Happy New Year

Hope everyone had a good Christmas.

I am enjoying some free time in Mesa, AZ. I am at an RV resort that is beautiful and has lots to offer in the way of activities. So I decided to treat myself for a month and enjoy the sunshine. Alas, yesterday there were some snowflakes in the area and now there is record breaking cold. But that's just for two days. The week before Christmas was in the 70's and I was in the pool daily. It'll be warm again.

I left Arizona Reservation Ministries after about six weeks of being there. That was hard. I enjoyed the work and people immensely. Being on the Bus everyday helping with children's ministries, filling and delivering 300 stockings to children on the San Carlos Apache Reservation was great. I was also able to be a part of the children's Christmas party, attend a fantastic performance in Phoenix with the older children, and was invited to the staff party. The work that is done by ARM must truly please God. I was blessed to be a part of it.

Believe it or not, I almost traded in the Jambo, but couldn't do it. It was tempting and I may someday upgrade.

This year I did 24 weeks of volunteering in 11 states. What a year!!

Many blessings to you all.

Globe continued

I returned here after a good week's visit to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving.

Then it was back to work. I, as well as other volunteers, spent lots of time sorting the items for the huge Christmas stockings that would be distributed to the 'Bus' kids. I even got included in a shopping trip to the 'valley' to buy what needed items remained. (The 'valley' is the Phoenix area that is an hour and a half away.) Gotta love a mission trip that allows you to use their money to go shopping. It was fun picking out all the toys.

Stuffing the stockings was a day-long activity for a large group of us. We filled 200 child-specific stockings and then 100 generic ones. The room filled with these full stockings.

During the week I sorted blankets as they came in from people all across the country. These, too, would be distributed. Every afternoon I joined the team on the Bus to help with the lesson and activities. This past week we distributed the 300 stockings and blankets to the smiling kids. Fun!!

I am still pestered by critters around the RV. This time it's the Javelinas- wild pigs!! They scared me one night as I walked back. I guess I must of scared them more, because their 'calling cards' are all around.

The weather's continued to be warm and sunny with gorgeous sunsets- good for the disposition. Can't say I miss driving in or shoveling the stuff that's back in Pennsylvania.

Arizona Reservation Ministries - Globe, AZ

I've been here almost two weeks now. The drive here was full of cotton fields (some being harvested), saguaro and prickly pear cacti, and vast land that is the image of the old west.

Lots of activity going on here and I was put right to work.

A bridge is being put in as part of the driveway to the ARM property. Volunteer crews have been filling in rock, moving dirt, and then the best...a crane came and lifted two flatbed rail cars onto the abutment. awesome.

Houses on the San Carlos Apache Reservation are being built. Crews go out to work on several homes that are in various stages of completion.

The "Church Bus" goes out each afternoon to different neighborhoods on the "Rez." The bus has been gutted and painted with bright colors. It has folding tables attached on the walls and chairs lining both sides. The driver beeps as he drives through the neighborhood and the children come running and get on the bus. Then the bus parks at an empty lot or playground. There is a Bible lesson, memory verse, craft, snack, games, and activities. After an hour, the horn blows, the children help clean up, and the bus takes off returning the kids, and then going back to Globe.

During the day I have been working in the office sorting, organizing, and helping with items that will go into big stockings for the children that ride the "Bus." I also help with miscellaneous other tasks. Then in the afternoon (3-6pm) I'm on the "Bus."

What an amazing ministry this couple has been called to create. Check it out at azrez.org

To Arizona

I took my time and stopped a few places along the way. I stopped in Pecos, TX, but didn't stay. It was not a place you need to put on your "need to see" list. Then on to Deming, NM, nice little town with a good museum. It is the place where the second continental railroad was completed.

I then spent a couple of days in Benson, AZ. I was able to drive to Tombstone, AZ and saw the real OK Corral. It was a fun stop. Not very big, and in early November, not very busy. No lines for the stage coach tour, re-enactment of the great shoot-out, or street car tour.

