IHN, Sunday August 18, 2013

It is an early start on Sunday during the IHN host week.  The take down crew arrived  a little before 7:00 am.  Winston and Natalie were up and ready.  They said it had been a quiet night after a fun movie. Their response to our appreciation "All we did was sleep!"

The take down crew was helped immensely by Roger on Friday.  He removed the furniture from both the guest rooms that were used by the two families that moved out on Thursday.  Not only that but he replaced the furniture--using the photos taken by Candice prior to last Sunday's set up for just this purpose.

The McCartney family--who are experts in take-down after helping during all our 2013 host weeks--did their usual good job.  Denise and Kitty were the rest of the crew.  All the beds and bins were at the door ready to go on the truck...but where oh where was the truck??  It arrived later than usual.  But fortunately in time to call Dr Sherman and let him know he did not have to go to the Day Center and look for the number, as he had so graciously offered to do.  The truck was loaded, the hallways were cleared and another host week was almost a wrap.

Kitty drove Sherry and her family to the Day Center.  After church Maggie and Virginia arrived to be the Day Center Hosts from 1:00 until 5 pm.  Virginina is one of our "Wee Readers" and she read to the children during the afternoon.

Kitty took Elizabeth to work at 4 pm and came back to leave the van and say good bye to Sherry, Johnathan and Mary.  Maggie and Virginia will leave them in the good hands of Sherri and the volunteers at First Baptist Church for next week.  Though they won't be at our church--they will remain in our prayers.

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make it a good week. It takes everyone to make this happen.  Our next week is November  3 - 10, 2013.  See you then!

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Lynn and Happy greeted Sherry and her family Saturday morning.  It is always a welcome change to be able to sleep in a bit.  Darryl was in Fellowship Hall (with Jane & David) and had a fabulous breakfast as always during our  IHN Host weeks! 

He had blintzes with cherry sauce, quiche, bacon, biscuits, hash browns, fresh fruit, and eggs cooked to order--what more could anyone want?  And I am probably forgetting something, I was astounded  and I think our guests were too!  Everyone ate and chatted and enjoyed a leisurely morning.  Nice way to start the week-end.  And we walked out and left the clean up to the fantastic Magrinos!

After enjoying breakfast I (Kitty) took Sherry and family to the Day Center.  In the late afternoon I picked up everyone in the IHN Van and took Elizabeth to Kroger for work.  Everyone else returned to First Presbyterian.  

Evening hosts P.F. and Greg were already there (as new evening hosts,  they wanted to make sure they checked out everything in advance--thanks for being such good volunteers!).  Soon David arrived with dinner prepared by Regina--and what a delicious dinner it was.  There was a vegetable tettrazini with a green salad AND a fresh fruit salad.  Topping it off was a yummy pound cake!  

The family and hosts enjoyed watching a movie.  Winston and Natalie arrived to spend the night and got to see some of it too.  Nice evening.

At 11 pm Greg and PF picked up Elizabeth after her work--THANKS!  

From beginning to end the volunteers made Saturday really nice for our guests.  God Bless one and all 

IHN, Friday, August 16, 2013

Mary and Bob got Sherry and her family up for school and day care.  Jim Mc picked up everyone for the van ride and the day is off to a good start. Jim is a first time driver, but Erik makes sure new drivers have all the info needed about the van, addresses and directions.

In an unusual situation Denise picked up Seleetha and Isaiah at their new home, after they spent their first night there,  and took Isaiah to day care, dropped the car seat back at their home, then took Seleetha to work.  She asked Seleetha if she had any tips for the volunteers and she could only say wonderful things about her experiences with IHN.

"In particular, she said that when she first joined IHN and was the only family, she got a little down and anxious. However, she said she put it all in God's hands and feels very positive about being back on her feet with a home for her and Isaiah."
Denise concluded with "It made for a wonderful start to the weekend!"  As is usually the case, we volunteers get more from the guests than we give. We are blessed to encounter them.

Erik was once again the afternoon van driver and it was his second day in a row of being the on-site/on-call coordinator.  THANKS Eric for lots of work this week!

Erik made the beds and welcomed the DeMaria family who brought  & served a delicious dinner of  lasagna, salad, bread and brownies! They stayed and ate with the guests.  The Thompson family were Evening Hosts, so the two guest children had lots of attention on Friday night!  Thanks to all of you for making a family event of IHN hosting.

