The Salt Shaker

Praises – Thumb nail still holding together; Illinois family visits; Safe travels; Renewed friendships

Prayers – Rental fixes; contractor to finally finish addition; October audiology visit for John and eye doctor for Connie; Finding water leak to rental mobile home  

You will show me the way of life.  Being with You is to be full of joy.  In Your right hand there is happiness forever.  Psalm 16:11 NLV

Hello to our followers, family, and friends:

We got our bikes unpacked and tires pumped up for our first ride around camp!  Result, tired legs after going up and down the hills.  Connie used her bicycle more for laundry and volunteer work, and was able to gear up 1 notch by the end of the month!  We would walk our trash to the dumpster as well as around the loop many evenings, enjoying the sunset and rising moon, sometimes with a stop to check the left-over refrigerator or shut painted doors.

Illinois had great weather this visit and extremely tall corn!  The mostly green fields on arrival dried well with harvesting beginning at the end of the month.  There were a few days in the 80’s and many mid-70’s with gentle breezes, about perfect for Connie!  Perhaps 4-5 days that were overcast with 3-4 days of rain, some big puffy white clouds, and one night of 30-55 mph winds as hurricane Helene finished.

This trip Connie didn’t ‘work’ as much but did some fun volunteer things like packing backpacks and selling trolley tickets.  The backpacks have some food and snacks for the middle and high school kids that need a bit extra over the weekends.  The big area event is the Apple and Pork Festival and our church had 17 volunteers Saturday afternoon selling tickets for and riding the trolleys that shuttled people around town.  There were a few days of painting doors and trim and the more detailed edges of 5 carpet ball tables and, typical of camps, cleaning up the washer, dryer, and dryer vent. 

Connie took advantage of this trip to get our computer backed up to an external drive, did some creative cooking with camp left-overs and fresh garden produce, made some doctor appointments for our return, cleaned the stove surround panels and fan screens, tried homemade pizza (turned out good!), and moved shirt sleeve buttons for John (didn’t get to the mending however).  With a home base we have to think about what to pack for travel and realized we didn’t have our homemade laundry soap with us.  The first time at camp we used some of theirs and couldn’t get the scent out of the trailer for 2 weeks.  We finally remembered to buy some soap and spent a long time looking for powdered unscented, finally settling on a liquid with a very light fragrance; we can now sympathize with people with soap allergies!

Good news, bad news – we took our truck in to the local dealer to have the fuel filter changed.  Our fuel gauge hasn’t been working well and occasionally the check engine light will come on so they ran diagnostics and found some major repairs (gas sensor, turbo chargers, further investigation) will be coming up in the near future.  We also noticed possible tire bulging; they checked and the tread is still ok but we will need new tires likely within a year as well.

Early in the month we moved the RV to a ‘permanent’ site with sewer and found some boards to shove under the wheels that didn’t touch the ground after leveling.  We tried a couple of combinations of shower heads, hoping to improve the water pressure, and ended up with the larger one we’ve carried with us for a few years.  The stair rail bracket was measured, replacements bought, and installed; no more wobbly railing!  Connie’s phone died yet again forcing the decision to switch carriers so she could use a phone we had.  After a few calls and a trip into town she was able to have service to ‘publish’ last months newsletter; so far, we’ve had good reception and hot spot access. 

John had varied tasks working at the pool building, the basement of ‘Self-Control’ (dining hall), the director’s home, Three Oaks Lodge, and a dock on the lake.  The doors and trim of the pool building were sanded/scraped, and painted two coats with enamel paint.  The basement game area carpet ball table edges were repaired, the walls plastered (lots of little divots and a few larger areas from the balls skipping off the tables), sanded, and painted.  The director needed a new screen door which involved a complete rebuild of the frame and the lodge building needed a new door along with two coats of paint. John finished sealing the dock that a previous volunteer (a gal fulfilling community service hours) didn’t get done; she left once her hours were completed.  He was careful to not overdo, no back issues, only a bit of soreness in his knee and feet from being on cement a lot. 

Although we missed our ‘date nights’ we had many meals out with various friends.  We went to lunch at the Hornet’s Nest a bit north several times, Cracker Barrel, some meals at camp events, a home grilled meal with filet mignon and lots of fresh side dishes, and Connie was taken to ‘tea’ for lunch at La Tea Da.  One of the camp meals was before their euchre night; Connie enjoyed joining them.  John had a lunch date with the pastor and a friend that lived across from us before we went on the road.  We also caught up with friends at the Wednesday morning coffee hour at church.  More fantastic memories to store in our hearts!  We did intentionally set aside time for a Friday Date Lunch, not quite the same.

One evening Connie heard a weird screaming sound outside the RV and asked the guys about it – most likely it was a rabbit caught by a coyote; we heard the same sounds coming from multiple directions on an evening walk.  On a positive note, the humming bird feeder was filled a few times, and there was a big fat squirrel running under the RVs one afternoon.  Connie watched a different squirrel hop up a power pole across the road where he sat in an ‘x’ brace for a bit then continued to the top where he remained, flashing his tail, perhaps the designated lookout for the morning?

Back in Illinois we were close to Target and Perkins which made for a great shopping day.  The TV commercials for ‘free pie’ and having a gift card since December were influencing factors as well.  John needed a new frying pan, Connie a new swim suit, a small speaker for our spa addition, waffles now on the menu, and the elusive Wheaties to use the last bit of the gift card!  We made a long day trip to visit with John’s family, seeing his sister, aunt, and nieces/nephews.  God’s timing is always the best, we decided the date and found his cousin from California was there as well!  It was a great day, a bit of rain around lunch, and supper for 10 at the hummingbird restaurant before the drive back. 

Salty Strings was able to share some songs with our church during the senior Golden Years meeting (pastor cooked a great breakfast).  We seem to be taking more naps lately (old age??) and having more ‘no energy’ days as well.  Connie had another tunnel vision headache day and has an appointment with an eye doctor since these episodes seem to be triggered by bright light.  John was able to attend the Area Men’s meeting, have breakfast with the pastor before picking up the monthly backpack food distribution, enjoy a full afternoon of football, and walked around a car show.  Our plans are made and hotel booked for our Wisconsin trip next month. 

Connie put in many hours with recording and editing two songs (neither is complete yet).  Our song “Well Done” was getting close a year ago and she copyrighted it which locked up any further editing.  She finally found a backup copy and started the edit process again; once we get a few more parts recorded it can be finished.  Connie also recorded multiple dulcimer takes, using both dulcimers, of Frere Jacques and is about half done combining harmonies and melodies.

Lane Christian Church had another project for John as well.  He designed, made a material list, and built a “stepped platform.”  This platform sits on the steps and is removable for weddings and other events, yet allows a speaker to be elevated, visible, and closer to the congregation.  Once approved, he picked up the lumber and another church member helped get it built; we didn’t see it in use however because carpet needed to be ordered.

