Greetings from a baked blogger !!

Fried?? Baked?? All over the Southeastern states we are suffering extreme heat!! I'm so grateful for the RV Park Activity Center with air-conditioning!!

I haven't an assignment yet--as a volunteer with JAARS. I'll keep you posted. Today I made an inquiry about renting an apartment here on campus. Nothing definitive yet. ~~ In anticipation of a job "in the public eye," I went shopping in Rock Hill, South Carolina. I bought a couple of crinkly-fabric long skirts which will be cooler (and prettier) than wearing slacks or jeans. Also two pretty blouses that, likewise, don't need to be ironed.

In my humble opinion, traffic in Florida was (is) a nightmare!! I rarely left the Wycliffe campus, Orlando. I love the secondary roads in South and North Carolina. I find it relaxing and delightful to get out for a drive--and shopping.

Thought for the weekend

From Workamper news (which I subscribe to but rarely read!).

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND: The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. In the long run, we really do shape our own lives; and then together we shape the world around us. The process never ends until we die. –Eleanor Roosevelt

A picture is worth a thousand words ?!

Picture one & two: Before and after pictures of my RV site at Wycliffe Associates, Orlando. The following are my notes from May 24th: "I'm writing this from my camp chair--in Walmart parking lot--in Walterboro, South Carolina. I may spend the night right here--in the chair--because my T@B is an oven. When I opened 'er up--at 7:35 PM--it was 95 degrees. Eighty-nine now (8:20) sitting outside.

I didn't check..., I didn't write it down, but I think I arrived about 6:30 PM and immediately headed for Walmart Customer Service to request permission to park overnight. Then I bought a few groceries--and browsed. I left Wycliffe Associates about 6:40 AM so 12 hours on-the road (and 360 miles).

Picture 1 @ 2 (as mentioned above): My RV site for four months. Picture 3: I've left the campus and ready to turn on main thoroughfare. Picture 4: I wouldn't get very far without fuel. Picture 5 & 6: Panera found me!! I wasn't searching.... (My long-time followers know my love for Panera, and free WiFi.) Picture 7 & 8: A roadside rest stop. Picture 9: A shady place behind a Hampton Inn Hotel. I was tired, hot and sleepy so pulled off I-95 about 12:55. Picture 10 is the Hampton Inn sign. I napped in my chair for about an hour. I had taken the thermometer out of the T@B at 1:11 and documented it was 91 degrees inside T@B (all closed up during travel). The thermometer was at my feet and picture 11 tells the story: 99 degrees at 2:22, in the shade. Picture 12: Another roadside rest stop--to stretch my legs. Picture 13: As soon as I opened the door after Walmart shopping; 95 degrees! Picture 14: Late evening sun on T@B parked near Garden Center.

The thermometer says 86 degrees at 8:45, and it's really quite delightful. A slight breeze and little (if any) humidity. I'm under a light standard so have bright light to hand write this (picture 14). Behind me (only 50 feet?) are four "big rig" trucks with their engines idling. Interstate 95 is at this very edge of the Walmart parking lot and a steady stream of noisy car and truck traffic. This is such an extreme from the quiet isolated environment of the last six months!

It's exciting to be on-the-road again meeting (briefly) folks who stop to admire the T@B. Between this paragraph and the previous paragraph, I've had a delightful conversation with a man riding a motorcycle. He rode by--and I waved. He circled around and stopped. He immediately commented on the Smiley Face (back of T@B) and decorative plate on the front of the KIA ("Still Saving Lives" [referring to Jesus]). His parents are RVers so he's attracted to the various RVs. He has volunteered after Katrina. ~~ I had this kind of interaction for eight months--last year--on my travels. My recent visitor said he felt so blessed because of a wave and a Smiley Face. ~~ Eighty-four degrees at 9:30 PM."

The next morning I wrote: "Seventy-six degrees at 5 AM when I crawled out of bed. I did not sleep well and checked the clock at least twice an hour. 'What time is it; how hot is it?' The Interstate traffic diminished but the nearby truck motors never ceased. **IF** I had purchased gas at the Walmart Murphy station the previous evening, I would have started driving earlier. (I learned long ago, it's better [if possible] to fill our gas tank in the morning. Cold gas is 'more for your money.')

Speaking of gas--and money--it cost me $90.49 on the first day of my journey (plus toll fees in Florida). Murphy USA gas--at 6 AM--was $48.00. Near my destination: $54.75 for gasoline. That comes to $193.24 for 545 mile trip. I don't plan to do much traveling!!"

That evening I wrote: "I drove 545 miles and did not escape the heat!! Now I'm told the mosquitoes are brutal as soon as the sun goes down. (I believe the Lord protected me from the Florida Lovebugs!! Dare I pray that the Lord put a screen around me from the mosquitoes??)"

