Kick Off starts tomorrow

It starts tomorrow! I'm going to give you a glance at what the next week holds for us so you will understand when I don't get blog updates out to you as often as usual.

Tomorrow morning I head to pick up the trailer we are borrowing. I had to purchase a really "beefy" hitch since those loaning it to us have to use theirs. If they cannot mount this new hitch for me I have a back up plan for someone else to get it hooked to the trailer and my truck.

From there I am headed back home since I have to get atleast 4 lawns mowed that will not be able to make it 2 weeks between mowing. Thankfully our weather forecast only calls for a 30% chance of showers, even if the high is to be 92!!!!

Monty will be working on the mobile home about 40 minutes from here and hopefully will be able to pronounce it "done" by the end of the day, whenever that end is for done!

Sunday he will head to church (and pray for me not being there) while I head to Kroger South with the trailer. I will be there until atleast 6pm collecting donations.

Monday I will return back to that same location doing the same thing. That evening I am scheduled to be at the local Moose Lodge to personally thank them for donating to our last trip.

Tuesday I am going to Richland Plaza in Ellettsville (about 10 minutes from here) to do the same thing. Last time that was a great place to be so let's pray it's the same this time.

I have to leave there Tuesday in time to be home, showered and ready to teach our missions training class at our house since that will be Vacation Bible School week at our church where we usually meet. It starts at 6:30 and lasts till 9:30.

Wednesday I will be parked at our church. Flyers are going home with the kids on Monday and hopefully they will come bearing plenty of things on Wednesday. It's such a fantastic opportunity to teach kids about helping others in their time of need. I plan on letting each child take his or her donation into the trailer themselves and place it in the proper boxes. That will have me at church till around 9:30pm.

Thursday morning we are off and headed south -- very early! It is our plan to meet up with Charles and Mia who are attending IGO's school of missions in Mobile and expressed an interest in disaster relief so James had them call me and we are both gathering donations and will meet at a yet to be determined location in Tuscaloosa. It will be very exciting to meet them. They have expressed an interest in going wherever we go next!

Friday we are meeting with a group of people in the area of Woodstock (between Tuscaloosa and Birmingham) who are trying to start a long term recovery committee. They asked if we could stop there and give them some pointers. Of course, we are thrilled to share some of what God has taught us over the years.

Saturday we will be arriving back home, after dropping off the borrowed trailer. It's our granddaughter's 3rd birthday and I don't know if we're going to make it back for her party or not! I pray she understands!!!!! In doing what we do it seems sometimes we miss out on alot of family things!

Now --- what this "brief" description of next week does NOT include is ---

Monty will be working all day tomorrow, has a job already lined up for Sunday afternoon since he has no other time to get to this elderly lady in need of a roof repair, working all day Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the mobile home park --- and somewhere in there he needs to change the wheel bearings in the front wheel of his truck, get an estimate for our insurance company on both the truck and the trailer (2 different locations), clean out his truck to prepare for the trip and come home atleast once each day I'm with the trailer and let the dogs out!

Busy???? What on earth gave you that idea!!!!!

Blessed??? Beyond belief!!!!

Until next time . . . thanks for the support, the prayers but most of all -- for the love!!!!!

Susan and Monty

8 Hours --- 300 Kids!

Yep, it was awesome, incredible and amazing and I had a blast!

Thanks to my dear friend, Dee Dee, I was able to speak to nearly every kid in the middle school in Nashville, Indiana about disaster relief. Each class was filled and most of them had kids sitting on the floor. I revolved between 2 social studies classes and their teachers who were most gracious and who I truly enjoyed meeting.

I had been warned about the "separation between church and state" thing a few times and although I was a bit concerned that my mind might take off on me and go where it shouldn't I think my prayers ahead of time helped. God helped me find a way to let them know and yet not say the words -- in so many words -- if you know what I mean.

It was great to share with the kids, to see God touching their hearts when we discussed the emotions that go into disaster relief. I was able to share so many stories, so many laughs and quite a few tears. We talked about relationships that are built - and last for a life time, the joy of helping others - with no ulterior motive, the idea of what it might feel like to lose it all and the things in life that really count. You name it and we covered it.

Each class was about 50 minutes and each teacher gave me the full 50 minutes. We left time for questions and each class had them ready to ask.

The final class was probably the most touching -- to me anyway. When the kids came into the room there were 3 girls sitting in the back of the room and somehow I sensed they weren't really interested in anything I had to say. Whenever I speak to groups I keep my eyes out on those to whom I am speaking to, watching faces and body language. I kept my eyes on those girls and watched God change everything about them. First it was their body language, then their faces and finally their hearts. By the end they were craning their necks to see every move I made, smiling from ear to ear and I think I even saw a couple of tears. They "got it" and God changed them! And I didn't even mention "His" name! Miraculous and wonderful and I am so humbled that He was able to use me, plain old me, to reach these girls!

It was a fantastic day! A day where I was talking for 8 straight hours and although for all of those who really !!! know me --- this will be quite the surprise --- my throat hurts!!!!!! Yea -- yea -- ha -- ha --- it's true!

But I would do it again tomorrow -- in a heart beat!

Reach the kids and reach the parents --- and change the lives --- and let them change the world!!!!!!! Priceless!!!!

Until next time . . . thanks Dee Dee! MUCH thanks!!!!! Susan and Monty

CRASH BANG !!!

As per Cheryl's request ---- can you find the "extra child" ????? Priceless and what a way to end our evening -- filled with even more joy!!!! We love you all!!!

My Promise Calendar verse for today is; "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear" from Isaiah 65:24 and I had no idea just how appropriate it would be! God works like that with me and probably has with you too.

Monty left for work a few seconds before I headed off to my Bible Study. I hadn't even gotten out of the subdivision when he called and said I needed to stop at the gas station at the end of our street -- he'd had an accident!

Sure enough -- a double! He had our 12 ft tool trailer behind him and when he stopped for a cup of coffee and put the truck into park and left it running (it's better for a diesel to stay running) it somehow slipped out of park and into reverse -- backing into the trailer and jack knifing in the process so the back side of the truck crashed into the front of the trailer! What a mess! What a double mess! Thankfully no one else was parked near him as that place is usually packed each morning with folks getting their coffee.

Both are drivable but both are damaged quite a bit. The trailer appears to be the worst. So the phone call to the insurance company followed and of course both deductibles will apply! Double ouch! They said an adjuster will call us but not to be worried if it's a few days because of the tornado damage here and they are all over worked!

Now that's not the way a person wants to begin their day -- or end their day for that matter! But such is life and such is the definition of an accident. They happen whether we like it or not. He headed off to work and I to Bible study and life continues . . .

After Bible study I was blessed to be able to stop by our local AmVets and pick up an entire pick up truck bed of donated water. AmVets has been feeding all those tree clearing and electricians working in the area since the tornado and he had a big bunch of water left and donated it to us to take on our next trip to Alabama next week. There was so much that I need to go back on Thursday and get the rest! A BIG thanks to AmVets and to all those who donated!!!!!

Tonight is our missions training class and I really should have had them have an "object lesson" with unloading the water but . . . my compassion got the best of me since it's about 95 degrees outside! I took it on to church and with the help of Pastor Dave we got it all unloaded in the barn until we get the trailer there next week. He got his workout for the day -- and then some!

Tomorrow I have the pleasure and honor of speaking to the entire middle school in Nashville, Indiana. Our friend, Dee Dee, is a teacher there and she thought this would be a great idea for the end of the school year. The principle previewed our video from the NBC Nightly News back in 2009 and will be showing it to the entire school today to preview my coming to talk to all of them. The big warning ---- separation of church and state!!!!!!!! So please cover me with prayer for God to give me the right words and at the same time glorify Him!!!

And as I said, we will pick up the trailer this Saturday and be loading it with supplies this coming Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before leaving for Tuscaloosa, Alabama on that Thursday.

