Mardi Gras or Work???

Welcome to the office, which is also located inside of a temporary facility. We have been blessed to find ourselves working with a great group of people whose only "agenda" is to help the people recover from the storm.

Monty and I were busy checking homes today. We had to pick up a washer and dryer from one home and deliver it to another. The first home probably should have been condemned and demolished but a team of volunteers went in with big hearts and started rebuilding. By the time this home is done the homeowner will have a wonderful home! Both homes next to this one will be demolished but this homeowner will be able to watch that demolition from the comfort of their new home!

We delivered the washer and dryer to a home near the water. This home had to be raised high in the air due to the new flood levels. A team of Amish volunteers from Pennsylvania are working there this week. I am always amazed at the high quality of work they do! No corners are cut, no "easy ways" are invented, they do their best and it shows! It won't be long and this homeowner will also be enjoying their "high and lifted" up view on their subdivision.

Our next home needed a "punch list" to prepare it for occupancy. There is still quite a bit to be done but most of it small things. The vinyl flooring needs glued down, the base trim needs installed along with the appliances and crown molding around the ceilings throughout the home. Cleaning is a top priority also. We have a fantastic team from Iowa who will be returning to work with us the first of March so we are saving this one for them. They will also be finishing Virgil's home getting it ready for occupancy. We are so excited to have this team coming as they have worked with us many times and always do quality work!

At this mornings weekly meeting I was blessed to run into Maury, Rosemary's brother! He is now working for the Red Cross and attending the meetings. He informed me that Rosemary is in the process of getting moved into their new home. Her mother is still in the FEMA trailer but they are making progress. It was awesome to see him and to also hear he and his wife purchased a home and will be doing all of the renovation work on it themselves! The one thing Maury asked me when I first met him was if he could work with the volunteers on his sister's home so he could learn about construction. Boy oh boy did he learn --- and now look what he is doing with that knowledge!!

Before the end of the week we will be visiting the locations where we will be able to house our volunteers. As soon as we get that done I will post the details so all teams already scheduled will know and those of you in the thinking or planning stages can also know. We are so thankful to these locations for continuing to house volunteers and for welcoming ours.

A couple of medical updates; Diane's mother is now home from the hospital and although weak, she is recovering nicely. Monty's uncle is still hospitalized and the procedure to sever the nerves to the pancreas seems to have worked. Please pray for his family as this is extremely difficult on all of them.

We will not be working tomorrow as it is "Fat Tuesday" here and everything is closed!! One of those regional holidays we aren't used to but this is our 3rd one!! Can't believe we have been here that long!! Wednesday we will have double the work but that's why we are here. The sooner we get it done the sooner homeowners will actually be able to say they are "home"!!

Blessings until the next time . . . Susan and Monty

Downsizing to upsize

Sitting by the campfire doing phone work is a new twist for me but a nice one.

It also seems we left one tornado alley to drive into another one. The winds are howling and the waters are bashing the shores with tornado watches out and expecting to be changed into warnings before the night is over. Hopefully the trailer won't rock and roll too much.

This morning started with a staff meeting here at Rebuild Jackson County and 2 members learned they most likely will be out of a job by the end of next month. Downsizing!! This organization is just like many others along the coast, in danger of running out of financing to help those who are desperately in need of help! Time will tell but we would appreciate prayers!

Speaking of those, Diane's mother has had some breathing difficulties and is still in the hospital. Monty's uncle is having even more difficulties and we wait each hour by hour for updates.

I am still in the middle of making phone call after phone call to those who have lost all hope of ever getting back into a real home! I have one lady who hasn't had one single thing done since the storm, she has no ability to do so. She is a working mother with 3 children doing the best she can to just make ends meet! It's amazing to hear the changes in their voices when they receive the smallest ray of hope! It's a God thing for sure! I only wish you could hear it instead of just reading about it here.

Please keep all of these things in your prayers and remember how blessed we all are, no matter what we think!!

Blessings until next time. . . Susan and Monty

The light isn't an oncoming train

Blogger is having photo "issues" again this evening!

The past couple of days have been quite busy, mostly with getting settled. Monty spent all of today resealing the roof of our camper as we discovered during last nights thunder storm that there was a leak -- right over top of our bed! And, of course, we discovered it AFTER the rains stopped and the bed was wet. We also discovered that if one uses a hair dryer to dry out the sheets and blankets that one should also unplug the ceramic heater BEFORE using said hair dryer or one will blow a circuit!! The fascinating details of trailer life!! Let the storms come back tonight -- we're ready for them (we think).

Getting settled is always a challenge. We tried to locate ourselves as close to the bath house as possible so we could shower there and save on our own water usage. Since we cannot hard-pipe into the sewer line we will need to pick up stakes and drive to the dump station each time the tanks fill. To avoid doing this as much as possible we use the shower house. We have also learned which showers have water pressure and which ones don't! And walking through the trees at night using a flash light is a new adventure also. Thank goodness for the Best Buy gift certificate from our daughter, Lindsay, we now have walkie talkies we can use to keep and "ear" out for each other. And then there are the set of steps up from the living area to the bedroom -- Monty found them the hard way during the night! I moved the night light closer to that area so he can now see when he is going to the kitchen during the night! Like I said, the details of getting settled can bring quite the laugh!!

We were so blessed to spend last evenings dinner with our dear friends from Wisconsin, Tony and Shirley. They are back, once again, for another month of volunteering in whatever way they can. They are working through the Lutheran effort here and are really being "stretched" in their skills and abilities. They spent their first week blowing insulation in the attics of homes and needless to say also spent time finding the local chiropractor who made it possible for them to continue to crawl into the attics! It was so good to see them and we look forward to having a couple more weeks to see them. They might even come and sit by one of our fires some evening!

That brings me to the update on Diane's mother. She is doing much better and if this continues she might be coming home in the next couple of days!! Thank you so much for your prayers!!!

As for Monty's uncle . . . he is now hospitalized since falling the other night. He is just too weak and needs to be where he can be monitored on a constant basis. The family thanks you for your prayers and asks that they continue as time is of the essence.

We also pray for our home Pastor, Pastor Dave and his wife Lisa who are in Costa Rico on a mission trip. Around 5 years ago they started planting churches there and are on a return trip to turn those churches over to the communities! What an awesome outreach and blessing!!

Back to us. . . we are busy looking at homes that have either had (or are in the process of having) work done to return them to real homes. We met Ms Clark yesterday who is enjoying her brand new home. Her old one was replaced with a brand new one and the smile on her face is a permanent fixture.

We also went to other homes that needed assessed for damages and the paperwork process started to get them the help and repairs needed. The Case Managers are the ones who meet with the homeowners and get them through the paperwork and processes to be able to receive funding and/or repairs done. It's quite the process but more and more people are receiving the help they desperately need. Yesterday I was speaking with a gentleman via the phone who was telling me his "story". No doubt he has told his story a thousand times over the past years and still has yet to receive help. When I assured him we had now started the process and would do whatever we could to help him he broke down in tears and told me "you made my day" and now he "could see the light at the end of the tunnel and realized it wasn't an oncoming train!" And all I did was speak with him on the phone! BUT . . . what he really got was a ray of HOPE!! That's all anyone is looking for! These people have lost everything and have spent 100% of their time over these past 2 and 1/2 years doing whatever they could to just survive! They have not had the time to emotionally process anything! And it is beginning to not only show, but take it's toll!

As I have said before --- the need is sooooo great!!!

We will continue to do what we can, to listen to God's calling, to His direction, and do our best to be obedient to that call and do whatever it is He would have us do. We do know we are where He wants us to be, where we need to be, where He is speaking to us!

