Irene’s Memoirs: Chapter 100

blessings and gifts from our loving Lord! As Dick always said, "Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them" – Psalm 127:5.

Today there was another fun family get-together! This time Tim’s (birthday will beThursday, April 24) and my birthday (was last Thursday, April 17th), and my birthdays were celebrated. It was great! This time Sue served a wonderful traditional roast venison, potatoes, vegetables, etc. dinner with a luscious butterscotch torte with candles on it. She is a great cook and baker. Pictures were taken, and more taken when all of the wonderful gifts from everyone were given to Tim and me. I was enthralled by the gifts given to me, even from children with their smiling faces looking up at me!

God bless all of you for your thoughts, prayers, dinners, fun company, e-mail (Africa included) and Facebook messages, cards, phone calls, and gifts – most of all for your hugs and love. I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. As my sweet husband said to everyone when he was very ill, "what can I do to repay you?" What a happy and blessed weekend – thanks be to God, and all of you in our families, other relatives, and friends! With much love in Christ, Irene, Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister, Friend

MAY PEBBLES FROM THE ROC At our Watertown Recreation & Outreach Center (ROC) for Youth, we proclaim Christ, the Savior of all. After showing the teens God’s love, we then help them live that love in their lives. We pray it was God’s love that motivated the most teens ever to help spread wood chips at Tivoli Island on May 3^rd. What a joy it was also to have fun and work alongside the teens for God’s glory.

Please attend the ROC Youth Center Golf Outing on Sunday, June 22, 2014, golf at 3 pm, eat at 7 pm at Watertown Country Club – You can “Golf & Eat” ($58) or just come for the dinner ($20) and the great ROC presentation. Sign a golf team up by June 13^th or reserve your dinner. You are also invited to help by donating an auction item or sponsoring a hole. Maybe you also know someone who can donate an auction item. Pass the word – For registration and other info. call Don at 920-261-1319 or e-mail at debartz@charter.net.

Mark your calendars – The ROC rummage/bake sale will be held July 17, 18 & 19. Receiving will be 12-5 on 7/13, 8-5 on 7/14 & 15 and 8 – 12 on 7/16. Please call Ruth Uttech – 920-261-6772, Pam Erdman – 920-261-9674 or Joyce Zwieg – 920-253-6788 with any questions.

FUTURE ROC EVENTS: Please volunteer to help – 920-206-9581. Thanks!

Sunday, June 22, 3:00 (Golf) & 7:00 (Buffet) – ROC Golf Outing

Thurs.-Sat., July 17, 18, 19, 2014 – ROC Rummage Sale

Friday, August 1st, serving 10-3 – Glenn’s Brat Stand

MAY 1^st – Update

Dear loved ones,

Who are we to complain about the weather when our dear Lord freely gives us so many blessings? We pray for all of the people who have had their lives affected by the tornadoes which have "torn" across our country, losing loved ones, inflicting many injuries, and destroying all that they own. Yes, how thankful we should be!

Are my traveling days over – no, not yet! God willing, on Tuesday Tim, his wife, Sue, and I are flying from Milwaukee to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where they will stay and visit for awhile with our daughter, Steph, her husband, Jeff, and family, and then fly to Missoula, Montana, where their son, Matthew, is vicaring for Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church. They will be visiting with Matt, Holly (his wife), Lilie, and Matt, Jr. I will be staying in Cheyenne where I will have the blessing of attending the graduation of our dear granddaughter, Sami Jo Heitsch, from the University of Wyoming in Laramie. She has been chosen to be one of the speakers for the graduation. I am anxiously looking forward to being with all of our loved ones in the Heitsch family. The last time I saw them was when they came from Wyoming and Colorado to see their dear father (grandfather) when he was so very ill.

There are so many birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, etc. in our family of 81 souls! If you look at the calendar which Tim (carrying on from his Dad) sends out every month, you will see the long lists. God has truly "filled our quiver with arrows" – Psalm 127:5. I’d like to reiterate a little story which some of you know. When we were in Lusaka, Zambia, I was pregnant with Steve. I was having a birthday party for Tim (his birthday is April 24th), and we had invited some of the missionaries’ children. He kept saying, "Mom, don’t have the baby on my birthday. I don’t want the baby born on my birthday!" Steve wasn’t born on his birthday, but the next day, April 25th. Then Tim said, "Mom, why didn’t you have the baby on my birthday?"

I called Steve on his birthday, and sang "Happy and Blessed Birthday" to him like Dick and I used to do for all of our children. Before Dick went to heaven, Tim asked that we sing it and taped it. Steve told me that just before I called, he had listened to that tape.

That’s it for this time. You are all in my thoughts and prayers! With much love, Irene, Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister, Friend

MAY 14^th – Busy, busy, busy

Dear loved ones,

Well, Sue, Tim, and I arrived back safe and sound from our trips to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Missoula, Montana, to see our loved ones, Steph, Jeff, Trav (Jenna), Mitch, and Sammy Jo in Cheyenne, and Matt, Holly, Lilie, and Matt, Jr. in Missoula. What a great blessing it was from our loving and gracious God!

Before we left Watertown, Mother’s Day was celebrated on May 4th because we would not be here on the 11th for the rest of their family. Pastor Karl Walther’s 25 years in the ministry was also celebrated in a special St. Mark’s service. Tim conducted a very interesting Bible class on the Book of Job. The family, Joanne and Jerry Brandt, and I were invited to their home for a great lunch. Beautiful cards and gifts were given to all the mothers, including me.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for remembering me on Mother’s Day (May 11th) with cards, gifts, e-mails, Facebook posts, phone calls, etc. I was thrilled when I arrived back to Watertown and found such love from all of you. God bless you.

The visit to Cheyenne was absolutely wonderful! Sami Jo came from Laramie to welcome us. We had lunch on the 7th at the Shadows Brewing Company restaurant (next to the old restored depot). We also saw Steph’s office. She is the Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator for United Medical Center and State Coordinator for Safe Kids, Wyoming – a very responsible job. In the evening we went to a party at the home of a lady she works with. Mike Reed, the Governor’s Policy Advisor on Impaired Driving was there. On May 8th Sue, Tim, and I toured the old Governor’s mansion, and they, Steph, Jeff, Sami Jo, and I ate lunch at the Olive Garden. They left for Missoula, and Steph and Jeff took me to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church where Jeff has a very nice office. We went to Sam’s Club, and also visited with a very sweet lady, Edna White, in an assisted living home, Point Frontier. Steph cut her hair which pleased her very much.

May 10th was a very important day! Sami Jo graduated for her College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. She was elected to be a commencement speaker, and based her speech on Ephesians 2:10 – "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." She shared God’s Word with all who attended the commencement. We were honored to be sitting in the front row. Thank you, Sami Jo!

Mother’s Day was May 11th. Alas, we awoke in the morning and everything was white with at least 12" of snow – unbelievable! Steph and Jeff’s home is in the country, so Jeff plowed through the snow with his truck and got us (mothers with corsages) to the church. The sermon text was: 1 Peter 1:2l, and the Theme: "Have Confidence in God". He is a very dedicated preacher. There was also a Bible class on John 11:33-57 – Jesus Raises Lazarus From The Dead". Since we were all snowbound, we had a great visit just being together with one another the rest of the day. On the 12th the sun came out and the snow melted!

Before we left Steph took us to the Regional Medical Center solarium where she introduced speakers who spoke on traffic safety – "Every Drive, Every Passenger, Buckle Up – Click it, or ticket!" The Chief of Police, the Mayor, policemen, a man in a wheelchair who said he hadn’t "buckled up", and others spoke. They were all televised, and their speeches were so interesting!

How blessed I am to have wonderful God-fearing children, spouses, grandchildren, spouses, and greatgrandchildren. Thank you, God! I thank God for all of you! As Dick always said when we left people, "Have a blessed day!" With much love, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY – May 14th

Dear loved ones,

How blessed I am to have wonderful God-fearing children, spouses, grandchildren, spouses, and great grandchildren. Thank you, God! I thank God for all of you! As Dick always said when we left people, "Have a blessed day!" With much love, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

UPDATE – May 23rd

Dear loved ones,

First of all, I wish all of you a very blessed, happy, safe, and fun weekend with family and friends! We especially remember all of the men and women who serve, and have served, our beloved country. Many incur, have incurred, suffer many hardships, and die to protect all of us in our stead. We are grateful to them, and especially thank God for each one of them! I was eleven years old at the time of World War II, and remember aunts and uncles bringing their sons to our door to say good-bye to us. People who had men, and women, serving our country had stars in their home windows – a blue one for "in the service", a silver one for "missing", and a gold one for "died". One of my cousins received a Purple Heart after he was wounded in fighting the war in Europe.

Today, Friday, May 23rd, I was at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church and School, Sussex, Wisconsin (where our daughter, Debbie, and her husband, Glen (Wilson) are members) attending a Preschool graduation of one of our great grandchildren, Tyler Poston (son of our dear granddaughter, Jenny, and her husband, Kevin Poston). It was a blessing for me to be there, to hear and see all of those little lambs of God lovingly entertaining their families and friends. On Wednesday, May 21st, I was invited to St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and School, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, for Adalynn’s (Addie) Pasch (daughter of our dear granddaughter, Julie, and her husband, Tom Pasch) Preschool graduation. Again families and friends were entertained by more little lambs of God. After the guests received food for the souls, we were served delicious food for our bodies. I thank all of you – also Sue and Tim who made it possible for me to be there by providing the transportation.

Adalynn was born on August 1, 2009, and Tyler on August 20, 2009. I am letting you know when they were born because when our families surprised my sweet Dick and me with a fantastic surprise 80th birthday party the weekend of his birthday (September 7, 2009), many pictures were taken. Some of them were taken on Tivoli Island at Riverside Park. One of them shows Dick holding Addie, and next to him I am holding Tyler Poston. They were both sweet little babies. Time marches on! (Note: another sweet little one, Aubrey Leigh Wilson, was born on December 1, 2009. She is the daughter of Mark (Debbie and Glen’s youngest son), and his wife, Jamie.)

On Sunday, May 18th, Tim conducted a very interesting Bible class, using the Book of Job. Job went through much suffering. Dick used to say, "What is our suffering here on earth compared to the suffering and dying Jesus did for us!" After the service Julie and Tom invited me to their home for a delectable lunch. It was a beautiful day, and all in their family, Sue, Tim, Joanne and Jerry Brandt, and I enjoyed one another’s company. Julie and Tom have acquired a grand boat (I did climb up into it, It is parked in their driveway), and they have promised me a ride in it.

Tomorrow Debbie and Glen are collecting me for the 10:00 a.m. graduation of Glen’s nephew, Brian Wilson, from Luther Prep here in Watertown. I am looking forward to being with them and the families. Debbie and Glen are staying overnight with me, and the next day, Sunday, are attending the church service with me at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. That makes me very happy..

It seems a long time ago that I was in Wyoming for Sami Jo’s graduation from the University of Wyoming in Laramie. It was great to be with everyone. Oh, Sami, has a boyfriend by the name of Thomas Smith. I miss your delicious cooking, Steph. You did great putting all of the food together with all of us sitting at the island watching you. Thank you again for everything!

God bless all of you richly, even as He blesses me. Again, have a blessed and happy Memorial Day with families and friends, With love, Irene Mom Grandmom Great Grandmom, Sister, Friend

UPDATE – May 29th

Dear loved ones,

Before I go off again to another graduation, I just have to tell you about the wonderful graduation I was invited to last Saturday, May 24th at Luther Prep. Brian Wilson, the son of Roger (Glen’s brother), graduated. Being there on the same ground where Dick and I (our sons, daughters, grandchildren, and now one great granddaughter – Cassie Chmielewski), walked on brought back so many memories of days gone by. God blessed us with an absolutely heavenly day. It was a blessing for me to be there with family and friends. I was delighted when a fine gentleman came and talked to me before the service. It was "Teddy" Zuberbier, who had been one of my 4th graders when I taught at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran School in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Dick and I had gone to a beautiful new St. Peter’s church in Fond du Lac, where Teddy’s son, Pastor Michael, is the Pastor. It was to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the congregation, and to honor the former teachers of St. Peter’s with a service and dinner. I was blessed to be invited to it. It was good to see and talk to Teddy again.

Glen and Roger’s sister, Julie, and her husband, Dr. Marvin Braun, a chiropractor, had come from Gregory, South Dakota. It was great to see them again after not having seen them for many years. There were also relatives, including Debbie and Glen’s grown-up children, their children, and friends who had come from far away.

After the service everyone went out on the lawn so pictures of the graduates could be taken with family and friends. It was great! Many of the old faces we knew are now gone to their eternal home in heaven, but some came up to me – and still recognized me, as I recognized them! We were invited by Roger, his wife, Cathy, Brian, and Katelyn (Brian’s sister) to the Holiday Inn for a delicious lunch. We were all so happy to be together, and enjoyed one another’s company.

