One man up -- one man down

Yes, they brought out their shorts, enjoyed the sunshine and went to work. All but one, Matt. He is down for the count, seemingly with the flu bug. You can see how he spent the morning before we sent him back to bed in his room to sleep for the rest of the day. Please keep him in your prayers!

The gentleman on the right is Michael. We received a phone call about Michael and his wife, Roseann last week and went to pay them a visit. They have most of their house done on the inside but the winds from the storm had blown the concrete covering off the top of their chimney. Michael had done the mortaring but was unable to lift the cement back on top. We took part of the team and within a few minutes had the job done. Michael was speechless at the idea that we just "went around helping people?" When the job was done we all circled up in prayer for Michael, praying he will continue his search for the Lord and that the Lord will touch him as only the Lord can do. God bless you Michael.

When we left Michael's we headed to Mike and Faye's old house. As of this afternoon, it looks as though there was never a house there. The lot looks like it was swept clean, down to using a broom! The men did a fantastic job and it is ready for Joe to come in this weekend and start the foundation work! As usual, Mike Jr. and Faye were right there working with the team! I think they all enjoyed having lunch together also! The team wants to come back Friday afternoon and help in the foundation work! Could it be that it touched their hearts??!! For sure!!

The next 2 photos were at Dane's house. They continued the amazing work of laying the ceramic tile. When we were there late morning they nearly had the master bedroom and bath completely down. They were working their way down the hallway. They plan to go back and grout those areas before continuing on. That is, if Lowes gets the grout in stock asap. You can judge what most of the city is doing by what Lowes is running out of. In case you haven't met him, Dane is the man in the red shirt. He stopped by on his lunch break and was all smiles!

Our sheetrock finishing crew is running on high speed. They are making amazing progress at Rosemary's and just might be priming before the week is done. They are working together like a spiritual machine. (Don't tell them but I think the music is helping) :)

Last night I mentioned praying for our best friend, Joe, and his ailing mother. From the report today she isn't doing well at all. The entire family could really use some extra strong prayers right now, and probably for the next few days. This is an extremely difficult time for all of them and we just pray they will be surrounded with God's peace and love. Thank you for joining with us in that prayer!

Until tomorrow .... We love all y'all and thank you for coming along with us on this adventure of a lifetime! Susan and Monty

They think it's summer!?

Men at work!

Even with the frosty start to the morning some of them were ready for shorts! The temps rising to above 65 encouraged them even more! With tomorrow expected to be above 70 and stay that way for the rest of the week it wouldn't make any difference what we had them doing -- they're just glad to be out of the cold!!

It was just so awesome for Monty and I to have 14 men from our hometown with us for devotions this morning. They have no idea just how much their being here ministers to the 2 of us! We hadn't even met them until they arrived last evening but that doesn't make any difference -- hometown is hometown! We thank their families for sharing them with us this week. You have blessed us more than you can know.

The top photo is their church bus -- hometown for us!

The next is my new hood "ornament" that I nearly acquired while at Jim and Cindy's. He is the neighborhood cat and seemed to enjoy the warmth of the engine coming through.

The next 2 are at Jim and Cindy's. They are super busy installing insulation and hanging sheetrock. Some of their walls were only torn out half way up due to the water level. This always adds an added "challenge" to those hanging. Matching the existing can be more difficult than hanging an entire piece. But they are doing a wonderful job and when I left they were still laughing and having fun -- that's what we like to hear.

The following 2 are at Dane's. He is getting his tile flooring installed. They were mixing the cement, snapping chaulk lines and mastering the wet saw (minus its plug) and getting the job done. Dane was off work today due to the holiday so he was there to see it all happening and was more than pleased. He has wanted this tile from day one and is so happy to see it finally coming out like he had pictured in his mind.

The final 2 are at Rosemary's. The were in sheetrock mud up to their elbows and finding themselves literally stretched into positions they might not have been in quite some time! Working with that finishing process can be challenging and it takes patience to work with the mud itself. They are rising to the occasion and making excellent progress for the first day!

