Christmas Day at Whispers of Hope

I survived the blizzard of '09 at Whispers of Hope, Wichita Falls, TX  (so far)

My two black eyes are getting better. -- I got them from the iron fence post hitting me in the forehead last week.

Christmas Eve was relatively quiet.--  I spent it in the Jambo due to the cancellation of Christmas Eve church service. The high winds blew the rain and sleet with face burning force.  Then came the snow;  a storm, the likes of which the area has never seen.  We got at least eight inches of snow, and with those winds, there were lots of drifts.

My water pipes haven't froze yet. -- I put RV antifreeze in them, but that means I have no running water in the RV,  but I was able to take a sponge bath in the volunteer room. (The shower lines there have thawed out now, so now I can take an actual shower.)

My water hose thawed out today.--   I didn't reattach it, because it will be below freezing again each night this week.

The generator runs well.--  I have to use it because the electrical power is out. 

The two RVs here and the house trailer we are parked next to, are still whole.--  The firemen who were here Christmas day said we were lucky that the meter pole, that supplies us and a small barn with electric, didn't burn anymore than it did.  The electrician will come Monday.

I'm cozy warm in the Jambo. -- The carbon monoxide alarm went off only because as the other RVer tried to turn his truck around in the deep snow, slush, ice and mud, my furnace sucked in his exhaust.

I have enough food, water, propane for heat, and gasoline for the generator, for a few days. -- The roads are not clear and probably won't be for days, because Texas doesn't have weather this bad.....  (no salt, plows, etc)

I fed the horses.-- Nobody could make it to do their daily routine.  It was fun trying to negotiate the ice, mud, snow, and hungry beasts.

So all is well-- so to all a good night.

 

Whispers of Hope Horse Farm Wichita Falls, TX

     This week hasn't been too busy.  I fed the 28 horses once (other volunteers feed them the other times). I've cleaned some areas and helped build a fence.  There are two other NOMADS here.  This is their third Christmas here.  I am glad and thankful that they are here.   They have been kind enough to drive me around the area and include me on their outings.   They also know what needs to be done and  can direct me as to what to do next.  

     The weather has been very nice during the day, but gets cold at night.  I disconnect my water almost every night.  

     I was moving fence posts the other day, when one decided to move unexpectedly and knocked me on the forehead.  I was okay, but got a huge goose egg.  I'm not sure if that has anything to do with 'deck the halls'  or  'geese a-laying,' but I've been singing both those songs ever since.  Merry Christmas.

Wichita Falls, TX

    Well, I made it here.  It's been a while since my last entry.  I made a couple trips back east of the Mississippi for special reasons.  While doing that, I got to see some family and friends, which was nice.  I then got stuck in the winter storm and deep freeze while in Kansas.  I had to wait that out until it was warm enough to get the Jambo prepared for travel.  

     While on my trip south, I was able to visit some friends, formerly of Duke Center, who now live outside Tulsa, OK.  What a blessing that visit was!  The spirit I witnessed in these people was inspiring.  The opportunity to share time with them and to decorate their tree (when I have no tree) was an opportunity to see God.

     Well, it's time to go see what I am to do on the horse farm.  I know fences need to be mended, because two of the animals were out this morning, checking out the motorhomes.