Praises –Answered prayers for music ministry; friends and family; safe travels north
Prayers – Tenant needed Oct 1 for trailer; truck and trailer travels with no issues (turbo charge repairs may be needed); future residence plans; healing for John’s pituitary gland tumor
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart . . . And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent . . . filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:3-11 paraphrased, ESV
Hello to our family, friends, and followers:
Our participation with the Booneville Dulcimer Club has been wonderful, great people, great music, and a ministry to so many. We joined them for four programs and two practice sessions this month. A group member brought ‘Bully’ for practice and Connie played this bucket bass for one program for a 50-year plus class reunion; not very precise but a lot of fun! We attended the 2nd Saturday jam again and many of the dulcimer people came along, one even shared some music. Once we were settled in Illinois we practiced and tuned for our annual Jolly Seniors program and enjoyed connecting with many we see every year. The devotion message this year was ‘Radiant’ and the uses of this word in the Bible.
Connie spent a lot of time inside this month with the heat and humidity. Several days she researched and made online orders, did some reading with her new Kindle (a gift), used up some old tough wrinkly potatoes for scalloped potatoes, and worked on her microwave banana bread recipe. When the mending piles up she gets out her sewing machine and become creative in fixing buttons, tears, and holes; this month included shortening a sun dress she uses going back and forth with our swims. More creativity ensued with finally getting “Brother John” worked out for a hammer dulcimer duet, and she helped another player with ideas for her Christmas special.
Part of our music schedule included a visit with John’s family in the Bushnell/Macomb IL area. We packed up our pillows and overnight bags along with several instruments and stayed at a hotel two nights in Macomb. On the way we spotted the ‘Three Bears’ of road repair equipment! It happened to be the weekend of the Bushnell fall festival which worked perfectly with the people we wanted to see. The music Friday night was too loud and had too many flashing laser lights forcing us off John’s aunt’s porch right across from the park stage. Connie escaped with his aunt’s dog Cinnamon and walked around three blocks, able to enjoy the music that far away. Saturday was more relaxed; we enjoyed a good hotel breakfast and John got a haircut. We headed back to the fall festival car show and all the family got together for a wonderful supper at our favorite spot – huge tenderloin sandwiches, great onion rings, and hummingbird entertainment at each window (we found 6 in this photo). Sunday morning was an early rise, hotel breakfast, and on to the Bushnell Christian Church for worship and communion music followed by the always great church potluck. We were able to bring back a painting done by John’s mom and the infamous ‘Waltzing with Bears’ carvings and wall hanging made by his mom and dad. Full bellies and great fellowship fueled us up for the travel back to camp where we crashed after unloading everything, before 7pm!
We made it to First Methodist in Booneville the first Sunday and again enjoyed the more liturgical communion service with an organ. We actually skipped church (don’t spread it around) the Sunday we started our travels, but did help with the worship music at Journey Church two other Sunday’s. Our evening studies were on prayer and examples of prayer from the Bible. August 30 we were at Bushnell Christian Church providing worship and communion music, enjoying our family and the potluck that followed the service.
Much of our at home work in August was a push to get the multi-purpose/shop/guest room completed. John helped get the old door lock off, installed the bathroom cabinet, and was in the attic for wiring and the new ceiling fan bracket. Connie finished the ceiling fan installs, cut a piece from an old mirror to mount in the above the sink shelves, painted the bathroom cabinet, and properly remounted the door lock. John did most of the ceiling paint and trim work, and we have shelf plans for the sides of the sink. Carpet self-stick squares will be the next big task.
We knew our trailer renters would be moving out mid-month and were prepared to do a bit of cleaning but not prepared for the time we would need to fix a few things. We went in on a Monday morning, got the power transferred to us and back on, and started. There were a few shopping trips and some online orders to get the necessary supplies. All the walls were washed down, marker (some permanent) magic erased, we documented some damage, and discussed options with our manager on Wednesday when she got there. One ceiling fan was broken and two others were not in good shape from three years ago, so all were purchased and replaced. John worked on one wall that had wallpaper strips ripped off, replaced hinges on a cabinet door, and also came up with a good fix for the vinyl sections that were peeling off. Research led us to spray oil-based primer for the permanent marker spots, and we had some old paint that we could touch up spots on the walls and baseboard. It was hot work, even with the a/c and a window unit, but trailers (and our RV) do not have double pane windows and it was in the upper 90’s and humid. We managed to get it showable but still have the small bedroom to paint and finish up the baseboard touchups when we get back.
