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.

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.

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.

Abundant Blessings

GOD just keeps pouring out blessings and opening doors!!  As a result the R&R weekends and events just keep getting better and better.



Mike & Lisa at their cabin

 October 25-27 was our most recent R&R weekend.  Normally (or what used to be normal) we are pretty well limited to three couples because Nebo sleeps six.  Anything over that and we have to go looking for other housing.  Well, a week or so before this event a couple of locals called to offer their private guest houses.  Then, Mike and Debbie McCurdy negotiated with Day Dream Cabins and got a great rate for the weekend and generously offered to pay for them.

Debbie & Mike

I can't tell you what a blessing all of this is!!  We ended up with four couples and three families coming out for all or part of the weekend.  An eighth had to cancel at the last minute due to his health.  Everyone had "their own space" and privacy - a place to rest during the day.


Shelia Watts

We all gathered at Faith Baptist Church Friday for orientation and a delicious dinner prepared and served by Shelia Watts, Juanita Redd & Barbara Burchfield.  Pastor George helped but was camera shy.

Barbara & Juanita with future Cook

Dessert was Debbie McCurdy's famous crock pot pecan pie.  I think a lot of us wished we had started with dessert - it was decadent and topped with blue bell ice cream!!

Sharon Helping Jeremiah with Dessert

Curtis Woodard & Barbara

 The advantage of having a nice dinner Friday night as guests arrive is they get acquainted with each other, dinner hosts and the WWAN team.




While we were savoring that after dinner coffee and visiting, Debbie gave each couple a number.  Seems an anonymous donor provided funds for a drawing.  What fun and a nice surprise!!
THANK YOU ANONYMOUS!!

Guests Enjoying Crossroads

 Instead of having planned activities for Saturday,
we had a list of "Things to do in Fredericksburg" the guests could choose from or do nothing but veg and watch the grass grow (which some did).

Lunch was at Crossroads Saloon & Steakhouse compliments of George Sanchez.  We could eat anytime between 11:30 and 1:00.  Ironically everyone was there by about 12. It probably drove the hostess and wait staff crazy because as more came in they wanted to sit with those already seated.   Super patient, courteous, efficient wait staff.  Yummy food and great fellowship.  What more can you ask for??

"Barn"

The McCurdy's have this beautiful ranch just outside of town.  It is
such a serene setting and perfect for a Chuck Wagon Dinner.  And yes, they have an authentic chuck wagon.

View from Barn at McCurdy's

 I think Debbie cooked for two days getting ready for everyone.  And GOD blessed us with perfect weather for outdoor dining and entertaining even though rain was predicted.

Haywire

Haywire, a blue grass band, provided really good music.  One of the warriors remarked while tapping his toe, " I haven't heard good blue grass since leaving home"!!  In addition to entertaining us a couple of the musicians gave Gabriel lessons on his new guitar. Watch out George Strait, Gabriel is after your job!!

Gabriel gets Private Guitar Lesson

The children had a great time running and playing in the wide open spaces leaving Mom and Dad free to visit.  It was a great evening thanks to the generosity of Mike and Debbie.  Thank you, Charles Malineck for arranging for the band to play for the wounded warriors and their families. Haywire thank you for donating your time and talent.  Your generosity is exceeded only by your great music.

I keep saying, "This was the best R&R we've had"!!  It always warms my heart to watch the warriors change as the weekend progresses.  We watch them unwind & relax.  We see stress, bitterness & anger recede to be replaced with hope and determination.  One thing we hear over and over that keeps us doing this is "It helps knowing people care".

 A 22 year old soldier told me that he was so surprised to see so many people that really care and are grateful for his service.  That knowing people care and want to help makes "it" easier. 

This was on one of the evaluations of the weekend: "Starting on the day of Lisa's retirement and last day of a 23 month ordeal, this retreat was a God-sent for both of us.  You all are a blessing and we're eternally grateful."

Visit facebook.com/ww.nebo to see all the pictures from this weekend!!

GOD is Good.

R&R Weekend



Carr Family enjoying Clear River Pecan Co. Ice Cream

Although several events happened this past weekend, I'm only going to talk about the R & R weekend at Nebo right now.  The Carr family, Don, Stephanie, Sierra-12, Hunter-10, Annabelle-4 and Abigail-3 joined us Saturday at the Best Fest complements of the Knights of Columbus.  After enjoying the great German food, music and other activities they spent the afternoon exploring Fredericksburg. 


