Best cleaning tool a girl could ever have

I finally found it.

The tool of dreams.  A girl's best friend.  The be-all and end-all of cleaning tools.  The creme de la creme...
Well, you get the picture. 

Today I tasked myself with cleaning the RV for our scout camping trip this weekend.  As I began organizing items into various piles (oh you know, like dirty socks the boys forgot to bring in from several weeks ago, and half-empty water bottles, and the like) I was finally able to see the edges on the top part (the overhang area).  And it needed some TLC.  So I came up with this brilliant idea of using a vacuum.

Since we had just finished fixing our dryer vent and used our shop-vac to do it, I thought, "Hmm.  It's light and small.  It will fit just nicely in the RV and I can lug it around w/o all the weight." 

It was a magical moment.  The heavens opened up and angels started singing.  At least in my imagination.  It was pure bliss.  That little shop-vac sucked everything up!  Including ants, small Lego's, and various sundries things.  I think it even picked up some stray chiggers.  Probably hanging out with the dirty socks....

I was so shop-vac-happy I decided to come inside and look for the wide attachment tool to do the floors.  Genius.  You know those hard-to-get corners?  Have no fear, the shop-vac is your answer.  Just point the nozzle in there, and wa-la, instant clean (unless it's glued in there...then you have different issues.) 

And did you know it can do cushions too?  Yes, this amazing machine works on anything.  In fact, I shoved it into a dark corner and who knows what went up it.  Probably some more Lego's.... 

I think it can even do liquid items.  But I haven't tested that theory (with my machine) yet.  And let's hope I won't ever have to. 

But I did decide that little machine is coming with me now wherever the RV goes.  The only thing that could have made it better was if it had been pink or purple. ;-)

Helping Tornado Victims

We have been blessed with a team of 5 guys from Faith Bible Church in the Phoenix, AZ area.  They got in contact with our church to ask if they could coordinate coming out to help the tornado victims in the area.  And you know us, we opened up our home to house them while they are here.

It has been Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.  And the ride has been a blast and exhausting.  These guys drove 27 hours in 2 days to get here last Saturday!  And their humor and commodore has been great.  They started working out in Oatchee (or something like that...I'm too tired to find out the exact spelling).  Between yesterday and today they tore down the remaining structure of one couple's home:

They are using a winch to remove the last rafter.

 Men from our church helping remove nails from reusable boards.

AZ team removing debris.

AZ team, our church team (Andrew in front of Bill and I), and another team 

in front of the last wooden frame.

Cleaning up ladders and misc.  Now the family can build a new home on the foundation.  Woo Hoo!

Here are just a few photos of some other devastated homes around the same area:

And here is the base where volunteers come to get "marching orders", drinks, and lunch.  All operated and put together (including the tent) by other volunteers.  Was pretty amazing.

This is where they will be working tomorrow (July 20) to help sort through and throw away debris.  Lots of work ahead of them!  (I will be staying home with Josh and Andrew, but Bill and Robert will help out).

We have enjoyed having the AZ team here.  They have also enjoyed our lake and field:

One of the men playing baseball with Andrew.

Getting some fishing in.  Seems the duck want in on the action too!

It was  pretty exhausting today, but so worth it to help these folks out.  And now is the time to help when FEMA and other organizations have pulled out.  As you can see, there's still a lot to do.  Hopefully some of the people being helped will be encouraged.

The AZ team will be leaving Friday morning to head back to their homes.  Meanwhile we have enjoyed laboring and fellowshipping (especially the wonderful meals that our church family have been bringing over for us to enjoy!)  Tomorrow will be a Brazilian meal and we will also share some of our ministry videos.  We have enjoyed talking about ministry, both sides.  It's neat to see fellow believers work together for the common good.

Well, I wanted to update folks on what's been going on in our little part of the world.  Seems we never hold still.  Although, I am looking forward to some down time tomorrow while the crew is out working. 

 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."  Ephesians 3:20-21