We are at "home"! Thank you for making that possible with your prayers and financial support!

Blessings to all until next time . . . Susan and Monty

PS In case you lost the info or forgot or are reading for the first time. . . We are "funded" by the donations of people such as yourselves, a dollar at a time. We are not funded by any agencies or any one church. No donation is too small and we bless you for your help. If you would like to donate please send your tax deductible donation to the following -- with a separate note attached. Just write our names on that separate note and it will come directly to us. Our mission sending agency takes care of these details thus making it possible for us to concentrate on our work. Please send to:
International Gospel Outreach (IGO)
PO Box 1008
Semmes, AL 36575-1008
Thank you!

We're Back "Home"

Before I even get into our trip and "landing" I have 2 extremely urgent prayer requests.

1. Please pray for Monty's uncle Larry. He has been suffering with pancreatic cancer for months and they have called in the family tonight. We ask for prayers of peace, the kind that surpasses all human understanding.

2. Please pray for Diane's mother. She suffered a heart attack today. They did get her to the hospital in time and after placing stents she appears to be doing well. She is not a young woman, a mother of 13 and could use healing prayers from all of us.

Now, as you can see by the photos we did make it out of the frigid temps of home in Indiana and after 2 days on the road we landed yesterday late afternoon. I must admit that I have never in my life officially "camped" until now. We are in a state camp ground, surrounded by shade trees and were even able to russel up a real campfire this evening. If you have spent any time here at all you know that the only way to ward off the gnats, the no-seeums and the mosquitos is fire and smoke. Yes, they are all out and were more than ready to greet us as we got the trailer set up. The temps themselves are in the mid 60s and wonderful. Being in the shade is a real treat for us as our past near 2 years had us on the back side of a strip mall, facing the south and on concrete. We are so thankful to Rebuild Jackson County for making this location possible for us.

Speaking of Rebuild Jackson County. . . that is the organization we will be assisting over the next months. This organization has been established since shortly after the storm and is where I would come each Monday morning to meet with all the relief agencies in the area. No matter what the title overhead, Lutheran, Methodist, Amish . . . we all came together around the table and did what we could do to meet the needs of those who lost so much. What a thought - - - everyone working together and no labels!! Now I know why I was at each meeting. They are the ones who welcomed us back, who set us up in the park and with whom we will be working. We will be construction coordinators, once again coordinating the volunteer teams with both their stays while here and the work they will do while here. There is quite a bit of new construction going on and still much rebuilding to be done. Right now there is one gentleman, Moses, who is overseeing every project and he is welcoming us with open arms, and one of the biggest smiles I've seen in awhile! The thought of having both of us come in and help brought on that smile.

Many of the relief efforts have closed their doors having run out of funds. Others are still operating but not knowing how long they will last. Still others are under "reconstruction" themselves. This relief effort is constantly changing, no way to write a book as the minute you think you've "got it" you have to change the way you are doing it.

We are so thankful to God -- and all of you --- for making it possible for us to return to the field. The needs are still sooooo great and we hope to just make ourselves available for God to work through us and use us as He sees fit. We know and trust He has the manual, He has the chapter already written and it is our prayer that we are open to hearing His Word and obedient to follow that Word.

We do not have internet access in the park so we will be doing the best we can traveling to the coffee shop in the mall or using whatever access we can locate. It is still my hope to keep you updated on a daily basis as I know there is going to be alot happening and we will need your continued prayers and support to keep up with everything.

One other note, I did stop in and visit with Ms Faye today! Surprise! Surprise! She could REALLY use your prayers also. She knows no other life than with Mike Sr and is having problems with isolating herself. She is so lost and so alone. Even with all the reassurance in the world it still doesn't make up for the lonely evening and nights. And to "ice the cake" Mike Jr is facing the consequences of a very poor decision he made last spring and will be incarcarated next week and most likely for a couple of months. The judge will make the final decision on the time next week. Please pray for both of them. We all know we learn our biggest lessons from our biggest mistakes. May this be the case with Mike Jr.

We thank all of you for your prayers. They are priceless! Just as much as we know God has called us here to do this work we also know satan will be attacking from every angle, and from some angles we don't even know about yet. Please continue to hold us up and please continue to hold up all those along the Gulf Coast who are still hurting.

Blessings to all until next time . . . Susan and Monty

Warm thoughts??

The sun is shining, there is a light covering of snow on the ground, the temps are in the single digits and the wind chills are below zero!

And we are packing our camper trailer getting ready to head south! I think the birds are even jealous!

We are really excited to get there, even though it will be a 2 day journey. Pulling 11,000 pounds behind Monty's truck makes is nearly impossible to even reach the speed limit let alone go over it!

We also want to "dangle the carrot" to you out there who might be thinking of putting together a team to come and work with us and spread more blessings among those who feel as though hurricane Katrina was yesterday. We just received our set of house plans for our next Speed Build! Yes, this time we actually have plans, not just a drawing on a piece of graph paper!

Joe will be heading up the team from West Virginia for yet another fantastic week! They are in their own planning meetings getting the jobs divided up between workers and trucks filled with tools and things they will need. Somewhere in there they will throw in a blanket or sheet to sleep on. Sleep is something not easily found during those builds but smiles are abundant.

We don't know this family just yet but we do know they are handicapped as we will be building a ramp. This home must be built 12 feet in the air! Yes, 12 feet! That means more pilons, more digging, more concrete to set them and everyone working 2 stories in the air doing every single thing needing done to build the house!

The week of building has not been set as yet but we are looking at the end of Feb or first of March.

West Virginia would more than welcome those of you who are skilled in construction, or some form of construction. Things move like clockwork that week and the more skilled hands there are the timelier the clockwork.

Be sure and stay tuned in to the blog. Things are about to start happening, God is moving and people are going to finally be able to "go home" again.

The rebuilding of lives through rebuilding of homes is about to go into another chapter and we are so excited to see what God has in store. He already has the chapters written. All we have to do is stay obedient, listening to only His voice and following only His path.

Come along with us, whether in person or through the blog!

Once again, we guarantee only ONE thing --- your life WILL be changed!

Until next time . . . when we are hopefully a bit warmer. . . . Susan and Monty (and Bitty and Samson, of course)

An answer to a question

Standing underneath another of God's wonders, the mighty redwoods. Just a few days before we arrived there had been some strong winds through the valley area and quite a bit of damage was done in the forests. As we walked through them, bending our necks back as far as they could go and that not being far enough, it made me think of the creation. Some of these trees date back to before Christ and I don't know about you but it sure makes me think -- alot. They have stood more than the test of time. They stand tall, looking upward and I believe gaining strength from possibly being closer to heaven than we think. They showed me the strength of God, His power and His presence.

As we travel from church to church, state to state and talk with more people than we can remember there is always one question we are repeatedly asked. It was asked many, many times while we were in California.

The question: "how did you know God called you into this ministry?"

For me, I knew from the time I was a small child that I was called to help people. While I was in high school I sent for the necessary forms to enroll in the Peace Corps. It was the only organization that I knew of that took people into the field to help others. But in my day and age that wasn't a popular thing for females to do so it never came to pass. It was still in my mind and I still wondered how it would all work.

After marriage came 3 children. Every time our church mentioned a mission trip somewhere, anywhere, my heart ached for the opportunity to go along. But with children at home it never was possible. As they got older an opportunity to go to an Indian reservation looked like it might be "the one". Wrong . . . it would take more money than I could afford so once again I dealt with my aching heart and went on with life. When I became a single mother with those 3 children I pretty much erased the idea of ever taking a mission trip.