Annabelle & Abigail

Thanks to the generosity of Fredericksburg Theatre Company, the family was scheduled to see The Miracle Worker Saturday night.  Now I don't know about you but the thought of taking 3 & 4 year old children to the movies is scary enough but to live theatre?  So in an insane moment I offered to take the children (all 4) and let Don & Stephanie have a date night.  They felt it would be good for the older ones to experience live theatre.  So Annabelle, Abigail & I  got to spend the evening at Nebo playing and watching the cats beg to come inside.



What delightful little girls!!  Made me wish my granddaughters were closer. The evening flew by and before we knew it Don, Stephanie, Sierra & Hunter were home.  They really enjoyed the play and the quality of the performers!!

Sunday afternoon Sharon & I went to Nebo to shut off water and gas, etc. and feed the kittens.  On the counter was a beautiful card the family had made for the WWAN team.

Fishing Tournament - Winners!!

Ok, so everyone there was a winner!! We finally have names, pictures and placement from the Sept. 28th fishing tournament.  Trophies were awarded for Total Weight and Big Bass.  The club member name appears first followed by his team mate(s).

 Total Weight Placement

Raul, Henry & Wayne

First Place: 10.25 lbs - Wayne Alberthal, Henry Douglas and Raul Encinas.

They also placed 3rd in Big Bass category with one at 5.40 lbs.

Caldwell, Chase, Shepherd

Second Place: 10.05 lbs - Chase Mier, Caldwell Yancy and Shepherd Holms.

 Placed 1st in Big Bass with 8.05 lbs

Bruce & Jermand

Third Place: 9.60 lbs - Bruce Kaiser and Jermand Parsons.

Placed 2nd in Big Bass category with one at 5.50 lbs.

Lee Cain

 Fourth Place: 4.46 lbs - R.C. Cantu and Lee Cain

Keith, Carmen & Dale

Fifth Place: 2.45 lbs - Dale Land, Keith & Carmen Madere

Tom & Walter

Sixth Place: 2.30 lbs - Tom Cooper and Walter Taylor

 

 Seventh Place: 2.10 lbs - Chris Burleson and Paul Williams - PICTURE NOT AVAILABLE

 

Kyle Rose

Eighth Place: 1.30 lbs - Donnie Hohmann and Kyle Rose

Summer Draws to a Close

Well, summer is almost over and that causes a range of emotions in me!  I will really miss the sweet faces of the children who have been attending our card making classes. They are always so much fun and I love watching their creativity, but soon they will be back in school.

 

 

On the other hand, fall is going to be an exciting time!!  We are adding mini-retreats for couples and singles, fishing events, a family day at the LBJ State & National Historic Park, a weekend art class and more to our regular respite weekends and ongoing card classes at Fort Sam Houston.  Say a prayer for all of us who work in this ministry.  We need energy, wisdom, discernment, and health to serve the wounded warriors .  Yahoo!!! Fall here we come!

 
 
 

Cards & a Birthday

Sharon, Dan & Genette

Summer is always slow when it comes to warriors and their families coming to Nebo for a respite weekend. Everyone is vacationing, entertaining visiting family & friends, etc. However, last Saturday Dan and Genette Burgess brought their two daughters out for the day.We also had several "local" women joins us.

Dan & Genette explaining how to wrap the string.

Dan offering assistance.













 Lisa having fun with the Butterfly card she designed.

Sharon's group fine tuning "Sea Horse" card.

My "Creations" (thanks to our Artists/Teachers).

What a treat, we left with four beautiful handmade cards!!

    

Kaylee blowing out the candles on her birthday cake. 

We got to help Kaylee celebrate her birthday.

Vedena, Sharon & Jackie

Vedena, (from Doss) is one of the local women
that joined us for the day.

Jackie, set aside her designing talent and focused on
providing lunch.  It was wonderful!!

After lunch Gracie, Kaylee & Christopher got acquainted & made bracelets on a loom.

 It's always a blessing having children join us.

 Oh yes, they also made cards with us. In fact they are more experienced & skilled at it than I.   But they are very patient and helpful when I "stumble".