A day in the life

Our time at Little Galilee Christian Camp in Clinton IL has proved to be a good example of what project life is like. This is our sixth project and if I’ve learned anything, each project has similarities and differences. I guess that makes sense. Our organization (Volunteer Mobile Missionaries) has a definite mission with policies and procedures to assist in carrying out that mission. Overall the projects are run the same, however, the project leader and those that volunteer change each month. The camps we go to can also be very different. With so many personalities, skills, and locations, you can probably imagine how unique each project can be. I said all that to say that after six projects, this particular one feels the most like what I thought a project would be like.

Against my better judgment, I have my alarm set for 6:15 a.m. I promised myself that when I retired, I’d smash my alarm clock. Well, I’m only semi-retired and as a volunteer who volunteers scheduled hours, I have to set the alarm so I can get to the group devotion by 7:30. There is usually one place or building designated for our devotion and break times which is true on this project.  I try to walk or ride my bike as much as possible. So, I leave the rig by 7:20 to walk to devotions (Bill sometimes takes the car or his bike depending on what job he’s doing that day.). On this particular day, I and the other ladies walk back to our rig after devotions to change into appropriate work clothes. Our assignment for the day got changed from painting to cleaning showers and you surely can’t wear your paint clothes to clean showers, right? In addition to that I forgot to pack Bill’s snack for our morning break. So, clothes are changed, I walk to one of the cabins where we get to wash down the showers. I’m working with two other ladies, so we have some good conversation to keep us distracted from the shower cleaning chore. It goes much faster that way. Fortunately, this is a very well run camp and the showers aren’t too dirty. We take our 10:00 break with our husbands and then return to a second cabin to do more showers. The fumes are bit overwhelming at times, so these breaks are very helpful. We finish up on the second cabin a little before lunch time so I have time to walk back to the rig, grab my laundry, hop in the car, drive to an onsite washer and dryer, throw in a load of wash, and walk back to the rig before Bill gets home for lunch.  Notice, I left the car where the washer/dryer was so I could get my exercise walking back and forth between loads. I’ll bring the car back when all the loads are done.

After lunch, which most likely was grilled ham & cheese sandwiches or maybe it was the day we had homemade chicken soup (which I haven’t done in years) Bill lays down to catch a quick nap (he

worked really hard tearing siding off one of the cabins) and I clean up the kitchen and possibly sit down for a few minutes to read. Actually, I think on this particular day, I packed up my laptop and keyboard (I’m so much more efficient and accurate on a standard keyboard) and my His House (Christian Fellowship ministry) files as I needed to go to the main camp office so that I could use their internet and get some of my financial administrating done. After Bill heads back to his job site around one o’clock, I strapped my computer stuff onto my back, hopped on my back and (first) rode over to the laundry area to switch out my loads. From there I rode to the camp office and got to work on bookkeeping for the ministry. (I had lots of work to do over the internet and there isn’t a Guest WiFi at this camp. Our JetPak has limited data and works pretty slow here, so going to the office was a great option.) Around 2:30, I left my computer stuff at the office, hopped on my bike, and met Bill and the other volunteers for the afternoon break. Stopped and switched out my laundry again on my way back to the office to finish things up there before biking back to the rig with my computer, once again, strapped to my back.

I stopped in to return something to one of my fellow volunteers and, of course, she invited me to stay and chat awhile which I just couldn’t turn down (dah, why would I want to do that). Totally forgot about the laundry by now. By the time I got back to the rig, Bill was home, cleaned up, and relaxing in front of the television watching Ellen. (Stumbled upon her show flipping channels and found her to be quite funny and fun to watch especially as a wind down from a hard working day). It was then I remembered the laundry. This time I walked to the laundry, loaded up the car with my clean and wrinkled clothes, and drove back to the rig.

Bill and I were both pretty tired and neither of us felt like doing much of anything so we continued to sit in front of the television watching the news and then an hour and a half of the Big Bang Theory (two old episodes, one new) while we had cheese, sausage, and crackers for dinner. One of our favorite “cheater” dinners. We were suppose to go to “game night” with our group but had scheduled (yes, scheduled) a telephone call with our daughter. Sometimes schedules just don’t match at all and we had to do something so we could catch up with her and the grandkids. We got to “game night” about the time one couple was ready to call it quits, so we watched them finish the card game they were playing and all headed back home.

I had another telephone appointment (this one with a friend) to happen before 10 p.m. Bill was fast asleep before that call finished up, so I read for awhile in bed to get sleepy. As is often the case, I was very tired earlier in the evening but after some relaxation and then stimulation, I’m wide awake for awhile. Before I shut off the light around 11 p.m. I got up, shut down, and unplugged all the computers as another thunderstorm was getting closer. There continues to be lots of rain wherever we go but I’m getting used to it PTL!

