We finished our last day here at the Loucon Training & Retreat Center.  It has been a wonderful three weeks.  As I have said before, the staff here have been great host.  They have made us feel very welcome with their hospitality, and the fine meals that they provided for us. 

The work project was also very rewarding.  We were unable to complete the cabin, but we did get a lot done.  We only lacked the two short walls putting up the wall board, and installing the overhead lights and smoke alarm.  That will get done with another volunteer group coming here in a week. 

I have mentioned the many things that we did in the process of building the cabin, but the learning process was the best.  Earl and Bud did a fine job of directing and teaching us how to do build the cabin correctly.  Yes, we did make mistakes along the way.  Yes, things did get out of square.  Yes, we did have to measure twice, and still cut twice.  Yes, we didn't have any injuries.  (Got there.)  Yes, we learned how to use new tools.  Yes, I could go on with the yeses, but I won't.  I think you get the picture.  Talk about pictures, let me show you some and how the work went this week.

Anita is taking a break from cleaning one of the cabins.  There was a large crowd of youth here over the weekend.  Each cabin has to be cleaned and sanitized after each use.

Sharon is dusting blinds.  Four windows in each cabin, about 40 cabins, that's a lot of blinds to dust.

Kay is vacuuming the air conditioner/heating units.  The filters are taken out and washed, then dried completely before putting them back in.  That keeps mildew and mold from forming.

That's me up on the ladder, with Gabby holding in steady.  We are trimming some of the wood prior to installing the fasia on the end of the roof.

Bud is trying to steady our walkway.  We have had a lot of rain, so the board walk was installed to let us get into the house without having to walk in the mud.  It is pretty dry in this picture, but the threat of rain was coming.  You can see the windows and door installed.

 

This is the inside of the house showing the paneling on the wall and on the ceiling.  The paneling is what is usually put up on outside walls prior to intalling siding or brick veneer.  It makes for a good wall in a cabin.

 



You can see the wiring hanging from the ceiling.  The wire closest to the door will have a 4' florescent light attached.  The center wire will connect to a smoke alarm.  Good thing they have a smoke alarm, I installed all of the wiring.  Don't worry, I had Bud check it out before we covered it with the paneling.

Some of the gang relaxing prior to our closing ceremony of the week.  You can see Sharon, in pink, taking advantage of a good nap time.

This is a picture of the closing ceremony.  Heidi, on the right, and Anita in the green shirt, made homemade ice cream for all of us.  Heidi had some special toppings that made the ice cream really good.

Well, this is the last from Loucon.  Hope you have enjoyed your stay here with us.  We will be off to Lake Shore Assembly and Retreat Center in Eva, Tennessee tomorrow.  I am looking forward to the next stage of our journey.

Until next time, and remember,

God Loves You

Gary