Hard At Work

Talked with Randy about 7:30 which is 6:20 Mississippi time and the guys are hard at work. They have worked all day on the damage there on the campus so they can start to move things back and set them up as soon as possible. The roof collapsed over the dining part that must have been adjacent to the kitchen unit. The old Highlands Country tent ( that housed the store, I think) collapsed and there is still some clean up and rebuilding to do. Randy said it is easier to work in the evening because of the heat and humidity in the day. So they will probably work a few more hours before resting. Tony is on light duty today because of severe back pain so he is cooking tonight so I know they will have a good meal. Continue to pray that their bodies hold up under adverse conditions and long hours in the heat.
Our next group will be leaving here at 7:00 AM with Bill and Ruby Coalson, Melissa Turner and Wilma Vickers. Pray for them tomorrow as they travel and also for Ken Stevens who has already left. I believe our next group will leave out on Thursday or Friday, Randall and Marsha Self and Johnny Lester and then on Saturday, me, my son Cody and JJ Camper (Randy's nephew). Wanda Stevens is still trying to work out things at home so she is able to go.And Carole and Larry Meade will also be traveling down if the weather holds and another storm doesn't get in the way. Then next week-end our 3rd week group will leave out.
I don't know how you all feel about this and since I'm the one writing I'll tell you how I'm feeling and what I'm thinking. I believe God has been preparing us for this. He had us ready to move fast with the only motive being service to Him. We want to be a ministry and do ministry, this is a real test. And I believe our Father is pleased.
As I sit here tonight, I am tired and I am weary but I am filled with peace and blessing and favor fill my life and my heart. I am so blessed, sometimes so much it's hard to take. People God has placed in my life that just give and give and keep on giving and I feel sometimes like I have nothing to give. God has placed others in my life that tell me I do have something to offer and they love me and accept me with all my warts and wrinkles and crazy little quirks. When I think of them the word agape comes to my mind. It is very rare to find real agape love on this earth. Unconditional love, no rules, no laws, no conditions, love just freely given expecting nothing in return. Their joy is found in the giving. These are the people that make up God's Helping Hands and Wabi-Sabi Women. These people are not perfect, we're far from it but what we are is sold out to Jesus and trying to be more like Him every day He gives us on this earth.

Isaiah 61
The Year of the LORD's Favor 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

I pray we will all join together in the effort and be in totally unity of spirit. Those of you who are reading this and are not able to go down are still a part of all this. You are standing in the gap and praying when those who are working are weary. You may be the Aaron or the Hur that held up the arms of Moses allowing for Joshua to defeat the Amalakites. Just because you are not there does not mean you are not part of the team. I encourage you to add comments and let us know what you are thinking and praying. If you have any encouragements for the team just post them and I will pass them along. I am so glad to hear that several people are keeping up with the blog and enjoying it. It is something I can offer while helping communication in the group and about the group.
Well blessings to all. I'll update probably tomorrow afternoon. Have errands all day long. I hope you all have a Son shine day!
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