Welcome Diane's home team

Yes, we now have a total of 84 volunteers inside the church! Madhouse you might think = NOT!! It's absolutely amazing! Most of them are high school students with parents and/or teachers. They have been so fun to work with, so fun to watch their enthusiasm, their endless energy and most of all, their hearts of service. They have all bonded with the families where they are working. They come back from the day filled with excitement and bursting to tell about their day! They are up late in the night and back up early in the morning ready to go again! They have morning and evening devotions and love to be the ones to pray. Right now I am blessed to be listening to their worship music while I write this!

The Wisconsin team arrived yesterday around noon and within 2 hours were on the jobs. They are also planning an awesome outreach at one of the local parks tomorrow and after that will be walking subdivisions inviting the residents to come to church Easter morning. Like I said, endless energy!

The California team has also been working away in their homes. They are making their final plans to leave early tomorrow morning. They will be touring some of the New Orleans area before flying out of the airport there. They are already making plans to return there and work with us on their next trip! We'll be waiting for them!

To the parents of the kids from both states - THANK YOU! Thank you for sharing your wonderful children with not only us but with all these families on the coast. They have been a blessing and have, no doubt, been blessed in return. Encourage them to talk about their trip, about their feelings and about how God touched them on this trip. PLEASE take the time it takes to listen. YOU will be blessed in return.

In the last 2 photos you will see Mike and Faye's home, now complete with the lattice work around the bottom and the side deck completed! Many thanks to Glen and the CA team along with Mike Jr for getting the last details done! If only all of you could see Ms. Faye's face! And today Mike Sr drove himself to the house to see for himself! All thanks to your prayers!

You will also see a group photo taken of part of the WI team and the family they are working with. Susan, the homeowner, brought her 26 year old son home from rehab today. We all circled with the family and prayed, each of the team members praying from their heart and those prayers nearly shook the ground! They told her son that today really was a GOOD Friday for him, a new beginning, the day his past sins were forgiven and the day he starts a new life! Her son quickly changed into work clothes and joined in with the team! Now that's what I call LOVE!!! Don't you wish you were here to see it for yourself?!

Until tomorrow ... Blessed Good Friday from Susan and Monty

Flexibility is the key

Mealtime on the parking lot! That's where the team from California have been cooking and eating this week. They brought in a huge "chuck wagon" where the women have been working away each morning and evening. This thing is equipped with industrial size ovens, griddles and burners. And when they cook they really cook! It's amazing to watch and behold! Monty and I are blessed to be able to join them this evening. They have asked us to share our story as to how we got involved in disaster relief. It's one we have been asked repeatedly and enjoy sharing with others in hopes that they will recognize and answer the call God places on their lives.

The weather took a slight turn this morning which caused some changes to happen quite quickly. When it came a downpour we realized that any scheduled outside work was not going to happen. With some minor adjustments all was running smoothly once again. The outside work will happen tomorrow as the weather looks to be beautiful once again.

The teams continue to work miracles in so many homes. Roofs have been torn off and new ones put on, rooms are now sheetrocked and look like rooms once again, electrical "issues" have been solved, plumbing areas can once again have water running through them, floors now have hardwood and tile and are no longer barren concrete, cabinets and counter tops are installed to make kitchens once again functional and anything else that is involved with renovating a house into a home is happening.

Our team of 150 from Illinois took the kids to the beach for the afternoon. Amazingly enough some of those kids would like to have stayed and worked! Now where would you have that happen, a choice between a day at the beach and working and the teens choose to work? It's just like that when you are working for the Lord! The joy comes from inside your heart and is unlike anything experienced before, something you want to hold on to and not let go of.

We also received word that the team from Diane's home church in Wisconsin is on their way. They plan to try and drive straight through and arrive sometime in the early morning tomorrow. Please keep them in your prayers for safe travel. That's such a long way to come to be such an enormous blessing and we want them to all arrive safe and sound. There are 39 of them so it isn't an easy trip to make.

Be sure and stay tuned as over the next couple of days we will have nearly 200 volunteers here. Also be sure and pray for all of us! :)

Until tomorrow . . . Susan and Monty

And then there was a yard

Yes, as of today, and thanks to many volunteers and our church, The Refuge, Mike and Faye now have a completely sodded yard -- all around the house! It is incredible and beautiful! Once again it brought Faye to tears! The teams of kids and adults, led by James from The Refuge, did an outstanding job of preparing the yard and then lifting and placing more sod than I have seen in a long time! Funny thing is they all were begging to be able to come back tomorrow to do "something"! Must be another God-thing!

