Our GLs this month were Carl & Sue Williams. We were the only other couple working there this month. The RV parking at Cataula was challenging at best, which after this month the host was going to make sure that the grounds were made more level so that placement of the rigs would be easier.
Also, this month was a mentally and physically challenging event as Sue was facing major surgery in Cataula because of a malignancy found recently. Their daughter's family was located in Cataula so this made the health issue easier as far as recuperation after surgery and just having her family close by for support. Working and staying busy up to the time of surgery was the name of the game and God answered our prayers for a most speedy recovery afterwards. Carl & Sue left after the project to be with family in Illinois for the holidays but then came back to Cataula for the remainder of her treatments. This is the first time we have ever had to face medical issues with another SOWER couple while on the project with them. It was a growing experience for all of us, not pleasant, but God orders our steps long before we ever get there. We were glad to be there for them and pray that Sue's recovery continues to be positive. We give our God in Heaven all the praise and glory for His loving care to each and every one of us during times like this.
I, myself, learned so much during this time. Would I choose to work a project right up to the time of surgery? Would I choose to experience this event with people I had never met before, bearing my personal thoughts and actions? Would I be a positive testimony to those around me during this trial? There were so many thoughts racing thru my own mind and conversations I had with God that were new for me, even at 66 yrs. of age.
Sue was so strong, exemplifying a new creature in Christ to all of us. What a rock, she taught me so much during this time, that she will never be aware of. Her husband, Carl, was so loving and caring, putting his wife above all other matters, teaching us to behave Christ-like.
SOWER family is as strong as we want it to be. You can administer to others while be administered to. The choice is ours alone.
During the month Wayne & Carl added on to a desk unit in one of the boys' cottage, retiled a kitchen sink area, cleaned and organized the maintenance bldg., and added a storage unit to one of the recreational areas next to the administration building. Sue and myself worked hard to clean out old document files, reorganize student and staff files, made appts. for applicants to interview, pulled together lunches for a training event, decorated the office area a little for Christmas and carried old files to be archived in the file shed. It was a busy time regardless of being Christmas!
Us on the left,
Carl & Sue on the right.
Parking on level ground or
getting our rigs level was
a challenge. Ours on left,
the Williams on right.
Me after a long bike ride!
Carl & Wayne adding
a desk unit in one of
the boys' cottages.
Downtown Cataula
along the river.
Walking downtown before the Christmas parade.
The Christmas tree in the center of town.
Young Life's Christmas tree
entry for the tree decorating contest.
The Jimmy Carter Museum
and Library in downtown Atlanta.
We had to leave after only 30
minutes due to snow.
So, it was back to North Carolina,
and who to our wonder, did appear,
a little girl with a reindeer's nose!
Spending the night in the Big Bus
AGAIN!!!!
And then off to the mall,
to greet ole' St. Nick,
she will guide your
sleigh on Christmas Eve!
Then Lilly and I found a new
playground next to the YMCA
in Kings Mountain. It is
awesome, so many new things
to play on.
And.......she met a new friend,
her name is Lilly as well!
Christmas came and went and the New Year came in with a bang! Then Nanny and Gail packed their bags and off to Florida they went. We visited with Aunt Margie in Tampa for one week and then back to North Carolina. Gail is now on a mission to pack her bags for a 3 week trip to Australia and New Zealand where she and Wayne will meet up with the Murphy's for a 2 week cruise..........now, what fun is that? Bout to check something off of my bucket list! 2018........here we come!
