The end of the December Project!

It is almost Christmas and we have completed the project here at YWAM for December.  The weather is still very nice here although we may have a soggy, even snowy Christmas.

 

There is still a lot of green and the view of the Chapel across the lake is so restful.

We have had quite a group of visitors this month.  We saw 9 wild hogs but it was at night and we were not able to get a picture but these deer came out in the morning and grazed on something for a long time then slowly walked into the trees.

 

It seems we are on a blackbird flyway as we had large flocks of birds land for several days.

 

One of the visitors that showed up was actually in the house.  I don't know if he came with the poinsettia or if he landed on it on the way from the truck to the house.

The other morning, after we had put out our bird feeders, this crow and fat squirrel were there to clean the ground under the feeder---

---and the finches (which we had not here-to fore seen) flocked in and cleaned the feeders.  I don't know how they find the feeders?  Maybe God puts a "bug" in their ear!  haha.

We did have some domestic duties to perform.  On our way home from town we heard a brake squealer and knew that it was time to change some pads---

---and there is always that pesky laundry to wash and dry.

 

Some of the work we were able to do was to put a new door in one of the houses.  The old one was beginning to come apart and really needed to be replaced.

This garage door opener was a wonderful place for the mud dabbers to build nests.  The only problem is that when they build them on the printed circuits in side the door won't go up and down.  I believe I removed at least 10 pounds of mud nests from inside this one, cleaned everything and brought it back to life again.  With the addition of the nylon screen they won't get back in either.

There were a couple of sites which once held a mobile home but needed to be converted to RV sights.  We trenched the water, electric and sewer from where the had been to a new location, added a 50 amp RV plug and they are now ready to inhabit.

This is the view from the stall and sink area into the shower area.  Not very private!  We can fix that!

With the addition of a framed wall and some sheet rock---

---add a little mud and a coat of paint and problem solved.

This tub had a cracked bottom so with the help of a saws all and a crow bar it is no longer there.   

Add a little green board and a shower stall and we will be back in business.

 

And since there are guests expected the day after Christmas it would be great is the facility was ready for them.  In steps my most able assistant.  Thank you!!

May the best of Christmas blessings be yours!

 

 

One week closer to Christmas!

We have completed the first week at YWAM.  There were a few things to fix and finish.

It seem like people get the sheet rock hung but never have time to finish it.  Oh, well it's a joy to work for the Lord.  Later I replaced a badly failing front door and put a garage door back into service by removing at least 20 pounds of mud dabber nests from inside the opener and on the wiring.  They won't get in there anymore, unless they figure out how to get through nylon screen.

Just a few details left on the house trim.  The job for the rest of the week was to work in the kitchen helping to prepare the daily meals.

But we did have time to prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth.  Kinda makes Alfa look a little like Rudolf doesn't it?

But at night it could be the star in the east.

The proud parents rest on the living room table with that Wonderful new baby!

And, the sugar plum castle keeps watch at night.

Merry Christmas to all and may the blessings of knowing, really knowing the One who was the baby take you safely into the new year.

Welcome to TEXAS!

By the grace of God we have made it safely to Garden Valley, Texas.  The weather is much warmer here than it was in Purdy.  We are set to start work on Monday, December 3.  Today, December 1, we decided to take a trip to the rose capital of the US, Tyler, Texas.

Here we are, home sweet home in the woods.  It makes it difficult to get a dish signal but we will slog through.

This view is across the pond from the center of the activity of YWAM.  They tell me that there are bass and catfish in the pond.  I picked up some worms today and will make an effort to reduce the population.

The chapel is on the bank of the pond and has a wonderful view of the lake out of a large window.

 

We made a trip to Tyler today and visited the Tyler Rose Garden and Museum.  There were still a number of roses in bloom and this is one of the best.

 

But it didn't have much of a rose smell.

This young lad is on a rock in the middle of the rose garden chasing the local frogs.

 

This one smells like a rose should smell!

The piece of equipment that allowed the rose growers to expand their fields and the number of roses they are able to produce is represented by this '37 Farmall A.

The Rose Festival which Tyler is noted for is a very big deal.  These gowns are from a couple of the maids in waiting.

Here is a view of one of the queens and her maids.

 

Check out this queen and her court!  They really do it up big.  They have been celebrating the Rose Festival since 1933 and look to keep things going for the future.