A busy time, a time where satan loves to stick his ugly nose into things, a time where we stand on the faithful promises of God telling us that before we even utter a sound He knows our needs and will take care of everything!!! Praises!!! Praises!!! Praises!!!

Until next time . . . what an awesome God we serve! Susan and Monty

Memorial Day

I promised you some photos of the results of the tornado that went through here last Wednesday evening. These are just the trees, the homes that were hit are a bit west of town and I haven't been able to get photos because it's on a major road and no place to park and take pictures. Things are beginning to be cleaned up and although it will take some time we are all thankful it's not any worse than it is.

The top photo is Terry and Cheryl and 9 of their 10 kids. You may remember our visit to their home a few weeks ago and this time it was their turn to come here for dinner and an evening filled with so much laughter that my sides were hurting by the time they headed home! We had so much fun, what an amazing family! I even managed to get all of us around the same table for dinner! Needless to say we didn't have any leftovers and Monty jokingly told them that leftovers weren't allowed! We kidded them saying all they do is eat and they said when people watch them get groceries everyone is in amazement because of what they "don't" buy since they make everything from scratch!

Monty pulled out his guitars and that's all it took for them to start singing! Their harmony is amazing and it's the best entertainment anyone could ask for! They start with about 4 of the girls and depending on the song as to how many of the other kids join in! Little Destiny wasn't acutally at part of the group but was singing just the same as she sat on the other side of the room!

I thought taking the family photo would be a really difficult thing to do -- not so! They knew just how to line up as they said they do it all the time!

Both Monty and I said we have to have them back over VERY soon as we couldn't remember having that much fun -- since atleast the time we went to their house! What a blessing they are in our lives --- priceless and a perfect example of how God brings people into our lives!!

We hope all of you got to share some of this holiday weekend with family and/or friends that you love!

Let us remember to thank our veterans for the freedom that they fought for and are still fighting for!

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

Moving Forward

The main sound heard around here is the sound of chain saws and tree shredders! Nearly everywhere you look someone is cutting up and shredding broken trees. I got to drive a bit west of us this evening and saw some of the worst damage! Living in "Tree City USA" with quite a few less trees these days.

This morning I attended the weekly employee meeting at Walmart and was able to thank them for their donations for our last trip to Alabama. They were finally able to reopen and their power was back on mid morning today. The manager said the damages will easily go into 6 figures dollar wise! Sam's Club is still closed as the roof is being repaired.

This evening I spent a short time at my grandson's baseball game. It's such fun to watch them learning what to do with the ball! He's having a great time and the most fun thing for him is sliding into home plate -- whether it's needed or not! Those white pants will never be white again!

Later I headed to our local AmVets to show pictures of some of the damage in Alabama and thank them for their donations to help cover our fuel costs. They had a packed house and were truly touched by the pictures. Many, many thanks to my mother in law, Judy, for getting the word out and being the fuel behind the whole thing! After thanking everyone and on my way out a gentleman came up to me with tears streaming down his face and had much trouble even getting his words out. He wanted to thank us for helping and said "I'm not a rich man but . . ." and reached into his wallet for a monetary donation! God had touched his heart and he "got it." Priceless!

And now we look forward to tomorrow when Cheryl and Terry and 9 of their 10 children will be coming to our house for dinner! You may remember me writing about our visit to their home and we are so excited they are coming to visit with us! My table has enough leaves to open up to seat all 13 of us but I had to borrow some chairs from church! It will be a great evening filled with plenty of laughter and never a dull moment!

On a more serious note -- a very serious note -- I got word today that the construction coordinator for the long term recovery we worked with during the Columbus, Indiana flood in the summer of 2008 committed suicide yesterday morning! I was shocked to my core! It's one of those things that carries only unanswered questions and bucket loads of pain! I pray for God's grace and mercy -- tons of it!

We all are looking at a 3 day weekend and it is our prayer that it's a safe and blessed one for all of you. It's the weekend of the Indy 500 and so many other activities -- enjoy your families and thank God for each one of them.

Until next time . . . love to all of you. Susan and Monty

Disaster Hits Home!

No photos yet --- coming.

Yesterday was my 57th birthday -- and what a day it ended up being!

The forecast was for storms with a "moderate" risk for strong storms! Moderate???? We spent the entire evening until nearly midnight hunkered down in the hospital parking garage with tornadoes hitting all around.

First was the call from my Mom saying a tornado had hit 2 farms about 100 yards from them! Homes with extensive damage, barns destroyed and farm land ripped from the earth!

The sirens were blaring more than not and the storms came minute by minute, blowing up from no place. While we were in the parking garage the local police came inside and told us not to leave as a touch down had happened 1 block behind us and trees were flying right and left and falling to the ground.

Next came the report that a mobile home park just west of us had been hit and people were injured in the homes and in vehicles on the road. The road was closed.

The main street through town closed down due to trees being down.

The city just to the south of us was hit, homes and barns taken out and once again farm land obliterated.

It went on and on and on for what seemed to be endless hours. Text messages flying back and forth.

The Walmart that is less than one mile from our home is closed -- damage and semi trucks strewn in the parking lot.

The stories keep coming in -- none good -- but no deaths to report thus far.

Reality can really bite sometimes --- and this was a taste of disaster reality that was way too close to home!

We all live with the attitude that "it won't happen to me" and "those kinds of things happen elsewhere" but last night changed those thoughts for everyone around here and nearly all over the entire state of Indiana!

We are thankful that it wasn't worse. We are thankful for the Lord's protection. We are thankful for life itself -- a bit more today than yesterday.

And I am thankful that I have added another year to my life! I won't look at my birthday quite the same ever again!!!!

Until next time . . . it's a new day -- one the Lord made. Let's rejoice! Really rejoice!
Susan and Monty

Here we go again

No doubt you are all aware of the tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri last night. Please keep them all in your prayers! Take a moment and imagine what it would be like if the hospital in your town was struck head on with winds of over 200 mph and everyone only had minutes to take cover??!!

Yes, we are once again making plans to take emergency relief supplies into Alabama (with Joplin not too far behind) and want to let you know the details.

Thanks to the Orphan Grain Train and their generosity we are able to borrow their 18 ft trailer and this time for a couple of extra days! We will start collecting supplies on Sunday, June 5th and be leaving for Alabama the morning of Thursday, June 9th.

Our list of supplies we will be collecting is:
cleaning supplies
hygiene items
laundry supplies
first aid items
batteries of all sizes
baby diapers and wipes
non perishable foods

On Sunday, June 5th and Monday, June 6th we will be parked at the local Kroger South parking lot from morning until evening.

On Tuesday, June 7th we will be parked back at Richland Plaza in Ellettsville from morning until evening.

On Wednesday we will be parked in our own church parking lot, Vineyard Community Church.

That week is also Vacation Bible School at our church so the kids will be given flyers on Monday and be able to take their donations into the trailer and put them in the proper boxes themselves on Wednesday. What an amazing lesson for all of them -- and the parents too!

And just like last time ---- ****** we are also asking for monetary donations to help cover the cost of fuel and the expenses incurred in traveling. ******

This season of storms is already a record breaker! We ALL can do SOMETHING! Every little bit, every small bag or box adds up to big things and lives changed!

We encourage you to get involved and to stay involved. This is the time for all churches to come together with one goal -- to be the hands and feet of Jesus and help the people by showing His love to each and every one of them!

Blessings to all of you and if you have any questions either call me or leave a comment on this blog with your info for me to contact you.

On a side note -- we have a new "member" in our household! Seems a bird nest got knocked out of its tree this morning with a couple new babies inside. One did not survive the fall but the other one, complete with it's nest, is now snuggled safely in a little bird cage in our home and I spent the afternoon digging earth worms for food! The little thing looked so terrible when I picked it up but after a few feedings he literally will not stop singing!

