Month: March 2018

Monday, March 19, 2018

This morning was again cloudy, dreary and drippy. We had a little rain around 10:00 but it was light and didn’t last long. It was just enough to make us cover up the saws and go inside for a moment and then it was over. After that quick little shower, the sun came out and it was hot and humid. Our high today was in the mid 80s, by far the warmest day so far. Our northern team members really don’t like that heat. They should be happier tomorrow when it cools off and the high is 65. We will be happier too.

Today the ramp crew completed the ramp with the exception of a little Quikrete by the metal ramp to help alleviate some of the mud problems. BTW, the purpose of the metal ramp is to prevent wood decay for the portion on the ground at our homeowners request. This afternoon our construction coordinator asked the crew to also place the same type of railing that is on the ramp on the porch as well. They will probably start on that tomorrow.

Today good progress was made on the bedroom addition. The windows and sheathing were removed from the exterior wall and the windows saved for the new exterior walls, the door was cut in from the living room to the bed room and the wall was removed from the old bath to extend the bathroom into the new addition. Also, the north wall framing was completed as was the interior wall framing. The sheathing was placed on the south and east wall. It was another productive day.

For those from other parts of the country, we have been watching our local TV channels from Birmingham tonight due to the severe storms in the area. Fortunately, at least for now, the area around our home has had no damage. Other areas of the state including Cullman, where Anne worked, have had severe damage. Very thankful that so far there have been no reports of injuries.

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Sometimes we just wish the weather forecasters would be wrong. Unfortunately, they have been right Friday through Sunday of this week. No bike riding this weekend. It was a warm night last night, requiring the air conditioner, and there was a lot of rain in a short period of time around 1:30 today. It was cloudy with dark ominous looking clouds until late this afternoon when the sun finally came our for a little while. It was 82 and humid this afternoon. Again, thankful for 50 amp power and good air conditioners.

We, of course, went to worship this morning. The team decided to stay at Francis Asbury again this week. Today Pastor David was not here put Pastor Johnson filled in for him. She brought a message from John 12:20-33, “Lift up Jesus”. She also reminded us that when we look at a cross we should remember the vertical piece reminds us we are to reach up to Jesus and the horizontal reminds us to reach out to others. “Love Jesus – Love Neighbors.” Good message and again the entire congregation was so welcoming. Good people!

After church, some of us went back to City Cafe and others went for chicken fingers. Both groups were pleased with their service and food. We had grilled cedar plank salmon which was excellent. After a quick stop at Walmart we got to swim back to the truck in a deluge of rain. We had to do some work to prepare for our 6:00 pm team meeting and then we watched a Hallmark movie and relaxed.

Since this is a disaster rebuild project we have a team meeting every Sunday night because we have team members rotate out and new ones join each week. We officially welcomed Jodi and Stel to our team tonight and celebrated Dave’s birthday with cake, ice cream and pecan pie. It was good meeting with some good discussion. Looking forward to another productive week, accomplishing whatever it is that God wants us to do. Hope you have had a good weekend and stay safe as everyone starts back to work tomorrow.

Saturday, March 17, 2018

It was another rainy, cloudy day in Baton Rogue. The high was about 82 and the humidity was way up.

It rained off and on until early afternoon. Like yesterday the amount of rain was insignificant. However, it was enough that we elected to not go bike riding this morning. Every time the sun came out and we thought we might go riding with Jo and Mark,  it would be raining again within five minutes.

The fifty college kids staying here at the church loaded the bus for the 26 hour trip back home at 5:00 this morning. They were actually pretty quiet loading out. It’s nice to see young people spending their spring break on mission projects. We appreciate their work here in Baton Rogue. Since we were up, we went back to Mary Lou’s for doughnuts. They were just as wonderful as last week. The blueberry doughnuts are probably the best blueberry cake doughnuts we have eaten.

Our new team members, Stel and Jodi arrived shortly before noon. We are so thankful they arrived safely. After helping them get parked, we headed into Baton Rogue to run errands. Since the sun was out we drove down to see the Mississippi River and walk the levee. We took the umbrella for our walk so of course there was no more rain. We were amazed at the height of the river. We saw up close and personal why the Mississippi is sometimes called the big muddy.  If not for the levees all of downtown and the LSU campus would be under water right now. The river was running very swiftly and the flooding is now causing problems for the barges. Another 6 feet and the water would top the levee. We had a very interesting walk, taking in the sights. We also discovered that parking is a problem downtown so when we get to ride the levee we will probably drive to the other end of the trail to start.

 

After getting a pretty good walk, we completed our errands and returned to the church. The team decided that we would play more games tonight. Six of us played Farkle while the others played a card game. We all had a good time and it was a time to get to know Stel and Jodi a little better.

Another good day. We will see what we can get into tomorrow.

Friday, March 16, 2018

Unfortunately, the weather forecasters were very accurate in their forecast for today. We have had rain off and on all day. It’s not been hard rain but it began between four and five am and while it is not currently raining it’s sure looking like it will any minute. It’s not heavy rain and probably not enough to add to the flooding in the area but just messy and puddles everywhere. Except for the levee system, Baton Rouge and the LSU campus would be flooded right now. The Mississippi River is in flood stage and expected to peak next week somewhere in the top ten levels recorded. They give all the river levels at different locations on every newscast here. Our plan for today had been to ride the bikes on some of the levee trails but we never had a long enough break in the rain. Maybe tomorrow.

This morning we said goodbyes to our team members Barb and Mike. They will be making their way on to California to see family and we pray for their safety as they travel. This was our first time to work with this sweet couple and we will be looking forward to another project with them.

The rest of the day was filled with mundane things like laundry and grocery shopping and an afternoon nap. Tonight the team is getting together for some games.

For those concerned about Aunt Helen, the reports we have received from cousins this week have been good. No one has reported her fussing to go home. We will take that and be happy.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and that those of you stuck in snow country get some warmer weather soon. Some of our friends here checked the weather at their house and said it was still too early to head home. Reports like that make us enjoy the beautiful spring flowers here even more.

Addendum: So we completed the blog before the games tonight but did not post it. After the card games tonight all we have to say is this. There is only one thing wrong with this team. We just do not have enough comedians. 🙂 It is really a shame that no one ever laughs. But really – thank you team, for all the laughs. Just maybe that is one of the many reasons you are here – to make us laugh again.