of you, if your struggling with discouragement, or it doesn't feel like the Lord is near.  

Be faithful, stay in the Word of God, keep seeking Him.  God's promises are true!!!

Isaiah 40:31 "They that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength..."