Nomads2

This is Ed, a Pastor from Bisbee on his second call out with me. I first met Ed in Sierra Vista working the fires there and took an instant liking to him. I really like his down home style and can’t wait to visit his church to hear him preach someday. Ed gave the morning devotion at breakfast a few days ago and that allowed me a preview of what I have to look forward to. We had to split up yesterday for lunch. It was Sunday so we attended services here at the Lutheran church that is putting us up and worked a half day, almost completing the home we are currently cleaning. Ed and I were left behind and kept washing and spraying, but when it was our turn, we tried to put a hurting on the pizza buffet table where we ate. Ed’s a newlywed and we have to thank his wife Louise for letting him help us on this trip. The second reason I was glad to see Ed is because he was standing there with a large bottle of home made salsa in his hand and a smile on his face. 

In the midst of the rebuilding of homes, the debris piles, and all the new FEMA trailers, I saw this. I read today that we are either in the valley for repose or reflection or we are on the top of the mountain for discovery and strength.

This is how I have felt since hitting the ground running in this thriving town. Our team has hit the good homes of Minot with our pressure washer and sprayers washing and spraying every house we have been assigned (all but one really). Things have really been looking up on this trip compared to my last visit here back in July. I liked the weather better in July (mid-eighties) as to 29 degrees just two days ago. I have been cold since I have been here and standing under the pressure washer spraying the basement rafters does not help much. The food has improved dramatically and we now have Tabasco (of which I have a new found love of) on every table. We feel a sense of urgency to help complete the few remaining jobs. I say few, there are 64 or so homes still remaining and we are racing the weather and the shut down of the entire operation by the end of this month. Teams from Colorado, Tennessee (we are bunking in the same church and they are always on our case for working half-days, they just don’t understand how technical our work is), Michigan, Minnesota/Wisconsin, Texas, Georgia, Illinois and Kansas/Nebraska. The Lord has been blessing us and has been with our every step! Thanks for praying for us and I will try to do a better job on my updates. I am still trying to get my emails back from bad people trying to take advantage of all our friends and family.  Thanks for all the concerns and calls. 

We go camping , swimming and take shelter from an almost tornado. Record heat and great food cooked outdoors made for a fun time. We spent two days camped right across the road from the beach and Leo had a play ground all to himself.

It is a sad thing, that I can remember fuel prices even lower then the last time these pumps provided gas for sale. 

One of her gifts was this new boot, much lighter than the former ‘Star Wars’ boot. That might have been the best present, at least for her foot. 

As all things have been, so they continue to be, with me being a day behind. We left our base station Tuesday morning and headed for one of our favorite camp grounds in New Mexico. Just a little over 400 miles and much diesel fuel later we arrived at the Bar S RV park in Grants. A really nice park with a great price, we have stayed here numerous times and have enjoyed every visit.

Hanging around waiting for my Mom to get back from her trip, this freeloader took up residence in her carport.

I wonder how strong those potatoes are and I’m not sure I would want to consume them. If you look closely, the label on the boxes states ‘Hallmark.’ There were no cards in those containers, just cans of food.

Sometimes you just have to find humor where you can.

The perils of being in charge! Jim thought it was pretty funny. Yes, that is a big smile behind that mask. But for that matter, so did Don. Fun with the power washer. Well, it is all fun and games until someone wets their pants!

On every call out I have been on the Lord has blessed me with great teammates. I could not have picked three better guys to work with. Twenty hours in the truck, dragging a trailer to get here and we are just growing stronger as friends and brothers in Christ. We have been eating, sleeping and working together since Sunday afternoon and we are doing good things for God. We have been assigned to power wash and sanitize homes that are ready for it. So far we have completed two homes and will complete our third in the morning. God is really working in this community!

My room-mate, Boden. As room-mates go, he was okay except for one problem, his side of the room. Boden’s side made my side look really bad. There is nothing like getting shown up by a twelve year old.  If he was not such a cool dude, I would have kicked him in the shin!

 

“I am really looking forward to the next (at least) eight weeks of wearing this ‘Star Wars’ looking boot and styling on my crutches.” You go, girl!  

Welcome to Dell, how can I assist you?

Even now, I sometimes cannot believe that I am a Dad! I can’t understand how God could entrust me with these two gifts, two miracles, a responsibility beyond my imagination. I praise the Lord everyday that He did.

I was blessed to have three great men in my life and now I praise God that I still have one. Happy Father’s Day, Paul. 

When the Taylor’s ask you to go to lunch with them, you had better be prepared to huck down some major amounts of food! Eating at Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles no item on the menu was safe from us. Our small table was covered with fried chicken, chicken strips, mac and cheese, collard greens, corn bread, syrup, butter, sweet tea, lemonade, regular tea and of course 4 large waffles. It was rumored that two in our party went into a carb coma and one relaxed at a local pool.