So, there you have it. A day in the life. We really have had a great time here at Little Galilee. Lots and lots of hard work, lots of good exercise, lots of good food (several potlucks), and lots of great fellowship (lots of card playing) .

Here’s always a fun time -- Ladies Day Out. We lunched at LaTeaDa Tea Room where I also purchased some funky leggings. Speaking of funky…have you ever heard of the Funk family? Well, we sure did. We visited the Funk Prairie Home. A tour guide spent an hour and a half giving us a history of the Funk family (actually VERY interesting) throughout the 13 room home. He did an excellent and enthusiastic job; it was clear that he has great respect for this family and the generations that have kept the legacy going. Next we went next door to the largest one-man gem and mineral collection in the world. Fascinating. By this time, I would have preferred to just look around but he talked another hour about various pieces in the collection.  One theme throughout the mineral tour that I found very refreshing was his openness and passion for creation philosophy. (I wish I would have taken some notes; he had some great insights on why things aren’t millions of years old…but don’t ask me what they were as my mind was on information overload and a lot of the information leaked out.)

Outside of project activities, Bill and I (and sometimes one other couple) had some other great site-seeing trips. Went to the Scovill Zoo in Decatur IL. (Oh, how I love zoos. Here’s a pic of my favorite new lion.) Friday night all you can eat Shrimp & Walleye for $10.95 at Ted’s Garage. C.H. Moore Homestead, a beautifully restored Victorian Mansion, Clinton IL. One of the best and most beautiful I’ve seen. Drove and hiked all around Weldon Springs State Park (fairly large) including Veterans Point. In addition to zoos, we always try to see any and all veteran memorials. Didn’t get enough Funk on Ladies Day (and Bill missed it entirely) so we went to Funks Grove/Pure Maple Sirup (yum, bought some); Funks Grove Cemetery (found several familiar Funk names); and Sugar Grove Nature Center in Funks Grove, IL. Loved it!!! As if we hadn’t seen enough historic homes, because of a rainy day, we went to Bloomington and visited another amazing house. David Davis, a Supreme Court Justice who was a friend of Abe Lincoln and Isaac Funk. (Yes, the patriarch of the aforementioned Funks.) I’m guessing I don’t have to tell you I love historic homes and these were some of the best I’ve ever seen (and these last two were free).  

Speaking of homes…we’ll be “home” very soon! Our project winds up tomorrow and we’ll be heading back to Oshkosh on Friday. So very excited!!! Love this life but can’t wait to see our Wisconsin family and friends!

Arriving Little Galilee

Oh my yes, the rains did stop as we had hoped (for one day, anyway) and we were able to pull out of Camp David on Tuesday (5/2) as planned. But (a big but), it took us four hours to go what should have taken us two (and then we were still less than half way to our destination). Our first route on I44 to St Louis was closed due to flooding for a 23 mile stretch; our second choice, going north on Hwy 63 out of Rolla was flooded and closed. So we took, what turned out to be a lovely scenic, yet curvy and hilly, Hwy 8 eventually getting to I55. We did see a lot of water standing in fields; and water levels were higher than normal as we crossed over rivers and creeks, but we were good, and for that we are very grateful. I am also very grateful as you all must have been praying for me…no sweaty palms on this trip and my nervous stomach wasn’t so nervous. HalleluJAH!!! Praise the Lord!

I truly love this life. I find it comical and comforting as we move from place to place. On one hand, I so love the beauty of the Ozark foothills but, on the other hand, I was so happy to see the straight and flat roadways as we travelled north. No matter where God takes us, I’m happy to be there. That is so very coooooool! And that is just one example of finding joy in the present. It is such a great place to be!!! Thank you, Lord!

So, we arrived at Little Galilee Christian Camp safely, however, we initially parked in a temporary spot. New RV spots were being installed with more AMPs and sewer hookups. However, the new area wasn’t quite ready when we arrived so we parked alongside the pool area where we were able to hookup to electric and water. I meant to take a picture of our poolside view, but forgot; oh well. We were hoping to move from our temporary location on (Fri. 5/5) but heavy no-let-up rains continued Wed and Thurs. with more flash flood warnings in our area. We, however, continue to be in a safe spot. Once again, HalleluJAH & PTL! So we stayed put. Two other couples have arrived and are on the new sites but they have 5^th-wheels and are much lighter. Besides, after looking at how they tore up and sunk in the grassy area after they maneuvered their rigs in place, we definitely want to let the area settle and dry up a bit. No worries. We’re good where we are, for now. 