Debbie and Glen then wanted to go out to her dear Dad’s resting place, so we did, and stayed there awhile with our thoughts and memories of him. We stopped in at the ROC to be with Tim and the teens; also to be there for Tim’s thought-provoking Bible Talk Time. It is always a pleasure to go there, even as Dick and I enjoyed doing that together. The next day, we attended the St. Mark’s church service and partook of communion. It isn’t often that our friends there see me with family members other than Sue, Tim, and their families. It made me very happy. In the afternoon Debbie and I enjoyed each other’s company, and our dear son-in-law, Glen pressure-washed our patio which somehow had gotten very dirty. Wow, it looks great now! Thank you, Glen! Today faithful Tim came and mowed the lawn. It grows so fast with the rain and sunny days lately. Thank you, Tim.

Tomorrow Brian, Sue and Jim’s, son, and his wife, Jessie are collecting me so that the Weiland family and I, God willing, will attend our youngest grandchild’s (Laura Weiland) graduation from Northland Lutheran Prep in Mosinee, Wisconsin, on Saturday, May 31st. They will be bring me back home Sunday. It will be a blessing to hear son-in-law, Jim, preach again. God be with you ’til we meet again. With love, Irene, Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister, Friend

JUNE PEBBLES FROM THE ROC At our Watertown Recreation & Outreach Center (ROC) for Youth, we proclaim Christ, the Savior of all. After showing the teens God’s love, we then help them live that love in their lives. We pray it was God’s love that motivated the most teens ever to help spread wood chips at Tivoli Island on May 3rd. What a joy it was also to have fun and work alongside the teens for God’s glory.

Please attend the ROC Youth Center Golf Outing on Sunday, June 22, 2014, golf at 3 pm, eat at 7 pm at Watertown Country Club – You can “Golf & Eat” ($58) or just come for the dinner ($20) and the great ROC presentation. Sign a golf team up by June 13th or reserve your dinner. You are also invited to help by donating an auction item or sponsoring a hole. Maybe you also know someone who can donate an auction item. Pass the word – For registration and other info. call Don at 920-261-1319 or e-mail at debartz@charter.net.

FUTURE ROC EVENTS: Please volunteer to help – 920-206-9581. Thanks!

Sunday, June 22, 3:00 (Golf) & 7:00 (Buffet) – ROC Golf Outing

Thurs.-Sat., July 17, 18, 19, 2014 – ROC Rummage Sale

Friday, August 1st, serving 10-3 – Glenn’s Brat Stand

LAURA’S GRADUATION – June 4th

Dear loved ones,

Last Saturday, June 24th, was our youngest granddaughter’s (Laura Weiland, daughter of Sue and Jim) graduation from Northland Lutheran High School in Mosinee, Wisconsin. Brian (one of Laura’s brothers), and Jessica (his sweet wife), picked me up around 6:30 p.m. Friday to go to Merrill to stay at Sue and Jim’s home for the weekend. It was great visiting with them on the way, and the trip went fast.

It was great being with the Weiland family. We enjoyed a fabulous brunch the next morning prepared by our "Susie". It consisted of cheesy potatoes, breakfast burritos, etc. Susie is a wonderful cook and baker. It amazes me how all of Dick’s and my "kids" have grown up to be very mature mothers, grandmothers, fathers, and grandfathers! There are now 81 souls in our immediate family, and all of them have healthy appetites, thanks be to God!

The graduation of the Class of 2014 started at 2:00 p.m. consisting of 18 members. The Mission of Northland is: TOGETHER training leaders by following Christ – Vision: Prepare all students for this life and eternity through premier Christ-centered education – Values: God’s Word, People, Families, Effectiveness, and Excellence. It was a very moving service, and there were tears of both students, and family and friends who attended. It was a very hot day, but everyone (including the little grandchildren of Sue and Jim) was very mindful of the occasion. Dear Laura plans to attend Wisconsin Lutheran College. We wish her God’s richest blessing in whatever she does and wherever she goes. It was a blessing to be with the whole Weiland family, and others (Sandy Kren, who had been the Secretary at St. Mark’s, recognized me, and came and talked to me). It was nice seeing her again). Many pictures were taken after the service, some there not having seen one another in a long time.

After the graduation, we had an out-of-this-world catered meal. Sue and Jim were among the families who had the meal catered. There was delicious chicken, ham (Dick’s favorite), potato salad, cole slaw, and so much more – and plenty of it! Of course, there was cake! Then there was a huge pile of skids (which Sue and Jim had worked hard to get) so that there was a BIG bonfire! It did not ward off hungry mosquitoes which came (I do have a sense of humor) for their feast! Games were played and enjoyed!

The next morning we went to Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church next door to the parsonage. Jim had an interesting sermon on the Ascension of Jesus – The Sermon Text: Luke 24:44-53, and the Sermon Theme: "You’ve Got a Friend in High Places". Laura sang a Latin hymn beautifully. God has graced her with a lovely voice. After the service all of us enjoyed a delightful lunch and visiting in the parsonage. Miss Erin Sankey, accompanied Laura (also the singing at the graduation), was invited to the lunch. She is a member of Mountain of the Lord in Wausau, Wisconsin.

There was a lot of lively visiting after lunch, and then Jessica and Brian brought me back home to Watertown. They took turns driving through a lot of heavy rain on the way. Thank you for transporting me there and back so that I could attend Laura’s graduation. Thank you, Sue, Jim, and all in your family for a very blessed, active, and happy weekend. God bless all of you!

God’s richest blessings to all of you. With much love, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

61st Anniversary – June 6th

Dear loved ones,

Tomorrow, June 7th, is the day that my Dick and I were joined as man and wife in marriage at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Watertown, Wisconsin. God richly blessed us with 81 precious souls in our immediate family. As Matthew 19:26 says: "With God all things are possible".

Please permit me to quote a sweet valentine why Dick made especially for me for our 60th anniversary on his computer (many of you received special cards from him like that).

On the front of it is a beautiful colored picture of a man and woman sitting on a park bench with the moon shining. Above it Dick , My Valentine, printed: "Happy Valentine’s Day, My Cookie".

On one side of the inside of the card he printed::

"Just the other day, I was thinking about what it was like falling in love with you,

I remember saying good-bye for a few hours that seemed like an eternity,

and then counting every minute ’till we could be together again.

I love driving by 911 North Fourth Street.

Memories, Memories, Memories"

On the other side of the inside of the card he printed::

"Most of all I remember the feeling that only falling in love can give.

Those memories are a special part of the love we share today.

Because of them I know that love becomes more beautiful as it grows.

You have been My Valentine for Sixty years now,

And will be My Valentine forever",

Handwritten: "Your Hubby! Who loves you more than words can tell".

And on the back he printed: "Roses are red, violets are blue, Dick made this especially for you".

My prayer is that You and Your Valentine love each other forever too! As my Dick said when he was very ill: 1. Love God 2. Love each other. With those words I wish all of you God’s richest blessings, and with love in Christ, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

UPDATE – June 16th

Dear loved ones,

Wow, another great sunny day coming up! "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" – Psalm 118:24 (NIV). As one old lady told Dick when he first got out into the ministry – "In the life of a Christian every day is a good day. There are no bad days, just different kinds of good days." How blessed we are by our almighty God to be enjoying all the wonders of this earth which He created especially for us! As I sit here writing this, I am enjoying the singing of the birds, music, the sun streaming through the many windows of this wonderful home God provided for us when we came back to Watertown. As Dick always said, "The Lord Will Provide", and He certainly does!

Yesterday I was blessed to hear Tim preach at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ixonia, Wisconsin. The Sermon Text was on: Matthew 28:18-20 -"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." The Theme was: "The True and Only God Tells Us to Go." That Bible passage (KJV) touched my heart when I was a child attending parochial school at St. Mark’s Lutheran School in Watertown. I even then wanted to go to Africa to share the Gospel with the people there. Every Friday morning the "mission donation box" was passed around. My future husband also had the urgency in his heart too to spread the Gospel to the people in Africa. The Lord fulfilled our wishes. How privileged and blessed we were to be missionaries to our loved ones there. All of us are missionaries and obey the command of our loving God to GO and share the Word of God wherever we are and to everyone we meet.

God bless all of you fathers! I hope and pray that you had a great day! There were five fathers celebrating at Sue and Tim’s home. All of us enjoyed a delicious lunch and many of the fathers (and mothers) enjoyed playing soccer afterwards. My dear husband is enjoying all the wonders of heaven eternally with our heavenly Father.

With the great weather we are having after our long cold, icy, snowy winter, I am not on the computer as much. There is much to do outside our condo, and it’s lovely being outside visiting with relatives, neighbors, and friends. Steve came one day last week and took me out for a delicious lunch at Applebees. It was great! Next time he comes (June 22nd), which is when the ROC has its annual Golf Outing, he said he would bring pictures of the European trip he and Melody took. I am looking forward to seeing them.

I have been visiting my cousins – Georgie and Kay Kuckkan, Dorothea Guetzlaff (my cousin’s widow), Ervie and Ardis Kuckkan (live on Kuckkan Lane), and Phyllis Guetzlaff (my cousin’s widow). Also I am visiting neighbors and friends who are in nursing homes. Imagine my surprise when my cousin, Alice (Ebert) Fuchs, and her husband, Richard, came to my door one day! Ali and I were in St. Mark’s Lutheran School all the way from first grade to eighth. We played together when we were children. Dick and I were disappointed when they moved to Melrose, Wisconsin (where their daughter, Rene, lives) about the same time we moved to Watertown. Ali and Rich brought hickory nuts, all shelled, so I can make the family recipe of a "Hickory Nut Cake". They also brought hickory nuts for Marie Dobbratz (a childhood friend of Ali and me) too. They were on their way back to Melrose and asked me to take them to her – which I did. She was elated, invited me into her home, and we had such a lovely visit. Marie is a widow too. She and her husband, Ray, used to own Hafemeister Funeral Home in Watertown. Her sister, Ora, is married to another cousin of mine, Louie Kuckkan. My father had twelve brothers and sisters. The Carl and Johanna Kuckkan "farm" was at: N9556 Oak Hill Road, Watertown, Wisconsin – past Oak Hill Cemetery on a curve before coming to CW. It was a huge farm, but now all the farm buildings are gone, the land has houses built on it, but the house is still there.

As Dick always said, "Have a blessed day!" With God’s richest blessings always and much love, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

St. John’s Cemetery – June 16th

Hi everyone,

Just thought you may be interested in knowing that this afternoon I drove to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (the old first one in which Dick preached once) and cemetery just outside Jefferson, Wisconsin.

Have been thinking of going there because Dick and I went there in the Spring of every year to visit his Mom and Dad’s resting place. I felt that I wanted to go to trim, pull weeds, etc., but especially to go there in memory of them. I know Dick’s sister, Helen, and her beloved husband, Carl’s (who also are in heaven with Jesus) four children, Mark, Christine, Carla, John, and families would like to know that I went there, so this e-mail is also being sent to them.

All of us know that Dick and Helen’s father, Pastor Richard William Mueller, Sr., was a kind, loving, and very dedicated servant of God, serving St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jefferson for over 20 years – also in other congregations, including Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Medford, Wisconsin. All of us know too what a wonderful cook and baker their Mom was, serving delicious and plenty of food (I’ll never forget her great Schaum Torte) on that very formal dining room in the parsonage, with uncles, aunts, and cousins also there. What happy and blessed times they were!

God’s richest blessings and loads of love to all of you, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

I forgot to mention that the little old church and cemetery is called "Christberg". Yes, I am sure that you remember your Grandpa and Grandma Mueller because you were one of our older kids.

Sad to see too that the Koplin farm is not the wonderful "real" farm that I remember with the barn, silo, cows (and corral), pig barn (wow, were those pigs big and fat, rolling around in the mud!), work horses (no tractors – we kids used to ride on top of hay wagons pulled by the horses and backed up into the barn where the hay was pulled up into the hay mow by a huge menacing-looking pronged fork), chickens, cats, dogs, etc.). The Kuckkan farm was the same, but has changed too. Yes, there are houses along and on the hill of the Koplin farm – sad -all that farm land gone! We had a lot of fun on both the Kuckkan and Koplin farms. We played "hide and seek", and found some great places to hide.

Did I tell you that Dad and I were around, and in, the old Koplin house? That is definitely different from what I remember it. The man who lives there met my cousin, Ervin Kuckkan, somewhere. Ervie called us because the man and his wife wanted to know what the farm had been like. So we went there – very nice people – but the house is so different – stuff all over the place! We couldn’t even walk down the hallway upstairs to the bedrooms. One bedroom near the top of the stairs had been made into a bedroom as well as one of the bedrooms downstairs. When I was a kid, there was still an outhouse (there were potties under the feather beds, and catalogs were used for toilet paper in the outhouse). The smokehouse where my Grandpa smoked the meat after they butchered is now a doghouse. The windmill is gone too. The beautiful scene from the top of the hill is also gone. I remember being able to see for miles. We used to see the Northern lights from the top of that hill. I am so glad that Ma gave me the big farm picture – the way you remember it – which is yours!