God had His plan all along.

As Monty and I sat glued to the television watching hurricane Katrina build and build and build I felt a stirring in my heart again. That storm was a monster and the damage predictions were enormous. When it struck I had trouble even leaving for work because all I could think about was the people and how they were suffering. As soon as I would get home I would be in front of the TV for hours, hurting and yet hearing the call "you have to go there".

I wanted to rush out our door and drive south, anywhere, but knew that wasn't the thing to do. I waited for our church to organize a team of volunteers and it seemed like forever before they did. Pastor Dave finally announced there would be a team going and all I remember was coming home from church that day and "telling, not asking" Monty that we WOULD be going. We neither one had paid vacation but it made no difference, we were going. That calling became so strong that I could hardly concentrate at work. My mind was always elsewhere.

When we left for MS that Monday morning I was more excited than if we were heading for an all expense vacation. And I also knew in my spirit that life was about to change.

Within a couple of hours of our arrival I knew we had to come back, for a long time. And God knew it too. He had been that voice I had been hearing from the time I was a child. He had His timing, His plan and it was perfect.

As I look back each time someone asks me that question I realize it took me 50 years to get on the mission field and then God said to just stay there! Isn't He an amazing God! He used each and every day of those years to prepare me, to teach me and to direct me to the field, one step at a time.

To all of you who think you are called by God but don't know how in the world you can fulfill that calling, wondering how it would all work, how about this, how about that, what if this and what if that . . . Just remember that God has the instruction book, He holds the calendar and He will make it happen when it is supposed to happen. NEVER, EVER give up and most of all, NEVER, EVER stop listening to His voice.

You wonder how you will know it's His voice and not something else? When you take the step of faith to follow Him, you will know! He will open doors, He will lay out the red carpet and you will know. No doubts, none!

Surrender yourself to Him and watch what miracles and blessings take place. It's an amazing journey and you won't want to miss a single second! It's worth the risks, it's worth the unknowns because God is your leader and He leads us all because of His love for us.

Take the step, the water is fine! You will be living the dream!

Blessings till the next time. Susan and Monty

From Sun to Snow??

Yes, we are now back home and in just a matter of hours went from sunshine to snow! Quite the shocker but that's what happens when you travel from California to Indiana in January!

As you can see by the couple of photos we had a good time. The waters along the coast are beautiful. Seeing the waves crash up on the rocks is amazing. The other photo is us with Scott, our adopted CA son the afternoon we went to China Town in San Francisco. What a place! We didn't realize that in the area we were in (Cupertino/San Jose) the population is over 50% Asian. Their educational systems are so outstanding that it draws them to the area. We could have spent alot of time in China Town just looking and getting a better understanding of the culture but we just ran out of time.

Now you might be thinking that all we did was spend time at the water and look in shops!! Oh how wrong you are. Yes, we did get in some relaxation, which is exactly why the team brought us out there. But in the 7 days we were there we had 6 different speaking occasions! We love to share how God is working along the coast and how He took what satan meant for harm and turned (and is turning) it into blessing. The story of Mike and Faye is spreading nationwide and is the best way for people to hear how much the volunteers mean to everyone who has been helped by them.

We started out at the main church's staff meeting and were able to share quite a bit there and meet new people. From there our next stop was the Bible Study group filled with people in their 20s and 30s. That house was packed and each week they have up to and over 50 "kids" show up. They were such fun and we really enjoyed them. Our next stop was both churches on Sunday morning. The church has it's first plant and so we were at one at 8am and then quickly sped off to the other one at 10am. Ken and Beth, who have both volunteered with us, opened their home to anyone and everyone who had ever come on a team or who just wanted to meet us to lunch. It was amazing how many old friends we got to see and once again to feel their love poured back into our ministry.

On our last full day we were asked to come to the Christian high school and share a few minutes with them. This school sent a team to work with us last spring break and will be heading south again this spring break. It was great to see the school, see some of the kids and teachers and meet new ones.

Monty also attended a men's Bible Study one evening and we sat in on one of the classes they offer at the main church.

And one of the most fun things was getting to meet the women who run both churches! What an amazing group of women they have on staff! It seems like we saw more of them than anyone and I don't think they realize just how loved they made us feel! Just before we left for the airport yesterday they all gathered and prayed for us and our ministry!

It was an amazing trip and we are so thankful to the California team for making it possible for us to come and be filled up by them.

We did have a "gliche" at the end. On our last day we had lunch with both Pastor Mark and Pastor Gary. They took us to a BBQ place and both Pastor Mark and Monty ended up with a really nasty case of fook poisoning! Monty was up the entire night extremely sick and ended up spending the entire night in the bathroom! I don't know how he actually made the plane trip yesterday but he did. The flight attendants were extra nice and provided ginger ale which really did start to stay down after we flew out of Houston. Needless to say he is still a bit rough around the edges today.

We did arrive home near midnight last night and today it's just a day trying to adjust to the 3 hour time difference and running through all the memories in our minds. We had nicknamed our CA team our "dream team" and they made a dream of ours come true -- to acutally see California -- and them again! They are planning another week of volunteering in April and we will once again welcome them with open arms!

Thanks to all of you for all your prayers, support and love.

We will be spending the next week preparing for our next venture to MS. We are so excited to see what God has in store and also so excited that we have heard from so many past teams making their own plans on returning and spreading the blessings!

Until next time . . . Susan and Monty

In the beginning . . .

The first week of December 2005 our church, Vineyard, made its first trip to MS to work disaster relief. I remember Pastor Dave trying to get information as to what we might be doing when we arrived. No matter who he spoke with he couldn't get any info so we drove in rather blind and without many tools. When we arrived, which was very late at night, we were shown a room in the church area that had no walls, no ceiling and I remember laying on our air mattress on the floor and looking up at the ceiling insulation thinking it would for sure fall on my head during the night as I slept. (It never did, it had fallen the week before on another team)

The next morning we awoke to the smell of bacon frying and knew breakfast must be around the corner. Tim and Sherry were trying as best they could to cook for us on nothing but hotplates. I jumped in and made eggs (to order) not only that morning but each morning thereafter. We were then introduced to the other team that was there with us. They were from California and had flown in. We saw them each morning but that was it. During the days we were working on different homes and in the evenings everyone was busy trying to find someplace for dinner and then falling into bed trying to convince our muscles we would be ready to go the next morning.

On Wednesday evening there was a church service and some of us went in our PJs. One of the men from CA was a Pastor and he preached the message that night. I remember these men were always smiling and seemed to love what they were doing.

On the last night they were there we all gathered in the make shift kitchen and took some photos of all of us together. I didn't even know their names.

When Monty and I returned about 7 weeks later to commit to "a year" of disaster relief coordinating the volunteers with the homeowners we had no idea how our lives and those of CA would be intertwined.

The first of March we were told a gentleman from CA was coming to volunteer with us for a month. We were thrilled to meet Scott, a young man who was taking a year out of his life to work with others. He went with us everywhere we went and he became like a second son to us. It was tough to see him leave.

In about another month part of the CA team made another trip to help out. Some were returnees and others were new. It made our hearts feel good to see familiar faces. We saw alot more of them this time as we put them to work in and around the church and they completely redid the church daycare. We knicknamed it the CA kitchen! Another part of them dove into Gladys's home and also completely transformed it nearly brought it to completion.

Once we were relocated from Pascagoula to the next town, Gautier we fell into the pattern of seeing new faces each and every week, our family growing with each one.

