Wabi-Sabi's On the Town!

Some of the Wabi-Sabi's went out recently for a Girls Day Out at the JMH Cancer Center to support Breast Cancer Research. Thanks to our special pal LeDonna Stuart we have these photos to share. Thanks LeDonna!

Before heading to the event we gathered at Cracker Barrel in Abingdon for a wonderful breakfast.

Nerina McKenna and Mary Jane Taylor were all smiles!

Jackie Camper, Melissa Turner and Wilma Vicars were looking forward to a fun day.

God has brought me laughter..... (Gen. 21:6)

Life Groups Come Together To Honor Troops

Wabi-Sabi Women and God's Helping Hands were invited to the home of Marsha and Randall Self to join her Life Group in honoring and thanking Lt. Col. Rodney Fogg, who has been serving our country on his second tour in Iraq.

Here Rodney and Marsha relax and wait for everyone to arrive. Marsha's group has been sending "care" packages to Rodney while he has been serving in Iraq. He was in the area visiting his daughter who is attending Emory and Henry College.
Rodney spoke to us about his time in Iraq and about the life of a soldier. He was very humble and easy to talk to and made us proud to be Americans. He assured us that soldiers "want" to serve their country. Don't feel sorry for a soldier they want to do their job and have volunteered to serve their country.

Our beautiful Wabi-Sabi sister Wanda Musick enjoyed the fun. The group had planned a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner for Rodney's enjoyment.

Marsha thanks everyone for coming out and making the evening a wonderful time of fellowship and thanksgiving for our groups and for Rodney.

Randy and Marsha and Randall's son Jason arrive with drinks so

let the eating begin!

Gotcha!!

Some of our group members attending were Don and Mary Jane Taylor, Larry and Carole Meade, Wanda Musick, Hugh and Linda Wise, Nerina McKenna and her children, Lydia, Helen and Connor. Barbara McCracken, Randy & Jackie Camper and Johnny & Patty Lester also attended as well as many members from Marsha's group.

The grand dining room, the garage, such wonderful atmosphere.

It was such a wonderful opportunity to join together with our brothers and sisters to fellowship and enjoy a time of thanksgiving for the sacrifice our military makes to keep us safe and free. Thanks to Marsha and Randall for opening their home and their hearts to us for this event and each week for Life Group.

Friday Farewell

Friday was the last full day for the crew to be together so they began saying their farewells and preparing to head back home.

Here is some of the team on Friday.

L to R: Jack, Bob, Christine, Mary, David, Wilma and Teddy
Here Jack and Bob work on the solar piping for the hot water heater.
It is going to be so great for this family to have hot water from the sun!

Jack explains how the whole things works! Thank God for all the knowledge He has blessed this team with.

A woman's work is never done, just ask Wilma Vicars. She has been a dedicated volunteer to this project for several weeks. Thanks for your willing heart Wilma. You are greatly appreciated.

We also want to give Dick Schouw a big thank you who has come up from Gulfport several days this week to lend a helping hand!

Look for the newest innovation in the working man's wardrobe coming soon to a store near you......tool shoes!!! Could it be we have seen the last of the tool belt?

Arlie and Allison work on setting the kitchen cabinets. Thanks also to Allison a regular at Lakeshore who has been over to join the team this week and help out wherever needed. God provides helping hands whenever needed.

Teddy and Allison are all smiles as they look over the days accomplishments.

After the days work was completed the team went to the Silver Slipper for a celebration/farewell meal together. Melissa, Wilma and Mary will be heading home on Saturday and the rest of the team will be returning on Sunday. Pray for their safe travel but also remember to give thanks to God for all He has done to help see this project through and the favor He has shown to the team and to the family. Thank God for using this team to work in the lives of those who need a helping hand and pray for opportunities to be used again and again until the Lord returns.

Remember the old song. "We'll work till Jesus comes, we'll work, till Jesus comes, we'll work, till Jesus comes and we'll be gathered home".