In the OLD days you could see the Northern Lights at night from the Koplin farm at the top of the hill. They were beautiful, sweeping across the sky! I’ll never forget all the colors.

Dick, I am 84 years old, and when I was little, Ma, Pa, my Grandpas and Grandmas, and others didn’t have electric lights. They had lamps which had a metal bottom with kerosene in it. There was a wick which reached down into the kerosene on the bottom. There was a glass top which was put above the bottom. I think I remember that they took off the glass top and lit the wick with a match, and put the top back on. There was a little thing on the side which a person would turn the light brighter and dimmer. That was the way it was then, can you believe it? They read books and did everything at night by the lamp lights. You can understand why they went to bed early and got up early to do the "chores". That is why the Northern lights could be seen because there weren’t electric lights. They even carried kerosene lamps into the barns when they milked the cows by hand. They hung them up on hooks.

My sisters, Beatie, Lottie, and I were running around the table at night once. The lit lamp was on the table with a tablecloth under it. Someone pulled the cloth, down went the lamp, and there was a fire! Pa grabbed the whole thing and threw it out the door. Yes, Pa protected us. I think all of us got soundly spanked that night. Once there was a snake near the house. He took a hay fork and threw it far away.

Can you believe that there were metal candle holders with real lit candles on real Christmas trees? It was a totally different life, Dick. It was a simple and slower life than everything is nowadays. Everything is so fast, and the main goal, it seems to me, is to make money and have all the material things in life. St. Mark’s now has five services (one Wednesday, one Saturday, and three on Sunday) for the convenience of the people. Dad thought that the huge congregation of over 3,000 people and three pastors, could establish a mission congregation on the west side of Watertown. When I mentioned that to one of the wives of a leader in the congregation, she said, "Why, the Baptists are on that side of Watertown!" I could hardly believe my ears. Where is the mission spirit of spreading the Gospel as Jesus commanded us to do?

Goodnight, Dick, sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite – especially that big one! With God’s richest blessings and much love, Your old, but young at heart, Mom

UPDATE – June 23rd

Dear loved ones,

Wow, where do I start? What a weekend! Sue, Tim, Julie, Tom, Addie, Amelia, Annabelle, Joanne and Jerry Brandt, and I headed to the big Airshow in Milwaukee on Saturday, June 21st. We were to meet Megan, Tim, Timmy, and William at the Lake Michigan shore. We were all excited, and took coolers, snacks, chairs, blankets, umbrellas, sunscreen, cameras, etc. along with us. We were going to see the Blue Angels and the Harrier, and other breath-taking events performed in the sky. There were hundreds of people (many families) there, and the traffic was unbelievable! Even so, we did connect with Megan, Tim, and their boys. The drivers, Tim, Tim, Jr., and Tom dropped our "katundu" and us off at a nice green lawn, and had to park somewhere afar off and walk back to us. The sky was not a pretty blue, but there was lots of fog! The show was to start at 11:00 a.m. Everyone waited, and waited – until 3:00 p.m. when it was announced that there would not be an Airshow because of the fog and weather (a light drizzle). So our drivers walked back to the cars so that they could come and pick everything and us up.

Via cell phone a message was received from Megan and Tim that the window of their car on the passenger side had been smashed and that Tim’s briefcase had been stolen. It was taken daylight, and on a busy street. We went there, and they were waiting for the police to come. When they did, the police told them that there are around 100 "Smash And Grab" in one day on that street. As my dear husband used to say when we had disappointments, "God has His reasons for those things to happen, and will show us the blessings from it." This happened to us often – God is always right! After awhile with them, we left, and Tim fought his way through the very heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic. There were two other huge events taking place in Milwaukee that day. Tim is a very good driver, like his Dad. Joanne Brandt is from Milwaukee, but said, "I used to love Milwaukee when we lived here, but not anymore!" Thank you, Joanne, and Jerry for providing our lunch at noon, and also for the very refreshing Caramel Coffee Mochas. Thank you too, Sue and Tim, for taking me along to the Air Show (which didn’t happen). We did enjoy being together, and visiting with one another. I hadn’t been in downtown Milwaukee for many years, so I loved looking at the old historic mansions.

On Sunday, June 22nd, Tim baptized a baby by the name of "Noelle Marie Fisher", daughter of Brandon and Linda Fisher. It was special because Brandon had been coming to the ROC for many years, and Tim married him and Linda. What a blessing!

Pastor Michael Jensen had a very inspiring sermon on Mark 9:22-25: Christ’s Personal Care 1. Always Compassionate 2. Sometimes Confusing.

Our Steve came to our condo during the afternoon and showed wonderful pictures of his and Melody’s trip to Europe. They left the USA by plane, and then had a 12 day cruise on the "Norwegian Spirit", and bus tours. They were in Toulon, France, Florence, Italy (where they saw the very impressive statue of David by Michelangelo (they were not allowed to take pictures of it), bridges with shops on it, a beautiful ornate domed church, the Leaning Tower of Pisa (they climbed the stairs all the way to the top), sculptures everywhere, Rome, Italy, where they saw the Coliseum, the Trevi Fountain, St. Peter’s cathedral, Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican, and Pompeii (saw two glass encased bodies which were covered by ashes and lava by the Mt. Vesuvius eruption on August 24, A.D. 79). They also went to Istanbul, Turkey, Athens (saw the Acropolis, etc.), Greece, Venice, Italy (rode on a gondola – Mozart stayed at a house along the gondola route), and Barcelona, Spain. Steve said that they had a key card which both opened the door and turned on the electricity. Oh, the joys of traveling! I am so happy that Steve (and Melody) took such a wonderful trip. Steve was only five years old when we came back from Africa, so this was a blessing for him and Melody. They brought back a beautiful silver necklace for me called the "Eye of Wisdom". I think he said they got it for me in Venice, Italy. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for such a lovely gift! I love it!

Steve had also come for the annual Jerry Kastens Memorial Golf Outing for the ROC.at the Watertown Country Club. Besides playing golf, there is a Silent Auction, Program, and Awards Presentations. Brandon, Linda, and their baby "Noelle" were there, and Brandon told everyone how much the ROC had benefited him. Tim did wonderfully presenting the speakers, etc. There was a very delicious (I love their barbecue ribs) dinner with all the trimmings. Thank you, Steve, for treating me again, as you did both Dad and me.

With that I wish all of you God;s richest blessings always. Stay well! With loads of love, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

UPDATE – June 28th

Dear loved ones,

The "Breaking News" is that while Jenny (Sue and Tim’s daughter), Kevin, her husband, and Josh, Jonah, Conner, Tyler, and Ella, were visiting Matthew (Jenny’s brother), Holly, Lilie, and Matt, Jr., in Missoula, Montana, Jenny wrote on Facebook, "Please pray for Kevin! If you know my post from earlier today, you will know how ironic this is, but he fell off a Ripstik today playing with the boys, and broke his hipbone all the way through. He is in surgery in Missoula right now to place pins. Crazy guy is determined to go on to Glacier National Park as planned though. Remembering God is good – ALL the time". Later Jenny wrote, "Kevin is out of surgery and doing fine. He is in recovery, so I haven’t seen him yet, but the doctor was optimistic that he will be bouncing back – with crutches for six weeks, of course." Jenny, Kevin, and all of the children are in our prayers. Our loving God is with us wherever (Missoula Montana) we are and in whatever we do (when unforeseen accidents happen). He gives us super strength which we don’t know we even have when needed.

A lighter side – yesterday our son, Tim, and I went to visit Chris, Bekah, Emma, and Lydia in an apartment into which they just moved. There is a big apartment complex behind Walmart, not too far from our condo. Chris accepted a Call as Principal/Teacher at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran School here in Watertown. They moved from Eagle River, Wisconsin, where he had been Principal/Teacher of Christ Evangelical Lutheran School. They will be looking for a house as time goes by. It was nice to be with all of them, and I was served a plateful of absolutely delicious "Bubble Pizza" which Tim’s wife, Sue, had made. We had a very nice visit. Christopher, Bekah, and children’s new address is: 312-2 Lauren Lane, Watertown, Wisconsin 53094.

On Thursday, June 26th, our daughter, Debbie, called and said that she would like to take me to lunch, and then go to Brandt/Quirk Park (on the west side of Watertown near the High School), and watch Cassie Chmielewski’s team, "Thunder Watertown" play baseball. Debbie was babysitting Aubrey and Brayden (Mark and Jamie’s children), and all of us went to Arby’s for a delicious lunch. When we got to Brandt/Quirk Park, there were loads of people there because there are seven baseball diamonds. I had never been there, and couldn’t believe it! The parking lot was full, but a car pulled out in a very convenient spot as we were looking for one. God performs miracles all of the time, if we only recognize them as such. The weather was beautiful, and it was great to be with Debbie, Aubrey, Brayden, Nicki, Dave, Cassie, and Caleb. I have always loved baseball, having played it at St. Mark’s parochial school when I was a child. There were two baseball diamonds (one on each side of the big square school – no gym at that time). We were thrilled that Cassie’s team won the game! Later when we walked around, I saw a huge refreshment stand, restrooms, and a wonderful sandbox with water available from a faucet so that the children had somewhere to play. They love it! Thank God, there is a faucet where the sand can be washed off the children. Thank you, Debbie, and all, for a very blessed day!

On Tuesday, June 24th, Sue and Tim took me to see the three Domes in Milwaukee. They are amazing – one is "Floral Show", another "Desert", and "Tropical". It was so interesting for me because there are so many different kinds of flowers, bushes, and tall trees (to the top of the Dome) from all over the world. I found plants from Africa which I recognized. After being at the Domes, Sue and Tim took me to the Red Lobster for a great shrimp, rice, Caesar salad, biscuits, and CHEESECAKE dinner! Treating me to the Domes and the Red Lobster were my 84th birthday presents. Thank you for another very blessed day!

All of us know that Sami Jo Heitsch, Steph and Jeff’s daughter, is now working in Omaha, Nebraska. She wrote to me that she is currently posting from RURAL.TVs Facebook page, which is RFD-TV’s sister network. They don’t have many people following the page, so they have asked her to try and increase the following. If you want to see that page, you can see what she is posting". I have posted some of RURAL.TVs postings on my Facebook, so I hope and pray that all of you reading this will help Sami Jo increase the following.

Please keep Kevin, Jenny, and family in your prayers. Missoula, Montana, is a long ways from Lannon, Wisconsin (where they live). All of you are in my prayers. With much love, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

JULY PEBBLES FROM THE ROC At our Watertown Recreation and Outreach Center (THE ROC) for Youth we have a daily Bible/Talk Time. Last night we discussed trusting in the true God and our Savior and never despairing or giving up on God. The subject moved to suicide and how Judas gave up on God and forgiveness, killed himself, and went to hell. The Bible Study then moved to God’s promises and holding to them by faith. The teens were reminded how much God loves them, even going to the cross in their place to pay for their sins. As the Bible/Talk Time ended with "Always Go To The Cross", even though the teens were dismissed, they hung around but with a calmness and quietness not usually seen at THE ROC. They then began encouraging each other as some had admitted in the Bible/Talk Time how they had thought of suicide.

Mark your calendars – The ROC rummage/bake sale will be held July 17, 18 & 19. Receiving will be 12-5 on 7/13, 8-5 on 7/14 & 15 and 8-NOON only on 7/16. Please call Ruth Uttech – 920-261-6772, Pam Erdman – 920-261-9674 or Joyce Zwieg – 920-253-6788 with any questions.

FUTURE ROC EVENTS: Please volunteer to help – 920-206-9581. Thanks!

Thurs.-Sat., July 17, 18, 19, 2014 – ROC Rummage Sale

Friday, August 1st, serving 10-3 – Glenn’s Brat Stand

JULY 8, 2014 – UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

Every day I thank our dear Lord for all of the blessings He bestows on me, especially the blessing of our wonderful family. I know that I am in all of your thoughts and prayers, even as all of you are in my thoughts and prayers. You are always there for me, and keep me so busy that I sometimes wonder where the time goes. Thank you for your love for me.

Through a company by the name of "Gunflint Outfitters", connected with the Canadian Boundary Waters, Debbie’s husband (Glen), Nicki’s husband (Dave Chmielewski), Ann’s husband, (Dave Wilson), and Jamie’s husband (Mark Wilson) went on a fishing trip over the 4th of July. So Debbie invited me to come and join the ladies, their granddaughters, and grandson (Caleb) who did not go.