I have no doubt that most of them might be a bit on the tired side by the time they get back this evening! They mentioned needing a trip to Super Walmart and finding someplace in that vicinity to eat dinner. It's always interesting to see men shopping on their own -- without women helping them!!?? Wives, if only you had a video camera!!! :)

I must say this team came prepared! A room full of tools and food that looks like it could last them 3 weeks! That's the way we like to see a team come in! I doubt the food will last that long though --- it seems to disappear during the night to the "snackers".

Once again, thank you to the family members of this team! We are so glad they are here and it's going to be an awesome week. Be sure and stay tuned, you won't want to miss a thing!

Until tomorrow .... Susan and Monty

Welcome Home Town Team

Our hometown team from Clear Creek Christian Church arrived safe and sound this evening, all 14 of them! It's one of the larger teams we have had this year and we are really glad to have "home" here with us for the week. Even though we might have never met them they are still "home" and when you this far away that's golden!

They will be quite busy this week. They will divide themselves into 3 groups working on 3 different jobs, well -- actually 4. Some will be going to Rosemary's to start finishing the sheetrock. Another group will be going to Jim and Cindy's to install insulation and hopefully start hanging sheetrock before the week is through. Yet another group will be going to Dane's to install his ceramic flooring. A few of them let the cat out of the bag that they have done ceramic flooring before so they were "elected" and Dane will be getting his flooring done. He was quite surprised when we called him this evening! Since tomorrow is a holiday Dane will be off work and right there with the men working. And of course, we will be sure and throw in a couple of surprises here and there just to keep them guessing! :)

This mornings church service was really "alive". Pastor Rick had an awesome message, one just for Monty and I. Did you ever think that we magnify what we meditate on?! What do you think our life would be like if we kept our eyes fixed on Jesus? What if we focused on the healer of our diseases instead of the disease? Alot of food for thought isn't it?

Think on those things as we are blessed to be starting a new week -- a week filled with blessings and surprises and with the promise that whatever we do, wherever we are -- Jesus will be with us -- He promised and He keeps His promises!!

Until tomorrow ..... Susan and Monty

Goodbye Wisconsin

Here they are, Leroy sporting his Flintstone shirt and Pastor Curt and Darrell all smiles. Yes, they left us very early this morning and are home with family once again this evening. We will miss them as will Maury and Rosemary. They did such a wonderful job completing the hanging of the sheetrock and having it ready for the finishing process hopefully this week! Enjoy your families and come back and see us again!

We also had 2 of our 3 Habitat for Humanity parking lot residents leave this afternoon. They were being relocated elsewhere but we hope to also meet up with them sometime in the future. We got used to having neighbors and it seems quite barren again. Although we hear that a couple of our month long volunteers will be returning to our back yard living in a couple of weeks. Greg and Pam, from South Dakota will be returning for the month of March and we look forward to having them back for the entire month! They will be more than busy and awesome blessings while they are here!

It seems the entire coastal community is rallying around Mardi Gras this weekend. There are parades in nearly every city. It's something new for us! "Fat Tuesday" is this Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. Schools are closed for Monday and Tuesday along with numerous businesses. Like I said, it's something very new, and different, for us. I must say the colors of purple, green and gold are used in just about every capacity you can imagine.

Our hometown team will be heading out around 5AM tomorrow morning. We pray for safe travel and good weather for the nearly 800 miles they will be traveling. Atleast we can be certain that the weather here is quite ALOT warmer than what they have been experiencing over the past few weeks! It is forecast to be in the 60s with partial sunshine!!

Monty and I have a special prayer request this evening. You've heard about our dearest and best friend Joe and his mothers health issues. The doctors have put a pace maker in her chest to regulate her heartbeating. We pray this will take care of many of her health problems and improve her over all health in a miraculous way. Both she (Josephine) and Joe could use your prayers for strength, healing and support. Thank you. This is just another of those times where being so far from home is difficult.

Until tomorrow .... God's blessings to all. Please attend your local church tomorrow morning and thank God for all your blessings! Susan and Monty

The annointing of the Lord

Yes, it requires many different bends, stretches and reaches to hang sheetrock in a home. And our Wisconsin men managed to do anything needed to get the job done.