Remember the scripture about God caring for the birds ---- He knew just who to send to find this little one!

Until next time . . . keep special prayers going for one of our missions school students, Del. He has been very ill and was to have some tests today. Healing Lord, miraculous healing for this dear friend of ours!!! Susan and Monty

Divine Connections

Many times I have been in awe as I looked back at a certain situation -- seeing how God had it all orchestrated -- all in His perfect timing and His perfect way. One would think that after realizing that a few times that one would remember and realize and not be so surprised --- but this "one" is still in awe each time!

Monty and I have been working on making another trip to Alabama with emergency relief supplies. We are getting the word out that we need a box truck for our ministry. We are talking with people, emailing, facebooking and anyway and every way we can think of.

We have the week set -- we will be gathering more supplies the first of the week of June 6th. I even have the locations thought out and am in the process of getting the approval. We plan on leaving to drive south on Thursday, June 9th.

The location? That has been one of our top questions. The warehouse was a great place last trip and this time we thought we would like to go into another area and possibly hand out the supplies ourselves, directly to the survivors.

Last night my phone rang and it was a couple who are attending International Gospel Outreach's missions training school at the Mobile, Alabama headquarters. They are interested in disaster relief! They have already been in the Tuscaloosa area to check things out and made some connections there. They want to gather supplies on their end and meet up with us to do the same thing -- get the help to the people.

It was a wonderful conversation and such a blessing for me! Sometimes (alot of times) we feel rather alone in this mission. Unless you have experienced disaster relief it's difficult to have an understanding of what God has called us to do and what all is involved with it. Talking with Pastors Charles and Mia was an incredible "boost" as I could hear the excitement in their voices and feel the love of God in their hearts!

So . . . over the next couple of weeks we will be doing alot of talking, alot of connecting, alot of planning and with God's help we will be able to meet face to face on June 9th and all of us show the love of Jesus in a very practical way -- with emergency supplies of food, cleaning supplies, hygiene supplies, laundry supplies, baby diapers and wipes --- and most of all --- love from the state of Indiana all the way to Alabama!

Lord, thank you for the divine connnections. And Pastors Charles and Mia -- thank you for your obedience in listening to the Lord and answering with "send me, send me!"

Until next time . . . look for those divine connections in your own life! Susan and Monty

Many Thanks

Mary and I in front of Monty's truck as it's being unloaded at the warehouse in Cullman, AL.

Bible Study this morning continues with studying the book of Proverbs. We are only in chapter 2 and only got to verse 6 but if you haven't read that book I suggest you do so. There's just so much information packed in there! I wish I was like a sponge and could soak up all that goes into my mind -- or atleast have it "stick".

This afternoon I made a couple of stops to thank those folks who helped support our trip to Alabama and to let them know we are in the process of planning another one in a couple of weeks. The group at Bible study this morning were shocked as they looked at all the pictures and we have to keep the emergency supplies going!

Our "wish list" for now is a box truck! A good one, one that runs well enough to run all over this United States of America! Borrowing a trailer isn't the best means to do what God has called us to do so we put the word out and turn it over to God's provision and timing! If you have any leads or thoughts please leave a comment here and let us know.

I also need to put out an ENORMOUS thank you to the local AmVets, Moose Lodge and American Legion for their support in our disaster relief! Those folks playing bingo dug deep and were more than a blessing to us! I can't wait to make a visit to each one and personally thank them and show them the pictures we took!

This evening is our missions training class and we already have a prayer request. It seems one of our students, Del, is quite ill and so we need to cover him in prayers of healing and restoration! Tonight's class will focus on conflict management and will no doubt be helpful to each one of us! I don't know about you but conflict seems to be ever present in my little world!

And tomorrow is my grandson's 6th birthday! No doubt he's letting everyone know -- repeatedly -- and giving them plenty of ideas for gifts! The innocence of children! No wonder Jesus had a special place in his heart for them!

Until next time . . . may the joy of the Lord surround you and yours! Susan and Monty

More Alabama pictures

The children in the above photo came to donate last week. Their mother had already talked to them about disasters and the needs and each child had a big smile on their face as they approached the trailer with their gifts. They enjoyed climbing in the back of the trailer to see all the things. What a great mother -- teaching these children at such a young age!

We have shown our pictures and answered questions all throughout the weekend. I was a bit sad when the CD of photos I made wasn't compatible with the player at church but there's always next week and Chad has the CD and is a wizard at that sort of things so . . . God's timing, not mine.

In conversation with James, the President of IGO, he said the video is completed and coming in the mail to us asap. I am very excited to see it as he was able to capture so much of the disaster and even has Ms Tommie's conversation on it. We hope to be able to use it to speak at churches and to thank those who donated goods.

The number one question? --- when are we going back! We are still desperately trying to locate a box truck to use instead of borrowing the trailer and if it all comes together we may be looking at returning with another load the first week of June. Please keep this in your prayers as this box truck is a key piece of the entire puzzle!

I admit I am still having dreams about our trip into Alabama and expect they might go on for a time yet. It was so emotional and so moving and so shocking that it's to be expected. It's a bit difficult to step back into "life" as usual -- always is for me!

But with my grandson's 6th birthday in 2 days I have to step back into life. He made sure I didn't forget it when I took him to school this morning! :) Priceless! And this evening he has another baseball game so off I go.

For all of you, please continue to pray for all the folks in the south. Prayers are the most powerful weapon we have and we just don't use that mighty weapon enough!

Blessings and thanks . . . until next time . . . Susan and Monty

PS I have to put in a very special thank you to the Bingo folks who not only collected funds for us to make this last trip but continue collecting! What an awesome group of people and I can't wait to go and personally thank them for their hearts of generosity and love!!!!

Stunned success!

I am certain of one thing -- these pictures don't begin to show the reality of what we have seen in Alabama! Even if you click on them to enlarge them! It's truly beyond description!

This week has been amazing -- blessings poured from the entire city and extended to the city to our northwest and the city to our south. The 18 foot long trailer was packed from front to back and as high as we could safely pack it. People were dropping off supplies until the very last minute.

I must thank John for coming and spending the entire day Monday and also Tuesday! He was my work horse and did an amazing job working inside the trailer sorting and stacking and sweating! And also thanks to Shelley for coming on Wednesday to allow me to get something to eat and bringing me some good cold water. There were quite a few who stopped by to lend a helping hand -- thanks to all of you!

We left at 6am sharp yesterday morning. It was nearly an 8 hour trip. We had our connection with Pastor Chad and James from IGO who was traveling up from Mobile to meet us and travel with us for the day.

We arrived in the city of Cullman which is not too far into Alabama. I didn't even realize they had been hit with a separate tornado that went right through their downtown and left them with destruction beyond words!

A warehouse had just been obtained and we were greeted by the local county jail inmates who unloaded our trailer and helped sort and organize everything coming into the area. That warehouse is awesome! Ms Alice is the manager and although she told me she has absolutely no experience she is doing a great job. The warehouse sends out all the donations to different distribution centers throughout the areas. Those centers can be churches, fire stations or the like. Each of those centers is able to reach those nearby and those they know and thus able to get donations into the areas where martial law is still in effect and no one else can get in. Ms Alice told me that more was going out the back door than coming in the front but things were coming in and she was extra thrilled when she saw all the laundry supplies we brought!

We did some video taping there and then took a tour of the area. Monty and I have seen alot of disasters but the reality of them still renders us speechless!

After touring the Cullman area we took a drive over an hour south into the areas between Birminghan and Tuscaloosa and saw even more damage. There was nothing spared in this one single tornado that was one mile wide and on the ground for a solid 80 miles! Nothing in its path survived! Not the homes, not the vehicles, not the trees, not the grass and not even the foundations. We saw solid steel beams twisted like drinking straws and vehicles turned into a mass of unrecognizable rubble.

