One Body Once Again

8:00am we all gathered in the Baptist church, Methodist with Presbyterian with Amish. It was a sight to behold and one that had to have God smiling!

Our Amish brought the homeowner they are working with for the next few weeks, Teresa. She is their driver and we were happy to have her join us for our orientation. As we finished with prayer they all headed to Lowes to get their materials all lined up for delivery and then to the job where they are moving Teresa to one side of the house while they demo and rebuild the other side. Then they will move her to the new side and rebuild the last half. They have a really big job ahead of them but they were ready to go. The younger boys were teasing as we talked of my truck being in the shop they told about their "truck" that was one horse power - with 4 legs!!

Our PDA team was divided into two teams; one to Mel and Billie and one to Rosaland's. At Mel and Billie's they are working on some demo work of their own on the back of the house. You can see by the photos that they made great progress. At Rosaland's you can see the floor of the bathroom removed and preparation for new stud walls to be built.

Once again a week where we join forces, all with the same hearts -- to just help the people in any way we can.

Tomorrow more materials will be ordered and picked up and with the sun shining and the temps absolutely perfect it will be another day of blessings coming from every angle.

And I am happy to say my truck is now repaired; new back tires, new brakes with rotors and the "shakey" front end no longer shakes! But ouch -- the cost of repairs! But . . . we all do what we need to do to keep our vehicles running! And running it will be once again -- I average over 100 miles a day most days!!!!

Blessings to all of you and be sure and stay tuned this week as we have another team arriving Wednesday!

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

What an ending . . . leading to a beginning

Once again time got away from me!

Thursday night we were honored to have dinner at the PDA camp with the teams that would be leaving the next day. It was a double blessing as they invited the homeowners that they had been working with and presented them with a gift! The laughter and smiles filled the room and carried out into the parking lot and back home with all of us! Thanks PDA and thanks Ben!!!! What an amazing gift of hospitality you have!

Even though those teams were supposed to be leaving on Friday a couple of them went back to their homeowners to wrap up some loose ends. Ted sent me an amazing weekly report on Rosaland's that will be priceless to the next incoming team starting tomorrow. The relationship he made with our professional engineer will be a blessing throughout the building of her home and we are so thankful to him for that and for all the work he and his team did!

They also returned to Logan and Janey to clean up and prepare for their next incoming team this Wednesday. It looks great and Logan is doing so much better!

We were busy with our UMCOR team still installing the HVAC system for Robert and doing some touch up work on his back steps and deck. All that needs done is the system fired up and tested through and our local HVAC gentleman will take care of that and Robert can officially move home!!

Dan's UMCOR team was also still working on Mel and Billie's house. By the end of the day they had the front complete -- new door in and old door gone, new windows in and old ones gone, siding on, trim on and ready for the next incoming team tomorrow. They pushed it to the end and accomplished their goal and we are thrilled at their progress in just 5 days! What a team!

Another incredible week filled with blessings, love and things that I know I've already stored away in my mind and am forgetting to tell you!

Tomorrow starts a new week -- PDA, UMCOR and Amish teams will fill our week, our homeowners and our lives! We are so thankful for all who have come, for all who continue to come and for all who make it possible for all to come!

One last update -- the memorial service for Richard will be held on Saturday, January 30th at 5:00pm at Pastor Bob's church. We hope to celebrate his life and know he will be smiling down on all of us from his special place in heaven! Please continue to pray for Peggy as this is difficult for her.

Until next time . . . bless someone and ask them to pass it on. Susan and Monty

Sunshine returns

The rains left, the fog faded away and the sunshine broke through bringing the temps to near 80 -- something the teams from up north are really enjoying!

Rosaland has the largest hurricane straps all installed and the house leveled. The team also learned a very easy way to make friends with the dogs -- donuts!!!

Janey and Logan have their interior doors all back in and trim nearly done.

Allan and Rosemary's women sure did get the hang of installing ceramic tile! It's perfection!

Mel and Billie have the siding up on the front of the house and the side door that they wanted to disappear is doing just that.

Our heating and air team have Robert's unit nearly complete. One more trip to Houston for one more part and they will call it done! They even went inside and installed his washer and dryer and are working on a couple of other things to tighten things up and get him moved home!

Brian and Carol are getting new windows, framing and their electric that took the electricians up into the attic area.

For our team of Presybterians today was their last work day. They have invited us to camp this evening for dinner and we are excited to join them and have the opportunity to thank them for all of their hard work and amazing blessings.

