WHAT THE COMMUNITY OF CHRIST RV
ASSOCIATION MEANS TO US
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 with the RVA in spite of long days and hard work, and will continue to as long as we are able.
Bob & Beverly Dimmitt
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“Can I, (We) Make a Difference?”
A request has gone out for members of the Community of Christ RV group to write testimonies of their experiences in the RV group. There is no way our experiences could be written in a short note. First of all – I have asked myself – “have I made a difference?” I think so. "I”, does not just mean me – Dee Ann Crangle – “I” means myself, my husband, and each and every one of those who have so willingly and diligently helped us do the projects we have been asked to do.
When Myron and I went to our very first project, we hardly knew anyone. We traveled from
We were immediately introduced and made to feel welcome. As I began to work with the women, a spirit of community began to fill me. I was loved and treated as though I had been a part of the group forever. Myron came back to the camper with similar stories. We began to feel the love of God that everyone needs to have to fill their soul. We immediately had a whole family of brothers and sisters that we love very much.
We now live for the next trip the RV Club is going on. The fellowship, the love, the caring, and on and on is what keeps us going. The hard work we do is so minor compared to the fellowship we receive.
If you have been thinking about going along on our trips, but have not done so yet, please just try it one time. That is all it takes – one time. You will be hooked.
Yes, I can make a difference, Myron can make a difference, each and everyone who steps foot on any of the campgrounds makes a BIG difference. There will be a big difference in the campground when the work is finished, but the biggest difference will be in your heart.
Thank you each and every member for the difference you have made in our lives.
Myron and Dee Ann Crangle
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