We Did The Food Drop 2019

While we were up north, we were able to participate in the Annual Food Drop that our family's church does each year and they traditionally look forward to being part of it.

So early Saturday morning, January 27, we along with 1,998 other people including two of our grandchildren, met at Granger Community Church in Granger, Indiana to make sure food would be available for over 63,000 people in the Michiana (Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana) area.

After a joint informational meeting, everyone dispersed to their area of assignment.  Our job was to stay inside as much as possible since it was a very chilly 18 degree day.

So we, along with hundred's of others decorated boxes to be filled with food products outside.

Once the box was decorated, there was a line of young people who taped the boxes and then sent you outside to begin the process of loading them.

Once our boxes were loaded, they were then sealed and put into trucks that would later take them to distribution points all over the area.  These boxes were then given to some 63,000 people personally that afternoon.

In looking at a video of the event, I got a glimpse of someone familiar.  I had no idea this had been taken so was quiet surprised to see that I made the video.  How fun is that!

This is another shot from the video to give you an over view of the enormous process.  The filled boxes were loaded into the trucks on the right.

There were four eighteen wheeler trucks loaded with donated bulk cases that were moved by human chains to smaller trucks to be taken to food pantries.

Granddaughter Mary-Elizabeth and to-be Granddaughter, McKenna were the end of the chain, inside one of the trucks handing off these bulk items to Grandson, Jackson deeper inside.  This is the job they choose to do every year.

This is part of the 220 dozen doughnuts provided for the 2,000 people.  There were also numerous hot beverage and juice tables for all the hard working folks.

After it was all loaded the hard workers came inside to warm up in front of the fireplace and drink something warm.

We were thrilled to have been part of this wonderful timely event.  The following week saw record breaking low temperatures in Northern Indiana thanks to the Polar Vortex and Winter Storm Jayden.  So, thanks to the ministry of Granger Community Church and thousands of volunteers, many families had plenty to eat.

This is a link to a video about the event if you would like to see what really takes place.  You will even see a familiar face.

Food Drop 2019

Linking with:
Amaze Me Monday

Miscellany Monday - What a Week!

WOW!

What a week we have had!  Actually, the craziness didn't just start this week.  We walked into the busy, busy lives of the John Day Family a couple weeks ago.

But, just let me share with you what we have been able to share with this active family this past week.

In order to do that, I am joining Carissa at Miscellany Monday.   Thank you again, Carissa for hosting us every Monday.

I am going to begin with

Tuesday.

Granddaughter #5, Mary-Elizabeth, was inducted into the

National Junior Honor Society at her school, Discovery Middle School.

It was such an honor for her to be chosen.  The criteria was so high that she was one of 21 sixth graders chosen from a class numbering more than 300 students.

Discovery is a National Blue Ribbon School, of which there aren't too many.

Students were chosen because of their high scholastic standing, character, leadership, and service.

We could not be more proud of our outgoing and beautiful granddaughter.  One of her best friends, Makenzie was also selected.

Wednesday

Hubby and I took a trip into South Bend to visit a nursery only to find out while there that it is the oldest family owned greenhouse in Michiana.  It was started by the current owner's great grandmother in 1920 and moved to the back yard of someone's tiny little house in the West End in 1949 where it is today.  It may be a tiny little place but it is jam packed with beautiful, healthy plants of every description.

 Afterward, we drove around the residential area of South Bend and found this adorable little cottage.

We also visited an art gallery, but that is a whole complete blog of its own.

Thursday

National High School Rugby Championship begins!
The local Rugby Association hosted the Nationals in Elkhart, IN, only a short distance from John's house.  You may recall Hubby and Son attending this event with Jackson in Salt Lake City last year.  What an exciting time for the whole family to be able experience Rugby at this level.

As this was Jackson's third and final opportunity to compete, we took the girls out of school early so they could support their big brother.  Little did they know that Mom and Dad had a surprise waiting for them upon arrival at the Rugby Fields.

They were each given a sweet card, a Stella & Dot necklace and tickets to "Wicked" for that evening.

Needless to say, they were very excited girls.  They had seen the Broadway play in Chicago last year and so wanted to see it again here in South Bend.  Son was kind enough to get tickets for his parents as well, and the six of us had a great evening.  The play was amazing!

Now, back to Rugby!

Jackson is a Senior so this was his last opportunity to play for the National Title.  They came in 2nd last year in Salt Lake City.

Penn was ranked #4 in the Nation and they played against the #5 team and WON.

 Jackson got quite a shiner as you can see, but he played tough, making two of the four Tries.

Friday

Game #2 was Friday afternoon against the #1 team, Gonzaga, Washington DC.

 It was a hard fought battle, but we were not to win against this strong team.  They had scouted Jackson and knew how to bring the Big Man down.  He played one of his best games, but it just wasn't to be.

He looks like a man playing with children, doesn't he?

That evening, Savannah had her Eighth Grade Dance.

In my unbiased opinion, she was the prettiest girl there!  Unbiased! I repeat, totally and completely unbiased!

I was able to take her to meet a friend for makeup and hairdo's then group pictures.

Saturday

Again, to the Rugby fields for the last game.

Early in the game, Jackson had a head butt to his right thigh causing a deep bruise.  He played the rest of the game but he wasn't at his best.  Needless to say, they lost and came in 4th for the tournament.  A real disappointment!

Sunday

This morning, we hit the Soccer field at 7:15.  And yes, this is the same gorgeous, feminine, Elizabeth Taylor look alike you saw earlier.  She is a fierce competitor on the soccer field.  A total contradiction!

 We got home in time to make a few wardrobe changes and get to the 11:30 worship service at Granger Community Church.

It has been a busy, busy week indeed, and the next two will be just as crazy, but I wouldn't change a thing.

I trust your week will be equally full of blessings.