Life in the Forest

Who would have ever guessed, after three years on the road we would take to the forest. But that is exactly where we have been the past month. In an effort to spend more “real life” time with our granddaughter, instead of cramming our annual visit to see her into a week or two in and around her spring break, we looked for a volunteer opportunity in close proximity to where she lives so we could extend our stay. We’re only about 30 minutes from her as we made our home in the Ocala National Forest (near the Lake George Ranger Station on Hwy 40). We’re actually in a “gated community.” More accurately, we are in what’s called the Lake Bryant Work Center. There’s a forest fire station, carpenter’s shop, storage building and conference room, and lots of big trucks and stuff. We’re tucked in a corner where in

three directions we have pretty decent forest like views. It’s very peaceful, for the most part. Strange as it may sound the noise level at night is what’s unbelievably loud. I would have never believed it, if I didn’t hear it with my own ears. Bill tells me it’s mostly a variety of frogs and bugs. Maybe some birds. But mostly frogs. It’s really quite amazing. I sometimes feel like it’s a personal symphony for me from God. HalleluJAH!

Ya wanna hear something else amazing. Share’s running a drill press and is also using a ratchet driver. I’m using muscles I didn’t know I had. Oh, wait…I didn’t have. I’m definitely building muscle and using more Ibuprohen than on pass projects. Our job is to complete 50 picnic tables. Bill made the jigs so I could drill the holes for the support pieces for under the benches and table tops. Now Bill is cutting and putting all the pieces together.  At this writing we have finished 30 tables with the help of another couple. More than half way done and we still have five more weeks to go. We’d be even further along but we keep running out of material and there are many channels one must go through to get additional materials. Remember, this is a government agency we are working with. J J J So, we’ve had a few short work days (like yesterday and this afternoon…as I write this…we could be working IF we had the materials needed.) The good news is I’m getting this blog done way earlier than usual.

An earlier day, when the materials ran out, we took a driving tour of the forest areas with the couple that brought us to the forest. It’s quite expansive, beautiful, bumpy, and interesting. I’m still astounded at God’s amazing creation and how He continues to bless us with more and more to see and experience.

Now for the reason we’re at the Ocala National Forest:  Our granddaughter. We’ve already had some really wonderful times with her. She has stayed with us for a couple of weekends and we attend her twice weekly softball practices. (I intended to have a picture of her playing but I’ve been to intent on watching her and she got rained out last night, so no pics, yet.)  I did manage to get a photo of where we go after practice. It’s great just being able to be a part of her daily life. We always take her shopping for her past Christmas gift and an early birthday present. This year she picked out a giant bear

and cleet shoes for playing softball. Then there are times spent playimg Five Crowns or Yatzhee. We took her to the Natural Science Museum (she says, she loves museums; I think it’s the interactive stuff kids love…me tooJ) and then to a University of Florida Gators baseball game as guests of the vendor I used to work for at EAA whose headquarters are in Gainsville.

We’ve been feeling rather guilty knowing so many of our family and friends have been housebound due to all the snow and cold up north and we’ve been travelling around in above normal temperatures here in Florida. I’m not a fan of weather in the 80’s but I don’t dare complain. J 

 

One Saturday, we went to the Gulf Coast and visited the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge where the manatee go when the outer waters get too cold. Another time we went to the Atlantic Coast and spent time with Bill’s son, Matt, in Port Orange. We returned to the Gainsville area ourselves to see a really old and large sinkhole at the Devil’s Millhopper State Park which is a National Natural Landmark. Unfortunately, we were unable to walk down into the sinkhole as the boardwalk and the 232 steps down into it were damaged during Hurricane Irma and still being repaired. We did manage to finally enjoy a couple wineries in the area after being led in the wrong directions down some mighty winding, deadend, and bumpy roads by our misguided GPS. Good thing that was before the tasting! J

So we went west, and east, and north; so it wouldn’t be fair not to head south. On one of the most beautiful sunny warm days (sorry northern friends and family) since we arrived we went to the charming historic village of Mount Dora. Lots of shops and restaurants. Bill wasn’t real thrilled but it was just a stopover on our way to visit some EAA friends who live in the next town or so over.  Speaking of EAA friends, that is how we ended up here in the Ocala National Forest (ONF).  Last year when in Florida to visit our granddaughter during her spring break, we visited some other friends who we knew and volunteered with at EAA. They are volunteers in the carpenter’s shop at ONF and lived on site. Well, since that time they bought a house in the area and invited us to take their spot at ONF when we told them we were looking for volunteer opportunities in this area. Praise the Lord. He always makes such good connections. It’s great having a couple who have volunteered here for many years to work alongside us and show us the ropes of volunteering for a government agency. Oh my! It’s rather different than volunteering for nonprofits but we still love it! HalleluJAH and it’s great being able to connect with folks we generally only see at EAA.

