WHAT THE COMMUNITY OF CHRIST
RV ASSOCIATION MEANS TO US
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A new word has been added to my vocabulary, “Farkel!” In the dice game, “farkel” means a “0” score and the end of a turn – just the opposite of what Jan and I encountered in our first outing with the
The fun and camaraderie did not take a back seat to work, thanks to Floyd. His motto must be “Idle hands are the Devil’s tools.” I’m basically lazy and would have been happy to just concentrate on the camaraderie, but there was no one to enjoy that with unless you were working. Jan and I were only able to attend the Nauvoo work projects. We were impressed by how much hard work was freely given and how much was accomplished. We were impressed by those who had the skills to get the difficult work done. For those who only brought “willingness” as a skill, such as Jan and I, we still felt as if we could make valuable contributions to the work effort.
As one of the few strangers to the group, both Jan and I greatly appreciated the openness, acceptance and inclusiveness of the group. And as Jim Craig in The Man from
Bruce and Jan Graham,
What is it that prompts one to respond to invitation, such as reading about an opportunity to serve in a special way? To hear a friend say, “You should join us.” Or you have some spare time and thoughts come that say to you, Why don’t you help? You know, there are some really neat people there. There are things you can do—and more importantly, these things are worthwhile. Things that help people. Things that make a difference in the lives of people as they participate in camping programs. II Nephi 1:115 reads, “Men are that they might have joy.” So we thought: Why not join up? Travel to places we had not been. Work with people we enjoy being with. Spend our energy doing things that make a difference and in doing so find great joy!
Joy at the close of day with aching muscles needing rest. Joy and satisfaction knowing your volunteer energy was spent wisely. And at the completion of a project, exhausted from labor, one can sense that voice that Called you there in the first place saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
So for us responding to that Call has been a marvelous experience, adding new dimensions in
Ministry. Assuring us of the true and real testimony of how God is working in our lives. Filling us with Thanksgiving that we have been privileged, indeed blessed, to be part of such a great cause. Our Pilgrimage has been enhanced and continues to be so and we look forward to the next schedule as we “keep on keeping on.”
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”Psalm 122:1
Clarence & Sandy Lundquist,
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We would love to see you at our fall projects!!!
“Don’t grow old saying, “I wish I had. I should have. Why didn’t I?” Larry Massa
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We are looking forward to being with the new friends that we enjoyed last year, our first year with the group. It was satisfying starting & seeing a job finished that would help others. I enjoyed relearning the wonderful history of our church, and becoming involved again. I cannot express what this has meant to me.
We’re looking forward to seeing, and working with you this year.
Carol and Gary Eberhardt of
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During the September, 2008 work project in Lamoni, Iowa, we ran across this bit of wisdom, and wanted to share it with you: As God was creating the world and placing humans on the earth to explore the wonders of life, a group of Guardian Angels gathered to create a plan for their assignees to find True Happiness. One adventurous Guardian Angel said, “Let’s put it on top of the highest mountain, when they find it they will feel a great sense of accomplishment.” After much discussion, the group decided it was a good idea, but not everyone would be capable of climbing a mountain. Another angel suggested they put it at the bottom of the ocean in a hidden treasure chest with gold and precious jewels. Again the Angels agreed that not everyone had the endurance or perseverance to accomplish such a task. Finally, a sweet, young Guardian Angel spoke in a soft voice, “I know a place that is hidden from humans, is available to everyone, and will help them grow and share the secret of True Happiness.’ The group was excited as she continued with a mischievous smile and bowed head, then putting her hand on her chest said, “In every person’s own heart.” It was unanimous, the Guardian Angels knew that the Journey to True Happiness would still be adventurous, bring untold riches, and humans would learn the value of endurance and perseverance.
This bit of Angel wisdom is what the RV Association is like to us. In our adventures on work projects, we are blessed with the companionship of the other members who quickly become more than friends. They become a family that works, plays, eats, shares and truly cares about each other. Through each of our labors, endurance and perseverance we are able to meet the many and varied needs of so many facilities, bringing them true happiness while being an answer to their prayers for help. Our labors then have a domino affect which we will probably never get to see, but
we know it brings comfort and happiness to those using the facilities. This then brings true happiness to our own hearts knowing we made their visit to these places more comfortable. True Happiness truly resides in the chambers of each of our hearts and by sharing it with others, our Happiness is forever multiplying.
Duane & Nan
Jim and Mary Ann Montoya,
For several years we read articles in the Herald about what the RVA was accomplishing at campgrounds around the country. It sounded like something we would like to do “when we retired.” Suddenly, in January, 2007, we were unexpectedly retired. Our daughter suggested in a conversation with Barbara that we might be interested in joining. After a phone call from Barb, we became members.
Our first encounter with the members was at Conference in March, 2007. Our first service trip was to Nauvoo in May, 2007. It was great! We were welcomed into the group as part of the RVA family. We worked, we visited, we laughed, and we ATE! In the fall, Jim was able to help cut down trees at the Campus.
We had plans to travel and work a lot more this year. The Rally in April was a wonderful way to start the year. At that time, our plans were interrupted by Jim’s need for radiation therapy, lasting 7 ½ weeks. At the rally, prayers were offered for Jim, and we truly felt blessed by the love and acceptance of the group. Therapy is finished, with no bad side effects. We are now ready to travel, work, and fellowship with the group this fall. The limited experiences thus far have enriched our lives and bolstered our faith. We truly feel this is servant ministry. Put us to work! See you soon.
