All Women = All Work

Yes indeed -- for the first time in our 4 years plus of coordinating volunteers with homeowners we now have a team of ALL WOMEN!!!! They arrived for orientation early this morning and were raring to go!

We have them working in 2 homes, Mariano's and Walter's.

You can see that all of them are painting! Walter had 3 women (was more than thrilled to have women working -- at age 92! ) They managed to paint the entire interior of his home. The kitchen is a beautiful yellow and the rest a soft tan. They even learned how to paint the ceilings!

The rest of the women were at Mariano's doing the same thing. You can see the very bright and happy colors the children selected for their rooms! Both Mariana and Sylvia will be sharing the room you see, hot pink with purple walls and a wall shelf in bright lime green! Absolutely beautiful! The kitchen is now "Fabulous Red" , Maria's favorite color. The family room is primed and ready for tomorrow and the bathroom is a wonderful tan that matches the incredible tile work Mariano did. They will be returning tomorrow to see just how far they can get.

Walter's group will be going to Paul and Linda's to help them get things organized and in order since their official "construction" was completed today! What an amazing kitchen and bath! Now they need help getting everything out of their family room and bedroom so they can get back to living life! These women are more than ready!

It's awesome to have teams again! The month of August was nearly blank -- the heat just too much. Now that fall is nearly here and we have temps holding in the mid to high 80s it's once again perfect timing for teams to return and the blessings to continue pouring all along this little community of San Leon.

Be sure and stay tuned as things are happening, God is at work and the blessings are growing and growing!

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

Happy Birthday Monty

This is just one of the beautiful flowers in bloom here along the waters.

Today started off quite early with our weekly UMCOR meeting. It's a time when we can all get together and share ideas and keep everyone as up to date as possible with all that is going on. Not an easy job, even meeting once a week!

From there Monty and I headed off to get some shopping done. Today is his birthday and he needed some new work shoes. Not a very exciting present but he needed them. It didn't take long to get that done before we headed to Texas City for a meeting with the Presbyterian Recovery Leaders. They had taken the summer off and are just getting back to camp and getting things restarted. Chester and Pat are from Minnesota and volunteered for a couple of weeks after Katrina. They decided to come here and dedicate 6 months of their lives to running the volunteer camp. Their volunteers will be doing some work with us. In fact, we have our first team in just a week. It was good to meet them both and we look forward to working with them and getting even more work done with even more volunteers. It's all about working together!

From there we headed back to San Leon to check on the progress at Paul and Linda's. Their ceramic tile flooring is completely done and they are started on the kitchen cabinets. What beautiful cabinets they are too! Tomorrow they should have them all installed and Linda will have even more space than she had before the storm! She is so excited I think she might burst before they all get done! She praises Miguel to the hilt and is so thankful for all the work all the folks have put into rebuilding their home!

It was evening before we finally made it back home, just in time for a birthday dinner of Monty's choice, Vietnamese fish soup! I'm telling you -- it's his favorite meal! Homemade with all hand ground spices and all sorts of fish -- just what he wanted. Oh yes -- his "other" birthday "gift" was a flu shot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hey --- it's what he wanted !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "You know you're old when . . .???"

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

Linda gets closer

These photos show just how close Paul and Linda are getting to having their brand new kitchen and bathroom completely done and ready to use. The tile floors are in and the bath is already grouted and ready for sealer. The kitchen will be the same by the end of the day. You can see by Linda's face that she is more than ready and so excited to see the progress day by day. She's already planning on a huge gumbo feast for all who have been involved! Monty is ready!! :)

We also stopped and checked on Walter. Looks as though his neighbors will indeed have his interior walls ready for our volunteers this weekend. All they need to do is get the supplies and the women will be ready to paint and bring it to life.

Hai is also nearly moved in. She finds herself living in both the FEMA trailer and her house -- just needs to get things moved and some window blinds up and she will be in. She's been a bit busy with getting kids in school and such and with her husband getting ready to be deployed to Afghanistan she has her hands full.

I had the pleasure of attending the weekly staff meeting for "Boat People" this morning. They are preparing cases to bring to the Long Term Recovery for assistance and wanting to make sure they have their paperwork all lined up. It was nice to meet all of them. As I have said many times before -- it takes all of us working together to make this recovery work!

Just a side note to everyone out there --- tomorrow is MONTY'S BIRTHDAY!!! I won't tell his age, especially since he's nearly 11 years younger than me!!!!!

Until then . . . be blessed. Susan and Monty

One Year

You most likely have forgotten but one year ago Ike crashed onto the shores of southeast Texas. It came in with winds of a category 2 storm but the surge of water was a category 4. Galveston County will never be the same.

Yes, alot of progress has been made over the past year. The photo shows how we used to work in the homes when we arrived. Thankfully nearly all the homes have been gutted, not all but nearly all. We are in the rebuilding stage with most.

As I think back over the past year alot of thoughts and emotions come into my mind.

I remember when the remains of Ike hit Indiana. We were there still working in the recovery of the June 2008 floods. First Assembly of God had planned their church picnic for that Sunday afternoon. The day started out beautiful, perfect for a picnic. But . . . the weatherman had been warning all of us that Ike had actually restructured himself and was headed our way by about 5pm. And oh how right they were. The picnic started at 3pm with the cookout to begin at 5. It did begin, along with the rain and winds that nearly blew us all from our seats. By 6 we all but gave up and headed home. Power lines were down and clear up north in Indiana we felt the effects of this storm!

