Tuesday Titbits

This morning I (Rena) found Dwight busy at his computer, composing his March "Donor letter". This is the name we attach to the letter that accompanies the tax deductible receipts as they are mailed out each month. He puts a lot of care and thought into his letters.

Looking through his window (behind his desk) I could see Jim N. and Andy P. working on the Cessna Skymaster for a ministry in Cananda. MMS is overhauling the engines as well as conducting inspections and other maintenance needs. It's bright red coat of paint makes it quite visible in the snow. This plane has two engines - one in the front to pull and one in the back to push!

It Keeps on Coming

The snow - it keeps coming! Thankfully we have a four-wheel drive vehicle and we have made good use of it. Up at MMS, we are running out of room to pile the snow. In spite of snow drifts, we do have a path to the front door. Dave Shelly, MMS' Facility Maintenance Manager, has been busy.

The shoveler wearing new boots. Rena made him buy them because the old ones had holes in them.

At home, Dwight spends a good deal of time shoveling snow from the deck and driveway. And it keeps coming. This last round of snow added seven more inches and more is forecast for tonight. Schools were closed all last week and again this week so far.

Weight and Balance

The Cessna 206 for a ministry in Honduras is almost complete. This video (borrowed from the MMS blog - thank you Keith) shows the weight and balance process.

Keith Dodson Vimeo.Checking Weight & Balance

Babysitting Day/ No School

It was great to have the grandkids for the day while Mommy and Daddy were at work. School has been out every day this week so far. Chanelle and Javin are a joy and we have lots of fun. Too bad grandpa had to work too. It wasn't long before they came up with fun things to do.

Javin insisted that he wanted to make a snowman. The snow, however, was too soft to pack for making a snowman. His solution was to make a mound of snow and just make the snowman's head. Chanelle brought her fashion design set and cut out little clothes items with provided templates.

Javin also spent time playing games on the computer. His favorite ones involve math problems.

Putting fashion aside, Chanelle made a cake in a coffee mug. We recently discovered how to make these 2 minute cakes in the microwave. Here she is showing off her Lemon cake with a Lemon glaze. Yum!

We dug out Uncle Scott's Leggos out of storage and kept up this project for quite a while.

We noticed that the snow piled on the patio table sort of look like a giant cake. So the kids decorated it with jar lids (represent giant m&ms), plastic cups, candles and bird seed (sprinkles).

MMS work continues

These pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago and are typical of the daily tasks in the MMS hangars.

Mike Dunkley is making the wiring harness for the Cessna 206 that is going to Brazil.

A closer look at the back of the radio stack.

Mark and Ian are moving the fuselage of the Brazil airplane after being painted.

Snow, Snow, Snow

Well it was quite a blizzard. We received about 10-12 inches of snow. Some areas in the county got as much as 14 inches. On Friday many of our "necessities" began to shut down. The first to stop was the Internet service, followed by the phone service and shortly before bedtime, it was the power. We dug out the candles and flashlights and eventually cuddled under blankets for warmth (our heat source is electric). The power came on around 4:30 AM (6 hours off) on Saturday and the Internet was mostly restored today (Sunday). Though sometimes it shuts down. We still lack phone service. Many in the county are still without power so we feel quite blessed.

Let there be light Jason clears our driveway

Jen and Jason and the grandkids came over in his Dad's truck with the snow blade attached. Also in the truck was a much appreciated load of firewood for our basement woodburner. Now we will have a backup source of heat should the power go out again.

Chanelle carries in firewood

Javin does his part too

Haiti Relief

MMS had sent 3 men, Josh, Ian and Chuck to help MFI on their DC-3 airplanes. MFI is and has been extremely busy with their Haiti Relief flying. One of our men, Josh Adelsberger has been posting their activities daily on his blog. For pictures and details you can click on his blog here.