Another New Chapter of Life, May 2016

    Our house. Only pic I could find on my computer, Google Earth. 

The last time I posted to my blog (April 2016), we were ending a chapter of a MAPS RV project in Dublin, GA and today as I blog, we are ending another chapter in our lives.  We are in the last week as house owners.  On Friday, May 27 at 11:00, we will sell our house to a sweet lady. A buyer for our house that we feel was by God's direction.  

We had not listed our house nor put up any for sale by owner signs.  On a quick visit home from Dublin, Glenn mentioned to a neighbor, Roger, that we were thinking about renting or selling. Sheila, another neighbor ask Roger if we were selling; we had returned to Dublin.  She was asking because her mother was interested in moving near her daughter from Atlanta.  Shelia called us and arrangements  were made for her mother to see the house and her mother is buying it.  That was quick!  Things fell into place and Sheila, who had experience in real estate law, handled all the paperwork for us and her mother. The paperwork was something I was not looking forward to.  God made it so easy!  

During this last month we have had yard sales, taken things to auction, or gave away most of our household belongings.  Sometimes, I must say, it felt like we were giving up a lifetime.  A lifetime of the things that made our lives comfortable, and memories.  Memories of times with the family; Thanksgiving, Christmas, wedding planning, grandchildren visiting, and family times that up until a few years ago included my mom and dad. But, now we continue the chapter in our lives of RVing and volunteer service. I must say that I enjoy my RV and since we have been RVing for the last five years, it feels more like home.  

    Family dinner.  We had many but this is the only picture I had access to, taken a few years ago. 

Four short weeks were not enough time to downsize 26 plus years of living in one house, not to mention a total of 44 years of marriage. It has been an ordeal to say the least; sleepless nights, worry, planning ; which somehow went astray. As the end approaches, I'm waiting for that feeling of release and relief. 

Come Friday it will be over except Glenn has promised to build a bridge over a small ditch between the two properties for Shelia and her mother.  Also, he promised to widen the door on the small storage building; a few other small repairs and we will be done. 

I can now say we are on the downslide of downsizing and I'm looking forward to spending a few days "camping" with Dylan and Drew.  

We will then head to Indiana to our next MAPSRV project. 

After the MAPS RV Convention, we will head out west to visit our other grands. 

Chapters of life ends and begins.  I'm looking forward to no more mortgage and all that goes with that responsibility. And looking forward to a new chapter on the open road.  

The Boston Babies will be along for the adventure. 

Teen Challenge Project. - complete

This is another catch-up blog. The Teen Challenge Project is complete for the MAPS RV team. Most RVers left the end of March. Al and Joyce and us were the last to leave. 

Here are a few before and after pictures. 

    Before

    After - Administration building. 

    Added a peak roof over the walkway. 

Remolded double wide into five bedroom living facility, kitchen, dining room and shower/restroom. 

We had a great team. 

Now it is on to Lowell, IN in June. 

Meanwhile, on a personal note, our house is under contract and we are trying to downsize a collection of 44 years of stuff. Not an easy task and on some days we feel like we are spinning our wheels and not getting very far. Stressed is an understatement.------

 But, we are counting our blessings.  We are very blessed and thankful that the Lord provided a buyer without even listing the house!  I truly believe the Lord is in our decision to sell most everything and RV full time and do our volunteer work with MAPS RV. 

NOW, IT IS BACK TO PACKING !!

MAPS RV Project - Teen Challenge, Dublin, GA - March 12 - March 28

Almost two and a half weeks have past by since I blogged about the progress here at the Middle Georgia Teen Challenge and now the project is almost complete. Most RVers are getting ready to pull out the end of this week. Here are a few pictures of the progress to date.

Siding is now finished on the administration building. 

   Bill is finishing up on the trim around the windows today. 

Last blog the drop ceiling grid was going up and today the tiles are going up. 

Also Jack, Georgie and Jan are finishing up the painting. 

John has tiled the administration building. Lots of tile!!  

Here are a few pictures of the newly renovated administration building. 

  Picture window. David's new office. 

We were so happy to see Arlen arrive to lend a hand to paint. 

Arlen is spray painting the double wide dorm facility. 

Some of the ladies painted the poles supporting the walkway. Friends from Indiana, Dottie and Ron, visited and helped too. (Somehow I failed to get a pic). 

   Hi. Joyce. 

Here is a view of the buildings as of today. A lot of work, but is finally coming to completion. 

The double wide is nearing completion also. 

The double wide is now five bedrooms, dining room, bathroom, laundry room and kitchen. John also laid the tile in this building.  Georgie, Jack and Jan painted and painted. 

Carpet will be laid this weekend.

There has been a lot of work but we also have time for fun and relaxation.

Eating at the Lodge at Little Ocmulgee State Park. 

We've had cookouts. 

Some of us rode on the Teen Challenge float for St Patrick's Day

Joyce got to ride a hot air balloon. 

Up Up and Away.....

   Hot Air Balloon Glow. 

We celebrated birthday and anniversaries....

Jan and Les celebrated 50 years together.

We had an Easter Egg Hunt. It was supposed to be a flashlight hunt but rain threatened. Fun was had by all anyway. The winners of most eggs found and the prize golden egg was found by Jack and Georgia. 

Most of all we hope we have touched the lives of the young men here. 

Storm graduated about a month ago. 

We were happy to meet Aaron's family. Aaron has helped many days at the construction sites. 

Family day.