Our UMCOR team will work through tomorrow and then also be heading back north -- into some not nearly so nice weather! I've tried to keep them but . . .

For those of you who have been wondering, the funeral arrangements for Richard are not set yet and I will let you know when they are in place. We, and the family, thank you for your thoughts and prayers at this both joyous and sad time.

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

God Welcomes Richard home

Very early this morning God opened the doors of heaven wide open and welcomed Richard home! The celebration has begun and he is finally able to breathe freely and move without pain! We will miss him and we pray for Peggy as she is understandably upset but she knows he is safe and with our Lord! The funeral arrangements are pending.

Also very early this morning we had our weekly UMCOR meeting where we welcomed back Sam and Ethel. They have done alot of volunteer work helping organize teams and we are thrilled to have them back. I also had the chance to meet Rocky who is managing the south side of Houston with teams rebuilding. The family continues to grow! How awesome!

From there it was off to gather materials and take to our team at Rosaland's. They are working closely with the engineer and the roofer was also planning on meeting with them to get some interior framing questions resolved. We were also surprised by the birth of even more new puppies -- 4 at last count. And they are safe and sound and dry -- right underneath the house where the team is working. After encountering a quite protective mama they decided to work in another area of the house! Good plan!

Mel and Billie's continues to change shape by the day. The front has alot done and by tomorrow should be complete. All that will remain is putting back their front porch area. A few of the women on the team did a side job today with helping Carol get her walls painted which also has her nearly ready to move home!

The ceramic tile flooring was underway at Allan and Rosemary's after taking the needed time to get it all layed out properly. Allan was feeding them lunch and they were enjoying it very much when I stopped in. Spoiling the teams again!

Janey's and Logan's also continues to change shape and get them closer to being done.

The team of HVAC men got all the details in order to start the installation of Robert's system tomorrow. They have teamed up with our HVAC installer and all will work together to get the job done! More of that togetherness again! Fantastic!

Brian and Carol's team were busy getting needed materials and installing those materials. I saw them both times I was in Lowes!

I managed to get a material list and get the materials ordered to start a new job with next Wednesdays incoming team. Gail has an older mobile home and there are ceiling repairs needed, new vinyl tile to be installed, a water heater closet rebuilt, a shower to be installed and a toilet to be set along with a new front and back door. She was worried that she wouldn't see Monty and I again -- thought we were already in Haiti! I assured her we were still here and she need not worry about us going there!

The skies did what they could to drop rain off and on all day. It didn't seem to bother any of the teams, even the ones working outside! At Rosaland's they are having to crawl underneath the house and I think they are enjoying the mud!! Remember the saying about boys and mud? :)

I continue to marvel at how the teams "melt" together. Most know each other from church but haven't worked side by side, let alone in these conditions. Yet they are filled with love and respect for each other, laugh all day long and return to do the same thing each morning! I love it when God touches hearts!

Until next time . . . we love you Richard and we will miss you!!!!!!!!! Susan and Monty

Progress

Day 2 brought alot of progress! The weather is perfect and those from up north are really enjoying it.

Rosaland's is getting leveled, hurricane anchors installed clear through the flooring, around the joists and into the ground, while siding is also being removed in preparation for new siding when the time comes.

Janey and Logan ended up with an amazing sheetrock finisher and they are nearly done and ready to start on some of the paneling and trim. Logan is doing better and seems to enjoy the progress being done.

Allan and Rosemary are far enough along that the sheetrock dust is gone and Rosemary could even come and visit with the volunteers. She was telling her story when I stopped in to see all of them. This team will finish up the painting tomorrow and possibly start on the ceramic tile flooring.

Ms Dora now has all of her nasty carpeting out of her trailer and the vinyl tiles are looking really good. Shouldn't be too long before she's back home also.

Mel and Billie are soon to see a brand new front on their home. The new window is in and it's nearly ready for the siding. The front porch will also be rebuilt brand new. It took the purchase of a sump pump to get the standing water out from under the house but it's also nearly gone. They have a goal of getting the entire front and porch done before the end of their week so we'll see how they do -- I have full confidence they'll make it!

The HVAC team is busy troubleshooting problems in numerous homes and trying to locate a system to install at Robert's so we can get that completed and get him and his family home.

Brian and Carol's team informed me today that they are scheduled to be here for the next few weeks and want to "adopt" Brian and Carol's home and work on it over these next weeks!! A dream come true for them, the homeowner and for us! God always provides just who we need it when we need them!

And Monty even made some time to get our tool trailer cleaned out and semi-organized; as much as a tool trailer can be organized when it's being used on a daily basis! Making time to do such a thing isn't all that easy but he made it today and now we're ready!!!!