By the time Monty and I arrived here in Texas by mid October we realized Indiana was blessed! But . . . this time we knew exactly what needed to be done, how to get it done and how it would look when it was done. God had taught us so many lessons after Katrina and those Indiana floods! Once again He called us to take that knowledge, combine it with more compassion and love and get to work!

One year later we have rebuilt some, blessed homeowners as they moved back "home" and continue working on more. We've seen thousands of volunteers and have them scheduled nearly to Christmas. We've watched God change both their lives and the lives of the homeowners. And He has changed ours . . . even more.

I am still waiting for the day when I physically see His Hands. I see them working through so many others but the day will come!

As you say your prayers this evening please include all those here along the coast who are still rebuilding; physically and emotionally. It will take more time, more money and more volunteers. But most of all it will take prayers!!

To those of you who have donated money, volunteered your own time and have prayed numerous prayers -- we thank you and the homeowners thank you! YOU are God's hands and heart and we are forever grateful!

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

Tropical ?? coming?

Paul and Linda's kitchen -- just after it was completely gutted -- and now "during" the rebuilding stage. Along with the electrical "issues" that were discovered they are also working on some plumbing things that popped up. No fear -- all will be taken care of and this house will be safe, sanitary, secure and beautiful when it is completed.

Tomorrow they hope to be installing the ceramic tile flooring in both the kitchen and bath. Linda is thrilled with the handicapped accessible shower. She no longer needs to try and climb in and over the bathtub walls. As soon as the water pressure is regulated she will be able to truly enjoy a shower.

We also have some good news, Vicky's house will also be rebuilt by this same organization. They will be starting week after next and feel they will have her home within a couple of weeks! She is truly excited and more than ready to come home. FEMA has been "encouraging" her to move forward with her house so she can get out of the trailer. As long as FEMA can see a homeowner "pursuing permanent housing" they will leave the trailers. But if they see a home sitting with no progress being made they will use some deadlines to get things moving. We are thrilled Vicky's house was chosen for this special rebuild program and know she will be thrilled when things are all done.

Right now we are watching the weather quite closely. Seems there is a disturbance stirring around along the west side of the gulf and although it doesn't have the ability to evolve into a hurricane it does look like it could be a tropical storm which means ALOT of rain coming our way over the weekend. Yes, we are in a severe drought and need the rain -- but -- not in the way of tropical! As they say, "be careful what you wish for . . ." Please keep all of the west side of the gulf in your prayers.

I would also ask for some prayers. All the time I was home with my family I don't think the reality of loosing my grandmother really sunk in. It seems to be doing so now. I know in my mind that she was 96 years old and more than ready to see Jesus but . . . my heart has other things going on and even I don't fully understand it. I suppose it's all part of the grieving process?!

Anyway . . . until next time . . . be blessed. Susan and Monty

Rebuilds in record time

The first photo made me laugh -- this is what happens when your home is being carpeted and you are in the way!!! The cats weren't nearly as upset as the dog but Hank and Cherie weren't concerned about any of them -- they have been waiting nearly a year to get to this point and after today they should be completely carpeted and 95% done with everything!

The next couple of shots are of Paul and Linda's. They and Walter are in the group of homes being rebuilt in record time. Paul and Linda are getting an entirely new kitchen and bath and the outside completed. A surprise awaited everyone, bare electrical wires laying underneath the house in water -- live wiring!!! Only God kept this home from burning to the ground long ago! This group is rewiring everything and it will definitely be safe when all is done. They have the outside siding complete and the sheetrock hung in the bath and kitchen. By tomorrow they will be laying the ceramic tile and ready to start installing cabinets --- and they just started this home on Saturday!

We also made a drive by at An and Tot's this afternoon and the work is getting done there. Hopefully they also will get to move home soon.

Art made it back from the hospital and is doing well. He also has sheetrock all hung and nearly finished and will be painting soon. It sure was good to see him back!

It also seems as though our summer long extreme drought is coming to a wonderful end. The clouds have been leaking off and on for a couple of days and thus lowering the extremely hot temps also. What a blessed relief! I don't know about all of you but we are ready for fall!

Thanks to all of you who are keeping up with what is going on and also keeping us in your prayers.

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

Neighborly Love

My flight back to Texas went just fine yesterday -- I admit I felt a bit jet lagged and worn out but today was one of those days where God showed me why I came back (other than the fact that Monty and I missed one another so very much)

The day began with the United Way Annual fundraising kickoff campaign combined with the one year anniversary of hurricane Ike (on the 13th) I was asked to be the voice for the homeowners, expressing thanks and the immense blessings the volunteers bring to the homeowners. There were way more people there than I had thought, complete with the Mayor. It was a great time and hopefully everyone has a better understanding of the bond that is built between homeowner and volunteer.

From there it was time to get back into the swing of things and see how our "families" have been doing over the past weeks. WOW -- what amazing changes!

You can see by the above photos that Walter's house has been transformed! The siding is amazing and he now has a set of steps with a landing that will enable him to get upstairs! But the most amazing thing is that the team that did the siding and steps is done -- but we met another team working inside hanging all his sheetrock and has plans for so much more! They were his neighbors! Yes, they stepped in right behind our own volunteers and really started pouring out the blessings! They will finish the sheetrock, we will come in and paint and they will continue with the installation of kitchen cabinets and complete his bathroom! Now THIS is what America should be about -- neighbor helping neighbor -- in the literal sense!

