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St. Paul United Methodist Church
St. Joseph, MO  64506

Monday

Monday was full of excitement.  We began by waking up silent. Everyone was asked to observe silence from 10:00 p.m. on Sunday evening until grace for breakfast on Monday.  We missed the best picture of all, almost everyone sitting on the rocking chairs on the front deck at 7:30 a.m. waiting for 8:00 a.m. breakfast call.  Everyone was in total silence.  After breakfast we began mowing and trimming the whole yard around the cabin and building a retaining wall below the cabin.

In the afternoon we had run out of sand because we were working so hard and we were moved to another project, burning brush that had been cleared from the new chapel site and other sites.  It was already about 100 outside and we were standing around a fire.  Is that smart or what???????

Food has been great.  Spirits are high even though everyone worked through the day in the hottest week so far at the Boy's Ranch.  Tune in tomorrow night for the ongoing story of the mission trip in Oklahoma.

Tuesday

Last night we went swimming at a beach less than a mile from our cabin on Lake Tenkiller.  It was a cool refreshing change after a long hot day in the sun. Joanna and Elizabeth tried to catch a fish using a shirt as a net but the fish wouldn't cooperate.

This morning we began the day by spotting a deer on the way up the mountain from the cabin.  

Work today involved cleaning out a barn, moving some hay, clearing out some old decking, and feeding cattle.

Next we built a partition in the barn to allow the horses to use one end. 

We also painted gates and pipe fences and a roof of a shed.

Right now most everyone is swimming at a pool in the Tenkiller State Park that has a water slide and a log roll.  Darci and Homer are finishing this web page for your enjoyment.  Tune in tomorrow night for further details on the life and times of the VIM group.  We have already found out that we are going back to the WALL to work.

Wednesday

We are starting to run out of energy but sitting around this evening eating root beer floats.  Should revive us before we head up the hill to share in a barbeque with some of the residents and staff here at the Boy's Ranch.  Still having lots of fun and still working hard but slowing down a little. 

Today we had several projects.  They had indicated we were heading back to the WALL to work but they weren't able to obtain any dye for the mortar so they routed us to other locations.  We painted fence.

And Donna was like the Everyready Bunny and just kept on going and going and going.

There was a green roof to finish from yesterday and a new white roof to do today.  Panels to carry and pens to move.  

And even a little trimming around the barns and rodeo grounds.

Looking forward to the next day.  Everyone here has been super and the hospitality is tremendous.  Wish everyone could have come to share with us but you still can through this web page.  Have a great day and look for more information tomorrow.  Until then we are rocking away here in Gore, Oklahoma.

Thursday

Well, here we are getting ready to head back home.  I don't believe the dirty clothes will fit in the same bags they came out of.  They all seem so stiff and hard and dirty.  Someone suggested putting them on the luggage rack in a trash bag.  That way we won't have to smell them for six and a half hours on the way home.

Last night we had a great time at a cook out with the residents and staff that were here.  Afterwards we played volleyball and horse shoes and lots of other games.  Before dark we went to a fireworks display in Sallisaw. 

Today we did a little work painting, trimming, planting, etc., but the folks were very kind to us and gave us light duty.  It was much cooler here today with some spotty rains.  In the afternoon we went to Tahlequah for a float trip down the Illinois River.  Beautiful day for a beautiful relaxing float.  Four went in a raft and the rest in canoes.  Nobody tipped over.  Amazing!

Below are some pictures of the residence halls, school and office.  We didn't get pictures of the float trip or anything but thought you might want to see what is here.

We will be headed home in the morning and look forward to seeing all our family and friends.

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