Work and Play!

 Feb. 13 - March 5, 2021

When we retired, Dick and I agreed that we wanted to travel as well as volunteer.  One of the volunteer opportunities we found is NOMADS.  It's a group of RVers who travel to locations to do community service projects.  It's through the United Methodist Church and is a fantastic organization!  In Crystal River, we were joined by 3 other couples and set to work on various projects around the church campus.  Typically it is more community-based; but, due to COVID we stayed primarily on campus so as not to expose or be exposed.  We worked hard Monday - Thursday and had the three-day weekend to explore the area and play!




Crystal River United Methodist Church has full hook-up campsites on its campus and we were all able to park together.  In the area behind our campsites is a fire ring surrounded by picnic tables.  We gathered there several evenings for carryout dinner and a campfire.  It was fun to get to know each other and hear tales of each other's camping experiences.  Butch and Cheri were our group leaders and were kind enough to treat us to ice cream at the local shop in town, give us chocolate on Valentine's Day, and even a parting gift (a dish towel that says "Prayers Go Up, Blessings Come Down" on it).  They are such generous people!




Each morning, we gathered for a devotional.  Praying together was a beautiful way to start the day!  Working together by day and seeing each other in the evening bonded our group together in a powerful way!  It was hard to believe our three weeks went by so quickly and saying goodbye was tough!  I know I'm hoping to see these new friends at future NOMADS locations down the road!  Our next NOMADS location it currently set for Los Angeles, California in November.  Who knows, maybe we will be able to get another one or two in between now and then.






On weekends, we were blessed to have Brad and Kathy join us for our time of playing and exploring!  We kayaked, hiked (even in the rain!), bicycled, stand-up paddle boarded, played pickle ball, and enjoyed sunsets on the beach!  Dick and I have so enjoyed our year of being on the road and exploring, but we have to admit it was really a lot of fun to be surrounded with a community of friends for a while!






While we were in Crystal River, we attended St. Benedict Catholic Church.  All of the churches we have been to (with the exception of one in Myrtle Beach) have had safe practices in place for COVID; however, St. Benedict far exceeded any other!  It is an amazing parish and if you are in the area, it's worth checking out!  They have a stained glass crucifix made by the monks in the area.  Notice the emphasis on Christ's hands.  We have been called to be Christ's hands here on Earth, certainly something the world needs!


Off we go to Tallahassee for a few days!  The COVID vaccine is becoming more and more available!  Eventually things will be back to "normal", whatever that is!!  Stay safe everyone!

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