Christmas All Around

There's just no better way to see the countryside than on horseback!

Yesterday was one of those days where God showed me that Christmas is all around, no matter where we are or what we are doing!

We received word that our Las Vegas team is coming back in a couple of weeks to spread more blessings through their work. Some will fly in and some others are driving and bringing their own camper. I can't believe it's been a year since we've seen them.

Another call came -- one of the team members that helped put in Steven and Martha's kitchen and flooring said he has some Christmas money left over and wants to purchase a washer and dryer for them!!! He has to be Santa Claus! He already had a set picked out and because they are within driving distance he will pick them up and deliver them directly to their home -- like I said -- an angel for sure!

Still another call comes in saying the additional funding we needed to purchase the flooring for Hsilda and George was approved. This means that our team coming in directly after Christmas will be installing flooring and Hsilda will be close to finished and moving back home! Hopefully we can get it ordered and delivered right on time.

Ralph and Laura also called saying they would be ready for those same volunteers to come and install their flooring. They are using peel and stick vinyl tiles and it's getting to their knees. The team will be an amazing blessing to Ralph and Laura also.

While we are away Mel and Billie are getting their brand new roof -- the start of their rebuilding process! Not only are the 4 layers of shingles coming off and the broken ridge beam being replaced and repaired, they are getting the structural changes needed to make their home and safe home. This starts the process and means we will be getting volunteers in to reframe for new windows, new exterior siding and then move inside! Hold on Mel and Billie -- God is about to open the windows of heaven just for you!!!

And then I hear from my mother telling me that one of my dear childhood friends who I haven't seen in I can't (and won't) tell you how many years has her own horse ranch about an hour from where we are working in San Leon!! She and I used to dream big dreams when we were little girls, both of us loved horses and she took her dream and made it reality and I am so excited to get in touch with her after the holidays and hopefully do some making of our dreams come true very soon!

Today is also a day where my heart is truly home -- our church gift wrap day is today! Our Vineyard church has for nearly 20 years now chosen a Saturday near Christmas and set up camp at the local mall and wrapped gifts for free -- no donations allowed -- totally free! Each year our total number of gifts wrapped nears the 1,000 mark -- all in 14 hours! I have spent the past years ordering the materials and getting the volunteers signed up, some take multiple shifts and some stay nearly all day, which becomes my Christmas day. To see the smiles, the faces of unbelief that it's really free, to see the tears when they realize it is free, to feel their love and thanks IS Christmas! Last year we were here and unable to be there and the same this year. Both years Pastor Dave's daughter, Susie, has stepped up and done an amazing job. This year is going to be tough for her as she is in early stages of pregnancy and not feeling well at all. Oh do I wish I could be there today -- but -- God has other plans and we are blessed in so many ways it's impossible to count.

We are so thankful for all our blessings -- and also thankful that home still tugs at our hearts!

Blessings flowing in all directions, in all states and in all cities, in all forms, shapes and sizes -- some anticipated and still others a complete surprise. All orchestrated by God -- the Almighty and Perfect planner!

We all hear and see the "slogan" this time of year -- "Jesus is the Reason for the season" -- be aware this season and look for Him all around you!

Until next time . . . be blessed. Susan and Monty

Mission San Jose'

It might have been cloudy and cold and drizzling but we headed out and went to both the Alamo and Mission San Jose'. Both were amazing and filled with such history!

The Alamo had a narrator who told the story and it was facinating! We get used to the history of where we live and hearing about someplace else is always interesting.

From there we were off to one of the 5 missions still remaining here. Mission San Jose' was awesome! We were able to see where they all lived, surrounded by walls and the church being the center of life. A lesson we could all live by?! They still hold church services in the sanctuary and are having a true live nativity program over the weekend. It really touches my heart to see how people lived, how they fought for not only their freedom but our own!

If time would have permitted we would have gone to another mission but with the clouds the darkness came early, along with traffic. Maybe in a couple of days we can return. There's always been something moving about entering old churches -- I can literally "feel" the presence of the Lord!

