Author: rvingwithapurpose

Tuesday, May 02, 2017

Today started as pretty as yesterday was messy. It was gorgeous all day today. The temps are dropping this evening but hey, it’s spring.

After a wonderful devotion given by Cheryl this morning, we went back to some of the tasks we were working on yesterday and started a few new ones. Anne and Carol continued mudding the kitchen walls, Sandy and Steve continued with the stairs/wall and Dave worked on a change order in the wiring for the kitchen. Gene and Bryant completed reinstalling the duct work in the basement ceiling and worked on replacing some of the ceiling tiles. Cheryl and Jackie re-textured the retaining wall that they cleaned last week. Later in the day, Gene jumped in to help on the kitchen walls while Bryant, Jackie, Cheryl and Oneta got to work outside cleaning out the shrubbery and flower beds around the Lake House.

While working on the landscaping, they came in contact with two southern hazards. Bryant stepped on a fire ant bed and then later found a hornets next in one of the bushes they were trimming. He came inside to tell Anne he had a photo op for Max and also a safety hazard for the team. Yes, Max went right outside and took the photo but we also got some spray to take care of the small nest. We also put some poison on the fire ants. So thankful that no one was stung and the fire ants didn’t get past the socks.

It was a very productive day and by the end of the day we had the first coat of mud on the kitchen walls, the kitchen floor repaired, the kitchen wiring roughed in (again), the shrubbery trimmed, the retaining wall re-textured and part of the stairwell walled in. Things are starting to look better around here.

After work we all went to Chevelle’s for dinner since on Tuesday evenings all burgers are on sale. The burgers were good and the onion rings quite tasty too. However, someone forgot to read our “No Accidents” sign before they went and we ended up with two drinks spilled all over the table, one by the server and the other by one of our team. Oh well, the food was good and the company great and a good time was had by all.

Monday, May 1, 2017

It was a rainy and windy day. We were under a wind advisory most of the day. Finally about 4:00 pm the sun came out and it was beautiful, but cool. Blue sky puffy white clouds. We sat outside and visited for a couple of hours.

Today was the start of week 2 of the Hinton project. Only 7 more work days left and so much to do.

We of course started the day with devotion. Jackie and Bryant gave another excellent devotion on how we deal with temptation. Thought provoking. Thanks, guys.

After reviewing our work list and discussing the week with Bill, we resumed the work where we left off Thursday. Steve and Sandy began construction on another wall by the steps. Several of the guys worked on hanging the dry wall. The kitchen drywall is all hung and the taping and mud have begun. Anne and Carol are working on this and it will take another couple of days. The other ladies worked on the painting and completed the second coat on the ceilings and put two coats on the walls. The hall ways were also painted. Anne also repaired the popcorn ceiling in the kitchen and master bath. A lot was done today.

One humorous thing that happened today:  With all the electrical roughed in Bill gave Dave some fireblock foam to spray around where the wires penetrated the floor. When we read the label to find out how to apply it we thought it was funny that fireblock foam was “extremely flammable”.

Sunday, April 30, 2017

Today began sunny but then threatened rain off and on during the day but the rain that we know is coming still hasn’t arrived. We took the Hinton bus and we went to First UMC in Hayesville for the 8:30 service. It is a traditional service and today the MissionAires (children K-4^th grade) presented special music. We all really enjoyed the children. The church was very welcoming and Pastor Kirk, who we remembered from previous trips to Hinton, is still the pastor. His message today was on the Workers in the Vineyard from Matthew 20:1-16 and was quite good.

After worship we returned to Hinton awaiting the arrival of some NOMADS friends that are working over at Lake Junaluska this period. We had worked with both couples previously so it was great to get to see them again. Since we missed the annual meeting in Branson in September we last saw Gene and Mary Ann when we worked with them at Sumatanga in April of 2016 and Pam and Joe when we worked with them at Midwest Mission Distribution Center in July of 2016. Most of our team had worked with Gene and Mary Anne previously as well. We went to lunch at Rib Country and this time we actually ate the ribs. Their baby back ribs are very good! We also splurged on some onion rings – so much for healthy living today – but it was worth it.

After lunch we returned to Hinton and showed Mary Ann, Gene, Joe and Pam around Hinton and just enjoyed spending the afternoon with friends. They seemed to really enjoy the beauty of this place. The views of the lake from the cabins are just so wonderful. They left to drive back to Junaluska about 3:00 so there was still time for an afternoon nap and work around the rig. We may get some rough weather tonight so will be watching carefully and have our weather radio handy.

Saturday, April 29, 2017

It was another beautiful day in Hayesville, NC although it did get a bit too warm in the early afternoon, at least if you were working outside. Thankful for these beautiful spring days we get to enjoy. We are just a little further north than in Alabama and a little higher altitude so we are getting to enjoy the spring flowers again. The rhododendrons are beautiful around camp and as you drive along the roads. Did you know that rhododendrons are mainly found in Asia and are the national flower of Nepal? Oh, and of course they are also found in the Southern Highlands of the Appalachian Mountains of North America. The roses are also in bloom in the flower garden and the dogwoods and several other flowering plants are in full blood here are well. We enjoyed walking around the campus and looking at them on this beautiful spring day.

After a very hard day yesterday, we never left camp today. We had lots of work to do around FRED, laundry and needed some rest. We walked over to the prayer labyrinth on one of your walks today. The labyrinth here at Hinton was given in memory of the Staten’s by their four daughters. The Staten’s were supporters of Hinton and Mr. Staten served on the board of directors during the early days of Hinton’s development. The camp is readying the Labyrinth for World Labyrinth Day next Saturday by improving the steps and doing some landscaping. You might want to find a labyrinth in your area and make a point to visit and spend some time in prayer or meditation some time this week. Hinton is having a group walk next Saturday at 1:00. Don’t know if we will be here for that but do like the labyrinth.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend. Hug your family and tell and show them how much you love them.