As I went from job to job today there was something that stood out at each home -- the look on the faces of the homeowners. Rosaland was smiling from ear to ear even with the "deconstruction" of her home going on. Janey and Logan were also smiling as they stood together watching. Rosemary couldn't stop smiling and thanking and smiling some more. Mel and Billie are doing the same even though everything familiar to them is changing it's changing for the better. Brian was a different man -- talkative and thankful and also smiling in disbelief.

That !!!!! is the reason we are here! That !!!! is the reason the volunteers come and return. That !!!! is the reason I know God is smiling and sending more blessings than we can possibly imagine!!!!

Until next time . . . help someone else and experience the blessing. Susan and Monty

Week of 61

They just kept coming in Pastor Bob's church for our orientation -- the final count totalling 61 volunteers!

Sorry for no photos but it just didn't happen yesterday -- our day was a full 15 hours and I couldn't think when we got home. It was an awesome day!

One of our PDA (Presbyterian) teams is divided between Janey and Logan's, Allan and Rosemary's and Rosaland's. Rosaland's is the most challenging as they are jacking up the house to level it, replacing some foundation and then bringing it back down. It took most all day just getting a plan and materials together but they are quite an amazing team. Janey's and Allan's teams worked magnificently well being led by the homeowners and it's a good thing as I only was able to check on them via phone calls. I just met myself coming and going too many times.

Our one day team from the area came and got Robert's yard all cleaned up which will make the city of Kemah a bit happier with him. They loaded all the trash on our dump trailer and went with Monty to Mel and Billie's dumpster to unload it. Great job team!

Our two day PDA team pulled up carpeting and are laying vinyl flooring in Dora's home. They also assured me they were fine and I hope to get to see them and thank them before the end of this day.

Our UMCOR team that flew in from Maryland are working with Monty on Mel and Billie's home. They have the front exposed and are ready to install the newly framed window. They also have an electrician who is starting that task and after a visit by my supervisor (and friend) Alan, it's all lined out and he's ready to really make an impact. Monty also met himself coming and going in getting both tools and materials lined up for the team. When a team flys in they come with nearly zero tools -- which is expected -- so our tool trailer gets put to use. There is standing water under their home so today will also involve using the pump and removing it and seeing what we need to do to stop that from happening. Another big day!

Another part of that team is being led by an HVAC contractor who spent his day running from a church in Houston that needed some work to a couple of homeowners who have air/heat problems to getting materials to start the installation process at Robert's. We are so very blessed to have this expertise here and have him quite the line up of work for the week!

Our final UMCOR team is working at a new home (new on our list). Brian and Carol have some materials and have their own funding to get what is needed (she cashed in her retirement!!!!) so they just needed hands as they are both unable to do the work due to medical problems. This team took Brian to Lowes and the truck was loaded down to the max. They also have their plan and their materials and they brought their own tool trailer so they are ready to rock and roll.

And it's only Tuesday morning -- early Tuesday morning!! I am headed back to Lowes for lumber, Monty is headed to Mel and Billie's and then back here to work on 2 trailers and then back to Mel and Billie's --- get the picture?

It's awesome to have so many folks from all over the nation, from different churches yet all with the same heart -- just wanting to serve! The weather is to be in the 70s and I know God is happy with what He sees in His servants! Pray for these teams this week -- pray for them each week! They are amazing and we are so thankful for each one.

I will try and do better in getting photos today!!! Pray for me, pray for Monty!!!

Until next time . . . God doesn't call the equipped -- He equips those He calls!!!!
Susan and Monty

It just became personal

We all sit and watch the horrific scenes on TV; a country in ruins, Haiti in unimaginable pain and loss!

Today it became personal!

Rev. Dr. Sam Dixon, head of the humanitarian relief agency of The United Methodist Church, died before he could be rescued from the rubble of a hotle destroyed by the earthquake.
He was the executive officer of UMCOR and was part of a group of mission and relief specialists trapped by the collapse of the hotel. Other persons in the group of five, including two more from the General board of Global Ministries, were rescued and were back in the US by yesterday morning. The group was pinned down for more than 55 hours.
Rev Dixon was reportedly alive in the hotel ruins on the morning of January 15.

The President of UMCOR said that Dixon "was an extremely gifted minister of the gospel. He lived his life following the commandments of Jesus to feed the hungry, care for the sick and love the least of these - all over the world. Jesus is holding him dear and we are in prayer for his family."

