NOMADS annual meeting and beyond

Upper Deerfield Twp,  NJ

The past week had been one of meeting new friends and giving and getting hugs from old ones.

On Friday September 5, we arrived at

Each year NOMADS  ( www.nomadsumc.org ) get together for their annual business meeting.  This year 307 members were in attendance.  There were about 150 RV's.    We not only tend to the organizations business but raise money for project funding, socialize, hear great speakers, plan for the coming year and most of all Praise God for the gifts he given to us as volunteers to show His love throughout the country.

This is our Board of Directors ( some recently installed. others serving their last day of a four year term.)

One night was a sort of pot luck and our "Tables of 8"

Each morning devotions and then business meetings drew a crowd.

Music is a big part of our celebrations

This is John and Kitty who were presented with a recognition of having worked  100 projects.

Many agencies we serve do not have the funds for materials.  NOMADS evaluate each situation and in many instances grant project funding.   At the annual meeting we hold both a silent and live auction.  The auctioneers are a sweet couple we call friends.   Wayne and Edie.  This years auction raised $40,000.

Len met his match here......    Doesn't he and Mary look spiffy!

Several seminars are held over two days.   We attend one on public safety.   Two fine officers from the local police department spoke with the attendees regarding keeping oneself safe.

All sorts of seminars are available.   We have been asked to give one next year where we will teach a few Country Line Dances.  Mary better come dressed again like she is above and ready to vine and chacha!     We have also been asked to Chair the Hospitality Committee.  Next years meeting will be in Branson.

We left Kalamazoo and Michigan Friday morning headed back to NJ as Len has doctors appointments on Monday to clear him for knee replacement in two weeks.   We were concerned about the Hurricane headed up the coast.   Driving east across I-80 in Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania we met almost constant head winds.

In Ohio we saw smoke ahead.

As we got closer the smoke turned black and increased.  I was pretty sure of what that meant.  Sure enough in the west bound lane was a Motorhome almost entirely engulfed.

People were standing in back of it about 100 feet.  Neither Police nor Fire Equipment had arrived yet.  We met several as we proceeded east. We were reminded of how quickly these things burn.  Prayers for all concerned offered.

Last night we spend at Camp Walmart in Clearfield, PA.   Today we arrived at our friends driveway where we will stay until Tuesday.

We had reservations at Lake and Shore Campground near Cape May, NJ starting Sunday.  However, with the winds and water and some flooding in that area, it is closed until Tuesday.   There are some winds here and today has been cool and drizzly but we are comfy and warm in our little home.

Time for dinner.  I need not be concerned.  Dear Shirley here gave us plenty of chicken pot pie (south NJ style), mashed potatoes, limas and cole slaw.  Just have to plate up and pop in the microwave.  YUM.