On July 3rd they picked me up in Watertown, and we went to the shopping mall in Johnson’s Creek. It was fun to watch a baseball game in which Caleb played in the afternoon. The ladies brought hot dogs, popcorn, and beverage which we had watching the game. The morning, July 4th, the ladies and girls made waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, bacon, sausages, and eggs. What a feast that was! We went to the parade in Freistadt, Wisconsin, which was short, but great! When Dick was at the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, I taught first grade at Trinity Lutheran School (at that time the Missouri and Wisconsin Synods were still together). We lived in a second farm home not too far from the school, so in the morning Dick would drop me off at the school, go on to the Sem, and pick me up in the afternoon to go home. There was a 10-year-old son of the people who owned the farm. "Billy Prahl" is now grown up and was in the parade, so after it Debbie found him in the huge crowd (she remembered his much-decorated legion hat in the parade), and he came to see and talk to me. It was such a blessing to be with him after so many years. He told us that he has a disease called "Myasthenia Gravis" He is in our prayers. The crowds visited on the church-school grounds while the band played polkas, ate all kinds of food, bought crafts and plants, and looked at all of the old-time farm implements (some being demonstrated), some of which I remember from my grandfathers’ farms. There was even an old threshing machine. The ladies took me to the church cemetery where Janice Chmielewski (Dave’s Mom’s resting place) is. She was one of my first graders when I taught at Trinity. In the evening the ladies had tacos for supper with all the condiments. Ann made a huge taco (spinach tortilla) for me which I said I couldn’t eat. It was so delicious that I ate every bit of it. Debbie took the cover off of their beautiful swimming pool, and their grandchildren swam. All of them, except Nicki and me, went to see the Germantown fireworks. Nickie went to get "The Son of God" video, which we found to be quite Biblical. What a day! The next morning, Saturday, July 5th, they took me back to Watertown. Thank you, Debbie, for inviting me so that I could have such a wonderful time with your family.

On Sunday, July 6th, I went to St. Mark’s church 7:30 a.m. church service, and sat with my cousin, Louis Kuckkan, his wife, Ora, and her sister, Marie Dobbratz (also a widow). Sue and Tim were out of town. Sue, Tim, Joanne and Jerry Brandt, and I were invited for the evening to Megan and Tim’s lovely home in Muskego, Wisconsin. Sue and Tim now have 14 grandchildren. Holly, Matt, Lilie, and Matt, Jr. are still in Missoula, Montana (where Matt is vicaring until August when they will be coming back so he can finish the one year at the Seminary before graduating as a Lutheran pastor), so they weren’t there. What a joy it was to see all of those little ones running around and playing in the big plastic "playpen" the neighbor let them play in. It was an even greater blessing and joy when Jenny, Kevin, and their five children arrived! Kevin had broken his hip when he fell off a "ripstik", so he is on crutches. Jenny drove the long ways from Missoula, Montana. We thank God for guarding and protecting them all that way. The food was unbelievably delicious! There were relishes with dressings. Tim II grilled wonderful just-right hamburgers, brats, and hot dogs. Megan made taco salad, macaroni and cheese, etc. which were all soooo good. Then Tim II and Tom (Julie’s husband) showed us their expertise in shooting off fireworks. Wow, they were awesome, especially the one that went off in the trash can and made a huge BOOM!!!! The children were given snaps which they had fun with popping. My clothes and all of me smelled like gunpowder which I remedied by washing them and taking a bath. Thanks be to God, all of us had a wonderful time together. Thank you for having me, Megan and Tim II.

Tim I came yesterday, Monday, July 7th, He mowed our lawn, adjusted my TV so that I again could have a picture (I somehow pushed the wrong buttons), set up my computer so that I could order my pictures from Walmart, straightened two poles which were bending from the weight of plants, put up our "loon" banner, told me what to do (on the phone) with the printer so it would work. etc. I remember when his Dad told me the same thing. Am I forgetting in my old age? I thank God for all that I still can do.

We thank our loving Lord for bringing Jenny, Kevin, and children home safely. Please keep Kevin, Jenny, and family in your prayers. He was told he will be on crutches for six weeks. Please keep Jessica, Brian Weiland’s sweet wife, in your prayers, especially on July 22nd, when she will be having a heart operation. The doctor may put in a pacemaker. Jesus is with us wherever we are and in whatever we do. We thank Him for bringing Melody and Steve safely back from their European trip. Also keep Wanda and Dick in your prayers as they make the trip to Spokane, Washington, to visit Cary, Grant, and their four sons from July 12-19.

God bless each and every one of you. With much love in Christ, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

JULY 14, 2014 – UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

How thankful we are to our loving Lord for the great weather we had this weekend. I hope and pray that all of you had a blessed and happy weekend as I did. Yesterday, July 13th, Sue, Tim, and I attended the church service at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church here in Watertown. Pastor James Werner preached the sermon based on Ezra 5:1-3, 6:6-12. The theme was: "The Lord Cares For His People" – 1. There are those who want to stop God’s people from their work. 2. God carries out his plans. He said that "we as Christians must stand firm in our faith, and not be afraid to witness to others". Yes, we need to courageously and lovingly talk to others about how our dear Jesus suffered and died for all of us because the devil wants to "
"snatch" us away from God into eternal hell fire.

After the service we went to the St. Mark’s School Commons for the annual Alpha Life Resource Center’s Ice Cream Social. The delicious menu consisted of choices of hot turkey, hot pork, hot dogs, potato salads, baked beans, homemade desserts, banana splits, and sundaes made with Mullen’s ice cream. More family members and friends joined us, and we had a wonderful meal. Saturday evening I had loaded my little 1998 Chevy Cavalier (with the back seat down) with donations for the 11th Annual ROC Rummage/Bake Sale which will be on July 17, 18, and 19, so on the way home I stopped at the Trinity/St. Luke’s Gym to drop them off. All proceeds from the Rummage Sale go for the support of the ROC. It is always a huge success, thanks to our loving Lord who moves the hearts of hard-working, kind, and generous people.

Sunday afternoon Julie and Tom had a combined birthday party for their three daughters – Addie, Amelia, and Annabelle. It was really something – they outdid themselves! It was at a park by the name of "Imagination Station" in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. It had a wonderful huge fenced-in playground, many picnic tables under tall trees which provided shade beautifully, and rest rooms nearby. I had never been there before, and was pleasantly surprised. It was the perfect place for a birthday party with so many (12) little children (Sue and Tim’s grandchildren, and some of our great grandchildren). All of us missed Holly, Matt, Lilie, and Matt, Jr. – Matt is still vicaring in Missoula, Montana – but they will be coming back to Wisconsin, and God willing, Matt will finish his last year at the Seminary in Mequon before receiving his pastoral Call into the ministry. Tom provided fun games – some with balloons (water in some of them). There was a little breeze, and it was great to see the children running after them. The food, of course, was fantastic! There were sub sandwiches, taco salad, macaroni salad, etc., and three beautiful birthday cakes, one for each child, which dear Julie had baked and iced! Wonderful gifts were opened by Addie, Amelia, and Annabelle after the meal. How richly God has blessed we Americans! How thankful we should be! Thank you, Julie and Tom, for the great time, and thank you, Sue and Tim, for taking me there and back.

On July 10th Tim fixed the brakes on the back of my car. It was okay to drive it, but there were weird noises when I used them. We went to the Auto Zone to get the parts, and went back to their home where he took the wheels off and worked hard putting in the new parts. He had to rush off to the ROC after that. I am so grateful – thank you, Tim – you are extra-ordinary and a blessing to me! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

On July 9th I went to the ROC where Dick and I had often gone to be with the teens, volunteers, and Tim. This time Mayor John David, Chief of Police Tim Roets, and two women, Jenna Wagner, and Gretchen Block were there. As quoted in Voice of the People in the Watertown Daily Times: "A program called Y.E.S. – Youth Employment Success is offered to the teens. The goal is to guide local teens in understanding and experiencing ways to successfully search for employment, fill out job applications, and achieve interview excellence. Five teens successfully completed the program and were given certificates. Our community is very blessed to have dedicated people, such as Pastor Mueller, Chief Roets, and Mayor David supporting and guiding our community." It was a very blessed and enjoyable evening.

It is another absolutely beautiful day. There is more "rummage" in the car to take for the ROC Rummage Sale, so with that, God be with all of you ’til we meet again. With much love, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

JULY 19, 2014 – UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

What beautiful weather we are having now after a cold spell. It is supposed to be 82 degrees today. Perhaps summer is finally here in Wisconsin. We thank God for it, but pray for so many people who are having terrible things happening to them in this world. I was saddened, but joyful, to hear from Pastor Robert Glasgow in Pueblo, Colorado, that my good friend, Missionary Hilda Kretzmann (whose husband, Missionary Ted, went to heaven quite a few years ago) went to live with Jesus on July 11, 2014. She was 100 years old, and we corresponded with each other regularly through the years I miss her. She and her husband were very dedicated missionaries, and are laid to rest in Cuba, Missouri.

On Sunday, July 15th, I went to Aero Park (only a few blocks from our condo) to join the OWLS for a potluck picnic. Many people from the four WELS church in Watertown and other area WELS churches in the area came. The potluck food was plentiful and delicious. I took scalloped potatoes and a pecan pie which disappeared fast. It was a cool day, but all of us enjoyed being together. My Honey and I used to go together to the OWLS and enjoyed it. Pastor Dave Plocher took pictures of the group for the WELS Forward in Christ.

The huge ROC Rummage Sale was opened with prayer (by Tim, our son (Pastor/Director of the ROC), on July 17th at Trinity-St. Luke’s Lutheran School gym and is ending this noon, July 19th. A lot of donations came in, and many hard-working teens and volunteers sorted out everything, and neatly arranged it on at least 100 tables. Our son, Tim, and others went to get the tables from at least two places; one out of town. Today what is left will be packed up, and all the tables will be taken back to the owners. Any offerings people want to give out of love for their dear Lord and the teens are used to help the ROC. Thank God for so many generous, willing, and kind people!

All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you richly. With much love, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, NOT YOUR WORRIES

JULY 28,2014 – UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

May this Update find all of you well and happy. I made a decision to give you and myself a break – caught up on some of the things in and around our condo. Last summer I went to the Aquatic Center to swim, but the weather has been so cool, except for one day when the temperature was in the 90s. It looked like rain here yesterday, and we did get a sprinkling, but there hasn’t been much for at least a week. Los Angeles (Riverside), where my sister, Janet (Jannie) and her husband live, and Palm Springs, California, where another sister, Doloris (Lottie) lives, are in dire need of rain. Hope and pray that none of you have been affected by all the fires, storms (lightning), floods, etc. that have been happening. I do know that Dick’s sister, Helen’s, daughter, Christine, who lives in the state of Washington, said: "One of my coworkers lives in Pateros and he and his wife lost their home to the fire. They lost absolutely everything. So very sad". Christine lives not too far from Pateros.

One of the things I have been doing is making "phone shut-in visits". Dick and I visited St. Mark’s shut-ins, and others, in Golden Living Center as long as he could. He had devotions and gave them communion. Now, if I don’t visit with them personally, I make contact via phone, with relatives and friends I haven’t seen or heard from for awhile, especially if they live out-of-state. I visit some in their homes here in Watertown. They welcome me, and we have wonderful visits, talking about our faith, families, etc. It’s a real blessing!

Pastor James Werner (plans to retire next year) preached a very edifying sermon last Sunday. The sermon was based on Ezra 9:5-15. His theme was: "Look What We Have Done", and the parts were: 1. The shame and disgrace that overwhelms 2. Yet the Lord has been patient and merciful. Yes, our dear God is very long-suffering. When He (not Mother Nature) talks to us, we should listen. Ezra 9:5-15 tells what happened to the children of Israel when they didn’t listen to Him. We are all in God’s almighty hands!

We thank our loving Lord for preserving Sue and Tim after a near accident in which a woman behind their car was going to "plow" into the back of their car (if Tim hadn’t swerved to the left) , went airborne, and into the Windwood Country Club quarry-pond! Tim called the EMS and police for help. The woman was not hurt, escaped through the open sun roof of her car, and swam to shore. Tim told her the Lord kept her safe to have her glorify Him yet on this earth.

Also, we thank our dear God for keeping Jessica Weiland (Brian’s wife) safe after heart (tachycardia) surgery on July 22nd. She is doing quite well, and said that she hopes and prays that she will be able to return to work as an Occupational Therapist soon. Our prayers are answered.

