We just started our 2nd week of a 3 week vacation. About 2 days into the first week, I was bored out of my mind. We were originally scheduled to start our time off on June 17, but before we even knew what happened, all of the kids we had in the cottage got placements, and we were suddenly empty-nesters. The decision was made to shut down the cottage and take vacation as soon as the last kids left. Not that we had any plans that suddenly got disrupted, but we found ourselves in a position to not be able to make any big plans because of the short notice… and the short cash, too. Just as well, since I start rehab tomorrow and won’t really be able to stray too far from here. We’ll make a quick Mississippi run next week, but other than that, just a few day trips, one of which I already blogged… last weekend’s Bonnie & Clyde Festival… and another I’ll be posting about in a day or three.
‘Round about last Thursday, I knew something had to give, so under the influence of all the reading I’ve been doing lately (online and actual real live books, so be forewarned!), we took a drive down to one of the rougher parts of town, and through a series of what I considered to be Divine miscommunications, we found ourselves hooked up with a ministry called Grace Place. Run by a dynamo of a grandma named Rhonda Grace, Grace Place ministers to their community through a clothes closet, children’s Bible studies (Tuesday and Thursday), and feeding the poor (Monday, Wednesday & Friday). And through meeting the physical needs of the people who come to Grace Place, the opportunity abounds to meet spiritual needs as well. Just what I was looking for. Mondays won’t be our regular days though. Once vacation’s over, we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled days off, so Wednesdays we’ll be haunting Grace Place on a regular basis.
But yesterday morning we got started bright and early… well, it was 8:30, so maybe not so early, but dang it was bright! And hot. We fixed lunch for 100, but we had a fairly light turnout with only around 70 folks showing up. They say the beginning of the month is usually lighter anyway, but we had a blast! We worked with a crew that has been doing Mondays for years, and they had their routine down pat. Made it very easy for us to jump right in. After everyone got their fill and we cleaned up, I asked Mrs. Rhonda if she had a website up for Grace Place (she doesn’t… yet), and that conversation led into things like Power Point and video, so I’m gonna be wearing a few other hats besides Slinger of Bar-B-Que Baked Beans… what WON’T be among those hats, however, is webmaster. Got no skilz there, so I’m gonna be hittin’ some techie friends up for web design. If you offer before I ask, there’ll be a Red Caddy Award in it for you. Your heart’s already beating fast, isn’t it…
Well, here’s some pics, but I’ll be upfront with you… I didn’t take ‘em. They’re from earlier in the year. I know. I’m so honest. But I’m pretty sure as soon as you see the winter coats and hoodies I’d be busted. We hit 90° here today…
Grace Place… just a little slice of “Thy Kingdom come…” Hurry up Wednesday!
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