As we were driving we saw an elderly lady just sitting outside her home, all alone, just sitting and staring. We stopped and asked if we could talk with her. Her name was Tommie Dee and she is 80 years old. She has lived in her home for over 56 years and both sons lived across the street. All 8 of the family gathered in her basement when the tornado warning sounded. She said she knew by the sound that nothing would survive -- and wondered if they would. After the noises quieted they went outside to the harsh reality that both of the sons homes were gone and hers damaged beyond repairs. To this day she still has not found either of her 2 freezers and her garage, along with its concrete foundation are gone -- nothing left but the boat. She talked to us, she smiled as she told us they were blessed because they were all alive. She told us how different agencies have come by numerous times each day to bring food and see if they need anything. They are still sifting through the rubble to find "things" -- parts and pieces of their lives! We prayed with her and every single one of us left with tears streaming down our cheeks! She was still smiling! SHE is what this entire trip was all about!

As the light was fading we realized we had no more time and really had no more ability to process what we were seeing. We bid Pastor Chad and James farewell and set out to find a place to stay for the night and to talk through what we had seen, experienced and felt. That took quite awhile.

We were blessed to have Mary come along with us. Mary is a young woman in our missions training school and headed to Ecuador to live there, to teach English at the university and to be a witness of Jesus love and saving grace to the people there. She needed this trip -- she needed to see this side of missions -- and she is, no doubt, changed forever!

I could continue writing for hours but I am also still processing and thinking and feeling . . . As I downloaded the pictures this evening it all came rushing back. How will God use us in this disaster? What will He call us to do next? We know we will be making another trip with supplies in a couple of weeks. We know Rob is there this weekend doing what he can to help clean things up and that he is also planning a week long trip for volunteers to join him sometime next month.

What we ALL do for now --- we get on our knees and pray for the people in the areas! So many areas and so many people! Therefore we better being praying so many prayers!

Until next time . . . God is good ---- all the time! Susan and Monty

Alabama supplies . . . day 1

Yes, I took some pictures and the camera is still in the truck and I am too exhausted to go and get it tonight. Hold tight -- I will get some on here!

The morning started with a bang as I loaded up and headed to Columbus to pick up the trailer loaned to us from Orphan Grain Train. When we got there they were just getting started unloading it from the weekend hauling so we jumped in and in about an hour we had it cleared out, hooked up to my truck and ready to roll.

I pulled in around 12:30 pm and thought I had plenty of time to get things ready inside since we advertised donation time to begin at 2pm --- but --- another truck from another church with another trailer pulled in right behind me and unloaded ---really unloaded ---- lots and lots of blessings! Awesome! So we were dropping supplies on the pavement and getting the trailer organized and loading it all at the same time!

All during the day it was great to see friends and family come and donate and talk and share their hearts for the people in Alabama. My youngest daughter even stopped by which meant the world to me! Thanks, Lindsay!

By the time evening rolled around I had closed the trailer and headed home. I had a few things to work on inside the trailer before closing it for the night --- and then our neighbor, Shelley pulled up with an amazing load of donations from Walmart! WOW! We are going to pack this trailer full! Thanks for all your hard work Shelley! You're the best!

And now it should be time to go to bed and although my body feels like it my mind isn't quite ready yet. Tomorrow is the 2nd day and the longest and hopefully we continue packing every square inch of that trailer and even overflowing into the bed of my truck! Please continue to hold us up in prayer and all those in the south who so desperately need these supplies.

Until next time . . . our deepest thanks to all of you who have already donated! God's blessings will come right back to you! Susan and Monty

Getting ready to roll . . .

Yes, it's official and been long in the making. We are International Gospel Outreach Disaster Relief and getting ready to roll south.

As you know, we graduated from IGO back in 2007 with our missions license and ordination into the ministry. Since then we have worked under many different disaster relief organizations; Convoy of Hope, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Methodist . . .

And now it has come together and the details are completed and when we roll into the Cordova, Alabama area on Thursday afternoon these are the magnets on our truck! We are thrilled at this new venture and can already feel God's annointing!

We have most everything in place for this trip. The trailer, I will pick it up from the Orphan Grain Train in Columbus on Monday morning, park it at our church (Vineyard Community Church) for Monday afternoon and all day Tuesday. Wednesday morning we will move it to the next local city, Ellettsville, where it will park in the Richland Plaza parking lot until full -- or 6pm, whichever comes first!

It's been amazing to me to see how many local friends and family have "jumped on board" with trying to get donations! Some are looking for boxes, some are traveling to different businesses to see about donations of all kinds, others are emailing their friends and families, others are making announcements at their churches tomorrow morning, it was announced at the National Day of Prayer gathering this past Thursday, and even the folks playing Bingo are aware (thanks to Monty's incredible mother!) it's been in the newspaper and I have been on the local Christian radio station! Just awesome!

It's going to be a busy week because in the middle of gathering we will also be teaching our missions training class on Tuesday night and on Wednesday night we will be in Bedford holding our first general information meeting about our July trip to Ecuador! Exciting all the way around!

For those of you who are helping us gather -- our deepest gratitude and thanks! You are the hands and feet of Jesus and the needs are so very great and you are making a difference in so many lives -- of ones we haven't even met and may never meet! But God knows each one and He sees your heart and you will be blessed!

For those of you who are holding us up in prayer -- please don't stop! We need each and every one!

And tomorrow is Mother's Day! Wow! Already? Let's all take time to let our mothers know just how much we love them, honor them and respect them --- after all --- without them we would not be here! :) Too bad there's just one day on the calendar reserved for them -- they deserve so much more!

To my mom -- YOU are the heart of everything I do!!!!! I'll talk to you tomorrow and see you Monday morning!

Until next time . . . . prayers and praises and thanksgiving!! Susan and Monty

A quick trip to Alabama

Yes, it's official -- we are indeed making a quick trip to Alabama next week!

Thanks to the donation of an 18 ft enclosed trailer from the Orphan Grain Train in Columbus, Indiana we will be collecting donations of emergency relief supplies next week and immediately taking them into one of the hardest hit areas of Alabama.

I have been talking with one of the Pastors in the area and he is more than excited about our trip. He is also the State Director for Disaster Relief for the Assemblies of God churches in Alabama --and he's never had experience in a disaster! He and I spent quite a bit of time on the phone the other day and I am very anxious to meet him! An amazing man of God -- a true servant!

I have also been in contact with the son of one of our own church family and he is doing "okay" and helping serve meals for the Salvation Army. When we last spoke they had used all their food supplies and were down to serving peanut butter sandwiches!

The needs are so great -- beyond what anyone here can imagine -- and we hope to fill this trailer to its capacity -- and then some! It's what God has called us to do -- for now.

If you are in the Bloomington or Ellettsville areas next week here's where we will be:
On Monday afternoon and all day Tuesday we will be at our home church, Vineyard Community Church located at 2375 S. Walnut St.
All day Wednesday we will be at the Richland Plaza shopping center in Ellettsville.
From there we will head south and return the next day.
I plan on having some pictures to use here when we return and ask that everyone keep us in your prayers. Pray for safe travel -- pray for hearts to be moved to donate beyond our wildest dreams -- and that with each donation the love of God and His Peace and Love will encompass the receiver of the donation!

Also --- here are the donations we are accepting -- at the direct request of the AL Pastor ---
hygiene supplies
cleaning supplies
laundry supplies
disposable baby diapers
baby wipes
non-perishable food items

We are also looking for donations to help defray the cost of fuel down and back.

If you are able to help in ANY way please leave a comment here and I will respond if needed.

We thank you for your generosity and pray you receive return blessings a hundred fold!

Until next time . . . Susan and Monty

PS. We now have the building plans for the church in Ecuador!!!!! Awesome!!!!!

Getting Ready . . .

