I have been in the weeds!!!!!!!!

So even though I haven't been working with any groups over the last several weeks, I certainly have been busy. I use a lot of post it notes to supplement my daytimer and my desk was covered with things to do. I even made my facebook status as I was in the weeds. Being in the weeds is a restaurant term that refers to being very busy and having a lot to do. I kind of enjoy the pressure of being in the weeds, and the good feeling I get once tasks are accomplished and i get out of the weeds.

Once we got back from Colorado, it was time to hit the ground running. I have been trying to submit at least on grant per week, if not more. As well, I am the point person for the remodel/rebuilding of the building that was damaged by fire so I am working with construction companies for estimates, and reviewing the original estimate from the adjustor. I don't want to dwell too much on the estimate, but lets just say it didn't even contain windows.

Hopefully things will start developing soon on the reconstruction of the building. Stephen has some great ideas for growing the building and housing more volunteers, staff, and missionaries. If you want to know more about the building, just ask. We have also found an architect who is going to donate his time to help with a drawing.

Since the fire, we have also been taking a closer look at some of the other buildings on campus, and I am creating a building revitalization project that shows pictures and explains the repair needs of each building. Hopefully some of this work can be completed by servant events, and other parts sponsored by individuals or churches.

In addition to that, we also hosted a Join Hands Day event that Erin was in charge of, it is a national day of service and we used the volunteers to make food baskets and school kits. The day before Join Hands day was Diana's quinceanera, (Diana is my "adopted" neice.) It was sponsored by my parents, and basically for those who dont' know what a quince is, it is like a mini wedding that symbolized a girls passage to womanhood and occurs around the 15th birthday. I was asked to cook the food, and I made smoked brisket, potato salad, and baked beans. The only sad part about the whole event was that I missed the cake because I went home early. I had to get up at 3 in the morning to start smoking the brisket, so I was too tired around 10:30 at the reception and had to go. Oh well, next time I will eat two pieces of cake.

I am sure I am forgetting other things, but that gives you a brief overlook of my last month. I am looking forward to seeing Angels and Demons tomorrow, and to some other movies this summer. Mostly because I get to sit in the air conditioned theater. :) Please keep my pinched nerve in your prayers, as the doctor's solution of naproxen (aleve) is not working as of yet. Have a fantastic week.

Some bulk food that was broken down into smaller bags for the food baskets at Join Hands Day

Volunteers assembling the food baskets.

They assembled 250 baskets of food

backpack assembly, to be used at distribution in August.

Lunch, burgers, dogs, potato salad. Dad was supposed to man the grill, but he had to take Stef and Mike to the airport, so I got to get it going again. By the end of this I was over cooking as it was the day after the quince.

Diana in her dress at the service for her quinceanera.

Diana and Rita

Diana escorted in by her chambelan.

Changing of the shoes. From flats to heels, normally this is done by the father, but Pastor Heimer did a fantastic job filling that role.

Each of the males in the sponsoring family had to dance with Diana. Of course you knew someone would take pictures of me dancing.