NEW WEBSITE!!

Did you know we have a new website??  That's where our posts are being made.  Check it out and tell us what you think!! It's www.wwnebo.org

Spiritual Fitness - 11/13/2015

The cooler weather was perfect for hiking Enchanted Rock.  Chaplain Ginsburg, 7 warriors and a care provider arrived at the rock early Friday morning.  After a brief devotional those who were able climbed the rock while others hiked around the base of it.

The Chaplain (2nd from left) with hikers

 Departure for lunch was delayed due to a few of the party getting lost. Eventually everyone arrived safe and sound and headed for West End Pizza in Fredericksburg.

The adventurers were joined by a wife of one of them and a couple of WWAN team members.  Everyone was hungry so while they waited on their entree several ordered cheese cake. "Life is short.  Eat dessert first"  Then Tara, our server, brought out samples of Tiramisu complements of West End Pizza. The food was excellent, as usual.  Later at the R&R dinner a couple who had been on the hike was encouraging others to go there on Saturday.

Like us on Facebook and see more pictures.  We also have a new website although it is still under construction.

Cooking With Betsy (October 16, 2015)

Eddie and Betsy Fredericks are relatively new residents in Fredericksburg.  However, that hasn't stopped them from getting involved in the community.  Betsy has a passion for cooking.  In fact she had a cooking school in Lafeyette, LA.  She receintly put that passion and skill to work for WWAN.  

Betsy, on right, Demonistrating

Nine care providers met at her home for a day of fellowship, learning and fun. Stacy Johnson, Day Event Coordinator for the Ministry was there.  She shared the following about the day.

"Betsy taught us how to make homemade ravioli, minestrone soup, almond biscotti and chocolate salami.  Everyone participated and worked on several dishes. Everyone was busily working in Betsy's wonderful kitchen under her expert supervision.  Betsy was delightful and fun was had by all.  After preparing this wonderful meal, we all sat down and enjoyed the fruits of our labor.  Oh yes, two sauces - tomato and cream - went on the ravioli.  Delicious!!!"

One of the attendees sent this message,

"Ms. Stacy,
I want to thank you and your wonderful group of ladies for such a wonderful day on Friday.  I think everyone enjoyed the cooking lesson, I certainly enjoyed it.  Please thank everyone again for me on behalf of the Lackland AFB service members and caregivers.
Sheila Sidberry"

Betsy, WWAN thanks you for your generosity and look forward to the next "Cooking with Betsy"

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Playing Catch Up

What a vacation!! My sister-in-law and I spent two weeks in Durango, Colorado, another week in Manitou Springs and visited many points in between.  The aspen were golden carpets on the mountains.  That along with great weather made it the perfect time to be in Colorado.

While I was out playing WWAN had several events which I need to let you know about.  An R&R weekend, the Third Annual American Hero's Fishing Tournament, an Enchanted Rock day event and a Cooking Class.

I'm gathering photos from the events.  As soon as I can get them I'll post them along with a brief write up.  

If there is someone reading this that would like to be my counterpart let me know.  Not only would it help to have someone to do the blog and facebook when I'm gone, there are times when we have several events running concurrently.

Stay Tuned!!  

THANK YOU, THANK YOU

It was a beautiful day for lunch on the patio at West End Pizza.  There was a varity of pizza, spaghetti with meat balls, another delicious pasta and salads available on the buffet.  If you left hungry it was your own fault. There were lots of raffel items and some silent auction treasures all donated by local busines and/or residents. 

 Wounded Warriors at Nebo (WWAN) is so blessed to have supporters like Janet & Hal Degenhardt.  This is the third year they have held this event to raise funds that help us provide respite to the wounded, injured and ill and their families. Of course for the event to be sucessful requires people to attend and be generous.  And you WERE!! Thank you for your continued support!!

WWAN team members with Janet & Hal

A surprise guest was Ms. U.S.A.  Earth.  She is a veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan.  Last year as Ms. Texas she happened to be in town, heard about the event and joined us.  It was great to see her again.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Like us on Facebook/ww.nebo and see more pictures. 

PIZZA WITH A PURPOSE

Calling all Pizza Lovers.  Here's a chance to have some great Pizza and help a ministry serving men & women who have sacrificed so much.  Tomorrow, September 20, West End Pizza  will host Pizza With A Purpose with proceeds benefiting Wounded Warriors at Nebo Ministry.  Between 11:00 and 1:00 you can enjoy an awesome pizza buffet, bid on Raffle Items (which have been donated by local merchants) and enjoy live entertainment.

See you at West End Pizza!!

