Since our Christmas blog post, we spent our time enjoying the many trails and attractions at Gulf State Park. We hiked and biked every day and did our usual wildlife viewing and photography. We had several delicious meals of local seafood and took care of chores and NOMADS business.
We walked on the beach several times.
We checked on the eagles almost every day …
… and occasionally saw an osprey fly over.
The first gator we saw on this visit was this small one along the Rosemary Dunes Trail.
Then we saw this larger gator on the bank of Lake Shelby.
We also got to see this large tortoise. Its shell is over 12″ across.
Sunrise from our wonderful campsite. We liked it so much we reserved the same site for Christmas next year.
Last Tuesday, while Anne worked on NOMADS Board business, Max once again participated in the park’s Give Back Tuesday, a day each week for volunteers to help out around the park. About a dozen volunteers showed up to help finish a fence that was needed to direct people away from occupied campsites to an established trail. Apparently some people don’t know it is rude to walk through someone else’s campsite.
Unloading fence parts
Setting a post
Finished fence
As much as we enjoyed our time and rest at Gulf State Park, it’s time to get back to work. We sadly left the park Friday morning and started south to our next project. We arrived here in the North Fort Myers, Florida area to spend three weeks working on a NOMADS project at ECHO, also known as Hope Against Hunger. Our regular readers may remember that almost exactly a year ago we were also here for the same reason.
On our drive from Gulf Shores to North Fort Myers we spent New Years Eve at a Florida rest area known for its Snake Wall.
We attended our first Sunday service of 2022 at Grace UMC, Fort Myers Shores Campus with the team. It was a great service!
In the three weeks we spent here last year we don’t remember ever being stopped by this drawbridge. In the first 24 hours we were here this year we have been stopped by it twice.
Saturday, December 25, 2021
Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores, Alabama
Even though for most of the time we have been here it has been unseasonably cool, we have been to the beach a few times. Interestingly, the park has installed this beach mat from a wooden walkway almost to the high tide line to make the beach more accessible to the less mobile.
One thing we always do here is check on the eagles. Yesterday we were at the nest at shift change. The male and female take turns sitting on the eggs until they hatch.
A rustic sculpture created from a burned stump near Eagle Loop Trail.
This is our traveling Nativity at sunrise this morning. It is our constant reminder during the season of the greatest Gift we could ever receive – the Gift of Salvation.
This afternoon after a bike ride with some new friends and a hike we enjoyed our traditional Christmas diner – steamed snow crab legs.
Others in the campground decorated differently.
We hope each of you had a very merry Christmas and pray each of you will carry the true spirit of Christmas in your hearts all the other days of the year!
As we mentioned in our last post, we returned to Laurel, MS on Sunday, December 12. On our arrival we were met by our team leaders Kevin and Suzan. It was great to get to work with them again. We last saw them in North Fort Myers last January. The entire team was so kind and welcoming on our return. We knew they had been praying for us and we certainly felt their love on our return. Thanks team!!
Monday of course we began with devotion and then we headed to a house the team began while we were gone. Miss Daisy’s mobile home and addition had roof damage from the tornado which then allowed water to damage the interior ceiling and exterior wall in the back room. The team began last week on the demo work taking out a portion of the wall and the ceiling, and began the rebuild. This week we completed the installation of the paneling, a little electrical work, insulation and ceiling drywall. Also all the trim – windows, crown and base – had to be installed. And we also painted the ceiling and the exterior except for the metal. I think you can tell from the pictures that we made big improvements, most importantly there are no more leaks. Wednesday afternoon we had the Bible presentation for Miss Daisy and said our tearful goodbyes. She is such a sweet lady. Anne and some great conversation with Miss Daisy and her sister who decided she needed to be the ladder holder for Anne.
Cutting paneling
Painting trim
Hanging trim
Installing exterior window trim
Our battery powered trim nailer saw a lot of use on this project.
Painting the ceiling
Painting outside
Painting the eaves
The team replaced this temporary support …
… with this permanent brace
The room before NOMADS
The room after NOMADS
Max told the team leader he was willing to do any job – as long as it didn’t involve ladders or painting.
Bible presentation for Miss Daisy
Thursday was a fun day from start to finish. It began with a surprise birthday party for our construction supervisor, Robby. We really enjoyed working with him again and were pleased to share in his celebration including doughnuts and pigs-in-blankets. We also continued demolition on a house that NOMADS will be rebuilding in the spring. It’s fun to end the week with some good demo work. Thursday evening the team shared pizza and white elephant Christmas gifts in our meeting room at the church and then packed up. We all gathered for pray and goodbyes Friday morning as we all went our separate ways. It was a great week with a lot accomplished for our homeowners but also good for us.
Robby’s surprise from his friends
Treats for Robby’s Birthday
The results of “Demo Day”
Paige explaining the flexible “rules” of the White Elephant gift game.
We were blessed to be a part of this team
Friday we drove to Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, AL where we will spend the next two weeks celebrating Christmas – hopefully.
Driving under Mobile Bay
Out our window when we got set up at Gulf State Park. Actually, even though the forecast was for a rainy weekend, it has been very nice so far.
How to catch up and get things back in the right order so it makes sense? We told you previously that we returned to Laurel, MS to work on tornado damaged homes. Then prior to us giving you the information on our work there, we had to return to Alabama due to Aunt Helen’s death.
Two weeks ago, on Monday morning we of course began with team devotions and then were sent to a house a few blocks from downtown Laurel. It had roof damage which had previously been repaired and NOMADS before our arrival had been working on the ceilings which had water damage. There were some repairs done and new drywall was hung in the kitchen, a bedroom and the living room. The seams had been taped and we picked up working on the finishing of the drywall. There were also several broken windows to be replaced, and lathe work on the enclosed back porch. After we completed the drywall, Wednesday the painting began. After we had to leave Thursday after lunch, the team continued, reinstalling trim, and weather striping and storm doors. They then had the Bible presentation. Sorry we missed that. It’s always such a special time.
The Glory House, the agency managing the long-term recovery in Laurel, now owns the church where we park
The Restore Jones County staff presents each incoming NOMADS family with a gift basket. Restore Jones County is part of The Glory House.
Some of the team spent all week on the ceilings
We finished and textured the ceilings that the team before us installed.
We installed lath strips to cover joints in this ceiling.
Several window panes had to be replaced or re-glazed.
Carefully replacing a large broken window pane
In addition to ceilings and windows the team also had to replace some thresholds and storm doors.
Chris, our good friend and one of the best Volunteer Coordinators we have ever worked with, brought us donuts on Wednesday. We were a little slow getting a picture.
While we were gone the team finished putting up the trim around the ceilings.
While we were gone the team finished the house and presented the NOMADS Bible.
After returning to Alabama, we, with the help of other family members, planned Aunt Helen’s funeral and handled all the “stuff” that need to be done. Family and friends gathered to celebrate her life on Sunday evening and again at Lee’s Chapel UMC on Monday. It really was a celebration. Helen lived life for 95 years and now she is exactly where she wanted to be, with her Lord and Savior. We spent the rest of the week taking care of business for Helen and Jean and today returned to Laurel after worshiping at Lester Memorial this morning. It’s great to be back with our NOMADS friends and we look forward to helping the team finish up this last week of the NOMADS rebuild efforts in Laurel. We will keep you posted on the efforts.
After one of our visits to the attorney we decided to check out the new Oneonta Art Walk.
RVing With a Purpose 