Month: June 2018

Sunday, June 10, 2018

Today was another pretty summer-like day in north Alabama. High in the low 90’s. However, this evening we have had a couple of thunderstorms roll though and the temperature dropped rapidly and is now 72. We like to listen to and watch the storms, if they aren’t too bad.

It was Sunday and today we got to worship at our home church, Lester Memorial UMC in Oneonta. Loved being back with our church family. We had a really good worship service with almost a full house at the early contemporary service. Music was really good and then Barry brought us the message. Today’s scripture was Matthew 10:1-8. Barry shared with us that Jesus is clear; his followers are sent out to engage in God’s business. Everything we do should be filtered through our charge, to be disciples and to make disciples. We all need to live our lives remembering that truth. Today was Pastor Barry’s next to the last Sunday with us. He is retiring and we will all miss him very much. Of course, Barry is also our cousin so we will still see him, especially since this past year he built a house about 2 miles from our house.

After church we went to visit Aunt Helen and Aunt Jean again. They seemed to be doing well today. Both were in good spirits and were glad to see us again. We met Randy and Debra (Max’s brother and sister-in-law), for lunch at Zaxby’s . We had another of their grilled chicken salads and it was great to visit with family. Then we all went to the retirement reception for Barry. There we got to see more family and friends. It was a fun afternoon. We are trying to talk Barry into joining NOMADS, too. They have lots of questions about RV’s so we will be getting together in a few weeks.

After the reception, we went back to visit with Helen and Jean with Randy and Debra. Randy and Debra came back to the mountain and will be hanging out for the next few days. Good times. So glad to have time with them. It was a good day!

Saturday, June 9, 2018

Not much to blog today. We drove from Tuscaloosa to the “sticks and bricks” and then to Oneonta to check on the aunts. We are pleased with how well they are getting along together and adjusting to the facility. We cooked a frozen pizza for supper and had watermelon for dessert. Anne is having some severe pain in her arm and doesn’t know what is causing it. She thought it was from using the power miter saw so much this week, but now is not sure.  Pray for her.

Friday, June 8, 2018

It was another gorgeous day. We had a few clouds as we drove which is not a bad thing for a driving day. No rain. The high today in Tuscaloosa was 96, the exact same as Hattiesburg. It was still very humid.

We did not set an alarm clock today but did get up so we could see our team members off. This week was the last week of NOMADS work in Hattiesburg. They don’t think they will need us anymore until they have another disaster which is a good thing for Hattiesburg. Therefore, the entire team except for Nula left today. Nula is staying another week as a regular volunteer. Hattiesburg was a very satisfying place to work and R3SM is a wonderful agency doing very good work.

First out this morning were Wayne and Debbi. They had the longest drive today and left a little after seven. Carol and Dave left about the same time we did, shortly after 10:00. They were driving a little further than us but they didn’t have a long day either. Del and Peggy was close to ready to leave when we left. They had some black tank problems that Max helped them resolve before we left and we know they are now home safe and sound.  We don’t know when Phil left since he was leaving from R3SM but we just heard he arrived home safely.  His wife should be home by now too.   We heard from Nula and she had a good day after everyone left. She worked a while at James’ touching up paint and the like. Just heard Wayne and Debbi are home so everyone has arrived safely at their destinations tonight.  Thank You Lord!!  Such a great team!

 

 

After arriving in Tuscaloosa we talked with some of Mom’s neighbors, did some work and then walked to Cookout for milkshakes. Contrary to what someone may write in the caption, only one of the milkshakes was for Anne. One was for Max and the other for a sweet neighbor. Hope everyone has a great weekend. We will be heading to Blount County tomorrow.

Thursday, June 7, 2018.

It was another hot day in Hattiesburg, MS. No rain in the area. The morning really didn’t seem too hot but after lunch it was 94 and humid. Okay, we know – it’s summer in southern Mississippi. Of course it’s going to be hot. Unfortunately, we have looked ahead to the forecast for Tuscaloosa. It’s going to be hot there too.

Peggy brought our devotion today. She shared a devotion a member of her church had written. Jeremiah 20:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.” We talked about how sometimes we take God for granted. We enjoy the sunrise but forget the creator of the sun. We want to be blessed but forget the one who blesses. We need to seek the creator not the creation. This has been a great team for participation in devotions and for sharing. The most important time of our day. Good time!

After devotion we headed back to James’ house. Our main focus today was to complete the laminate in the laundry room and get as much trim installed and caulked as possible. Every one went to work and it was amazing what was accomplished. It was nice to have everyone back in the same place for our last day. It was a little crowded with the ten of us in James’ little house but it was good. We were treated to lunch at The Depot, a restaurant next door to R3SM. An anonymous donor gave us all $10.00 give certificates. The food was really good and was a real treat for the team. After lunch we did our first Bible presentation of the day. We had all signed the Korean Bible for our Korean home owner. It was so great to get to meet her. She was very touched by the Bible. She seemed to be very touched and excited to have a Bible in her native language. Chris heard her on the phone calling friends and family and telling them about the Bible. We wonder if she lost her Bible in the storm. Neat! On the way back to work we stopped by Mary’s to give her a Bible. Mary was very glad to see us, very appreciative of the visit. Both ladies shed a few tears. We then all gathered back at James’s house and presented him with his Bible. It was a very special time. He also seemed so appreciative of all that has been done for him.

After the great time with James we all went back to work and completed all the laminate, and most all of the base and trim that could be installed for now. There will be more after the tile is installed. It was time to clean the house and get all our tools back in our vehicles. The house is looking really good. It is looking like a home now. The tile, cabinets and final plumbing, electrical and HVAC and the house should be about complete. Darrel thinks they can have all that done in the next month. We truly hope so.

Tonight was met at the pavilion and had a time of food and sharing. We had some very good watermelon, ice cream and cupcakes. It was a fun time and a time to say goodbye. This has been a great team. They really came together to get it done. All but Nula will be pulling out in the morning. We hope to see you all down the road soon.