And at this time of year it's even more special and moving.

Until next time . . . bless someone else today! Susan and Monty

Where are we?

It took an entire day for us to even get outside -- we slept most all of yesterday and my oh my was that needed! If any of you know me you know that's just not me -- but it was yesterday and we both felt much better today.

Although we weren't awake in time for the breakfast served here we did get up and out for lunch and took a trip to a nearby cave that Monty had found a brochure on. It was quite the trip! Where we are from in Indiana we have numerous caves and we even took a trip many years ago to Cave City in Kentucky where Mammoth Cave is. This one was not a disappointment at all!

If you click on the larger photo you might see what we saw - and the guide said everyone sees it -- the Nativity scene! It's absolutely amazing and beautiful way beyond what this photo can show. With Christmas only 10 days away it was very moving. Hope you can see the fine details also.

Until next time . . . remember the real reason for this season! Susan and Monty

Time Off

Yes, the title is correct --we are taking some time away from working this week. One thing we heard over and over again while we were in missions training school was that we should be taking time away -- time away from the work and the area we are working in. Some say we should be taking a break every 3 months -- I just want to know how that is possible?

This week is our time away and next week UMCOR is closed -- yes, closed for the holiday! What a fantastic idea -- not only for us working but mostly for the homeowners. They need some sort of "normalcy" in life, even if it's far from what they are used to.

Since the only thing we've seen in Texas was where we have been for the past 14 months we have ventured out a bit and will hopefully have some photos of where we are -- maybe you can try and guess where it is?

We would have loved to have gone home for the holidays, home to families and friends. But traveling for 2 days in my small truck with both dogs is more than difficult. If only we had a bigger and more reliable truck . . .?

As the song says, we'll be home in spirit and hope all our families understand.

In the meantime -- we hope to see some sights, get some rest, eat a bit and rest a bit more.

Be sure and stay tuned to see how well that plan works out! :)

Until next time . . . bless someone you don't really know . . . as a surprise!
Susan and Monty

They did it!

Our UMCOR team at our Christmas luncheon -- what a crew -- what a family!!

Jack and his team got 'er done! Well, almost. The next incoming team right after Christmas will only have a couple of rails to do and the deck and handicapped ramp will be complete! They did an amazing job of working with the existing, reinforcing what was and rebuilding what needed to be rebuilt. Jose' even made it to the house today (they have been staying with family this week) and as he walked up and down the ramp he couldn't stop smiling! It is finally safe, no more fears of falling through or falling off as they push both he and Blanca up and down. And now it's even extended so all they need to do is pull the van up in the drive and the ramp is right there waiting for them next to the van.

Our deepest thanks to all of Jack's team. There were team members who came and went all week and we are grateful to them for taking time from their own busy schedules, especially this holiday season, to come and be such a great blessing to Jose', Blanca and their family! We hope they will be back to do it again sometime soon.

This morning Monty and I met Ms Rosaland at the building inspection office to make sure we are following all their codes and rules. It gave us the opportunity to meet those in charge and to introduce ourselves. Since we are a non profit organization we will not be charged for the building permit. We look forward to working with them as each location has its own set of rules and getting familiar with them is always a learning experience.

We also are thrilled to let all of you know that Mel and Billie will be getting an entirely new roof on their home starting Monday morning, weather permitting! Matt and his crew fit the bill and will start by tearing off the existing 4 layers, yes - 4, and then doing quite a bit of structural work before laying new decking and tar paper and shingles. It's the first step in their transformation and we are excited to be starting!

Another week has passed and another homeowner and their family blessed and thankful! And it's not even Christmas yet!

Until next time . . . bless someone else and feel the love! Susan and Monty

Pushing Forward

It took some bundling up this morning! The north winds kicked up and the clouds moved in to make it a quite brisk day to work. Atleast it wasn't 98 degrees!

