Bar Raising

Nancy & Craig Russell

Saturday, April 5, Sharon Massey, Susan Quindry & I went to the Lazy U Ranch for a "Bar Raising".  Lest you get the wrong idea, I'd better explain.  Craig & Nancy Russell, owners of the Lazy U Ranch and benefactors of the Wounded Warriors at Nebo Ministry (WWAN) have been working with wounded warriors for about 2 1/2 years.

Memorial to Veterans

 Part of the evolution of their property is transforming a building built by hand by Nancy's father into a memorial honoring all veterans.

Bronze Plaque on Front of Building

One of the things decorating the interior is an antique bar they have had restored.  The "Bar Raising" was putting the back bar in place.  It took about 3 hours to raise it from the floor, place it on its base and move it into position.  What a beautiful site!!  I can hardly wait to see the rest of it in place.

Restored Antique Bar Back

There will be many other works of art displayed inside.  Keep checking their website, http:/lazyuranch.com, to follow progress on the memorial.  

Being early April, the trip from the gate to the main house was breath taking.  Everything was turning green, blue bonnets were everywhere and in the middle of it all were long horn cattle.

Imagine yourself as a wounded warrior living in the chaos of non-stop appointments, paperwork, etc. being invited out here for the day. The effect is like stepping into another world and that's why the Russell's and WWAN are working together to create events here for the warriors.

For more information about the ranch visit their website.

Firsts

Yesterday (4/23/22014) was a day of firsts.

• WWAN held it's first event for/with the Adaptive Sports Military Program from Fort Sam Houston.
• Food (and lots of it) was provided by First United Methodist Church & First Baptist Church both of Seguin.
• The event was held at the Lazy U Ranch, Seguin, TX.  Lazyuranch.com 
• Helen Stein, 93 years young, presented a wounded warrior with a hand made quilt.  One of her quilts is hanging in the Smithsonion!!

Helen Stein Made & Donated This Quilt 

Activities at the ranch included kayaking, fishing, bow & arrow, bicycling, hiking, relaxing by the water and watching the grass grow.

Craig (center) Sharing History of Ranch

Craig & Nancy Russell, ranch owners and our hosts, were there to visit with everyone and share the history of the ranch and the Memorial to all American Veterans which will be dedicated July 3rd.  Be sure to go to their website and get the details of the memorial and the wonderful 4th of July Celebration they are having.  There is limited space for the 4th so if you are interested you need to act quickly.  Their theme is God, Family Country.

25' Wall

Mid afternoon about a dozen of the warriors went to ZDT Amusement Park to "rock climb".  The park has a 25' climbing wall inside and two 60' towers outside.  Watching the warriors and some spouses climb was amazing.   ZDT was very generous.  In addition to waiving the entry fee they set all the video machines on free so everyone could play.  Even the smallest children had a great time.

Sharon, Brad & Abdul  (Brad & Abdul climbed)

Exciting Things Are Happening

2014 is proving to be a very exciting year.  We now have a General Board comprised of representatives from Fredericksburg Churches.  These are the churches who stepped up and helped welcome, feed and entertain guests from Fort Sam Houston coming to the Hill Country for R&R weekends and/or Day Events last year.  General Board Members are: Joyce Robertson-Bethany Lutheran, George Watts-Faith Baptist, Richard Gray-First Baptist, Kathy McNeill-Memorial Presbyterian, Bob & Molly Sagebiel-St. Mary's Catholic, Brad Findley &Bobbi Grimmer-South Church.  The board has already decided to "sign up" in advance for each of the coming events.

Therefore, the Executive Board of WWAN in conjunction with Chaplain Rob Ginsburg has introduced a working version of its May 2014 - May 2015 calendar.  Tentative plans include five (5) R&R weekends (we feed & house the guests but they decide what they want to do). & four (4) Retreats, (more structured, includes counseling usually with the chaplain) as well as several Day Events, e.g., a Day Out for Care Providers.  Recreational opportunities for day events are based on needs assessments provided by personnel at Ft. Sam Houston, in addition to specialized activities designed & led by Adaptive Sports Military Program.  Also this year, the Fritztown Bass Club and WWAN will host the 2nd annual American Heroes Fishing Tournament-a popular and well attended event.

