Serving Our Pioneers....

Today I got the privelege of serving the afternoon meal at the pioneer school.  I have to admit that today I woke up feeling pretty tired and I was thinking that I put too much on my plate to do this week.  I was feeling like I shouldn't go and just stay home and rest.  But I am so glad that I didn't listen to my body!  What a privelege it was to be there!  We set up the tables with sandwiches and salads and beans and drinks.  There were cookies and pie and all kinds of goodies there for them.  As each one of the pioneers came up to the table I would ask them if they wanted Roast Beef, Turkey, BMT or a Club sandwich.  They all had such a smile on their faces and they were happy to be there and sit and visit with one another and share a meal.  I felt very priveleged to go to each table and see if there was anything that they all needed.  Afterward I didn't even mind cleaning up and doing the dishes!  After all that was done I forgot how tired I was this morning and how I didn't feel too great this morning and all I could think about was how much fun it was doing something for someone else.  Not thinking about how I feel but thinking about how they were feeling and it occured to me that they really have no idea how encouraging they were to me!  I thank Jehovah for the many opportunities he has given me through the last couple of years to serve him in many different ways.....the ministry, the international convention in Frankfurt Germany, the RBC, bible studies and serving the pioneers at pioneer school.  And it's so amazing how no matter how tired we are (and that is usually very often for me) and when we really think that we should just rest.....Jehovah always refreshes us when we need it the most.

My buddy Pam McKey was helping to set up the tables along with brother Krume.

There were pioneers from all age groups there enjoying their afternoon meal and enjoying each others company.

It was very encouraging to see our young ones volunteering their time to help serve our pioneers.

We had really great sandwiches and condiments served along with salads and desserts.

Progress on Our Travel Trailer Restoration.....

Ok girls, I said that I would keep you posted as to the progress on our restoration of the trailer.  So far I have completely cleaned the inside which was completely discusting.  The stove and the refrigerator are working and so is the air conditioner.  With this heat wave that we have been experiencing it has been so hard to go in there and work but so far I have primed all of the cabinets and walls.  They were all dark paneling before.  I am now starting to apply colors to the cabinets and doors. 

The bench seats I painted a bright turquise color.  I thought it would be fun to do something different.  I will also be putting different knobs on all of the cabinet doors.  I got the cutest knobs at Anthropology (my favorite store).

Kim has been working non-stop on the restoration of the roof and siding.  He has completely stripped the roof of all of the old sealer and has removed all of the vent caps and now is ready to apply a new rubber seal and vent caps.  It will be like new.  This has been very hard work and I love Kim for it!  Gee I wonder how I can reward him?  Hmmmm.

Kim is also stripping the siding paint and polishing the upper half to look like polished aluminum and the bottom half he is going to paint a vintage yellow.

So I will have to keep you informed as to the progress we are making.  Although this has been a lot of work it will be worth it in the long run when we get to see how cute and comfortable it will be when we are done.  Can't wait to take our first trip!

My Secret Garden is in Bloom.....

All of the elements are finally coming together in our backyard Secret Garden.  Although we still have a long way to go I'm beginning to feel like this is my happy place.  Today the weather here was soooo HOT and I really do miss having my pool, but when I come home to my backyard it really does make me smile.  I think that Uncle Duck's really would have loved this backyard.  He always talked about how he loved our backyard in our other home and I wish he was here to enjoy this yard with us. 

Some of the elements that I wanted to incorporate in our little sanctuary were water, fire, life in the form of plants and animals.  The birds are now visiting everyday and they look forward to playing in the waterfall.  We have a number of humming birds that come and buzz in our ears and say hi.  And we really were excited when we got a visit from our first dragon fly!

Kim made excellent use of all of the rocks that Uncle Duckie has collected throughout the years. Uncle Ducks was famous for finding rocks (no matter what size they were) and bringing them home.  So we couldn't get rid of all of the rocks (that would have been sinful) so we used them for our pond.

My Crepe Myrtle has it's first bloom and it's lavender Yeah!!!

The Geraniums transplants and my ground cover is finally taking.....

There is also a little of whimsey......

And of course you have to have herbs!

We also have a whole bunch of baby fish that are very happy......