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".

A Wild and Crazy April

Wow! If you have been reading Dottie's blog entries you know what an exciting month this has been for the Wounded Warriors at Nebo Ministry Team. With lots of help from the community it hosted 7 separate events for the wounded warriors and their families. You have seen photos of the day fishing trip and card classes, but not from some of the other wonderful events. So, I want to give you an additional peek at what has been happening.

On Saturday, April 13 the choir and other members from Fredericksburg United Methodist Church (FUMC) travelled to the Warrior and Family Support Center to provide a meal and concert to families and staff assigned to the Wounded Warrior Battalion. To make that possible this wonderful group of men stayed up all night barbecuing. Gaylon brought his very fancy barbecue pit (It barbecues, smokes, heats and bakes) to David's house to prepare brisket, chicken and sausage.  Lucky me!!! Since I was there to take photos I got the very first sausage link.  Umm, Umm good!


Left to Right: Ray Sims, David Wiemers, Ray Brown, Galen Neitsch, Archie Klein


Then on Saturday afternoon all involved travelled

to San Antonio to feed and perform for the warriors and their families.  The Fredericksburg United Methodist Choir chartered a bus to travel the 70+ miles.  Fredericksburg Salutes Our Wounded Warriors donated towards the expense, but each individual choir member paid a portion of the cost out of his or her pocket. I just love my church family, because they are always willing to give of their time and money to try to help others!





I cannot begin to express the joy I feel when we serve our wounded warriors and their families.  It is so good to see them away from what they must go through to heal.  It is so good to see laughter in their faces and know that, at least for a little bit, they have a respite.

The choir members (the ones in red) made sure that they expressed their appreciation to the warriors and their families for the sacrifices they are making. Having said that, I know that all of us who were there to serve received such a blessing.  These warrior families are so very courageous and because of that give encouragement and  hope to all of us.
If they, who have suffered so much, can perserver in overcoming life's challenges how can we not!


On Saturday January 20 The Wounded Warriors at Nebo Ministry team tried another first.  We invited a small group of warriors to take a photography class in Fredericksburg.  We enlisted the help of Jim Heupel, a professional nature photographer, to teach the class.  He lectured during the first part of the event and then took the warriors to the Von Netzer Ranch where the students had the opportunity to practice what they learned.  When they left they were already talking about a second session.  So, I think the class was a success!  Yea!!!!

Left to Right: Garet Von Netzer, Jim Heupel, Jeff Washburn, Dan Burgess, Michael and Maria Hicks.

The could not have been more perfect.  The sky was clear and temperature perfect.  The photographers had the opportunity to take photos of jack rabbits, black tailed antelope, exotic sheep, etc.

Whew!  Would you believe that is not all we did in April, but I am out of time.  So, Dottie or I will have to post again to tell you about the 5K/10K Wild Flower Run and our respite weekend.

CARDS, ETC.

 Last Tuesday was exciting!!  We had 9 join us to make cards.  That's the largest third Tuesday class we've had.  Lisa, our teacher, had a surprise for us.  Instead of making two cards she had designed a flower on a stick (something like a pinwheel but a flower).  We were able to choose papers and develop our own unique combinations.

 

  In addition to the surprise project we had some men join the class.  WHOO HOO!!    

Lisa explaining some of the finer points.

Card class is also a Social Event

Getting instructions on Glue Gun

Fishing in the Hill Country

On Saturday April 6, The Fredericksburg Fly Fishing Club (FFF Club) and the Wounded Warriors at Nebo (WW at Nebo) teamed up to provide a day of fishing at Stillwaters Ranch for Wounded Warriors from SAMMC (San Antonio Military Medical Center).   

There were 10 warriors, a staff member of SAMMC and Justin who helps his dad. 

 They met at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church for a lite breakfast and to give the troops a break from the van.  They were  then convoyed to Stillwaters Ranch for a day of fishing & relaxation in the clean Hill Country air.

   The FFF Club members were amazing in their efforts to provide fishing equipment, food, instruction, encouragement, and an enjoyable time for all.  Club members were already at the fishing site setting things up and unloading boats and kayaks when the warriors  arrived. As they got out of their vehicles, club members were introducing themselves and determining what was needed to get the warriors started fishing.  Very few of the warriors had their own gear but that didn’t matter.  The club came prepared with extra rods, reels, lures and lots of enthusiasm in addition to several boats and kayaks which were made available for anyone’s use.  Two warriors had never fished so club members stepped right up and taught them how.  Lupe, one of the novices, caught three fish very quickly.  Barbara , the other newbie only tempted the fish but she & Lupe sat on the pier soaked up the sun and fished all day.   A warrior was overheard  telling a club member who was encouraging him to use a kayak, “I didn’t survive Afghanistan to come drown in a kayak”.  He later was coaxed into a boat by a fellow warrior.  One of the club members helped a couple of the warriors figure out how to fish one handed.  In addition, the fishing club members, members of the WW

at Nebo team  and warriors visited during the day.  One would never have guessed that a few hours earlier that this mixed group was made up of strangers .  Although not everyone caught fish, everyone had a great time and agreed it was a “do again event”. 

The ranch owner, Clayton Leverett was also there with his two year old son to meet and visit with several of the guests.  He generously waived their fees and said the ranch was available if we wanted to plan another outing.

It took numerous individuals working together to make this day a success.  We thank you for your time and financial support.  In addition, we are grateful for the generosity of the following businesses, individuals and organizations:

· Clayton Leverett                   Waived Fishing Fees for the Warriors & donated FFF's fees to WW at Nebo;

· RW Spencer of Cabelas, Buda, TX                        Donated Use of a Truck and Aerated Live Well;

· Hill Country Pump Service                                      Donated Portable Handicap Toilet;

· FFF Club Members                          Donated Lunch, Fishing Equipment, Boats/Kayaks, Time, Enthusiasm;

· WW at Nebo           Coordinated event with SAMMC, Donated Breakfast, Dinner, Misc Fishing Equip, Time                                       

 Due to our community’s contributions these warriors were able to get respite from their painful efforts to recover from wounds they sustained  in combat and in service to us .  Some of Saturday’s participants were returning to major surgeries, painful physical therapy, and  counseling sessions to overcome their post traumatic stress disorder.

Camera Shy Robert Gearing Up

 

Just Sit Still & Hold On!

Bruce was really popular

 Bruce cooked up burgers, hot dogs and baked beans that drew even the very serious fishermen in for a bite.

 Novices and Teachers

Clayton and Son taking a Break

The one that Didn't Get Away

 

Justin caught a nice sized fish-it was the first fish of the day. Then as luck would have it he caught the last one but threw it back for another day.

The day's "Believe it or Not"  Bruce caught this fish by hand - - That's right, he reached down in the water and came out with the fish. He was also kind enough to fillet everyone's fish for them. 

Card Making at WFSC

Attendance at the Tuesday card classes continues to be good.  We've even had a few guys join us. 

Lisa & Susan helping students.

 In fact, Dan helped other students with the "pop up" card.

March 19

Friends saying goodby to Janise and wishing her the best as she prepares to change from Sgt. to Mrs.