What a Great Time!

I'm on vacation using my iPad and can't seem to figure out how to get to the photos from this event to include some here. However they are all posted on Facebook. Hope you'll go there after reading this and enjoy them.  They are the photos posted September 11.

 Saturday (9/5) people gathered at the Hanger Hotel Conference Center for the USO Dinner/Dance/Fund Raiser benefiting Wounded Wattiors at Nebo Ministry.  Looking around one could believe they had stepped back in time to the 1950's.  There were nurses wearing those white uniforms topped with the crisp white nurse's hat, a pilot in his flight uniform, several military uniforms including a sailor wearing his original uniform, the local mobster & his girl and many many more.  They all came in "USO" dress to paticipate in the best costume contest.  The Bill Smallwood orchastra added to the ambience with music from the 40s & 50s.


Guests of honor included Major Margie Youngblood (USA Retired), Kentucky; SSGT Dan Burgess (USA Retired) & Genette; Florida, Captain Paul Shereve (USA Retired) & Paula, San Antonio; GySgt. Steven York (USM Retired) & Stacy, Fredericksburg; Lt. John Arroyo & Angel, (USA) Fort Hood, Killeen, TX;  Sgt. Mickael Clemann (USM Retired) & Nancy, Fredericksburg.  Several shared testimoney relative to their service and experience with Wounded Warriors at Nebo.

In addition to the great music there were numerous silent auction items which local merchants and individuals had donated.  There was constant action around them with people placing bids and  watching items they really wanted.

Thank you seems so inadequate to express our appreciation to all the people who attended the event, purchased silent aucttion items and bought raffle tickets for the utility vehicle.  Your generosity will enable this Ministry to continue providing R&R and/or Retreat Weekends for the wounded, injured and ill.

And then there are the Incredible, Energetic, Wonderful women who organized everything.  Ladies, YOU ROCK!!

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Pizza For a Purpose

     In October, 2013, West End Pizza planned a welcome home party for Hal Degenhardt who had just returned from Afghanistan.  Somewhere in the planning the welcome home was transformed into a fund raiser to benefit Wounded Warriors at Nebo Ministry (WWAN).  What an unexpected blessing for the new local ministry.  

Janet & Hal Presenting "Check" to WWAN

     This will be the third year that Janet & Hal host "PIZZA FOR A PURPOSE" with proceeds going to support WWAN.  There will be live entertainment and lots of great items to be raffled off thanks to the generosity of local merchants. And of course, a DELICIOUS Buffet.  Following are the details.  Hope to see you there!

232 W. Main Street ~ Fredericksburg, Texas 78624

For Information Contact Janet Degenhardt at (830) 456-2877 or janet@westendpizzacompany.com

To Sponsor or Donate Auction Items contact Debbi McCurdy at (830) 998-2920 or debbimccurdy@gmail.com 

Hal & Janet with Family at 2013 Pizza with a Purpose

Hal with Fellow Vets at 2013 Pizza with a Purpose

First of Two Events

This Ministry is very Blessed by the support this and surrounding communities are providing.  Here is an opportunity to continue that support so the ministry can continue providing respite to the wounded, injured & ill, their families and care providers.  There are even prizes for the Best USO DANCE ATTIRE!!  Hope to See You There!!

 

 

Includes FREE Swing Dance Lesson From 7-8 PM &

Dinner, 2 Drink Tickets, Dance & Silent Auction

 

DANCE FEATURES BILL SMALLWOOD & THE LONESTAR SWING ORCHESTRA

PURCHASE TICKETS FROM HANGAR HOTEL (830) 997-9990 OR BY CALLING DEBBI MCCURDY (830) 998-2920

 

Proceeds Benefit Wounded Warriors at Nebo 

and STAY in Fredericksburg

Our Sincere Thanks and Appreciation Go Out to the Women who are Organizing this the FIRST OF TWO Fund Raising Events.

Your Big Chance!

There is this incredible group of ladies who are working together to raise money for this Ministry.  One of the things they are doing is raffling off the Utility Wagon pictured below.  Tickets are $50 each but they are only selling 250 which increases your chance of winning.  The drawing for the winner will be September 5th at the USO Dinner/Dance (also a fund raiser).  You do not have to be present to win.  

All proceeds will be used to help continue providing Retreats, R&R weekends and Day Events for wounded, injured & ill in the WTB at Fort Sam Houston.