Our first Sunday in September we stayed at the camp with the Family Campers and an excellent message focused on Psalm 15 followed by lunch and an evening baptism.  (Header photo of morning devotions.) It was good to be back to our ‘home’ church and Sunday School the rest of the month and reconnect with friends here (along with lots of fresh produce).  We did travel into Lincoln, IL one evening for a mission presentation/fund raiser.  A couple we met in volunteer ministry are on the board of this ministry to the Pokot people in Kenya and invited us to join them. 

Our Thought for the Month:  So often we lead busy lives instead of wise ones.  Wisdom is using the opportunities we have to touch the lives of others, how we live our lives.

“One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right,
only to become poor.” Proverbs 11:24 CSB

Please keep us in your prayers . . . and THANKS for catching up with our adventures!

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

ONLINE DONATIONS via PayPal through our web site

TRAVEL PLANS AND UPCOMING LOCATIONS

• October 4-6 – Wisconsin motel; birthday party/family gatherings, visiting friends
• October 8-9 – Travels back to Mississippi, Rental repairs, Guest room
• December-February 2025 – Tentative SOWER Projects, French Camp MS, ABC LA ????

“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

Praises – All of God’s blessings to us including our health; devoted church families around us

Prayers – Mower repairs and/or grinding wheel for sharpening blades; good insurance agent for auto, RV, and rental property

“Consider the kind of extravagant love the Father has lavished on us – He calls us children of God!  It’s true; we are His beloved children.  And in the same way the world didn’t recognize Him, the world does not recognize us either.  My loved ones, we have been adopted into God’s family; and we are officially His children now . . .”
1 John 3:1-2a  VOICE

Hello to our family, friends, and followers:

Our addition was very close to being finished at the end of the month.  The contractor had it mostly enclosed on the 3^rd; completed the trenching, main panel, wiring, and outlets; metal roof; luan wall board; and the door, exhaust vent and air conditioner are installed.  The siding and insulation are almost complete.  John was very busy locating and hand digging around the sewer lines for the wire trench, stripping and connecting some heavy wires, installing the heater and swim spa boxes, disconnecting the electric from the house panel, and repairing the consequential broken sink drain.  Together we made many decisions (mostly in agreement) about locations for almost everything.  

The multi-purpose area has progressed rapidly this month.  We removed several old carpet sections to make permanent homes for storage.  John modified an existing door and frame, cut the opening, and we now have a door joining the two rooms!  We participated in the Marketplace merry-go-round losing some beautiful cabinets to a bulldozer (we were about 5 miles from home on our way to get them when the text came through showing the unexpected dozer with building flattened), finding cabinets much cheaper but with more work needed, and getting the ‘high priority’ work bench from north Memphis.  Counter top was purchased on the 29^th and one set of upper and lower cabinets are in place.  Painting was finished for these areas, and the ‘kitchenette’ area is being prepared for the last of the cabinets.

Most of July seemed to be ‘heat index’ days with high humidity and temperatures in the upper 90’s.  Most of these warning days would start by 10 am, with feels like temperatures of 105; some days it would still feel like 100 at 7 pm!  Connie managed but had a few ‘inside only’ days.  There were several mild thunder storms bringing heavy downpours as well as almost a week of rain.  Our bathroom ceiling fan leaked twice (only happens when rain velocity and direction combine magically) and Connie finally got John to move the tarp over some wood under the tongue of the trailer so there was no more dripping sound keeping her awake at night!  We had our second tornado warning this year, John watched the skies and heavy rain from our new porch, and we enjoyed an evening walk with bit of a cooler breeze.  Our shopping trips managed to avoid heavy rain except the morning we had our driver’s license photos (thankfully it was the first stop).  There were four stops in and out with light rain; Connie arrived back home with really frizzy hair!!  We are official MISSISSIPPI residents now, with voter registration cards, but still have to get our insurance changed.

The first of the month is always busy with music trips.  We remain part of the dulcimer club with two practice afternoons, two hours at the visitor’s center, and three care facility programs (followed by lunch) all before the 18^th.  The first Wednesday was music for the senior group and the last two Sundays we were able to provide the worship music at Journey Church.  We became bold this month and took the dulcimers to our church booth for the July 4^th celebration in Jacinto a mile down the road.  It was a glorious sunny, blue sky, HOT day so we (Connie) didn’t stay very long.

We had some interesting visitors to our addition at home; one was ready for the hot tub, the other remained on the porch. Summertime churches typically, in our experience, have plenty of fresh produce from gardens; no garden produce in the south but, this month there were lots of free eggs!  We were able to visit Cross Point Church for Sunday School and worship in Iuka once this month with the other Sundays at Journey Community Church, part of the Freewill Baptist Association.  The Pastor and several others attended the National Convention in Florida and we provided the worship music while they were gone.  We also participated in several evening services as well.  One Wednesday evening with another couple, we drove a bit, had supper at JT’s Bar and Grill, and attended an evening service in one area of the establishment – there were laser lights flashing and we all wore ear plugs, but the music and message were excellent! 

The end of the month brought our first home health visit from our insurance company.  It was interesting, we got a few pointers, and of course the expected “you really should” information.  We thank God that He has kept us healthy all these years and consider our few aches, pains, and heat struggles as minor inconveniences as we look around us.  There have been a few unambitious, unmotivated, weak feeling days and some new aches from exercising more.  John has had a few stiff back days, and banged his thumb/wrist under the house while pulling some wire early in the month.  His nail is still there but not looking any better.  Connie sleeps poorly when it is so hot, and was too tired to drive home one evening since John doesn’t like night driving.  She easily gets over heated and has to rest inside, seems to attract biting ants, and had another episode of ‘sun spot’ eyes turning into a migraine early this month.

Tuesday, July 23, is a date we will remember for a long time, official MISSISSIPPI residents and our first ‘swim’ experience!  After having lunch Sunday with our church friends, three big guys came over and moved the beast about 2” on one corner so the swim spa cover would clear the ceiling.  Then we started adding water – about half full after 3.5 hours.  Monday it was filled and starting to heat; it went from 72 to 78 degrees by 7 pm.  Now it’s nice and warm at 90 degrees, John has found his groove, and Connie is exercising in the water and improving (but still struggling) her regular swim stroke.  While one is swimming, the other enjoys the spa jets.  We have found the west setting sun does shine in the widows, wish our east windows were a bit taller, and have had some thunder booms as we swim. 

Connie had another busy month both inside the RV and outside working on projects.  Inside work included ordering spa supplies and an exhaust fan, sorting multiple canisters of screws/nuts/bolts, and getting worship music ready.  She greatly enjoyed refining the chorizo sausage balls, making some brownie bites and chocolate chip cookies, marinating potatoes for air fryer fries, re-typing a Books of the Bible brain teaser to include an answer sheet, and defrosting our refrigerator (ice builds up under the refrigerator drawers).  The newsletter was finally finished after one of our sons got us reconnected!  There were some failures as well, onions were cut up for freezing while John was away having breakfast out, but the smell was still too strong when he returned, and spaghetti that was started early for supper ended up a bit mushy after it sat too long.