Within a few months we received a call saying they wanted to make another trip and work with us. Once again we were thrilled. Again, some of the original mixed with some new guys. They asked for a family where they could all work together and really touch lives. We had no problem in providing them with Charles and Lynn. When they left that week this family had 2 new rooms and a driveway!

At spring break this team helped send their school, Kings Academy, to work with us. All 50 of them! What a blessing it was to see them cooking away at their chuck wagon in the back parking area and to be able to join in the meals and fellowship and worship! The kids are returning again this spring break!!

And low and behold, our very last week in April of 2007, when Convoy said we were closing up shop, our CA team came back yet again. This time all but 1 gentleman were returning faces. That week was such a mixture of emotions. It was such a blessing to Monty and I to be able to share all of those emotions with this team.

And that brings us to now. This team has tried for over a year to bring us to CA for some rest and relaxation. Each time we would think we could schedule a trip -- it didn't work for some reason or another. But now . . . after all this time we have it in the works and it IS going to happen. We knew that if we didn't get it scheduled this time it would be who knows how long since we will be returning to MS by the end of this month.

We are so grateful to this team for everything they have done. They have changed the lives of so many, they have touched hearts, they have new families and they have surely brought a smile to our Lord and Savior! To us they are family!

We are looking forward to seeing the far west. We pray for safe flights and we pray for these people, for their church and for them to continue to be such enormous blessings everywhere they go. It will be so awesome for Monty and I to get to meet the women behind the men, to meet their children and to be welcomed into their homes! What an honor for us!

Thank you California --- we love all of you and look forward to what God has in store for all of us in the future. The one thing we do know for certain is that you have changed our lives, you have blessed us and you are -- and always will be --- FAMILY!!!

For this reason the blog will be a bit sparse for awhile but when we return we will have photos, stories, bodies rested a bit more and hearts overflowing with love!

Until then . . . Monty and Susan

"Happy"?? New Year ??

Isn't amazing how we all cringe at the thought of change? Why is it that most people are content to stay in a place where they are unhappy, unfulfilled and resentful because of both but yet baulk at the mention of change?

The New Year always brings about change. We all sit back and watch the clock tick and the ball drop feeling sadness at the "loss" of the past year and yet not so sure we are ready for the New Year. And when the clock strikes and the ball drops we realize that those next minutes don't feel much different than the last. It's just tough getting used to writing a new year number on paperwork!

God is a God of change and yet He is the only constant, dependable thing in our lives! He promises to always be with us and never leave us! And yet, I think because we can't physically see Him, we fear change! If we truly trust Him how can we fear change? Food for thought . . .

I am convinced that if we all focused more on gratitude we would fear change less. I thought I would go through the past 12 months and list just one thing I am grateful for. Might you try the same thing? Try it and see how difficult it is to think of only one thing, how many more things pop into your mind; before you know it you will find yourself smiling and possibly thinking a bit more positively about changes that WILL take place this coming year.

January: we started our classes (including homework) at our missions sending agency.
February: we were booked solid with teams of volunteers.
March: the speed build of Mike and Faye's house was a huge success.
April: we hosted our last 2 teams (CA & IA) before Convoy of Hope closed their operations on the coast.
May: we relocated our disaster missions to New Orleans (and I turned a year older).
June: we graduated from our missions sending agency AND were ordained into the ministry.
July: we learned that deep, intense sweating really does cleanse your pores, and the rest of your body.
August: we made a trip home, the first in over 9 months.
September: God called us home for a much needed and long overdue sabbatical.
October: we learned just how tired we were and how not so easy it is to relax.
November: we spent Thanksgiving with family, something we had not done in 2 years.
December: God called us to return to MS and continue rebuilding lives by rebuilding homes.

What an amazing year it was! God worked so many miracles right in front of our eyes that sometimes I felt as though I couldn't take them all in! And each and every miracle came in the form of change!

Do I have reservations and fears and cringe at the thought of starting a brand new year?
NO WAY!!!!! I welcome it with open arms, I welcome God's presence and pray for His miracles and His peace!!!

Each year of my life He shows up more and more!! I better get ready for this year and it's guaranteed to be awesome beyond dreams!!!

Get yourself an attitude of gratitude and open your heart and mind up to hear, see and feel the presence of our truly Almighty Lord!!

Until next time . . . Happy New Year!! Susan and Monty

Prayer of thanks

This is where my dear sweet husband spent his time after our Christmas with our kids and family -- in our kitchen cleaning!

I had spent a couple of days in preparation and cooking and decorating. After the meal that evening he went into the kitchen and when he came out it was spotless!! There wasn't a plate that needed washed, a glass that needed rinsed or a baking dish that needed scrubbed. The entire place was clean and all food left over had been neatly stored away! What a blessing!!!

Feeling that thankfulness toward him reminded me of a prayer that I received and I want to share it with all of you, especially since we are heading into a brand New Year, all awaiting to see what God has in store for us.

MY FATHER IN HEAVEN

I will bear Your light to change the world.

I am the light of the world, because the Light of the World dwells in me.

Your Kingdom will come; Your will WILL be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

No one will meet me and not be changed, because no one can meet You and not be changed.

I will become increasingly aware of the Light that I carry.

I will grow in You and grow in this Light.

I will become a change agent in this world.

I will believe the unbelievable; what is not yet I will become.

I will come to understand where I am in You, and I will see my future more clearly that ever before.

The gifts You have given me will begin to flourish as I understand Your ways.

Nothing will prosper that comes against me, because I will live a repentant life before You; because I live a repentant life, You will answer my prayer.

I will become what You have called me to become.

I have been placed here for such a time as this.

I live where I live because You place me here.

I am not here by accident; I am here by divine appointment.

My neighbors will prosper because of You in me.

Those I touch will prosper because of You in me.

Everyone I pray for will be touched, because You flow through me; it makes no difference if others recognize the touch or not -- You will touch them.

You will touch others more at some times than at other times; I will not judge my relationship with You based on what they feel.

I relate to You because of who You are in me, not because of others, not because of my emotions, not because I feel saved, not because I've ascended to greatness through my intellect --- but because of what You have done in me.

I am procreated, regenterated and born anew.

Your seed has entered me.

My spirit is alive and quickened.

I will become a quickened to You, fine-tuned to Your Spirit, not doing what You're not doing and doing what You are doing.

I will become a witness for You.

With Your help, when people see me, they will see You.

Soon, there will be a clear distinction between those who don't know God and me, because I know You.

People will see me and they will know that I am a follower of Jesus and a bearer of His Light.

For Your glory this will happen, taking the foolish things to confound the wise.

Thank You for finding me and choosing me to be a change agent on this earth for Your glory.

In Jesus' name. Amen

I hope this touches you like it touched me and you will pray it on a regular basis.

Blessings and love. . . Susan and Monty

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

My three "kids", everyone together for the celebration of our Savior's birth! The true gift to everyone all over the world, the best gift, the one that is always the right size, the one that never needs exchaning!

Monty and I send our Christmas wishes out to all of you.

We pray you are enjoying family, enjoying some special meals and remembering the REAL reason for the season!

God's blessings to all of you.

With our love, Susan and Monty

Winter Wonderland

Yes, this is what happens when you head north!

Winter!!

All yesterday we heard about the winter storm warning and sure enough, last night the rains changed to ice and ice to snow. This is what it looks like here now. I admit that waking up early and going outside when no one has walked, no car has driven or no snow plow has come through is absolutely beautiful. With everything white, all the ugly is covered; amazing. After that comes the shoveling, scraping of vehicles and trying to get their frozen doors open and watching the snow plow come and knowing he will make another pile at the end of your driveway. But our snow plow man is awesome, each year he sees me outside and he takes care of that pile at the end!