Today the sheetrock is all hung in Rosemary's home. Thanks to the wonderful men who chose to take a week from their families, even Darrell from his sick son, and come here just to be the hands and feet of Jesus! Maury is still in awe! These men even went the extra mile and blessed Rosemary with a new toilet --- laugh as you might --- when you have lost everything in your home you realize just what necessities are verses luxuries! We are so thankful to these 3 men and pray they will have a safe flight come tomorrow morning as they head back north. Their flight leaves at 6:15 am so we are saying our goodbyes this evening! I know they have missed their families but I don't think they have missed the cold weather up there!

Sorry for missing the blog last night. It was the night of our missionary classes and we were put to the test in just getting there. We only have a few miles to reach interstate 10 and then head out for the 1 hour trip to Mobile. Only when we reached I10 did we realize it was closed and they were having every single vehicle get off here in Gautier! We had to turn around and head right back where we came from -- which took 1 hour --- and then work our way to I10 another way. We had been on the road for 90 minutes and hadn't even gotten out of Pascagoula!!! We did make it to class and only managed to be 15 minutes late. After listening to the guest speaker we knew why satan had fought us so hard -- it was a class on "your calling" and it was outstanding! And we made it home without incident.

Today was the day Mike and Faye got to select their vinyl and carpeting for their new home. All of the home will have vinyl and the 2 bedrooms will be carpeting. Even though Mike was in alot of pain and really not up to it, I think he felt better after getting out and enjoying the selection process. Today was another of those days when God just reaches down and re-annoints His work! I received a phone call this evening and for a spit second thought the worst was happening -- the house build was going to hit a MAJOR roadblock! And as usual, God was seeing just how committed we are to our calling and took my nightmare and turned it into amazement! It never ceases to amaze me as to the lengths God will go to fulfill His promises! He tells us over and over again in the Bible that He will never call us into something or someplace where He will not be there with us and supply what we need to accomplish His will. Even though I know those promises and believe them with all my heart---I still fail and fall into doubt or fear. I am so thankful that God doesn't get tired and stop showing me His miracles on a daily basis! To God be the glory!!!!

Thanks to all of you for your prayers for us and for this mission. Those prayers are what continue to hold us up. Please don't stop!

Until tomorrow .... Susan and Monty

Burrrrr

Here they are, our newest Wisconsin 3. They were the only ones not freezing today! We had a drop in temps -- high of 78 yesterday to high of 48 today! Like I said, these 3 snow birds were the only ones not complaining and working in Rosemary's without!!!! the heat AND with a window open!!

They are really coming along with her house. It looks so good. Nearly all the rooms are completely sheetrocked and by the end of the week they will be. They have done an amazing job and we are so thankful, not to mention Rosemary, her mother and brother Maury being more than thankful. They all appeared to be a bit on the tired side this evening but as with all the volunteers (us included), God will reach in and refuel each of them during the night and they will awake ready to go again! I think it's one of those promises God makes to us in the Bible, He will not send us into any situation without equipping us for the job! Amazing how He still keeps those promises!

We have not heard from Tony and Shirley so we are assured that they are on their way to Pennsylvania. We missed them already today but know they are heading to see family.

Diane also headed for home today. She needed to go home for "missions week". It's a week where her church honors all the missionaries they support during the year. It sounded wonderful, a time of rest and relaxation and relationship with other missionaries in the field. We also pray for safe travel for her. She should return in around 10 days.

One of our Wisconsin 3 learned that his son has come down with mono. They thought it was the flu but the blood tests came through and he will now need lots of rest and fluids. Your prayers for healing would be much appreciated!

We hope all of you are safe, warm and healthy. We also thank you for your continuing to follow along with us on our mission here in the Gulf Coast.

Until tomorrow .... Susan and Monty

"please don't leave"

Yes, here they are at one of their finest hours?! Tony and Shirley spent their last day with us today. I cannot believe that they have been here for over a month. In one sense it seems like only yesterday that they arrived and sat in front of our trailer introducing themselves and getting prepared for the work they might be doing. In yet another it seems like they have been here forever. Always here for devotions, no matter what. And the evenings where we had dinner together, laughing and sharing were wonderful. The Superbowl gathering at their place, just knowing they were here and would always work at whatever task they were given -- and would give it their all! I just can't say how much they will be missed!!! They will be heading to Pennsylvania to spend some time with family and we pray for their safe travel and that they might come back to see us again.

