Author: rvingwithapurpose

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Today started early for us since the pastor asked us help prepare for the joint service today. We started setting up tables and unloading grills at 7:00 and continued from there. There were tables to wash, table covers, tents to set up, many chairs to take to the tents, assistance in the kitchen, bathrooms to clean and meeting many nice people. Before we knew it it was time for the service.

The choir and pastor from Preserve Life Church, across the street, led the service today. It was a lively, spirit filled, Palm Sunday service.  It did our hearts good to see the two neighboring churches worshiping together.  After the service we all had dinner together. It was wonderful. Some of the men of the Preserve Life Church grilled chicken and sausage and then there were all the traditional sides plus some not so traditional (at least for Alabama) sides and they were all wonderful. We ran out of room on the dessert table there were so many. We couldn’t begin to try them all but what we had was wonderful.

After dinner the NOMADS stayed to help clean up and then it was nap time. Tonight we found the church left us a lot of food in the refrigerator for us to enjoy this week. Yep, it’s a 5-10 pound project.

We had team meeting at 6:00 tonight and got to know our new team members a little better. There was so much laughing. Sometimes we wonder if there is a serious bone in any of us. Sure is good to really laugh. Have a good week.

Saturday, March 24, 2018

It was another nice day in Baton Rouge. It was windy and cloudy at times which was not predicted but still a nice day.

We slept in a little late (6:30 for Anne but that’s better than the usual 5:00) and then Max cooked breakfast. A smoked sausage and cheese omelet. It was a really good way to start the day. After breakfast Rita, Anne, and Jo swept and mopped the sanctuary and fellowship area, with Max’s help hauling buckets of clean hot water. The floor had not been cleaned since the 60 college kids were here and it was in bad need of a good cleaning. Tomorrow is Palm Sunday and Francis Asbury worships outside under a tent with the church across the street and then there is a dinner for both congregations at Francis Asbury. We thought the floor should be cleaned before the gathering. Suzanne arrived about the time we were completing that project. So glad she was able to come in a week earlier than she originally planned. We had asked her to come early to take Cindy’s place. She agreed and headed this way. Yesterday, Jo and Mark checked the web site and there was still an opening for next week. So they signed up. Now we had two RVs for Cindy’s one spot. Suzanne told us she could just go without connections for a week. We looked around and unbeknownst to us the Conference had installed another 50 amp connection for the shower trailer that was used by the college students. And it was on a cord long enough to be moved within reach of where Suzanne parked her trailer. Another “God Thing”. We can use all the help we can get because our project at Richard’s has now doubled in size. The conference disaster committee decided Thursday we would build a second bedroom. NOMADS will be working at Richard’s for several more weeks.

For lunch we decided to try out our new grill. Max grilled some hamburgers with cheese and bacon mixed in. We were very pleased with the results. Another good meal. A short time later our other new couple, Barrie and Lee Ann arrived. So glad they are here safely. They have had some hard travel days due to the strong wind hitting the side of the rig coming across Texas the past three days. So all our chicks are in the barn again and we can relax.

After cleaning the church, Rita, Dave, and Mark played golf and Jo went along with them. They all had a good time. Tonight there was another card game for those wanting to play.

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. Be in prayer for services tomorrow and all week. Hope you are having a good weekend.

Friday, March 23, 2018

Another gorgeous day! The spring days in Baton Rouge remind us of the mountains in the summer, cool mornings and evenings and warm beautiful days. Nice.

It was nice to have the day off allowing us to sleep a little late. Then we said our goodbyes to Mark and Lisa. This time it wasn’t as hard to say goodbye because all four of us have decided to return to Baton Rouge in May to help two more weeks while our dear friends Carol and Dave Hill are leading. Already looking forward to returning and we still have two more weeks here this time. Today Gary, Avis, Stel and Jodi went to the southern tip of Louisiana to the southern terminus of the Mississippi River. Dave and Rita made a trip to New Orleans. Finally, we rode the Levee Trail. Jo and Mark rode with us. The levee trail runs along the top of the levee that keeps the Mississippi River from flooding downtown Baton Rouge and the LSU campas. The Mississippi was still incredibly high, but it has receded just a little since last Saturday when we walked a section of the trail. The trail was a good ride, about 10 miles, and less crowded today than last week. We always like riding along the water.

After the ride, the four of us went to Portabello’s Grill for lunch. The food was very good and the company even better. We had a good waiter who put up with all our laughing and joking. When we left Portabello’s we walked next door to Madeline’s a french restaurant and bakery. The pastries and creme brulee cheese cake were awsome. We returned home around 4:30 and did laundry and relaxed. No supper for us after the lunch we ate. However, we did have the cheese cake in lieu of supper. Life is short. Eat dessert first – or instead. We have new team members coming in tomorrow. So we will probably get some groceries in the morning and then just hang out here tomorrow afternoon. Hope you have a great weekend.

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Feeling very blessed with another beautiful day. Cool this morning, then warmer during the afternoon. Actually, just plain hot working on the roof in the sun today. The rainy weekend we had last weekend turned into a beautiful week. Tomorrow is predicted to be nice, too. So hopefully we will finally get to ride the levee trail.

Today was roofing day. We really wanted to finally get the house in the dry. We had a really slow start, but then things started falling into place. Richard’s home is now in the dry with a bathroom and bedroom addition. We still have some additional screws to place in the roof and the soffit and fascia to put up, but the roof is on! Everyone worked so hard today. In addition to the roofing which everyone worked on, Stel and Avis got a lot more of the insulation installed. We had a lot of clean up to do since it’s out last work day this week.

Lunch today was again provided by Richard and was fried fish with slaw, french fries and bread. It was great. We also got word today that the committee approved NOMADS to build the other bedroom on Richard’s house so that means we will working there for a good while longer. The teams after we go home will have to complete the house. The team is very happy for Richard and Sandy. It’s been a good week.

Tonight we had our weekly team dinner and the team decided to stay home and grill hamburgers. All the food was great and everyone enjoyed the evening. We had to say goodbye to Mark and Lisa, and Mark and Jo. The four of them have been such wonderful additions to our team. We will miss their laughter and their wonderful contribution to the project. Otherwise, it was another good week.