We also checked up on the work being done at Paul and Linda's -- I was double amazed! They have the kitchen completely torn out and walls back up. The handicapped accessible shower is installed and they are now working on the electrical issues they uncovered. The outside siding is up and will only need caulked and painted. What a blessing that is being poured out there!

We also stopped by Hank and Cherie's to see the installation of their carpeting happening. It's beautiful and they are beaming with joy! (And to think that someone had the nerve to tell me their mobile home couldn't be rebuilt)!!!!! Never !!!!! limit God!!!

Our last stop took us to Maria's just in time to see the children getting off the bus. Maria has outdone herself. She taught herself to not only finish sheetrock, she textured all the walls and then primed them! I told her I always knew women were amazing in construction --- she just smiled from ear to ear and continued showing us her work! We will also be painting the inside of their home next weekend with our incoming team of 20 women! Monty is still working on plumbing issues but has the entire plan in his head. That's all I need to know because once it's in his head it will come to pass - and it will be done to perfection!

An amazing day -- a day God showed me that He is at work -- even if we need to take some time to attend to other things He sends our way! I am so thankful that He took me in His arms today and warmed my heart and made me smile!

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

One More Day

Yes, after over 2 weeks I am down to my final day here in Indiana. Doesn't seem possible!

Today was a special day for me, I got to see my son and daughter in law who live a little over an hour from us. My parents and I went to see them and were treated to a fantastic dinner. It hurts my heart to not be able to see them more often! Love you Ryan and Dedra!

Tomorrow I will be returning to Bloomington to our home church to say yet another goodbye. I imagine some will not be there with it being a holiday weekend. Saying goodbye just doesn't get any easier, no matter how many times we do so.

From there I will visit with my daughter, son in law and grandchildren. That will also require another goodbye for now -- an even tougher job. Each one had grown so much over the past year and who knows when we will see them again.

I will then travel back to my parents and get a very! short night of sleep before hopping a plane in the wee hours of Monday morning to head south to my husband that I have missed so much.

Monty does report that the rebuilding of Paul and Linda's house and the siding and roofing at Walter's house are both coming along fantastic. He took some pictures and I hope to get them to you as soon as I return. When it's all complete Paul and Linda will have a brand new kitchen and bath along with a roof, soffit and siding. This is all being done with them living in their home so I know quite a few "challenges" are happening but Monty says they are all doing well.

As Monty keeps me up to date with all the happenings there and I am in the middle of all the happenings here it can feel like being torn in two. Part of me wants to be there and part here. I just haven't mastered the art of being in two places at once! It's been an awesome trip, many highs along with a low -- but God has reigned supreme and I am so thankful for the ability to have been here and once again seen His Almighty hand at work all around me.

Until next time . . . be blessed. Susan and Monty
PS An update on Monty's step brother -- he is out of the hospital and healing well at home. Thanks for the prayers -- once again they were just what he needed!

Putting things in order

These past few days have been quite busy. I am still in Indiana and trying to do the best I can to help Monty keep things going in San Leon.

He has been spending all his time at Mariano and Maria's working on both electrical and plumbing issues. Since we have another couple of weeks before volunteers start coming he is doing all the hands on work. The electrical inspection cannot be completed until all is done, including the gas line for the stove and the water connections. Each day Monty is getting things done but also finding other things that need done. Mariano is back on the fishing boat for another week and once he returns home we'll have him back helping us.

I have been back at our house in Bloomington the past 3 days. My mother and I headed back to prepare our home for our daughter to return home to. She has been working and living in both Florida and Boston over the past years and is ready to return home to be closer to family. We welcome her home and wanted to get things organized for her to move in and be comfortable. It was quite the job but we got things boxed and unboxed, things to the donation center and things arranged furniture wise. I wouldn't have gotten it all done in that amount of time without my mother! We did manage to have fun and laughed last night as never before. We found ourselves faced with hooking up the DVD player and the stereo system with it! This is an area I do not get into, leaving it all to Monty. It did take us nearly 2 hours to get it done but we got it done! God is a miracle worker! :)

Today we returned to Columbus where I will be for a couple of days. On Sunday I will return to Bloomington to attend church and say goodbye to my grandchildren, daughter and family. That won't be easy! Those grandchildren are adorable and I realize just how much I have missed already. It's one of the tough things about what we are called to do! In the wee hours of Monday morning I will be boarding a plane and heading back to Texas.

We did have a scare yesterday as Monty's step brother was injured in a 4 wheeler accident and although things didn't look good in the beginning he is now out of intensive care and will be fine. Aren't we blessed to have such an Almighty Healer.

I also had the pleasure of attending the final closing party for the case management team of the Long Term Recovery here in Columbus on Tuesday morning. They are down to 24 open cases which is nothing short of a miracle! The floods were around 15 months ago and this organization has been amazing, jumping in and getting the job done, getting people back in their homes! It was great to see so many friends! Great job Bartholomew County!

We are praying for those in Mexico who seem to be in the oncoming path of this current hurricane. Please join us in these prayers -- God CAN calm the storm!

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

Where we find "home"

It's been a busy past few days, busy reconnecting with family, busy making visits with special friends and just busy doing nothing!

But last night - after being here in Indiana for over a week and a half - I was home!

I went with my parents to their church yesterday morning. My niece had spent the weekend here at my parents and we all headed off to church.