The entire Wisconsin team spent the day in Rosemary's house. The day was a bit delayed in getting started due to the pretty scary storms that blew through this morning. There were 2 tornado spottings but none touched down here. I don't think I have seen winds quite as strong as they were this morning. Some of the streets are still flooded this evening. Even Rosemary's brother, Maury, was delayed getting out this morning. We did evacuate all our Habitat For Humanity RV residents from the back and brought them inside the building for safety. It blew over, the sun came out and the temps were around 70 within a couple of hours. We will need to keep the folks in New Orleans in our prayers as they were hit hard and a woman lost her life to the storms that went through there.

Once the team headed out they got busy working and nearly have Rosemary's house completely sheetrocked. There are only a couple of areas to hang and the finishing will begin. From what I hear they all made quite a team and Pastor Curt enjoys keeping them all in song!? I think it has something to do with that "relationship" thing again! :)

We also want to remember the son of one of Darrell from our Wisconsin team. It seems the flu bug that had hit him prior to his dad coming here made a return - with vengence! They are running some blood tests to check things out and we pray he will be feeling better soon.

I also heard from my parents and they are under a winter storm warning. It has been "raining" ice all day and getting worse by the hour! We pray the temps will warm up and it will melt away soon.

We also heard from Dane this evening and it seems he did qualify for a small grant which will enable him to purchase the ceramic tile flooring he wants to put throughout his house. That is wonderful news as that is exactly what these grants are to be used for and it's nice to hear of someone who is benefiting from them.

A special note to Tony and Shirley's children and grandchildren --- THANK YOU for sharing your parents/grandparents with us over this past month. You are all blessed to have such God fearing, Christian leaders in your family. Treasure them, love them and let them know you do!

Until tomorrow .... Susan and Monty

They got sunshiny faces

There they are, all the cities of Wisconsin gathered together, enjoying the sunshine and warm temps and working away with the final cleanup at Mike and Faye's house.

Both Mike Jr. (shown with Monty) and Faye (in purple shirt with Shirley) joined right in and worked and worked and worked some more. Mike Sr. was there for awhile before he had to go to the hyperbaric chamber for therapy for his foot and leg. And then he came back after being at the hospital for 2 hours.

It was an absolutely beautiful day for our "snow birds" to be outside. By this evening each and every one of them had pink faces and some had some pink on top of those heads! And there were a few of them sporting some rather "unused" muscles to go along with it! The raking, shoveling, lifting, throwing, pulling of nails from lumber and overall bending and lifting had them working harder than if they would have spent a week at the local gym! But they will be up and ready to go again tomorrow.

The weather is forecast to take a turn during the night tonight. They are calling for a squall to come through with high winds and hail so we are doubtful that we will return to our outside work tomorrow. The plan is to return to Rosemary's and hang some more sheetrock. It's getting closer and closer to becoming a house with walls and ceilings.

This evening we all were guests at Jamie and Cindy's home for their homemade, real southern gumbo dinner. They are members here at The Refuge and try to invite each team over for a homecooked meal. Monty and I get to be "regulars" and love the gumbo. Tonight we also celebrated the day before birthday of one of their daughters, Elaine. It's such a wonderful blessing for the teams to be invited into someones home for great food and fellowship. We thank Jamie, Cindy and the girls for their warm and fantastic hospitality!

As I said, tonight could be a bit rough around here. Keep us in your prayers as living in a camper trailer in high winds and hail isn't exactly what one would call a "peaceful" nights sleep!

Until tomorrow .... Susan and Monty

The beauty of God

There are some places where you can go and not only see the beauty of our Lord but also feel it. This is one of those places here in Mississippi. Few things are more beautiful and more colorful than a sunset on the ocean. Just in case you haven't realized it, if you click on these photos they will enlarge and you can see them so much better! The shadow of the man is Monty, with his fishing pole waiting for a fish. I think a fish could have come along and pulled the entire pole out into the ocean because he was so fixed on the sunset and how awesome it was!

I have an update that I nearly forgot to mention. Harry and Ilone were re-evaluated by their insurance company and it now looks like they will get a decent settlement. Their termite company also had to re-evaluate things when the live termites were found in the house and they had an annual contract saying there weren't any?! With both organizations "coming more to their senses" Harry and Ilone have made the decision to demolish their existing home and build a smaller one on the same site. We think this is the right decision considering just how much it would take to rebuild the existing one. The termites did horrible damage not only to the floors but to the floor joists, not to mention the bathroom walls which are "dust" due to the damage. They are so thankful to the team for helping them tear out the rest of the home and find all the damage. It was just what they needed to help them make this decision AND to give them hope! Thanks to everyone from Bedford, Indiana!!!!