On our projects work Connie became a locksmith a few times, piecing together old knob parts for the addition door knob, a temporary inside door knob, and eventually installing a new privacy lock.  It was great having ‘power’ in the addition through extension cords under the new doorway!  She was an electrician a few times as well, turning outlets upside down (to accommodate big built-in GFCI cords that hang down) but quit after rewiring a GFCI outlet that worked until pushing it back into the box when sparks flew and fuses blew!  There were two wall sections where old paneling seams were mudded, sanded, and painted two coats in preparation for cabinets and a work bench.  Our used cabinets ($100 for all) needed to be cleaned and sanded inside (Connie’s way of quickly removing any debris) and both the swim spa and hot tub were wiped down, ready for use. 

John organized and put things ‘sort of’ away as cabinets were installed, helped tie up old carpet and pad for the trash bin, burned a bunch of brush and old boxes, did lots of sweeping and vacuuming, mowed and trimmed a few times (although our lawn mower is losing power now and blades are dull), made several walks alone with a few in the woods, had some great naps, and gave some great reviews for Connie’s cooking experiments!  The cabinets required some repairs that included making a new drawer front after hard-wiring his router, replacing the large base cabinet rotted sink floor, and adding a high shelf to the upper cabinets.  His new work bench is a metal cabinet which he quickly cleaned up and spray painted; we rushed to get it back inside when it started to rain. 

We remained faithful to our Friday night outings with other couples from Cross Point Church in Iuka, once at a couple’s home including another music jam, finger foods, and homemade Kit-Kat ice cream; we took the hammer dulcimer this time.  We became unofficial Johnson Family members for their annual reunion held at a beautiful State Park on the Tennessee River, again with hammer dulcimer and another jam session.  Some of our construction workers enjoyed our green apples along with the squirrels who found our extra yard plug made an excellent table.  One of our shopping trips included a Marketplace metal cart on wheels purchase which is very handy now for tools; it will be under the kitchenette counter eventually for movable storage when we access the crawl space.  A few of our longer work breaks we enjoyed some movies, usually with ice cream, finding “Man’s Best Friend” to be quite enjoyable (about a military service dog). 

July Devotion Thoughts:
> The word “if” is conditional. There is a choice. <
> Warren Wiersbe writes, “God wants to bless His people. He wants them to be recipients and channels of blessing. God blesses us to make us a blessing to others.” > Reason acknowledges; faith believes. <

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.  Keep your mouth free of perversity, keep corrupt talk far from your lips.  Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.  Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.  Proverbs 4:23-26 NIV

Thanks for traveling with us and being part of our family too!

John and Connie Nicholas
Salty Strings Music Ministry
Contact Information:
Mail:  John & Connie Nicholas
Salty Strings Music Ministry
NEW ADDRESS:  30A Hwy 367Burnsville, 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 21-26 – Travel, visit friends in Carlinville, IL
• August 26-October 8 – Travel, Little Galilee Christian Camp, volunteer, family visits
• August 28 and 30 – Salty Strings at Jolly Seniors and St. Anne’s, Lincoln, IL
• October 4-6 – Wisconsin motel; birthday party/family gatherings, visiting friends
• October 8-9 – Travel back to Mississippi

Praises – RV service techs on own time to help us out; Trailer is rented to a young family; No damages from wind gusts and heavy rain; Faithfulness of God to His children.

Prayers – Small drill press; grinding wheel for sharpening mower blades in place; floor steam cleaner; addition electric and finish work completed.

“So we do not give up.  Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day.  We have small troubles for a while now, but they are helping us gain an eternal glory.  That glory is much greater than the troubles.  So we set our eyes not on what we see but on what we cannot see.  What we see will last only a short time.  But what we cannot see will last forever.”  2 Corinthians 4:16-18 International Children’s Bible

Hello to our followers, friends, and family:

June weather, at least this year, was hot, humid, hotter, and more humid!  There was one morning we had our little heater on for the morning chill and the day was great as long as you were out of the sun.  John took many walks alone with Connie sticking her head out the door and declaring it was still too hot and muggy at 7:30pm.  Thunderstorms were around a few days bringing some wind and heavy rain at times but nothing threatening.

John found lots of things to keep busy this month.  He does well in the heat and humidity and could enjoy his time on the mower and clearing some of our jungle woods.  After borrowing an electric (battery) pole saw, he found it worked well on branches and some of the vines so we went shopping for our own.  Our timing was right and after looking at other brands we found Lowes had the Ego brand on sale so we were able to get the saw and a trimmer attachment for slightly less than our budget.  Back to the woods he went and the trimmer made the vines and ground growth much easier!  He wanted an extra battery but his battery needs to be charged about the same time as the tool does!!

Our addition progress was slow and stressful, not knowing when the contractor would be here or what would be accomplished.  Our leaky wall continued to be a headache until John finally used several coats of flex-seal.  The windows are in place, the roof is up, and almost everything is covered with wrap.  Electric boxes have been slapped in place, 811 was contacted twice for the all clear to bury cable, and the final payment on the spa and hot tub was made, received too late, and wire transferred.  There is still lots to be done, but the finish line is in sight.

Connie has had many days of research, ordering, and physical shopping trips this month.  UPS actually paid some attention to the delivery instructions and found us.  Another package arrived on our neighbor’s porch, and a third on the porch of the rental house.  There was a leisurely “window shopping” trip thinking ahead for needed items for our spaces, and another with the sole purpose of getting John a battery pole saw/trimmer for weed and brush clearing.    For a change, Connie splurged and used our 15% off air conditioner savings to purchase a small toaster oven.  She has wanted one for quite some time and it was tested the next day with homemade French fries and convection oven pudding cake, yummy!  Our longest trip was to Muscle Shoals and Florence Alabama where John stopped at a guitar shop, we purchased our electrical wire, and stopped at a Habitat Restore looking for cabinets.  The restore had some nice exterior doors (not pre-hung however) and we got some plastic saw horses and a folding table, no cabinets.

We had a few surprises with the RV this month!  Our large awning, the one just replaced, wouldn’t roll in one evening (June 7).  We checked the weather and tried again the next day, waited until Monday morning and called to see what could be done.  Eventually a service technician came on his own time, checked it out, and ordered a new motor and switch.  Keep in mind we had to get it tied down for wind and empty the new fabric as rain accumulated as well as a constant eye on the weather and many, many prayers.  When all parts came in there was another delay for his helper to recover from a flu bug, and again on their own time, the parts were installed (June 28) and our awning works.  So many answered prayers and helpful hands getting the tie-downs tight, the awning angled better for rain, and no damage to the frame.

