Yesterday I went to build a house for a neighbor of the guard, Pedro. We had to move everything out of her current house, tear it down and then build. There was no shade and I think it was the hottest day we have had. It was my first experience with being in a house. It was so sad and she even had a stove and a refrigerator and "bootlegged" power. The woman, Letti, had three boys - Michael, Christian and Sole. She and I connected right away. She had a little kitchen area and then a sleep area with some old mattresses. There were random little pieces of furniture - a small chest, some open iron bookshelves and a baby cradle that she kept clothes in. She did have a concrete floor which was great but everything was so dirty. Our crew was full of experienced men so it went really smoothly. They were very patient with me and let me help hammer the nails on the entire floor. There are six people that nail and I was one of them. The last wall we ran out of good boards and had to piece them. We swung by Wendy's and had a little Frosty. Then we went to the warehouse where another group was moving boxes of food from one room down the breezeway to another. We helped do that and got back just in time for a rain storm. I helped unload all the tools with a bunch of guys and then it was time for dinner. When I got my food I could tell Ellen wasn't eating. The girls told me that Kellum had just gotten sick and I thought here we go.... Ellen took some Pepto and went on to devo. Kellum was really sick all night. Ellen got sick during devo but only threw up one time. I finally got a shower around ten and parked myself downstairs with the girls. I was up some with Kellum. Ellen finally went to sleep I just stayed up and prayed all night that she would not throw up again. God is merciful...she didn't. She says she feels better today but I am staying here with her, Kellum and a girl from Indiana who is feelingqueasy. Lori is bringing Lysol back in the afternoon and we are going to spray the place down. I so wish I had brought gloves from school - Nurse Greene would be lecturing me right now! You Oak Mtn. people know what I mean! I also am going to help the ladies in the laundry - there are mounds of bags to be done.
I think we are all tired, letting our guard down, not eating and drinking enough. I have preached to our kids already this morning. I am doing the best I can to take care of them. I am not feeling very successful right now:( Please continue to pray for us and that God will build a hedge around us. He has truly been with us and His presence is felt.