Remembering the first days

It was anticipated.  The days were full.  South Carolina special meeting rounds.  It was the first time back (with the acception of Louise Lewis' funeral) since leaving in '07.  Zero Seven wasn't very long ago, but much has happened since then.   A big difference upon the arrival was being in the work for 6 years instead of 0.  Memories returned of these friends welcoming a young, northern kid as their new sister worker.  Things don't change as fast as they do in FL, so the same homes and families were present and thriving. 


Betty & Kayla in 06

Betty & Kayla in '12






Jane Arnold and I drove up a few days early and started in on the visiting.  We both exclaimed when we saw our first hill, first dirt, first temperature drop on the dash!  We've come to love our flat, sandy, hot state of FL, but a little change never hurt anybody.  The Blue Ridge Mountains. Wow.  Rugged, yet maneagable.  Betty, Jennifer, Jane and I took an afternoon to escape to the ridges.  We chowed down on a egg salad sandwich picnic lunch, then found a trail that suited everybody. We arrived to our supper and Bible study destination in the nick of time that eve. 

Children: they change the quickest. Some profess, some graduate, some grow, others stop growing, all remain precious.  

Roberts in Travelers Rest



Jerabeks in Anderson

Secors in Anderson

Abby in Anderson

Smiths in Pacolet

We were 13 workers making the rounds.  The staff: Daniel Farris, Vaughn Ellingson, Betty Denton & Jennifer Grady.  Tom Nussbaum from NC: he will be overseeing both NC & SC.  Ray Miller came from Indiana, Eric Hahn from Nebraska.  Alice Christopher and Kamela Liabraaten came from Indiana.  Norma Pierson & Ruth Evans came from GA for the first half and Linda Whoolum & Jennifer Davis came from GA for the second half.  Jane & I from FL.  Did that add up?  We were one group for the weekends and two or three groups during the week.  Mine to attend were Sumter,  Murrells Inlet, Marion, Greenville and Inman.  I also got to a Greenville Sunday am meeting and Travelers Rest Bible study.

All together for a Saturday picnic at the Carters

There was an event within the event.  Kamela & I were the participants.  LICE.  She got them. I was with her, so we exhiled ourselves from the rounds and tried to nix the problem.  NIX is a brand of "de-lousing" products, in case you're not educated in that department.  I will have to do another post on this subject, as there were many hilarious happenings that I want to remember.  Future laughs for my personal memory lane!

The first of many comb-thrus!  Strand by strand...  The good thing is the Kamela and I really enojy each other's company!

Refreshed and thankful, Jane & I made our way back south after the rounds were over.  We started early & made a quick tea stop at the Sains in Jax to see Irene, Tina, John, Linda & Sarah. A great diversion!  Significant for mention were brownies, donuts, tea, coffee and good company...  After 45 minutes, we journeyed on and got to Tampa in the eve where Jane met up with Kathy.  I picked up our field car and traveled across Tampa Bay where I met up with Ruth in the late eve.   Back in our world once again.