As we were in bed and reading that same night (about 9:15pm) there was a pop and whooshing sound – the new toilet valve blew its spring and water was pouring out all over the bathroom floor, into the hall, and around the corner to the bedroom!  We grabbed towels, John quickly dressed and headed outside to turn off the water, and about an hour later we were back in bed with clean floors and gallon jugs of water for flushing.  The next day John put a toilet shut-off valve in the line so we would have water for the rest of the RV and now live with a manual flush system until the it goes in for the back-ordered items from our May repairs.

Salty Strings had a busy month again, mostly with the great people in the dulcimer club.  There were three care facilities (of course lunch as well), and one practice evening.  We led the worship three Sundays at Journey Church, and shared seven songs with Cross Point Church in Iuka on their Testimony and Song Sunday.  Journey Church had a Sunday afternoon “homecoming service” where another group (Sweet Peace) shared beautiful harmonies, and we shared a few with Connie on the organ and one song with another singer and piano.  Of course, when you are a ‘group’ that means practice!  With all the special events, potlucks happen and we made lots of deviled eggs.  We planned some songs for the SALT senior group again this month and accompanied the leaders to Jack’s for ice cream after.

The addition and renovation, although frustrating, kept John busy as well.  There were nails to pull, lumber to be stacked (and moved), the last of the framing and drywall cleared out, attic floor pieced in as needed getting ready for running wires, and getting a different bathroom door ‘hung’ (it was a bi-fold, now a solid door put in a slightly crooked angle wall).  He removed the wall bottom and insulation where water had soaked up from the leaky cement, and eventually spread flex-seal along the crack and up the outside to stop the leaks.  Lots of sweeping too – rain water puddles on the cement and dried mud footprints preparing for our delivery.  His saw found its way to the porch to be used several times, and he completed a second dulcimer music stand with a few upgrades (Connie gets to use the new and improved one).

Connie kept trying to find things to do that would keep her out of the heat.  The multi-purpose room is air conditioned, however it is quite unorganized and cluttered from the leaks along the wall.  There were many days vacuuming up water from the cement and carpet pad pieces used to soak up the water before it spread further, typically 2-8 gallons after a rain.  There were other days removing more wet carpet, pad, and tack strips.  She would like to use the cement floor with area rugs in this area, however glue residue remains as well as holes from where the tack strips were nailed in.  She did lots of research, tried ceramic sanding discs, scraping, an orbital diamond blade, vinegar, and other concoctions with lots of effort and no results.  She did flip our bathroom light switch around (so up turned on the light rather than down), spackled a few wall holes until giving up working around the clutter, and removed the new window stickers in the addition.  Mid-month she moved several wheel barrels of wood from behind the trailer to our wood pile, carefully avoiding the few bits of poison ivy where the wood was stacked.  Connie’s not a ‘shopper’ so researching, ordering, and buying lots of big-ticket items this month was very stressful for both of us! 

Many times this month we have wondered if being ‘owners’ was the right decision!  Off and on all month have been problems, solutions, different problems, and wondering where our peaceful lives on the road went.  Our house renters received a new washer then reported they had a mouse infestation, so John sprayed around the foundation, emptied their sticky trap, and set two traps in the multi-purpose room.  Our trailer rental family moved in and within a few days they had some problems that included a bathroom door that wouldn’t latch, a wobbly ceiling fan, and the HVAC not keeping up with the heat.  The door was fixed promptly and a window air conditioner was put in to help with the heat; we are still waiting for the installing company to figure out why the unit is not keeping up.

We have had lots of fellowship this month as well.  The dulcimer club continues to be enjoyable as well as the lunches, there have been two church potlucks (one with homemade ‘Wendys Frosty ice cream), a date night home-cooked meal with music jam and homemade peach ice cream, two other Friday date nights, and some breakfasts and lunches with church friends.  We are very blessed and know we can openly share our frustrations and concerns with any of them, anytime.

Finally, after many calls and construction delays, our delivery day arrived.  Saturday June 29, another of our many heat warning days with the heat index at 105 all afternoon and no breeze to come through the open windows, a crew of 4 young people arrived at 3:15pm.  They backed up their trailer in just right, unloaded and positioned our spa and hot tub, added the tie down snaps for the covers, assembled the stairs, cleared their debris, and left in an hour!  Amazing watching them maneuver the big spa with a couple of dollies and two pieces of 5” PVC pipe.  Being young and strong, the hot tub slid off the trailer onto a mat that was easily pulled into place.  Although we can slide the tub (empty) we put a lot more effort into it.

Since we are above the age for Medicare, we are awaiting our first annual home health visit and making lists of possible ageing problems.  (John turned around quickly in our music room one afternoon and ran into the wall and Connie made several comments to a sales clerk about it being Tuesday when it was really Wednesday, how’s that for ageing?)  Thankfully we are healthy and not on any medications, but we also know we should be taking better care of ourselves.  There have been many days that we are not very productive, sometimes we both feel drained and tired; exercise and swimming should help a lot.  Connie has some concerns with heat and/or stress related nausea and headaches.  Twice this month she has been attacked with the ‘swirly eye leading to migraine-type headache’ that slows her down as well as being painful!  John has been up unable to sleep for about an hour several nights this month, and had an upset stomach for about 3 days.  His back and knees are usually sore after a long day, and we are hoping a doctor will ok our spa as therapeutic which will allow us a health deduction for taxes. 

Other unrelated tidbits of information from June:  Our humming bird feeder is up, and after a few weeks of few visitors, we have dogfights and heavy drinkers now.  Dragon flies seem to be drawn to our truck antenna and squirrels continue their acrobatics to pick apples to nibble on.  We worked together to find a sunny permanent home for the lilac bush and slid the wheel barrow size hasta plant into a shady depression until it can be split and put in permanent locations – after a bit of watering both are doing well, and we have our wheel barrow back to use!  There has been a hawk soaring and landing in our back yard (hopefully looking for mice) and a pair of yellow robin-size birds flying into the office windows and occasionally around the humming bird feeder – haven’t been able to identify them yet, warblers or thrashers perhaps.  Connie modified her sausage ball recipe and used half chorizo making John very happy.  Last, we found the tree by our swing (and several more in the woods) is a mimosa with silky beautiful blossoms.

This has been a challenging month, spiritually.  There have been times when things didn’t go very well, lots of little arguments between us as we made decisions ‘how to do’ things, and we tended to get caught up in this world questioning and challenging God.  A devotion pointed out the literal words from Hebrew for “this is the day the Lord has made” is “this is the day on which the Lord has acted.”  Such wisdom, God has acted and will continue to act every day of our lives.  Even when Walmart online says “item available for pick up the next day” and it isn’t (rental air conditioner) the mail brings a sale flyer with 15% off that starts the next day.  Another time there was a pouring rain east of home, it quit, we detoured through town to pick up our second air conditioner and were in a downpour again west of home – we were concerned expecting more puddles yet on arrival there had been no rain, all was safe and dry.  God has acted, and we thank Him for His faithfulness especially this month.   

