Lots to catch up on!

The last time I posted a blog we were getting ready for our mission trip to Choctaw, MS. I have a lot to catch up on. The mission trip was wonderful. As with any mission trip, you receive as much if not more than you give. Those of you who have been on one know exactly what I am talking about.

The 21 of us that went headed out after a time of prayer and send off by a pastor that was a Native American himself. That was especially meaningful to us as we we sent off with sage burning incense and blessings. We loaded up all the tools, bed rolls, and supplies we would be needing and headed down the road.

We spent the night in a Day's Inn approx. half way and then headed out the next morning and arrived late afternoon the following day. After unloading and getting settled a group of us headed to get food supplies and then we unloaded all that and called it a day.

The next day was Sunday and we attended two services, and were asked to attend a wake, which was a great honor. We went to the house and sang for approximately a half hour to 3/4 hr. for the wife and immediate family members. We also made a large casserole of food to take. This was quite an honor to be asked. At the church services we were asked to introduce ourselves and what we did. Each of us did and when Roger told what he did at the larger church one lady made a noise and after the service came up to him and immediately asked for his help with conditioning. He was very popular!!! There was an appointment set right then. Also they were asked to introduce themselves to us..this was very unusual but we enjoyed learning about each one of them.

Monday, was spent at the mission itself and doing repairs on it start with. Roger re piped a leaking water line outside the mission and put in a new valve. Now talk about hot! It was 104 with a heat index of 114. Then there were others working on electrical and others doing restructure work including putting a door on the sanctuary itself. Roger helped with that also.

Meanwhile, I was working on Bible School and meals for the 21 and for the visitors we were going to have in the evenings.

Also we were planning meals to pack up for when we went "out in the field" to work.

Tues. and Wednesday were working on two houses painting the exterior of these houses. One house was a grandmother raising her grandchildren. The Tribal Council had decided that the house was not worth fixing up. Bless her heart she wanted her house painted "John Deer Yellow". The team went to the local paint store and managed to get a close color. And after two long days of hard work, they got this house done complete with lattice work and repairing the porch and gate. The grandmother was so happy that she could use her porch again. Now Roger was working on this house.

I worked on a brick house with an addition with board siding and trim and it was a woman that had raised over 40 foster children. I was glad I was not on the same house as Roger. If I had been he would not have let me do anything! Believe me the team I was with, watched out for me. But I did get to get up on a ladder and paint under the eaves and do some real work. I only actually got to work in the field one day. I was very busy with the Bible Study. But I was so happy to be able to be out there for one of the two days.

In all the time we were there we had only 3 hours free time. So we did get a lot done. I hope as some time to be able to post some photos. Keep your eyes out at a later date!

We got home and the very next day was Tara's shower. It was very nice and Millie and Sandy out did themselves. Tara is ready, boy is she ready. She can't wait for the baby to come. With Sydney now in kindergarden, she is going through "the I can't believe my baby is all grown up" stage. The baby can't come soon enough.

Two days after that, our friend Sharon and her granddaughter Payton arrived from Ohio for a visit. It was great having them here. We had a wonderful visit. While they were here, Trinity got to spend some time with Payton and they have lots of fun and found they had lots in common. They are only 4 months apart in age. Also Kristy and family came for a day and Sydney was here also so at one point there were 6 children (5 of whom were girls 10 and younger) plus Christopher 12. Poor Christopher, he was bored to tears and just wanted to be fishing! Talk about a lot of girly, girl stuff going on! Trinity, Payton and Ginger hung out together and Sydney and Sarah played together.

Also in the mix was our brand new 9 week old bichon frise puppy~ Lili Nicole Dubois.

So as you can see it has been quite a busy time lately! Hope all is well with you and that you are enjoying the end of your summer