This week in pictures

From having church in a tent to a brand new church -- it's a God thing!!

A sample of just a few of the things we have been working with this week. The team is from California, 42 of them flew down and had a great week! They blessed so many families with their work but most of all - with their love!

The little light blue home is a MEMA cottage. It's right next to the home being rebuilt. Sometimes I think there is no way possible to fit anything on a persons lot and then, lo and behold, they do!

And then there is the "lifting" of homes that is happening all over the cities on the coast! Building at these heights can be quite the challenge! But the team working on this one is from VA and they worked wonders!

We are still in a downpouring of rain but hopefully it will be done tonight and the weekend will be nice! One can always hope!!

Until next time we thank all of you for staying with us on this mission to "get the job done" here in MS.

Susan and Monty

Build an Ark?

There will be no fires tonight. What we really need is an ark or feathers like a duck as this downpour has been going on since before light this morning and the flooding has begun! Even the umbrellas won't hold up as along with the rains come the winds!

Atleast it's not snow!! Sorry to all who live north, or even near the north! :)

The morning started with calls from teams who had planned on working outside today -- they need inside work! No problem --- they were inside homes immediately. I guess there are advantages to the rains.

The rest of this day has been spent with me on the phone attempting to return atleast a small portion of the messages from those calling to get some kind of help in getting back into their homes. Each time I think I have "heard it all" I find myself sadly mistaken. Men who are trying to get assistance for their mothers who won't live in the FEMA trailer sitting in the front yard because those mothers are elderly and "have lived in that home all their lives" to those who just don't even know what to do. I don't think I will ever stop being amazed at the elderly women who are so utterly helpless and still -- after all this time -- don't know where to go or what to do! This is where the Case Management is crucial!! These people who have lost so much, who are running out of anything to run on and anyplace to turn need someone to literally take them by the hand and lead them in the direction of help and hope! Even over the telephone I can hear the smiles come upon their faces, at just the slightest ray of help that leads to the slightest ray of hope!

My stack of calls is endless as they continue calling and I will continue working away at that stack and pray for everything to come into place for each family and each individual.

The morning also had its fair share of planning for the Speed Build for Ms Ollie. We will be making a visit to her next week and hopefully will have photos to share with all of you so you can get to know her better.

The work also stays in progress for Mr Stepfund to get moved out of his home so we can gut it both inside and out next week.

As I sit and look across the room at the dry erase board on the wall with all the people listed who need help, who are in different stages of being helped, I see the number standing at 184 active cases! Now THAT is alot of homes to try and keep track of!!! And like I said, the listing grows daily. There are those that have been done and are closed and those are the ones who give us hope that someday this will all get done! And we pray that someday will come before !!! the next storm comes!

We thank all those who have a heart for this mission, for the people and for our country. All of this is happening in our own back yards and we have to wonder when it will happen again and who will be effected -- and then who will be helping?

Blessings to all and a special blessing to our dear friend Joe who buried his mother this afternoon. Joe -- we love you and miss you and Stacey more than you know!! We pray God's peace rests over you, under you and all around you!

Until next time . . . Susan and Monty

PS To "some guy named Dave" --- THANK YOU!!!!!!! We love you!!!!

Materials and more materials

This day has been filled with miles and then some more miles! Good thing we know this area like the back of our hand!

We are preparing for our Iowa team to arrive in a couple of weeks. They will be working in 2 homes and hopefully bringing them to completion and ready to be turned over to the homeowner. What a glorious day that will be -- for everyone involved.

We started at Virgil's house this morning checking to make sure everything needed is on site. It looks good to go and ready for the team to get alot of work done.

Next stop was supposed to be Sam's house but we were diverted to Gordon's as he was getting a delivery of sheetrock and supplies. He was prepared for us with a group of friends to do the stacking and covering to keep dry. He has no room inside due to the construction process so he'll make sure things are secure outside. He had been busy cleaning and getting ready to hang sheetrock. His house was raised high in the air so transferring this sheetrock is quite a job in itself.

We did make it to Sam's after the delivery. He also looks nearly ready to be named "home" in the next couple of weeks. The materials are there and ready for the volunteers to come in and work their magic. He also has some outside structural things needing done but the things are there and ready to go.

After a couple more stops we finally made it back to the shop to find out we will be handling all teams coming into another local church. They have had team after team but are operating with no construction coordinators so Monty and I will gladly take care of them. I will need to contact each team leader and get things lined up for them. It is such a blessing for us as we will be able to get that much more work done and that many more people back in their homes.