During the afternoon I spent some time with Odessa, whom I refer to as my second mother.

And then came the special church service at 6pm. I saw it on their message board outside the church and read about it in the paper.

Columbus First Assembly, the church who welcomed us last summer, who made their back parking lot our home, combined with two other local churches for a special celebration service. One of the other churches was also flooded in the flood of 2008 and the other opened their doors for First Assembly to have services in their facility while First was repairing their own from the flood.

It was amazing to see three churches, all different denominations, all inside one building, all praising and worshiping the same God! Isn't that what it's all about? Isn't that what God wants? I am certain there are many Biblical references to "one body."

It was so awesome to see so many friends who became family from that summer. The hugs, the smiles and the warm hearts all made me feel like I was back home. The only problem---Monty couldn't be there to share in it all. Yes, they all asked that I give him hugs and tell him this and tell him that -- but -- it's just not the same for him. I thank them all, especially Pastor A for his kind words and loving heart as last night I knew I was home!

Until next time . . . Monty -- I miss you and love you and hope to be back before long.
Susan and Monty

Family Reunion

The funeral was a celebration of her life. Their wasn't an empty seat in the memorial and I know she would have been happy to know how many showed up to express their sympathy and love.

As I said before, it's one thing to do a funeral and another to do the funeral for your own grandmother. God gave me the words I needed -- and took away the ones I didn't.

After the service and the trip to the cemetary our family came back to enjoy the variety of foods brought from my parents' church. So much food and we actually managed to put quite a dent in it. Thanks so much to First United Methodist of Columbus -- you were such an enormous blessing to all of us.

It is great to have my brother from Florida here with the rest of us. Two of my brothers live right here in Columbus and it's a rare occasion when we are all together.

For the next couple of days we are just visiting and resting and catching up on each others lives. The laughter rings from the rooftop as we remember this and that . . . I am so blessed to have such an amazing family.

Meanwhile Monty remains in Texas keeping up with getting power to Mariano's and any other thing that pops up. He is also working on some mechanical truck issues and doing the best he can to keep himself and both dogs fed and watered! :) If only he knew just how much I miss him!

Once again I would like to thank all of you for your prayers and kind words of support. It's at times like this that I once again know how much God has blessed us with extended family all over the United States!

Until next time . . . be blessed and appreciate your own families! Susan and Monty

Loosing Focus?

Mission focused -- production focused? What happens when they get turned around?

Working in an area after a disaster is unlike anything anyone has done before. No matter how many jobs we have had, no matter what our experiences have been; social worker, commercial construction or residential construction . . . this is an entirely new "animal."

I received a phone call today where the focus has taken a wrong turn. It's not the kind of phone call one likes to get. The homeowner is upset, crying, hurt and not knowing where to turn. They thought things were going one way and then they turn another direction. It's a tough call to get.

When we come into disaster situations we must enter with "kit gloves." Lives are exposed, vulnerable and injured. Ministry is the number one focus! For those who think production is the focus -- they might as well turn around and head back home. It won't work.

My prayer is that this situation will right itself, that it will turn around, that homeowners will see Jesus when they see those who come to help. They will feel His heart and His love. They will know He is taking care of them in His time.

Please join me in this prayer.

On another note, tomorrow is my Grandma's funeral and I am honored to be conducting the service. As I sat yesterday and tried to get my random thoughts in some sort of order I called Monty. I felt stuck, I felt scrambled and I was afraid I would not honor her as she should be honored for her 96 years with us. And as always, he balanced me. He completed me. This isn't easy for us to be apart, we are made to be together . . . I thank him for that help and I love him for helping me put the words together. Now I just pray God will speak through me, that I will get out of the way and He will come through. Please join me in that prayer.

Until next time . . . love on your families and be blessed because of them. Susan and Monty

Heaven is her home

At 6:25 pm this evening Grandma entered His gates! I can only imagine the celebration and quite honestly I am a bit jealous!



She lost her mother when she was only 9 years old and her husband when he was only 45 so I know the first 2 people in line to welcome her home!



It was a rather tough day, in some ways, but God had His perfect timing as usual.



We want to thank ALL of you for your prayers of peace! It was the peace that surpasses all understanding!



Funeral arrangements will now be made and we plan on celebrating her 96 years of life, of inspiration and love!



As I write this the song "We'll all see Jesus" is playing on the TV -- coincidence?? Not a chance!



Until next time . . . Happy Anniversary Monty -- sorry we weren't together but you made it possible for me to be here with my family and for that I am forever grateful! I love you!!!!

Blessings, Susan and Monty

We wait

The flight was nice and smooth. I landed back in Indiana before noon yesterday.

My mom, sister in law and I headed to the nursing home to see my grandmother.

I thought I was prepared, I thought I had imagined right . . . not so!

We spent all day there and all day again today. We watch as she stops breathing for up to 15 seconds a couple of times a minute, we turn her from side to side in hopes of making her more comfortable. She talks, we can't understand, her thoughts and words seem to come from throughout her whole life.

They have started her on morphine to help make her more comfortable. I don't know if it's working. They also give her anti-anxiety to hopefully help with the arm movements and restlessness.

Today we realized that food is now a thing of the past, too much congestion from the heart failure, too much coughing and just not helping.

My mom and I pass the time talking of all sorts of things. We visit with some of the other residents as they come by checking to see how Grandma is doing. We also help out the nurses with a few requests from the others. Time seems to pass so slowly.