 

To Purchase Tickets Contact 

Debbi McCurdy, (830) 998-2920 or

Hanger Hotel, (830) 997-9990

Company B Family Day

On a hot summer day in August for a few hours families came together, they put the hardships and demands of work and recovery on hold to celebrate life. The Fredericksburg Wounded Warriors at Nebo  helped bring relaxation and spiritual mending to some of our most deserving service men and women.


 
On August 14, 2015 approximately 35 veterans and their families converged on the Lazy U Ranch located in Seguin Texas. Nestled under majestic pecan and cypress trees is a piece of heaven. Families took part in archery, fishing, kayaking, self defense classes, swimming, and board games. Some braved the old fashion rope swing and others sat back and simply enjoyed the peacefulness of children's laughter and the bond only blood brothers and sisters could understand. There was also bingo, bike riding and a good old fashion Texas barbecue. 


The true art of service is to give without expectation, through the hard work of many, families that have sacrificed so much were blessed to at least for this day come together to enjoy what being a American hero is all about! 

 Like us  on Face Book and see more pictures from this event!! 

 

Company A's Day Out aka Expanding the Ministry

In the beginning of this ministry we believed our mission was to minister to the wounded, injured  and ill.  Then, through experience and talking with the soldiers, care providers and chaplain, events were expanded to include the warrior's family.  You see, there were numerous offers of hunting & fishing trips, activities like bowling, skiing, golf, etc. all directed at the warrior; but very little for the family to experience as a family unit. So we started focusing on the entire family when planning events.  It is amazing how many times we have heard "It's great to be able to do things as a family" or "It's so seldom we get to getaway and play as a family", etc.  Thankfully we never stop learning and listening to God.

Over the past couple of years it has become apparent that the warriors are not the only ones needing a break and to be "loved on". Chaplain Ginsburg has helped us to understand that the Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB) staff  need a break now and then also.  You see, they walk side by side with the wounded, injured and ill through their physical and mental healing, therapy, frustrations and victories.  They insure the warriors get to their appointments, help guide them through the WTB maze and offer moral support and friendship. Staff share some of the stress and frustrations of the warriors especially those who were once wounded themselves.

While the wounded, injured and ill have priority for attending WWAN events, we have been including staff to fill events.  Then last September we sponsored a "Chaplain's Day Out".  Recently some of the WTB commanders asked if we would coordinate an event specifically for staff and their family members.  After much discussion and prayer we agreed.

Stacy Johnson & Nancy Russell with breakfast items

On July 31st at least forty (40) staff members from Company A, WTB and family members traveled to the Lazy U Ranch, Seguin, TX for a day of play and renewal.  The 100 acre ranch which is bordered by the Guadeloupe River and Lake Placid provides an ideal area for kayaking and other water sports or just splashing around.  There are also lots of trails for bicycling and hiking.   For those wanting something less physical, board games, archery and bean bag toss are available.

As participants arrived they picked up breakfast items and headed to the pavilion to see who was there and what was going on.

 

Cyclists cruising

  It wasn't long before the self defense instructors had a class going, cyclists were cruising around the ranch, archery lessons and lots of games were in progress.

Learning Basic moves for Self Defense

Godly Grilliers

Soon the Godly Grillers arrived and started cooking sausage and chicken for lunch.  The Godly Grillers are a volunteer group from  Community Bible Church in San Antonio (check out their Facebook page CBC-Godly-Grilliers).  They are a generous fun bunch of guys in addition to being good cooks.


  

As we were finishing lunch the kayaks arrived from Olympic Outdoor Center in San Marcos.  Thanks to Ben Kvanli for donating their use.

Brad passing out Koloches

Saying thank you is not nearly enough to express our appreciation to Brad Bowen, Adaptive Sports Military Program.  He arranged for the kayaks, bicycles, instructors for archery and self defense.  There's probably more that I'm missing but it's safe to say that Brad "Made It Happen".  On top of that Brad is simply a nice man who cares.



Of course Craig and Nancy Russell, Lazy U owners, were right in the middle of all the activities making everyone feel welcome and sharing the history of the ranch and memorial.  Thank you for making your ranch available for recreational activities for the military and creating the SS American Memorial. 

To see more photographs of the event like us on facebook.com/ww.nebo 

Forgivness Retreat (June 12-14, 2015)

Couples and families gathered at the Inn on Baron's Creek in Fredericksburg for a weekend of counseling, companionship and relaxation.  Chaplain (CPT) Rob Ginsburg and his assistant SPC Christain Beckett MEDCOM BAMC, WTB, FSH TX had prepared an agenda designed to inspire families to grow in the areas of forgiveness and effective communication. 

After registration Friday evening, families gathered for a nice meal together, door prizes and games.