I had to go through a couple of border patrol check points. Interesting.

I was then only a few hours from my destination of Globe, AZ.

On the Road in Texas

Just thought I would share a couple of things learned along the way.

A team member told me that a good way to clean the RV's tanks was to use a gallon of vinegar for every gallon of tank capacity. So, there I was in Muskogee, OK filling my Walmart cart with 15 gallons of vinegar. I managed to push it to the far side of the parking lot where I park the RV, (the half mile walk to and from the store is good). I then had to put the gallons in the RV, and pour it down the tanks. With that completed, the idea is to drive around, letting the vinegar slosh around doing it's thing. I found that it also makes the RV smell like a pickling factory while the empty bottles roll around as the RV maneuvers the curves, hills, and sudden stops.

Arriving at a campground for the night, I had to find the dumpster to deposit the 15 empty bottles and empty the tanks. Wheww, glad that's done. Hope it worked.

Another fun thing was driving through an area called Bugscuffle, TX. I love that name!!. I wonder (I have lots of time to ponder things) if that area was to grow to be more than just a crossroad, and was big enough to have a high school, what would the football team be called......hmmm. Like I said, lots of time.

Boys' Ranch

The rodeo was great!! It was here at the Ranch. I got to be one of the flaggers who started and stopped the timed events. The boys and girls from the Circle of Care homes had several different competitions. NOMADS also had a table selling all the baked goods we had made. The day was full of activities- parade, barbeque, rodeo, and cobblers for all. There were about 400 attendees.

After that we spent our days cleaning, building a shed, painting, and odd jobs. On the weekend we went to the Cherokee History Museum in Tallequah, OK. There was a guided tour through a replica of an ancient village and a self guided walk through a pioneer town. Very nice.

This has been another beautiful place in which to work. As you go out the driveway, the Tenkiller Lake is in front of you. There was a full moon one night and I got that picture of it while standing in the front lawn. That's me on the far left of the rodeo picture.

Because we had worked overtime getting prepared for the rodeo, we ended the project early. Some of the team have departed; some of us are relaxing for a couple days.

I will be traveling to Globe, Arizona next.

Circle of Care Boys' Ranch Gore, OK

Finally back in the land of butter pecan pancake syrup. mmmm - best ever!

NOMADS are baking allllll week (tough job) getting ready for the Ranch's rodeo this Saturday.

We will sell the baked goods, help flag, time, etc at the rodeo. yeeehhaaaa I'll be wearing my cowboy boots for sure.

Camp Horizon Arkansas City, Kansas

After some time of visiting with friends, some angels in Denver, and family I arrived at this beautiful camp. I will only be here for about 10 days. There are opportunities for a variety of activities here. There are walking and biking trails, canoeing on the Walnut and Arkansas Rivers, fishing and a disc golf course. The buildings are very nice and the dining hall is fairly new.

The dining hall is where I have spent my time. I have caulked, sanded, and painted the outside trim of windows and doors. The weather has been very warm, sunny, and dry, so it's been nice to be working outside. The dining hall overlooks the valley towards Ark City.

The pictures are of the hall and inspiration point.

The angels?...they fixed up the Jambo and opened their home to me.

Circle J- completed

The project time ended Thurs. Sept. 2. We put in some extra time to complete the painting of the lodge and house. Others put in overtime trying to complete the installation of shower stalls and washer/dryer.

On the previous Saturday some of us had gone on a shopping trip to the closest Walmart, 120 miles to Sheridan, WY. We did a little sightseeing and had dinner. On the return trip we took an even more scenic route to look for moose. Finally we saw one in the distance. We even saw a few elk. So the "hunt" was satisfied.

Now I am in Cheyenne relaxing. I will be visiting and vacationing for a couple weeks before heading to a project in Kansas and then Oklahoma.

The picture is from the Snowy Mountain Range. Gotta love Wyoming.