My entire family sits on edge, not making any plans, praying for a peaceful entry into heaven.

We all know God has perfect timing, we stand on His promises and know He is the Almighty!

Monty continues to care for everything back in Texas, we talk numerous times throughout the day. He misses me and I miss him. But . . . we both understand and trust!

Day by day, hour by hour -- please join us in prayer!

Until next time . . . blessings! Susan and Monty

Changes continue

Storm clouds looming over the coast, and we caught one of the brighest rainbows I think we've ever seen as a result.

Yes, I made it to the airport this evening only to find the flights were all delayed enough that I would have been stranded through the night in Atlanta so now I will be getting up at 3 AM to make the first flight out tomorrow.

My mother reports nothing new with my grandma, still mainly incoherant and gravely ill.

I will just be glad to get there and see her and hopefully offer some much needed support to my mother!

Monty is such an amazing husband as he will be staying here, missing seeing his own family but it's his choice and I love the man so much for putting my family's needs first!

I thank you for all your prayers and ask that they continue. I will do the best I can to keep you up to date.

Meanwhile, the electric company will be coming to Mariano's tomorrow to hook up the power and then . . . here we come getting the final AC and electric issues wrapped up!!!

Hank and Cherie also got more materials this morning so they can keep working.

Art is nearing the end of his hospital stay and is doing great.

All our homeowners are doing well and are very supportive of us at times like this. I think it's a family thing and we are blessed with amazing "extended" family here -- and all over the States.

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

My Grandma!!!!

Our RV camp manger snapped this photo this evening . . . home sweet home!

Tonight I write this with quite a heavy heart; one filled with mixed emotions.

My Mother called me today to tell me my 96 year old Grandmother is failing fast. It seems her congestive heart failure is worsening along with a few other things. She is incoherant most of the time and has pretty much stopped eating.

I would love it if everyone out there would join us in praying for her. We pray God will fill her with peace -- His perfect peace -- as she "transitions" from here to heaven.

I am doing what I can to get home (at Monty's insistance) so also pray for both of us as we will be apart -- something we neither one are too fond of!

And -- I have another prayer request. One of my dear friends here, Erin, has a little 4 year old son who was diagnosed with a "virus" over a week ago and is not doing well. He (and the family) would surely be blessed by your powerful prayers.

Until next time . . . I love you Grandma 2!!!! Susan and Monty

1,354 "Boots" comes to an end

The Last Day! They hoped for 1,000 -- the final count was 1,354 -- outstanding!!!!!

You can see by the photos that today even the kids showed up -- and they started painting the outside of my homeowners home! By the end of the day we had the last of the trim installed, all of it painted and caulked and she was moving into her new bedroom! She may not have a stove to cook on but she has a bedroom, bathroom, air conditioning and is ready to spend her first night in her new home. She doesn't care that the tile still needs installed -- she's ready!! It was awesome for this team to be a part of that move. As I left her daughter in law and I were both fighting back the tears! Tears of sheer joy! God's joy that comes from the heart!

Monty's crew finished their flooring and even made amazing progress with the installation of the shower in the bathroom. Her kitchen is complete, just awaiting appliances and she also will be ready to move in.

At the end of the day the 1,000 Boots leader had a small service in the church -- it was a great way to end the week. There were so very many lives changed this week -- not even counting the homeowners. It seemed that everywhere we looked we could see God's hand reaching in and tugging at someones heart, changing their lives. That kind of change is a forever change!

There aren't enough "thanks" to be sufficient for all the blessings this 1,354 poured out this week -- but I am certain they each have a special "gold star" awaiting them in heaven!

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

Friday "Boots"

Returning faces, new faces and yet they still keep going. You can see a great group photo of those working with me today. This was toward the end of the day and they are still smiling from ear to ear. We even managed to convince the homeowner to join in. She was busy checking out the newly painted front door sitting outside drying -- it turned out just as she had hoped!

With all the trimming, caulking, priming and painting going on it made for quite the busy day. By the end of tomorrow it should be nearly all wrapped up. Sounds like we might even have a team painting the outside of her home!

Monty's team were about to wrap up the laminate flooring in his home. They have all spent more time on their knees than those knees would like, I'm sure. It's tough work, especially going around corners but they rose to the challenge (with some help from Alan) and were smiling at themselves after successfully rounding some of those "special" corners.

We've had so much fun working with all the "Boots" this week and I find it hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day! Pray for all of them, pray that they were blessed even more than the homeowners they blessed!

At the end of the day I took the washer (to match yesterdays dryer) to Hank and Cherie. The package now complete and what an amazing gift from the Today Show and their donations! Once again we all nearly had tears as we looked at all the cycles and prepared to read the instruction manual to know how to use all the cycles! Another one of those moments that God shows me just why He called us to this ministry and where I find myself thanking Him for allowing us to live the dream!!!

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

The "Boots" are amazing!

Some of my folks were "only going to be here Monday" and here we are Thursday and guess what -- they are still here!! More and more new faces along with the one who are now family are what it takes to accomplish all that is being done this week. We are so thankful to the 2 churches who combined their efforts and are making such a difference in so many places!

I heard a rumor today that maybe they will be scheduling to come once a month?? Wouldn't that we awesome!

