With several major projects happening simultaneously, Faith has been a busy place since the start of the new year. Our focus has been transforming several rooms into space for Beyond 90. And we have started lightening the load on Orion Jr in preparation for her sale.
Assembling a new wall Reconstruction
Anticipating a move and expanding services, Beyond 90 needed some changes made to existing room layouts within the church’s A building. This building formerly housed classrooms for the school, but are currently not being used. After meeting with Lori and Barton from Beyond 90, we reviewed their plans and worked with Fred and Pat to develop a list of supplies. Cathy turned this into a Lowe’s VSP request and got a discount through them for the initial purchase, which we picked up the same day.
Anticipating a move and expanding services, Beyond 90 needed some changes made to existing room layouts within the church’s A building. This building formerly housed classrooms for the school, but are currently not being used. After meeting with Lori and Barton from Beyond 90, we reviewed their plans and worked with Fred and Pat to develop a list of supplies. Cathy turned this into a Lowe’s VSP request and got a discount through them for the initial purchase, which we picked up the same day.
Then the construction began. By the end of the first week, the first wall was framed and much of the demolition work had been done for a wall to be removed. It’s been a while since we were actually hammering nails or cutting wood, but we have no complaints.
Not all of the reconstruction at Faith involved lumber and dry wall. Dave continues to work on restoring the church’s computer infrastructure from last summer’s lightning strike. After a lengthy conversation with Lenovo, he was able to get them to move forward on repairing the livestream computer’s ethernet port. He was also involved in upgrading the church’s accounting and payroll software to the latest release so payroll checks could be run and year-end processed.
Not all of the reconstruction at Faith involved lumber and dry wall. Dave continues to work on restoring the church’s computer infrastructure from last summer’s lightning strike. After a lengthy conversation with Lenovo, he was able to get them to move forward on repairing the livestream computer’s ethernet port. He was also involved in upgrading the church’s accounting and payroll software to the latest release so payroll checks could be run and year-end processed.
 Before |  After |
Cathy and Pat made a trip to Pastor Jacob’s to repair the support for a dangling bathroom fan. Thanks to lots of suggestions, some awkward maneuvering and some persistance, they were able to install a support arm and connect the fan housing to it. Luckily Pastor Jacob still had the original trim for the fan, or the finished product would have looked less – well - finished.
The rotten deck behind Peeler was unsafe and little used. Joe removed it. Meanwhile Joe was removing some severely rotted decks behind a couple of the buildings on the property. He also helped us and Pat trim the crepe myrtles in a single day – a new record. While the Nomads volunteers refreshed bathrooms and began remodeling the kitchen, we assisted with a couple of shopping runs, answered questions and helped with the occasional RV repair. For example, shortly after her arrival, Jane discovered her batteries lacked the power to open her slide. About an hour later they were working OK, but over the course of the next 3 weeks, Dave and Fred worked with her to buy and install replacements.
Dave and Fred installing Jane's new batteries.
Dave amid Orion Jr's clutter Boat Stuff
When we arrived back at Faith the boat cover on Orion Jr was in sad shape. The forward part of the cover had parted in the last hurricane (Nicole) that had passed through. While Cathy contemplated remaking it, we decided the time had come to take more decisive action on the boat. So, we started cleaning it out with the intention of selling it.
It was much easier in the cooler weather of January to get on board and sort through the supplies. Several bags went to the dumpster. Several to the thrift store. A small number of items came back to the RV. We reserved a few items to convey with the boat, and the rest would be sold if we could find a buyer. It takes some persistence to keep whittling away at the stuff, but we are slowly but surely making progress.
When we arrived back at Faith the boat cover on Orion Jr was in sad shape. The forward part of the cover had parted in the last hurricane (Nicole) that had passed through. While Cathy contemplated remaking it, we decided the time had come to take more decisive action on the boat. So, we started cleaning it out with the intention of selling it.
It was much easier in the cooler weather of January to get on board and sort through the supplies. Several bags went to the dumpster. Several to the thrift store. A small number of items came back to the RV. We reserved a few items to convey with the boat, and the rest would be sold if we could find a buyer. It takes some persistence to keep whittling away at the stuff, but we are slowly but surely making progress.
Look Who’s Here
While Carolyn was attending a conference nearby at St. Simon’s Island, she took a break for a visit to Jacksonville on a chilly Sunday afternoon. We enjoyed some time together over a late lunch /early supper before saying goodbye again. It was a nice treat to see her again so soon.
While Carolyn was attending a conference nearby at St. Simon’s Island, she took a break for a visit to Jacksonville on a chilly Sunday afternoon. We enjoyed some time together over a late lunch /early supper before saying goodbye again. It was a nice treat to see her again so soon.
Parting shot
We got one of the best looks we’ve had from Jacksonville of a rocket launch one evening.
We got one of the best looks we’ve had from Jacksonville of a rocket launch one evening.
