With Butch and Cheri’s departure just before Easter, we found ourselves on our own staying at Faith. We enjoyed celebrating Easter at Faith, and in the next 2 weeks divided our time between some church projects and those on the van and RV. Cathy’s time was limited, since she would be traveling north to Virginia by mid-month.
The Easter bunny came to greet Dave at Physical Therapy. Easter Celebrations
We were up early on Easter for the sunrise service and a shared breakfast at Faith. Later that day, after the 10am service, we were invited to Evalyn’s for lunch. So, after breakfast, we fired up the smoker to make some smoked baked beans, which were a popular addition to the meal.
We were up early on Easter for the sunrise service and a shared breakfast at Faith. Later that day, after the 10am service, we were invited to Evalyn’s for lunch. So, after breakfast, we fired up the smoker to make some smoked baked beans, which were a popular addition to the meal.
Easter Sunday dinner
All Keyed Up
Having been absent for most of the Nomads projects this year, we learned that the keys and accompanying instructions we left behind were too confusing and were easily mismanaged. Upon our return, one of our priorities was to make a better system with better instructions and training and possibly some new keys.
Having been absent for most of the Nomads projects this year, we learned that the keys and accompanying instructions we left behind were too confusing and were easily mismanaged. Upon our return, one of our priorities was to make a better system with better instructions and training and possibly some new keys.
Newly organized church keys After listening to the problems that had taken place over the last year, Cathy realized additional key sets were needed. And, since we have had problems with some of our master keys that inconsistently opened the doors around campus, she did some testing of various keys to establish which master key was most reliable. That became the template for all the rest. As a result of her testing, we discovered a mistake in our documentation. Two of the Mission room doors had locks that were reversed which had been a source of much frustration. Rather than fixing the keys and the documentation, we simply swapped the locks. Problem solved.
So, with new key sets and modified procedures the hope was that this would ensure the keys would be easy to find and, equally important, likely to return to the same slot from whence they came. With the help of an 8-section snack container from Walmart, and a newly-designed sign-out sheet from Adriana, the keys were better organized and the new process seemed to resolve the issues found over the last year. Cathy held a training session just before heading out for Virginia that was well-received.
So, with new key sets and modified procedures the hope was that this would ensure the keys would be easy to find and, equally important, likely to return to the same slot from whence they came. With the help of an 8-section snack container from Walmart, and a newly-designed sign-out sheet from Adriana, the keys were better organized and the new process seemed to resolve the issues found over the last year. Cathy held a training session just before heading out for Virginia that was well-received.
Bulldozer grading the dirt being used to level the back of the campground. Now the Green Blade Riseth
Shortly after our return to Faith, some bulldozers arrived along with a truck or 2 of dirt, to spread along the back edge of the campground, leveling out the area to make it more usable. This grading was done in exchange for the church allowing the nearby highway construction crews to use the field to haul supplies in and dirt out. However, when our dirt finally arrived, it was going to need some grass to grow on it to keep it from washing away
Shortly after our return to Faith, some bulldozers arrived along with a truck or 2 of dirt, to spread along the back edge of the campground, leveling out the area to make it more usable. This grading was done in exchange for the church allowing the nearby highway construction crews to use the field to haul supplies in and dirt out. However, when our dirt finally arrived, it was going to need some grass to grow on it to keep it from washing away
Grass seed in place. Fingers crossed. Growing grass from seed in a drought was going to be a challenge. Observing the local water restrictions, Dave could only water the area by hand. However, it took some persistence and some belief that it was making a difference when days passed with no sprouts. Feeling a little desperate, we decided to order some sod to cover some of the area. But, after more than a week of steady watering and one day before the sod was to be delivered, the grass finally began to sprout. So, we canceled the sod order, and while Dave continued watering, he was getting some positive reinforcement that it was worth it.
Dave works on top of a very tall step ladder to mount the sign. Heed the Sign
While we had placed several signs around campus with Cheri’s help, we had one more to hang that required some high ladder work. Luckily it was only steps from where we keep the ladder. The “breezeway” that runs over the driveway behind Wesley needed a height sign. Dave mounted the sign, while Cathy helped ensure it was centered and no traffic was likely to interfere with the ladder.
