Hospitality in Texas

haRVey at Faith Lutheran in Stephenville, Texas this last week.

In Texas, the acolytes wear cowboy boots!

 Our travels this winter have taken us through California and east through Arizona, New Mexico and now we are starting our northward trek through Texas. 
We always enjoy staying in campgrounds - lots of electricity, water and usually a place to run, walk and ride our bikes. 

In a Church/School parking lot -  were are usually met by a church member as we arrive and enjoy a lively chat while we set up our house, we are sometimes given a key so we can utilize the kitchen and have access to the sanctuary and set up our equipment. Just this last week: we met Phoebe, a comfort dog (who has her own facebook page!), sang for 100 preschool children, donated two items to the annual garage sale and bought four items (not the preferred way to minimize). We were guests for fabulous lunch filled with good conversation. I love my job! Campgrounds can be quieter on occasion, but for the most part we really do like to meet the people in our neighborhood. 

haRVey parked at the teacherage in Thorndale, Texas.

The Laundry Chore

If you are going to carve a wooden sign - check the spelling

Well... however you spell it. 
My favorite places have swimming pools nearby so I can do laundry and swim while I wait. 
There are a number of campgrounds where the laundromat is connected to the Women's restroom/shower; and the game room is connected to the Men's restroom/shower. What?

Texas Today

All full-timers want FULL hook up (water,electric and sewer) therefore there is a lot of room on the right for those who can settle for just water and electric. 

I did not fall off the edge in California!
It has been a long pause....
We are parked at Summit Park in New Braunfels, Texas.  Yep, I jumped right over New Mexico and Arizona.

We are parked here until Saturday, when we travel to Thorndale, Texas. We are working on "projects" while the sun shines and we can work outdoors. 

Dave fixing the fender.  It is cracked in many places. Fine plastic that it is. :)
My friends in the North will appreciate how the ground looks without snow. 

After several tire blowouts over the years, poor haRVeyhas taken a beating. 

At Home on the Road

At home in Cornelius, OR

At home in Carlisle, Ontario (SNOW?)

At home in Moorhaven, Florida

At home in New Germany, Minnesota

At squishy home in Beaumont, California

At home in Apple Valley, California

At home in Oak Creek, California

Still at home in Oak Creek

At home in Spokane, Washington

At home in Mount Vernon, Washington

At home near Lodi, California

If home is where the heart is, we are at home all over the country - just the way we like it.  

It is In The Bag!

These faithful ladies have been preparing sack lunches for the homeless for the last six years.  We are parked at Ascension Lutheran in Apple Valley, California, and since my front door is but ten steps from the kitchen, I simply showed up to help. They put me right to work and made me feel part of the group. 

Each lunch bag contains:
apple sauce and a spoon, a granola bar, chips, a bottle of water, and a sandwich.
The ladies bag up lunches every other Wednesday, from 10:15 until about 10:50 this includes placing the sixty assembled lunches in the car for delivery to the soup kitchen in town. While we worked the conversation jumped around, but mostly revolved around who would pick up what was needed for next time.  Thrivent Financial supplies a good portion of the funds needed through area chapters, but these gals do all the leg work. It was a joy for me to spend time with these ladies who are happily serving.

Many hands working together make for an easy task! The lunches are ready for transport and are being handed out today as I compose this blog post. 

Coachella Wild Bird Center

All of the birds housed at the Center have been injured and are either permanent residents or just doing a little physical therapy and will be released into the wild upon graduation.  

Siva is a falcon, but without seeing the daily intake and entree preference, you really don't get the whole picture. :)

In the cage right next to Siva were two very alive California Quail. Cruel joke. 

As we walked around, the workers were talking shop...
"I took 15 mice out of the freezer for tomorrow."  YUM.

It was a great field trip and the workers/volunteers were quite animated when talking about the birds in their care.
I think it is with such love that our heavenly Father moves in all of us a desire to use the gifts He gives each of us.  

A recuperating Kestrel with beautiful coloring.

Ulia, is a Great Horned Owl who apparently eats 3 - 4 mice per day. 

Public Access

Contrary to the last few blog posts - we are not big drinkers, but we are ALWAYS open to reasons to celebrate and finishing a CD is a biggie!!!!!!

Dave finished Public Access - a collection of hymns this last week. It is now in the hands of DiscMakers and will be back in our hands and ready for market in mid-January. 

Appropriate for the season, give a listen to Gentle Mary.

We are so very thankful for the opportunity to serve the Lord in this way and to use the gifts He has given to His glory.  Dave was happier than he appears in this photo.