And then we have Mr Stepfund whose home will need to be completely gutted, inside and out, and started with the rebuilding process. We visited with him the other day and there is so much mold and water that there is no salvaging anything! His electricity is already shorting out, the kitchen sink drains through a leak and lands in the laundry room, the bathroom is beyond description and he has nowhere to go for help. He had to live in the home with no idea what he was going to do. We have managed to have him move in with a family member for the next few months and will begin with the tear out next week. I doubt it can even be done in a week but we take things one day at a time. Pray for Mr Stepfund as he also came down with the flu yesterday.

As you can see, we have been meeting ourselves coming and going and so far we atleast recognize ourselves!! And I haven't even mentioned all the details going on with preparing for the 2nd Speed Build!!!! Be sure and stay tuned . . .

Until next time. . . Susan and Monty

Houses, houses, houses

Thought some of you might like to see Dane's house, all done, FEMA trailers gone and once again he has a real home! His wife is in the specially designed bedroom and no doubt enjoying the sunlight coming in those windows!

MANY thanks to ALL of you who spent your time, effort, sweat and love on this house!! Seeing it all done warms the heart.

We have been in and out of houses today. A team from California is working on one here locally. Once they get the sheetrock done they will be very close to getting it done. We were talking with this team this morning and they are a team of 42 with 30 of them returning for atleast the 4th time! Amazing how some people just keep coming back and coming back!

We were also in a couple more homes to see what it will take to get them done. The first one will be a challenge, either way we go. The decision must be weighed as to gut and rebuild it or take it down and build a new one. These decisions are difficult and not made without checking all resources available. As we stood in that small area we realized that nearly every home looked like this one! Makes us stop and think at just how much still needs done!

Another home has the sheetrock hung but there are questions with the electric. The homeowner had over 6 feet of water in the home and even though she has the newer wiring it still must be inspected by an electrician for safety. Once that is done we can make further decisions and hopefully have her in her home before too long. She has been staying with her mother and says after this long a few more months won't matter; they are "making it work."

Thousands are still in the same situation, or worse!

On another note, please pray for our dear friend at home, Joe. His mother passed away this morning. Joe has dedicated over half his life caring for his mother and this loss will leave an enormous hole in his heart! Once again, times like this make it difficult to be so far from home and family!

Until next time; don't forget to count your blessings!! Susan and Monty

At peace, at last

Yes, we received word last evening that Monty's uncle is finally resting in peace!

We want to thank all of you who kept him and his family in your prayers. As I said before, Monty had the blessing of knowing his uncle had repented and actually baptizing him and his wife and children while we were home. No matter what we might have done in our past, as long as we acknowledge our sins and repent and ask God to come into our heart we are promised a place in heaven! What an amazing God we have! Aren't we ALL glad that God doesn't keep a tally sheet or hold a grudge!

We have been more than busy the past couple of days with estimates on homes that are in need. We have gone into so many just to list everything that is needed to bring the home to completion and have the family back into a real home again! Sometimes these estimates are quite small and easily done. And then there are those who take hours, alot of ink and are very detailed. Then comes the trip to the vendors to get estimates for all the materials. Detailing is of the utmost importance as once the estimates have been completed and the "search" for funding starts there can't be changes.

The paperwork is the easy part, seeing the faces and hearing their stories takes emotional work and shows the hand of God in so many ways! Each new day brings a new miracle and we are so very blessed to be here and be "vessels" that God can use!

Being here brings up something that we feel must be addressed. It's not something we like to bring up but . . .

Hopefully ALL of you know and realize that we are volunteering here on the coast, and anywhere we might be. We are not financially "sent" by any one church who makes sure we meet our budget and get our bills paid. We have been, and continue to be, supported strictly by the loving hearts of people such as yourselves who understand our calling and send what they can. We do not receive compensation for what we are doing, we do not expect to. That is not why we are here. God called us and He promises to provide. We stand firm on that promise.

But . . . He also tells us "we do not have because we do not ask" -- thus my point! The funding we had seems to have hit a wall and nearly ceased to exist. We are facing some tough times and they might get tougher as my truck is in need of some repairs which could get quite costly. From the beginning we have only asked that we be able to pay our bills, keep our home in Indiana and eat. God is good --- we have been paying our bills, our home is still in our name and we haven't missed a meal -- God is really good!! But . . . it has been brought to our attention that we might need to let people know what is going on --- so we did!