A few thoughts from devotions this month:
Every time I said “I will” to Jesus but didn’t, Jesus said “I will” to me and did.
Snowflakes grow only after they are attached to a ‘particle’ of pollution in the atmosphere, as do pearls.  Whatever has polluted your life can be put at the center of something beautiful in the hands of our merciful God.

Only God turns the messiness of coming through trials into a message of His power:
“Look, we bless and honor the memory of those who persevered under hardship.  Remember how Job endured and how the Lord orchestrated the triumph of his final circumstances as a grand display of His mercy and compassion.”  James 5:11 VOICE

Until next month – 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
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

• July-part of August – Burnsville MS property upgrades
• August – October – Tentative Illinois/Wisconsin, SOWER Project, family visits
• August 28 and August 30 – Music in Lincoln, IL

Praises – Found trailer tenants, a family with a dog; Safe travel and a great vacation with family in Virginia; God’s beauty all around

Prayers – Safe and timely completion of addition; Nothing else goes wrong with RV, truck, rentals, etc.; Music ministry opportunities

“You are the salt of the earth . . . You are the light that shines for the world to see . . . Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:13-16 Easy-To-Read Version

Hello to our followers, family, and friends:

John had a busy month, mostly enjoyable although a lot of work.  He spent a few days with yard work; mowing (when it wasn’t too soggy), weeds, and clearing thorny brush from the woods.  There was a lot of hauling between the multi-purpose room and shed then from the RV to the multi-purpose room; instruments, tools, pantry food, anything in the way or heat sensitive while it was repaired.  There was a bit of sorting going on as well, finding a few “lost” things and piles for Good Will, scrap metal, and junk.  He pulled his saw to the new porch concrete, modified a door for the bathroom, and we hung that.  He had several days pulling up wet carpet, pad, and tack strips from concrete in the multi-purpose room from rain seeping inside.  

Our renovation and addition progress was quite slow, mostly due to the rainy weather.  Our delivery date for the hot tub and swim spa is 6/28 with lots to be finished first.  We moved things off the common wall to avoid water damage, and kept two ceiling fans running to help it dry out after repeated rainfalls.  Many details for the addition room are now finalized, we know what is needed for electric runs, and 811 has been called “before we dig.”  On our return home from vacation, we found evidence of mice in one area – we mistakenly put some edibles in the multi-purpose room while away.  Our mice prefer Ferrero Rocher Raffaello white chocolate hazelnut cream and purple tootsie pops! 

Salty Strings was not very busy this month.  No church music, only a few songs for the senior meeting.  John found a dulcimer club however, and we joined them at the Natchez Trace visitor center west of Tupelo.  They play for 2 hours the first Saturday of the month as a large group made up from area smaller clubs, it was fun and interesting.  We then connected with the smaller dulcimer club in Booneville that gathers twice a month and joined them as they entertained for an hour at a nursing rehab center, getting to know them better at lunch.  Many have “music stands” for the music they use; John took a few pictures then gathered leftover scraps and made one for Connie to use. 

Connie made a trip alone to town for shopping and picking up ‘her’ block window order.  She had quite a few hours tearing out wet carpet and pad (eventually wising up and using the shop vac); putting ceiling fan blades back after misplacing the piece that goes against the ceiling; removing the wallpaper (peel and stick kind) border, anchor bolts, and screws from a few walls; and some organizing and sorting, including the containers of miscellaneous screws, nuts, bolts, etc.  She helped John a bit and carried a few loads of RV things, instruments, and refrigerator items to the trailer refrigerator before taking it in for repairs.  John was delighted and snapped a photo of her practicing harp one afternoon.   

One of John’s adventures this month was working with a church friend at Camp Morganwood east of Tupelo.  The guys spent a day preparing the “ark” to be moved and straightened.  The church work day included help from several others to move and level the ark as much as possible then installing new accessories and a coat of paint.  We put his saws and tools in the truck the night before and covered it with some plastic for the dew.  It was great to help this small camp with some tools and about 24 hours of labor!

We hooked up our RV and were ready to take it in for diagnosis when the hydraulic system went crazy.  We finally were able to use a drill to manually (1/4” at a time) pull in 1 ½ slides and raise the jacks.  By this time it was after noon so we had some lunch, did some shopping, and came back for the diagnosis and price, ouch.  The bedroom a/c started leaking again and John was able to take it apart, cleaned it a bit, and cleared the plugged drain hole to save a bit off the repair bill.  We planned to leave it for a week while going to Virginia, but that turned into 2 weeks.  The day after we received this news Connie’s devotion was something like “While the Lord’s timing might not be yours, remember that His is perfect – He is never late, and nothing hinders His plans.”  That was absolute confirmation we needed to spend more time with our family and quit worrying about things out of our control.  We got a call informing us there was an incident over the holiday weekend that put a few dents and rip in the skirting, hopefully that is only cosmetic.  Our trip back was by faith, unsure if it would be done until noon the final travel day.  We arrived, paid the bill, hooked up, and were home by 6pm for microwave pot pies and veggies.

May was a month of decisions, planning, and travel.  We were gone the last half of the month, during RV repairs, on vacation with family in Fredericksburg, VA.  We dropped off the RV and started our travels at 9am the 16^th, arriving at 4:45pm the next day.  It was great traveling without the RV, although we spent what seemed like hours in stop and go traffic getting through Knoxville along with traffic delays from an accident.  Our hotel room was huge with speedy internet and cookies, coffee, and cocoa to supplement our cooler leftovers. 

Our time with our son, daughter-in-law, and grand-daughter in Fredericksburg, VA was very enjoyable.  We received the grand tour of their new home and stayed in the guest room, almost as large as our RV, with attached bath in the basement.  They took us to church with them where we enjoyed the beauty of their sanctuary along with a wonderful organ.  We were driven through some historic areas, ate out a few times (a neat German restaurant in an old train depot, and Freddy’s burgers), and helped out with a few things in their new home.  They have a great front porch with rocking chairs that we enjoyed especially in the mornings, mellow wind chimes, watching blue birds and a large Northern Flicker, and the wooded views behind the house (at least one deer appeared on the camera after they were put up). 

While in Virginia there were three big parties – their open house/anniversary, a double birthday party, and another birthday party – and lots of food; grilled fajitas, chicken legs, hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta, and lots of watermelon.  Connie braved samples of a few “too spicy” things and enjoyed Agua de Horchata, a Mexican rice drink flavored with cinnamon or hibiscus tea (tart, cranberry-like flavor and deep-magenta color).  Two of the extended family have outdoor pools where our son and grand-daughter entered the chilly water for the first time this year.  Our 3 almost 4-year-old grand-daughter was quite active, full of lots of emphatic “no” answers, grouchy after some of the party days, and threw a few tantrums reminding us of our parenting days!  We thought we were fairly well in shape with our evening walks, then our subdivision walks began and we got fairly winded going up and down hills!  Alone or with family, grand-daughter in tow walking or on her bike (with a handle for adults to help push and steer), it was always uphill at the end and great exercise.  