You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing you God’s richest blessings and with much love, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

AUGUST PEBBLES FROM THE ROC Our gracious Lord blessed us with a beautiful day and a great Golf Outing for THE ROC Youth Center, held on Sunday, June 22nd. For the presentation, two young adults, who had attended the ROC in the past, Brandon and Bryan Fisher, shared their thoughts about why they think THE ROC is such a blessing. Brandon is now a manager at Hardees and Bryan is on the Johnson Creek Fire Department. Brandon also brought his family and mentioned how he and his wife were married by Pastor Mueller and their new baby, Noel, had been baptized that morning by Pastor Mueller. Their strong feelings about THE ROC touched the hearts of those who attended. The Gospel of our Savior, taught and proclaimed at THE ROC, has touched thousands of teen hearts. Since WELS Kingdom Workers can no longer fund the outing, an additional encouragement came with an individual anonymously donating $5,000 matching funds. The amount raised for THE ROC totaled $11,324 which includes the matching funds from the donor and Thrivent. Next year’s Golf Outing will be on Sunday, June 28th, 2015. A look into dinner options will be needed as the price is going up for the buffet. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard on the event and all those who donated to make it successful.

August 6, 2014 – UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

Just had a wonderful phone conversation with one of our six children this morning, and my heart was moved when the dear one’s favorite Bible passage was quoted during our conversation. It is 1 Peter 5:10: "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." I was reminded of what my dear husband said during his suffering, "What is our suffering compared to the suffering which Jesus went through for us? He suffered, and died, for us!

I have decided to shorten my UPDATES. Everyone’s lives are "fast and furious" with so many happenings these days. There are 81 souls in our immediate family. Hey, how about each family sending an UPDATE of the happenings in their family members’ lives? It doesn’t have to be long – just a short e-mail. I know I would be thankful and happy to receive them.

On Friday, August 1st, the ROC (Watertown Recreation & Outreach Center For Youth served its annual delicious lunch at Glenn’s Brat Stand. The ROC Staff, Friends & Youth served and cooked Sheboygan Brat, special Turkey-Italian Brat, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, sauerkraut, chips, soda, or water. It was great, as usual. There are picnic tables, and I sat with two secretaries from the St. Mark’s church office. God provided wonderful beautiful weather for this blessed occasion for which we were very thankful.

On Sunday, August 3rd, we went to Jenny and Kevin’s home to celebrate Jonah and Tyler’s birthdays. The kids had a great time sliding down an inflatable waterslide, while we adults visited and watched the little ones (they had a sandbox to play in). Jenny and Kevin’s yard is beautiful with a great vegetable garden, very tall old trees to provide shade, etc. They have worked very hard to make it that way. Kevin is still on crutches because of breaking his right hip, but soon, thanks be to God, should be without them. The food was "out of this world". There were fantastic quesadillas with all kinds of fillings, and opening of gifts by Jonah and Tyler. The weather was great except for a quick shower which shoo’d us all into the house, but after it, we were able to go outdoors again.

Laura, Sue and Jim’s daughter, has a lead role in DC Everest Academy of the Art’s production of CATS from August 14th -17th. This will be her last community production before she goes off to WLC for college.

Matt, Holly, Lilie, Matt, Jr., and Holly’s Mom are on their way back from Missoula, Montana, where Matt vicared for a year. They will be arriving in Wisconsin on Saturday. Matt has one year to go at the Seminary. graduate, and receive his Call from God into the ministry.

My prayers are for all of you. I ask you to pray for everyone. As ! Thessalonians 5:17 says: "Pray without ceasing" – (KJV).

With God’s richest blessings and much love, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Friend Sister

August 7, 2014 – Weiland family update

The Weiland family household update;

James continues to study, study, study yet for another national certification in computer network engineering and works full time in the field. Karen graduated with her Occupational Therapy Assistant degree and landed a job right down the road from their place in Slinger.

Brian is completing his internship in Psychology in Waterford in a high risk juvenile center. He looks forward to graduating with his doctorate at the end of August. Jessica works in Gurnee, Illinois as an Occupational Therapist. They live in Kenosha but will be moving up to the Wausau area after Brian graduates. Brian will be working for the Behavioral Health Clinic and Jess is looking for a part time job.

Becky has been promoted to manager of funding at Foundation Finance in Wausau. Patrick works in maintenance at a local factory and Gabe will be starting the third grade at St. Peters in Schofield this fall. They reside in Schofield.

Christina will soon take her last name of Weiland back again since her marriage to Mike has ended. She fought a long and hard struggle to better Mike as we all did but without success. Keep him in your prayers as he too has a soul that our loving Savior died for. Christina, Gracie and Miley live with us as Nina continues to work at Our Way, Inc. as a caregiver. (Anyone that has questions about Nina and Mike’s divorce, don’t be afraid to ask as we are an open book. )

Laura has closed her high school chapter of her life and has chosen to attend Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee this fall. She is still undecided as to what she wants to major in but she’ll probably minor in Spanish. She’s excited and up for the challenge. She’s hoping to be involved in theater and musical productions on campus and in the community.

Jim and I continue with the same O, same O at my job and in his ministry. Christ Lutheran is expanding as we are running out of "elbow room". Good problem to have! The Lord’s richest blessings to all of you! Love Sue

August 20, 2014 – UPDATE OF THANKS TO GOD

Dear loved ones,

How blessed I am to have such a loving, caring, family! God richly blessed my wonderful Honey and me. As the Word of God says in Psalm 118:24 – "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (NIV)." Each and every day is a blessing, and we thank our amazing God for every single one of them. One of the most exciting days was when a newsletter from Holly and Matt Mueller arrived from Missoula, Montana (where Matt vicared) on July 28th, saying at the end: "Last we have one more big thing going on. It is tiny now but won’t be for long. It doesn’t have a name yet. It is growing arms and legs. And is due God willing in Feb/March, 2015!!! It is baby #3!!!." Wow, what a surprise that was! I am truly thankful for another blessing from God, and are looking forward to great grandbaby #36. Matt, Holly, and family are now back in Wisconsin, and soon Matt will be attending Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon. Sue and Tim had a "Welcome Back" party for them on August 10th at their home. Their whole family, Joanne and Jerry Brandt, and I were there. Again, all of the food was delicious, and we had a great time together.

Another great blessing which our dear Lord has bestowed on our family is having Chris, Bekah, Emmaline, and Lydia Mueller living here in Watertown at 312-2 Lauren Lane (in a apartment behind Walmart and not too far from me), Watertown, Wisconsin 53094. Chris accepted the Call from God to be Principal of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran School. Julie (Chris and Matt’s sister) and Tom Pasch’s oldest child, Addie, will be attending school at St. John’s, and is "so very excited (Julie wrote on Facebook), and wants to start tomorrow!" We are blessed and happy to have them with us here in Watertown.

WOW – what a weekend I had! Our Susie came all the way from Merrill, Wisconsin, to collect me on Friday morning, August 15th, and take me there. On the way back she had a great surprise for me. It was lunch (shared a delectable bacon/chicken wrap) at Tiki Beach next to Lake Du Bay. What a beautiful place it is – sandy beach with people swimming, boats, tables, chairs, umbrellas under which to eat lunch, etc.! In the evening she and Jim took me to the park in Wausau to see and hear KOINE, a WELS Christian rock band. What a lovely evening it was. Many people attended, and we were not disappointed. Sue and Laura had attended a previous concert and Laura had sung "Abide With Me" (Acappella) with the lead singer. He remembered Laura, and told Sue "noone ever had the guts to come up and ask to sing with him".

On Saturday night, the 16th, I saw and heard Laura perform from a front row seat in a lead role in CATS at DC Everest Senior High School. It was fantastic! We were happy that Becky (Laura’s sister), Pat, their son, Gabe, and Cathy, Roger (Glen’s brother), and Brian (a very good friend of Laura’s) Wilson could be there. One of the CATS talented lead singers jumped off the stage, came to me, and took a selfie picture of us. Dear Laura had arranged it as a surprise for me. Lots of colored confetti paper was dropped on us. After the musical many pictures were taken (they weren’t allowed during the performance).

On Sunday morning we attended church and took communion at Christ Lutheran. Jim preached a very interesting, inspirational, sermon on the Text: Romans 8:26,27. His Sermon Theme was: "The Holy Spirit — Your Invisible Prayer Partner". Christ Lutheran is blessed to be building an addition to their church. I walked all around it and took many pictures. It is so exciting for me because Dick and I were blessed to be with other excited people when WELS churches and parish halls were built in Africa and the USA. After the service we had a great lunch at Sue and Jim’s home, and also celebrated little Miley (Christina’s daughter) Golomb’s 2nd birthday. Where does the time go?

On Monday it was time to head for Pioneer Park where Sue and I would stay overnight, and where Sue and Tim still were on their vacation, and would take me to Watertown with them. It was a sad time because Laura was headed to Wisconsin Lutheran College where she would attend school. Brian Wilson offered to take her there. When Sue and I did go on the road, she had to drive through a severe storm in Waupaca. She is a very good driver. It was a blessing for me to be back in the trailer at Pioneer Park. Happy, blessed, old memories of Dick and our families being together there came back. We stayed overnight in the trailer, and the next morning went down to the swimming pool. At first the sky was cloudy, but then thankfully the sun came out and we had a "fun in the sun" day. It was time to head for home, Sue back to Merrill, and Sue, Tim, and I to Watertown. Thank you all for a very blessed weekend! It was fun!

Thanks to our loving God for everything He does for us and gives us. What would we do without Him? God bless all of you. With much love, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Friend Sister

August 26^th – UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

"Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!"

Yes, ALL blessings flow from our loving God! He proves that to me every single day! Last weekend was another blessed and happy weekend for our loved ones and me! On Sunday, August 24th, at 9:30 AM, Christopher Scott Mueller, our dear grandson (son of Sue and Tim), was installed at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church as Principal, Teacher, and Athletic Director of St. John’s School here in Watertown. He and his wife, Rebekah, have two beautiful girls named Emmaline and Lydia. Pastor Rodney Warnecke preached the very inspirational sermon. His Sermon Text was Galatians 5:22-23 – "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." His Sermon Theme was: "Be a Lot Patient". Chris is greatly looking forward to sharing the saving message of God’s Word with the children and families at St. John’s.

After the service there was a potluck! Oh, how Dick, our children, and I loved potlucks! And what a wonderful. delectable, potluck it was! Ham and baked potatoes (both Dick’s favorites), all kinds of indescribable salads and desserts! I followed in my Honey’s footsteps and thanked the kind ladies who served all the relatives and friends who came to share in the joy of this very blessed day for Chris, his parents, sisters, brothers, other relatives, and friends. God bless you, Chris, Bekah, Emmaline, and Lydia, as you begin another chapter of your lives!

God continues to shower His blessings! At 1:00 PM the same day Karen and James Weiland (Sue and Jim’s son) "collected" me from home, and took me to the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology where Brian Weiland (also Sue and Jim’s son) received a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology after 10+ years of education after High School. Dick and I had been there together when Brian had received his Master’s. Almost all of the Weiland family sat just near the graduates. I could hardly believe it that there was only one seat between the very grownup Brian and me (needless to say, I thought of my dear husband. God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.) All of the graduates were dressed in "Academic Regalia" – the gown, the hood, and the cap and tassel. What a thrill it was when Brian walked up on the stage, was congratulated by the administrators and speakers, received his diploma, and the hood that was hung over his shoulders and down his back!

After the graduation, congratulations were given by relatives and friends, and many pictures were taken. The Weiland family and I then went to Carrabba’s, a wonderful Italian restaurant! It was a happy and joyful occasion. Sad to say, I could not do justice to a whole dinner, so Susie and I shared one. She made a very good, delicious, choice. More pictures were taken, and then it was time for me to be taken home by kind Karen and Jimmy. What would I do without all of our family of 81 (almost 82) gifts from our loving God? Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you do for me!

A BIG thank you to all those who e-mailed me to make changes or corrections in addresses, phone numbers, etc. Dick originally wrote the family and long address lists. They were out-of-date, so one day I decided to tackle them and "try" to bring them up-to-date. Please pardon any mistakes. I am not as adept as my sweet husband was at the computer. God bless you for bearing with me.

With God’s richest blessings and much love in Christ, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

August 31^st – Beautiful Picture

Dear loved ones,

This beautiful picture, sent to me by a very good friend, reminds me of when Dick and I lived in a beautiful home 10 miles from Medford, Wisconsin, when our son, Tim, was Pastor of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church where we were members. There was a big pond (below the top of a hill where the home was), and many deer and beautiful flocks of birds came to our feeders. Dick had a table with corn on it for the deer, and one day a doe came with her fawn, and we watched from our living room window a few feet away from the table, where they were eating the corn. We stood there in awe! There were wonderful birch trees (with leaves which turned brown, orange, red, and orange in the fall), and our home was surrounded by tall oak trees! What blessed memories I have!