Saturday morning the children were picked up and taken to Bethany Lutheran Church for activities and snacks while their parents were in session with the chaplain.

Families were reunited at the church for a delicious lunch and were presented with gift bags.

At 4p.m. the children were returned to the church to be cared for by Aloha Sitters, a professional child care business.  This freed parents up for a 6 hour "date night".  They had options to go to the Rock Box, WWII Museum of the Pacific, a movie, explore the town or just relax.

Classes inspired soldiers and their families to understand, communicate and support each other strengthening relationships.  Couples were encouraged to live a life of continual forgiveness. 

The generosity of Bethany Lutheran Church in large part is what made this retreat successful.  They provided child care, allowed Aloha Sitter's to use their facilities, fed everyone, provided beautiful gift bags full of goodies and visited with the families making them feel welcome. Thank You Church!!

Some of Bethany's "Kitchen Help"

Getting Acquainted

Sunday morning Chaplain Ginsburg provided the sermon at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church for both the 9 and 11:10 services.

More photos from this event are on www.Facebook/ww.nebo.com

Artistic Lisence

It's always fun to see what happens when people let their creative side take control.  When the team goes to Fort Sam to teach cards the instructor always has an example of the cards we are going to make.  She always tells us the steps required then adds "But this is your card.  Your's doesn't have to be exactly like the sample.  Make it your own."  And many do just that.  Sometimes the differences are subtle others dramatic. Last Tuesday was a good example.  Jackie was teaching a new technique on a Father's Day card.

Sample Father's Day Card

Inside of Sample

The front of the sample had a ribbon knot on it and "Dad" was inside.  Paul decided not to put the knot on it and instead stamped "Love" across the front.

Paul's Card & Envelope

Inside of Paul's Card

He changed the sentiment inside to "Thanks so Very Much"Adding a stamped design similar to the front embossing. He used the same stamp on the envelope.

Sample with Splash of Color

The second card was a special request.  You could make it all white which would be perfect for a wedding or add a splash of color to the embossed heart. 

Paul's Creation

Paul chose to put color on his card by sponging ink on the edges of the heart and flap of the envelope.

Another student made the basic card but made it an anniversary card and because it was going to be hand delivered chose to put tiny embossed hearts on the envelope.


As you can see, we have fun as well as get to create something pretty.  Anyone can join the fun & it's free!!.  We are at the WFSC the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.  Class begins at 10 a.m. and ends around 11:30 with a light lunch.

Michael, Martina, Jackie, Maria

We had a nice surprise last Tuesday. Michael & Maria Hicks stopped by to say hello.  It was really good seeing them and getting caught up.

Volunteering

Recently Run In Texas contacted us and asked if we would be interested in providing volunteers for a Ladies 5k-10k Run/Walk to be held at the Wildseed Farm outside of Fredericksburg.  In return for providing 15 volunteers to help by handing out water and checking in runners, they would make a nice donation to the Wounded Warriors at Nebo Ministry.  Needless to say we couldn't pass up the opportunity to get out in the fresh air and be part of the fun and help the ministry!!  What wonderful volunteers!! Twenty showed up!!

 We are grateful to Debbi McCurdy for organizing the volunteers and to everyone who came out to help.  It was a beautiful sight to see!!

A Double Easel Card

When we got to WFSC on Tuesday (5/5) for the card class there was no one signed up.  However, not being discouraged we went ahead and set up the table for class.  All the time smelling the wonderful aromas coming from the kitchen.  A special meal of tamales, rice, salad, tortillas, etc. was being prepared in celebration of Cinco De Mayo. I always thought that was celebrating Mexican Independence.  Not So!!  It's Celebrating the Mexican victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.  I just love the internet!!

Anyway, back to card making.  We ended up with 8 people joining us for class including 3 men.

 Yes, men, you can come & be creative; we love having you.  Sharon had designed two very different cards for the class.

The first was a "Double Easel" Mother's Day card. It took paying close attention to instructions.  That's hard to do since we really enjoy visiting while being creative.

Participants experience level ranged from "never done this before" to Paul & Paula who could teach the class.  As with most classes, the more experienced helped others.  Stacy & I even got to assist a little.

Opened

The second one was a "Landscape" created around the goose with sponges. 

 This photograph doesn't do the card justice.  There is subtle shading that makes up the background.  It's all controlled by the amount of ink on the sponge and the pressure applied when applying the ink to the card. You can really take "Artistic Licence" with this technique.

We bring a light lunch to share after class. Usually there are a few who drop in to join us at lunch.   However, the tamales, etc.won hands down.

 No big surprise there!!