One thing needed for our MP space was a queen murphy bed and John found one on marketplace for a really good price. We set off early one morning to stop by the credit union for the cash, and met the sellers at a storage building about an hour away. It was in good shape but very heavy. The sellers helped John get the pieces into the back of the truck and secure the tie down straps, Connie prayed and tried to help steady the large piece but was mostly in the way. She drove the back roads home at 35-40 mph with stops to tighten the straps. After a short rest, we were able to unload the side cabinet and mattress, then cover over the rest for a few days until younger and stronger help could finish the unloading. The truck was parked in the yard in the sun which made everything very hot to handle. We couldn’t drive the truck anywhere so we were picked up for Friday date night and again for Sunday morning church. The pastor and his two boys were able, with lots of effort, to get the rest inside and right side up. The loading and ride left a few marks and some patch work needed, but we have our guest bed now.
We did continue to look at more sheds, finished and unfinished, online floor plans, and know of a guy who builds them to spec from start to finish (or anywhere in between). We will continue our explorations when we return. Still the big hurdle is size, how much we want to do ourselves, and when we want to do it (you notice all the ‘we’s’ – God will determine the outcome as prayers are lifted and we wait for His guidance!).
John upgraded his mower seat (from Goodwill pillows in a Walmart bag to pillows/towels covered by a vinyl scrap Gorilla taped for waterproofing) towards the end of July. A bit better but he still gets beat up mowing our not-so-manicured lawn. Eventually he found an affordable seat, ordered it, and he didn’t take long to get it mounted (it fit perfectly after the rusted bolts were loosened) and did an hour mowing on the 10th – so much better! He finally got an ant bite giving him a bit more sympathy for Connie, and managed to get into chiggers (most likely) and more itching. Thankfully soaking a bit in the hot tub brought some relief, and during one of those evening soaks he enjoyed a lightening show accompanied by heavy rain and two brief power outages.
We were really tested as we prepared for our trek north. Aside from the usual busyness we had the rental repairs, a few RV repairs, and then the truck started displaying ‘reduced power’ when it was started. Seemed to run fine, the check engine light went off after driving a bit, but it was a concern (we experienced this message last year while pulling the RV north on an interstate and we had to pull over). This happened several times, and the power was actually reduced the morning we took it in to the diesel shop. They ran the codes, did some research, came back with a huge estimate and a time frame delaying our departure over a week. After clearing the codes, it was running fine and they gave the all clear to drive so we left, with lots of prayers that all would be well. So far it has been good and we’re still praying to make it back to Mississippi with no issues. We did notice during all this that our passenger headlight is out, so we really avoid night driving now.
Back on the road again! We took Sunday morning off from church (23rd) to pack up the RV. Once everything was hooked up, we both showered (in our new 2nd shower) and started off around 1pm very refreshed. We arrived in Sikeston, MO around 5:30, pulled out the slides, had supper and watched a movie. Monday morning, we had a leisurely walk around Lamberts and hit the road again at 9:15am, arriving around 3pm at Little Galilee Christian Camp. After setting up we walked around the camp a bit; wonderful weather at 6pm, much cooler with very little humidity! The respite from rushing to get things done did us both good, and Connie’s thumb was almost normal.
The roads keep getting rougher each year and the second day of travel north caused something to leak and spill over/into the refrigerator door shelves. That was cleaned up then Connie made some hummingbird syrup for our feeder. We hadn’t used it this year (our renters are doing a great job keeping the little guys happy) and wanted to enjoy them. Within 30 minutes it was found and we are enjoying their dog fights and the few quiet times when four are drinking at once. John started his volunteer painting on the 31st preparing the wood and benches at the pool shelters for fresh paint.
