{ tears in tennessee }

Each time I pull out of my parent’s driveway, I cry big alligator tears from Sebree, Kentucky until I hit the state line near Union City, Tennessee -  about 150 miles. Those 2-3 hours give me plenty of time to get all that emotional crap out of my system. No matter how many times I go home, each time I leave it’s as if I’ll never return.

Yesterday, however, I did something I’ve not done before.

I cried in Tennessee.

The mission team finished our project at Ms. Hester’s house after lunch yesterday. (Click HERE for project pictures!) The covered porch and new vinyl look terrific and I’m so proud of our team from FUMC Joshua, plus my Mom. By the time we packed up the project site, drove back to the house at Henderson Settlement, and packed our trailer with luggage, it was time to hit the road for the long trip back to Texas.

Saying goodbye to Mom didn’t help my breakdown either. In fact, she made it worse.

By the time I got my cry-baby-self into the van, we were on our way out of Frakes, Kentucky. There was just one small problem: instead of 150 miles to get that emotional mess over and done with, the state line was six miles down the road! I was a hot mess. Literally and figuratively.

I’m sorry, my beloved Kentucky, but I left a few tears in Tennessee.

Mission Trip ~ Project Updates

This is the first post I’ve done since traveling to southeast Kentucky for a mission trip. I am responsible for the team’s blog and it has been my priority this week, but I stayed up late last night to prep this post for my personal blog. After all, I really appreciate all of my blog readers and don’t want you to think I’ve forgotten about you!

If you’d like to read the mission team’s blog, please click HERE.

The mission trip is going very well and the team is fantastic. We have laughed so much, a few of us have begun to “snort” and that cracks us up even more! It’s quite the family-affair as several families are represented, including my Mom. This is her first mission trip. It is also the first mission experience for several others, and it has been wonderful to witness their enjoyment to this new experience.

As the official team blogger, I’m trying to stay BEHIND the camera as much as possible – Lord knows that’s best for us all!!!! – and capture as many special moments as possible, but somehow photographs of me keep appearing. Teammates of mine must keep a small camera hidden in their pockets!!!

Speaking of cameras, we’ve taken a few shots using a tripod and the self-timer setting. It’s been hilarious to look at the pictures where we are talking, looking in the wrong direction, or pointing at the camera. After a few “practice runs,” though, we finally figured out my camera flashes an orange light before taking three pictures. The last one usually ends up being a crazy-funny-silly one. Can you tell we’re having a blast?!?!?!

The work we are doing includes the construction of a covered porch and installing vinyl skirting around the perimeter of our client’s home. She’s been so gracious and we are all beginning to develop a relationship with Ms. Hester. Her sister is also visiting this week. They both have several dogs and one just happened to be-friend me …… it’s quite an ugly dog, but a friendly one. I think its (his? her?) name is Sweetie. I’m guessing it’s a girl, but I haven’t checked the undercarriage.

Two years ago, I learned to use power tools on a mission trip to Oklahoma City. Last summer, I spent 10 days in Haiti using a pick-axe and my hands to clear rocks, dirt, and debris and dig a trench. This week, I’ve learned how to install new vinyl skirting. My list of qualifications is expanding!

We have a full day ahead of us. My personal goal is to finish installing the new vinyl skirting along the east and north sides of the house. There are two large obstructions that we must work around, but I know we can do it. The ones working on the covered porch are rockin’-and-a-rollin’ and will begin work on the roof. We’re eating lunch at the site so we’ll be able to work a bit longer.

We’re going to church tonight and, afterwards we’ve been invited to a peanut butter and chocolate egg decorating extravaganza …….. I promise to take pictures and let you know all the details. It sounds delicious and yummy and not-so-dairy-friendly!!!!

Thank you for being patient with me as I dedicate a week to the people of Frakes, Kentucky and this mission team. The wireless Internet access is a bit different than I thought, but I appreciate your understanding and patience. Your thoughts and comments on this blog – and especially the team blog – are so meaningful and appreciated. Every morning during breakfast, and each night after supper, we sit down and I read all the comments and messages aloud to the team. We are all so thankful for the generous support from our family and friends ….. wherever you are!

Love,

{ eastbound }

I could have slept in this morning, but my internal clock did what it normally does and I was wide-awake at 5:36. An hour later, I gave up the battle and let Husband sleep in peace without my constant tossing and turning. I marinated chicken for supper, folded a load of towels, and read a few chapters on the Kindle. After an early lunch, I went to the grocery store, got my hair cut (thanks Sam!), and stopped at the bank to get a document signed by a Notary. Now, the washer and dryer are running, the dishwasher is on the final rinse cycle, and I am wrapped up my Snuggie on the couch …… life’s pretty good!

In a few hours, around 11:00pm, the mission team from First United Methodist Church in Joshua will load personal luggage into the church van, check the trailer one last time, and head east towards the Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky. Pulling a cargo trailer of equipment with a van filled with 10 people, the thousand-mile-trek will take us at least 20 hours. In my humble opinion, I think it will take every bit of 24 hours.

One of my contributions to this team is managing the team’s blog during the duration of our trip. I did this last year when the mission team from FUMC Joshua went to Haiti. It was quite time-consuming, but the positive messages and uplifting comments posted by friends, family, and even strangers, were a huge boost to the team’s morale. Each morning before breakfast, and each night during the team’s devotion time, I read blog comments and messages to the team. The blog provided a way for our team to share experiences with readers and, in turn, provided readers the opportunity to be in ministry even though they were not physically in Haiti. I am confident the team traveling to Kentucky will have a similar experience with this blog too.

You can be a part of the mission team traveling to Kentucky too, please visit the team’s blog and “subscribe” to receive notifications when a new post is published. You can also leave comments on each blog post. All comments and messages are appreciated and they will be read daily. Not everyone can go on this trip, but this blog provides an excellent bridge to gap the distance. I hope you will participate and be our “virtual” teammate!

Blessings to you and yours,

 

P.S. I will try (no promises!!!!) to publish a personal blog post here at Three 31 each day. However, for the next 10 days, this mission trip is my first priority.

Click HERE to access the team’s blog, or click the image above.