After double checking for safe driving conditions, and what appeared to be a break in the pouring rain, we had to get out of our rig, so we took the car to The Bullet Trap (an indoor gun range with gun rental) about 40 miles away. So excited, as I actually got to shoot a Ruger SR22PB; that’s the gun we found in Missouri that fit my hand so well. It was meant to be. Great place! We had to watch a seven minute safety video before going onto the range which was really good for me. I’m still learning and need to hear this stuff over and over again. I’m grateful to say that I am getting more comfortable holding and shooting a gun, but that’s not to say, I’m looking forward to using it.  Bill said I did real well once I relaxed a bit and adjusted to the Ruger. It was a great way to spend a rainy afternoon. Good idea Bill! Thanks for calling around and actually finding an indoor place that had the very gun I wanted to try. PTL again. (Seems there’s a theme going on here.) God is faithful, even in the little things. J

So the rains have stopped, but the wind has picked up quite a bit. Bill even chose to pull in the bedroom slide so we wouldn’t be kept awake by the flapping awning. When the wind hits it just right it’s pretty noisy. For those of you who read my first blogs, you’ll remember that the winds and the noise really freaked me out, at first; kept me awake at night and nervous during the day. But not anymore; Hallelujah & PTL, He is delivering me from these fears.

Friday morning the sun was shining brightly and the roads completely dry. We haven’t seen that for quite awhile.  It was a perfect day for checking out the local area which we did in spite of the fact that Bill felt miserable. He had such a bad cold with horrible pressure behind the eyes. He’s a trouper though and we still managed to enjoy the day. Saturday we travelled to Springfield IL (about an hour’s drive) to meet some of Bill’s cousins that he hadn’t seen in twenty years. Had a great reunion in a private room at Pizza Ranch for about three and half hours. Thanks Wayne & Donna for getting everyone together! We took a little side trip home; past Bill’s grandfather’s old house. He says it looks pretty much the same.

So Sunday dawned with me feeling miserable. Thanks for sharing your cold, honey! Now it was my turn to want to lay low. We attended services with our fellow project volunteers at First Christian Church in Clinton IL. Very welcoming and great worship in singing and teaching. Thank you Lord! We’ll be back.  As is generally the case, following church the whole group went out to lunch together. This time we went to Ted’s Garage. Good food, great theme. Love themed restaurants that hold true in the menu as well.  I had a Classic Thunderbird for lunch. Very tasty (chicken with sautéed onions, peppers & mushrooms). Prior to eating lunch (and I’m hoping that was the contributing factor), I had a strange experience. Sitting at the table listening to the various conversations, I felt the entire room start to tip over; I grabbed the table as I thought I was going to fall off my chair. Of course, the room wasn’t tipping over and I didn’t fall off my chair, but it sure scared me and my new friends. My hands weren’t clamming, my pulse was normal (we had a nurse at the table), and I eventually felt normal again. (Normal, for me that is; cut the wisecracksJ.) As I said, I hope it was a hunger thing although it may have had something to do with the horrible cold that was overtaking me. Anyway, the day continued without further incident of this  kind.

The sunny skies also continued and for this we were very thankful as both the winds and the sun had dried the ground enough that Bill felt comfortable moving our rig to the new RV parking area. He does such a wonderful job. We still had to pack, probably 75% of our stuff for the short trip through the camp, but I don’t mind it at all as it keeps things neat and tidy. As I said, Bill is pretty amazing when it comes to driving our home. There were two ways to get to the new RV park and both had very tight turns, neither one Bill felt he could make without incident. So we pulled out the camp at the far (RV) entrance, pulled back into camp at the main entrance, did a 360 in the main parking lot, and went in the far (RV) entrance at a much better angle. Whew…that wasn’t so bad, was it? Didn’t take long to get re-setup and with that…I’m down for a much needed nap. I have found that the more you rest at the onset of a head cold, the quicker it leaves you. (I’m writing this on Wednesday afternoon and I’m almost 100% better. I took more naps and went to bed earlier than I normally do these past four days and I’m so glad I had that option as I’m feeling almost like new again.) One other thing that helped was satisfying a craving I’d been having for the past week. Obviously, I didn’t feel much like cooking and we had no leftovers in the house; so what to do? Grateful we’re not out in the boonies for once and could make a quick ten minute drive to MacDonald’s. I got my annual Big Mac and it was gooooood! Thanks, honey for suggesting it!!!

Monday morning our work project officially got underway. The women have some very timely work that needs to be done. Two of our guys (one being, Bill), are tearing off rotting cedar siding on one of the cabins in preparation for the new siding that the women were asked to stain (two coats). [two pictures] We’re actually making really good time and having a blast doing it. Staining and talking are two things that can easily be done simultaneously. We’ve got a real good group here, the camp is beautiful, we’re thoroughly enjoying the work, I’m getting to ride my bike, and life is so very good.

Hope this finds you well! Be blessed & be a blessing!