Thanksgiving 2018 with the Carotenuto's

Thanksgiving 2018 with the Carotenuto's

After evacuating Chico, CA because of fires, then working one last week at Ironwood in Newberry Springs, CA we set off for McNeal, AZ.  We parked the RV at the project at Ethnos360 in McNeal and then packed our bags for the Thanksgiving feast at the Carotenuto's in Tucson.  And a feast it was!

Evangeline and Abigail like to help in the kitchen.  Here they are helping mom make a pumpkin spice cheesecake. Yeah buddy!

3 happy ladies!

Nighttime is fun when Grannie & G'pa spend the night.  The
girls have to give up their beds but that means sleeping on the
blow up mattresses in Abigail's room.  This is a test to see if
they will be able to handle bunk beds for Christmas.  Not sure
Santa if this will work!!!

Gorgeous Thanksgiving outfits, in front of the Christmas tree!

Evangeline is quite the monkey.

Off to the park while Mom cooks alone!

Believe me, I can understand why, and

I think she will be nipping at the wine

bottle will she does!

Our g'girls love to swing.

Higher G'pa, higher, again, again!

She didn't get sick this time but a few weeks later,
the story ended throwing up at 10:30 that night
after eating raw crescent roll dough!  Yuk!

A Bible quizzer earns medals.  We are extremely proud.

Who is this?  I think it could be Abigail!

The next day a hike to 
Sabino Canyon.  Fall in Arizona is just as beautiful as
anywhere else.  G'pa and Evangeline comparing notes along the way!

Don't get wet, right!

Fall is gorgeous.

Then a trip to the climbing wall.

These girls are fearless.

Even Abigail can do it.
Grannie & G'pa just watch!

Then Mom gets in the act!

There she goes!

Thanksgiving in Tucson, a first since the Carotenuto's moved there.  It was a joy to share in the time of being thankful and joyful that soon the Fieler's would come to join for Christmas - first time we have all been together for the holidays in 18 yrs.

YWAM, Chico, CA - November 2018

YWAM, Chico, CA

November 2018

Leaving Grants Pass, OR and on to Chico, CA to work at YWAM.  This will blow your socks off.  YWAM is located down a 4 mile one-lane road at Richardson Springs.  This was a historical landmark in its day and because of the one-lane road you will find that it was a hinderance to our staying for the entire 3 weeks.

On the last day of our 2nd week, a fire broke out 18 miles from YWAM which we could see at a distance.  It looked to be harmless.  Ended up being the worst recorded wildfire in the state of California in recorded history.  We watched the smoke for one entire day, seemed to be diminishing, but little did we know it was not.  Burned the entire city of Paradise.  At 4:30 in the morning the power went out.  We began to pack and by 11:00 the next morning we evacuated and started driving to our next destination to be in Arizona.  We ended up staying at another YWAM location in California overnight and drove in to Ironwood at Newberry Springs, CA for the night.  They asked if we would like to stay and work the next week which we did and then we continued on to Arizona for the holidays. 

It was a mentally exhausting decision to leave Chico but because of the one-lane road we knew if emergency vehicles had to locate on our premises we would not be able to evacuate.  The road was not wide enough to accommodate our RV and emergency vehicles.  That morning we tried to make a trip into Chico to pick an order from Target, but because of closed roads we could not make it to the store.  The smoke appeared to be lying close to the ground surface and we were driving with our lights on even during the day because the smoke was making it difficult to see.  Several road closings and major interstates were being threatened so knowing we had to travel south on I-5 we had to leave while I-5 was still passable.  

Hopefully we never have to experience a fire that close to our home again.  God spared our home on wheels and gave us wisdom in knowing when to leave when necessary.

Work while we were at YWAM consisted of countertop installation and electrical work in a cabin for Wayne.  Gail helped prepare rooms in hotel for conference and did many, many, many loads of laundry!

Some electrical work that Wayne did in a cabin.

First day when the smoke appeared.

As the day progressed we watched intently.  The fire was just over the ridge.

But nightfall came and we were no longer able to visibly track the fire.

Soot and fire debris on our RV roof the next morning.

Riding in Chico this is what we saw.

Leaving Chico this is what we saw from the RV.

Our car covered in soot and debris.