Monty and his team have all the cabinets installed, counter tops on, sink mounted and are wrapping up the laminate flooring. Like worker ants, all over the place doing all sorts of things. Our electrician buddy, Glen, even got in on it today. He came to finish up some electrical issues, he said, but I think he came for the fellowship!

My team has nearly all the caulking done -- I have a caulking wizard in this group and she is amazing! They are touching up all the trim paint, painting new doors, installing the front door (what a bear of a job that is), working outside with trim . . . the list goes on and on.

A surprise came to Hank and Cherie today also! Thanks to the Today Show and all the donations that came with it! I needed a washer and dryer for them and when Erin heard about it she was happy to give them one that came with the show. When I pulled up at Hank and Cherie's and we opened the box we were all shocked -- a top of the line set that is beautiful! They were thrilled and we were all almost in tears as we looked at all the settings! Thanks Erin and the Today Show! You are making miracles happen!

Until next time . . . be blessed and share the blessing! Susan and Monty

The "Boots" keep coming

Monty and his team of "Boots" mastered the challenge of installing kitchen cabinets without a design -- and -- installing laminate flooring! It was quite the team. The kitchen is beautiful and the flooring is nearly complete in both bedrooms.

My team continued working on trim and more trim and sheetrock and then more trim. Our hope is to have everything completely done and shined up, leaving only the tile flooring and bath showers to be done -- by the end of the week. Hey -- one can always hope! :) And I think they'll get there since many of them who planned on coming for one day only have decided to return for their third day tomorrow.

There are many more "Boots" out there, it's just that I can't get photos of all of them. I am not familiar with this church but know one thing -- there are alot of servant hearts there as we have seen soooo many with soooo many more coming before the last day of Saturday! What a blessing each and every one is!

A video crew from the church also came in today. They are putting together a video for the church and plan on sending us a copy also. They were alot of fun and really got the stories behind what their team is doing! Even though they are only driving an hour to get here they were surprised by all the work still needing done! THAT is the word that needs to get out -- and they plan on doing just that.

Until next time . . . Thanks to all the "Boots"!!! Be blessed. Susan and Monty

More "Boots"

Blue shirts as far as the eye could see, willing hands and hearts of service hit the ground running early this morning.

They did everything - floors and doors, windows and trim, sheetrock and painting, saws humming and nail guns popping. Some were quite retired and others were waiting for school to start soon. Each one with a smile, each one ready to do whatever needed done.

They sweat through everything they had on and yet they smiled. They loved it when the "snack ladies" showed up mid morning and again mid afternoon -- the fruit and snack bars kept them going and brought many a smile and thank you.

Monty stayed with one home and me with another. Between us we managed to keep them supplied with both materials and tools. When you have quite a few workers in a home the materials can really go quickly!

Tomorrow they will be back -- new faces with a few returning ones. They will pack their tools with their water and also be ready to go. We are so thankful and appreciative for each one -- each with the joy of the Lord filling their hearts to overflowing -- overflowing right on to the homeowners (and us.)

Be sure and stay tuned. . . Until next time . . . be blessed. Susan and Monty

Be The One

Seeing this on the back of one of the "1,000 Boots" team brought a flood of memories and thoughts.

One of the top questions I have been asked is "how did you know this is what God called you to do?"

Answer -- I knew all my life! As a child growing up, entering high school and thinking of the ever present question "what are you going to do when you graduate?" I knew! Somehow, someway -- I was going to help others. The only organization I knew of then was the Peace Corps. I sent for the information packet, read every word and thought about joining up. But, this was more than a few decades ago and that wasn't something a girl did just out of high school. (Times were different then)

Time kept moving, life happend but that "feeling" deep inside was always there.

Each time my church would talk of an upcoming mission trip (which was always overseas) my heart ached to go, to be a part, to help with whatever. And each time it wasn't the "right" time.

When "911" happened, as Monty called me at work to tell me the second plane had hit -- all I wanted to do was "go there." Again it wasn't possible so I sat literally glued to the TV. My heart physically hurt.

Then came hurricane Katrina -- and my heart hurt beyond description --no words can describe it. I can't explain it -- but I HAD to go this time - no matter what!

The rest is history -- we are still "out there" after over 4 years and plan on being out here as long as God needs us.

As for the shirt photo -- a long time ago I ran an employment agency. One of our best employees had a trouble staying out of jail. One day as I was on the phone listening to him beg me to bail him out of jail (and telling him I couldn't as he needed to learn lessons from his choices) my boss came to me and said, "Susan, don't you know you can't change the world?"

That statement went through me like a knife -- clear to my soul!

All of us feel as though we can't "change the world" - it's too large a task -- impossible!

Re-read the phrase on the shirt -- YES we can -- we can BE the change -- ONE person (or family) at a time!

I thank God for His faithfulness, for keeping His promise and for this calling!

Go out and BE the change -- for just ONE!!!! You WILL change the world -- and yourself in the process!

Until next time . . . be blessed by being the change! Susan and Monty

1,000 Boots Week Begins

There aren't 1,000 of them on the ground --- yet!

They came in cars, in trucks and on a big church bus. From one of the Houston Methodist Churches, they came. Donuts and coffee were waiting for them along with their blue shirts and plenty of duct tape to make name tags out of. After getting signed in they headed to their appointed jobs.

I don't know the total count for today but I do know the 2 jobs we are assigned to oversee had some amazing work being done! We had about 12 on each job ( I think) and things were getting done all over the place.