The rest of the photos were taken at jobs continuing on today. Roofs were being put on, people will no longer have it leaking rain inside their homes, paint was going on - both inside and outside homes, flooring was being put down - both ceramic tile and hardwood, doors were being installed, electric and plumbing was happening ---- anything you can imagine to rebuild a home was happening! Just getting to all of them to take photos took the entire day! Monty spent yet another day running materials to jobs and Diane and I taking photos and talking with the team members and homeowners!

Seeing the looks on the faces of the kids volunteering, hearing the sheer joy in the voices of the homeowners, watching the bonding happening between them all, amazing!

This evening Faye is out back in the parking lot helping the CA team man the chuck wagon and prepare the evening meal for the 45 of their team! Things like that---the relationships building all around -- miraculous! It truly is contagious and something I wish the entire world could "catch". It's better than any medicine, higher than any high that comes from a chemical and lasts a lifetime!

Why don't you come and experience it sometime soon!?

Update on the baby who fell into the septic tank: today is "outbreathing" his respirator and the doctors are already calling it a miracle! He has a ways to go but is going forward -- thank to ALL the prayers that continue to go out. THANK YOU!!!

Another update: you may remember a couple of months ago; the story of the man who only needed the cement chimney cap put back on his house. Our hometown team was here at the time and some of them went and spent just the few minutes it took to put it back on. Michael was his name. He was so overwhelmed that we just "went around helping people" that he was in tears when we all left that morning. Today we received a phone call from his wife telling us that he passes away almost 2 weeks ago. BUT --- from the day we left he read the Bible everyday and hadn't missed attending church with her each Sunday! We know Michael is praising God from a front row seat!

Until tomorrow ... join us in praising God from our earthly seats ... Susan and Monty

150 + 45 = BLESSINGS!!

Yes, you read the numbers right! It's a church FULL! The 150 are being housed at the Convoy location in Escatawpa, a city just to the north of Pascagoula. They are featured in the bottom 6 photos.

They are working in so many locations I can't count. These locations shown are at Jim and Cindy's where they are working in the bathroom and preparing the floors for ceramic tile, in Marcus and Leannes where they are doing electric, plumbing and sheetrock hanging and at James's where they are taking off the old roof and will be putting on the new one tomorrow. There is also a team at Art's who are doing anything and everything to get their home back to the way it should be -- a home!

As you can guess, people are going in all directions! The amazing thing is that they are all smiling, laughing and enjoying working for the Lord. This is their spring break, the way they chose to spend it. These kids are hanging out on some beach someplace drinking and partying. They are drinking plenty of water here and from what I see in the evening it IS a party! All of which they are doing to be a help to others, to be examples of Jesus to the Gulf Coast! To the parents of these high schoolers --- THANK YOU for sharing your children with us! To the parents who are here with the kids --- THANK YOU for coming and taking responsibility for all of them!

The top 4 photos are of our team of 45 who flew in from California last night. They are also working in homes all over the coast. Tomorrow some of them will be working at Mike and Faye's house. The sod (for the entire yard) that was donated by The Refuge (our church) is due to arrive in the morning and a team from CA will be lifting and bending and also enjoying working for Jesus.

It's incredible beyond words to see all these people come to volunteer. They are so excited, so filled with enthusiasm, have seemingly endless energy, are eager to get to work, don't complain about having to sleep on the floors (see in the photo just how many you can pack into a room) and are thrilled to be here for their spring break. The adults are also smiling, enjoying cooking on the Chuck Wagon located in the back parking lot, outside with the gnats and mosquitos and aren't complaining. As I tell every single team -- you are "hope" with feet when you come here to help rebuild! Seeing the smiles on the faces of the homeowners, seeing the hopelessness leave their faces, to see the look in their eyes when they realize that is is turning from a muddy mess back into a home again = priceless!

We hope you continue to keep up with the "action" that will be going on this week!

A VERY special prayer request comes this evening -- again! Our Convoy leaders, Fory and Cindi had to make an emergency flight home to Minnesota yesterday. Fory's father, who just celebrated his 94th birthday last weekend, is having heart problems and really needs prayer right now. Thank you, once again, for caring enough to pray for those you don't even know!

Until tomorrow ... be safe in the Lord. Susan and Monty

Back!!!!