The snow just added to the feeling of Christmas. Yesterday was the church outreach that I look forward to all year, our annual gift wrap at the local mall. We have done this for around 15 years and I have taken care of the details for the last 6 or so. We set up at the mall and provide everything from the box and tissue paper to the tag to write the receiver's name on. We charge absolutely nothing and refuse any donations. It's one of the most practical ways we have to show God's love in a real way. We get all kinds of looks from those who refuse to believe the signs that say "free". You would think is said something totally different!? We hear those who get the nerve to come and make sure the sign is what it says it is. And then you get those who look, who ask, who get their gifts wrapped and still insist on trying to hand you money! Free just doesn't exist in its true meaning here in the United States I guess. Over a period of 14 hours we wrap, we talk, we laugh and we show God's love in a season where most seem to forget the real meaning. In total we wrapped 877 gifts and blessed alot more.

There are always hundreds of stories that come from that day. Each person who volunteered a couple of hours to wrap has stories of their own. There is one that stands out to me. A woman walked up who, in appearance couldn't have been 25 years old, very nicely dressed, her head hanging down and spoke not a word. The lady wrapping for her asked if she was having a nice Christmas so far. That's all it took. Someone cared enough to ask! She said no and then talked of how her husband had just left her and her 3 small children and she wasn't going to even wrap any of the gifts for the kids because that would mean spending money she didn't have. The lady wrapping said she understood just where this woman was coming from as her husband had also left her many years ago and she also had a couple of toddlers at the time. She assured her she would make it through and that God was with her. Now all of this transpired in just a few minutes but that woman left with a smile on her face, her head held a bit higher and with joy in her heart! No gift purchased with money can ever do that! And all just because a woman cared enough to ask another how she was doing --- and then actually listened to her reply!! What a thought!

Pastor Dave spoke to us this morning on just that kind of joy! We need to remember something this season ----

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE GIFTS WE GIVE EACH OTHER --- IT'S ABOUT THE GIFT GOD GAVE US IN JESUS!!!!

Don't underestimate the power of a simple word of caring! Try it and see what happens.

Until next time. . . Susan and Monty

Double "whammy"

Just the other day I received a poem in one of my morning devotions entitled "My First Christmas In Heaven" and forwarded it on to one of our friends who lost their father/grandfather this past summer and to Ms Faye. Little did I realize I would need the poem for myself also.

This morning I received a phone call from my mother telling me that my grandmother's sister had passed away suddenly. She and my grandmother were close and talked with each other on the phone daily. My grandmother is having a very difficult time. She is nearing 95 years old. We are awaiting funeral arrangements.

Early this evening I received an email from Pastor Rick in Gautier, Mississippi informing us that the former secretary passed away yesterday afternoon, also suddenly. Ms Mia was the one who told us how much Mike and Faye needed help. She was the kind of woman who always had a smile on her face, always knew how to bring a smile to your own face and who also was known for shouting "praise Jesus" when she heard any good news!

Both of these deaths were very unexpected and very sudden. Both of these women will be remembered for so many things. Both will be missed by so many people who loved them. Both of these women had no idea they would be celebrating their very first Christmas with Jesus Christ Himself this year.

I'm sure they both already had gifts purchased, were already planning the holidays, thinking of the family and friends they would be seeing. And just at the "right" time our Lord stepped in and said they would be spending Christmas, and eternity, with Him. They are now reunited with family and friends and prophets and priests and kings and disciples and angels and will be praising God forever!

We will all miss them. We will all grieve our losses. We will shed tears. We will attend funerals. We will remember many stories. BUT --- we will rejoice in the fact that they are the truly blessed ones this Christmas!

Let us all not only count our blessings, let us remember that we "know not the day nor the hour" when our Father will call us home!

Bernadine and Ms Mia, we loved you then and love you now! Say hello to Jesus for us!

Until next time . . . Susan and Monty

Updates and preparations

Yes, it has been a few days since I have written. Things have been quite busy and yet we have found a bit of time to get some rest.

I spoke with Ms Faye and Mike Jr for quite some time this morning. She is still having a tough time adjusting to Mike Sr not being there but the nights are the worst! It's very difficult for her but I continue to reassure her that it will get better. She continues attending church at The Refuge and they continue to love on her and also reassure her that time will help.

Mike Jr is doing well and trying to be there for his mother. I could see him smile through the phone when I told him we would be returning by the end of January! I told him Monty said to get out his tool belt and be ready to work -- for free! He laughed but said he would be ready! We talked about the week of building their home and he remembered how much fun it was. That's a good thing because that guy worked over 14 hours each day and wouldn't leave until we finally made him leave!

The state sign going into Mississippi says "it's like coming home" and that is truly how we feel. We are ready to go and looking forward to being able to reach out and bless more people.

For some local family updates: Monty's grandmother is doing fantastic after her hip replacement. She is moving along quite well with her walker and hopes to be rid of it with a bit more physical therapy! Seeing her smile does the entire family good. His uncle Larry isn't doing as well. He is still at home but struggling with the cancer daily. We thank all of you for continuing to hold this family up in prayer. There are 4 children at home and this has been very difficult for them also.

Monty and I are in the final stages of preparation for our church outreach this Saturday. For atleast 17 or 18 years now we have set up at our mall and wrapped Christmas gifts absolutely free! No donations are accepted and for some, that is nearly impossible to comprehend! We have 8 wrapping stations going for 14 hours that one day. There are 9 people working 2 hour shifts and it is the largest outreach our church has and definitely the most fun for us. That day is pretty much our Christmas day. I stay the entire day. I tried going home for a bit of rest during the day but it doesn't work so I just stay and get to take it all in. Each person who works goes in with the idea of being a blessing to others, and that is exactly what happens. BUT . . . as good as God is, He always turns things around and those who are blessing get to be the ones who are blessed! Isn't is amazing how God works that way!

We pray all of you are coming along fine with all of your preparations for the upcoming holiday. Please remember that it's not about the gifts, the food, the decorations or even the families. They ARE a part, but it's about all of us being saved from our sins and having a reserved place in heaven . . . just because of a little baby's special birthday! Celebrate it with love and let us all count our blessings!

Until next time. . . God bless. Susan and Monty

Putting things together

I hope all of you checked out the Rebuild Jackson County's video I referred to in the last blog entry. Like I said, it will help you understand how much need is still on the Gulf Coast.

Monty and I have been planning and planning and then planning some more. It takes quite alot to get things in place, to get things ready, to make sure things back home will be done while we are gone and just mentally preparing to once again live in a camper trailer and change our lives the way they must be changed. We are really excited and were glad to hear from the states of West Virginia and Iowa already! They are wanting to send teams and we are anxious to work with them again!

There are so many people who have waited for nearly 2 and 1/2 years to have a home again. There are those that will be spending yet another year in a FEMA trailer where they cannot entertain their families just because there isn't room. I remember how many of them put their Christmas trees outside!! because there was no room inside. Some of them hung lights and things on the outside of the trailers -- doing anything they could to make it feel like home. They deserve to be back in their homes as soon as possible!

Reaching people in such need is THE way to show God's love in a really!! practical way! The people are open, they are reaching, they are questioning, they are needing to see God through all those who come to volunteer. Lives are changed, families are extended and God is working through it all.

