Author: rvingwithapurpose

Sunday, September 15, 2019

The rain came in as expected this morning but cleared as the day went one. It really didn’t interfere with anything. We started the day with a morning gathering time at 8:00 as all the NOMADS gathered for the first time. We then had a worship service with communion. After lunch there was new team leader training, experienced leader training, dinner with our new NOMADS, alumni (members no longer working projects), and the Board. Next was a meeting with the auction committee and then our evening worship and memorial service/time of remembering the 21 NOMADS who died since our last meeting. It was a busy day but it was so great to see so many friends. Some people we haven’t seen since last annual meeting. We also got to meet so many new NOMADS. It was great. The rest of the week will be busy too but it will all be good.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Yesterday was a busy day for us both. It was a cooler and much more pleasant day with lower humidity. Anne was in Board meeting from 9:00-5:00 and Max was helping people get their RV’s parked. By evening we were both tired but still enjoyed the cool evening temperature for really nice walking.

Today was another beautiful sunny and not so hot day. We were up early and got to experience a beautiful sunrise on this morning’s walk. We then drove to Indiana for the celebration of life of our dear NOMADS friend Mary Alice Collins. Those of you that have been following our blog since the early days of our NOMADS work will remember her as the lady who lost both her feet and all her fingers on both hands after a horrible episode of sepsis. That was 4 years ago. She subsequently was able to learn to use prosthetic legs and aids for her hands so that she could continue to make her award winning pies and cakes. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 3 years ago and as with the sepsis she fought a good fight. She continued to share her love of her Savior, her love of her family and her love for everyone she met. When she asked you how you were doing you knew she really cared how you were doing. She continued to always have a smile on her face. We were able to spend some time with her husband and children today. We laughed, we cried a little and celebrated her life well lived. Rest in Peace, dear friend. We know you are celebrating in heaven. As her son Kurt told us, God must have wanted some pie. Kurt recommended He try the caramel.

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Our first full day in Illinois was spent preparing for the annual meeting. We had to make a grocery store run so we stopped and had breakfast at Steak and Shake. Of course we had a milk shake. We are old. We can have milk shakes for breakfast. The rest of the day was spent helping get registration materials ready (Anne), parking RV’s (Max) and meeting with the Executive Committee of the board in preparation for tomorrow’s full board meeting. The rest of the day was spent with greetings and hugs as we became reunited with friends we haven’t seen in a while. Tomorrow will probably be more of the same. We are hoping for cooler temperatures.

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

First we remember September 11. The tragedy of lost lives. Our country was forever changed that day. Our hearts still hurt for all the families who still grieve for their love ones.

We overnighted at Winding Rivers and we were ready to get on the road about 9:00. However, that was the exact time that the area went under a severe thunderstorm alert. Lightening started popping all around and the rain poured. There was a flash flood watch issued for the area too. We decided to just hang out in FRED for about 45 minutes until the storm blew over. Then got on I-90 headed toward Crescent City, IL. We drove through some additional rain but it was an uneventful drive. We took a little longer and slower route on I-39 but decided to take that route in order to avoid driving through Chicago. We drove through mile after mile of corn fields and soy bean fields. Thousands of acres of corn and beans.

 

We arrived at the Iroquois County Fair grounds around 4:15 this afternoon and were met with hugs from the NOMADS already on site. We were parked in site 8 and were set up in short order. Now the work begins. First meeting is scheduled for 3:00 tomorrow afternoon with full board meeting Friday. It will be a busy few days. Thank you God for safe travel.