Yes, here we all are! Bride, groom and the rest of the family! The top left photo is my middle daughter, Stacy, with her husband Tyler. Next is the bride and groom, Ryan and Dedra, and on the far right is my youngest daughter, Lindsay!

And yes, the mother of the groom was very happy!! It was so nice to see all of my kids and spend a short amount of time with them. The wedding was beautiful and the time just went by way too quickly. It was a blessing to be able to be there!

For an update on the baby who needed prayer please be sure and read the comment posted by Diane. She gave us all some important details that will expand your prayers even more. Thank you for caring and thank you for praying. "There but for the grace of God go any one of us."

I am totally exhausted and yet awaiting the arrival of our team of 45 from California but I want to close with something my father wrote to Monty and I. There were many pages of his "Perspective" on what we have been doing and he took us from tears of laughter to tears of touching our hearts so deeply. This is his last paragraph and I hope it will touch you as it did us. Thanks Daddy --- we love you sooooo much!

"The Katrina Sheet Rock and Roll Blues"

Beautiful music is emanating from Gautier, MS. It rises and spreads on the warm gulf breeze. It's drifting over toward New Orleans, and they will love it there. It is created by the volunteer workers. The power saws seem to harmonize with the sheet rock screw drivers and the hammers set the rhythm like drums. The chatter and laughter of the workers are like lyrics and each verse ends with a "Thank you Lord" from the homeowner. It's enchanting and catchy. You can't get it out of your head. Delores and I both heard it above the jet engines on the way home. They are hearing it from West Virginia to Wisconsin, and from Seattle to Silicon Valley. The music is so alluring that once you have helped to make it all you can think of is going back to do it again. Even now, when I go outside in the early morning, and when the breeze is southerly, I can hear it beckoning. If you listen I think you will hear it too. Follow it to its source and participate in it. It's a blessing that no one should do without!"

Amen! Susan and Monty

Special Request

I know I said I would be "off the air" for a couple of days but there is a very special prayer request I would like to ask for.

Diane, our long term volunteer and dearest friend from Wisconsin has been working down here off and on over the past 13 months plus. She leaves behind her 3 daughters and 3 grandchildren up north. One of those daughters called the other day with heartbreaking news from one of her best friends.

Beniah, age 2, fell into a sewer drain. His father rescued him. His mother is expecting their 3rd child and was ordered to bed rest until delivery. Beniah is now in a drug induced coma and needs prayer to have all his organs restored to normal health. The next few hours are critical. This is an enormous tragedy but we all know all things are possible with God and that He is our ultimate healer. Please keep this entire family in your prayers. I will do my best to keep you as updated as I can from here.

I did make it back for my son's wedding. It took 12 hours but the travel was uneventful, thankfully. Tomorrow is the wedding which will also require more traveling. Thank you in advance for your prayers for safe travel. I will then be heading back south for another 12 hour trip come Sunday morning. Hopefully I will have some great family photos to share with you next week.

Thank you again for your prayers. Accidents happen all around us, most of which we know nothing about. This one is now known. Thank you for caring.

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

Wedding

This blog entry is early, I know.

Very early tomorrow morning I will be leaving to attend the wedding of my son. This means there will be no blog entry until I return on Sunday evening.

Your prayers for safe travel would be appreciated. It's a really quick trip but I am not going to miss my only son's wedding. I have also found that being mother of the groom requires alot less time and preparation than being mother of the bride! :)

By the time I return our team of 150 volunteers will be on the ground and ready to rock and roll come Monday morning. We will be awaiting the arrival of the additional 45 Sunday night. Be sure and stay tuned as the week should be awesome!!!

Have a blessed weekend.

Until Sunday night .... Susan and Monty

Help still needed

NOTE: To Pam --- yes, by this summer most of the tearouts in New Orleans will change to demolition and rebuilding. At this time we would need to have you hook up your RV at another church location other than where we will be. We just do not have the room, but all is always subject to change! YES!!!! bring a team when you come -- and of course, bring Cooper! Glad he is better. We miss all y'all somethin' awful!!!

Today was a day spent looking at more homes requesting help! Yes, they seem to be coming from the woodwork - still!