Lynn and Happy, overnight stalwarts, spent the night.  They reported having fun watching a movie with Johnathan.  It was a quiet night.  And another rainy night in Georgia.

THANKS to all who made a good Friday for our guests!

IHN Thursday, August 15, 2013

Thursday was a day of transition.  I feel sure two families approached the day with mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety as they begin a new phase of life.

Sara and John got everyone up and going early Thursday morning.  Steve was a van driver--his second host week to do this; he and his wife Patty are in the church new members class & we are so happy to have them! He took the three children to school and day care.  

This was the last morning for two families, Bryant and his son will return to Ohio to be near family as he believes this is the best choice for them.  We wish them well and will keep them in our prayers.

Seleetha and her son moved into their new place Thursday.  Isaiah will finish the week at Bright Beginnings, then move to a new  day center much closer to their home on Monday. We wish them well and pray for them as well.

Erik was the afternoon van driver and he picked up everyone and took Seleetha and Isaiah to their new home.  It is a happy occasion to see a family succeed in setting goals and reaching them with the help of the IHNA staff and the hospitality of many congregations.  

Erik was also the on-site/on-call coordinator and he welcomed Brita and Carol B.  Nancy & Bob made another wonderful meal for our guests: green salad with chicken, rolls, and yummy peach/blackberry cobbler. All enjoyed the delicious, thoughtfully planned and prepared dinner. 

Carol and Brita reported they had fun playing with 5 year old Johnathan and 3 year old Mary.  Know the kids enjoyed it too! 

The overnight hosts, Bob and Mary have years of experience and says the volunteer room seems like the Hilton after what they remember from the "early days of IHN at First Pres".  We appreciate their years of service--and the ways they have made our host weeks better and better.

In one day we went from three families to one.  God bless them all.

IHN, Wednesday August 14, 2013

Wednesday got off to an early start!  David and Bruce got everyone up and moving.  Jayne was the van driver again & got two families to the correct places just on time. Bryant drove Hayden to day care in his own car, as he has all week.

Terry, as the on-site coordinator, was at the church in the late afternoon to make up the volunteer beds, and be ready for Bill to arrive with the guests.  Bill drove the van for the third straight afternoon! Jess & Rhea did their usual wonderful job of cooking, with a great meal of pork chops and stuffing, carrots, mac and cheese, cole slaw, sliced tomatoes and as if that were not enough there was ice cream for dessert with a choice of strawberries or chocolate toppings (or both!).  

Evening Hosts Carol M and Tanna served dinner and spent the evening with the three families. Terry went home  with his cell phone on, as the on-call coordinator.  

John and Sara arrived after choir practice to spend the night; and they got to enjoy some of the good food.  Elizabeth didn't get off work until 9:00 pm and Kitty was there in the van to pick her up and to get some (natural) baby cough medicine for Isaiah.

Wednesday night was Seleetha and Isaiah's last night. On Thursday they move into their own place!  We will miss them, and they will remain in our prayers. We're happy for them.  

Thanks to all the volunteers for making this another good day; and to our guests for blessing us in many ways.  May God bless us all.

IHN, Tuesday August 13, 2013

Wanda and Barb were "up and at 'em" very early. All the guests were up and ready on time which meant they arrived where they were supposed to on time!  Thanks to all.

Tuesday morning van driver Jayne arrived at 6:30 was met by Erik for her inaugural run.  She was greeted by Hayden and Mary who both remembered Jayne, one of our star Wee Readers, from reading to them at day care.  They remembered she brought cookies (& told her about the cookies they had eaten at church), and even more impressive they remembered the book she read and lots of things about the story--way to go Jayne!  It must have made the 3 & 4 year olds so happy to see your loving, familiar face come through the door.  

Everyone was delivered on time and Tuesday got off to a good start.  Afternoon van driver Bill, is an experienced pro and did his usual good job.

Mid-day Kate picked up laundry and took it home to wash.  A much appreciated job.

Denise was the on call coordinator Tuesday evening and greeted Evening hosts Joe (who is an IHN board member) and Lois Neighbors who were there to welcome the guests.

