Today I went with Pastor Beth to Shea Farm in Concord. We go the second Monday of each month so the women there can volunteer with The Stork Project.  I look forward to the morning. Shea Farm is on a winding back road in Concord just off of 89. It is a white farm house and if it weren't for the sign announcing it was part of the NH Department of Corrections you would probably pass by it with little notice.  I find my time there to be very peaceful.

 

For me, going to Shea Farm is about service; how can I serve these women. How can I take what has been put before me and make it valuable to them?  Getting ready to go is alot of work. In fact I skipped church Sunday and used that time to get together everything they would need to participate in a meaningful way. I feel closest to God when I am all alone in "The Nest" sorting and snapping.

 

Much was accomplished! In the month since I was last there blankets and hats had been made and so they were able to make 12 Welcome Bundles using their own creations.  We then moved on to the set ups that the Whipper Snappers had assembled on Thursday and the ladies made 14 mini bundles.  Christmas outfits were snapped and sorted as were winter one piece outfits.  We worked for over 90 minutes.

 

I believe that fellowship is better with food and we were lucky to be able to spend a bit of time eating the most wonderful cupcakes and cake. I learned the back of a plastic fork makes a pretty good cake cutter!  We talked about all the Hostess products remembered from our youth and looked over all the bundles we made.

 

We are all part of the same community and there is meaningful work for all of us. I am thankful that God brought these ladies and Pastor Beth into my life.