Only one more week!

We have completed another week at Sunshine.  We did take a short trip around the area to see what was there on Saturday.  Then on Tuesday we made a trip to the Women's Health Center in Sioux Falls for some tests.

On our trip around the country we stopped at Al's in Chamberlin, SD for lunch.  Then for a little entertainment, after we had eaten, we decided to corral some of the local beasts.  Mine didn't want to go where he was supposed to so I had to show it who was in charge.

Billie found the tame giant whom she had eating out of her hand.

We also found some lovely fauna at a rest stop.

The rest stop was on the bluff on the east side of the Missouri River.

We got to Sioux Falls before lunch and didn't have to be at the Dr's office until 1:00 so we stopped by Falls Park.

We spent some time looking at the falls....

...and the critters there then ate lunch in the Falls Park Cafe.  It was really good.

Then we actually went to work for a few days.  But, on Saturday there was a flea market at the Miller drive in theater.  (Yes, Miller has a functioning drive in theater).  Notice the person in another one of her natural habitats!

Then on Sunday after church we go back to our home to find some friends from Watertown had come to see us.  They actually met at SBA when they both were on staff here.

The upcoming week promises to be a big one.  Monday it is back to Sioux Falls to have some tests done at the pulminology center for Billie.  On Wednesday I will have a pre-op physical and on Friday will go to Aberdeen for rotator cuff repair.  Whew!  Please pray for the week!

The end of our first September project week.

Even though it is only September 1, this is the end of the first week of the September project schedule.  This month (September) ends on September 15 which allows all of us two weeks to get south to somewhere where it doesn't freeze.  I know that somewhere in October, at least in South Dakota, it WILL snow.

The week started pretty much as the last week ended.  There was sheetrock to tape and mud for me and there were cucumbers to peel for Billie.  Then came Wednesday evening and the first volleyball game.  The girls were ready to go.

And, of course, the concession stand was open and who was there?

Then the game was under way.  The girls played with pretty good skills and a lot of grit.

In the end the Sunshine girls had won three games, "C" team, JV and varsity.  Then the really tremendous part came.  At the end of the last game the girls all gathered aroung the big circle in the middle of the court, got down on their knees and prayed together.  This is such a wonderful enviornment.  GOD IS SO GOOD!

It is now Thursday morning, September 1.  Billie started off the day by presenting me with a bowl of goodies equipped with candles for my 66th birthday.

But, alas there was still kitchen laundry to be folded and food to prepare.

And it seems that the doors which lead into the boy's and girl's dorms would not close properly.  I guess 60 years of swinging had just gotten to them.  Kinda feel like that myself some times.

At lunch time I found out that there had been a birthday announcement in the daily news.  Mine!  The school presented me with the traditional mini cake (otherwise known as a cupcake) and the whole student body sang a special SBA happy birthday.

Alas, but the day was not over.  There was still a leak to find under the serving table.

And of course, Mrs. Organization was busy at work doing what she loves, organizing.

At the end of the day we left the dining hall to a small group of students who were intent on shucking all of the sweet corn that some farmer had provided.  God is SOOO Good!

Our week off?

This week was our "vacation" week.  However, since we are staying here for another month we didn't have much to do so we branched out.

We started the week with a pizza party.  The whole thing started out as a two family pizza meal (one has to keep in mind that the Pizza Hut is 60 miles away) and the next thing you know every one was texting Dori (who was on her way to Huron where the Pizza Hut is located) and giving her their orders for pizza.  Sixteen (yes 16) pizzas, later and a local FOOD signal, and the party was on.

Everyone got in on the party.

That was on Sunday.  The next day orientation started and the students were introduced to their "gratis" jobs.  They don't seem to mind at all as it reduces their overall tuition.  These guys jumped right into the kitchen for their turn.

Whenever I didn't know where Billie was all I had to do was look at the peeling sink in the kitchen.  I think she peeled a train car load of cukes this week!

Of course she is in good company with the rest of the cooks.

Then just for a break we went 5 miles down the road to the Pleasant Valley Church.  It seems they had just remodeled an upstairs room as a study for their new pastor and were looking for someone to tape and mud it.  A refreshing change don't you think?

Of course there had to be a bunch of screw heads sticking out too far so my handy assistant sailed around the room with her taping knife and any screw head that clicked got sunk deeper.

To end the week we attended a football game.  I'm afraid it wasn't much of a game.  The score was 46 zip in the first half, not in our favor.  With the start of the second half the opposing team's second string scored a touchdown and in 9 man football, when one team gets 50 points ahead of the other the game is over.  The beauty of the whole thing was when our teams captain asked the opposing team if they would like to join our team for a prayer they said yes.  As they were all assembling in the middle of the field, out team captain thanked them for coming to play and congratulated them of being a great team.  Isn't the Holy Spirit a wonderful thing!  Amen.