>

Picture 17: Rest stop. Picture 18: A shady spot just off the Interstate. I wanted to consult my Atlas for best way to get to Waxhaw. Praise God I stopped when I did! My turnoff--to Lancaster, South Carolina--was the next exit. Picture 19: North Carolina State line (the sign is difficult to see). Picture 20 & 21: Arrived at JAARS minutes earlier and had to search for large parking space for KIA & T@B. Picture 22: I was assigned site #10. New neighbors greeted me and (later) said I should be on the other side of the street so I would benefit from the late afternoon and evening shade. Picture 23: Had not unhitched; moved to site #1. Pictures 24 & 25: One-hundred-seven degrees when I unhitched at 12:45. (True story: The thermometer was so hot it changed the date! I had to re-set.) Picture 26: Ninety-five at 1:44--in the shade. Picture 27: One-hundred-five at 4:44 as the sun found the thermometer formerly in the shade. Picture 28 (May 27th): Panera found me!! I wasn't searching.... Picture 29 (May 27th): Shopping at Walmart (after bagel & coffee at Panera). ~~ Then: The search for NC-DMV.

"Whatcha gonna do next?"

A request: Please keep me in your prayers. I don't know what I'm going to do next!! ~~ I've spent hours doing Google searches for information about apartment rentals, etc., etc. So far, all apartment listings are for the Charlotte area--and much too expensive for my budget.

I could never, never, never afford to rent an apartment in the Orlando area!! Even if the rent were reasonable..., I believe it would cost a fortune to have the PODS storage transported from Charlotte to Orlando. ~~ I really **MUST** get my things out of the PODS unit (and stop paying $200. per month). If nothing else, get the things out and donate to a charitable organization.

Now I'm in the neighborhood where the PODS is stored (although I haven't been there yet). I'm researching my options: A self-storage unit? A two-bedroom apartment so I can get my things under one roof? I'm ready to return the T@B to a camping status (not full-time residence). Yesterday, I searched Craigslist for a larger trailer (with an air-conditioner, ha!) but won't make a commitment right away. A larger trailer to live in--because I don't want to buy a larger tow vehicle. The drawback is: We can only stay in the JAARS RV Park for three months and then have to move off-site (if only for one day). How would I move the trailer??

How much simpler life would be if the Rapture had been May 21st so I wouldn't have to consider all the alternatives!! ~~ I'd appreciate your prayers!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~
On a lighter note: The JAARS RV Park only has twenty sites (seventy at W.A. Orlando). The Activity Center is quite small--but very nice. I'm very comfortable here!! I'm sure there will be a volunteer position for me (and I could walk to work as I did in Orlando). JAARS has a beautiful campus--and is "out in the country." The small town of Waxhaw is probably eight miles away. Monroe is (perhaps) thirty miles; Charlotte is (perhaps) forty miles.

On the map (above): Waxhaw has the red push-pin for identification. All that white... is South Carolina sticking up into North Carolina. Charlotte would be at the top left of the map. ~~ FYI: I prepared this blog on Sunday afternoon but preferred it follow "A picture is worth a thousand words?!." (Ignore the time stamp.)

Life in the slow lane !!

A burden rolled off my shoulders yesterday. I now have the KIA & T@B re-registered in North Carolina. Expecting the Rapture, I didn't register the vehicles in Florida. No Rapture!! (I cried my heart out last weekend!!) "Things" had been happening at Wycliffe Associates, in Orlando, and I sensed it was time to leave. (Remember, I was suffering from the heat, mosquitoes, and Fire ants!!)

I know that many of you believe my thinking is warped!! Right, or wrong, it made sense (to me) to return to North Carolina and re-register before May 31st. Furthermore, I wanted to explore the Wycliffe facility called JAARS (originally Jungle Aviation and Radio Services).

On Thursday I took the KIA for the required safety check (in Waxhaw). Friday (yesterday) I searched for a North Carolina Dept. of Motor Vehicles. First: My GPS took me to an empty building. Second: That facility for driver's license only. Third: Correct location with a monster line and only one clerk. It was such a relief to eventually walk out with the stickers (that I will attach to the license plates later today).

Frankly, things can get complicated even when one has a simple lifestyle. Vehicle registration: What address do I use? If I tried to re-register on-line, where would the stickers be mailed to? They don't accept debit cards or credit cards, and the check has to have the correct address imprinted on it. I needed to walk in to NC-DMV with cash (and JAARS address). ~~ Again I say "A burden rolled off my shoulders yesterday."

Greetings from JAARS

Just a quick note. More information to follow (later). I traveled 545 miles north from Orlando to Waxhaw, North Carolina. I want to explore JAARS--another ministry of Wycliffe Bible Translators. ~~ I hoped to escape the heat and humidity but (according to my thermometer--in the sun) 107 degrees (yesterday) when I unhitched the T@B & KIA!!

Wonder Woman ?!

I'm a woman to wonder how it all got done!!
It was s-o-o-o-o HOT yesterday afternoon and evening, I was physically drained of every ounce of energy. I'd do a few things, I'd rest for a few minutes. The fine-quality high-tech thermometer said 99 degrees at 2 P.M.--outside--in the shade of the T@B. I turned my thoughts from my discomfort to the man riding the mower across the lawns, and park areas. I thought of the men working at the nearby W.A. construction site. Elsewhere (here in Florida and across the South), migrant workers in the fields and orchards.