After a week delay and the Memorial Day weekend we headed home on a Tuesday with a three-day schedule this time.  The first night was in Abingdon, VA with a relaxed Italian meal providing leftovers for day 2.  We left mid-morning to try to avoid delays in Knoxville, had our lunch at a rest area, drove past a church we looked at to buy a few years ago, and did get slowed down going through Chattanooga with stop and go traffic.  We made good time, even hit 20 miles per gallon!  Our second night was in Scottsboro, AL with reheated leftovers for supper.  Day 3 we planned on walking around a park in Huntsville but had problems with the QR scanning to pay for parking.  We left and went to a guitar shop then on to the Lowe Mill, an old set of factory buildings converted to arts and crafts spaces.  We chatted with a guitar luthier, cigar box dulcimer maker, stopped by a pottery studio, and looked through the windows at Cattyshack adoptions with “escape artist” kittens before stopping for a late lunch at Steak ‘N Shake and rushing to the RV center.   

There were many frustrations this month.  Connie’s phone was sent in for repair and arrived back the day after we left for Virginia.  We missed the National Day of Prayer at our nearby town of Jacinto getting the RV diagnosed.  On our way to Sunday School a truck went through a stop sign right in front of us, John ran down the hill and tweaked his back, no injuries, and we were late with an unbelievable excuse.  The washer in our rental house is not spinning out fully, and didn’t get any better while we were gone.  John’s phone hotspot/internet drastically slowed down, stressful when you can’t get the information you want (or watch a good movie). Rain, and more rain, and more wet floor to clean up. And, the final straw, our truck rear slide window wouldn’t close, John taped it up for travel; it was gone for 2 days getting repaired at a Chevy dealer in Virginia needing a new switch and control unit.

There are always bright spots as well.  Connie had a beautiful, pleasant Mother’s Day talking with some of our children.  There were many special times with our family in Virginia including grandma and grand-daughter working puzzles on the computer (up to 25 pieces, she’s smart and knows what to look for).  We had a few date nights.  Connie also had time to look into pros and cons of changing to Mississippi residency – everything is favorable so we will begin address changes, titles, insurance, and licensing vehicles making us official Mississippi residents by the end of July.

A few thoughts for the month from our devotions, we hope you find them as comforting as we did:
** Hope is the absolute assurance of future good. It is also the source of peace now.
** “If we find that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”  C. S. Lewis
** True faith is not a matter of what we see with our eyes, even when we see miracles. It’s a matter of trusting God’s promises despite what our eyes see.

“May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children.  May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind.”  Psalm 115:14-16 NIV

Please keep us in your prayers . . . and THANKS for traveling with us!

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

• June-July – Burnsville MS property upgrades
• August 28 and August 30 – Music in Lincoln, IL
• August – October – Tentative Illinois/Wisconsin, SOWER Project/family visits

. . . make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”  1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV

Praises – Thank the Lord today for all His Hand has provided; Mississippi property starting to feel like home, settling in a bit perhaps; good renters in the house

Prayers –Trailer renter needed; keep us humble and our attitudes on course to bless others; RV repairs; travel to family in Virginia; safety for our contractor and workers

Hello to our followers, family, and friends:

For those who may be confused or new to our travels, we own property in northeast Mississippi that includes two large RV sites, a trailer (mobile home), a house, an addition to the house we refer to as our multi-purpose room, and now a “porch” addition to the multi-purpose room is in process.  (If you weren’t confused before you probably are now.)  We are trying to modify our language to use these terms so even we know what we are talking about!

One of our first trips in April was to get our “real” mailing address from the county 911 office.  We purchased stickers for the mailboxes, John installed our box, and at least the post office will know where the mail goes.  Years ago, the mobile home/trailer was moved to the other side of the house causing confusion with the numbers being out of order, so we added large numbers to the house and trailer (deliveries now have a chance of going to the right place).  Early in the month we cleaned up our storm shelter berm and planted wildflower seeds and two lavender plants; everything is growing well and we’re seeing some purple blooms.  John picked up lots of yard debris and helped Connie with the marigold seed around the pussy willow tree, hoping the cage can be removed and the deer will leave it alone; these seeds are not doing so well from the heavy rains.  By the end of the month, we had to dig up a beautiful large hasta and the lilac bush; they remain in the wheelbarrow and a large pot until the porch is finished.

The trailer eviction process was court approved giving us access to start cleaning and repairs mid-month.  The few minor repairs included re-gluing vinyl seams, tightening the plumbing under the kitchen sink, and patching a hole in a wall.  Lots of cleaning, spackling nail holes, some paint touch-up, a few new floor grates, and we added weather strip around the doors.  We kept the curtains they left, stabilized the rods, took a box of things to Goodwill, and finally changed the locks.

Praise the Lord – renters were found for the house and they moved in the end of March. We met them and their 10-month-old puppy early in April and helped them disassemble their dining room table to get it inside where we put it back together for them.

Connie is starting to get used to not having a phone!  After getting the first replacement phone set up and functional on April 3 it “froze up” again on the 26^th.  Frustration, of course, then acceptance and a good attitude while spending an afternoon with the provider and manufacturer for warranty service. 

John kept busy this month.  His main task of hooking up the washer/dryer sounds easy, but he had to plan the drain, modify the capped off plumbing for a sink in the future, get the electric plug wired up, and crawl around under the house.  All was going well, parts purchased, progress made until “oops” the drain ‘T’ went the wrong way!  After a trip to town, all was finished up, unit leveled, and the trial run went great with no leaks.  He got a new machete to chop some brush in the woods, mowed a few times, dug out a metal post to replant for our mailbox, and took out drywall and some framing in preparation for the addition main beam.

Salty Strings was active again this month, nothing generating income, but we are a blessing to others and we are blessed when we share our music.  Sunday mornings we were playing along, bringing special music, or leading worship.  The monthly SALT (Senior Adults Living Triumphantly) meeting and worship practices were enjoyable, and Connie brought our keyboard one morning and used our chromatic dulcimer which requires her to practice a bit more.  We had a last-minute call asking us to provide music for a Friday afternoon at the Corinth Park for the Autism Run Registration.  We agreed and prepared several 45-minute sets.  It turned out to be slightly over an hour since other musicians were found, in sunny 84 degrees very windy weather.  The “covered” stage turned out to be a non-level (until we arrived) flatbed with a canopy rigged up giving a bit of shade.  The wind gusts were strong enough to blow down the hammer dulcimer (safely cushioned with Connie’s hand under the edge as it fell).  We decided many years ago not to do outside concerts if it is not above 65 degrees and only with sun protection; now we’ve added hot, windy, and humid to our criteria. 