Just an FYI to let you know --- we are in the process of gathering supplies which Monty and I will be driving and delivering in Alabama.

Tomorrow is a big day; acquiring a large box truck, notifying local news media, talking with the family and church connection in Alabama . . . a really big day! Please keep us in your prayers and I will let you know more details as I get them.

Our plan thus far --- acquire a truck, set a location where folks can bring their donations and fill the truck to capacity and then off we go!

THIS is God's calling for us right now! He spoke loud and clear and so we are getting ready.

Until next time . . . prayers and more prayers are needed for everyone that was in the path of these immense and destructive storms! Susan and Monty

Going? Staying? Waiting!

Everyone has seen the damage from the the storms and tornadoes that have struck all through the south and lower midwest areas of our nation. The worst since the early 1970's! Our prayers MUST go out for everyone in these areas -- and continue to go out as this won't be "ok" as quickly as it will be out of the news.

Now comes the question we are already being asked and will no doubt be asked many more times -- "are you leaving to go and help?"

The answer is "not now." God calls us and He also releases us from things and right now we have not finished what He called us to do here.

When we started our satellite branch of our missions training school back in January we made a commitment to finish it -- and that will be the first week of July. God called us to do this and He has not released us from its completion.

We are also committed to the upcoming mission in Ecuador in July. He called us to be His hands and feet in the construction of the church and we said "yes, send us."

Where we go from there is up to God. He will release us from these two commitments and He will call us to another.

For some ---this is very difficult to understand. For others --- it's easy because they are also following His calling and His timing.

It's not always easy for us. Like I said, our hearts go out to anyone suffering from natural disasters! We WILL be praying for the survivors and all those that God does call into the service of helping them rebuild.

We thank you for your support, your love and your prayers.

Until next time . . . Susan and Monty

Then . . . and . . . now

Remember last Friday night when we visited the household with 10 children? Remember that Cheryl was a friend in Monty's past?

I want you to know she keeps her own blog and she wrote about Monty -- get the tissues as it's heartfelt, amazing and hopefully inspirational!

She knew him "then" and has seen the "now" after God's miraculous touch!

Just thought you all might like to read it.

www.treasuresfromashoebox.blogspot.com

God is all about relationships and I can't wait to see what He has in store for this one!

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

Boots or Boat?

Easter --- what a glorious day! These are our grandchildren after finding all their hidden Easter eggs! The rains forced us to hide them all inside but they didn't care. Luke even told me last week that he was "practicing" finding eggs! Kids!!!!!

Speaking of rain !!!!!! I do believe we may need to trade in our boots and get a boat! Heavy storm after heavy storm has come through over the past days. Roads are flooded out and streets are holding water like never before. And more is in the forecast for tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday!

Monty is on his 8th straight day of working. He started a big project of removing and replacing the skirting on a mobile home along with seal coating the roof. The roof is done, the old skirting is off and I took it to the dump, the rails for the new skirting are on and he is hoping to get enough break tomorrow to finish up the job! He worked all day Saturday in the rain and hopefully will get that break tomorrow?!

I took on the job of mowing lawns here in our subdivision. And with all this rain -- I think I might need to replace the tires on the mower with skiis!

But on the bright side -- I don't think I've seen things this green in years! It's beautiful!

We do hope all of you enjoyed Easter yesterday! Our church service was fantastic and even "more better" since we closed with baptisms! I love it when we close that way -- what a celebration to go out on! Some of the children's church did an Easter skit for us that was awesome -- and as always -- brought cheers and joy to all of us watching! Those teachers do such a great job and should get alot more credit than they do! I think God has special crowns awaiting them in heaven. Jesus had such a love for children while He was here on earth and they are our future! The kids in our church make me believe our future will be just fine!

Tomorrow is my Bible Study and hopefully a bit more information on our trip to Ecuador. I have all the forms ready to begin our Volunteer meetings. Putting this together has alot more details than planning something here on US soil! I picked up our donated tent and sleeping bags this morning. A couple in our church gave them to us and we are so thankful as we don't have anything like that! What a blessing!

My next project is to put together a few pictures and make some calls to local churches to see if we can come and tell their congregations about this upcoming trip. We are hoping to raise awareness, volunteers and funding. Please keep us in your prayers!

Until next time . . . anyone know where I can find the plans Noah used to build the boat?????

Susan and Monty

A Past Relationship = "Floods" of Joy

MANY, MANY thanks to Cheryl for sending me this photo -- I am still kicking myself for not bringing our camera which meant Cheryl is the one taking this and not in the photo --- next time!!!

Quite a few weeks ago we got a comment on the blog from someone I didn't know -- someone from Monty's past. She had somehow found us and was interested in what we were doing. She told us all about her family, complete with 10 children! Through a series of emails Cheryl invited us to their home for some time with the children and dinner. They live about an hour from us and finding the time when both our schedules would permit wasn't easy but last night was that night.

We arrived late afternoon which allowed us some time with the children -- and with 10 of them it takes some time! :) We were also able to find out just how Cheryl did find out about us after, well --- let's just say it's been almost 30 years since she and Monty had seen one another. The puzzle pieces were filled in as the room filled with conversation, questions and laughter!

Watching that many children do what they do was incredible! The older girls preparing the meal, a German feast!!!! made me think they should be doing a cooking show on TV!

When Dad got home dinner was served and the joy and laughter around that table had to be a small taste of what it will be like when we get to heaven and are seated at God's big table!

After the meal the children took turns singing songs and playing their instruments for us! They told us how they travel to churches to sing and play and now I see why they are in such demand! It brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart hearing them! And what a way to celebrate Good Friday!

After dinner we showed them some of the videos we have of our disaster work. It was a great time to tell stories of how God shows up and shows out and that if you feel God has called you to do something -- no matter what the world says -- do what He called you to do!

Before we realized it the time was nearing midnight and we still had an hour to drive home. It was really difficult to leave -- that family spirit and closeness is contagious and it just felt really good to both of us. I know God knew just how much we needed that.

As soon as we started home so did the thunderstorms! Lightning like I haven't seen in awhile accompanied by heavy downpours. And upon walking in our front door nearing 1:00am the tornado sirens started blaring! All was fine, just ALOT of heavy rains and more of the same forecast for tonight!

What did we learn from last night? More things than I can possibly write here but the main thing is that God is truly all about relationships and sometimes when you least expect it, with whom you least expect, He will bring about a closeness and joy and blessing that will blow your socks off!

Thank you Cheryl and Terry and all the children for opening not only your home to us but more importantly -- your hearts!

Until next time . . . remember tomorrow is Easter and let's all go to church and celebrate our real Freedom! Susan and Monty

Working and waiting

Well, we almost worked from sun up to sun down!

Monty is working on another mobile home. He's skirting and sealing the roof. Today I got to go along and learn how to remove old skirting -- I have a whole new appreciation of it, that's for sure! He also got the sealer on the roof -- an amazing feat to accomplish in one day. He said the sealer is like mixing glue and takes stirring for almost forever to get it to the right consistancy.

I had to leave him by early afternoon to come back to our subdivision and mow lawns. The gentleman who has been mowing for residents the past few years has a full time job now so I decided to try and earn some income by posting flyers on everyone's door offering my mowing services. In 2 days I had 4 lawns lined up for the summer! And with the rain we''ve had and more on the way everyone wanted theirs done today! I managed to get 3 of them done (one wants to wait till next week) and then our own.

By the time Monty and I both stopped the sun was going down -- and we were starving and filthy!

Now we are full and clean and exhausted!

But it was a good day, the sun was shining and it was such a blessing to be outside enjoying it all day long!

And now we wait for the storms forecast for tonight and possibly severe ones tomorrow!

Until next time . . . let's all take some time tomorrow -- Good Friday -- and remember what our Lord Jesus went through -- all for us! We will never be able to thank Him enough!

