Today was another day like most of the others this week. Sunny and hot. No rain today. It was also our last Sunday at Francis Asbury UMC. We have really enjoyed this small congregation. They have made us feel welcome and appreciated. There were many sweet goodbyes and thank you’s from the congregation today. They also gave us flowers today since it was Mother’s Day. If things go as planned we will join them again in February of 2019. Until then we will continue to pray for God’s blessings on this congregation and community.
After worship we had a light lunch because the team got together for supper. We grilled some chicken and had our fresh veggies we purchased at the market yesterday. Our new team members arrived late this afternoon as well so we had our introductions over dinner. We also celebrated Lisa’s birthday a day early, with some cup cakes and ice cream (which we made and was more the consistency of a milk shake. Oops.) We have so enjoyed getting to know Lisa. Happy Birthday, Lisa, and many more!!
After grilling separately we came together to eat.
Our dinner of grilled chicken, grilled green beans, and new potatoes
By the time we got everything cleaned and put away it was too late to go back to the park to walk so we just did a few rounds of the parking lot. That was it for our day. It was a hard one for us.
Today started as another sunny and warm day but then some clouds rolled in and by late afternoon we had a couple of thunderstorms come through. They didn’t last but a few minutes but there was some pretty vivid lightening.
Then entire team decided to go to the farmers market in downtown Baton Rouge this morning. Lisa was familiar with one of the vendors that were supposed to have really good cinnamon rolls so we all agreed to head out at 8:00 to have breakfast at the market. A large block was closed off downtown for the market for the day vendors and one side of the street had inside market with permanent vendors. There were lots of people and lots of goodies to sample and purchase. The local strawberries are in season and are wonderful. Unfortunately, the cinnamon roll vendor was a no show today. We asked at the information booth and they pointed to the place they were suppose to be and it as a big empty booth. We were so disappointed. Oh well, we went inside and all found something good for breakfast. We had a breakfast sandwich with hash browns. Quite good. Then is was back to the shopping. We bought some cheese, smoked sausage, fresh green beans, new potatoes and strawberries. It is all so good. Love fresh from the farm foods.
Farmers Market outside
Farmers Market inside
Lotsa Local Strawberries
Anne buying potatoes and green beans
Pretty Produce
Even some pretty flowers
These even turned up in the market
We made a few stops on the way back to the church, then it was time for a nap. Didn’t realize how tired we really were because we both got good naps. We relaxed and watched some TV this afternoon and then after the storms blew over decided to go back to the grocery store to get some things for tomorrow. On the way we remembered the park that Dave and Carol and Lisa and Mark had found at the end of Millerville Road. We decided to go check out the park. It’s a nice large park with a dog park, playgrounds, ball fields, a pond for fishing, picnic tables and park benches along with walking trails. We decided to walk a couple of miles while we were there. It was another nice day.
Tomorrow we will get to worship at Francis Asbury again, the last time until next February. Hope you all are praying for your pastor as they prepare for tomorrow. Stay safe.
Another hot, sunny day in Baton Rouge with the high above 90 again. The humidity is going up and today felt hotter than yesterday.
The entire team is tired. The project is winding down and we have been working really hard so everyone just sort of took today to rest at home. We went to Mary Lee doughnuts this morning for breakfast of an apple fritter. It was again quite good, along with the blueberry cake doughnuts. Yep, fried chicken last night and doughnuts this morning. We have got to return to some healthier eating habits. We washed some clothes and started on the cleaning of Fred, then took a break and went to Home Depot. We have been wanting a new ladder and decided which one we wanted when we were here a month ago. We decided to wait and make the purchase when we returned to Alabama so we wouldn’t have to transport it back. Wouldn’t you know, none of the Home Depots in our area carry the ladder. While we were still in Alabama we checked the LA stores and they all have the ladder. So today we made the purchase. We also made a trip to Lowe’s for some additional small purchases. However, the new volt meter we purchased doesn’t work so we will have to return it tomorrow. Max is so sad we will have to go back to Lowes. NOT. Of course neither is Anne. Lisa has agreed to shorten Anne’s recent purchase of overall’s from Deluth Trading and they got those pinned up today. Lisa is very talented and creative. Otherwise, we spent some time relaxing and visiting with different members of the team and watched a Hallmark mystery we recorded sometime back. It was a good day.
It was another warm sunny day in Baton Rouge. Don’t know the actual high but think it was 91 this afternoon. The weather is just repeating itself each day and we aren’t complaining. Yep, that’s the same opening as yesterday with an increase of one degree.
Lisa brought our devotion this morning which was based on Psalm 95:1-7, on faithfulness and thankfulness. The reading sparked some discussion which led into how we deal with adversity and problems. Stel then shared a quote she received in an email yesterday which we all liked. “The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence. No, not at all. Fences have nothing to do with it. The grass is greenest where it is watered. When crossing over fences, carry water with you and tend the grass wherever you may be.”
We were all sort of tired this morning but were anxious to see what we could get done today. Anne, Mark, Carol and Stel returned to work on bedroom and bath #2. The bedroom walls were textured, the closet and bathroom were primed, along with the bedroom ceiling. The ceilings in the bathroom and closet also got a final coat of paint. Lisa worked on painting the living room blue and later Mark and Lisa worked on the kitchen, crimson. The closet in bedroom #1 also got a final coat of paint today. Dave worked on electrical and installing the base plugs. Max bounced around doing lots of things including applying leveling compound in the transition areas in preparation for the flooring installation. He also reinstalled some trim in the living room. There was also a good deal of cleanup and sorting of tools and supplies. It’s time to return more items to the storage rooms at the church – another indication we are getting close to the end. Flooring is the biggest job we have left. Then, there are a lot of little things remaining. We would love to complete the painting so we can get on to the floor. We shall see.
Anne painting a wall
Dave installing electrical outlets
Lisa painting the living room blue
Mark and Lisa painting the kitchen red
Floor leveling compound applied to transition between old and new parts of the building
Some of the floor leveling compound hardened before we could use it
Tonight the members of Francis Asbury treated the volunteers from Colorado and NOMADS to a southern fried chicken pot luck dinner. The food was wonderful and the sharing, and visiting even better. One of the Colorado team members is retiring and thinking about joining NOMADS. We hope so. Another work week is in the books. We thank God for another safe work week. One more week to go in Baton Rouge for 2018
There were many sweet goodbyes and thank you’s from the congregation today. They also gave us flowers today since it was Mother’s Day. If things go as planned we will join them again in February of 2019. Until then we will continue to pray for God’s blessings on this congregation and community.