Ninety-six degrees at 4 P.M.--outside--but 97 degrees inside. ~~ Ninety-four at 5:30. ~~ Gratefully, a nice south-east breeze started about 4:30 and it was actually satisfactory to sit in the shade. ~~ Ninety-one degrees inside the T@B at 6 P.M. with door and windows wide open. ~~ Eighty-one degrees at 8:30 when I returned from an hour at the pool. (Boy did the pool feel good!!) ~~ Eighty-two degrees at 2:30 AM; 76 degrees at 4:15 A.M. (I slept well; not too hot.) Up at 4:30 A.M. to work on this blog--and take a shower. ~~ Sixty-eight degrees--outside--at 5:30 A.M.

Trivia: I was at Wycliffe Associates for 191 days (six months, 12 days). In all that time, I only drove 786 miles. Two-hundred sixty-four miles when I drove to the West Coast of Florida to visit the Tin Can Tourist' Rally.

Time, 6:30 A.M.: READY -- SET -- TOW !!

Inch by inch, it's a cinch !!

I'm moving slowly!! But I got an early start (to beat the heat)!! Other than moving from one space to another (in January), it has been over six months since I towed the T@B. I have to think about each step to be sure I did everything correctly. (Yes, T@Bers on the forum, I've checked my Ready-Set-Tow list.) Now, last minute laundry, more cleaning as things are put away. (Wipe down the electric cord, wipe down the garden hose; wipe down the TV lead-in cord, etc., etc. You RVer's know the drill?!) I "moved" across the street to a level site. I think I'll just "hang out" here (puttering) until an early departure tomorrow morning.

Life in the slow lane

The title doesn't really mean anything.

As good as some, better than others?!

The jokes on me!! Ha, ha!!

"They" (W.A) took me seriously when I said I was leaving May 21st (the Rapture).
"They" deactivated my badge effective May 22nd.

For a few hours today, I chased the shade near my T@B. Even in the shade, it was miserably HOT!! It was an intolerable 100 degrees in the trailer!! I couldn't escape to the air-conditioned Activity Center. (I regularly traipse to the ice machine). The laundry room doesn't have A/C. ~~ FYI: Ninety-nine degrees in the shade, on the patio, outside my T@B; 100 degrees inside the T@B as I type this.

I managed; I'm here to write about it and "The jokes on me!"

Mercedes got a bath !!

An early morning bath for Mercedes (my T@B). Yesterday afternoon, the KIA got a bath, too. ~~ The battery-powered accessories are charged (Power on Board Jump Start System; inflater, etc.) ~~ All systems are "go." (Isn't that the comment NASA makes when the shuttle is ready for launch?) ~~ I don't know where I'm going--but I'll be heading North for some relief from the heat--and Fire Ants. (Eighty-nine degrees inside the T@B as I type this.) ~~

Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done.
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever.
Amen.

Matthew 6:5-15

The Lord is my Shepherd !!

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul;
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointist my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm 37:3-5: Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shall thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.

Important Date !!

The King is Coming !!

Gaither vocal band singing The King is Coming.

The King is Coming
(Bill Gaither)

Praise God, He's coming for me

The marketplace is empty, no more traffic in the street
All the builder's tools are silent, no more time to harvest wheat
Busy housewives cease their labor, in the courtroom no debate
Work on earth has been suspended as the King comes through the gate

Happy faces line the hallway, those whose lives have been redeemed
Broken homes He has mended, those from prison He has freed
Little children and the aged hand in hand stand all a-glow
Who were crippled, broken, ruined, clad in garments white as snow

Chorus:
The King is coming, the King is coming
I just heard the trumpet sounding and soon His face I'll see
The King is coming, the King is coming
Praise God, He's coming for me

I can hear the chariot's rumble, I can see the marching throng
And the fury of God's trumpet spells the end of sin and wrong
Regal rolls are now unfolded, heaven's grandstands all in place
Heaven's choir is now assembled, start to sing "Amazing Grace"

Repeat Chorus (x2)

Praise God, He's coming for me, for me, for me

~~~~~~~~~~~

I (Lorraine) love to search information on Google!! I found another song with the title The King is Coming. This one dates back to 1888. Also: The King is Coming in Glory.

Redeemed

Redeemed, Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it.

May 21st in New Zealand

I visited my good friend, Google, and checked the time zones. It is already May 21st in New Zealand. Three in the afternoon (May 20th) here in Orlando, Florida; seven in the morning in New Zealand. If I remember correctly, it is winter "down under." I checked... and 13.3 Celsius in Auckland (55.94 Fahrenheit) with clouds, rain and wind. It is blazing hot, and humid, here in Orlando!! Ninety-nine degrees inside the T@B as I type this. Ninety-three degrees for the projected high temperature today and may be that temp right now?! ~~ Today I've "cleaned house," dumped the porta-potty, interacted with a few skeptics. Yesterday I did laundry. ~~ Now I wait, watch and pray!!