Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1513133
Page 12 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, December 14-December 20, 2023 A rescheduled leaf raking project at our church held on December 9 turned out to be one for the books - at least as far as I am concerned. We had to cancel the Dec. 2 date due to inclement weather. Although there was a weather forecast of rain on Saturday we kept our fi ngers crossed we'd get the leaves up before the rain. Meeting at 8 a.m. for a biscuit breakfast at our church and receiving assignments from our faithful leader Ralph, the four teams of us - men, women, youth and children - headed out to homes where friends from our church needed a little help with their leaves. Two friends and I, later joined by a fourth, headed out to a home near Forest Lake Acres. The yard, like mine, had a lot of oak trees, so arriving there we were met by a lot of leaves in the front and back yards. With my small leaf blower I started working around the front of the house, steps and shrubbery as far as my electric cords would reach. I should have brought more cords. Thankfully, the homeowner had extra cords so I was connected. The others had leaf blowers, too, so we started with the roar of gas powered and electric powered small engines. It wasn't too long before we realized we needed some major help. A few volunteers brought large mowers with equipment that would scoop the leaves up in a little jiffy so we made an urgent call for some extra help. One of the guys soon showed up to help with his machine and we were relieved. But unfortunately a little bit into the job, a belt broke on his mower and he had to turn to a hand held leaf blower. Then came the rains. At fi rst, I thought we'd have to reschedule. Nope. We were too far into the job to stop due to a little rain. I didn't wear a hat, so I was defi nitely challenged to keep my head dry, pulling my jacket up over my head every other minute. That didn't work either. The other guys were working as though it wasn't raining. I tried. It dawned on me as I stood in the same place for a while, evidently I didn't know how to blow leaves after all, although I hadn't had a problem before the rain. As the rains came down, the leaves were getting wetter and wetter and my leaf blower seemed disabled. "Maybe I don't know how to do this after all," I said to myself, desperately trying to get my share of the work done. The wet leaves weren't cooperating. But we never stopped working. The others just kept on without as much as taking a break. Finally two hours into the job, I told my friend I was going to sit in his truck. We had ridden together. He immediately offered to drive me back to the church, but I told him I was fi ne. I didn't feel so fi ne. From my cold wet toes to the top of my head that was dripping with water as though I had jumped in the river, I was cold literally from head to toe. The other three team members were working as fast as they could to get the job done. Our family's Crawford Christmas gathering was later that afternoon and I had mentioned I needed to be home by 12 to do my cooking. Just before 12 my friend drove me back to the church. What a morning. But you know what, when the homeowner came to the backdoor and called out to me, "You are brave," it made me smile. While it was a chilly morning and I get cold thinking about it right now, I'm forever grateful that we had an opportunity to encourage another person and one another. As for the fi ve or six yards that were on the list for the four teams that day, we later learned they weren't all completed, so we'll reschedule again. Just before I went home, a couple others came to our project to help fi nish the yard and by 1 p.m. that day all the volunteers were back home. Job well done. Brave wet souls. The yard was leaf free. I fi nally thawed out and yes, made it to the Christmas gathering with my ham, rolls and cake. We gathered with our family, had dinner and sang, "Joy To The World" and heard the Christmas story. That was what the day was all about, bringing a little bit of joy into the world of a pastor who all his life - and still is -preaching the gospel. He has worked tirelessly all these years to encourage souls. Many, no doubt cold and wet. Some without hope It was a joy to serve you, Richard Bass, and thank you for giving to the Lord. You blessed us. Merry Christmas. Contact Jean: gordonjean211@gmail.com BLESSINGS ON A WET COLD, LEAF RAKING MORNING By: Jean Gordon MAYSE MFG. CO., INC. www.maysemfg.com www.maysemfg.com ©Community First Media Community First Media Forest City 828-247-1871 2410 US 221S; Hwy 74 bypass to exit 178 (Hwy 221), south 1 mi on right. Corner of Hwy 221 & Shiloh Rd. M-F 8am-5pm • Sat 8am-12pm Storage Buildings, Gazebos, Carports, Garden Flags, Man Cave Decor, Concrete Statuary, Concrete Steps, & Poly Outdoor Furniture! We are a We are a Big Green Egg Distributor Big Green Egg Distributor. . Grills • Accessories • Supplies Grills • Accessories • Supplies Metal buildings Metal buildings starting at starting at $ 1660 1660 Now offering carports/garages Now offering carports/garages up to 60 ft. wide & 20 ft. walls up to 60 ft. wide & 20 ft. walls Finance & Rent To Own @mayse_mfg CARPORTS UP TO 20% OFF CARPORTS UP TO 20% OFF 10%off all wooden buildings A song about Santa, one about a reindeer, one about a hippopotamus and some traditional Christmas carols were included in the program presented by the Chase Middle School Chorus at the Rutherford County Senior Center. The chorus is directed by Michael Henderson. Before and after the concert members of the chorus visited with participants at the senior center. Article & Photos Provided By: Pat Nanney Chase Middle School Chorus visits Rutherford County Senior Center Email news and events to events@rutherfordweekly.com or go to or go to www.rutherfordweekly.com www.rutherfordweekly.com to submit online. to submit online. 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