With God’s richest blessings and much love, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister, Friend

SEPTEMBER PEBBLES FROM THE ROC SO MUCH MORE – Every time we have an event for THE ROC, we enjoy SO MUCH MORE than what is on the surface. For example, over $11,000 was raised for THE ROC from the recent ROC Rummage Sale. But SO MUCH MORE happened in connection with the rummage sale that is priceless. It is truly amazing to watch how many volunteers, out of love for their Savior and others, give so much of their time, with some helping every day of the sale. The fellowship among the volunteers is unique and extremely close. Many people attending the sale asked questions about THE ROC, and we were able to share not only pertinent information about THE ROC, but also how THE ROC stands on our Savior and God. People in need were given the opportunity at the end of the sale to take, for free, whatever would be of help to them. A homeless family, which included a teen who is now attending the ROC due to contact at the rummage sale, was helped tremendously. The list of priceless moments could go on and on. We thank our Lord for His blessings and we thank all those who give so much to the mission and ministry of THE ROC.

Volunteers to help supervise are greatly needed at THE ROC. Helping at THE ROC is a great volunteer opportunity for Christ as you can help as little as a few hours a month or every week. Stop by to talk to Pastor Mueller to see if serving at THE ROC is meant for you. Thank you.

September 3^rd – UPDATE

Wow, what a surprise Sue, Tim (Amelia and Annabelle, Julie and Tom’s daughters), and I had yesterday! I decided to go and visit them around 4:00 pm – was driving along North 4th Street when my cell phone rang from my purse. I was near a thrift shop, so pulled in the parking lot under a shade tree, and got there in time to answer it. It was Steph, our youngest daughter! I was so happy she called, told her where I was, and that I was on my way to Sue and Tim’s home. The communication on the phone was terrible (thought something is wrong with my phone), and suddenly she was gone! I got to Sue and Tim’s and was in their home when Tim said, "Mom, someone is looking at your car, and they’re coming to the door!" At first I didn’t recognize Steph, never expecting her to be in Watertown, and then I did – what excitement! Both of them looked great! They had gone to Goodrich, Wisconsin (near Medford where Tim and Sue lived, and where Dick and I retired in a beautiful home in the woods about 10 miles from Medford). Both Tim and Dick had preached at St. Andrew, the church at Goodrich. Debbie Uhlhorn Rothe, Steph’s roommate from Northwestern Prep had gotten married to Pastor Joe Dietrich, the Pastor there. We visited with Steph and Jeff, took pictures, and then they were on their way again to visit our son, Steve, and his wife, Melody, in West Bend. Jeff has a funeral on Saturday in Cheyenne he was asked to conduct, so he will be flying back. Steph has a Conference in Michigan and will be flying back to Cheyenne on the 10th. It was a real blessing to be with them, but I am thankful we had such a nice "short but sweet" visit. God be with them ’til we meet again.

As I mentioned, Amelia and Annabelle were being babysat by their Grandparents, Sue and Tim. Julie and Tom took Addie, their oldest child, to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Sue has had a terrible cold (which she thankfully is over with), so last Sunday it was Tim, Amelia, and me attending the church service at St. Mark’s. I was invited, along with Jenny, Kevin, their four boys, and little girl, and Bekah, Chris, their two girls, and ? (to be born in March, 2015) to Sue and Tim’s home for a delicious lunch. Tim grilled hamburgers and wieners. It reminded me of when my dear husband’s mother said to me once, "Irene, I don’t know of anyone who makes such "fat" hamburgers as you do!" Like mother, like son, because Tim’s are as fat as mine. What an absolutely beautiful day it was! The older children swam in the pool, and the little ones were playing in the "baby pool". Thank you, God for another blessed day!

I asked everyone on Sunday if anyone would want an aloe vera plant, so Monday Bekah (Chris’s wife), Emma, and Lydia came to the condo. We had a wonderful visit together; Bekah is so interested in our mission work of the Lutheran Church of Central Africa. She turned me on because I could not stop talking about it, showed her the books of Dick’s and my Memoirs, and directed her to go to Google and type – THIRIVENT RICHARD MEMOIRS! Thank you, Bekah for being so interested! God bless you! While we were talking, another blessing was happening! We saw Tim mowing our lawn. That grass grows so fast, I cannot believe it! God bless you too, Tim!

This coming Sunday, September 7th, is my dear husband, Dick’s, birthday. He would be 85 years old! Where have all the years gone? I am donating the bulletins at St. Mark’s in his memory. I have so many wonderful blessed memories of him, as you do too. He was a precious gift from our loving God to me, his children and spouses, our grandchildren and spouses, and our great grandchildren. He is living in heaven with Jesus, and someday we will too. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers.

God’s richest blessings and much love, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

P.S. Sorry if I made any "boo-boos" (there are ONLY 81 gifts from our loving Lord in our immediate family. Please let me know if I did!

September 8^th – Memorable Weekend UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

Yes, it was a very memorable weekend! On Thursday (September 4, 2014) morning our daughter, Debbie, called and told me that she (Aubrey and Brayden – her and Glen’s grandchildren – would like to pick me up, have lunch, and spend the afternoon at their magnificent swimming pool. What a surprise – I was elated! It was an absolutely beautiful day! We went to hers and Glen’s home in Colgate, ate a mountainous sandwich, and swam in the pool. Dick’s and our little great grandson, William Arden Mueller (Timothy and Megan Mueller’s son) had challenged me to do the "ice bucket challenge"! What better place to do it than in Debbie and Glen’s sparkling swimming pool! Aubrey and Brayden (our great grandchildren) were delighted, and so was I! They dumped ice water with ice on my head two times, but the video phone camera didn’t work, so they did it the third time! It was great! It is on Deborah Wilson’s Facebook, and also on mine (Irene Mueller) I nominated Caleb Chmielewski, Gabriel Kluck, and Jonathan Caban (three more of our great grandchildren). After the delightful afternoon, Debbie took Aubrey and Brayden to their home, and then took me back to Watertown. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Debbie, and your sweet grandchildren for "making my day"! (The ALS does not receive the donations because of its embryonic stem cell research). I saw that Susie’s husband, Jim, did the "ice bucket challenge", with Gabe pouring the ice water and ice on his head! It was done at the end of the pier, and then – WOW! Jim did a flip into the water!

When I got home that day, I was checking my e-mails and Facebook on the computer, and there was an experience which our daughter, Susie, had. It might have been disastrous, but thanks be to our almighty God, he sent His holy angels to spread their wings over her and protect her. Yes, there are the joys, and sorrows, in ALL of our lives! To find out what I am talking about, please look on her or my Facebook page, "Susan R Mueller Weiland", "Irene Mueller", or call her via cell phone – 715-440-4245. God is with us wherever we are and in whatever we do!

Yesterday, September 7, 2014, would have been my dear husband’s 85th birthday. I went to the 10:45 church service at St. Mark’s. Pastor James Werner preached a sermon on Psalm 119:102-105. The theme was: "God’s Word is a Beehive and a Lighthouse for Us". The parts were: 1. It gives me understanding 2. It guides my life. After the service Bekah, Chris, and their two girls, Emmaline and Lydia, invited Sue, Tim, and me to their home for a scrumptious breakfast – then home to change clothes, and go with them to Silver Lake in Oconomowoc to swim, go boating, skiing, etc. It was another fantastic day with "Fun in the Sun"!

God’s richest blessings and much love to all of you, Irene Mom Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister, Friend

September 10^th –Some Good News

What would begin as just another late summer afternoon, would end up being a summer afternoon one Merrill woman will never forget. The afternoon of Friday, Sept. 5, began for Sue Weiland as many other afternoons; visiting her horse stables near Hillview Road in the Town of Pine River. That afternoon, Weiland picked her 10-year-old Quarter/Arabian horse “Pepsi” as her riding partner. “I normally ride by myself,” Weiland explains. “We had come to a creek and attempted to cross, but due to all the rain lately, it wasn’t a creek anymore. The water had become very deep and came up to my hips. So to be safe, I dismounted from Pepsi and led her by her rope. Normally she doesn’t follow me into the water. But for some reason, that day she decided to,” Weiland adds. That is when things took a downhill plunge for Weiland and her beloved horse, literally. Within seconds, Pepsi was up to her shoulders in water and began to panic. “As she panicked, she pulled her halter and bridle off and went under for the first time and started swimming toward the Pine River, which was about 30 yards away. I was still in a safe position, so I swam after her and tried to grab for her. Since she had lost her bridle and halter, I had nothing to grab for but her mane. I lost my grip and when she turned around I tried to grab her again, this time by her tail. But I just couldn’t hold on,” Weiland explains. Weiland soon found herself and Pepsi washed into the very swift Pine River. Weiland was able to pull herself ashore, but watched helplessly as Pepsi was swept away by the current. “I watched as she went down river. Her head under water several times, I knew she was drowning.” Weiland adds. “I had tossed my cell phone ashore earlier, so adding to my feeling of helplessness was having no way to call for help!” Weiland decided to make a run for a nearby farmhouse instead, which was approximately ¾ of a mile away. There, she used a landline telephone to call the Lincoln County 911 Communications Center. “The dispatcher on the other end was amazing,” Weiland says. “She calmed me down right away, and was very patient me even though I was frantic by that point.” Almost immediately, three deputies from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office were en route. “They came out and looked for over an hour,” Weiland explains. “While they looked, I called my husband and he came out to meet me. As we were talking about what had happened, I suddenly had a hunch where she might be. After all, she could have been still alive since deputies couldn’t find her.” Sue and her husband headed out to a swampy area about 3/4 of a mile down river from where Pepsi went in. They were overjoyed to see her standing in the swamp, safe and sound. “She had gotten out on her own and got up on shore. She was in swampy area, so when she seen me she couldn’t run toward me, but was so happy to see me! She whinnied and ran around in circles,” Sue Weiland adds with a delighted laugh. “I dropped to my knees and thanked the lord she was still alive.” Sue Weiland would like to express his sincere gratitude to the 911 dispatcher who provided a calm, patient presence in taking the call. She would also like to thank Deputy Travis Watruba, Investigator Brian Kingsley and Deputy Zach Dorr for their tireless efforts in looking for Pepsi, as well as Melissa whose phone was available and her husband Jim, for his patience and knowing the love she has for her horses. – See more at:http://www.merrillfotonews.com/Content/Default/Breaking-News/Article/Deputies-answer-call-of-Pepsi-in-peril/-3/37/7481#sthash.RFb73ptr.dpuf

September 15^th –UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

My thoughts and prayers were with our dedicated son-in-law, Pastor Jeffrey Heitsch, Pastor of Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church, Cheyenne, Wyoming, who was recognized yesterday, Sunday, September 14, 2014, especially for his 25 years in the ministry faithfully serving our dear Lord. Relatives and friends were invited by the congregation for a special service at Good Shepherd. How I wish that Cheyenne, Wyoming, would be a little bit closer so that I could have joined Jeff, Steph, their family, relatives, and friends in the blessed and joyous occasion. Sami Jo, their daughter, has a photo on her Facebook status showing the beautiful cake with Steph and Jeff’s wonderful pictures taken on the day (May 26, 1989) he graduated from the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, and how they look now. Many of our dear loved ones who were there on that day are now living with Jesus in heaven. God bless you always, Steph, Jeff, and family!

A few words about Steph and Jeff’s dear daughter, Sami Jo – she is now living in Omaha, Nebraska, working in social media for RFDTV and RURALTV. It made me very happy when she called me last week, and we had a nice talk. She said that her supervisor quit for RFDTV and so now she is working for both channels. God’s richest blessings, Sami!

All of you know that our Susie was on her horse, and had quite a harrowing experience in the fast-flowing Pine River, which she wrote about in her special e-mail. She said she was "super scared"! We thank our loving Lord for being with her (and Pepsi) so that all turned out well. Thank God too that Dick and I taught all of our six children to swim when they were babies! Every night I pray for all 81of our loved ones in our immediate family, and others. God hears, and answers, our prayers. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

On September 11, 2014, our Tim (Pastor/Director of the ROC – Recreation & Outreach Center for teens) was honored as being one of the "ORDINARY PEOPLE – EXTRA ORDINARY CITIZENS of Watertown, Wisconsin, at the Town and Country Bank. There was a reception with Hors d’ Oeuvres and drinks (it reminded me of when we were missionaries in Lusaka, N. Rhodesia (Zambia) Africa (Tim’s birthplace), and were invited to the Ridgeway Hotel for receptions (there was even caviar, which I liked) when celebrities (Louis Armstrong among them) would walk the red carpet into the hotel. We sat right across from Louis Armstrong, and wish we could have talked to him, but he was being interviewed. We did walk the red carpet just before he came in with his group, and sat across from him. All the Americans were invited by the American Embassy – ah, what blessed and fond memories). The reception they had for Tim and the others being honored was wonderful too – with cheese, crackers, relishes, drinks, etc. It was very enjoyable. for all, including Sue, Tim’s wife, and many in their family. The Town and Country Bank was built on the very spot near the Main Street bridge when I worked in a building (with a wonderful tower – all gone now) on the second floor (WTTN, the first radio station in Watertown, was on the third floor) as secretary to lawyer Kenneth Kolberg. I had taken the commercial course (shorthand, typing, book keeping, and law which Northwestern Prep offered at that time) along with all of the other regular courses. I remember the pile of books I used to carry when I walked home from NWP to 911 N. 4th Street. I loved school!