2013 American Heroes Fishing Tournament

Lazy U Ranch

Activities will take place in multiple locations in & around Fredericksburg, including lakes & recreational areas such as Lady Bird Park, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area & Lazy U Ranch in Seguin.

WWAN will continue to offer card making classed & serve lunch at the WFSC, Ft. Sam Houston, on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month.

This is a very ambitious schedule and will have several events at Lazy U Ranch added during the year.  Cost to provide everything is approximately $50,000.    If you would like to help with funding you can use the "Give On Line Now" button on the right of this blog or mail your donation to Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, 1800 N Llano, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624.  Please make the checks out to FUMC-WWAN.  We will post progress toward our goal so you can watch it grow with us.  We are praying that as in the past, GOD will provide.

On Line Giving

I love it when a plan comes together!! 

 It is now so simple to make your donations on line.  All you have to do is click on the "Give Online Now" button in the column to the right of this page.  When you do that a new page opens up (the Donations Page).  Then you simply fill in the blanks.  It's Very Important you select other and enter the amount you wish to give. Then enter WWAN in the box to the immediate right of the amount you entered. See the following example.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DONATIONS

1. Already created a profile? "Log In" as Returning Member

2. To make recurring donations - Click "Create Profile"

3. To make one-time donation or payment and be able to track history - Click "Create Profile"

4. To make a one-time donation without tracking your donation history - Complete form below

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Pledge Payment:	0.00
Operating Budget Donation:
Other:	100.00	WWAN
Memorials:	0.00
Pymt:Youth Trips/Activities	0.00

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

After entering the amount and WWAN, complete the transaction.  Simple!!

And at the end of the year you receive acknowledgement of your gift for tax deduction purposes. 

Fisher House Enjoyed Cookies

Remember the 800 boxes of cookies Girl Scout Troop  17417 and Ephriam Andrews Chapter DAR  donated and we distributed to various locations on Fort Sam Houston? (see March 20th post)


The Army Fisher House sent a nice thank you. We appreciate the Girl Scouts and DAR for allowing us to be a part of this generosity.  Besides, it was really fun watching the faces of people when we walked in with cases of cookies and explained they were a gift.

March R&R and Fredericksburg Fly Fishing Event

What a blessing God bestowed upon us this past week-end.  Eight families from Fort Sam Houston came to the hill country for some R&R time.

Upon arriving Friday evening they were welcomed with a meal provided by the St Barnabas Episcopal Church and also treated to some beautiful music by a local orchestra who practices at the church on Friday nights!!

The families were welcomed with open arms and such warmth that each wounded warrior and family member left with excited anticipation of what was to come during the next two days.

Ashley showing off her Catch

Giving the Fish a break

Saturday the Fredericksburg Fly Fishermen (FFF)  hosted a day event at Still Waters Ranch for even more wounded warriors from Fort Sam who came just for the day.  Several good sized fish were caught, filleted and sent home with the warriors.  For some it was a first time fishing experience.

Dustin admiring Stan's catch

Wounded Warriors, FFF & Volunteers ready to fish

Bruce Ward-Chief Cook

Ray Sims-Transportation & Guide

While some were fishing, others visited the shops in town, toured the Nimitz Museum or climbed Enchanted Rock. Still others went to the kite flying event at LBJ state park then enjoyed the Sauer Beckmann Farm where they were treated to a taste of what life was like in the Fredericksburg area 100 years ago. 

After a full day of fun events, we gathered together at the Enchanted Rock Pavilion for dinner and fellowship.  Entertainment during the evening was provided by John Hardaway and 30-60, a local band. Rabke’s catered the meal with volunteers Ann Matthews, Rita Travis, Sandy Doudna and Johna Clark providing cupcakes for dessert.

 

Sunday morning found several of the families attending different churches in town.  After a morning of worship, the families headed back to San Antonio to get ready for their regiment at Fort Sam.  Our prayer for each of these warriors is that healing and peace will come to their body and soul.

Thanks to Susan Quindry, Stacy Johnson & Sharon Massey for providing the Information and pictures for this blog.


Go to www.facebook.com/ww.nebo to see more photos of the weekend.