Susan and Monty

80 mph

Yep -- it's quite a bit after midnight and we are in the hospital parking garage riding out the severe thunderstorms!

The winds are nearing 80 miles per hour and we know well enough what high winds can do so we head to the concrete parking garage, park on the lowest floor which has us under ground level and wait it out. Yes, the dogs are with us -- they know the drill and expect to "go" as soon as the first clap of thunder hits!

It does seem it's nearly over so home we go and hopefully for some sleep.

What a way to spend the night after an amazing missions training class --- under the protection of God's arms!

Until next time . . . Susan and Monty

Hear it in her words . . .

These are just some of the people we will be meeting in Ecuador.

There is a You Tube video just released and for all of you who would like to know some of the background of this upcoming trip I encourage you to go to this video and hear it from Pastor Martie herself, hear her passion, hear her joy and hear how God works through those who take the phrase "send me, send me" literally!

Go to You Tube and do a search for "Pastor Martie Spaulding" and it should come right up. It was just released a couple of days ago. You'll be glad you did.

Blessings to all.

Until next time . . . Susan and Monty

Dealing with the government!!!!

I needed this picture -- taken in December of 2009 while Monty and I were in San Antonio. After spending literally hours working with taxes here and documents there and forms elsewhere . . .

We all know this is the week all our taxes have to be completed. We sent our off to the tax man the first part of February but I didn't receive anything until today -- the same day I also received our property tax statement that has a BIG mistake on it --- which caused the amount due to be 6 times higher than it should be! Guess who will receive my first phone call tomorrow morning!!!

Then I had a form that had to be completed and could only be done online. No problem, I did it on Monday afternoon and after all 8 pages were filled out and the payment being entered I was ready to push the "submit" button -- and away it went --- or I thought so. It then gave me a screen saying there was a problem on their end and gave me a phone number to call. Of course it was after hours by that time so today I made the call ----many calls!!! Turns out there's absolutely no record of my paperwork but the payment sure enough went through! And now I have to do the paperwork all over -- and pay the fee --- again --- and they can't even start the process of refunding the first payment until I fax over a bank statement showing the deduction.

Frustrated???? You bet!!!!!! But tomorrow is another day -- I pray it's a bit smoother!

Yesterday was more than a busy one! Bible study in the morning followed by a meeting about the Ecuador trip. We covered so many questions and I was able to provide Pastors with a list of information we hope they can bring back with us on their trip. They leave tomorrow. As soon as they return we will begin holding "general information" meetings for anyone here locally interested in the trip.

I had to make one more stop on the way home, which ended up taking nearly 2 hours so both Monty and I got home just in time to wash our hands, let the dogs out and head to our missions class. It was a great class teaching us in depth about ethics, character and integrity. Wow! It had our heads spinning and brought about some great conversation!

So the past couple of days have been pushed for enough time -- Monty is working on rebuilding a mobile home and has the skirting done, the deck done and another one jacked up and ready to be moved before starting on the remodel of the inside! Not enough hours!

But . . . standing on the promises of God to always be with us we know tomorrow is a new day, a day to praise our God with. Today I am praising Him for forgiveness! What about you?

Until next time . . . blessings to all. Susan and Monty

Another week forward . . .

Once again I find myself wondering where this past week went! And I refuse to believe it has anything to do with age!!!!! :) Thinking backwards . . . this morning's church service was awesome. Pastor Dave has been focusing on the last 7 words Jesus spoke while on the cross and each week I have had a new revelation on those words. Today's were "it is finished" and once again I came out with a new perspective and a renewed sense of thanks for all God has done for me! Last night we were blessed to be guests at the banquet honoring the homeless here locally. The Genesis Shelter opens tonight and the banquet was a fund raiser with a guest speaker that had some excellent points on poverty and homelessness and how we should all not only be aware but be involved. One statement he made has really stuck with me -- "what if every homeless person, every struggling mother, every addicted father, every person going through a tough time had a personal, one on one, mentor?" Think about that for a minute . . . it's life and world changing -- or could be! We have turned in our volunteer forms and are awaiting a schedule to see when and how often we will be volunteering. Yesterday was also our church work day -- mixed in with some pretty hefty thunderstorms! It was time to pull weeds, clean out leaves, trim shrubs and spread new mulch. Through perseverance through winds, rain, storms and then sunshine it got done. I left late afternoon to get cleaned up for the banquet but Rob obviously stayed until the job was done because this morning it was beautiful! Friday was the Hannahthon where everyone chipped in to raise funds for our Crisis Pregnancy Center and maternity home. I answered incoming calls for a couple of hours and then moved to the prayer room where we had prayer requests that were continually covered with prayer. The announcement was made today that the goal was reached, just barely, but my oh my the blessings that will come from every dollar pledged and given! Friday was also the day I got word back from my bloodwork and some re-adjusting was done with my thyroid medication -- and I am not liking the results so will be making a phone call tomorrow! Thursday Monty and I went to check on a request for mobile home repair work. We met a wonderful man and his wife who need some new skirting and roof work done. It was great to visit with them and Monty will be getting back with them tomorrow to see if we can get things worked out. Wednesday was my day with grandchildren and while Liv was napping I took the opportunity to go outside and do some yard work and clean up some flower beds for my daughter and son in law. I love working outside so this was an added joy for me. Tuesday was morning Bible study -- always uplifting and amazing -- and I came to the realization that God's "word" for me here recently has been "mountain." Whether in song or scripture that word is there -- I love how God speaks to us! Tuesday evening was our missions training class and the video for this week was an eye opener. It was the story of missionaries who went into Indonesia and by the end everyone in the class was thankful they had committed themselves to learning more about missions! They are all working on their research papers and must be doing well as no one had questions -- at this time anyway. They have until June 7th to get it completed! Pray for them. :) And now we look to this week. Severe thunderstorms with high winds forecast for tonight and into tomorrow -- always fun! Tomorrow Monty will be working on more mobile homes and I will hopefully get class homework graded after taking my grandson to preschool. Tuesday is back to Bible study with a meeting about the Ecuador trip following. And that brings me to the newest announcement about that --- we will START BUILDING ON MONDAY, JULY 11th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So either wipe the dust off your passport or go and get one if you don't have one, find a tent and sleeping bag, check airlines flying into the capital of Quito and let me know you are interested in joining us and not only changing the lives of thousands of Ecuadorians -- but also yours!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are only booking volunteers for 2 weeks ---the weeks of July 11th and 18th so don't let time get away from you! I have all the info you will need so just leave a comment here or email me if you have our email or call me if you have my cell phone! I did talk with Joe (Ms Faye's speed build - March 2007) and he is definitely interested in going along with some of his guys from the WV team, the NC team and the FL team! We are so excited and so anxious to see what God has in store! God gave us the "mandate" to "go to the nations" and this is exactly what we are planning! We would love to have you join us in building this church on the mountain (Guangaje) for Pastor Francisco so all those who currently walk for hours to come to a broken down "building" for church can come to a real church to praise and worship and thank our Lord! Same Lord - different culture = life giving and life changing! So our new week has already begun -- and I know it will be one filled with blessings from God! I plan on listening for what He has for me and then being ready to say "send me, send me" knowing He will do exactly that! "Today I choose life by choosing Your way!" Service = active helpfulness; simple assistance in trifling, external matters Take the step of faith into servanthood today! You'll be glad you did -- God promises you will! Until next time . . . be a blessing to someone every day! Susan and Monty

Looking Ahead

Monty and his "uniform" needed for skirting mobile homes -- and the end result! His perfectionism is a gift -- the folks in the mobile home park are very happy!

Our weekend just flew by -- probably because of the wonderful weather. Sunshine and warm temps always make the time go by quicker. We spent the entire two days outside cleaning up our storage barn and tool trailer and Monty's truck. Or I guess I should say we "tried" to get them all cleaned --- 1 out of 3 completions isn't too bad --- considering how messy each one was/is!