Ten Sleep, Wyoming

I am at the Circle J Ranch Camp. It is in a beautiful canyon along the Ten Sleep Creek that rushes over rocks at the side of the camp and rv sites. We've seen lots of deer and antelope playing, but so far no elk or moose. We did go out looking for them one evening. Maybe we'll see some another night. There are marmots, too, and luckily none have chewed on the Jambo....yet.

The team is working on installing showers, painting the outside of the lodge and some other odds and ends. The students have gone back to school here, so no children at the camp at this time.

This weekend we drove into Cody and went to the Buffalo Bill Museum. It's huge and could take all day to go through. I love the history of the west and all that cowboy stuff. I even redecorated my living room and dining room (all 2 square yards) in western motif.

Ten Sleep got its name from the Indians who traveled and counted the nights from one area to the next. This was 'ten sleeps' from Casper.

Montrose, CO

I completed about 1 1/2 weeks with Habitat. I shredded files in the office, worked at the building site, and buttered corn at the Olathe Corn Festival. There is on-going building project for Habitat in Montrose. At this time there are three homes trying to be done by the end of the year. I was kept busy by sweeping drywall mess, putting up dry wall, putting on siding, sorting nails. It was some hot days, but I didn't work like some of the others. They really put in a lot of time and effort to give "a hand up" to those in the community.

The Corn Festival was fun. All the corn you could eat; the best sweet corn I've ever eaten. The corn was roasted or boiled, dumped into bins, handed to the people who took the corn to the next tent to be buttered. We used liquid butter in squeeze bottles to put on the butter. Then the people could salt and pepper there Very well organized. I buttered during the whole 4 hour shift. I read that there was over 150,000 ears of corn roasted.

The day ended with a concert by Wynona- free for the volunteers. It rained for awhile just before the concert. So there was a muddy mess, tarps, and rain jackets....reminded me of the Kentucky Derby.

I'm now visiting with a few different friends in the Denver area. Then it's on to Wyoming for a three-week project with NOMADS at a church camp.

Colorado

Well, I'm back. I thought I might close the blog, since it's been a year, but some have said to keep going. I felt it was beginning to be repetitious, like I was saying the same thing. :)

So here goes....

I had a nice long visit in Pennsylvania. I got together with family and friends, had the Jambo inspected, went to several doctors' appointments, and did some other odd jobs. I spent a little time in Ohio visiting with family and friends there.

Now I am in Colorado. I came for a family reunion and stayed longer. There is not a NOMADS project in this state, so I thought I would volunteer a week with Habitat for Humanity.

I've been doing a variety of jobs.

Aldersgate Camp Ravenna, KY

     I spent a week at this camp.  It is nestled in the hills of Kentucky and is the most beautiful camp I've ever seen- setting, buildings, upkeep, etc.  I painted interior walls of bathhouse, raked gravel after flooding rains, and helped serve and clean up after meals for special events.   

     The camp is on the site (and now caretakers) of a former town, Fitchburg.  The largest charcoal iron smelting furnace in the world was the main part of that town.  The remains are now a National Historic site.

     After completing my week here, I drove an hour and spent the weekend with nephew and family.  We toured the historic area, visited a Shaker village, and enjoyed displays and shops of products by Kentucky artisans.  

     I will now be traveling and visiting in the home area of Ohio and Pennsylvania.

The End of an Era

My Mom entered Heaven the evening of May 8. She was able to go Home and spend Mother's Day with her mother and family. She and Dad get to square dance again.

Opry and Derby

     The Grand Ole Opry was awesome.  Spending the beautiful sunny day in Nashville visiting the sites was great.

      Being at the Kentucky Derby was something best left to the imagination.  The record setting levels of rain for the area left the infield so muddy that the boozed soaked youth held mud wrestling contests.  Tarps were used for slip 'n slide rides.  The races could not be seen nor heard. 

If you ever decide to go, spend the hundreds of dollars to get a seat.  The hats were still fun to see, I got souvenir mint julep glasses, and I can say that I was there to lose my money in person!!

     Now it's on to a week of volunteering at a church camp in Ravenna, KY...that's if I make it through the flooded areas and streets.