As always, our funding is going through our sending agency. For every single donation, whether it is a special gift or a monthly commitment, you receive a tax deduction statement AND our deepest thanks. The info is listed below and if you have any questions please either call us or leave a comment (with your info) on this blog.

We thank you, we love you and we pray you have a wonderful weekend! Susan and Monty

All donations go to: The IRS requires a SEPARATE notation with our names on it, not written on the donation itself!

International Gospel Outreach (IGO)

PO Box 1008

Semmes, AL 36575

Another truth

There are no photos to go with this one. I don't think there would be any that would fit.

My first conversation this morning was with Esther who was returning my call from yesterday. Her phone died on us as she was out of minutes.

Esther is 42 years old. She has a daughter who is 21 years and another one 13 years. The 21 year old has 3 children ages 5, 2 and 9 months. All of these people are living in one FEMA trailer. Esther told me that sometimes it gets so crowded that she just goes and sits inside her home just to get some privacy, even though the house is nearly destroyed.

The 21 year old mother of 3 has been in and out of hospitals as she is HIV positive. This was just one of the results of being raped while she was pregnant with this last baby -- by 2 men! Her mental state hangs in the balance and suicide has been thought about repeatedly.

How does Esther hold this family together AND repair her home? I don't know how she keeps any sanity let alone try and repair a home to keep everyone in!

Needless to say we are doing what we can, as quickly as we can, to get some sort of help to this family!

The needs just never cease to amaze me! They are everywhere!

As we drive through the areas and see improvements, see homes being rebuilt, seeing FEMA trailers leave the cities, we still see this!

This is just one of the reasons God has called us back to this area! Please pray for this family, and that we will be able to help them as God directs us!

Until next time . . . Susan and Monty

We answered her prayers

Meet Ms Darlene and her house, or what is soon to become a house. She lost her original home in the storm, completely washed away. She then purchased this one, also damaged, and has been in the process of trying to make it a home for over 2 years now. She has a couple of sheds in the back that also are in need of repairs.

Ms Darlene is a widow who now has a mortgage until she turns 89 years old!! Think about that for a minute, can she retire, can she ever "not work"? That is what is happening all over the Gulf Coast!

In March we have 3 teams of volunteers coming to be a blessing. One team is from our home church and they will be taking on this home as their project for the week! They are literally an answer to prayer!

When Monty and I visited here this morning Ms Darlene was telling me the story of yesterday. She awoke feeling very low, lower than usual and with an overwhelming sense that she would never be in her home. Mr Art (in the photo) is a local electrician who has become like family to Monty and I and he has, singlehandly, been working on her home. She knew he was working to be best of his ability but also knew he needed extra hands. She said she was driving to work and praying, pleading with God, to send some help. When she arrived at work she was looking down and saw a white feather. She scooped it up and knew it was the sign she had prayed for. When she got home she was telling this story to Mr Art and he then told her that just that morning Monty had called him, checking to see how he was doing, and Mr Art told Monty the story of Ms Darlene. Monty told Mr Art we would be there first thing this morning to look at things and see what we could do to help.

The rest is history! When Ms Darlene told me this story she was in tears! This team will be the answer to her prayer!

There are people and families all along this coast line in the same shape. We find them every day and it is our prayer that the people will come to help us -- to help us help them!

Please keep Ms Darlene, Mr Art and this team in your prayers. And pray that we are not only able to meet those needing help, but that we will be able to supply that help and in doing so bring them the blessings of our Lord!

Until next time . . . "LET'S GO VINEYARD TEAM"!!!! Susan and Monty

Progress of all kinds

You will really need to click on the photo on the left to get the full impact. This is our location in the park. There are rules and regulations, one of which is "no clotheslines". No problem for us, we brought our own, our rack on the truck!! And when one takes ones dogs on a walk, lets them run off their leashes and then has to deal with what they decided to roll in = no problem. We have an outside shower on the back of the trailer to take care of things just like that! The dogs were less than thrilled and even more confused as to why this was taking place outside! You just make things work, test your creativity and see what you can come up with! It can definitely put a new twist on humor!!

The other photo is the new highway 90 bridge going from here to Biloxi. This bridge was completely washed out and damaged beyond recognition in the storm. If any of you came down here you realized it was one of the most photographed places along the entire coast. It doesn't even look like the same place! One lane is open and we went across it for the first time Saturday. This one will stand!! The last 2 lanes are supposed to be open in April. What took nearly 20 minutes going up and around on interstate 10 now takes less than 10 minutes going directly across! I must admit it was a bit eerie driving across knowing what it looked like after the storm!