Rev Dixon had been here and toured the devastation in Galveston shortly after the storm and had continued to follow the efforts here.

It just became personal -- and it hurts!

Many have already asked us if we are going to Haiti. When we made this commitment we made it to the United States -- and yes -- it tugs on our hearts! We are not going -- BUT -- we will pray, and pray hard -- for everyone there and everyone here. We ALL can do something! This will take many, many years to rebuild, not just the buildings -- the lives!

Do SOMETHING!!!! Even if it's small --- DO SOMETHING!!!

PRAY -- and remember the second of two commandments Jesus said, "love your neighbor as you love yourself." Haiti may be a long way from us in mileage -- but -- they are our neighbor!!!

Personal hurts -- prayer helps!!!

Until next time . . . pray! Susan and Monty

Fantabulous!!

See for yourself the before and after photos of Mel and Billie's house. It's one side and it's not painted but it is sided and the windows are even trimmed! Amazing -- especially when the weather made the ground into mud about 4 inches deep in some places and today the winds blew in excess of 30 mph and the rains came with it! What a team -- what a team effort!

Allan and Rosemary now have all their walls and ceilings taped, mudded, sanded and textured ready for the priming to start tomorrow! They mastered the texture using rollers -- quite the feat! Another amazing team effort.

Martha and Steven are getting heat -- just a few more feet of wire and a couple of connections and it will be warm. They have the flooring completed in the laundry room and the gift of a bedroom suite from her sister is in place and beautiful. So nice to see their bed up off the floor! Martha was beaming with joy!

Logan and Janey's walls are coming together very nicely and that team will continue tomorrow! Monty stopped by and showed them a "hot" patch that had their eyes bugged out with amazement and joy!

Rosaland's house is now cleared of all her things and she is finally happy knowing that nothing will get wet or stolen. The team cleared away the last few nails from the walls, removed a wall she wanted taken out and did a great job in walking her through the entire process. I saw them even repairing some of her furniture! Her home is now ready for the incoming team next week to start on the foundation and leveling and installing hurricane strapping!

The Las Vegas men finished up additional flooring and things at Ralph and Laura's and were complete by noon. They moved themselves to Hsilda's and also finished there. Her kitchen is beyond belief -- the new 12 foot counter top/bar area all done and she and her husband are still smiling! He will work on a few more small things as their Pastor completes the ceramic tile in the bathroom and then we will be scheduling a house blessing for sure. The same thing will be coming soon for Ralph and Laura.

House blessings are coming -- many of them -- it might be hard to keep up.

House blessings came from all over the place this week -- so many families touched, so many families that were strangers at the beginning of the week -- God adding family for all of us!

What an awesome God we serve!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Until next time . . . get in on the joy -- bless someone! Susan and Monty

Laughter and Tears

I don't know how to capture the true essence of the past 2 days! Sometimes the words even evade me -- believe it or not.

The team at Richard's went above and beyond with not only the ramp but a planted flower in the front and their name and this year carved into the ramp itself. You can see the team photo above. This afternoon they went to the hospital to visit and had their computer with all the photos of the deck construction and what a blessing that was to he and Peggy and the family. The very sad part of this story is that Richard and family received word that he has between 2 and 4 weeks before he goes to meet Jesus! Sad in one way and joyous in another. Please pray for this family!

Mel and Billie laughed all afternoon because as the construction is being done the entire world could see into their bedroom! The walls had to be opened and thankfully the rains held off until today so the team got it all buttoned up with brand new windows, insulation and housewrap before starting the actual siding this afternoon. The progress is awesome to watch and the team also laughs their way through the day!

Allan and Rosemary's team were starting the texture process on their home. The walls are as smooth as can be and this task will test their creativity. I have no doubt they will master the task and might just want to texture their own home when they return!

This afternoon we welcomed back our team from Roundrock, Texas. They were here in the summer and were very pleased to be able to work without sweating through everything. They are working in 3 homes; back at Martha and Steven's working on electric and flooring and trim, at Logan and Janey's hanging sheetrock and finishing it, and then helping Rosaland move her belongings out of her home and into her storage container. Once again it's always great for Monty and I to have returning teams come and work with us.

As I said, over the past 2 days the laughter has reached the point of making my stomach muscles cramp -- the joy of the Lord is an amazing thing that sometimes can't be put into words. And then the tears when thinking of Richard and what his family is going through. How is it possible to deal with both extreme emotions? By leaning on and fully depending on God and His perfect timing. We think of it as the last thing and yet it is to be the first thing, the first thought!