There has been some bug going around that stayed with John several weeks; a bit of a cough, slight fever and chills, and lack of energy. He pushed through with lots of naps and felt better accomplishing something (as well as sweating out the bug). He also had another MRI early in the month that showed the pituitary tumor is still there, about the same as a year ago. We don’t believe it is affecting his health, and although not greatly concerned prayers for it to ‘go away’ are lifted up. All the scrubbing and painting gave Connie a sore thumb joint, making it hard to hold a pick and play instruments. Driving and not using it for a few days allowed it to heal.
The weather, we all have it along with our comments! Hot and hotter, humid and downright muggy!!! John keeps saying ‘we thought we did our homework’ before buying our property in northeast Mississippi, but nothing has been normal since we moved here. We hear that a lot, we bring the cold, or rain, or heat, etc. Most of August was horrible for Connie, who stayed inside most days (or worked only where there was a/c). The lowest temperature note she made was at 9pm, 87 feels like 99; most of the month was feels like over 100. Being in an RV in this weather means the a/c runs almost all the time just to maintain 80 degrees. The bedroom unit had to be turned off one night, not wanting to work, but it went back on at 3:30am and thankfully was working again. There were a few thunder storms, and John was rudely awakened from a nap by a huge thunder boomer one afternoon. Then came Illinois – it was wonderful. Our first morning we started our electric fireplace (it was 69, crazy for former Wisconsinites) for just a bit and were able to walk various routes around the camp for a few days.
Friday date nights continued the first three weeks before we traveled; a new BBQ place in the small berg of Dennis, Japanese and a favorite spot in Corinth. We visited a church member’s mother in a rehab facility, sang Amazing Grace to her and her roommate, and promised her we would come back the following week with a slice of the works pizza, her favorite. We had two Pizza Factory meals, one before we visited her, the second when we took a slice back. John was taking some hot off the grill (skillet actually) pancakes to our friends but received a text shortly after leaving that they were under the weather, not to come. Our monthly SALT (Senior Adults Living Triumphantly) meeting this month was for fellowship at a local restaurant where we had a devotion and prayers followed by lunch (no music).
We’ve both been trying to lose a few pounds since our vacation travels, but exercise is not keeping up with our food intake. We still try to swim every other day, but our walks are suffering. We’ve both woke with stiff backs a few times this month, walking helps but is slower. Connie started morning walks when alone listening to an audio Bible, quite enjoyable; one walk was cut short with a light mist turning to rain, it is cooler but still humid at 6:30am, and usually the feels like temperature is mid-80’s by our return. We’ve been walking a bit more in Illinois at Little Galilee Camp, mapping out the distance of various routes, finding mosquitoes in the evening, humidity morning and evening, and a little breeze mid-day. It’s the evening munchies that taste so good and are so hard to resist!
DEVOTION THOUGHTS THIS MONTH:
** To be in the will of God is simply being willing to do His will without reference to any particular thing he may choose. It is reflecting His will to be final, even before we know what He may wish us to do. It is being willing to do anything, when, where and how it may seem best in His heart.
** Ask the Almighty what His will is for your life and what He desires you to do and be. He is the priority over all other considerations. Seek Him in all the choices you have to make, and then obey His direction.
** As an adult sees a few minutes far differently than a small child, God’s perspective of time is vastly different than ours. His timing is perfect, even when it may not feel that way to us.
** We give thanks for what we have received, not for what is missing. Teach us to thank you, Lord, before we see your answer, trusting that you will provide all that we need.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good . . . to Him who alone does great wonders . . . He gives food to every creature . . . give thanks to the God of heaven . . . HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER. Psalm 136:1,4,25,26 NIV
Thanks for traveling with us and being part of our family!
John and Connie Nicholas
Salty Strings Music Ministry
Contact Information:
Mail: John & Connie Nicholas, Salty Strings Music Ministry
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
PURCHASE our SONGS: SaltyStrings.com/shop
Online Donations via PayPal through our web site
TRAVEL PLANS AND UPCOMING LOCATIONS
>> September 11-15 – Beloit, WI – Rock Valley Church special music and care facility service, Rock Bay Harbor program, Wisconsin friends and family visits
>> September 18-21 – Carlinville, IL – Memorial Christian Church special music and visits
>> September 22-23 – Travel home, Mississippi; leave November 28 for Volunteer work
>> Contact us if you’re interested in a music program