Speaking of lives changed, I spoke with Ms Faye yesterday and she is doing as well as can be expected. She and Mike had been together since they were in the 7th grade and knew no life without each other. She misses him terribly and is having some trouble sleeping. I made, and sent, her a photo album of the home build and she was thrilled to receive it. If you remember, she and Mike were not allowed on the property during the entire build so she had no idea of what went on during those 6 days. She said her sister, Joyce, was so excited to see the book she scooped it up and took it home to look at. Like I said, coming to volunteer, touching people's lives, it changes ours and we are all blessed.

During this season of busy here, busy there, trying to buy just the right gift, just the right card, follow all the right traditions, remember the real reason for Christmas! Then thank God for sending Jesus and realize that He is the most important thing! The gifts and "stuff" won't last. Jesus will!!

Until next time . . . Blessings from Susan and Monty to you!

Answering His call

God's calling continues and He is calling us back to continue working on homes in the MS area.

It looks like we will be heading that direction sometime mid January and remain there for a few months. We are so excited and anxious to get back into rebuilding lives by rebuilding homes. There will be some new changes, some great changes, added blessings all around and no doubt -- miracles from our Lord!

For those of you who have worked with us in the past, and for those who haven't -- we are letting you know these things so you can be planning your vacations, packing your work clothes, gathering others in your teams, gasing up the vehicles and contacting us with the dates you will be coming to work with us!

If you need further details you can either call us, email us or leave your info in a comment here on the blog and we will get back with you.

God has so much that still needs done in the MS area. He has called us to return and we ask your prayers and for your continued support.

You will see a link above (www.youtube.com/FinishtheJobFund and I encourage you to go to that link. Rebuild Jackson County (Pascagoula, Gautier, Ocean Springs and into Biloxi) have put this video together to raise the awareness of all that still needs to be done after hurricane Katrina. This video is very well done and truly gets the need across. There are still over 14,ooo people still living in FEMA trailers and hundreds still in tents! Those numbers are staggering! And even more staggering when you realize we are nearing the 2 1/2 year mark! The awareness NEEDS to be raised, the reality NEEDS to be seen and the work MUST continue!

YOU---the volunteers are the KEYS!!!!!

God bless you as you pray about this and hopefully start to put things in motion to come to the south.

Until next time . . . Susan and Monty (MS Missions)

Gratitude

We trust all of you are literally "stuffed" from the Thanksgiving dinners last week. I found it amazing that we can eat that much and still be hungry the following day!

Monty and I got wrapped up in the "black Friday" thing. We got up at 4am and headed to Walmart. The thrill of the looking was a blast! From there we headed across town and back again for Menards. We aren't big purchasers but the couple of small items we found made it worth getting up in the dark of the night! Monty thinks we need to make it an annual event, just to be in the midst of it all!

For those of you wondering, Ms Faye did have a holiday dinner at her sisters and then headed home. She had been staying with Joyce the entire time and going home wasn't (and still isn't) easy. She admitted she ended up in Mike Jr's room the first night! Please continue to hold her up in your prayers.

Monty's grandmother is doing great after her hip replacement! An amazingly strong lady for 83 years of age! His uncle was released and is resting as comfortably as possible at home with Hospice by his side.

Yesterday in church Pastor Dave had a message on gratitude. We all have heard the line about "what's in your heart comes out through your mouth". It's true. But he challenged us to make a gratitude journal where we daily record (in writing) 5 things we have been thankful for that day. Now since this is the 2nd time I have received this challenge I thought it might be something I really need to do. I read about this journal in another scriptural magazine that we started receiving from nowhere. So . . . I now have this journal and it's amazing how sitting down at the end of the day and thinking back over that day brings so many blessings to light! We all know we have so many things to be thankful for but we also know how easy it is to get caught up in all the negative that happened during the day. If we really focus on the positive it will change the way we see everything! I would challenge everyone out there to try this journaling thing. You don't have to use alot of words. Just a short word or two will do. You might also find that narrowing the blessings down to just 5 is difficult when you stop to think about the good things instead of the bad.

Thanks for keeping up with us and all that is happening. We are still trying to get some rest while we are home. I think rest is a 4 letter word but occasionally it happens. We have some things in the works and are looking at possibly heading "out" after the first of the year. I just might need to call on some of our past teams and see if anyone is interested in doing some home building??!! Keep your ears tuned in and let's see where God takes us!

Until next time . . . Susan and Monty

Saying Goodbye

At 11:00am this morning Ms Faye, daughter YKeisha, son Mike Jr and grandson Jacquez said goodbye to Mike Sr in what was an extremely emotional service.

I received a phone call from Ms Donna who has stood in for us and continued to keep us updated. Pastor Rick had a wonderful service and was instrumental in getting the entire family through the morning and afternoon.

We know God is holding this family in His almighty hands and thank you for all your prayers. Please don't stop now as now is when the reality of it all will begin to settle in.

Personal updates: Monty's grandmother came through total hip replacement surgery yesterday just fine and the doctors planned on getting her up from the bed this afternoon. When we were there at noon she was a bit groggy from the pain meds but smiled when she saw Monty. His uncle Larry remains in the hospital and is resting as comfortably as possible. Neither of them will be home for Thanksgiving but both of them will be thanking God for their families who are constantly at their sides.

We pray all of you have safe and blessed Thanksgiving days. We all need to remember that although we mark one specific day on our calendars to celebrate, each and every day is a day to thank the Lord for waking up and having another day to praise Him!

Please be safe in your travels and enjoy either your family or the one you are blessed to be with on Thanksgiving.

Until next time . . . We are thankful for ALL of you! Blessings, Susan and Monty

REALLY tough decisions

Sometimes in life there are those decisions that must be made. Then there are those that we must make and when we do they rip us apart. Today was one of those heart wrenching ones.

The funeral for Mike Sr is this Wednesday at 11am at the First Baptist Church in Moss Point. Pastor Rick will be officiating.

We cannot possibly make the trip! My heart aches!

It just cannot be done. There are numerous reasons but financing ranks right up there around the top. Gas prices aren't cooperating let alone the time factor with families and holidays. We know Ms Faye and Mike's entire families are there and will be surrounding her with their love and support. Even knowing that -- it still hurts.

We broke the news to her this morning and she understood. She had already told Diane not to make the long trip, just send her a card so she could read it over and over again. I know she will receive ALOT of cards that she will be able to read over and over and over again. If you would like their address please leave a comment at the end of the blog and we will be happy to get it to you.

We also had some more bad news this morning. Not only is Monty's uncle still in the hospital in the end stages of pancreatic cancer, now his grandmother has fallen and broken her hip. She needs surgery to repair it but isn't healthy enough to undergo the surgery at this time. The doctors are working with her and hopefully they can take care of everything, including her hip. We would appreciate your prayers.

On a good note, our Benefit Concert Saturday night was incredible! The local Christian radio station did a live remote from there for the first 2 hours and we know lives were changed by what they saw and heard. Stacey did such a fantastic job getting everything organized and the evening ran like clockwork! There is no way to properly thank her, the musicians and all the donors but we still want to say THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts!

Please remember that this is the time of the year to be even more aware of the blessings we all have, the ones we surely do not deserve. Be sure and thank God for as many as you can think of!

Until next time . . . Susan and Monty

Benefit Concert Bulletin

BENEFIT CONCERT

Gospel music by Vonnie Scott, Matt Hicks, Stacey Bowman Roberts, Joe Hickman, Jackie Nichols and more with food and videos.

Buy a chance . . . win a prize, win a trip, win a cruise . . . and more!