We all need to be praying and doing what we can for the people in Haiti. The magnitude of this disaster is beyond my imagination. We ALL can do something! And if we all do something it will turn into LIFE giving!

Until next time . . . bless someone and feel God's joy! Susan and Monty

Jose' and Blanca are complete!

Yes, Jose' and Blanca now have a completed handicapped ramp, safe set of stairs and a deck and stairs on the back of their mobile home. Jose' could not get the smile off his face and insisted I come inside and spend some time with Blanca who is now bedridden. Her English is a bit broken but her thanks came through loud and clear. She invited me to come back and visit with them anytime and they wanted to send out their thanks to all the teams who combined their hearts with their hands and created a miracle for them! Great job teams!

Mel and Billie have the siding off of one side and the other side is started. The new windows are starting to go in on one side and the framing has been repaired and hurricane strapped. The team who finished Jose' and Blanca's moved to Mel and Billie's so there are plenty of hands to pitch in. It's already transforming and those new windows will really make a difference.

Richard and Peggy's team have the ramp completed and were working on the railing late in the afternoon. They plan on making a visit to the hospital tonight as last night Richard was not doing well. They are taking a prayer shawl to gift he and Peggy with and I told them to be prepared for tears -- not just Richard's but some of their own!

Allan and Rosemary's team were thrilled that he made lunch for them today before leaving to get some of his teeth pulled. They are still white with sheetrock mud dust but smiling all the more as they see their progress and enjoy the company of not only Allan, but of their own team.

The Las Vegas team continues to keep my sides hurting from laughter! And by the photo of Chuck in his famous yellow shorts you get a small vision of what I'm talking about! They are amazing and the joy is more than contagious! They are setting kitchen cabinets in Ralph and Laura's and finishing the flooring at the same time. They are nearly finishing with the flooring at Hsilda's and also coming right along with the base trim. I wish I could spend the entire day just sitting back out of sight and listening to their laughter and fun!

Martha and Steven were thrilled when I stopped by to let them know Judy's team will be returning this Thursday, Friday and Saturday to finish their electric and all the other odds and ends! Not to mention the gift of the washer and dryer that will be delivered Friday!!!

Another amazing day -- and it's only Tuesday!! They already seem like family!!

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

Here we go!

They have come from Minnesota, Missouri and Las Vegas -- and all agree that no matter the temps here it's way !!! warmer than where they came from!

This was the first time for us to have orientation in Pastor Bob's church and it was great! Pastor Bob joined us near the end and sent us all out with prayer. We went through all the jobs and it ended up with the Presbyterian team going 4 different places and the UMCOR team going to 2.

The Presbyterian's are pulling the old siding off of Mel and Billie's with the hopes of making some major framing improvements, insulating from the outside, framing in new windows and then siding. They are working on one side of the home at a time in order for Mel and Billie to continue living there. We cannot expose the entire house to the weather and still keep them warm. The deliveries of materials were there first thing this morning and Monty only had to make one extra trip.

Another of their teams headed to Richard and Peggy's to start on the handicapped ramp construction. This team put together the plan themselves so I didn't even know what it was to look like. Richard is still in the hospital while the doctors try and get his jaundice under control to resume the chemotherapy. He is very upset that he isn't home to bond with the team but they all reassured me that they are making the trip to the hospital to see him! He will be so surprised and so very blessed by their visit.

Yet another group is finishing up the ramp and back steps at Jose' and Blanca's. Jose' told me Blanca still isn't doing well but he had quite the smile on his face as he watched the progress.

The last of that group are learning about sanding sheetrock mud! They looked like they had been out in a snow storm when I stopped in to see them and yet they also had smiles underneath all the white powder. I think the fire in the fireplace warmed more than their hearts too.

Our returning Las Vegas team of 10 are divided between Ralph and Laura's and Hsilda's. Both are installing flooring and base trim and working on kitchen cabinets. The delivery of Ralph and Laura's cabinets will arrive tomorrow and there is more than enough work to keep them busy throughout the week.

The sun is shining, the temps are back in the 50s and this is going to be an action packed week with blessings flowing like the rays of the sun. I can feel it in my heart. The laughter is already ringing down the streets, the joy is contagious and the love is life giving!

Be sure and stay tuned -- you'll be sorry if you miss it.

Until next time . . . bless someone and make God smile! Susan and Monty

Extreme Makeover Home Addition in town

It might look like a blank canvas in this photo but even by this evening I'm sure it has taken shape. Yes, the television show Extreme Makeover is in Kemah which is only about 5 minutes from us here in San Leon. Hustle and bustle, trucks loaded with materials, volunteers all over the place and school buses taking in spectators like us.