April showers – plenty of those along with thunder and some hard, driving rain.  Like everyone after a few days of clouds, the beautiful sky and sunshine always lift our spirits.  A few nights with heaters, and many more with air conditioning on all night.  We caught a glimpse of the solar eclipse through the clouds, and had some evening sunset walks around the driveway.  Blue birds were passing through, a male cardinal hung around a few days, and we have squirrels in the woods swinging the tree branches (haven’t seen any before).  The driveway edge erosion is cutting deeper, and we think some of our seeds are buried too deep to grow.  Such is the cycle of life.

In our past there were several years of going to the YMCA pool to swim 2-3 times a week along with a small hot tub at home.  As we get achy-er and older we were looking to the future and dreaming of a pool for exercising and another hot tub.  After reviewing our finances and property layout, we made down payments on a swim spa and hot tub at an expo last month.  They allowed us to come back and try out the stationary swimming, John was like a fish back in water, and Connie enjoyed the experience as well.  This, of course, changed our plans and schedules for spring – we have found a contractor to build the porch addition and put in a beam to open up the multi-purpose area.

The porch leveling, framing, metal mesh, and concrete is done.  We watched as a cement block wall appeared for drainage and keeping the dirt around the storm shelter along with 2.5 of the three walls appear.  After many hours of research and grid drawings, we have a final plan for windows, doors, and electrical locations.  Being a general contractor of sorts is very demanding organizing time frames, window purchases, cash flow, and patience.  It seems there is nothing to do one day and too much to decide the next.

We were without water for 4 days, carrying water from the multi-purpose room and taking showers in the mobile home, from a break in the line when the cement workers were digging.  It sure feels good to have running water and showers in the RV!  (By the way, it takes about 2 gallons of hot water to do daily dishes if they’re not very greasy.)  In the midst of this our propane tank had to be switched over while we were cooking breakfast one morning.  Just some of the expected unexpected when you live in an RV that moves around.

We are also in the process of getting some much-needed repairs to our RV as well, taking pictures of problems to avoid packing up for a day for them to look at it.  After waiting a few weeks for them to pull together an estimate, we will have to take it to them for diagnosis next month.  In the meantime, John started cleaning things out of the under belly and moving our bikes to the shed. 

Connie was very careful clearing and planting the berm, avoiding the areas she got poison oak last year.  But, after the second round she apparently got too close, developing what she thought was a few bug bites (scratching them, of course) that spread and caused discomfort most of the month.  She had just a few slightly dizzy times and some stomach upset (likely from taxes and building financing).  John has paced himself, keeping the joints and back functioning pretty well this month.

We celebrated our 40^th wedding anniversary on our Friday Date Night with a card and some chocolates from our friends.  The Mexican restaurant thought it was Connie’s birthday, we tried to explain, and one of our friends tried to tell a waiter it was our anniversary which promptly brought out several of the waiters, singing, with a huge sombrero and plate of whip cream smooshed in Connie’s face – lots of laughs of course and disbelief.  On Sunday, our real anniversary, we shared special music in church, watched a Tom Selleck movie in the afternoon, and were treated to DQ blizzards and great fellowship after the evening study.

Connie had a good mix of mental activity and demolition work for the frustrations this month.  Taxes took several days; the final check found some missing income and we owed a LOT more than expected!   There was financial planning, filing, and ‘blue print’ drawings for the addition and remodel work.  Demolition included using the pick ax to loosen drywall and pulling nails; some reorganization and cleaning leaves from culverts finished off the physical labor.  She really enjoys not having to plan a laundry day with our washer/dryer now working.

Our addition multi-purpose room still needs more organizing, but we have the drywall and some framing out of the center.  John made several wheel barrow trips to the driveway to dump drywall pieces over the edge, and spent a day pulling nails for recycled lumber.  Connie did a lot of the drywall removal, getting rid of frustration (John now knows why she wanted a pick ax!).  There were many days we were both sore, tired, and dirty.

We took a Sunday afternoon to go about an hour south to visit with a friend at the mid-point of his addiction rehab.  He is searching his Bible, not necessarily enjoying the program, but aware this is where he needs to be, and has 3 months to go before having to face the world again.  It made us aware of all the blessings we have, and that our feelings may be real but not necessarily ‘true.’  We all so easily bend the truth to fit what we want; we are thankful for this visit to open our eyes to the reality that many others face.

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:20b NIV

Tune in again next month for our progress and plans!

John and Connie Nicholas
Salty Strings Music Ministry

Contact Information:
Mail:  John & Connie Nicholas
Salty Strings Music Ministry
3916 N. Potsdam Ave. #3962
Sioux Falls, SD  57104

Phone – John 909-336-8910 or Connie 909-336-8912
Email – SaltyStrings@hotmail.com
Facebook – Salty Strings Music Ministry
Web site – SaltyStrings.com

TRAVEL PLANS AND UPCOMING LOCATIONS

• May-July – Burnsville MS property upgrades; possible travels
• May 16-25 – Travel to Fredericksburg, VA to be with family/RV work being done
• August 28 and August 30 – Music in Lincoln, IL
• August – October – Tentative Illinois/Wisconsin, SOWER Project/family visits

ONLINE DONATIONS via PayPal through our web site

Praises – Rest and time off; good travel day; house rented; walks in God’s beautiful woods; taxes almost done

Prayers – Eviction process and prayers for this young man; renter for mobile home; RV repairs; contractor for multi-purpose house room beam

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.  Titus 2:11-12  NIV

Hello to our family, friends, and followers:

Last month ended with “Life is certainly good and blessed!” and that remains true.  We had great sermons and music opportunities in the small church we have been attending, watched some interesting videos on Noah’s Ark, a wonderful Palm Sunday including branches, and Easter Sunday back with Journey Church in Mississippi!  God’s word reminded us throughout the month that we don’t have to live in fear.  Our thoughts are where irrational fears originate but followers of Jesus have power, love, and self-control to replace those fears in our minds. 

The usual monthly activities when we volunteer included an evening fire and lots of food: a few meals out together with other volunteers (Mexican, Deli, BBQ), meals at camp, and great potlucks almost every week.  Connie’s special foods for the month included cheese cake, pudding cake, homemade noodles (again), yogurt, sausage balls, and the last resort macaroni and cheese with hotdogs.  Our bedroom air conditioner acted up making the end of the bed wet while on high one hot and sunny afternoon.  John was a big help getting the newsletter almost ready to go before his Emmaus Walk.  Connie had many hours getting her new phone set up, “chatting” with agents when the phone quit working, and going a few weeks without any service while waiting for a replacement phone to arrive.  More frustration ensued as she started our taxes, organizing and tracking down receipts for all the rental property expenses, 

Continuing from February, our recording room had many hours of editing and getting reacquainted with our programs.  John recorded some new guitar parts which use a direct plug in.  We then set up for microphone recording for the autoharp.  All was well until Connie marked the song “copyright” during editing and it locked up – no more editing or recording until we had “permission” from the song owner, with no help found for how to get this permission.  Very discouraging, and ending our recording enthusiasm.