For Monty & Susan Scales

MS Missions Disaster Response

Saturday, November 17th from 4:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: AmVets Post 2000 (used to be The Gathering) at 5227 W. Airport Road in Bloomington, Indiana

For further information please leave a comment on the blog with your information and we will gladly get back with you.

We look forward to seeing you there! Spirit 95fm radio will be broadcasting LIVE from the concert for the first 2 hours!

We would like to thank Jimmie Dean Coffey Auctions & Realty and Kevin Spicer with Hometown Realtors for sponsoring our event!!!

Blessings, Susan and Monty

Dancing with the Angels

This afternoon God called Mike Sr. home!

His struggles in life are over. No more pain, no more dialysis, no more diabetes, no more infections, just peace -- eternal peace!

His is dancing with the angels and rejoicing with the Lord.

Ms Faye, YKeisha and Mike Jr will miss him. Their hearts grieve but their minds know he is with our Lord.

We will continue to hold this entire family up in our prayers. The next days will be difficult. No matter how well we think we are prepared to say goodbye, when the actual time comes we aren't prepared at all.

God bless this family. They are our family and we love them and thank God for bringing us all together as family.

Blessings, Susan and Monty

3:30PM Friday, November 16

Ms Joyce, Faye's sister, just called.

In 30 minutes the family will be gathering at Mike's bedside and the doctors will be removing him from the respirator.

Please pray!!

In God's hands, Susan and Monty

10:00AM Thursday update

I just spoke with Ms Faye. She was taking a break at home, getting ready to return to the hospital. She was taking a minute outside to start Mike Sr's truck. The temps have fallen into the 30s and that is really cold for the south! But she is warm in the house and just talking about being warm made her laugh. She hasn't had the opportunity to use the furnace in their new home and was amazed at how warm it was! She again thanked everyone who had anything to do with the building of their home!

Mike Sr is about the same, holding his own.

Today Mike's sister from Atlanta and his brother from California will be arriving. They are the last family members to arrive.

She said Mike Jr and YKeisha are doing okay, under the circumstances. Everyone is a bit tired but they are also getting some rest when they can.

I had the chance to tell her about the benefit concert that is being held for us this Saturday. One of the musician couples playing, Joe & Stacey, will be playing Amazing Grace to the tune of House of the Rising Sun. They are dedicating that song to Mike and Faye and photos of them will be running on a big screen in the background while the song is being sung. She was so excited and wanted to make sure I had good photos of Mike! She has no idea just how many good photos I have, and am using, of the both of them!

It was good to hear her laugh and to feel her smile over the phone. She is thankful to all the people who are praying for them. She has no idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We also thank you and ask that you continue praying. God is the one who is in control of all of our lives and we should thank Him for each and every moment we have.

Until the next update. . . . Blessings, Susan and Monty

8:15PM update

Late this afternoon the doctors had a visit with Ms. Faye. They told her that Mike's kidney dialysis could not be done because he isn't physically able to undergo the treatments. They normally do the procedure every other day. They did not do it yesterday or today. They also informed her that this could lead to heart failure and she agreed to a DNR (do not resisitate order) in case that happens.

Just about 10 minutes ago I received another call from Donna and Glen who have been by her side continuously. Ms Faye requested they return to the hospital as the nurse just came in and said Mike's blood pressure is dropping.

He has never come out of his coma.

We continue to plead for your prayers for this entire family.

Until the next update. . . God bless all of you. Susan and Monty

12:45PM news

They are awaiting the arrival of the doctor.

The family is at his side.

They are all in our prayers.

Blessings, Susan and Monty

URGENT UPDATE Tues 10:30AM

Just heard from Ms Faye and the family has been called to Mike's bedside. The doctor phoned her just a few minutes ago and said "if the family wants to see him they should get there asap."

I wish I knew more, knew what happened during the night, but . . .

Right now we just need to hit our knees and pray for this family. Ms Faye is really struggling. Mike Jr is begging her to NOT make the decision she might be faced with. There are unsaved family members who are not going to support her as they could.

Pastor Rick and about 6 others from church are also on their way to the hospital to be there with the family.

PLEASE pray not only for God's will but for God's arms to be wrapped around the family, for His supernatural strength to hold them up.

Blessings to all of you for your hearts of love. Susan and Monty

Update at 5:30pm Monday

You really did step it up a notch in your prayers!

Pastor Rick just called. When Crystal, the church musician, went into Mike's room and called his name Mike opened his eyes and looked directly at her.

Just then a family member also came into the room and turned on the TV. When it came on Mike then turned his eyes away from Crystal and to the TV!

The doctors are going to run another brain scan before the night is over.

God is still in the business of performing miracles and we need to remember that!

Thank you for those prayers and once again, lets all intensify them even more!

As for Monty's uncle Larry, he is still in the hospital. Today they implanted a port in his upper arm where they can get the meds directly into the artery and also give him nutrition. He is unable to keep anything in his stomach so this port should help. The doctors told him to plan on remaining in the hospital through this week. His weight seems to drop daily but maybe with the port . . .

We thank all of you for your prayers! YOU are God's special angels!

Until the next update. . . Bless you. Susan and Monty

9:30AM Monday Mike update

Just got a phone call from Pastor Rick.

Mike seems a bit better this morning. His blood pressure has stabilized and the doctors have removed him from those meds. His seizures have stopped and they have also removed him from those meds.

His brain scan shows "some" brain activity but the doctors call it "slow".

Last night when Ms Faye was leaving his room and going home she leaned in to tell him goodnight and his eyes fluttered and his vital signs "jumped" leaving the doctors and nurses to believe he recognized her voice. Since they have been together since they were in the 7th grade I would imagine that her voice would definitely be the one he would respond to!

Miracles still happen. God is always in control and everything is in His hands and His timing. We pray that His will is done as His will is always best.

Thank you for the continued prayers. Maybe it's time we all step them up a bit?!

I will continue updates as we get them. Blessings, Susan and Monty

Sunday 5:30pm update

Ms Faye just called and both she and Mike Jr were on their way to church. She felt it was where they both needed to be and she had promised Pastor Rick she would be there.

When Ms Faye makes a promise she will most assuredly keep it!

The doctor was in today and said the results from last nights brain scan "didn't look good" but they are planning on doing another one in the morning.

She seemed in pretty good spirits and felt comfortable leaving the hospital as she left Mike Sr with a room full of people.

She thanks everyone for their prayers and thoughts and love. She is preparing herself to make a decision if things come to that. Pastor Rick has spent some one on one time with her and she said it has really helped.

Please continue to keep the entire family in your prayers.

Until the next update. . . Blessings to all. Susan and Monty

9:30PM Update

I spoke with Ms Faye just about an hour ago and she is holding up as well as can be expected.

She was at the hospital, where she has been since this morning. Pastors Rick and Vickey had been there along with Glen and Donna from church. She realizes that people are praying for them but I don't think she fully realizes just how many!

She did go home last night, alone. She admitted that she was frightened and slept in the recliner instead of the bed. I asked her to go to her sister, Joyce's house for tonight and she agreed.

She realizes that she may be forced to make the most difficult decision of their lives. She also realizes that God is with the both of them and is just taking things minute by minute.

The doctors did run another EEG, brain scan, today but the results weren't in when I spoke with her. There has been no visual change in Mike.

If you haven't seen it, please refer to the comment on the last blog. Diane wrote some very powerful words that we all should take to heart! Bless you Diane, we miss you and know your heart is breaking the same as ours and many others around the nation.