This family has 13 children, 4 of their own and the rest foster children. They have fostered over 85 kids over the years -- until hurricane Ike came to town. They lost everything and when the show found them they were living in an 18 foot camper trailer! You read right -- 18 feet! Now as you know we live in a camper trailer, it's 27 feet. And I don't think we could pack 15 people in here unless we stacked them on top of each other. Also -- every camper has a 6 gallon hot water heater -- 6 gallons! Speed showers take on a whole new meaning! And the only cooking area they had was a grill outside. Think they are thrilled at the idea of a new home? Let alone a home that will have 8 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths and all handicapped accessible!!! I would love to go and see the progress each day before they turn it over to the family this Thursday but doubt if time will permit. God is blessing this family far beyond their dreams but I have a feeling they have blessed many a child over the years and have put many a smile on God's face in doing so.

Yesterday morning we were on the road to Texas City to meet the new camp manager and construction manager at the Presybterian Volunteer camp. The camp was closed during the holidays but starting today they are open and packing the house. Ben is the new camp manager and Matt will be working with us in construction. It was great to meet them as this venture with them and us has been incredible and we look forward to having their teams come along side us and pour out the blessings. They have nearly 30 this coming week and will be working in 5 different homes.

Along with the arrival of their teams we have our Las Vegas team returning and they will be working in 2 other homes. They plan on going and visiting with Ms Marie tomorrow. They worked in her home last year and are excited to see her again.

The rest of the past few days have been working on final preparations for all these teams and all the homes they will be blessing. Those preparations have taken us from here in San Leon to Bacliff to Kemah to Friendswood to Webster to Santa Fe and to Texas City before bringing us back here. And I wonder where all the miles come from on my truck!

I also made a trip back to Teresa's yesterday -- she had a space heater to donate! What a blessing that was as I immediately took it to Ralph and Laura's so they could work on warming their floors so we can finish installing the vinyl tiles next week. They were so happy when I called and so thankful to Teresa for making such an awesome blessing for them. When they are finished with it I know it will make its way into someone else's home and warm them also.

Our temps finally got above freezing today but not without a few incidents. We were fine, we kept the water running in the kitchen area and made sure to also remember to keep the tank open so it wouldn't fill up. Sandy, our coordinator on the island had the problem of running out of propane in his trailer -- in the middle of the night! That means not only was there no heat -- there was no hot water! I bet he checks the tanks alot more often from now on!

One of our neighbors here in the park also had problems with frozen pipes and hoses and our laundry facility here had pipes burst. Tonight is supposed to be the last one below freezing and we pray the weatherman is right!

Hope all of you are keeping safe and warm. Remember -- check on your neighbors and make sure they are all okay ---even if you don't know them that well!

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

Visitations

This evening all we here about is how to prepare for the cold wave headed this direction.

Now I will admit that the temps they are talking about (lows in the high 20s) is very cold for here but for us that have spent most of our lives in Indiana we've experienced worse. But . . . we aren't in Indiana and the normal temps for this time of the year here in southeastern Texas are around 60 and we have spent the last 4 winters here in the south and our bodies have adapted quite nicely so . . . we aren't looking forward to this cold wave.

AND . . . we live in a camper trailer!!! It's sort of like living in a tin box . . . heat in the summer and cold in the winter! Gotta love it!

Today found us headed to the main office early this morning. It was time to turn in receipts and information. Even with Alan out of town tending to his step mother we still have to operate as usual.

From there it was off to the city of Santa Fe. It's located a bit west of us here in San Leon and there were 3 homes we needed to look at to add to our waiting list.

Our first stop was to see Gail and her mobile home. It's just Gail and her 2 dogs -- along with all the other dogs in the neighborhood. She said she is the only person she knows who has a fence to keep the dogs in! Her husband passed away over 15 years ago and she's just doing what she can to keep the trailer as home. Her roofing had leaked after the storm and although someone had tried to put something on top to stop it we need to take care of it the right way. Her hot water heater closet is completely destroyed and she has to keep it closed because the flooring is gone and the rats find their way inside. Her shower wall was also broken and she just continues to clean it with bleach and try and keep herself clean. Help is on the way -- volunteers will love Gail and she will find amazing joy in each one.

Next stop -- Linda's. The only thing she needs is a new roof. Everything inside is fine -- such a joy for us to see something not destroyed. Matt, our roofing contractor will do a great job for her.

