Monday, September 22, 2008

Here we go!


(Anna Rossing , Minnesota - WORKCAMP 1991)


The Romaines.....Workcamp.....blogging.....


This is new territory for us, so here we go! Thanks to "Massimo" for sharing his blog and showing us how to share to LOTS of info, fun and news.


This will be a space for the Petersburg Romaines & WORKCAMP news since we are so entwined that we have no idea where one ends and the other begins!
This will probably be the longest entry since I am bringing everyone up to speed.


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The Petersburg Romaines have been both busy and enjoying the "down time" after this summer's workcamps.
J.R. has been in demand. First is his congregation at Tabernacle Methodist....his tight little congregation in Dinwiddie County, VA. They used to be a circuit riding church, so he only ministers there on the first and third Sundays of the month. Every first Sunday the church eats together afterward, and boy can those ladies cook! The last Sunday in August he spoke to a large congregation at Prince George Christian Church....much fun!
Then, September 14th he was asked to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church to speak to annual catichist retreat about "the Word". Some of the folks had heard him daily at the adult sessions this summer at workcamp, so they quickly invited him to their church!
J.R. now has a cold/flu.....but did that stop him from golfing this morning????? Not!

Allie is moving in about 100 directions at the same time. This is her last year at VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University). It's her plan to graduate in May '09 with a degree in International Studies w/ a minor in French. So, now the push is on for her. She lives alone in Richmond in an interesting old apartment only a block from campus. This semester she is taking a French grammer class and French literature/culture class... both are taught totally in French.....she is picking up her last science credit with an Astronomy class....and her final art credits with a class on Dance Cultures Around the World. She was snatched up for an internship with the Richmond Catholic Diocese office on REFUGEE & IMMIGRATION assistance. She works in the refugee area. Most of the refugees coming in are Iraqi women and children who have lost their sons, husbands and homes because of the ongoing war. Allie has had a year of Arabic & also Islamic studies so she understands the culture. As it turned out, she has been assigned a young Islamic family from Somali. She mentors an 18 year old young woman and her 21 year old brother. They have 2 younger siblings that have been placed in a foster home situation in Richmond. Their parents were killed in front of them and the children were brought here out of harms way after trying to survive on the streets. As their relationships grow, I will keep u posted! We are so proud of Al and her ability to see and feel globally. Allie continues to see and love Drew Murphy who graduates from Hampden-Sydney in '09 with honors. She anxiously awaits the DVD of Sex in the City!

I'm enjoying the "down time" if u could call it that. I've gotten back into genealogy again after 21 years (put it away when Al was born because it was TOO time consuming!). Alicia S. and I went to the state library in Richmond to do some research last Wednesday....then she , Al and I went for lunch at the STRAWBERRY CAFE. We're heading up to the Morman Library in Richmond this coming Wednesday and lunch with Al. Saw the moving "Ghostown" the other day with friends....don't bother...it was really bad. Bought a small portable fire pit to go by the pool so hope to set it up this coming weekend.....Speaking of weekend, Al, Drew and I are heading to Charlottesville for a big wedding at ASHLAWN...our sweet Eliza D. is getting married and it is going to be quite the happening.....can't wait to post the photos on this! See, this is where it all gets fuzzy....Eliza is one of our Workcamp daughters......so, now on to workcamping news...

WORKCAMP NEWS! Tomorrow nite I address the Colonial Heights School Board and express gratitude for the use of their buildings this past summer. It is our hope not to return to Richard Bland College but to stay in Colonial Heights for 2009! So, lift up your prayers! New churches from around the states are emailing for info for next summer, so I predict that the rush will be on January 2nd. It is a difficult time but exciting time to see who makes it in......Last summer we had over 360 campers and staff....repaired 48 houses.....built 14 wheelchair ramps......and installed smoke detectors . Looks like the old bandmembers to LIVEWIRE have joined up again, so they will be joining us in 2009 both Tuesday nites.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Good to see you setting this up , yet another way to keep in touch !! , i love you all very much and hope to see you in London next year !!!


love from Tim in London !