August project comes to an end!

As the students descend upon Sunshine there are a few things in the classrooms which need attention.   Thursday was the official end of our Sower project month so we will have some time off next week before starting the September project month.

And it is probably a good thing.  Remember the saying, "after 60 it's patch, patch, patch".  It's true.  Please pray that this "trick" knee will recover completely so that I can get back to full swing.

But, that said, there is still the stair in the Mehlhaff house that needs to be strainghened.  I am helping Todd take the stair loose from the house and level it before reattaching it.

Plus, there are still more books to repair.  The books are all paperbacks so they come apart easily.

The ladies did take an evening to meet at Mrs. Stacey's house for fwellowship.

Then it is back to the kitchen.  The athletic students started practice this week and the Korean students have returned as well.  They are all growing teenagers so one of their first thoughts is food.

The new auditorium is showing above ground as the construction company begins hanging steel.

Some of the staff's boys pitched in to help to paint shelves for the library in the elementary building...

and, after repairing the wall we added base cove to the freshly painted walls to dress up the room for Mrs. Donald.

Friday!  We took a little time off for R & R and on our trip to Mitchell we saw several fields of sunflowers.  Wow!  GOD IS SO GOOD!

Final week at Sunshine (for August - Be back for September)

We have had a busy time here at Sunshine.  There are a couple of houses that have been moved in which need work to make them living quarters for the staff members.  Plus, there are last minute things to be done as classes start next week, the staff is here this week and football practice starts today!

Got to get this laundry room done so we can move the washer and dryer out of the big room and into here so the board can meet in the big room Friday.

Now we're getting somewhere.  Boy doesn't that look good.  Well of course I mean the paint!

Whoever decided to make these 135 degree outside corners?  Don't they know there are no tools to do this job? 

There, that rail won't wobble any more for a long time.  All we need now is a little green paint.

Gotta keep that cafeteria floor clean.  Isn't cleanliness next to Godliness?

Laundry is done but now the rest of the basement thinks it needs mud and tape.

Time out!  Someone said there was rolls and coffee in the cafeteria.  This is really a staff break between grueling inservice sessions.

However, last weekend we did take a little time out for another trip to Watertown.  This was the view from our front window when we got up Saturday morning.  Isn't God the greatest designer?

 And of course, the highlight of the church campout, as always is the excursion to Lake Kampeska for the baptisims.  This year there were another seven (7) added to the family.  Awesome!

The Birthday Weekend

On Friday we had a few things to wrap up and then it was party time.  (One of us in the Alfa turned 65 but I won't say who.)

After getting everything set up to spray texture the chapel, I had to have a serious conversation with Rich as to where we might find a roll of 2" masking tape.

There were a few doors in the girls dorm to be painted.  Besides the one I mentioned earlier (OOPS), pictured is Jane and Heidi.

Then it was time for a road trip. We loaded into the car on

Saturday and headed out. Only the driver knew where we were headed. As we entered Huron I was asked, "Is this our destination. No! Later we entered De Smet, the same question. No! Later we passed through Henry, SD, and the question was, Are we going to Watertown"? YES!!

At 6:45 PM we pulled into Guadlahara's Mexican Resturant and went inside.  Soon, the friends from our Life Group showed up and the party began.  Clue-the person wearing the sombrero has the birthday.

The table was long enough that I had to shoot it from both ends.

At 9 PM the party broke up and we had to say good bye because we had a 2 1/2 hour drive back to Sunshine.

We've been here a week already?

Time flies when you are having fun.  The weather has cooled and the work has been constant, but so has the joy.  The people here are just one great big family.  They have included us as part of the family, too! 

The rain this spring has been a real problem, causing water damage in several of the buildings and the constant humidity since has made it difficult to finish repairs. Some of the repairs are not in the most convenient spots.  This is the bathroom in the basement of the chapel.  Sheetrock repair is nearly finished.  A coat of paint and we can put it all back together again.

It is now crunch time at school.  The floors have been stripped and waxed but there are still walls, desks and dorms which must be cleaned and sanitized.  Thanks to the willing volunteers, the kitchen facility is beginning to sparkle.

Besides work, there is still time for a few crafts. 

And don't forget dessert night!  Here is a collection of most of the SBA community gathered to enjoy sweet goodies and sweet fellowship.

Of course the growing boys aren't going to get too far from the dessert table.  They need that extra 1000 calories to keep up their energy level.