Both Mike and Faye were in church this morning -- a wonderful site for all of us! Mike was using his cane and said he woke up determined to make it to church this morning. Pastor Rick had a special prayer for him and Mike realized just how many people have been praying and how many people love them! Their grandson, Jaquez, left with his own children's Bible which his "pawpaw" could read to him and show him the pictures in it.

Our newest Wisconsin team took a tour to New Orleans this afternoon. They were also nearly speechless at the sites! The main thing they ran in to was the traffic for Mardis Gras! It seems that everywhere they turned they got into it and couldn't escape it. But they were glad they made the trip and now have a much better understanding of the extent of what happened.

Tomorrow we will be heading back to Mike and Faye's house to finish the demolition. There are only the floor joists left to come out and then some major cleanup to get things in to the dumpster. We figure all of the Wisconsin teams would appreciate some time outside in temps that will be near 70 degrees! They ALL agreed with our thinking!

I mentioned our prayer request for our friend, Joe, and his mother. Last night was extremely rough for her, they had to re-intubate her due to a problem with the first time. They are also considering a pace maker to help regulate her heart beat as that seems to be the major problem at the moment. Please continue to pray for the both of them. This is such a difficult time and they will be so thankful for all of your prayers and thoughts.

Until tomorrow .... blessings to all of you. Susan and Monty

Mississippi Fisherman!?

Yes, here is Mississippi's newest fisherman!! And the rather large flounder caught today! They say some of the best fishing in the US is down here and we believe it.

All he had was a small, inexpensive pole with 10 pound line and it did quite well.

If you look in the background you can see one of the only rebuilt piers along the coast. All of them were destroyed and are a bit slow in coming back. This one is a really nice one and gives us hope that the others will return in time.

You wonder what we did with the flounder? Faye had the oven ready when we got there, she was ready to filet it and bake it for dinner. It was more than enough for the two of them. And yes --- Mike was released from the hospital this afternoon and had only been home for about an hour when we arrived. They were both soooo glad to be home and I am sure they will get a good nights sleep tonight. Faye had been staying on a roll away bed in Mike's room! He is getting along okay, using a walker and hopes to graduate to a cane before too long. The pain is still quite intense but we pray that will lessen in time. It was just good to see them both back home!

This evening was the big Mardi Gras parade here in Gautier. The colors, music, floats and beads being tossed out into the crowd sure brings the people to the streets! Last year it wasn't like it had been in past years but this year it was back -- and so were the people! I've never seen the so many things in the colors of purple, green and gold! It's just good to see the people out smiling and taking their minds off the "mess" for awhile.

Our team from New Richmond, Wisconsin arrived safely this evening. They flew into Gulfport, rented a car and were here before dinner time. They have made the usual trip to Walmart for supplies and are settled snug in their beds for the evening. They were all VERY glad to be out of the northern deep freeze and into sunshine and temps in the 60's.

Monty and I have another special prayer request tonight. Our dearest and best friend Joe, back in Indiana, is in need of prayer. His mother, who has been in a nursing home for many years, is now in the hospital with pneumonia. She already has lung problems and with this has been intubated to enable her to breathe. Joe has nearly single handedly cared for his mother for the past 17 plus years. He visits her atleast once each day, plays his guitar for her, sings for her and loves her beyond what some of us could imagine. Please keep them both in your prayers! God is the almighty healer and we put them both into His miraculous arms!

Until tomorrow ... God's blessings to all. Susan and Monty

All they see is white!

Yes, I missed blogging last night. We had our class in Mobile, Alabama and it was quite late by the time we got home. My apologies!!