Our Monday started off with severe thunderstorm warnings that combined with tornado watches. Each of those is with us for the duration of the day! Atleast I was able to get my granddaughter to her sitter and my grandson to preschool before the skies opened up and the rain came in downpours! Such a day gives me the time I need to grade the homework of our missions training school students and put together a few more plans for our upcoming trip to Ecuador.

Our students are really doing well and continue to amaze me with their homework! In the beginning we told them that they would each get out of this class exactly what they put into it and they listened and took it to heart! Their homework is well thought out and very insightful! We are really enjoying facilitating this school and thank God for the opportunity to teach others about missions and God's mandate to tell the world of His amazing love and forgiveness!

Of course, on a fun note --- tonight is the NCAA basketball championship game and we are so thrilled that Butler is in the final two! We live less than an hour from this school and will be cheering for a win!

As I look ahead to this week this is a glimpse of what I see -- so far:

tomorrow morning is Bible study with our missions class in the evening. It's also the day my youngest daughter gets back home and the day I hopefully get to see that big diamond engagement ring adorning her left hand!!!!

Wednesday is taking the kids to babysitting and school, stopping off for some bloodwork and xrays to check a few things, then back to babysit my granddaughter for the day.

Thursday is set aside for school paperwork and to hopefully talk with our tax man!! Pray for us!

Friday is the telethon for our local Crisis Pregnancy Center and Hannah House. Hannah House is the home for unwed mothers and this is the big fundraiser for them both. I am volunteering to man the phones for as long as they need me! If you know me at all you know that putting me on the phone is a good spot for me! :) Let's all pray they bring in more than enough and that God showers them with more than abundance!

Saturday is our spring work day at church and that evening is the banquet for what's called Genesis Shelter. Genesis church, along with the help of many local churches (Vineyard included) opens a shelter for the homeless during the spring and summer. Monty and I have volunteered to help out and have been through our training so now we wait for them to open. They are shooting for April 10th. We were't able to help last year since we arrived home in the middle of it and were trying to settle ourselves but this year we are looking forward to joining in. Please pray for the homeless, no matter where they are -- they are everywhere and it's our responsibility to care for them -- without judging them!!!

So this week is a busy one! Nothing new, all awesome and hopefully all to the glory of God!

May God bless you this week and until next time . . . Susan and Monty

It's Official

Yes, it's official -- Lindsay and Zac are engaged!!!!!! God is so good! Zac actually called me on Tuesday to let me know his plans and ask for Monty and my blessings and we were more than happy to bless them! Every mother just wants her children to be happy! This mother knows that her youngest daughter is more than happy! Zac is an amazing blessing, not only in Lindsay's life but in mine! I still smile when I remember how they went to grade school together and it took all these years for God's plan to come to fulfillment! I couldn't ask or have dreamed for a better son in law to be! Please join Monty and I in prayers of thanksgiving for Lindsay and Zac! Until next time . . . "what God joins together . . ." Susan and Monty

Big Tuesday

Tuesdays are always quite busy for us. This one is no exception. Bible Study this morning was power packed and filled with blessings and thoughts to carry throughout the day, week, year and life. When Pastor Martie entitled her message "Pitch Your Tent in the Land of Hope" I had an affirmation from God ring quite loudly in my ears. One of the things we are working on for our trip to Ecuador in July is how and where to house the volunteers. We are doing construction on the side of a mountain at over 10,000 feet elevation! There are no hotels, no bed and breakfasts, no power and no running water! As I have been working on this a suggestion was made that the volunteers bring their own tents! At the time I did think it was the perfect solution and when she gave the title to her message this morning God affirmed that it IS the answer I have been looking for! That mountain will indeed be transformed into a mountain of Hope and each volunteer that comes will be Hope in the physical sense! As I returned home and got on the computer to email a document to the gentleman taking care of the website for the church (stonegatefaithcenter.org) I found an email that I have been waiting on for weeks! Our dear friend from West Virginia (who has since moved to Florida) who was responsible for the building of Ms Faye's house in 5 days back in March of 2007 (you can go back through the blog to read all about it) contacted me to say he is definitely interested in Ecuador and will be less than an hour from us next week, on a business trip! We drew up the "design" for Ms Faye's house on a napkin while having dinner one night and I feel another one of "those" nights coming up! And now we are in last minute preparations for our missions training class tonight. We are doing an in depth study of one of the assigned books, "Go to the Ripe Fields First." This is a great book and I know each student will be blessed with this teaching. Not to mention blessed by all the snacks that have started appearing each week! After all, food always makes the evening better, doesn't it! So, another Tuesday filled with blessings, relationships and God speaking out with the things we need. I am so thankful that we don't have to "figure this stuff out" all by ourselves! How about you? Stuck on something? Have you asked God? If so, have you been quiet enough to hear His answer? Until next time . . . continue to be blessed and be a blessing! Susan and Monty

The Greatest Victories . . .

First of all --- as a response to the comment left on the last blog from "George" -- our testimonies are not recorded anywhere, just day by day through this blog. Thank you for your kindness and yes, God is in the business of miracles and transforming lives! And He is a perfectionist! In my Bible studies a few days ago I ran across a comment that I had to write down -- it really spoke to me and although I wasn't sure why, at the time, the past few days have brought about the answer. "The greatest victories can only come out of the greatest conflicts." It seems conflicts have not only surrounded me personally, but my entire family lately! There really is no need to go into details as the details aren't the important part. We all know about conflicts and I always have to go back to one of the things Monty stands on ... "I always know I'm on the narrow path if satan is beating me up along the way." I think my whole family has more than their fair share of bumps, bruises, scrapes and scratches from the recent "conflicts." "But God !!!!" God ALWAYS has a plan, a perfect plan, the ultimate plan! We are just too blinded by the conflicts to see it. And we are amazed as we see it unfold page by page, paragraph by paragraph! Even more amazing is how God goes about accomplishing His plan -- the "surprise" person He uses to speak through! This is what is happening in my family. Probably the one we all least expected has risen to the "challenge" and listened to what God told him to do -- to reach out, to share personally, to lift up those struggling and to help bring peace to everyone! I love the scripture "blessed are the peacemakers . . ." So if you find yourself in conflict (and who doesn't !!) --- remember that God does have the plan and He is trying His best to teach us something through that conflict. None of us like correction, no matter what our ages! But sometimes it's necessary and in that correction the truth comes to the surface, the problems can be addressed, healing can take place, love can be restored and even strengthened -- and the one you least expect can be the peacemaker! Oh, what an awesome God we serve! Until next time . . . Happy Birthday to my brother, Johnny!!!! Susan and Monty

Boggled Mind

There's been so much going on the past few days I hope I can remember it all! I love it when God is busy showing us new and exciting things!

Sunday was a great morning at church and immediately after I headed off with my youngest daughter to make a visit to her other grandmother. She fell a couple of weeks ago, had a bout with pneumonia and is now in a local rehab trying to get better. The added problem is that she has been diagnosed with Alheimer's disease and so her mind isn't working as it should be. None of my children have been faced with anything like this from their families and it's a bit more than tough for them. We had a nice visit with her and some other members of the family and also had time to visit with each other. Hopefully we can make another visit before too long.

Monday started with Monty and I making a trip to a couple of mobile homes that Monty had been asked to take a look at to possibly skirt them. We checked them out and then made a stop at the local salvage yard where I learned how much fun it is to check crashed and trashed vehicles for parts! I found a radio that should work in my truck and now all we need is that special little tool "thing" to remove it from the crashed truck. That's for another day because Monty got a call from his step dad and they were ready to move a shed and put up an awning on a trailer they had moved over the weekend. That kept him busy till way after dinner time.