Jim & Betty Bennett,
Kevin and I got acquainted with the RV group while working at
Our little old 1973 green Dodge truck has had some difficulties along the way. Going to Nauvoo, we had a blow out on I-80, and this fall we must have hit something in the road and bent a fan blade that went into the radiator. In a couple of days, we were on the road again with our son’s Ford truck. We have upgraded to a little bigger trailer lately. It is all we need, since we don’t go south for the winter, and don’t plan to do that.
Floyd always seems to find something that two small handicapped people can do, and we appreciate that. I guess just about everyone has a handicap or two. We love to work on the various projects, and the benefits are in seeing the surrounding areas, the wonderful church campgrounds, and some of our churches, wherever we may be. Meals and snacks provided are a very nice compliment. Thanks ladies. Sometimes we get to see our families along the way, as well.
As a matter of personal pride, we pay tribute to my
father, Jake Reitz, who would have loved to be involved with a group like this. He was a “Jack of all trades,” and did all things well. He and Mom went with their little trailer around the country and enjoyed sight seeing often with their little group of friends, ending up in southern
Thanks for the dedication all of you have in spite of the gas prices. He will take care of you.
Happy to be working for the Lord, Kevin and Ruth Olmstead,
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In 2001, Cecil and I bought a pull trailer. By 2003, we decided we would like to find a group of campers to run with. When we went to
When John (Sionito Caretaker) told us the R.V. group was coming there in 10 days, we decided to stay and meet everyone. Needless to say, after working with them for two weeks, we were hooked.
Cecil is still real happy to be working with them. Due to my back, I’ve backed off of doing very much, but I am still so happy to be with the group. We count on spending 3 - 4 months with them each year.
We went full time in August, 2004. That freed us up to go when Don calls to let Cecil know that he could use his help.
We wish more of you could come join us. If you can’t work, we can all use the moral support. There is always something to do for those of us who can’t work too hard, i.e. I’ve certainly run a lot of dishwashers in the past 4 years.
Eileen and Cecil Alford
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Mary Ann and I would like to thank everyone at the June work party in Nauvoo for such a rewarding visit. To all new and old members, thank you for the fellowship and stories. For those members waiting to go on their first work party, or mission, we strongly encourage you to go go go! Your hidden talents need to be exposed. I learned for the first time in my 62
years how to operate a back hoe, and my wife learned
how to operate a tractor, so you just never know what you can learn. All of the great stories and fellowship was well worth the trip, and to put icing on the cake, it is such a beautiful area, as are most of the work projects.
Ray & Mary Ann Houser
At the time the RV group was started Virginia and I were beginning to look for what we would do when I retired. We knew we wanted to travel, but
I retired in 1997, but I was the pastor for the White Oak Branch until 1999, so we couldn’t get away. The next four years were bad. I lost
This 2006 season is my third one and I have enjoyed the travel to so many places I have never been before. In each place I meet more new people and get to enjoy the ones I have already met.
I signed on as a helper with nearly no experience in anything. I have learned so much working with people that have so many things they do so well.
I have a sister, Lorraine Smith, who lives in
You have read of the trip to
As I sit here writing this note about what the RV group means to me I have tears in my eyes because
Ralph Sader
Floyd and I joined the RV Association a few years after it started. We have not been able to attend as many projects as we would have liked to, but the ones we were able to attend were great experiences for us. We have made a lot of new friends and renewed some old acquaintances. The fellowship is wonderful. We both have made some “boo-boos” like spilled paint or some food that didn’t turn out so good. If you try you can get fired! We have found them to be a very forgiving bunch of folks. If laughter is good medicine, this group should be among the healthiest folks around!
Floyd says: There is a poem about a bridge builder. Towards the last of the poem a traveler turns around and builds a bridge. Someone who is watching asks; “Why are you building a bridge? You will never pass this way again.” I like to think that the RV Association is building bridges for some unknown person who is coming along the old, old path. I know that there were many who built bridges for me, and this is my way of doing the same for future generations.
Floyd and Dorothy (Dodo) Wheat
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We have been asked to write a testimony, of sorts, regarding our association with the Community of Christ RV Association. It has afforded us the opportunity to visit campgrounds new to us, taking us to locations we have never been before & revisiting
campgrounds from our past in
We have made new friends, renewed “old” acquaintances & unsuspectingly met up with “long lost’ relatives as well as visiting with high school classmates now living in
We were pleasantly surprised by visits from wild turkeys & moose in
We have participated in new activities: Alice Winship and Beverly had a “motorhome” race at
Floyd Fears, which we have at most sites; and eating deep fried whole turkey at Camp Red Cliff.
We have witnessed the dedication of one of the members of the group who kept on working through bouts of painful shingles and double hernias. We have learned not to park on certain sites at
One of the greatest rewards is the satisfaction of a job well done, as we take great pride in doing things well.
Lastly is the fellowship of the group. One of the first such experiences was at Camp Woodland Hills near
We have participated in services in the Nauvoo Congregation, and have observed others who assisted in services in
We do enjoy our times together
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