One gentleman was really happy to be in the home he was assigned to as he had been part of the team that came back in March and had gutted out the home. He was thrilled to see the progress and to be a part of the rebuilding.

In both homes they were painting, caulking and trimming along with hanging entry doors and anything else that they could get their hands on.

Each day next week, Saturday included, there will be new teams coming from the church. Each day we will be making more and more progress and getting closer to having the homeowner being able to move home again. What an awesome blessing this church is and will be this week.

We thank all who are making this possible -- I heard it had been in the works for nearly 6 months! God will have some special blessings for these groups and their church!

I think we should challenge more local churches to come and do the same thing?!

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

Headed to the Island

I guess everything is bigger in Texas -- what a beautiful sunflower!!!!

This morning started very early. We got a call from Alan asking us to head to the island (Galveston) to start preparations for the incoming Houston team of over 250 willing volunteers tomorrow. I thought they were only coming this Saturday and next Saturday -- that's what I get for thinking!

What a blessing -- they will be coming and going all week long next week! We are so excited! Monty and I will be overseeing 2 homes that are in the rebuilding process. A tour of both proved to be very helpful and meeting Ms Marg was awesome. She is a bit elderly but knows just how that house needs to be rebuilt! She told me she was looking forward to our return tomorrow morning and wanted to make sure we could work along side a few of her neighbors who were laying laminate flooring for her today and plan on returning tomorrow -- even if they were Catholic! :) We reassured her that we ALL work together and looked forward to the extra hands and hearts! I think I saw God smiling!

At both homes we welcomed the McCoy's truck and helped get materials unloaded. Sheetrock, flooring, subflooring, trim, cabinets, on and on . . . all in preparation for the teams. We will be hooking up the tool trailer and heading south -- for the next 7 days of work.

Each day we will have different volunteers as they will be coming and going. What an opportunity to meet new friends and thank them for being the hands and feet of Jesus!

It will require us to put our San Leon homes on hold -- but all homeowners are going forward on their own and we will just make sure they have the materials to continue doing so. Cherie already called me and has her list ready -- no surprise to me. She's always on top of things and such an enormous help to me!

Be sure and stay tuned for photos as there will be many "Kodak moments".

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

It will be paid!!!!

"Batteries included" and we are back up and running.

As you can see, Hai's house is turning blue -- literally! The dark blue "trim" is actually the tape to tape off the white metal trim. It's beautiful and she is very happy with the color.

The other photo -- click on it to enlarge it -- and look VERY closely! I guess that's what you might call a Texas size oar??!! It's a trackhoe on a barge -- using the front scoop to pull itself along -- a quite a pace too! We couldn't believe what we were seeing! Necessity is the mother of invention -- and that's quite an invention!

This afternoon we also were thrilled to see Mercy getting siding on her house. The next step will be fixing her bathtub and a few touches inside. She's waited a long time and her time has finally come!

This morning I was able to take my financial request to the weekly meeting -- the reconnect fee for Mariano's electric. The board agreed to the request and we will be able to get it paid! Praise the Lord! Maria was so excited when I told her! This means we will be able to get the final touches done to the electric and air conditioning. Blessings to that board who understood the situation!

Most of our afternoon was spent organizing tools. It's not possible to get it done with teams coming in and out back to back so today was the perfect time to get things back in order in preparation for incoming teams. When I say "perfect" it (of course) doesn't take into account the temps! There should be a new name for "dripping" tshirts!

This evening I talked with Cherie and she and Hank are ever closer. They continue working on their home all on their own, Hank is working in both the laundry and bathroom and the same time. She will be putting together a list of the last of the materials they need so we can provide them and they can continue getting things done. What an amazing couple they are and we are so pleased to call them family!

I also talked with our always loved team from Iowa today. They are scheduled to return in October and are thrilled to be coming back. I know they will also be thrilled to see the progress on Terri's house as they were the first team to do any work there! They won't believe it when they see it! They are also part of our extended family and we hope they ALL come back this time!

We have our tools loaded and Monty and I both plan on doing some "hands on" work tomorrow in Mariano's house. We both love doing so but never have the opportunity. We have set aside tomorrow and pray it will come to pass. Join us in that prayer! :)

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

Batteries

One of those "gotcha" pictures -- we had some new ones taken for our missionary license renewals and thanks to Marie's daughter, Amy, she was able to get some good ones. Considering the subjects - she's a miracle worker! :)

The past couple of days have had us all over the place. Yesterday we were still getting electrical materials for Mariano's. Down here it's very common to have your water heater outside in a small enclosure or in Mariano's case, on the back deck area. We have to have special disconnects for that and finding them wasn't the easiest thing to do. After a couple different trips to a couple of different places, we did find them and it will now be ready when Glen returns.

We also were quite surprised to see how Maria had painted her bedroom -- beautiful. And she thought she didn't know anything about painting. I would love to show you the pictures but the batteries in my camera died and I didn't have any backups!! Sorry.

Today we were back on the road again with our weekly UMCOR meeting at 7am. All my receipts were turned in and plans for this coming Saturday are coming together. There is a very large team coming from the Houston area so we will ALL be working on the island for the day. Monty and I will be overseeing 2 different homes. Should be an awesome day.

From there we were back to Lowes and the electrical supply for more materials. I really do think we will get done, someday!

We stopped by Hai's house and were thrilled to see it turning blue --sky blue. Gregg, from South Dakota has been here the past couple of weeks and with his help she should be done, maybe by the end of the week? The color is beautiful and she is thrilled.