Besides all the jaunts we’ve taken north, south, east, and west, we have spent quite a bit of time travelling into the heart of Ocala (still enough of a jaunt as it takes at least 30 minutes to get anywhere). I am so not a big city person. Too many people. Too many lanes. Too many cars. Too many options. We did enjoy an afternoon walking tour of Ocala’s Historic King Street. A total of 27 houses from the 1800’s and early 1900’s. That’s one of my favorite things to do AND it was a beautiful sunny (almost too hot) day. Of course, we had to pop in at what is now one of Bill’s favorite spots: Infinite Ale Works which brews one of Bill’s all time best tasting brews: West Floridian. Not sure what’s so special about it…you’ll have to ask him. J  But then again, I don’t like beer all that much.

I always thought northern Wisconsin was heavily treed. (Is that a word? Well, it is now!) Oh my goodness, the area we are in is one forest after another. Good thing we find trees/forests quite beautiful. It’s also very very dark on those country roads, so Share doesn’t do any night driving. She’s not even that fond of day driving on the winding roads. Yes, I still have issues whether I’m the driver or the passenger. Sorry, Bill!

Some really good news is that we found a great church. Even better, it is the one where our granddaughter attends the mid-week youth group gathering. This church is so much like our big church back home that we can’t wait to attend each weekend. Powerful praise and worship in singing, great Bible teaching and application, and, although a very large church, a very friendly and warm atmosphere. Share is trying to connect with a few of the women there as she does miss the fellowship. Pray on that, would ya please. (Thanks.)

One month down, one month to go. And it looks like we’ll be back next year as it has really worked out well seeing our granddaughter nights and weekends and volunteering during the week day.  We’ve been invited back and we’re pretty sure we’ll continue living in the forest, at least, until our granddaughter graduates from high school. Oh my gosh, that’s only four more years. Time flies when you’re having fun and we sure are…be blessed and be a blessing!

Grateful...God is in Control

It’s time once again to leave what we’ve come to call our second home: French Camp MS. Who would have thought that this small community located along the Natchez Trace Parkway (part of the national forest) would steal our hearts in such a big way. Since we began this journey, we have spent a total of eleven months in French Camp.  Not to be out done, however, by my hometown of Oshkosh WI where we have spent eleven and a half months during the same period. This includes the weeks surrounding Christmas when we return to Wisconsin by car and leave our motor home in Mississippi which means our motor home has actually been in French Camp more months than it has been in Oshkosh. J Nobody else may find that fascinating, but if you know me, I like numbers and figuring is fun for me.

Here I am with mom and her two daughters, Sharon and Joy. 

This last month in French Camp was a bit different in so many ways. First off, we returned after the new  year with very heavy hearts to a community mourning the loss of three students; siblings who perished in a tragic house fire in Collierville, TN on December 23, 2018. These three precious children (ages 17, 15, & 14) were brought to FC from their home in India by their evangelistic ministry parents to keep them protected from persecution within their own country.  Each of these kids had a Godly life purpose that would return them to India as a doctor, a pastor, and a politician. They have been a huge blessing to French Camp and have had a profound impact for Christ on students, staff and the entire FC community including us. We met the family when they were here during our first project at French Camp. .  Right before the church service that mom and dad were at before returning to India, I ran home and changed into a traditional Indian outfit that I had bought on one of my mission trips. They were pretty excited to see an American in an outfit from their homeland.  We became fast friends. (Once again, for those of you who know me well, JOY is my favorite word and I’m also quite fond of the name Sharon for obvious reasons.)

We cannot comprehend the loss that these dear parents are experiencing and ask that you would keep them in your prayers. Bill and I were privileged, along with the house parents of each of the children, the Pastor and his wife, and another member of the church, to travel to Collierville to meet with these precious parents bringing them the love and sympathies of everyone at French Camp. (Long story short, the parents were not able to attend the memorial service for their children being held at French Camp but would be returning to India to make preparations there.)

Another thing different about this month was that this was our first VMM project where we are the crew leaders. That means we are the liaison between the Academy and the other VMM volunteers.  It was up to us to find out what the project was going to be and coordinate with the Academy’s staff person as to how to proceed, what and where to get supplies and equipment, and what the expectations might be. We start our time together in a team meeting where everyone shares a little bit about themselves and then handle a bit of business. As crew leaders, we prepare, with the help of Academy personnel, an information sheet with emergency numbers and locations, medical facilities, area grocery stores, service stations, laundry facilities, incoming and outgoing mail, and tornado safety location. That last one was a good thing to investigate ahead of time as we did have a very early morning need. I got to run around in the storm knocking on RV doors and alerting our fellow volunteers of a Tornado Warning in our area. Thankfully everyone made it to safety and there was no tornado touchdown.

