“But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (Reference Isaiah 64:4 From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.) English Standard Version
Praises – Quick healing of John’s back; able to play instruments with thumb nail; Illinois church family; enjoy cooler weather
Prayers – Mower engine and blade repairs; insurance for rental/personal property; shower low pressure; opportunities for music ministry
Hello to our friends, followers, and family:
Friday Date Night continued throughout the month with good conversation and sharing time. It is always good to get together with others where you can be yourself and they understand your ups and downs. Before leaving we were able to have a last lunch with our friends from Journey Church sharing prayers for all. Once we arrived in Illinois we got with our (retiring) pastor and wife for supper at Steak N Shake and lots of catch-up conversation. We will have to have our own “date nights” while we are gone! We usually go out the first night at a new location, however it was so hot after setting up at the camp that Connie refused, opting for lunch out the next day.
Again, we remain blessed with our health. John’s thumb nail held up for our music programs with a bit of help from some super glue. Connie has had some upset stomach and tuckered out issues, most likely from going in and out of the heat. We both noticed how easily we get tired, especially the day after our music programs! John did have a tweak in his back after getting to Illinois but lots of heat, ice, and rest kept him going this time.
Salty Strings brought some double dulcimer hymns, inspired by the dulcimer club, for the monthly SALT meeting that went pretty well. We continued joining the dulcimer club for two care facility programs as well as the monthly Nachez Trace Visitor’s Center program and practice. Of course, there was church music and special music featuring “Heal Our Land” by Michael Card, which God put on our hearts to share as we continue to pray for our country and upcoming elections. We prepared for two “big” programs including all the practice, sore fingers, song selections, tuning, and setting up our sound system to be sure we knew how to use it! Our Jolly Seniors program had lots of 1800’s hymns which were very well liked. Two days later our program was at a rehabilitation center with lots of smiles and twinkling eyes, as well as several singing along! Both were encouraging to us and affirmation that we need to pursue music ministry programs.
We enjoyed a day with our (Virginia) son on his way to Texas for a funeral. He managed two nights on our RV sofa bed, enjoyed the spa, lots of conversation covering many topics, opened the gifts and cards, and he took us (Connie) out for an early birthday prime rib supper at Texas Road House, what a treat! Journey Church set up an online group specifically for daily prayer for our upcoming presidential election, this has been of great inspiration as well as concern for all the needs of our country.
We did have a few MS evenings that were enjoyable as we watered sod; however, it was quite surprising to find Mississippi weather in Illinois. When we arrived it was wonderful, we even had to start the heaters for the morning chill; but each day got hotter (and more humid) with a ‘feels like’ 100 at 8pm one evening. Connie spent a lot of time inside the RV! As we look around inside our home, we notice the handrail supports are breaking and after the wonderful camp shower our leaking shower head needs to be replaced (hoping we can find something that will boost the pressure as well).
Our efforts most of the month were towards improvements in the multi-purpose room. More carpet was removed, tied up, and taken to the curb. Connie kept sorting nuts/bolts/screws and working on the cabinets; sanding, cleaning, removing hardware, and finding doors (we are missing quite a few). Both of us worked at getting 1 ½ walls prepped and painted. John overcame several frustrations finishing the cabinet remodel (1/8” too wide), building the support and putting in the kitchenette counter top, and got the GFCI outlets working. We discussed (and agreed!) on framing the support posts and the eventual repair of the old closet ceiling area. Connie kept things cleaned up and vacuumed several times except the day the canister was not latched shut after emptying it, what a mess!
You can see much of John’s handiwork in these photos, and we ask your forgiveness for not having any photos of him working – he really did, but the proof is forever gone locked in Connie’s dead phone! John handled the yard mowing and weed whacking throughout the month as well as trying to get the blades sharpened (still no success). Our mower definitely needs to go in for service when we get back for the blades and the engine! August 8 the contractor put sod around the addition for erosion as well as on the driveway slopes; that added a morning and evening watering to our tasks. It wasn’t too bad until Connie’s ‘ant proof’ cement block disappeared from the addition area; the watering drew the ants out of the ground and onto her feet and she refused to water that area after the second attack. John marked all of our yard tree plants before we left for our church youth mowers while we are gone.
We couldn’t do much to help getting the addition completed other than lots of sweeping and picking up. Connie ordered and installed the keyless lock and knob before we left and cleaned the spa filters. She has become the spa chemical specialist, still trying to find the right balance.