While we had placed several signs around campus with Cheri’s help, we had one more to hang that required some high ladder work. Luckily it was only steps from where we keep the ladder. The “breezeway” that runs over the driveway behind Wesley needed a height sign. Dave mounted the sign, while Cathy helped ensure it was centered and no traffic was likely to interfere with the ladder.
Our Setpower DT45 fridge/freezer. That’s Cool
Recognizing that the small drawer fridge in the van would be insufficient for us while we travel, we ordered a 12-volt dual-zone fridge/freezer from Setpower. The model we chose has 2 compartments that can be set at different temperatures. Combined they hold 48 quarts and the fridge will run on either 12volt or AC power. We positioned it on the back of the slide in the rear of the van, using the 12volt outlet that Dave had installed earlier. The fridge has an app that allows us to monitor and change the temperature, much easier than pulling out the slide every time we want to check.
Recognizing that the small drawer fridge in the van would be insufficient for us while we travel, we ordered a 12-volt dual-zone fridge/freezer from Setpower. The model we chose has 2 compartments that can be set at different temperatures. Combined they hold 48 quarts and the fridge will run on either 12volt or AC power. We positioned it on the back of the slide in the rear of the van, using the 12volt outlet that Dave had installed earlier. The fridge has an app that allows us to monitor and change the temperature, much easier than pulling out the slide every time we want to check.
Fridge strapped in place. To keep the fridge from sliding around during travel, we installed some padeyes on the slide and Cathy tailored some straps that would use them to hold it in place.
Slide toppers clean and protected for another 6 months RV Stuff
Leaving the RV for several months means that as much of the regular maintenance needs to be done before we leave. Cathy used the access to Faith’s ladders to clean and protect the slide toppers. We drained, flushed and de-scaled the hot water heater, replacing the zinc anode.
Leaving the RV for several months means that as much of the regular maintenance needs to be done before we leave. Cathy used the access to Faith’s ladders to clean and protect the slide toppers. We drained, flushed and de-scaled the hot water heater, replacing the zinc anode.
Cathy loads vinegar into the hot water heater. Cathy replaced some sealant that was missing from the shower track that was causing a growing leak. And she cleaned and protected the interior wood and vinyl. We trimmed back tree branches that would potentially brush against the RV. And, finally, we changed the generator oil.
We had some help on the exterior, with Jose washing and waxing the truck. Given the water restrictions, the RV will have to wait another week for the next watering day..
There’s still more to do, but we’re getting closer.
We had some help on the exterior, with Jose washing and waxing the truck. Given the water restrictions, the RV will have to wait another week for the next watering day..
There’s still more to do, but we’re getting closer.
Dave uses what's at had to do his PT exercises. You go your way, I’ll go mine
Upon our return to Jacksonville, Dave started 6 weeks of long-awaited physical therapy to increase the range of movement in his neck and reduce the pain and stiffness he experiences. While Cathy was around to coach him through his home exercises for the first few weeks of therapy, she had to bow out after the 3rd week. She was heading north.
Upon our return to Jacksonville, Dave started 6 weeks of long-awaited physical therapy to increase the range of movement in his neck and reduce the pain and stiffness he experiences. While Cathy was around to coach him through his home exercises for the first few weeks of therapy, she had to bow out after the 3rd week. She was heading north.
| | Our daughter had asked for assistance after a surgery planned for the 16th of April. Cathy hopped a train north to assist her during her recovery. Dave needed to stay in Jacksonville to finish his physical therapy. So, late on the night of the 14th, she boarded the train for Petersburg VA for a few weeks’ stay to help out. |
Parting Shots
 Resurrection fern waiting for rain . . . |  . . . and after Easter Sunday's rain. |
We had much-needed rain late Easter Sunday, after weeks without any significant precipitation. The branches of Faith’s live oaks are covered with a symbiotic plant, called resurrection fern, which shrivels to look brown and lifeless when there has been no rain. However, it earns its name on the day after the rain, when this “dead” plant becomes green and lush again. While it would have been nice to see the green re-growth on Easter Sunday morning, maybe it was a good spiritual lesson that we had to wait until Easter Monday to see it “re-born”.
