Amazing Relationships on Holy Ground!

Work crews remove tons of debris. -Hal N.

Our team continued working on Bob and Allison's farm today. We did much more of the same work as yesterday, picking up pieces of the city of Washington, strewn across their fields. The work was the same, but we could all feel the effects of our previous efforts and see the encouraging results of our labors. We did well, some of us pacing ourselves with a little more wisdom gleaned from yesterday's experience and a good night's sleep.

Some of our crew enjoyed a new task today.Pete, one of Bob's friends, brought his retirement gadget, a portable sawmill, along to convert two destroyed oak trees into planks for a table and benches. These two large oak trees were over 60 years old, and provided wonderful shade during the hot summer days. Both were completely destroyed by the tornado, and Bob and Allison wanted to keep them in a new form. These furniture pieces will allow them to host friends for conversations, cherishing the lives they have and the memories of the trees which provided the wood. Each log from these trees  weighed over 2,000 pounds, and it took a lot of muscle to move them! Pete and the sawmill made quick work of converting these enormous trees into 2" slabs and our White Stone representatives, along with select additional power tool-loving volunteers, stacked these slabs to be stored and dried. Each of the slabs took 2-4 people to move.

Some of our logging experts. -Jeff W.

We again met for dinner, and this time we were privileged to host Bob and Allison, along with Pastor Gary Salm and his wife, Lori, of Christian Union Church. It was Pastor Salm, through an inspired connection with Tom Chrysler, who helped connect us with our work projects. Each shared stories of despair and hope, as well as the concept of 'beschert', which is a yiddish term for "It was meant to be." We all felt God's presence as we shared our stories with one another, and learned how much helping others can mean to both those receiving the help and those who have been called angels.

Bob and Allison, sharing their joys! -Hal N.

We enjoyed a prayer before dinner, welcoming Shabbat and offering a spiritual close to our week so far. Rabbi Cohen and Rhonda N. led us in the prayer, lighting the Shabbat candles and reciting the words we share between all our faiths. In closing this telling of our story for today, we reflect on the words of the blessing over the candles: "Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the lights of Shabbat. (Amen)"

Shabbat candles, wine (juice) and bread.