Some more sad news this evening. I called our Convoy of Hope leaders, Fory and Cindi, to let them know about Ms Faye and Mike. They are back home in Minnesota. Fory's father passed away a few days ago. He was 94 years old and although he was ready to go it still makes it difficult on family members. Both Fory and Cindi could also use some extra prayers. They will be remaining up north for a couple more days and then heading back to the coast to continue working on churches going up both in AL and MS. God be with them as they travel.

We also visited Monty's uncle Larry today. He remains in the hospital and was having a very rough day. He was medicated and sleeping while we were there and we are thankful that the doctors have managed to control his abdominal pain better.

As you can tell by these past blogs, our spirits have been taking a beating these past days. We know God has a time and a season for everyone and everything and we continue to pray that His will be done!

We hope that all of you will be attending your church (or visiting another) come tomorrow and each of us counting our blessings! Life is so precious and not to be taken for granted, not even for a moment!

Blessings, Susan and Monty

UPDATE 7:00PM

We just received a phone call from Pastor Rick. He had been at the hospital with the family when they met with the neurologist. It seems there is a bit of brain activity although the doctors also said Mike was deprived of oxygen for a long time and does have severe brain damage. He is also suffering with seizures.

Pastor Rick was able to spend some one on one time with Ms Faye to discuss some decisions she may face. She understands what is going on and knows what Mike's wishes would be. Mike Jr is at his father's side and isn't leaving.

Today is also their daughter, YKeisha's 30th birthday! Her son, their grandson, Jaquez also understands what is happening and he is only 6 years old.

Pastor Rick will be keeping us updated as well. He knows we are posting the news here on the blog just as quickly as we receive it.

On another side note, Monty's uncle is remaining in the hospital. They are trying new measures to see if he can keep food down. He is constantly hungry yet nothing stays down. We all just sit and pray.

On yet another note, our next door neighbors found out that he, Tony, has cancer in his esophagus. The doctors say it is the worst kind to have but also in the beginning stages. They will be traveling to Mayo Clinic in a week and possibly facing extreme surgery. They also could use some prayers.

As you can tell, today has hit us pretty hard. We are so thankful that all of you are out there and praying for all these situations. We place each and every one in these families into the hands of our Lord and pray His will be done in each.

Blessings to all. Susan and Monty

MIKE UPDATE AT 2PM

Ms Faye just called me with an update.

She, along with Pastors Rick and Vickey, met with the doctors. They confirmed that there is no brain activitiy and he is on life support at this time.

The plan is to continue the life support over the weekend to allow all out of town family to arrive. Most of the families are there but some are coming from states aways away. Please pray for their safe travel.

Ms Faye is in a bit of a daze at the moment and appreciates all supportive prayers.

I plan on keeping all of you updated through the blog. I will do my best to add an entry each and every time I hear from her, with the time included.

Thank you for your prayers. God is an awesome God and Mike knows that deep in his heart!

Blessings, Susan and Monty

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

PLEASE pray NOW!!!

I just received a phone call from Ms Faye.

Mike Sr. suffered a heart attack in the middle of the night last night. They tried to revive him for over 45 minutes, on the floor of their home---no success.

At this time the doctors have told her he is brain dead.

At 11:00 am this morning she is to return to the hospital to make the decision of leaving him on the life support or not.

We all know this would be a nightmare decision for any of us and for Ms Faye it's the same. Her sister, Joyce, is with her and Pastor Rick and Vicky will also be there with her.

PLEASE pray for this entire family and I will update this blog as often as necessary to keep you informed.

Blessings, Susan and Monty

We're back . . . Again!

What a whirlwind trip!

We returned from our WV and PA trips on Friday night, turned around and left Sunday morning for WV and returned last night.

Why? You would ask that! :)

As most of you know, while we were in the south we lived in a borrowed camper trailer which was all of 144 square feet of living space. I dare you to step off that space in your home and then stay in that space! It will be a matter of minutes before you realize just how small of a space that is. And we "shared" it with our 2 small dogs!

When we returned home a few weeks ago we needed to return the camper to my brother. That left us looking for something we could actually live in AND afford! Not a small feat but as usual, God stepped in and annointed the entire process.

While in WV and traveling from point A to point B we passed a camper sitting on the side of the road with a for sale sign in the window. We stopped, called the number in that window but also realized that it was WAY out of our price range. The couple showed up within minutes and 3 hours later we had a trailer! We shared our mission with them, they shared their lives with us and God bound the two together in a way only He could do.

We returned Sunday and Monday to bring it home. I wish I could show you just how equipped this thing is! It's complete with bed linens, bath linens and more kitchen equipment than we have in our home kitchen! I even found a hair dryer in the bathroom and a vacuum cleaner under the bed storage area. All we need is to pick up our clothes and we are ready to respond to any disaster out there. Like I said, a God appointed meeting and a blessing beyond measure! Now we are ready to hook up and roll! Thank you to Wayne and Annette for also hearing God speak to them and following His words!

We are so excited about the directions God is leading us. Opportunities seem to be around many corners and we are just praying for His guidance to lead us.

Two special updates:

1. Mike (Faye) had his leg surgery delayed until this coming Monday. He needs to be off of his blood thinning medicine for a week before they can do anything. Please continue to keep them in your prayers.

2. Monty's uncle, Larry, was admitted to the hospital this evening. He is in end stages of pancreatic cancer and needed hospitalized tonight. He is receiving meds and was resting a bit more comfortably when we left. We would ask for prayers for the entire family.

Thank you for all your prayers, for us and for our families. We pray God's blessings on all of you.

Until next time . . . Susan and Monty

Itinerating in WV and PA at peak colors

Sorry for the lapse of entries. I was so rushed getting prepared for our trip I couldn't give advance notice.

You can see for yourself how beautiful it was as we drove through West Virginia, through the Cumberland Gap into Maryland and on to the east side of Pennsylvania. Outstanding!

We visited our team that designed and built Ms Faye and Mike's house back in March. You can refer back to there in the blog if you missed anything. It was so fantastic seeing everyone and getting to know their families. It was a quick trip but one that refilled both Monty and I with love and laughter and God.

From there we traveled on into the eastern side of Pennsylvania to visit with Pastor Tony and Angela and their family. We were blessed to speak at a Bible Study they hold at one of the senior centers. They were filled with questions (and a few tears). We then spoke again at the evening worship service. Once again we were able to see our old friends and meet their families and make them into new friends.

The hospitality shown to us with both of these families was wonderful. They opened their homes, their lives and their love and we feel refreshed and yet sad that we had to leave and say goodbye.

I must admit that one of the highlights of our trip was that we now have our first church supporting our mission! What a huge step for us! Pastor Tony and Angela and their church pledged to support us on a monthly basis and make it possible for us to continue to follow the Lord's leading into disaster ministry. This is what we have needed and we pray more will follow. We are SO thankful to them for their love, their support and their encouragement and ability to see our hearts!

We thank all of you for your support and if you would like to support us on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis or just with a gift donation you can do so by sending it to our sending agency:

International Gospel Outreach (IGO)

PO Box 1008

Semmes, AL 36575

Please enclose a SEPARATE note with our names on it. This sending agency is a not for profit and thus the good ole' IRS requires the separate note.

We do have a very special prayer request: It appears that Mike (Ms Faye's husband) is facing the amputation of his other leg! Yes, the doctors have determined that his big toe is dead and that the infection in spreading. He will be undergoing extensive testing Monday but they told him to come prepared for surgery. Please keep them both in your prayers. This news has been devastating to both of them. They know God is in control but facing the loss of both legs is a bit hard to take. Thank you for caring.

Thank you again and may God bless and keep you . . . Monty and Susan