Yesterday was my Bible study day -- one of the best times of my week! Pastor Martie and Susan had asked if I could stay after for a meeting to make further plans for our Ecuador church building trip. We sat in the front of the church for another 2 hours answering questions and creating more. They will be making a "look-see" trip next month and I will be providing them with a list of things we need answers for before we start building. For now it looks like the building will be scheduled for the first part of July -- probably right after the holiday of the 4th. We hope to have a 2 week period to schedule volunteers. The church itself will be cement block and roof so not alot of detail but yet an amazing blessing for the Pastor Francisco and his congregation who all live in the mountains. I promise I will keep you posted with any and all recent updates as I get them. Monty and I will be overseeing the project for its duration. We hope to arrive a few days before the volunteers so we can get the tents set up for housing and materials brought up to the mountain and staged for the build. There are so many preparations that need to be made and I ask for your prayers to cover us both during the planning but also during the building. This is an awesome ministry relationship that is being built and we pray to follow God's direction and His perfect timing in it all.

After that meeting I had a 5 minute stop at home before heading to yet another meeting. It lasted until time to pick up Monty and head off to our missions class. It was good to have everyone back from spring break. Our lesson was a tremendous education on the Muslim religion and very eye opening in so many ways. Everyone got alot out of it and all of us are becoming closer and closer to each other each week. This week the snacks were brought in by quite a few folks and we all had fun -- that joy of the Lord thing again!

This morning Monty was up and out working on the trailer skirting before it was even fully daylight. I was off to my Mom's to help her cater her ladies church dinner held this evening. It was a full dinner for 60 women and we had our day cut out for us! My sister in law also came to help and it's a good thing as we were all 3 busy the entire day! My nieces joined us for the evening to help serve and clean up. My dad and brother came to help dish up the meal so it was quite the family event. I had so much fun and am amazed at how much work my Mom puts into her meals! Everyone there enjoyed every bite and left with huge smiles on their faces and more than full tummies!

So now it's late night and although my body is more than tired my mind hasn't stopped racing! I have phone calls to make tomorrow to hopefully get some more answers on the Ecuador trip, laundry that has piled up and bookwork to tend to. Somehow I know God will give me the rest I need and the renewed spirit to get it all done. Monty will be heading back to contine work on the other trailer skirting so hopefully the weatherman is wrong when he says the temps will only be around 40 tomorrow! It's been in the high 70s the past few days and wonderful!

Be sure and stay tuned and if any of you have any interest in volunteering for the Ecuador trip or making a donation towards it please leave a comment at the end of the blog with your contact information and I will get details to you. Note that the comments you leave will be seen only by me and if you do leave personal information I will not post them for others to see.

We appreciate your support and prayers!

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

She's ready to meet Jesus

I don't know where this week is going? Can it really be Thursday already?



Backing up . . . our Tuesday night missions class was awesome! The teaching was packed with so much valuable information that we all could have stayed around talking for hours! It focused on 21st Century Missions and how we must change with the changing times. So many more things were brought to light for me and things I know God placed directly in front of me to use on this upcoming trip to Ecuador. We also were blessed when the wife of one of our students brought pizza dinner in for everyone! Many thanks to Del and Jean!



Wednesday brought a taste of spring to all of us! Monty was off and running quite early. He had received a phone call from a little elderly lady the night before saying the skylight on her mobile home was leaking. She had been referred to Monty by the park owner who had seen one of the skirting jobs Monty had done. Monty had also made a visit to his office letting him know that if anyone in the park needed help with anything . . . thus the phone call. She had no idea what to do but he reassured her he would be there the following morning to check things out. She couldn't believe he wasn't going to charge her a fee to just come and look!



So off he went. He's always said God puts little elderly ladies in our path and he's always right! He said she was "quite" elderly and in very poor health. He climbed up on the roof to find a seal around the skylight was cracked so he headed to get the parts to do the repair. Within a short time he had it resealed and she was one very happy lady. When he only charged her for the parts she was happier -- and in disbelief. Monty took the time to visit with her and to pray with her. He said she was ready to meet Jesus and was such a joy to visit with! Ministry at its finest once again!



I spent most of the day putting together odds and ends for Ecuador and the volunteers who will be building the church. Forms and more forms with letters of basic information and more forms and more information. Like I said, I don''t know where the time goes.



Today we had an early morning meeting and once again Monty headed off to work. This time his step dad called and needed some help moving a mobile home. It's a great day to be outside as spring is even closed today -- or atleast feels like it with the temps pushing 70!



I got the joy of babysitting my grandchildren this afternoon. We had lunch together and the littlest one decided it was just too nice of a day to waste time taking a nap! Outside they headed and just in time for Mom to take the rest of the day off and come home. They were waiting on Dad and then headed to the park!



It seems we are going in many different directions lately. God is stretching us, teaching us and preparing us for the next step -- whatever that might be. As long as He holds the planning book we're okay. It does break our hearts to watch what all is happening in Japan and we beg of you to please keep them all covered in your prayers! This is a disaster of many proportions and we all need to let those who are experts get in and do what needs to be done. They all need constant prayer and if we all band together the power of those prayers will be unsurpassable!



Until next time . . . blessings and peace! Susan and Monty

The incredible shrinking tree

Don't be fooled by the picture -- I'm not the one who cut down the tree -- I'm the one the rope was tied to and it was my job to pull the branches as Monty was cutting them -- so they wouldn't fall on the house!!! My, oh my did the neighbors get a kick out of watching us over the weekend!

All went well and the tree did "shrink" according to the description of my 2 year old granddaughter! The woodpeckers fought us with each branch being cut -- they literally would land in the tallest remaining branches and squawk and squawk begging us to stop. But they did return after it was cut and seemed quite happy. It really wasn't about the tree -- it was about them not having food hanging in that tree for a couple of days!

The other two pictures are from the mountain in Ecuador where we plan on building the church, hopefully in July. One is Pastor Angel with his family and the other is Pastor Edison digging the foundation. Now we don't even have any building plans to them and yet they are up there diggin away -- trying to get a head start! We might have to re-adjust it a bit but who are we to stop them from preparations! What an exciting adventure this is going to be! I know God has so many miracles just ready to show us and we are thrilled to be a part of this project and to be able to see what He has in store for everyone!

This is spring break here at home so we are able to drive where we want with less traffic, get in and out of check out lines with record speed and even park on campus or downtown if we want to. Sure makes a difference when you live in a large college town!

We are also in the process of making plans to travel to Bettendorf, Iowa to make a visit to one of our very special teams and their church. We are always trying to raise financial support and especially with this overseas project coming up and we haven't been to see our dear friends so we plan on doing both in one trip! They have opened their hearts and homes to us and after a phone call to their Pastor tomorrow I hope we have it all set. We love speaking at churches and sharing our hearts with them and opening their eyes and ears to the calling God has placed on our lives! We hope to get the opportunity to do alot more of those kind of visits!

Until next time . . . pray for all those in Japan who are enduring hardships that really are beyond description. If you are like many who would like to donate financially to this relief effort our suggestion is to donate to UMCOR -- United Methodist Committee on Relief as we know that 100% of your donation does go to the people! Thank you and may God bless you for your helping hearts! Susan and Monty

The planning begins

My mother made it back from Florida and her little dog made it back to her! My dogs haven't stopped sleeping even today - exhausted from their little visitor!

Tonight is our first official meeting about Ecuador and building a church there. Please keep us in your prayers as this isn't like building a church here in the states. Monty and I have volunteered our services - we agree to go and stay for the duration of the build. Many, many things will need to be put together - both ahead of time and while there. We do not have a time plan at this point but will let you know the minute we do.

Please keep us, Pastors Jan and Martie and Schel and Susan in your prayers as we meet this evening to "get the ball rolling." Pray that we are right in line with God's plan and His perfect timing!

Until next time . . . blessings to all. Susan and Monty