Yesterday, September 14, 2014, was another blessed day! Whew! It started with me attending two services at St. Mark’s church. The first is the one which my cousin, Louis Kuckkan, his wife, Ora, and her sister, Marie Dobbratz attend. Ora and Marie (nee Scwefel) were childhood playmates of my sisters and me. It was nice to be with all of them again. The second service, Sue, Tim, and I attended, and Tim helped serve communion. It was a blessing and joy for me, and I know it would have been for Dick too! In the afternoon, Joanne and Jerry Brandt and I rode with Tim (Sue with Julie, Tom, and children) to Dooley’s Apple Orchard in Waupun, Wisconsin. The family, Brandts, and I were invited by Chris, Bekah, Emma, and Lydia to celebrate Emma’s 2nd birthday. The children played on the very nice creative playground, and pictures were taken. There is a store there with apples, bakery goods, crafts, flowers, etc. (thank you, Tom and Julie, for the delicious apple turnover). It was a great birthday party with wonderful snacks (white sugar cookies Bekah baked – Dick’s favorite) and drinks. After that all of us drove out to Horicon Marsh and walked the great floating boardwalk and trails. I missed holding hands with Dick, but Tim, our very thoughtful grandson, gave me his arm. I had to turn back while the others went on because of "tired" feet. There are picnic tables in the shade where I waited for them. More pictures were taken. I was overjoyed when little 1-1/2+ year old Will Megan and Tim’s son, William (named after Dick’s middle name) brought a beautiful little flower to me. That wasn’t all! Then we headed to Sue and Tim’s home to celebrate Chris’s 31st birthday, which is today! Hope and pray you are having a happy day, Chris! Sue had prepared a good old-fashioned supper – roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, and baked a delectable birthday cake. Tim told me that today, there was a Pastors’ Circuit Conference (Dick used to go with him), and he was the preacher for the day. I asked him what theme he was would preach about and he said, "Jesus"! After the sermon, the other pastors critique it. Thank God that He gives Tim extra strength to do all that he does to spread the Word of God and help others!

With that I wish all of you God’s richest blessings and send you my love, Irene Mom Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister, Friend

P.S. Please excuse any "boo-boos"! If there are any, please let me know. Stay well, everyone!

September 28^th –UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

Whew! What a week! I know that all of you have had things come up in your lives, and have had to deal with them, so I am not complaining. Last Monday, September 22nd, the 11 year-old Amana fridge-freezer, which came with our newly-built condo went "kaput". It just quit! Sadly, the perishable food had to be gotten rid of (which was hard for me having been a missionary’s wife who does not like to waste food), but I do not want to be sick. Our wonderful son, Tim, came to his Mom’s rescue. He right away got on the internet and found a GE side-by-side fridge-freezer right here in Watertown, not far from where I live. The man, his wife, and little boy are moving to Oklahoma. The price was very reasonable, so we took it to my home. The seller followed us in his car and helped Tim get it into the house. While Tim set the "new" one up, I was taking pictures of ALL our families off the Amana. Before I knew what was happening, he was hauling the very big Amana on a dolly out to the garage. There is no stopping him – he is so very good to me! Thank you, Tim, for being there when I need you. I am sorry I took up so much of your time because I know that you have a very busy schedule. Thankfully, the GE is working great! All of our dear families’ pictures are back in place which makes me happy.

They say, "When it rains, it pours!" How true that is! My little Chevy Cavalier didn’t start right, so on Tuesday, the 23rd, it had to be taken to the garage. I had a routine checkup with the doctor, so again Tim came to the rescue – my knight in shining armor! He took me there and picked me up. The doctor said that I am doing well. The car needed a part for the starter, so I had it back the next day. I love my little red car! Now it was back to the store to get more perishable groceries!

Today, Sunday, September 28th, made up for last week. It is Sue, Tim’s wife’s, birthday. All five of their "children", wives, husbands, and children came to the 10:45 a.m. service at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. I was the first one there, so the dear ushers kindly got Reserve signs for two pews so that all of us could sit together – except Sue and Tim’s son, Matthew. It was a very special service because Matthew preached the sermon! It made me so happy because his Dad, his Grandpa Mueller, and I am sure his Great Grandpa Mueller (President of the Western Wisconsin District) preached there too. Matthew’s theme was "The Unforgivable Forgiven", and the Sermon Text was Matthew 18:21-35. One of the hardest things for us in life is to forgive one another. If we don’t and carry grudges, we only hurt ourselves. In the Lord’s Prayer we ask God to "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." What a blessing it was for all of us to go to Communion and have our sins forgiven by our dear Lord.

After the church service, we were all invited to Sue and Tim’s to celebrate Sue, their son, Tim, and his wife, Megan’s birthdays. Of course, there was a lot of great food. Tim expertly barbecued hamburgers, Brats, and hot dogs, and the families contributed the appetizers, salads, French Fries, buns, beverages, and dessert. "Happy Birthday to you, and a Blessed Birthday" was sung to Sue, Tim, and Megan, and candles were blown out, and beautiful gifts opened. Pictures were taken by yours truly, as usual. There was a Packer-Bears football game on TV, and the Bears lost – Dick would not have liked that! Many in our family loved (and still do) the Bears when Dick was Pastor of Lord And Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Later on the adults watched the many little ones as they drove small vehicles around the driveway and road, Tim acting as the guard when cars approached. It was time to go home again. Thank you, Sue and Tim, for having all of us in your lovely home!

I hope and pray that this finds all of you well. God bless all of you richly, and with much love, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

OCTOBER PEBBLES FROM THE ROC Another way the Gospel has reached teens through THE ROC (Recreation & Outreach Center) for Youth, is by Pastor Mueller mentoring numerous teens who have attended “Challenge Academy”. Challenge Academy (a division of the National Guard) is a program for 16 to 18 year old teens who are at-risk. The first 6 months of the program is spent in a structured, military-type environment at Ft. McCoy (Sparta WI area). The teen must have a mentor willing to visit the teen during those 6 months and also for a year after the teen returns home. Pastor Mueller has been able to provide the powerful motivation of the Gospel as the lives of the teens change and they come to know Christ for eternal life. A teen who is presently attending Challenge Academy recently wrote to Pastor Mueller, his mentor, “PT, it was nice eating lunch with you when you visited last week. I did a lot of running last week and I got into trouble a couple of times. I am passing all my classes with A-B grades and I actually finished reading a book. I love the Bible passage, ‘Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.’” Such words from this teen are incredible as he wanted nothing to do with God when he first attended THE ROC. Thanks be to God.

October 7^th –UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

What a beautiful autumn day! The leaves on the trees were absolutely breath-taking; in fact, I stopped the car one day to take a picture of a tree that still had all of its very colorful leaves. Now the leaves are starting to fall. The little trees which the builder of this condo, and which Dick and I planted, have grown, so more leaves – and more pictures to take. Can you believe, I have a collection of 120+ albums of our families’ and friends’ pictures (baptisms, weddings, anniversaries, parties, etc.) There are also church bulletins, newspaper clippings, obituaries, etc. Some of the albums are very thick – just ask our Debbie and Jenny when they worked so hard collecting pictures, etc. for the two huge boards on our living room floor which were displayed at the get-together after my dear husband’s funeral. Thank you so much, Debbie, and Jenny! It will be two years on December 1st when he went to his eternal home in heaven.

Yesterday I went to the Watertown Regional Medical Center to visit Donnie (Nehls), our brother-in-law (my sister, Beatrice’s husband). He had fluid around his heart (their son, Mike, told me). I visited Donnie in the morning, and I think he was going to go home yesterday. He is in our prayers. I left a little WELS leaflet titled "The Lord is my Shepherd – He Gives Me Countless Blessings" ,which Dick and I handed out to residents at Golden Living Center when we visited them for St. Mark’s church. "Beatie" had an aneurism and went to her eternal home in October, 2005. My dear attractive sister, Doloris (Lottie), called me yesterday from Cathedral City, California, and we had a long talk. Her husband, Artie Funair, went to his eternal home in October of 2006. My Dick went to heaven to live with Jesus on December 1, 2012 – almost two years ago. We are all in God’s hands!

After I visited Donnie, I went to visit my cousin, Georgie, his wife, Kay, and Dorothea Guetzlaff, my cousin, Arnold Guetzlaff’s widow, who live on Highland Avenue, near the hospital. They live in apartments, which are very nice. I am again making the rounds of my cousins who are here in our earthly home. Haven’t heard (snail mail) from my cousin, Ali, and her husband, Richard Fuchs, who live in Melrose, Wisconsin, for quite awhile. They are on my list of dear ones to call today.

Last Sunday, October 5th, was a busy day! It started with the church service at St. Mark’s. Pastor Karl Walther preached the sermon based on Acts 21:8-14, and the theme was: "I Am Ready to Die for the Name of the Lord Jesus" – 1. It may happen 2. The Lord says so. 3. Jesus is worth it. In the early afternoon, Tim (Sue had to work), Chris, Julie, Tom, and their three girls (Addie, Amelia, Annabelle), and I went to a delicious Pancake Breakfast at the Watertown Airport. It was served in one of the hangers set up with tables and chairs. There were many planes displayed for the guests to view. The airport has a lot of hangers, more than when our parents took my sisters and brother there to see the "beacon", which a lady there told me is the very same one that was there so many years ago. After I got home, our lovely granddaughter, Jenny Poston, and their sweet little Ella, picked me up to go to Culver’s for a treat together. When Dick and I went there, he would order a sundae "fit for my queen" for me, and the servers complied. I told the story to "Janie", and you should have seen the huge mouth-watering raspberry sundae she made for me! When we were ready to go, Janie came over and told me that when I come again, I should tell the server that Janie said that she or he should make a sundae "fit for my queen"! That was so sweet of her! Thank you, Jenny, and Ella, for coming to our home and visiting for awhile. I loved it when Ella took the beautiful doll Wanda made for Dick and me from the rocker and laid her down on the loveseat; also that she loved the stuffed "Mother Goose" which Steph (she used to call me Mother Goose when she was in her teens) made for Dad and me, which is near our front door. Before Jenny and Ella left, Ella laid her down to sleep. Cute! Thank you for coming, Jenny, and Ella – for taking the time to take me out for a treat!

On October 3rd and 4th Wisconsin Lutheran College had its Fall Showcase Concert in which Laura Weiland, our Susie and Jim’s daughter, and our youngest granddaughter (a student at WLC), sang. Thankfully, there is a video on Livestream of the whole concert on video, so I was able to hear and watch it. It was awesome! Dad and Mom attended, and I think I spotted them (Susie with her long blond hair) after the concert in the middle of the second row of seats. God’s richest blessings, Laura, at WLC!

Our loving Jesus is with me every day. Some of you know how my forever husband used to cut off a rose from one of our bushes, and smilingly bring it in and give it to me with a big smile on his face! On October 4th I saw that there was one PERFECT red rose still on a bush. I cut it off, brought it into our condo, put it into a vase with water, and today, October 7th, it is PERFECT – not one petal has dropped off! I had another amazing experience! When my hubbie was here, he was looking out the living room window and excitedly called, "Hon, Come quick, the hawk is here!" It flew away before I got there. Also on October 4th I was sitting about at the same place Dick had been sitting, and there was the HUGE hawk! It didn’t stay long, but I saw it! It is well-known in the neighborhood because in the Spring it snatches away the little ducklings which come over following their mother from the old brickyard across the street. So far it has survived!

Thank you all for your kind attention to my UPDATE. I love and care for all of you very much. You are all in my prayers! Stay well! Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

October 14^th –UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

How blessed I am! I thank God every day for everything He does for me! I didn’t ever think in my wildest dreams that I would be sitting in four of our great grandsons’ classrooms at St. John’s Lutheran School in Lannon, Wisconsin, on Grandparents (and Great Grandparents) Day last Thursday, October 9th, when Dick and I sat years ago in the Lutheran School in Fox Lake, Wisconsin, on Grandparents Day listening to their mother, Jenny Mueller (Poston), her sister, and brothers performing in plays, singing songs, etc.! To top it off, Kevin Poston, Jenny’s husband, is one of the teachers at St. John’s; in fact, he is Jonah’s teacher! Everyone did so well, just as their mother, sister, and brothers did at Fox Lake years ago. Both schools treated the grandparents (and great grandparents) to delicious mouth-watering meals! Thank you all for inviting the grandparents (and great grandparents) of your precious children!