Dinner was reported to be fabulous.  Tacos, with all the trimmings, chips and salsa and brownies. Denise said it was so good she joined them for dinner--one of the perks of being a coordinator.  Thanks so much Judy and Julie!

 

David and Bruce were there to spend the night and reported a "very good and rewarding experience".  We so appreciate all our volunteers, and are thankful for the opportunity to get to know and learn from our guests. 

IHN, Monday August 12, 2013

Sunday overnight hosts, Elaine and Laura, got everyone up for an early start with one's work beginning at 7 and Johnathan to school no later than 7:25.  Erik gave Steve a personal "van lesson" and he was off with six passengers to take various and sundry places.

During Sunday night Elizabeth was not feeling well, but Monday she was better and went to work at her regular time in the afternoon afternoon.

Afternoon van driver Bill made a special drop off at 5:30 and picked her up at 6:00.  One dad was late from his out of town job to get his son from day care.  Susan was both the on-site coordinator and one of the evening hosts, taking Steve's place so he could go to the Braves/Phillies game...and he wasn't rooting for the Braves.  You're in Georgia Steve--go Braves.  Terry N. joined Susan as the Evening Host and they had a busy night and did a great job

This was a night of substitutes, Terry M filled in for Leita (& of course no one can out-cook Leita).  Terry was amazing, he told us that not only did he make the pizza, but flipped the dough in the air and spun it around.  He conceded that the chickens laid the eggs, which were deviled.  There was dessert and all enjoyed the meal with appreciation.

Denise made a late van pickup at 7:45.  IHN volunteers are nothing if not flexible.

One of our overnight hosts was very sick Monday so Wanda got in touch with a friend and Barb joined her for the night--thanks to both of you.  They got the guests up early and ready to leave right on time.

IHN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

Our IHN host week got off to a good start, thanks to an excellent set up crew: Gail, Ally, Carl, Roger, Denise & Kitty.  Gail and Ally had the floors swept and mopped in most of the rooms by the time the truck arrived.  The truck was unloaded in 8 minutes--what a team!  Before long 10 beds had been rolled into the rooms, and made up.  Tables and chairs were put into each room, along with lamps and clocks. Roger put privacy shades on the windows, and he and Carl moved the sofa from the Pit upstairs in front of the TV.  Names were put in the windows of each room, so our guests would know where to go and know we have been thinking of them and welcome them into their home for the week.

Meanwhile Marie and Tim took all 15 of the blue IHN bedspreads to the laundromat. The rest of the bedding, pillows and towels belong to First Pres and were brought from the boxes they are stored in between host weeks, fresh and ready to be used. 12 sets of sheets were put into the volunteer rooms, so the on-call coordinator can make up their beds each day.  A laundry "basket" was put on top of the washing machine.

The refrigerator was rearranged, a few "science project looking" items were pitched and the staples for IHN guests were put into the refrigerator and on the cart.  Items for a grab and go breakfast, or for snacks will be available all week.

Before long the set up crew had finished--great job!  Soon Smith came to be an evening host and minutes later Dianne arrived--in spite of having an appendectomy on Wednesday night --what a trooper!  Marie and Tim returned the bedspreads smelling fresh, and beautifully folded and ready for the beds.  Denise and Kitty inventoried the IHN items for the log book.

The guests arrived from Young Harris.  Three families,  2 single moms and 1 single dad, 1 big sister and 4 precious little children ages 1, 3, 4 and 5.  It's going to be a lively week!  They had fun with the wonderful toys in the Children's Ministry Suite.  Misse watched the little ones (along with new members' children) in the nursery while Denise and Kitty (the IHN Team on-call coordinators for Sunday) gave the adult guests a tour of the facilities and discussed the Guest Guidelines.

Soon Carol and Lisa arrived with a delicious dinner:  fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls and ice cream sandwiches.  YUMMY!  We have the reputation of great food for our guests.  One mom who was with us in June told the others "you're going to love the food here, they bring the best things!"

The night was quiet, an early start for school and work on Monday morning.  Elaine and Laura extended their usual time at FPC by spending the night.

Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers.  Our hope is your lives will be enriched by this experience.  Our prayer is that our guests will feel comfortable, welcome and safe in our church. We are blessed to have them with us and pray for peace for one and all.

God bless you every one.