Third stop was to Teresa. Now Teresa is quite the engineer herself! Creativity and necessity drove her to do her building and rebuilding all by herself. Somewhere in there is a mobile home along with additions here and there and up above. Yes, a challenge it will be but none too large for God's plan and volunteers. Matt the roofer will also take care of this one and then we can step in and bring her home back to life. She told us the story of how she stayed outside in a tent after the storm and realized she would need to do the work herself and did just that until her health took a turn for the worst and yet she is still doing what she can and is quite the remarkable woman!

Before we could even leave Teresa's we received a call saying our dump trailer was on its way to our place. What a blessing this is for us as we haven't had a flat bed trailer to use and to now have one with a lift on it is great. Oh the things we can do with this thing!

After getting that taken care of Monty was off to help the park owner with a couple of things along with one of the residents who entrusted Monty to oversee the repair work being done on his big truck. The truck is in the shop and the owner lives out of town so Monty pretty much takes care of anything he needs. Neighbors helping neighbors . . . and God smiles.

Before dinner a trip to Lowes was needed and now we hunker down, propane tanks refilled, ready for the cold and wind coming tonight. Yes, camper trailers heat with propane and we just filled the tanks 4 days ago -- and we keep the thermostat below 70. Socks and slippers on our feet and plenty of fleece blankets for the both of us and the dogs and we're fine. It was funny in Lowes -- not a space heater of any kind to be found!! We just smiled.

For the rest of you in the deep freeze --- be safe, be smart and check on your neighbor to make sure they are okay!

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

"Highways"

We received another surprise!

Long ago we received a call telling us we had been nominated for "RVers of the year" with the Good Sam Club. We, not considering ourselves RVers, thought it was a nice gesture and went on with life.

Low and behold, of the 5 nominees --- we actually won!

To read their article published in their magazine called Highways you can go online to the following address and see for yourself www.goodsamclub.com then look under the Highways tab and there we are!

It's an honor and privilege and we thank all those who made this award possible!!! We've never been about publicity and seeing ourselves there is more than humbling!!!! Just wish they could air-brush us!!!

In the meantime we have been able to get the holidays behind us and start moving forward once again. With 3 good size teams coming in next week this week will be one of preparation. It's the only week we'll have as teams are booked till . . .
And that's a fantastic thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We were able to obtain the building permit for Rosaland so we will be starting hers next week. But first we have to get the existing dumpster moved out of the way so she can get a storage container moved in and then have the dumpster put back in its spot. All of this should happen tomorrow -- pray all drivers have patience and wear a watch and can tell time!! :)

I visited with Hsilda this afternoon and they have been busy continuing the installing of their floors. They will run out of material so it's back to the store for more in the next couple of days. We have all the other materials in place and ready for next week. With a smile from above we might -- just might -- finish them by the end of next week?

We also received a great blessing from a past team that did some work in Martha and Steven's home. With the gift they sent we were able to purchase a combination heater/air conditioner to replace the one lost in the storm. With the temps dropping to below freezing here they will be very excited to hear about this gift. It never ceases to amaze me how God will touch the hearts of the volunteers and then they reach back and touch the homeowners!!! Priceless!!!

Making phone calls to touch base with incoming teams takes some time also. Each team has its own questions as do I. I was actually able to talk with each incoming team -- all in one day -- and it's going to be quite an amazing run.

Mel and Billie are also looking at their windows and getting some ideas about how many to eliminate. We are on a very tight budget with them, as with all homeowners, and purchasing all new windows takes quite the bite out of the budget. God will provide!

As I was talking with our next Presbyterian team leader today we were discussing where their teams would be working. As I shared the story of Richard and his illnesses Kathy, the leader, had her heart touched. She is a nurse and realizes the reality of the situation. She and her team will be taking on the project of not only securing the railing for Richard and Peggy but might possibly build a ramp along with it! Remember when I said God will provide!!!??? He never fails!

Up to this point we have been having our team orientations in the local park. With the temps dropping we called Pastor Bob to see if we could use his church and of course, he welcomed us. So we can now be warm, dry and out of the winds -- atleast for the orientations! Thanks to Pastor Bob and Dana for all their love and support.

Our Las Vegas team is also on their way back to spread some blessings. They worked on Marie's home last fall and were the ones that purchased the space heaters for her -- even though she fought them tooth and nail --- she still finds them quite warm! They plan on returning to visit with her and I know their jaws will drop when they see the finished home! More of that "relationship" thing that happens over and over!

The preparations will continue tomorrow and all through the week. Be sure and stay tuned.

