RVing With a Purpose

Sunday October 22, 2017

It is warming up and the humidity is going up as well. Low last night was only 57. The clouds had already started building this morning and by this afternoon it was a totally gray afternoon. No rain yet but it should be here tonight. It is very dry in Cedartown so the rain is needed. We just hope it’s just tonight and tomorrow and that we will be able to work on the barn by Tuesday.

The team went to Anna Kresge Memorial UMC this morning. The congregation was very friendly and welcoming.  We really enjoyed worshiping with them.  Kresge was observing Laity Sunday today. For those not of the UMC heritage, Laity Sunday focuses on the celebration of the ministry of all lay Christians. In many local churches, Laity Sunday is observed by having lay persons lead all parts of the worship service. Kresge followed the tradition and each part of the service was led by a member of the church, young, older, male, and female. It was wonderful to see the number of children in attendance for children’s church and the number of youth participating in the service, leading prayers etc. The sermon was also brought by a young lady named Alli. Today was her first day to speak before the church and she did an awesome job. The pastor was very pleased because Alli came to him and asked to speak before she knew anything about Laity Sunday. After church there was a fundraiser lunch for a member in need, and we were invited to attend. Well, of course we stayed for dinner. It was loaded nachos plus various fruits and desserts. Very good. Thanks to Susan (a MHCC staff member) for the invitation to your church and to lunch.

After church we came home for a quiet afternoon, naps, and then, rather than ride bikes today we walked the Silver Comet. You definitely use different muscles riding the bike and we figured those muscles needed a break so we hiked a little over five miles. Love being able to get out like this. We are in such a great setting and we get to enjoy it for two more weeks. Again, feeling really blessed. Hope you have had a great weekend and stay safe this week.

Saturday, October 21, 2017

The low last night was 47 so not as cold but really heavy dew this morning. You just couldn’t ask for a more beautiful early fall day. The leaves are turning a little but there is still a lot of green in the woods of Georgia.

We fixed ourselves a hearty breakfast in preparation for our long (for us) bike ride today. We headed out at 9:30 riding the Silver Comet to Alabama. It’s about 11.5 miles from our campground. It was still a little cool when we started and we were thankful we had decided to put on long sleeves. We didn’t see very many other cyclists on the way to Alabama. When we got to the end of the SCT and the beginning of the Chief Ladiga Trail in Alabama we met some other cyclists and talked for a while, while we were all taking a break. Met some interesting people. After a break we were on the way back to the campground. We met many more people on the way back. There was a Boy Scout troop riding the trail today. They were strung out for quite a ways and the troop leaders seemed to have there hands full. We also did some geocaching along the way. It was a really nice ride 22.5 miles per the GPS.

After returning we quickly headed into town to pick up a few groceries and get an ice cream cake for Ken. His birthday was Monday, but we decided to wait until today to celebrate. We got some really nice burgers from the food truck Monday and Don and Joyce grilled those for us tonight. Others prepared slaw, baked beans, macaroni salad, stuffed eggs and chips with ice cream cake for dessert. We all enjoyed a nice meal together and then sat around the fire that Max had built for us earlier this afternoon. It was a nice time of talking, relaxing and enjoying the cool fall evening. It was another wonderful day. Looking forward to visiting Anna Kresge UMC here in Cedartown tomorrow with the team.

Friday, October 20, 2017

The low last night was 40. Don’t know what the truck thermometer indicated or if there was more ice this morning because we were still in bed. When we did get up and look out it appeared everyone else was having a slow start to the day too. Nice!

It was a quiet, slow day. We washed clothes, cleaned house, did a little work. With the work done, we sat outside enjoying the beautiful afternoon and visiting with our friends. Some of the group went shopping, but we never left the campground until late afternoon when we did another ten miles on the Silver Comet. Another nice ride. It would really be nice to have a trail like this close to home. If we ever move we think we will look for a bike friendly community with good weather.

Before the bike ride, Ken got his solar telescope out again. There was another filament, sun spot and prominence in view.

It was another awesome fall day.  We are feeling very blessed.

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Another day like yesterday except it felt colder with more ice on the windshield. Truck had temp of 37 again. Official low of 41. It took longer to warm up today. But another beautiful day.

Bobbi had devotion this morning. She used a devotion from Charles Stanley. Bobbie reminded us that our spiritual preparation for all that we do should be prayer, quiet time and accountability. She also reminded us that God has prepared us and will equip us for what he has for us to do in the world. Thanks, Bobbi, for sharing with us today.

It was back to the barn (or stable, Tom says) for Max, Ken, Tom, Don and Joyce. They all worked on the south side this morning so they could be in the sun. The north side was totally in the shade and too cold. The completed the metal siding on the south side today and about half of the north side. The forecast is for rain Monday and Tuesday so we may not get back to the barn until later next week. Evelyn, Cheryl, Bobbi and Anne worked in the Oasis unit again today, cleaning, removing tape, patching the walls then priming and painting. Another room was completed, (that makes a total of two) and two others are in process. Since this is our last day of work this week, we spent a little additional time cleaning everything up today and cleaning the Guest House. We had a very productive week, accomplishing more than the agency expected. The team has really come together. Everyone is looking forward to a little rest and some fun this weekend.

After work Ken set up his solar telescope and let us all look at the sun. He was excited at finding a large solar prominence. He said it was the largest he has ever seen. It was really cool to see. It looked sort of like a little bush coming out the side of the sun. Ken then hooked his computer to the telescope and was able to capture video of the prominence. It was really interesting the view the video as well. Thanks Ken for being so willing to share your knowledge and passion for astronomy.

Shortly before dark, we went for another bike ride, but since we are planning a twenty mile trip tomorrow or Saturday, we took a light day and did about 6 miles through Cedartown on the Silver Comet Trail. Love this trail!