Bethlehem Camp again provided us with several meals, many leftovers, and a few chances to attend speakers and worship with groups that were there.  Their new shooting range had many visitors, based on pops we heard from the Men’s Retreat.  John was a “pilgrim” at an Emmaus Walk, sleeping in a dorm room and eating with the group, sequestered for 3.5 days to focus on personal and spiritual development.  Connie got permission to scout out the grounds and dig up spiderwort plants to transplant to Mississippi; about 10 clusters were brought with us and, as of now, are healthy in their potting soil/yellow clay dirt.

With John sequestered for a long weekend, Connie had lots of time for herself.  There was some exercise with a long walk and a bike ride, mostly uphill (how is that possible?) and a bit of plarn making (plastic bag yarn).  Almost two days were spent without talking to anyone and she found her voice became very weak.  Sunday morning brought two excellent sermons from “home” churches via the internet, and Sunday afternoon was picking up John’s bags and attending the final Emmaus Walk closing ceremony.  Once he was back to the trailer there was a gathering of friends outside before we both crashed from socializing.

John spent a lot of time under “Gilbert” dorm working with PEX plumbing.  It wasn’t fun but he had lots of above ground support and help!  Of course, when working with plumbing there is always those pesky little leaks to fix once water pressure is back.  Other volunteer work for the month included a few parts runs; finding needed wood and electrical supplies; building, painting and installing a few more bathroom doors; helping with a window replacement and concrete sidewalk; repairing a vacuum filter with an old sock; wire brushing block shower stalls for the ladies to paint; and lots of cleanup.  We were the last SOWER group of volunteers so cleanup included picking up all our tools as well as making our work areas usable for summer camps – all the lumber, equipment, paint, etc. had to be put away in various sheds.  While visiting these storage buildings John found some old ceiling fan blade holders and had the great idea to use them for some missing door handles; a little shaping and they look and work great!

Connie and another lady SOWER put their volunteer hours to use cleaning after guest visits, painting more bathroom doors, setting up for potlucks (16-20 people), putting a primer coat on 6 block showers in a dorm, and did I mention cleaning, multiple days?  It is always great when something doubtful turns out well; one morning the task Connie accepted was to replace a ceiling fan.  The old was disassembled, and while checking the wiring a loose connection was found, fixed, reassembled, and the old fan works fine now.  That day there was lots of exercise, stretching, climbing, and walking back and forth for tools.

John’s back was great this month, even with many tired days crawling around under a dorm.  His knee held up physically but with the heat and knee brace a rash started that was aggravating.  Connie has not been as good, starting the month with a morning of “swirly” eyes that turn into a migraine-type headache thankfully fading by the end of the day.  Our last week she developed a sinus cold, stuffy head, and some occasional dizziness.  By travel day she had both sides of her head stuffed up (lots of overnight snoring as well) and we kept our behind the wheel time short as we traveled.  Of course, it passed to John after we got “home” causing him to miss Easter Sunday at church.

 There are several “cottages” on the camp grounds that are maintained by their owners with volunteer help at times.  John worked on the back porch of this house, rebuilding and repairing the soggy wood, and then picked up shingle pieces from the roof replacement.  Connie helped out as well, in the kitchen, helping the owner fix an excellent meal for all the workers.  Our last week we finished up a couple of projects in the works, mainly the finish paint in the showers.

It was another busy month for Salty Strings.  We provided special music for two Sundays at Restoration UMC in Cottondale, learning a new song for Palm Sunday.  The camp had a potluck and midweek concert for St. Patrick’s Day; we worked a half-day then cooked, practiced and tuned for a wonderful evening.  We also brought some instruments for our final devotion theme of the hope that Christian believers have using our song “Well Done” for closing.  The camp, through us, hosted an evening jam session where we enjoyed fried chicken with sides and potluck desserts before going ‘round the circle of musicians.  Lots of picking, grinning, and singing in multiple styles for slightly over an hour before the crowd started dispersing.

We planned ahead, started packing things up gradually a few days before, and had a good day of travel back to our Mississippi home.  John checked the trailer and truck tires and packed up all but the electric the day before.  Connie had the inside packing almost done and the snacks and sandwiches prepared as well.  Although we planned on leaving by 8:30 there was a slight delay in getting one slide to come in.  We have been having some issues anyway, so the hesitation was expected however this time it was an awning slide cover that was full of water, starting to tear, and not rolling up with the slide.  John noticed it and had to crawl on the roof to help empty it and coax it to roll up.  Once on the road it was a fairly smooth trip, we avoided a near miss accident when a pickup truck pulling an empty trailer switched lanes and hit the brakes right in front of us (don’t think they remembered they were pulling a trailer), and managed to get to the diesel pump before running out in rural Mississippi.  Our first large yellow butterfly sighting was at the Mississippi Welcome Center when one flew up from behind John’s hat.  We arrived around 5:15 to easy parking and set up and were ready for TV by 6 pm; what a great parking spot!

After getting set up for the night we realized we still had weak access to internet for some relaxing television our first night, however Connie had to go without her usual tablet games and devotions before bed.  John’s phone was switched to ATT service and that is working great here.  We set up his hotspot the next day and have all the luxuries now.  We still have a phone booster to connect if needed once Connie gets her phone (Verizon network).  Our first trip out was to the post office in Burnsville to check on getting an address and mailbox for us since the house is now rented.  We made a second trip out that evening, joining our other couples here for Friday Date Night.  It was wonderful to reconnect and enjoy their company again.

Florida weather in March is unpredictable, much like spring anywhere.  Several rainy days, a few very windy days, a few very pleasant days, and one hot humid day marked by Connie’s frizzy hair.  We had a thunder storm in the early evening with heavy rain and some very close lightening followed by huge booms.  One shopping day we had sprinkles leaving the camp, rain in Bonifay (FL) for lunch, and sunshine on our way home from Dothan (AL) shopping!  Our few days back in northeast Mississippi were overcast, slightly cooler, and from our living room window the apple tree in full blossom surrounded by big yellow butterflies.  Connie enjoyed our swing with a bit of sunshine and a book, and again marveled at so many butterflies and apple blossoms; always bringing a smile and thankfulness for the beauty of God’s creation.

QUOTE FOR THE MONTH:  Mark Twain said, “Don’t complain or talk about your problems; 80% of people don’t care, and the other 20% think you probably deserve them.”

He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds (a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy), yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.  Ecclesiastes 3:11 AMPC

Thanks for traveling with us and being part of our family too!

John and Connie Nicholas ~ Salty Strings Music Ministry

Contact Information:
Mail:  John & Connie Nicholas
Salty Strings Music Ministry
3916 N. Potsdam Ave. #3962
Sioux Falls, SD  57104

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

• March 28-July 31 – Burnsville MS property upgrades; possible travels
• August 1-26 – Wisconsin Tentative SOWER Project and family visits
• August 27-September ?? – Clinton, IL – Little Galilee volunteer work