We are not 'waiting' for Jesus to come,we're 'working' till Jesus comes.
Thanks to all of God's Helping Hands and Wabi-Sabi Women team members who have taken part in this project as well as all the volunteers from other ministries. We could not have done it without each and every hand. May God bless you richly for you for your selfless service.

On Our Knees

Work is continuing in Mississippi and preparations for returning home have begun. Today was probably the last full day of work as some of the time tomorrow will be used for packing up and who knows maybe someone will get an early start home.

Here's our entire crew this week, except for Melissa and Bob.

What a great looking team!!

Can you see their servant's hearts?

The team has been on their knees alot this week, with flooring and tile and a little extra prayer.

Here Teddy and Jack work on some finishing trim.
This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!

Dear Lord,
We give you all our honor and praise. We rejoice and are glad in the day you have made. We are thankful for all you have provided for us this day. We thank you that you have picked us and placed us with other believers such as these. We pray that you will continue to place pieces in the puzzle which is this team, continue to let it grow, flourish and bring you glory. We are nothing without you. Lord, we pray humbly for your continued favor and straight paths in our effort to serve You and your people. Grant us the honor of being used effectively in your service. We pray and praise You, Our Lord, in the blessed name of our
Savior Jesus Christ,
Amen

More Mississippi Moments!!

Just got some new pictures from Mississippi. Here they are! The work looks like it's going great!

"Oh Lord, please let us finish these floors!

Is this your way of keeping me on my knees?"
Bob takes a break outside the bunkhouse.

Arlie and Christine Boyd, great team members and a great team!

Are they doin' the chicken dance?

Mary can't get away from housework even on the jobsite. Mary works with the clothes closet at Highlands and has joined us for this project.

Jack Mason works with the solar system set-up.

Smilin' Teddy behind the wheel!

Dick shows up to help out again. Thanks Dick!

Bob working on the sewer!

Starting the living room.......

Finishing the hall!!!!

Congratulations on a great day!!

It looks like things are moving along smoothly and we pray for the strength of the team and the favor or God to keep this project on schedule. we pray also for safe travels for those who will be treaveling home in the next few days. May God's peace surround this team and cover this work site. Great work team!

Highlands Festival of Life, Once Again a Success!!

Highlands Fellowship once again had the Festival of Life Celebration on Halloween night. Again this year the people came.

Hay Rides!
Music!

Popcorn!!

GHH member Larry Meade prepares for the evenings festivities!

NO! Not eating popcorn, making cotton candy!!

Waiting patiently!

Is this good cop/bad cop? No!

It's just Randy Camper and his son, Cody working the event!

They're both good!

Even Sarah Palin and John McCain showed up for the event!

Many lined up for information on the activities!

Larry and Sonia Petersek and Christine Boyd enjoyed the event!

Staff member, Becky Kennedy and Wabi-Sabi Woman, Regena Burden help everyone find their way.

Another member of Highlands, Linda Yannicello, was a colorful addition to the event.

A very beautiful fall display at the entrance!

Fall treasure was in the air!

King Kong and Godzilla were Kongo Krazy! KEWL!!

Praise God for such events as this in our community where parents can take their children to enjoy some fall fun in a family oriented, Christ-like environment. Praise God for life! The life He gave for us!

Mel's Diner is Open for Business!!

Mel's Diner is Open for Business. This is the chief cook and bottle washer, Melissa Turner (at least for this week)

Melissa is in charge of cooking for 15 people this week and she has been blessed with one lady to help her. She volunteered when she found out Melissa was cooking alone. She is Melissa's angel there.

It might not be fancy but the food is great and the price is right!
Here's the crew on Tuesday morning.
No waiting in voting lines for them, they voted early!

Dick Schouw came by to help with the painting one day.

Dave paints the walk-in closet

Allison, a long time volunteer at Lakeshore helps with setting the tile.

The tiling crew lays tile in the kitchen.

(Back to front) Allison, Arlie, Teddy and Christine!

Construction is going great and all the help is greatly appreciated. I will update as I can. Mel's diner is keeping Mel too busy to send alot of pictures. Keep the team in prayer as the work goes forward.