Most certainly Tony, Shirley and Monty are tired of seeing "white". They, along with Rosemary's brother Maury, have been hanging sheetrock all week! You can see the yellow "thing" in the photos. That is a lift that makes it possible to put 5/8" sheetrock, in 12' pieces, on the ceilings. Something has to hold the sheet, lift it into place and keep it there while someone fastens it with screws. The 12' sheets are great in that they cover a larger amout of space than the usual 8' pieces but oh my, are they heavy! And I think Shirley is VERY tired of cutting out holes for all the electric boxes and light fixtures! It's not an easy job!! This team is more than a bit tired by today and will be getting a much needed rest over the weekend! I think it's been especially difficult to be inside a house the past couple of days---the temps have reached 70 and it is beautiful!

Monday they, along with our incoming team from New Richmond, Wisconsin, will be taking a break and working outside! There is a bit more tear down to do at Mike and Faye's and one day should get it done. We figure everyone would like to be outside in the nice weather -- especially the snow birds from up north!

Update on Mike; he is doing much better since the amputation of the top part of his foot. His color is better, he is smiling, he is eating and just over all feels so much better being out of the intense pain! Both he and Faye thank all of you for your continued prayers! God is working miracles in this family and in their extended families!!

Blessings to all. Until tomorrow .... Susan and Monty

T shirt kind of day

It was one of those days that you wait all winter for. Sunshine, clear blue skies and temps nearing the 70 degree mark! The kind you just can't stay inside for.

Yes, I realize the northern folks are not "quite" this warm. Hey --- how about heading south? Now would be a great time to come and do some volunteer work! :)

Monty joined the Wisconsin team for another day of hanging sheetrock. The ceilings are tough but Rosemary's brother, Maury, got a lift for them and it makes a world of difference. Maury also joined in with the team. At the end of today there is only one room needing ceiling sheetrock! Many hands make light work! They have done such an amazing job and we are so pleased to see the hope and life in Maury's face. He is doing all he can to make sure his sister and mother get back into their home. As I said before, he doesn't even have a home at this point. His was destroyed but he has made the choice to rebuild theirs before his own! Puts a whole new definition to sacrifice!

My day was filled with meetings, homework and paperwork. It required more inside time than I wanted but it felt good to have the time to get things accomplished. Our classes in missionary training have quite alot of homework but we are getting it done. Continue to pray for us as it's been way longer than I will admit since I have done homework!

I stopped by the hospital to check on Mike. He had just returned to his room after 5 hours of dialysis and then another 2 hours in the hyperbaric chamber. The chamber is to hasten the healing of his amputated foot. He looked better than I have seen him in quite some time. He has already managed to win the hearts of the hospital staff and all are excited about the building of their new home next month. They all agree that this family deserves every single blessing that God showers upon them!

Until tomorrow .... keep warm and thank God for all your blessings! Susan and Monty

It's 65 degrees!

Just a couple more photos taken in New Orleans. The boat isn't supposed to be there, especially not into the house and the pole! You can see the water line on the brick one. I only caught a bit of the ABC News this evening. It was being broadcast from there with the focus on hardly anything being done to get the rebuilding done.

This week we are still working with our Wisconsin team. By the end of the weekend we will be joined by more volunteers from New Richmond, Wisconsin. Could it be that they are trying to escape the severe cold? If that's the case I think the entire northern half of the country should be on their way here. Like I said, today was 65 with tomorrow to be nearer to 70.

My mother informed me it was zero when they stepped off the plane last night!!!! With snow on the way??? Monty and I have "climatized" and would literally freeze to death up there now!

The Wisconsin team was joined by Monty today. They are sheetrocking Rosemary's house, walls continuing to go up today. Tomorrow her brother, Maury, will be joining the team and providing a lift to better handle those 12' pieces of 5/8 inch for the ceiling. Those are very heavy and awkward to get from the floor to the ceiling. Monty agreed today that this team has done one of the best, if not THE best, jobs at hanging the sheetrock. And if you knew Monty's perfectionism you would appreciate that compliment even more! :)

I worked on more details with Mike and Faye's speed build. Joe now has the outside siding and all electrical donated. His own father will be making the trip, just to do the electrical. Joe also informed him that he would have 3 hours to get it all done --- yes, I said hours! You think I am kidding when I refer to it as a "speed" build!? The actual build will begin on Sunday morning, March 11 at 7:00 am. We will be opening with devotions and then "all systems GO". Be sure and stay tuned and don't forget those prayers!!