     I think this year should be called "Extreme Volunteering."  I've pretty much was a part of all the extreme weather this country has had in the past 10 months. 

MERCI at Goldsboro and then Raleigh

     I worked at a variety of things here; health kits, sewing, assisting volunteers by getting materials, cleaning, sorting, etc.  This organization has sent 210 tons of items to Haiti, via Royal Caribbean (who donated the shipping).  wow.  They do some unique missions, such as creating a special arm powered cart for paraplegics (pictured).

     From there I went to visit a niece and her family.  We had a great weekend!

 

Goldsboro, NC

     I left the place where I was able to receive two meals/day.  mmmm...fried chicken, collard  greens, turnip greens, fried okra, and sweeeeet potato pie.  Hard to give all that up, but I drove here to MERCI (Marion Edwards Recovery Center).  

     This is an outreach program that receives, sorts, packages, and ships goods to disaster sites.  I have been doing some sorting and packaging.  This weekend a team of volunteers is coming and I will be helping them to do the same.  

     

Macon, Georgia

     What a beautiful city!  The old homes and huge magnolia trees are magnificent.  I had to watch 'Gone With the Wind' while I was in the area.  

      I have been at the UM Children's Home for a week.  The campus is very pretty.  They house about 90 children in several cottages.  Most go to school in regular public schools, but some go to the education program on the grounds.  There is a lovely new dining hall.  We get two meals/day!  I have been painting walls in the cottages' common areas.  

      There is one other NOMADS member here.  After shopping on Saturday we were treated to a trip to the Ocmulgee National Monument.  This is just a few miles from where we are.  It has a museum and walking trails to ancient Indian mounds.  Very interesting.

      I will be here a couple more days and then on to Goldsboro, NC.

      

Bethlehem Family Camp

Happy Easter!!     

   This past week was great.  The weather was perfect.  The leaves came out, the flowers are blooming.  I did a lot of work this week.  I cleaned bathrooms and raked last fall's leaves.  I got a lot of exercise, but it was good to be outdoors.

     There is another volunteer group here,  MMAP (Mobile Missionary Assistance Program).   They graciously including me in some of their activities - going to church, eating out, playing games, shopping.  

     We had a nice Easter together. It ended by all of us attending a beautiful performance of the Passion Play done by the Baptist Church of Bonifay.

     Tomorrow I will be leaving and going to Macon, GA. 

Bonifay, Florida

     After 6 weeks of visiting and playing (and going to flea markets) on both sides of the country, I am now back to 'work.'  It was good to get back on the road again!!

       I am at Bethlehem Family Camp.  I am cleaning dorms and raking sticks.  The camp is huge and has more work than what the caretakers can do.   The camp is very pretty, with old southern-looking buildings.  The dogwoods and wisteria are blooming.  Beautiful time of year here.   The camp has 26 RV sites that are very nice.  (level too).  Cell service is only possible in one building that has a booster (and it's hard to climb up on the roof to be next to it-haha).

     Last Friday I helped serve at a barbeque chicken/fried catfish dinner.  The local church (with regular attendence of 40) does this every 4th Friday and they serve about 275 dinners.  People come from all over for this wonderful dinner.  and sweet, sweet tea.  mmmmm good.

California

I am enjoying a visit with my mom, sister, niece, and her family. The Jambo is still in Florida. I am experiencing some separation anxiety. Happy St. Patrick's Day.

FLORIDA

I've been spending time visiting with daughters, friends, more family, and flea markets (cuz that's what old folks do around these parts). The weather here...no one in the northeast wants to hear about. aaaahhhhhh

Finished at Moss Point, MS

     I spent the last two work weeks doing pretty much the same kinds of things.  Helped lay laminate flooring in one house.  Then was moved into another house and became the caulking queen.  We caulked, painted, trimmed, cleaned, and finished the house.  The NOMADS pretty much completed all they can do and the owner has a move-in date set for next month.  (There are still some other things that need to get done first.)

