January 2010

Dear Friends,

ICE! We have really had some cold days this month. The water in the ditches out front are frozen. We have had pipes freeze out at the chicken pen and the Wynn house. I don't like the cold too much. 

The board would like to introduce to you Kris and Chelly Ackerman and their daughter, Tabatha. The Ackermans have been hired as relief houseparents and are currently living in Unit 2. This is exciting news for us here at Open Door because it is a step forward in planning for the future. Kris works for Home Depot out at the beach and Shelly cleans houses. The Ackermans will be sharing the relief job with Billy and Cindy Spruill. In addition to MAPP training and relief, the Ackermans will be working to get Unit 2 ready for children.  There are some repairs and upgrades still needed to Unit 2. We need a new water heater and some plumbing done. As far as appliances, a chest freezer and refrigerator are needed. There are a couple dozen smaller jobs that Kris and Chelly are in the process of doing as well.

Billy has been working hard during the off season to get that blasted zero turn mower running again. The problem is poor design. Billy has had to have some parts welded and some even modified. The problem is that it keeps throwing belts and tearing them up. The hydrostats are also messed up and the thing jerks you like crazy when you drive it. We probably should have gotten a commercial mower when we bought this one. We have about 9 acres of grass that has to be mowed each week and it's hard on mower. Please pray for Billy as he gets ready for the season coming up.

Most people are looking at all the water standing in the fields and wondering if they will be able to get in them in the spring. It was hard enough on most of the area farmers to get their crops out of the fields. I mention all this because the new catalogs are in for the spring supplies. I'm thinking of the garden and fruit trees. I must admit that I love working outside in the warm sun. Yes, it's 36 degrees out today. But in my mind it's a nice 84 degrees and we're swimming in the pool after a hard morning of hoeing the garden... Can I dream or what?

This month we have been blessed with visits to Rosemary Church of Christ, Philippi Church of Christ, New Testament Christian Church, and Athens Chapel Church of Christ. As you are getting your calendars ready for 2010 you might want to keep in mind scheduling a presentation. I have plenty of open dates at the moment. I am willing to come for the whole congregation or for Sunday School Classes and youth activities. I am also available to come to club meetings, circle or auxiliary meetings, social clubs, and more. Just give me a call or email me. 

Thank you again for your support.

God Bless You,

Loren Harold Lung

houseparent