We hope to never face this decision again and that all SOWERs will be safe under His wing.  Fire is an uncertain destructive force and only God knows the direction it will take.  Now, on to Arizona where we will be with family for the holidays and be extremely thankful that He gave us protection.

New Hope Christian School - Grants Pass, OR - October 2018

New Hope Christian School

Grants Pass, OR - October 2018

This month was a month of recuperation from the previous, which was 8 couples and a Rally.  Now for the month of October, Rick & Melissa Young followed us to Grants Pass, OR to work at New Hope Christian School.

Melissa Young and Gail painted the cubbies that the men
built to go in the locker rooms of the gym.

Rick & Wayne constructed the cubbies in the workshop
because of the cold weather setting in.

Here Wayne added storage in one of the classrooms for music instruments.

Gail painting creative designs on 
storage cabinets for the music, drama
and political institutions classroom. 

Wayne repaired outdoor faucets for Kindergarten.

Installed cubbies.

 During this month Gail acquired her embroidery machine under the direction of Melissa.  She is such a bad influence on Gail and makes her spend money (but not foolishly)!!!!  Thanks Melissa, now Gail is addicted!  Now moving on next month to YWAM in Chico, CA - getting closer to AZ for the holidays, WOOHOO!

Western Wound Up 2018 - Aldersgate, Turner, OR September 2018

 Western Wound Up 2018

Aldersgate, Turner, OR September 2018

And so after 1 yr of planning the SOWER Western Wound Up for 2018 began.  Many planning sessions that month during the work days were quite useful.  So many of our worker bees gladly offered their help in planning and actual making of materials for games etc.  And of course the actual project host, Eric Mueller, was wonderful to work with and his conference center provided whatever we needed to make and revive this rally for the west coast.

At least 20+ rigs came and went during the Rally.  At least 6 other couples utilized the lodge so that they did not have to drive their rigs to Oregon.  Tense moments waiting out the California and Oregon fires, even I-5 was closed in portions of Oregon due to the fires right up to within 2 days of the Rally.

Approximately 25 couples came and went during the Rally.  4 wonderful days of reminiscing, fellowshipping, food and games. It was tiring at times but everyone showed up for every event and there was NO WHINING! 

All kinds of meetings, no one even fell asleep!

Our fearless leader - Gail Fieler

now known as Queen Bee and all her followers are known as Worker Bees!

There was the infamous auction.  The proceeds went to the SOWER organization along with proceeds of the informational materials that the office sent for the Rally.

Guess who?  Gary & Stephanie Conrad!

Aldersgate provided the ultimate dining experience for 3 nights.  Here is Eric Mueller the Director of the Camp.

This was the final evening meal - can't be beat at even the finest restaurant in the Portland, OR area.

A monetary presentation was made to our SOWER organization by the Board of Aldersgate.  First ever of its kind.  The SOWER ministry is indeed grateful and will be using the funds to expand storage space at the headquarter's office in Lindale, TX.

Gary Conrad was the SOWER Trustee representative for our Rally.  He led a discussion of questions from the audience which proved to be beneficial to the organization as well as its members.

 





Okay, so we take our games very, very, seriously!

No inhaling those q-tips!

Architectural plans for a spaghetti-marshmallow tower made by Charlie Pickard & team!

Phil Garton from Ethnos360

 represented his project from Roach, MO

and put in an advertisement for

SOWERs to come and work there.

He also expressed his appreciation for

the many years that SOWERs has worked

in Missouri.

 

Entertainment -
Mark Kroos - double neck guitarist.
What a blessing.

Mark & Nora Kroos

All of our attendees.

Cheri & Ulah Smith

Feryl & Jim Laney

Sue & Elden Tiboni

Dan & Vicki Greene

Lynn & Allen Manchester

Richard & Lucinda Perry

Rick & Melissa Young

Bill & Alice Fawcett

Bill & Lena Chisholm

Charlie &  Pickard

Dave & Sue Griffin

Gayle & David Anderson

Margaret & Ernie Besler

Fred & Marilyn Reid

Gary & Pat Smith

Gary & Stephanie Conrad

John & Ann Lund

Russ & Doris Notter

Wayne & Dorothy Farquhar

Wayne & Gail Fieler

And then the Queen Bee sleeps that night!  What an awesome revitalization of the West Coast Rally.  We all left promising we would be back September 2020, BUT with lots more friends with us!