     I was able to get out last weekend with some other NOMADS and see the area.  We feasted on shrimp po-boys and drove along the beach.  Beautiful, non-tourist area.  Gorgeous homes facing the Gulf.  

     I am missing some of the Mardi-Gras festivities because I packed up and left before the snow storm arrived.  I am now headed to the Tampa area to visit with friends and family.  I will be able to leave the Jambo there, where it will be safe and warm (?), so that I can spend time flying to see more family.  

     So, yep, much of the same.....working in homes, trying to keep warm, and avoiding record- breaking weather.  

Moss Point, Mississippi

     I spent a couple weeks relaxing.  Now I am back to work.  Most of the team arrived on Saturday and some are on their way, having been stuck in the midwest stormy weather.  It's been warm here, but then rain and now a little cooler.  The water table is just below the grass, I think, so when it rains it pools easily.  The Jambo was in a couple of inches and I thought we should have boat races.  

     I saw my first armadillo while I was riding my bike.  It was dead along the highway.  I guess that's the way you usually see them. 

     The team is parked at Caswell Springs UMC.  This friendly, welcoming church is very active, and I have enjoyed being included in some of their activities.  

     Again we are helping to rebuild homes.  And again I am laying laminate floor.  Now I know how actors feel when they seem to be type-cast.  :)   Actually, being the youngest on the team,  :) I'm the one that can get up and down all the time.   

Second week at Galveston

     I have now been a full-time RVer for six months.  

     Over the weekend I did some sightseeing in Galveston with other NOMADS.  We toured the Elissa, a tall sailing ship.  We also visited the Bishop's Palace, which is one of the original mansions in Galveston.   It had been built as the private home of one of the Graham family.  It withstood the hurricane of 1900 and Ike in 2008.  Beautiful.

     This week I was considered the 'expert' laminate floor layer and continued to do that all week.  It was slow going, but it came out nicely, even with me doing the sawing...vvvrrrrr.

     The NOMADS team increased to 21 people this week.  So we worked in 3 houses.  A team of Mennonites were also there working.  A lot of people and equipment to work around.  

     I was able to drive the Jambo out of the mud and head down the highway, leaving Galveston, driving through Baton Rouge, going to Moss Point, Mississippi.  There are several beautiful bridges along the way.  I will have some free time there before working on rebuilding homes damaged in Katrina.  (People are still not in their homes from that hurricane.)

     Oh... the last picture is of the mansion, not of the house in which I was working.  :)

     

     

Galveston, Texas

     The weather in Galveston this past week has been at a 20 year low.  Luckily, it will be back to normal in a couple of days.  We went as a team to a restaurant and kept our coats on to eat because they didn't have a furnace.  Don't need them here...doesn't get that cold!?! (not until I show up).

     The NOMADS and other volunteer groups are parked at a church that has put in at least 16 RV sites.  We are parked close together, but that helped cut the fierce winds we had the other night.  We are about 2 blocks from the Gulf.  Hopefully, with the better temperatures I can go walk along the water.    

     The fifteen-member team worked this past week in two homes damaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008.  I caulked trim, mudded drywall, and helped lay laminate flooring.  The time here was summed up by the owner of one homes, when he came in and after looking around said,  "I thought it was impossible, but now I think it's possible."

Headed to Galveston

     The roads in Wichita Falls finally cleared.  It took several days.  Church was cancelled the Sunday after Christmas because there was still ice on roads and the church's parking lot was an icy mess.

     Four NOMADS managed to endure the adventures weather and accidents provided.  I shared the Jambo with one of the other NOMADS.  That in itself was an adventure.  We fed horses, put up some fencing,  and did general maintenance.  Thanks go to the Smith's for doing the bulk of work. 

     The owners of Whispers of Hope were gracious hosts and tried to accommodate us the best they could.  They opened their home to us and provided meals.

     Now I am going to Galveston for two weeks.  I will be involved in the efforts to rebuild homes damaged from Hurricane Ike.