Happy New Year

Hope everyone had a good Christmas. Here are some 'winter' pictures from AZ.

Animals I saw at Arizona Reservation Ministries

Gambel's quail, roadrunner, javelina.

I couldn't get an actual picture of the roadrunners or javelinas. They move too fast. All these were regular visitors around the RV. Gotta love the wildlife.

December

I have been enjoying the activities available at this resort. I even met a NOMADS couple that are parked just five sites away (that's pretty close in a park that has over 1000 sites). I recently learned that a cousin-in-law lives just a few miles away. We have made plans to get together. I've rented a car and gone shopping and got bus passes for other city travel.

Last week I was able to join a couple who volunteer regularly at Arizona Reservation Ministries and went back for a day to help with the Christmas stocking distribution on the Apache Reservation. Over the weekend I was able to observe the lunar eclipse.

So all is well in Mesa, AZ

Mesa, AZ

I completed my month at Arizona Reservation Ministries in Globe, AZ. It was a busy time getting items sorted for Christmas stockings, helping with Family Fun Days and working on the Church bus daily. The kids were great. I also got to work with some wonderful people. Good place.

Now I am at Towerpoint RV Resort for 3 months of fun. The weather is great everyday and there are tons of activities to do.

I'll be flying to and spending Thanksgiving in Harrisburg, PA.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Globe, Az - Arizona Reservation Ministries (ARM)

I've completed my first week here. The weather has been gorgeous, in the upper 70's every day (sorry). I've helped with a variety tasks- sorted donated clothing for distribution, cleaned the "Church Bus," hauled and loaded items onto the bus, and other assorted office jobs.

Every day a group of us head to a neighborhood on the San Carlos Apache Reservation on the Church bus. We drive through the neighborhood, pick up children, park at a playground, do a Bible lesson, have a craft, snack, and games, then take the children home. This is an after school activity and we go to a different neighborhood each day. In a week's time over 200 children come on the bus.

This past Thursday ARM was invited to bring the bus and do activities at an annual Halloween -alternative party in San Carlos. For three hours we gave out popcorn (my job), played several games and talked to the people. Fun. That's why I had a costume. I don't always look like that...really.

Boys' Ranch- Gore, OK

The NOMADS team finished the project at the Boy's Ranch and spent extra days getting ready for their annual rodeo. It was a great time, but exhausting. We were blessed with wonderful weather the whole three weeks, beautiful scenery, great team members. We had a good time and got a lot done. Along with all the fixing up work, and painting we did a lot of baking- mmmm.

I left there and headed west to the Oklahoma City area to visit with a high school friend. From here I will go to Arizona to spend a month with Arizona Reservation Ministries. I stayed six weeks there last year. They do children's ministry on the San Carlos Apache Reservation and also help build homes.

So far the new home is working well. I'm getting used to all the new things I've needed to learn.

George's Journey to Oklahoma

I had a wonderful summer with lots of activities with family and friends. I made several short trips without the RV to do some of the visiting (NYC, Harrisburg, Shamokin, Maryland, Ohio). Then I sold my Jeep and got ready to get 'on the road again.' Thanks to everyone who helped make the summer so delightful.

First, I have to tell about how the door on this vehicle (there's only one) can actually be locked without a key and then closed from the outside. Hunh, who knew?! The Jambo was unable to do that. While I was loading the George, I closed the door as I went out, and then couldn't get back in. Both sets of keys were inside. Imagine that!! I called some friends who had motorhomes to see if their keys would work (most all are similar), but, alas, they didn't. I thought I would be calling AAA for assistance when a hero used a stepladder, opened the driver's side window, dove in, and opened the door from the inside. I now have a hide-a-key available from the outside.

I began the new journey by spending the first night in a Walmart parking lot in western Ohio. The next day I arrived in Wisconsin. After a couple of days of visiting there, I headed to Iowa for the NOMADS annual meeting. It was great to get together with those with whom I've worked and to meet new friends. We had fun activities, seminars, and lots of food.

I was able to stop in Kansas for a brief visit with family and then made it to Gore, OK. I will be here at the UM Boys Ranch for three weeks. I was here last year. Right now the team is busy painting. Then there will be lots of baking and getting ready for the rodeo. yeeehaaww