Our first stop was at Susan's house. Susan is one of those who still has not asked for help. We were given her name by a friend who is concerned about her. His concern was well founded! Susan still doesn't have her house torn out, there is still mold inside and we discovered that her entire home will need to be rewired before we can do any rebuilding. She and a friend are cleaning up her household things that were still strewn about the house. Mentally she just hasn't been able to go in and sort through things - too many emotions. She is having some difficulty but she is making progress and promises to have everything out by Monday morning when we will come in and finish the tear out process, spray for the mold, get an inspection and then look toward the future.

The next stop was at Marcus and Leanne's home. They were blessed with another church team of volunteers a few months ago that did get the sheetrock hung but didn't have the time to finish it out. They also had a couple of accidents where a foot went through the ceiling when they were putting a new roof on so those places will need redone. We also plan to start in there Monday morning.

The last stop was at Melvina's house. Diane was on the team of volunteers that tore out Melvina's house back in October of 2005 -- yes, nearly 18 months ago. Diane looked her up to see how she is coming along and although she has all her walls up and they are painted she is in need of doors and all the trim. She was so glad to see Diane as she had nearly given up on getting it completely done. We will also start in there on Tuesday morning, she works on Monday.

You might be asking how we can start all three of these homes next week? God is blessing us with a team of 150 (yes, you read correctly - 150) volunteers from the great state of Illinois! This is a school where the students are all highly skilled construction volunteers and they are planning on spending their spring break here blessing others rather than laying up drunk on some beach somewhere! What a wonderful thought! And along with that team we also have a team of 45 coming from California to do the exact same thing! Like I said -- we, and the people of the Gulf Coast, are blessed!

At this point in time we have 10 homes in the process of being rebuilt and it would be our hope to get each family in their home before we relocate to New Orleans at the end of April. That will NOT happen without the prayers of EVERY one of you who have been following along with our mission to rebuild homes through the rebuilding of lives! We ask that you intensify those prayers! We know that with God all things are possible! We see it and live it each and every day!

Until tomorrow . . . Keep those prayers going! Susan and Monty

Shopping Day

Today was a day Faye had looked forward to for a very long time but thought it might never get here, her shopping day.

God blessed them with the funds to purchase some new furniture for their new home. She was more than thrilled all the yet realizing what a blessing it truly was. Hoping and praying for something for such a long time and then having it finally arrive can feel surreal sometimes. Today was one of those sometimes.

Diane, my mother and I loaded up in Diane's van this morning and headed to Faye's house to do some measuring before starting out. There was only one thing Faye and Mike asked for with this house -- that they could have a new mattress! Faye told us that during her entire life they had never had a new mattress set. They had always taken the old ones and passed the new ones on to their children. THIS was their turn! Before Mike had his last surgery they went shopping and picked out a set. Today they were able to buy that set. God smiled down over them and now they will be lying in the bed, looking up and smiling back at God, only now in a more comfortable bed!

We also shopped for some new family room furniture and she was able to get some photos to take to the hospital for Mike to look at this evening. I know his hospital room is filled with smiles and thanksgiving and planning and more thanksgiving going on. To know how this family lived for over 13 months after the storm, to know that they were not the ones who asked for help, to know how God placed them in our lives and directly told us to help them, to know how so many people listened to God telling them to also help them, to see with our own eyes the hand of God work in this family over the past months . . . it's one of those things that is nearly impossible to put into words. It is a joy that comes from so deep inside, not dependent on "things" but only dependent on the word of God! It's what our mission is all about. It's what God commanded us to do. It's the example he gave us while he was on this earth! And once again, it's such a blessing for Monty and I to be here experiencing it all! THANK YOU!

PS It appears that Mike might be released from the hospital this Thursday. Please keep the entire family in your prayers.

Until tomorrow . . . Susan and Monty

Preparation . . .

Another beautiful photo taken Saturday at Bellingrath Gardens. Looks like a postcard!

Today was a day of preparation, preparation for our upcoming move into the 9th ward of New Orleans. We headed out very early this morning for what should have been about an hour and 15 minute drive. Over 3 hours later we finally arrived! There was a fatal auto accident on the bridge that crosses Lake Ponchatrain and everyone was rerouted off of interstate 10. We did finally arrive and although the meeting was a bit shorter than planned we accomplished what was needed.

It looks like we will be "on land" ready for work on May 14th. We will be closing up the Convoy station here in Gautier in late April, taking a bit of time to relocate everything, including ourselves and Diane and possibly take some time away for a few days? The time away thing might end up being a dream but time will tell.