A stop at our storage warehouse also was in the plans. We needed to pick up a tent for Saturday's event.

There was some disturbing news today also -- one of the tool trailers on the island had the door lock crowbarred open and quite alot of tools stolen. These kind of things are really devastating as keeping tools is not the easiest thing to do under normal circumstances. Having them stolen just causes dollars to be spent unnecessarily.

I also spoke with my Mother today. Once again the floods have hit their hometown of Columbus, Indiana. We spent last summer there helping with the 3000 homes that flooded then. This time the residential areas are fine -- but my Dad and brother's crops are under water, some of the corn even has the ears on the stalks under water! This can be devastating and possibly cause alot of their crops to be a total loss! Please keep them in your prayers. It always seems like the news media forget all about the farmers in situations like these.

Tomorrow will have me headed to request dollars for the reconnect fee for Mariano's electric to be turned back on. I have almost exhausted all areas of funding and am praying for a miracle tomorrow morning -- please join me in that prayer.

Until next time . . . we keep on keepin' on . . . even with heat index levels hovering around 109!!!

Be blessed. Susan and Monty

Family Day

Today was the day they had been waiting for, the day they had been asking about for over a week -- "when can we start painting?" I had promised today -- and even though we could only get to one room - that one room transformed and we all had a blast!

Maria had the color she wanted for one wall - and it will need atleast one more coat if not two more. It is beautiful and looks amazing with the other walls, the color of vanilla ice cream. Yami learned what "cut in" was and she did fantastic. They all had a hand in it, either with a roller or brush -- but little Maria's time was limited to a few seconds as she took the new color directly to the trim -- the one place we asked her NOT to paint! That's what we get with a 4 year old!

Little Mariano helped Monty and Glen with the electric -- he fit perfectly underneath the house pulling wire. He was thrilled that he was an important part of helping -- and what little boy doesn't love crawling around in dirt!

All in all we had a great day. There wasn't a dry stitch on any of us, sweat ran from our faces, our shirts were soaked and yet we laughed and laughed as the language switched back and forth from Spanish to English and back to Spanish -- all trying to understand each other. The words didn't matter, it was heart felt fun and I know God had no trouble understanding any of it!

It's Mondays like this that are the perfect description of "relationships" and what God had in mind for all of us.

Not to mention Maria posing for all of us in her "Princess" gown!!! Priceless!

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

Thanks North Carolina AND Colorado

These past couple of days have been whirlwinds! Yesterday we said goodbye to our Colorado team as they took Hank, Cherie and Blake for a day at the waterpark. It was a day to keep them from working, to keep them from even thinking about working. A day to play, a day to laugh and a day to deepen relationships and say goodbye at the same time.

Cherie called me today to say how awesome the day was. It worked! They didn't even think about working, rebuilding or the hurricane. Thanks team -- thanks for going the extra mile - for everything you all did in a few short days! God WILL return the blessings and we hope you return to work with us again.

This evening we bid farewell to our North Carolina team. We missed doing so with Jim as he headed home a bit early. Jim -- we thank you for everything but most of all for touching the heart of a small 4 year old little girl!

This team worked up to the last minute and what they accomplished over this past week is phenominal. The house is completely sided and trimmed and caulked and is ready for primer and paint. The inside walls are all sheetrocked and also ready for priming and painting. The newest bedroom is framed, insulated, a new window added and sheetrocked. The kitchen sink is in and ready to go, the bath vanity and toilet are also in and ready for use. Al, our AC guy returned today and will be there again tomorrow and most likely be all done. We still have a few electrical things going on and hopefully will have the service reconnected next week and all systems will be "go" from there.

Maria was up and out very early this morning cleaning up the yard, back and front. This afternoon all the children were brought a special surprise by the team -- brand new backpacks filled with school supplies! It was amazing to watch the smiles come over their faces as they saw their backpack, in their favorite color - and then to see all the goodies inside. Little Maria spent the rest of the afternoon blowing bubbles (an added gift in the bags).

We were blessed to join the team for a homecooked dinner this evening and Wayne shared a devotion with all of us -- the heart of God! This team touched the heart of Maria and her children and in that - touched the heart of God and put a smile on His face. That I know for sure! We are so thankful and are so sad to see yet more new family members leave us!

Monty and I would also like to express our deepest thanks to all of you who have commented on this blog, commented on NBC Brian Williams' blog, emailed, called and texted your supportive words and immense amounts of love! You have ALL touched our hearts and we don't have enough appropriate words to say thank you! We are humbled by your love and support and will repeat what we have said before -- it may have been our faces out there but . . . YOU are the forces behind us and without YOU there would be no "us".

We love you, we thank you and we are honored to serve on your behalf!

Until next time . . . be blessed. We sure are! Susan and Monty

Quick Answer

THANK YOU!!! so much to all who have called, commented on this blog and emailed us with your response to the NBC Nightly News segment!

We are humbled by your love and want you to know that we might have been the ones "seen" but it's due to those "unseen" making it all possible!

We have had numerous questions about the same topic - our funding. Please go to the very top paragraph here on the blog (it's in navy blue) for the information you are seeking.

Once again -- THANK YOU so much! God is so awesome in His plan for our lives! We hope and pray the news segment brought a smile to your face and in doing so brings a song to His heart!

Be blessed. Susan and Monty