From left: Tom, Tyler, Garrett, Andie, Layni & Paul

Thursday, 9:00 a.m. Grandma Rusty announced, "The Army is here ready to go to work."

Lugging a wheelbarrow, an electric pole mounted chainsaw, limb loppers, a bow saw, and work gloves, our crew of the youth missions U.M.(United Methodist) Army consisted of the Adult Leader Tom from Del Rio, Andie from Del Rio, Layni from Austin, Paul from West Lake, Garrett from Round Rock, and Tyler from Austin.

That crew trimmed several trees (even hanging over the roof), drug the limbs out to the highway, cut up and stacked short sections of cedar limbs for Grandma's flower bed borders, mowed the grass, cleaned up some construction debris, stacked some kindling, and mowed the yard.

They also helped set up an old 1940s era, GI 16' x 16' squad tent long enough for Rusty to inspect and photograph it. When deemed it was still in good shape, it got taken down, folded up and hauled back to its resting place.

Various Jackson County residents and groups were canvased last week to see what they may need help with from Monday to Friday this week. Two or three old buildings were demoed and the debris was hauled off. Wheelchair ramps were built. Some other carpentry projects were tackled.

On Thursday, the girls came to the door inviting us to have lunch with them. Sack lunches held ham & cheese sandwiches, Cheetos, cookies, and apples. After lunch they thanked me for eating with them when it was MY privilege.

On Friday, Peter Beard brought some powdered electrolyte mix, probably donated by Action Oilfield Supply. Many other businesses, groups and individuals contributed money, time, tools and food stuffs throughout the week. Not wanting to slight anybody, Peter was the only one I know for sure who brought something. Rusty has a pretty good idea of who all probably contributed but won't guess here.

The youths who came from various parts of Texas west and north of us helped finance part their trips with fund raisers and personal labor.

Since "our" crew had finished right at noon on Friday they were anxious to go back to a demolition project. Before they departed, Jenna from Round Rock and about three other ladies and one young feller came packing two one-gallon plastic containers of warm spaghetti and a gallon bag of fresh green salad.
They had done the same for every "client" family in town, including the lunches the first four days.

Then Tom handed me a folded invitation afforded all their "clients" (16 or 17 projects) for the week. Supper at the Catholic church was for the ARMY BRATS (just made that up, no reflection on their character or work performed) to share one more meal with their clients. Members of the Ganado Methodist Youth Christian Fellowship spent the afternoon cooking brisket and stuffed baked potatoes, salad, and serving those delicious goodies plus brownies and ice cream.

Andie hopes to be a speech therapist working with children. Layni wants to be a missionary to Guatemala and run a food pantry. Garrett hopes to parlay his baseball skills into a college scholarship and beyond. Paul competes in football, runs the hurdles and pole vaults. I think he wants to study for sports medicine. Tyler ran our lawn mower and hunts with a .22 rifle or his crack barrel single shoot (that's coonie for a single shot break open style) 20 gauge shotgun.

After the meal everyone was invited to a worship service at the UM church. The name YUM YUM ARMY is certainly fitting for a fine group of young people and sponsors.
********
In an effort to get the dead freezer "odour" out of some 38 quarts of shelled pecans, they're spread all over the kitchen. Some home made cookies - 3C - (white chocolate, cashews, & coconut) are getting aired out to where they're palatable. So far, exposure to the air, ceiling fan and some even in the oven for 10 & 15 minutes hasn't ridded the pecans of their terrible smell & taste. Any suggestions?