Mike had his second major surgery in a week this morning. Amputating the big toe wasn't enough so today they amputated the entire front half of his foot. I did get to see him when he returned to his room and he really looked good. He was eating lunch and enjoying every bite. He hadn't been able to eat since midnight last night and by 2:00pm today he was ready to eat anything they offered him! Faye had a horrible headache, due to stress no doubt. But she is in good spirits and helping us get things underway as best as she can. Whenever I give her a job to do I know it will get done!!!

We also have some new "parking lot" neighbors parked out back with us for the next couple of weeks. Two RVs working for Habitat for Humanity have joined us. The RV park for Habitat is full and thanks to Pastor Rick they are welcome to come here and hook up to the electrical and plumbing. I think they were worn out when they returned this evening as we didn't see anything out of them. Habitat has, and continues to do wonderful things here on the coast and we thank them for all they do.

We thank you for all you are doing to help also. May God bless all of you!

Until tomorrow .... Susan and Monty

Goodbye Mom and Daddy

Yes, it was quite a Super Bowl!!!! I must admit watching it from here made me miss home and all the excitement which must still be going on!

We had our own Super Bowl get together and it was awesome! Tony and Shirley invited us to their place (they rented an apartment for the month they are here) as you can see by the photos. Monty was working with black and white photos with the one of me. My parents are showing off their Colts shirts (they brought us some also) as they snuggle in the chair, Tony and Shirley were celebrating their anniversary as they also snuggle in their chair. The group around the table was the big Scrabble game "playoff" that went on for quite some time with us women. We did watch the first half of the football game but changed to Scrabble at half time. My sides were hurting from all the laughter. If you see Diane be sure and ask her about "ting tang walla walla bing bang" for a real laugh!!!

It was wonderful to relax for an afternoon and evening with family and friends that have become family! We all want to thank Tony and Shirley for their hospitality!!!

The bottom photos were taken in New Orleans on Saturday. The homes you see here are just like the thousands upon thousands that look the same, or worse. We are still committed to making the move and taking the lessons God has taught us to a new level. God never calls any of us to a place where He hasn't already made the preparations and walked there Himself!

This morning it was time to say goodbye to my parents! You have NO idea just how hard it was to do so! I would like to have just kept them here. I have missed them more than they know, more than even I knew until they got here! I was blessed to grow up in a Christian household with parents who put their faith into actions and set the best example possible for myself and my brothers. Being here has made me realize, and appreciate that, even more. They are hoping to make it back in March when we have the speed build of Mike and Faye's house! It is my deepest prayer that they will do so!

Speaking of Mike and Faye --- Mike will be undergoing more surgery tomorrow. The amputation of his big toe wasn't enough. They will be returning to amputate the upper portion of his foot. He spent most of today in dialysis and therapy. The pain has really been a problem, even with medication. Faye is holding fast to prayer and knowing that there are so many of you out there praying with her is a big help. She hopes to get home this evening and sleep in her bed as the broken vertebrae in her mid back has been causing her discomfort also. I plan on going to the hospital tomorrow and sitting with her for awhile and will send her all your love.

Our Wisconsin team continued sheetrocking in Rosemary's house today. They worked on more ceilings and got alot done with the walls. They are doing some of the best work we have seen! Rosemary's brother will get a lift for them to continue with the ceilings in another day or so.

I have a special note for Hugh from the Rockford, Illinois team ---- your camera case will be mailed to you tomorrow!!

Thank you all for your continued support, prayers and love.

Until tomorrow .... Mom and Daddy --- I miss you already and LOVE YOU!!!!

Susan and Monty

So long Indiana, Hello New Orleans

This photo was taken yesterday at Rosemary's house. Dallas is talking with my parents (and enjoying his donut at the same time)!!

Very early this morning (while I was still sleeping) our Bedford, Indiana team headed for home. They planned on taking a different route than the one that brought them here. They were to head west toward New Orleans and take in the sights there before heading north toward home. We pray they are nearly there by now, safe and sound and ready to enjoy a night back in their own comfortable beds. We will miss them this next week and hope they will be coming back as soon as possible!