Connie has been very busy in the kitchen this month (comes with being stuck inside perhaps?). We have enjoyed many favorites including tuna salad, homemade noodles, sausage balls, flavored air fried potatoes, and a new creation of chicken alfredo (with macaroni and homemade sauce) for the church potluck. On our arrival to Illinois, she cleaned the a/c filters, started backing up the computer, and found ice and water under the refrigerator drawers, usually it is an ice buildup. She also decided to use this time to practice her harp, thinking every day, however that didn’t continue.
August was a good month for church services. We joined Cross Point (Iuka) worship group and did some specials one Sunday morning returning to help trouble shoot and get 7 channels, monitors, and speakers working again. God was certainly providing direction and wisdom. Two Sundays were with Journey Church with us providing the worship music. School starts very early in Mississippi and one Sunday evening service was driving to the various area schools and praying for teachers, students, and administration at each school; it was a very hot/humid evening and Connie remained in the car for 3 of the 5 stops. The last Sunday we attended Memorial Christian Church in Carlinville (IL) for their retiring pastor’s final sermon; he used the first sermon he preached here almost 17 years ago! It was a very special day, a good message, we did two songs, and joined our church family here with a potluck lunch and evening study.
We kept improving with our swim technique and consistency throughout the month. It takes both of us to get the cover off and back on so we usually are together. Connie is almost up to the 15-minute mark swimming various strokes and John has topped 30 minutes a couple of times with breaks in between. We use the exhaust fan (room is still not completely enclosed) and tried with the air conditioner on once – a bit chilly when it blows on you as you step out. It was a sad evening when we programmed it for “away mode” and we’ll see how it looks when we return in October.
Our departure date was moved up a week so we could be in Carlinville (IL) area for the pastor’s last Sunday. Things were a bit hectic the last few days; we took the RV into the shop for the final repairs, got new truck and RV insurance (an answer to prayer), loaded tools, spruced up the yard areas, played with the dulcimer club, had a farewell lunch, both of us got the hitch back in the truck, and packed up ready to travel on Wednesday, 8/21. We were up at 6:15, hooked up and leaving at 8:30, and arrived at the RV park just north of Litchfield, IL at 4:30 – it was a good travel day, even going through St. Louis, and not too hot with a wonderful cool breeze. The living room thermostat read 77 on arrival, Connie was so happy! After 5 nights, Monday 8/26 we were back on the road again, heading north to Little Galilee Christian Camp for some music programs and volunteer work. This was a short trip, we left at 9:35 and arrived at 11:15. Labor Day weekend is their final official camp, “Family Camp” and we ended up parking in the maintenance family’s yard with 30A hookup and water until camp ended. We used camp showers, conserved water and flushing, and managed to keep it below 84 with one air conditioner. We do get used to our comforts, don’t we!
We were blessed to help our retired pastor with some minor repairs and fixes in their new home. We went over two partial days fixing a door, leveling the china cabinet, some ladder cleaning work, and most of all enjoying the conversation and cookie break! Once we reached camp we shopped the local thrift stores, finding a 12”x24” end table for between our chairs, the old 12”x12” eventually had the legs shortened for Connie’s toaster oven storage at the end of the counter. Back at the camp we put up the humming bird feeder again, with customers the same day.
Our Thought for the Month: God has granted everyone with mortal as well as spiritual gifts, and He expects you to use them to advance His kingdom. He desires that you be wise and faithful managers of such resources; not just ‘some’ service, but look for ‘appropriate service’, and humble yourselves in his presence if your service is not appropriate to the opportunities entrusted to you. We continue to pray for our eyes to be open to God’s opportunities, and encourage each of you to do the same.
Quote for the Month: Alexis de Tocqueville, 1831 “Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”
Thanks for traveling with us! We so appreciate your prayers and notes of encouragement!!
John and Connie Nicholas
Salty Strings Music Ministry
Contact Information:
Mail: John & Connie Nicholas
Salty Strings Music Ministry
NEW ADDRESS: 30A Hwy 367
Burnsville, MS 38833
Phone – John 909-336-8910 or Connie 909-336-8912
Email – SaltyStrings@hotmail.com
Facebook – Salty Strings Music Ministry
Web site – SaltyStrings.com
ONLINE DONATIONS via PayPal through our web site
TRAVEL PLANS AND UPCOMING LOCATIONS
- August 26-October 8 – Travel, Little Galilee Christian Camp, volunteer
- October 4-6 – Wisconsin motel; birthday party/family gatherings, visiting friends
- October 8-9 – Travels back to Mississippi