The men were hard at it when we arrived to check in. They were laying the deck boards across the ramp and making plans for the hand rails. They sent us back to Lowes to get some bracing to sturdy up the existing deck area. By the time we returned they had made great progress and that continued through the day and into the early evening. With the threat of rain for tomorrow they worked until it was too dark to see. We are praying the rains will hold off so they can finish it all tomorrow.

We also met Art at Lowes this morning for him to get more materials. He is really close to finishing and needed some final items. He thinks the last thing will be some guttering, which is a good idea since he is quite high in the air. He laughed when he told of going up the stairs in a pouring rain! Guttering will take care of the extra shower he gets as he walks up!

Another trip to Lowes was needed mid afternoon to get more bracing. Like I said, they are doing a wonderful job and making sure it will be "safe, sanitary and secure" - the guidelines straight from FEMA.

I also talked with one of our incoming teams, the ones coming in the week after Christmas. They have increased their numbers to 38 volunteers!! It is our hope to get alot of the remainder of things completed on quite a few homes over the 3 days they are here.

The schedule of volunteers looks good starting in January and running through the spring -- but -- remember -- we always need more! The more work that needs done the more volunteers we need to get it done. So as you look closer to the new year knocking on our door ... we'd love to have you come and share some life changing blessings!

Until next time . . . be blessed to be a blessing! Susan and Monty

PS Also a wonderful note in regard to our disaster recovery work we did while in Columbus, Indiana during the summer of 2008---one of the case managers has written a book about his experience and it looks to be awesome. Eric met with Monty and I very early on and felt God was directing him to write about his experiences he was about to have. Eric wasn't sure how to go about doing such and thing and Monty's advice touched his heart and he went with it "just write about your personal experience, from your heart" and it can't fail. Eric called today to say the book is now complete and he has it for sale in some local stores and will be doing book signings within the next weeks. I hope to have a link to his website very soon so you too can take a look at it and maybe purchase one for yourself? Very early on Eric vowed that a percentage of his sales would be donated to our ministry so let's all support both Eric and this ministry of disaster recovery! Stay tuned for more info. Good Job Eric!!! We love you and we miss you!!!!

Christmas Luncheon

With temps a bit cooler, the sun shining and a northerly breeze the team was up and out and fed and ready to work.

I was faxing and delivering materials early also and then both Monty and I headed off north for our weekly UMCOR meeting. We had it later than usual this week so we could take care of business and then have our Christmas lunch together. Eddie chose a wonderful place and we all had a really good time. The desserts sent us all over the edge but each of us loved the fall! We just can't tell you how blessed we are to be a part of such a family!

After the lunch it was time to head out and check on Jack and the team. They have done this work many times and know Alan quite well so he decided to stop by and visit with all of them. When we stopped by the laughter could be heard down the street! Again -- family!!!

The deck and ramp is coming along very well. They are even reinforcing the existing deck! I have a few materials to pick up in the morning for them for that bracing and then they will be starting on the flooring and railing. Jose' and Blanca are getting closer each day to being safe in their own home! Something we all take for granted.

Lowes also delivered flooring and a variety of materials to Ralph and Laura's this morning so they can keep going on their own until the next group of volunteers.

Tomorrow we will meet up with Art who will be doing the same thing.

Our plan for this evening is to play "Santa" to Mariano, Maria and the kids. When we were there a few days ago they had their tree up but nothing underneath it. Thanks to some funding and a special gift from Pastor Bob to little Mariano we have quite a truck load of things to take to them -- all a surprise. I hope to have photos for tomorrow.

On a sadder note, early this morning there was a huge explosion at one of the chemical plants near us. All of the sudden we heard a very loud bang, the trailer shook and the smoke looked like a mushroom cloud overhead. From the news reports there were only a couple of people slightly injured and they are still gathering details. I haven't seen smoke like that - ever!

A day of variety -- a day of family in all sorts of ways and a day to be reminded of our blessings!

Until next time . . . bless someone else and feel the love! Susan and Monty