It was good and exciting to meet with Pastor Teresa and Joel. They both share the same hearts as Monty and I and having a support system and structure set up even before we arrive will be a real blessing. We got a chance to see our new home, a small trailer donated by Samaritan's Purse, the organization originating with Franklin Graham, Billy Graham's son. We will have a real bedroom, kitchen and shower .. the finer things in life! :) We are just so thankful to this organization for providing housing for us and giving us the chance to "spread out" from our current 144 square feet of living space!

From the reports from Pastor and Joel it seems the gutting of homes will be nearly complete by the summer --- they are starting demolition!!! A really GREAT thing for the entire area. This means some infrustructure decisions have been made and progress can move forward! We look forward to more rebuilding and more changing lives!

We hope you will take the opportunity to organize a team of volunteers, plan a date and come and see us in New Orleans! There will be no age limitations, only that children MUST be accompanied by a parent! Get your calendars out and take a look at the rest of the year and let us know. Just call me directly or leave a comment at the end of the blog if you don't have my direct number!

We thank all of you for all you have done to help the people of the Gulf Coast rebuild their homes by rebuilding their lives! Without you this mission would not be possible and could not continue! Both Monty and I are so blessed to be here, to be working for our Lord and to be supported in prayers by YOU!!!

Until tomorrow . . . Susan and Monty

Dream

I wanted to post another photo of the Collierville, TN team who just left here Friday early evening. Two of the team members have left wonderful comments on the blog about how this trip changed their lives! I know they don't realize just how those comments change our lives! Teams come and go and we sometimes wonder what their thoughts and feelings have been about their trip. I want you two girls to know just how much those comments mean to Monty and I and how thankful we are to you for writing them! We look forward to having y'all back whenever you can make it! You are all team leaders now, you have experienced the blessings first hand and YOU are the ones who made a difference and will continue to make a difference in the lives of the people on the Gulf Coast! THANK YOU!

Once again Pastor Rick's sermon this morning was just for me! (wonder how he does that?) Undoubtedly a God-thing! He spoke on a chapter in Deuteronomy and when he did God told me that those verses were our verses, our mission, for going into New Orleans in a few weeks.

"You have stayed on this mountain long enough ... See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land that the Lord swore he would give to your fathers ... See, the Lord your God has given you the land. Go, take possession of it as the Lord, the God of our Fathers told you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged."

When Monty and I started out on this mission we really had no idea what was ahead of us. The calling I received just said "go and help the people". Nothing else. But it was a calling, no doubt about it. It was also a dream I had continued to have since I was a young woman. When I graduated from high school I dreamed of joining the Peace Corps and helping "someone" "somewhere". It didn't happen then. As I grew and became a mother I would listen intently as pastors in our church would talk of upcoming mission trips to all over the place. I had young children and it didn't happen then. After my children were grown there was another mission trip to an Indian reservation planned. It didn't happen then either, I was a single mom then and had to work. But I held on to that dream. It never left my heart. God kept it there -- for HIS timing, for HIS purpose. And NOW is his timing and his purpose!

Pastor Rick told us how we should keep our dreams in front of us, to protect them and to go after them! He also told us that the people who tell us it can't be done are the once who tried -- and failed! Monty and I had people who doubted we could do this, doubted we would last, doubted everything about this mission. God knew better. There were (and are) times where we are still told "it can't be done" ... Mike and Faye's house build was one of them. BUT I held on to my dream, protected it and kept it in front of me! THIS TIME is was THE time! It was God appointed time!

A challenge for ALL of us is to change our mindsets to focus on the positive, the "why I can do it" instead of the negative and all the reasons why "I can't do it".

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." NEVER forget that, NEVER doubt it!

God will never call you to do something that he hasn't already equipped you to do!

Like I said, another sermon just for me. Another word directly from God to me. Listen for his word for you. Then grab onto it, protect it and do whatever it takes to make it happen. You will NEVER be sorry, you will NEVER regret it! Living the dream God plans for you is priceless, there is nothing like it and when you live it you won't trade it for the world!

Until tomorrow ... dream those dreams ... Susan and Monty

Flowers, flowers, flowers . . .

Bellingrath Gardens in Theodore, Alabama was our destination today. We all agreed that we needed a day off, a day away, a day to enjoy the wonderful weather.

It was all of the above. My mother, Diane and the two of us headed out this morning. The weather was perfect and we all agreed we have never seen such beauty. It was a real reminder of God and all his glory and made us all think that if we thought this was beautiful, what must heaven look like?