We also took the day and traveled to New Orleans. We wanted my parents to see what had happened over there. This would hopefully help them see the whole picture and not be quite so afraid for us when we transfer over there in May. Yes, you read correctly. It appears that we will be relocated to the 9th ward in New Orleans sometime early May. Although we know that this is what God has been teaching and preparing us for it is still a bit unsettling for my parents. I don't know if seeing it helped or not. I do know they were astounded, speechless and heartbroken at what they saw. We did take some time to walk around the French Quarter just to see that they city is alive in some way and not a ghost town. Like I said, we know this is the direction God has us going and know that we will be protected by His covering. Your prayers will not only affirm that for us but will be a great help to my parents and no doubt Monty's parents also.

I hope to have some more photos of that city on tomorrow's blogspot. I think you will then understand why some disaster relief organizations have a 10 year rebuild plan.

Until tomorrow, GO COLTS!!!! Blessings to all. Susan and Monty

All around town

We were all over the coast today. Trying to have my parents get a full understanding of everything here is next to impossible but we sure tried! We toured through Biloxi and into Gulfport and Pass Christian this morning before lunch. They discovered that seeing devastated building after devastated building just renders you speechless after awhile. In the past year that we have been here we see it as really cleaned up but they, seeing it for the first time, it's nearly too much, even now!

After lunch we headed into Pascagoula to check on the ongoing jobs. Harry found even more termite damage, this time finding the live ones. That required yet another phone call to his pest control company to make sure they fully follow up with his contract agreements. The Indiana team really accomplished so much this week! Everything that needed to be torn out is now out. The most important thing they accomplished was the work God sent them down here to do -- ministry! Both Harry and Ilone admitted that having them here was the first positive thing that has happened in the past 17 months! That is what this mission is all about! It's ministry first and building second! This team has even spent lunches with Harry and Ilone, a bond that will last a life time. Dallas is already doing everything he can to plan a return trip -- and he has suffered sooooo much with his asthma this week that he has been sleeping sitting up in chairs at night! What an example of service to our Lord!

Rosemary's house is really coming together. Maury admitted that he also is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. They were working so hard trying to get the sheetrock hung on the ceilings. They are working with 12' sheets which makes things a bit more "challenging"! They are doing fantastic and the entire house is looking like a house instead of a disaster. Combining Wisconsin with Indiana was awesome.

We were also able to stop by the church in Pascagoula where Monty and I first parked our camper. It was good for them to see something nearly completed. Seeing so much disaster can get to you after awhile. The church is looking so good. What a difference a year makes!

Tomorrow morning, quite early, our Indiana team will be heading home. We all will be praying for their safe travel. After last weeks near accident we hope all of you will join us in this prayer of safety. We have so enjoyed them all this week. The laughter has been wonderful and for those family members that are awaiting their arrival --- they will have stories that will last a lifetime! We thank you for sharing your family members with us this week! They not only built houses for Jesus, they built relationships that will carry them into heaven!

PS If you want to hear the best stories --- mention "the pole" and watch some faces turn red :)

Until tomorrow.....Blessed weekend to all. Susan and Monty

What a difference a day makes!

Yesterday Bitty was sick. Today Bitty is better.

Yesterday Samson (our other dog) was good. Today Samson is sick.

Yesterday Monty was feeling some better. Today he is not.

Yesterday Harry thought he was going to have to push his home of 45 years over and start over due to termite damage that was found. Today Harry learned that his contract with his pest control company was good. They took full responsibility and will be paying him for all new subfloors and floor joists.

Yesterday Rosemary's house was waiting for the final inspection so the sheetrock could begin. Today the sheetrock started with the ceilings.

Yesterday we had a family that had absolutely no money to rebuild. Today we learned they have had money waiting for them with an SBA loan. More than enough to rebuild.

Yesterday we were awaiting the pathology results on Monty's step father. Today we learned that they got all the cancer and he should be fine with only one kidney.

Yesterday I felt as though I had boot prints on the behind of my jeans from the devil kicking my behind over and over again. Today I felt as though God gave me a clean pair of jeans, His jeans.

Yesterday my parents had no idea what it was really like here on the coast with the relief effort. Today they have seen, they have been touched to their cores and they understand.

Yesterday it wasn't Tony's birthday. Today it was! Happy Birthday Tony! Thanks for sharing it with us.

The only thing constant and unchanging from yesterday to today is that God loved us then and he still loves us today!! Thanks be to God!

Until tomorrow .... Yea God, boo devil!! Susan and Monty