2016 ANNUAL MEETING

We picked up my sister and left for Branson, Missouri on September 6.  We stopped at two campgrounds on the way out and arrived at the KOA on the 8th,  We had a good site, pretty close to the building where all the NOMADS meetings were held.  This campground is very hilly.

We took in a few shows.

One evening we went to the dinner show at the Uptown Cafe. The show was a tribute to George Straight. It was a very meal and show. 

 Clay Cooper show was the one we enjoyed the most. Country singer, nice personality, fun with the audience (Larry), been in Branson for many years.

 Lynda with his picture.

 We had great seats, right up front.

 The comedian with him was very good.

 Many of the NOMADS went to Sight and Sound theater to see Moses. We are so lucky living here in Lancaster by the original theater, but it was fun going to the one in Branson. Many of our members had not experienced their productions and were amazed at how elaborate it was.

I enjoyed Moses but I have liked other shows at Sight and Sound better.

 Mary (in the cowboy hat) is chairman for membership. I am on her committee and we hosted new members and first time attendees to an annual meeting. We had a nice pull pork dinner for them to come and meet the board members.

 There were about 65 in attendance.

There was a raffle and every family left with a little prize and a decal to promote NOMADS. It was a nice gathering. We were pleased to see the couple  we talked to at the Tiffin rally at Sarasota had joined, worked some projects and were here.

 Bible study, devotions,and board meetings filled our mornings.

 The auction is always a highlight of the annual meeting.

 About 450 items were donated to be auctioned off at the silent and live auction.

 The live auction in the afternoon is always fun and even a bottle of coke went to the highest bidder. About 130 people bid and in all raised $30,881.00.  This money is used to help give grants for project. $92,000.00 was spent last year for project funding.  60 agencies recieved grant money last year. The disaster rebuild projects take a lot, for we pay all the utility bills while we are there for  several months.

We all went to McFarlains one evening for dinner. This table caused a lot of laughter, for as they ate their meal the table started to go up till eventually they were standing to eat. They had to sing a song for the table to go back down. We knew this was a rowdy bunch!
We had a good week. Seeing all our NOMADS friends make the annual meeting so special. We headed back to PA on September 16 to see our new grand daughter, Averie Violet Bush,  born September 13.  

2016 ANNUAL MEETING

GOD GIVITH, CODE COMPLIANCE TAKEITH AWAY

 In the evening on Thursday,April21, we received a call from Jesse at Zion UMC saying they had to take off the extension we had added to the building. That evening Larry sent an email about the need for an emergency team to Carla.  Friday she sent out the call to our members for anyone that would be available to help on Saturday. In no time we had this team together, Geary, Ed and Lynn, Dottie and Larry and Morris and Karen. We met for devotions at 8 Saturday morning and Ed began taking off the front roofing.

 Geary took down the cross beams.

 Larry and Jesse unfastened the hurricane straps

 We marked each truss, beam and post as they were removed and gave them the diagram of how it was constructed.

By noon we finished by attaching a 2x4 to the edge of the roofing to reinforce it.
 Thanks to all the help, the right tools and being mostly screwed together the work went quickly.
 In Zion's hospitable fashion we were invited to stay for a chicken luncheon they were serving for the funeral of one of the older church members who had died.

FINISHING TOUCHES

 On Monday we opened the door to the room and found a bird had built a nest on the shelf over the weekend.

 We had this window mostly covered with a board, so there wasn't much space for a bird to get in. Larry installed the bars and Plexiglas, so the room is secure from anyone or thing getting in now.

 The only holes in the room we hadn't filled in were these air spaces at the top so Larry covered them with screening. Hopefully no birds or animals will be breaking into the room.

 This is the room finished,

 a lot better then what it looked like when we started.

 Ginger and I mixed up the cement and filled the holes, and Larry B had the finishing touch.

 Before and after,

 Larry B and I painted the top of the roof with sealant on Monday afternoon We used a long roller which didn't roll and was back breaking. So he went out that night and got brushes that made applying it much easier. Ginger and I finished sealing the roof. We had to stand on plywood for we were afraid we might fall through the rusty old metal roofing.

 Another big improvement.

 We hope the sealant will keep the old metal from rusting and leaking.

 Becky painted the rafters by hand.

Whhle Ron and Fran spray painted the inside and outside of the building.

 Ron was well painted too.

 We would have put up a railing but work was stopped since the church did not have a permit or plans for the work that was done.

 All agree the work done made the building much safer and usable for the church and community.

 A definite big improvement from how it looked when we started.

 The last two days were spent doing other project they wanted done. This shed by the church needed to be cleaned and painted.

 Larry B, Fran and Ginger worked on it.

 The finished project.

 Ron, Becky and I worked on tiles in the church that were broken and needed replacing. Ron said he would much rather do a whole room then try to remove and replace tiles.

 He did a good job and it turned out great.

Ginger, Ron, Larry and Larry B worked at a home of one of the church members that needed spouting and electrical work.

 Ron working in the dark.

 Wednesday evening the church gave us a lovely appreciation dinner.  Many of the congregation had made lunch or dinner for us, including taking us all out for dinner several times.

 Their welcoming, love, great food and generosity will never be forgotten. We really enjoyed getting to know the members of this congregation.

 Larry thanked them for all they did to help us and make us welcomed.

 Ginger presented the church with this shadow box. She made the cross from nails she gathered around the building as we were working.

We ended our stay with Bea and her lunch ladies giving Larry a card and cake for his birthday. This has been a very special project.