One of the jobs of the lady crew leader is to talk to the other ladies about and schedule fellowship events as well as any work projects available.  The ladies aren’t required to work but everyone did join in. Some of the ladies worked on sewing projects making items for the French Camp Gift Shop while others updated outdoor Christmas scenes with a fresh coat of paint (after some serious scraping away of the old layers). Even though artistic painting is not one of my strengths, with the help of the other ladies, I do believe we did a fine job. And, it was a lot of fun. 

 So what were the men folk doing?  They were continuing a remodel project from the previous month creating three apartments in a building that was once used as in infirmary. Demo was completed, framing finished, bathtubs installed, and rough plumbing and electric run. Bill, unfortunately, spent a lot of time on the phone, chasing around for supplies, and trouble-shooting which is what a crew leader often does. I know he would much prefer to be doing the actual work. I know he was happy about some of the work projects he was able to squeeze in and finish for the Academy that he started when we were working independently. He also worked several nights helping the boys who were finishing up their welding projects to earn their Eagle Scout badges. Needless to say, Bill worked long and hard this month and he loved it!

Our fellowship activities included a few restaurant visits and a pizza and game night (which, of course, included the men folk.) The ladies also had a tea party one afternoon and a ladies day out (shopping & lunch) another day.  One of my favorites was an afternoon of Show & Tell. Each of the ladies brought one or more of their hobbies to share. There were a couple of demonstrations but mostly just showing finished products. 

Our final activity was the always the wonderful  and much anticipated volunteer thank you dinner hosted by an amazing couple and several others from French Camp.We have lots of good food and fellowship and finish the evening off with a group sing. Lots of hymns and silly songs. Right up my alley!

So for those of you who have been keeping up with me and my love and fear relationship with horses, I have firmly decided that I really prefer interacting with them from the ground. I’m just too nervous and can’t enjoy their beauty when I’m on their backside, I’m much happier walking them around the arena or just visiting, petting, and admiring them in their stalls. I also really enjoy watching others ride. 


  
 One of the special blessings on this project was the newbies to VMM who happened to be quite proficient and knowledgeable in the use of their good sized telescope. Where they store that thing in their 29 foot motor home is a mystery to me. We had one night when we focused on the moon (not the lunar eclipse night, I’ve more to tell on that later) and another night when we looked at star nebulae. Amazingly wonderful! No wonder their hobby card quotes Ps 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God.” Amen and Amen!

I was very grateful to our new stargazing friends for sharing a detailed timing of the lunar eclipse on January 21^st. I knew exactly what time to be watching. It was cold that night (by Mississippi standards), in the mid to low 30’s so for the early stages of the eclipse, I just set a timer and went and checked on it every 10-15 minutes. About twenty minutes prior to the full eclipse, I took a blanket for under me and one for over me and laid out on the gravel so I could take it all in (with no crik in my neck. BTW, Bill was in bed sound asleep.) The color was especially pleasing to me; a coppery bronze. The fact that it actually looked like a ball and not a disk was also pretty incredible to see. Absolutely beautiful! God’s wonders to perform!!!

Well our time at French Camp has finally come to a close for the time being. We had planned on leaving the Friday or Saturday after the VMM project was completed (which was 1/24) but the church we attend while in French Camp was having an extra special speaker at their Sunday night service. I was able to convince Bill to stay. PTL! How many of you have seen the wonderful movie War Room? Well, we had the privilege of meeting and hearing from Karen Abercrombie, otherwise known as the 80 year old Miss Clara from War Room. What a delight! Powerful message! So glad we stayed!

We left French Camp Monday morning and had a beautiful sun shiny day all the way to Gulfport MS to visit Bill’s old high school buddy one more time before leaving the state. We parked our motor home at a nearby Camping World which I was a little hesitant to do at first. Generally we park overnight in a 24 hour Wal-Mart lot where there is a bit more activity or a 24 hour secure rest area. I was happy that Bill pointed out the fire station next to the Camping World. Not sure why, but that calmed my nerves. I really hate the fact that I still get nervous. The Lord has been so very faithful.  It’s been almost three years, yep three that we’ve been on the road. I’m not near as fretful as I was when we started, but as I just pointed out, I still get a bit nervous on occasion. Pray for me, please and thank you!

Our next stop was near Jennings FL. This trip was weather dreary and very windy but Bill did a great job keeping the rig moving safely along I-10. There was a very long stretch of the Interstate that we observed massive amounts of downed trees first all lying in one direction and then in the opposite one; obviously, the result of Hurricane Michael. Can’t imagine what it looks like closer to the coast. We safely pulled in to our friend’s (very large) yard just in time for some of their delicious homemade vegetable soup. We stayed two nights and then set out for our last leg to the Ocala National Forest where we will be Forest Service Volunteers for February and March and have opportunity to spend time with our granddaughter and son. Life continues to be good, very good. We are so grateful to God for this time of our life and the health to do what we do. 

Be blessed and be a blessing!