There is one flower here that we don't know about. Maybe some of you recognize it. It's the third one down on the left, the petals look like small purple spoons?

This evening our builder from WV, Joe, called. He was just checking in and saying how the entire team is ready to build another home once we get relocated to New Orleans! The Spirit of God is moving among them in a mighty way! They are doing a presentation at their church tomorrow which will tell the whole story. We are just so blessed to know and love this team and to know they share our hearts for the people.

We pray all of you will be in your churches tomorrow thanking God for all your blessings.

Until then ... Susan and Monty

Goodbye Tennessee and South Dakota

Yes, we sadly said goodbye to 2 teams today. Greg and Pam left for South Dakota around noon. Before leaving they headed to the vet with Cooper. It seems he has a sore throat, swollen glands and was attacked by the gnats with sharks teeth and had an all around bad night! The vet ended up giving him 6 shots and meds so hopefully when they arrive home he will be feeling better! They have been here for a month and needless to say we will miss them terribly! We know they will be back as soon as they can. God be with them as they travel such a long distance home!

The Tennessee team was on the road around 4pm. They had planned to head out earlier but really wanted to continue working to get a few more things done. They did a fantastic job finishing and priming Jim and Cindy's home. It is nearly ready for paint. The team learned so much and felt as though they could conquer the world when they left. They all agreed Diane is quite the teacher! :) The rest of them were at the Spanish Village and Dane's and have done miracles! The 2 trailers at the village now have floors that will support them and walls and ceilings. The minor details! Dane's is looking great with its new white and yellow colors. We are so thankful to this team for coming out of their comfort zone and being such a wonderful blessing to these families. We know they are planning a return trip and that we will be seeing them again in New Orleans, probably July. May God also guard them as they travel home.

My mother and I did more visiting with Ms Faye today. She is getting more and more excited at the thought of being able to move in shortly. It should be only a couple more weeks and we will have the permit completed. After visiting with Mike in the hospital this evening he just might be released Thursday! He is doing great in physical therapy and is eager to learn and be mobile on his own. Faye is also learning how to be of a help to him when he does get home. It does my heart so good to see him in less pain, smiling and feeling better than I probably have ever seen him. He was laughing as we shared stories of their childhood! We are family, the kind of family that God plans, not people!

My mother and I also had the opportunity to go and visit with Gladys. You will remember that we rebuilt her home last year about this time. Gladys turned 94 years old last November and is as good as ever. She was just as excited to see us as we were to see her. Her house looks wonderful and she still talks about how beautiful it is!

Once again, family planned by God!

Thank you for becoming a part of our family by continuing to hold us up in prayer.

Until tomorrow ... Susan and Monty

My Mom is back :)

Day 2 with teams always runs smoother than Day 1 and today was no exception. You can see by the photos that everyone was really enjoying the sunshine and warm temps, nearly 80 today.

The work at the Spanish Village, Jim and Cindy's and Dane's kept right on flowing. The painting of the outside of Dane's house tests those who might not like heights! It looks fantastic and what a way to catch some rays while working.

The second coat of sheetrock finishing was on by noon and that team headed over to the Spanish Village to start on the second trailer. Looks to me like they were having alot of fun while working. I think it's that "joy of the Lord" thing going again!

It's always amazing to see how much different each working day is. Day 1 is adjustment time, trying to figure out just what in the world needs done and what to do first. By day 2 they are in sync a bit more, more familiar with each other and what needs to be done. By tomorrow they will feel as though they have been here for weeks and things will easily roll. As I have said before, Monty and I are so blessed to be able to be here on a continual basis and see the hand of God each and every day.

Yes, my mother returned this evening. She flew in and will be here for about 9 days before traveling back home with me for my son's wedding. I am not sure who is more anxious, Ms Faye or my mother! Hopefully there will be time to get teeth brushed in the morning before seeing Ms Faye's new home! Mom plans on taking her to do some shopping so that should be a blast! Mike is doing better each day, the pain from the infection is now gone and he is busy with rehab each day. Please continue to keep him in your prayers for healing!

Last night there was another TV segment done with this family. If you would like to view the video of it please go to www.wlox.com and search under Convoy of Hope in the upper right corner of the screen. Then go to the story with the little red camera on the side, Rebecca Powers with Mississippi Heroes is the story. This story is the heart of our ministry, the heart of our journey, our hearts - period. We hope you enjoy watching it and that it will also touch your hearts.

Until tomorrow. . . Susan and Monty