Until then . . . bless someone else today! Susan and Monty

Determination

They came to work and weren't going to let the weather get in their way of finishing the job!

Yes, Tuesday night brought flooding rains and although the forecast was for it to stop yesterday morning -- it just didn't happen until nearly evening.

The team at Robert's is the one featured in the photo. No matter if they had rain gear to wear or not, when we stopped by they were determined to finish the building of his back deck and steps and they did just that! They were soaked to the skin, shoes covered with so much mud they may never come clean and all they could do was smile!!! What a team!!!

The rest of the continued the work on Allan's sheetrock, the flooring at Hsilda's and some of them were working in Galveston in one of the parsonages. All over the place doing whatever needed done with their smiles lighting the way!

It was sad to bid them farewell at the end of the day. For a group of 40, 30 of them youth -- an amazing team that did amazing work in only 3 days! We hope they come back soon.

In the meantime Monty and I were out jumping through all the "hoops" to get a building permit for Rosaland. With her home in Texas City they have certain criteria that must be met and getting that criteria properly lined up took all afternoon but we got 'er done. We now have the pink paper to put in the window -- facing outside of course -- that will allow us to get started with the leveling of the structure. Our plan is to start on her home with our incoming teams on January 11. We will have 3 teams that week and alot of skill -- what a great way to start the New Year!

Today is one of those days where the fog just will not give way to sunshine. Yes, it's tough to see the other end of your vehicle while driving but none the less we headed to Lowes to meet Ralph and Laura so they could get some materials to keep them working during this weekend and until those next teams come in.

I also have an update on Richard -- he's not doing well. He called me yesterday morning and said they were running a battery of tests. His emphasema is combined with stomach cancer and each of them giving him a rough go of it. He did sound a bit better mentally. He said he could tell there were people out there praying for him and how much better that made him feel. Peggy is having a tough time and is wearing herself out going to and from the hospital. They both need prayers continued and I'll do what I can to keep you updated.

And now we look at the end of another year. Many people are sad at this time of year and others are overjoyed that it's finally over and they have a new start coming. We should all be thankful for all the blessings that we have been given over this past year. Not one of them were deserved and yet God poured them out in all directions. Yes, there were tough times and yes, there will be tough times in the New Year. BUT -- the promise of God always being there with us is all we need!

We thank all of you for your prayers, your love and your support this past year. We hope they will all continue with the New Year as we know God has alot in store for us. We're not in the habit of making resolutions but we do pray that God will continue to lead us in the direction He has for us and that we are obedient to His calling.

Be safe out there, be blessed and let's look forward to the New Year with our hearts ready to serve!!

Until next time . . . our love to all. Susan and Monty

They beat the rains

The weather threatened all day. The forecast was for wet, very wet. Doesn't make any difference to a team of youth - they were ready to go and bundled up a bit more than yesterday since the clouds kept the temps in the 40s.

Jose' was so thrilled to see the final pieces of deck railing going up and his dead trees coming down. He told me Blanca had been in the hospital last week and was home but in bed. He must have thanked me a dozen times -- the thanks goes to the teams!

Robert also stopped by as we were getting to his house. He also was happy to see the back landing and steps going in and got a kick out of the recycling done to get them built. This team also recycled a bit more today -- we had about 13 bags of Quickcrete that was on another site where we had it covered with tarps and such. With the terrible rains the water came in from the bottom and all the bags were solid concrete. We didn't know exactly how we were going to use them but this team did. They used them to build a wall for Robert's back steps and so what we thought was waste God turned into use -- kind of sounds like us personally doesn't it?!

Allan was anxious for lunchtime to come with his team as he and his wife had cooked up some homemade vegetable soup with the works. And once again the fireplace was keeping things warm. I asked the team if they had told the other groups about their fireplace and they admitted they had to tell -- the glouting was too good to pass up!

Hsilda's flooring is going in well with a second team working in the family room while the others finished the hall and 2 of the 3 bedrooms. We also used some of the youth and their strength to move in the base trim to her house so we can be ready for the next team or George will start himself when the flooring is complete.

Another day that had us running back and forth and thankful that all of these jobs are literally blocks apart. Thank goodness for small towns! And with only 2 trips for supplies we were able to spend more time on each job which is always great for us.

You saw I said "us" -- when you all pray you just don't know the power you have! Monty was up before me this morning and ready to go and check jobs with me!!! He is feeling much better and as far as I can tell every single cell in my body is fighting to stay healthy so thanks for the powerful prayers and don't stop now!

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