I received a phone call Saturday night from a very dear friend, Gary, in Illinois. This wonderful man has kept in contact with us so many times over the months. He had some questions and after a lengthy conversation I realized I haven't really explained what we are doing now that we are back in MS. My apologies and hopefully I can answer those questions for all of you.

This organization has been in existence since right after the storm. They work with the homeowners and direct them to the sources of funding. Each case is treated individually and personally. There are sources of funding in many different areas but there are also specific criteria for each source of funding. The homeowners need help getting to those sources. As with all organizations, the workers here are very overworked - but - have a heart to help and work more hours than are sometimes humanly possible. With many relief organizations running out of funds and closing their doors, their cases will be turned over to this organization and thus the workload will increase.

What Monty and I are doing is coming along side them doing whatever we can to "lighten the load". We are currently speaking with the homeowners on the phone, taking all the necessary information, sending them letters to explain what we need from them and assigning them a case manager. After they gather the needed info they call their case manager and Monty and I will make a visit to their home to assess their needs. We then get a materials listing of what they will need, take that list and obtain an estimate. This info then goes back to the case manager to do what they can to get funding to get the work done. IF -- we have volunteers and IF the volunteers can do the work we are truly blessed. If not, we do what we can to get a contractor, one that we have worked with and we trust, and schedule the work to be done -- after the funding has been approved and the monies are in hand. It's a detailed process, one that takes people who have a heart for the people and the patience to follow through the entire process. And getting the homeowner to understand all of the above takes more than a heart and patience, it takes God!

The other part of our work is still coordinating the incoming teams, getting them housed and lining up the work for them to do while they are here.

So, as you can see, we are more than busy! Most of the homeowners we are now working with are those who have completely lost hope of ever having a home again! They have tried to work the system themselves, got discourage and given up. Or they had no idea help was even out there (not for them anyway) and are at the end of their rope with no way out! They do take guidance and direction but most of all they just need that smallest ray of hope, that tiniest light at the end of the tunnel, and being told that the light is NOT an oncoming train!

I do hope this has cleared up some things for all of you. We are still in the process of trying to get, and keep, everything straight (impossible)! This is where your prayers and support are critical!! Without you doing that for us . . . Thank you and may God bless you for your hearts!

One final note, Monty's uncle Larry is in the final stages of loosing his battle with pancreatic cancer. We received a phone call last night saying he most likely would not make it through the night. The phone call this morning said the same thing for today. Please keep this entire family in your prayers as the pain is extreme and the loss is just around the corner!!

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

What do we do now?

Make sure and take a good look at this home -- one of our newest and upcoming challenges!

You might want to click on each photo to enlarge it and get the full effect!

This family lost their mobile home in the storm. They decided to purchase this home here in Pascagoula. The then homeowners assured this family that the home was fine where it is and it would NOT need to be raised! NOT being the key word!

The new homeowners went through with the purchase, put in all new sheetrock (yes, the home had been flooded and needed rebuilt) and when they called to have the electric box moved they were informed that the house had to be raised!

It took all they had to have it raised. You can see the condition it was left in! It only sits on palletts with the I beams used to do the raising still in the home! Not too permanent you say? You are right!

Now the homeowner has an even bigger problem, they have now been told it must be torn down!

If you look closely you will see that every single thing they own is now located underneath the home with black plastic on the front to try and not only protect it from the weather but also to make it not quite so visible from the street and susceptible to theft. The mother was washing clothes with a washer located sort of under the house and exposed to whatever weather comes our way.

You might look at this and not be able to even imagine living in such conditions? Welcome to "it's not done yet"!!! They aren't the only ones living like this! They are becoming fewer but they are still there, they still need a home to live in, one that is "safe, sanitary and secure". And how are they going to get such a thing, someplace where children can take a bath at night, sleep in a bed, put on clean clothes the next morning and eat hot meals around a kitchen table? There is only ONE way, through the volunteers who come south!

Yes, we are able to get "some"funding for people but funding in and of itself will not build a home for a family! Hands, arms, legs, backs and hearts are the only things that will get the job done!

You've seen it, you've had to look again to get the details, you've read about it and you will hopefully pray about it! Is there anything else you can do??

Ask yourself that last question again! Then let me know if you come up with an answer!

When you go to bed tonight and when you wake up in the morning and all during the day --- count your blessings! You (we all) have it better than what we think!

Until next time . . . Susan and Monty

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!