What a Weekend!

We still don't have an antenna at the ranch, which means no internet or telephone. But I have figured out that I can send and receive texts... Strange! Anyway I am writing this in the car on our way to Moses Lake to see if we can find some lighter pipe for the antenna -- the 1 1/2 inch stuff we bought last week turned out to be way too heavy.

We had an absolutely incredible weekend! I spent Friday morning helping Diane and Dione prep food for Sunday lunch (lots of onion chopping for salads) and then putting together the roasters full of the ingredients for Green Bean Soup. Then I spent the afternoon helping Cleon tag the items for the auction on Saturday. When the stuff for the office came out of the trailers, I was able to find my boxes and start numbering auction cards. It was pretty amazing to see more and more cars and semis arrive and start unloading tarps and fences, tables and chairs getting set up for the booths and auction on Saturday. By that evening, we fed supper to 130+ people.

By seven AM the next morning, the crowds started lining up for the breakfast of sausages and pancakes while we handed out the cash packets Regan had prepared for each booth. Booth sales started at 9 AM and then the auction itself began at noon. People were in a generous mood. The loaf of bread that was auctioned off first (it would be used for communion on Sunday) went for a thousand dollars! Then it was resold several times for a grand total of $2150!

Here's one of the quilts being displayed as it was auctioned. Not this one, but another, a Lone Star quilt set the sale record of $5500.

Part of the crown watching the auction --

Some of the quilts in the big tent awaiting their turn to be sold --

There was absolutely no reason to go away hungry!

 One of the long lines in the afternoon. I think this line was for apple cider --

Or perhaps for Apple Butter. Both were being made while people watched.
 

Though it was very cold it the morning, it turned out to be a lovely day. People seemed to enjoy sitting in the sunshine, eating and just visiting.

No matter where you looked on the church grounds there were people checking out information about MCC (Mennonite Central Committee), checking out various booths, and visiting.

By the time the day was over and we had totaled up the proceeds, over $119,000.00 had been raised for world relief at the Mennonite Country Auction. We know that is only a preliminary number as all of the results are not yet in. For instance, we know that there was over $2000.00 in the Penny Power glass jug that had been raised by the children's collections of loose change (which had been matched by many members of the congregation) before the sale. The level in the jug was considerably higher by the end of the day. It won't be counted until later this week.

What a day! God is Great!

Puttin' Up the Tent!

Next Saturday, October 6th, is the Mennonite Country Auction at Menno Mennonite Church, out in the country between Ritzville and Moses Lake, Washington! The auction -- and the food and craft booths -- help raise money for relief for MCC (Mennonite Central Committee). Our sale is one of many held throughout the United States. MCC has a reputation of not only having a very small overhead (because of the volunteers) as well as assurance that relief supplies go where they are intended. Because of that, we get people from all over the state that come for a day of good food and fellowship and to contribute to world relief.

Today after church (and lunch furnished by Diane), it was time to set up the big tent. This is where the quilts to be auctioned will be displayed as well as nicer collectibles that are for sale.

First the three sections of the tent are laid out on the edge of the parking lot --

Here's Pastor Matthew pounding in one of the many stakes that will be used to tie down the tent --

When finished, there is a whole line of stakes all around what will be the perimeter of the tent --

Next the three sections of the tent are laced together. Menno's littlest folks have the nimble fingers needed to connect the sections --

They work hard with their dads and grandads to get the job done --

The fun thing about the auction is the way EVERYONE pitches in to help --

The guy ropes are attached to the rings on each section --

Okay, all laced together and ready to go --

Michael gets to crawl under to set the first of the three center poles --

The fellows raise the pole on the inside while the crew pulls from the outside --

One up!

And soon, all three have been raised --

Next the side poles are inserted, then the guy ropes are pulled tight and snugged down --

We didn't stay to see the side walls put on, but I'll take some pictures of the completed tent when we come down to stay at the ranch later this week.

There have been more and more lovely quilts showing up at the church from places as disparate as New York and Pennsylvania. They have been on display in the back of the sanctuary adding to the excitement about the coming sale. (You can see them at: www.mennonitecountryauction.mennonite.net/)