On Saturday, October 11th, I had a wonderful surprise! Steve and Melody came to visit me. When I opened the door, I could hardly believe my eyes! Steve made up his mind to lose some of his weight, and like Dick, when he made up his mind to, has succeeded! He looks great! He is striving to lost more pounds, but being his mother, I am not sure he should. While we visited, they noticed that I had our 1946, 1947, and 1948 Northwestern Sprinters (yearbooks) on the coffee table. I had them there, with bookmarks on certain pages, because I had looked up the Northwestern College history on the Internet, and noticed that the 1940s had very little information. There is a picture of the Northwestern College "band". As I remember, the Pep band which played during sports events dressed casually (as in the picture), and there were only a few members. There are pictures of the band (around 30 members) in our Sprinters, all dressed in uniforms, Dad played the tuba, Betty Kielgas (Welke) the flute, and me the clarinet. Betty and I were the first girls in the history of Northwestern to be in the band – we asked permission. I called the man in charge of the Historical History, but so far have not heard from him. Anyway, Melody and Steve treated me to a great honey-barbecued ribs meal at Applebees. I recognized one of the waitresses there who had been pregnant when I saw her last. I hadn’t seen her for awhile and asked her if she had a boy or girl. She said a little girl who is seven months old now. Melody and Steve took me home, and then it was time to say, "God be with you ’til we meet again". Steve is leaving today for Arizona where he will be on business for Manpower Group until Thursday.

After I started this e-mail, Debbie called. They are on their way back from Westland, Michigan, where they visited Ann, David, Emma, and Elaina. She said that David went back teaching today after being home with a pinched nerve, for which he is having therapy. He made it to a Teachers’ Conference, but not going fishing with Glen (he has to be in pain to miss that). Please keep him, and others, in your prayers who have back pain. Debbie and Glen did go to visit Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, Michigan, where Emma (Ann and David’s daughter) attends. They also went sight-seeing which she said was awesome! Debbie also said that Connie Hudson (member of Lord And Savior) has gone to heaven to live

with Jesus. If any of you who remember the Hudsons, the phone number of their son, Will, is: 815-670-4761, She was a very hard worker for the Lord.

Yesterday, Sunday, October 12th, was truly an awesome day! Tim preached for Mission Festival at St. Mark’s (Sugar Island), and St. John’s (Ixonia), the same churches were his father preached. As he shared the Gospel with us, he reminded me of his father who preached the true Word of God from his heart. After he took the gown off, he asked if any of us noticed that the gown was long, and he had a bit of a time walking in it, because he is shorter. He told us that he had grabbed his Dad’s gown (identical to his. After Dick went to heaven, I had given the gown to Tim for Matt (tall like Dick), who will graduate as a Pastor from the Seminary next year). He showed us the very same tie which Dick had clipped onto his gown. Tim also told the hearers in the Bible Class about the Mission of the ROC: to proclaim the Gospel in order to bring and keep young people in God’s eternal Kingdom through Christ, and help and guide them to live fruitful, active, and positive lives to God’s glory. There was a fantastic meal (Dick’s favorite – ham, scalloped potatoes, vegetable, dessert, and drinks) after the service and Bible Class, for which we thanked the dear ladies.

In the evening I was looking at Facebook and found Pastor Jeff Heitsch, our son-in-law, preaching on video a sermon at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming, that same morning. I listened to the whole video, and again, it reminded me of Dick, who preached the true Word of God from his heart. Before I went to church in the morning, I had listened to one of Dick’s sermon tapes. Oh, how Tim, Jim, and Jeff (now grown up and pastors) remind me of when they were teenagers, and they and others in our family filled at least two pews at Lord And Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church, Crystal Lake, Illinois, and listened to my forever husband, preaching, and singing the hymns so joyfully, leading the congregation. Our son and sons-in-law are now doing the same, with much "gusto", as he did! God bless you all!

You are all in my thoughts and prayers. With much love, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

October 21 –WILD GAME HANGER

Dear loved ones,

The owner of the hanger was kind enough to show us his African animal game room. It is totally awesome, and reminds me of two old white hunters who were at an island rest camp in the Kafue Game Reserve in Africa. While we were eating bream (fish) they had caught in the Kafue River (filled with crocs and hippos), they told us exciting stories of what they had experienced when game hunting.

The man who owns the game room at the airport also showed us a video of white hunters tracking a lion one of them had wounded. Wow, their guide felled the lion as it charged, and it landed right next to one of the white hunters.

Thank you, Tim, for letting me know that the man had a game room with African animals in it. It was an experience I shall never forget. He is quite a character!

With God’s richest blessings to all and a whole lot of love, Irene, Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma Sister Friend

October 22 –UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

Whew! What a workout! Just came in from raking leaves, and there are a lot of them! Who would have ever thought that a little tree planted 11 years ago (when we came back to Watertown) would grow so tall and have so many leaves? Thought I’d take a break because they are still a little wet from the dew. It’s a beautiful day, so I want to get back out there and rake some more.

There are a lot more on the tree, so they keep coming down. Oh, well, that’s life!

Yesterday, October 21st, I went to the OWLS meeting at Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson. Pastor Brett Brauer had a presentation about "Bible Translation and Wartburg Project". Pastor Brauer is a Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church here in Watertown, and his presentation was very interesting. People who would like to "hitch" a ride met at St. John’s parking lot. The Lillos were kind enough to take me there, and Kay Uhlhorn gave me a ride back. Jan Tomhave also rode with Kay. It was nice visiting with the Lillos, Kay, Jan, and the people who were at the OWLS. The OWLS last met on September 16th at Bethany in Hustisford (where our granddaughter, Nicole Wilson Chmielewski taught), and where her daughter, Cassie, was baptized). Pastor Larry Schlomer gave the presentation on "Mission Challenges in Mexico". That presentation too was very informative.

Grandparents Day at St. John’s Lutheran School was on the 17th, and I was invited. Addie Pasch, Julie and Tom’s daughter, is in Kindergarten there. Who would have ever thought that someday our great grandchild would be attending St. John’s when I was a child attending St. Mark’s, next door to St. John’s? That is unbelievable! God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform! The morning was fun filled with a lot of activities (with the grandchildren) including a chapel service, snack, craft project, songs, games, and a classroom visit.

Dick and I loved to go to the ROC (Recreation & Outreach Center for teens). Tim always has a Bible Talk Time. I was there last Thursday, the 16th, and Tim based his talk on Luke 10:38-42, in which Jesus kindly reproved Martha when he said in verses 41 and 42: "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needful. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Jesus was only asking Mary to set priorities. Tim listed a number of priorities: God, family, friends, technology, etc. Some of the teens answered that God comes first, then friends, and then other things.

This evening Tim’s wife, Sue, has invited me to a Cheesecake and Lia Sophia Party Debbie, Nicki, and Cassie are coming too! Should be fun! Now I am headed outside again to rake some more leaves to the curb. Thank God that Watertown has a vacuum truck (which just came by on the other side of the street and picked up leaves) that comes around and picks them up. What service!

God’s richest blessings and lots of love, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

October 28 –UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

It seems that every time I read the newspapers, watch TV, go on Facebook, and e-mail, there is too much hate, not love, in the world. As Luther’s Catechism in the Sixth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer says, "we pray that God would guard and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh may not deceive us, nor lead us into misbelief, despair, and other great shame and vice, and though we be assailed by them, that still we may finally overcome and obtain the victory". Romans 8:28 says: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose". As my beloved husband said (when he was very ill) to one of the nurses from hospice who asked him what the secret of a happy marriage is, he said, "l. Love God. 2. Love each other". Love never fails!

That love for one another was displayed at the ROC (Recreation & Outreach Center for teens) last Thursday, October 23rd. Six of the ROC teens graduated from the Youth Employment Success Progam. The Graduation Ceremony was attended by many teens, three women (who represent the Program), Mayor John David, the Chief of Police Timothy Roets, and of course, our Tim, Director/Pastor of the ROC. There were speeches, and each teen was presented with a certificate by the Mayor. I was honored to be there for that occasion, another of God’s awesome blessings!

The Cheesecake and Lia Sophia party was last Wednesday night, October 22nd, at Sue and Tim’s home. I was thrilled that our daughter, Debbie, Nicki (our granddaughter). and Cassie (our oldest great granddaughter who attends Luther Prep), were among the women who attended. As Debbie pointed out, there were four generations represented at the party! Dominique Robel presented the beautiful Lia Sophia jewelry. She said she has been doing it for eight years, and really "knows her stuff". She showed tricks which can be done with the jewelry so a woman can wear it in different ways. Sue had made two kinds of cheesecake which was sooo good! One was chocolate and the other had apple in it – delicious!

Sunday, October 26th, was another blessed and eventful day. Pastor James Werner’s theme of his again inspiring sermon was: "God’s Word Produces Results" 1. Unbelief and Discord. 2. Faith and Peace. In the afternoon I had the outside light on for children to come for Halloween treats. Quite a few came, including five of our great grandchildren, accompanied by their parents and grandparents. In the evening there was a surprise birthday (her birthday is actually the 27th) party for our oldest daughter, Debbie Wilson, at the Mineshaft in Hartland, Wisconsin. It was a real blessing that so many of the families came to celebrate! Different kinds of delicious pans of pizza were served, an awesome birthday cake was put in front of Debbie, and "Happy Birthday and God’s Blessings" was sung to Debbie. All of us missed Dick’s voice heartily singing it with us. He is singing with the angels and many other loved ones in heaven.

Now I am going out to rake again. Tim mowed the lawn yesterday, but more leaves get blown over this way. I like the exercise, and it is another beautiful Fall day. You are all in my prayers. God’s richest blessings and much love, Irene Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister, Friend

NOVEMBER PEBBLES FROM THE ROC “Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand (Isaiah 64:8).” The Lord gives us such a beautiful picture how He formed us and continues to shape us like a Potter and the clay. We would like to bring to life this picture by actually showing the teens at THE ROC how a Potter forms the clay on a Potter’s wheel. If you have access to a good Potter’s wheel for us to use, please call Pastor Mueller at 920-206-9581.

The ROC Board is looking to plan ahead as it established a special ROC fund called “THE ROC Boulder Fund”. We encourage all to give gifts to this fund, over and above their regular gifts to THE ROC, so that we will have funds available for non-budgetary items such as a roof repair, carpet replacement and the like. Thank you also for the regular support you give to THE ROC which has an annual budget of about $80,000 per year. Please continue to help THE ROC with your gifts which can be sent to THE ROC, 213 N. 3rd St., Watertown, WI 53094. Mark the gift “THE ROC Boulder Fund” if that is where you intend for the gift to go. THE ROC is also an eligible organization for Thrivent Choice dollars (free money for Thrivent members to designate). Designate your Thrivent Choice dollars by calling 1-800-847-4836 or by going to https://www.thrivent.com/thriventchoice. You should find THE ROC by searching for “Watertown Recreation and Outreach Center for Youth”. Thanks so much.

November 5 – THANKS!

Dear loved ones,

Finally, all of the hullabaloo politics should slow down the many political ads on TV, in the newspapers, on the telephone, etc. Last night Governor Scott Walker began his speech with "First of all, I want to thank God. I want to thank God for His abundant grace and mercy!" He knows that our almighty God is in control, and directs and guides all of our lives. We thank God for His great love for us, so that we can exercise our right to vote and help make it possible to have Governor Walker re-elected. When I went to vote at the Watertown City Hall around 10:00 AM November 4th, there were no lines and I did not have to wait. On the way out, I while I was talking to Mayor John David, quite a few people were coming in. A big THANK YOU to all who voted! The Mayor has been at the ROC for quite a few occasions when I have been there too.

Speaking of the ROC, last Saturday, November 1st, a 13-year old boy by the name of "Jason Ray Behling" was baptized! What a joy it was to be there, along with Jason’s parents, the sponsors, other relatives, friends, and of course, the teens. Tim conducted a Baptismal service and explained the blessings of Baptism As his dear father did in the bush congregations in Africa, Tim had a dish with water in it on a table, and baptized Jason " in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). Jason’s sins were washed away, and he became a child and heir of eternal salvation. A Baptismal hymn was sung: "Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, cleansed by the blood of Christ our King, Heirs of salvation, trusting His promise, faithfully now God’s praises we sing. Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, dead in the tomb with Christ, our King, One with His rising, freed and forgiven, thankfully God’s praises we sing".

Also, on Saturday, November 1st, there was a birthday party for Julie Pasch and Bekah Mueller. It was another blessing to be together with quite a few of our family members. Before (and after) each meal Tim (as his Dad did) had a heart-moving prayer which fits the occasion. There was a delicious meal of pork chops, chicken, rice, corn. and Joanne Brandt’s wonderful Oreo cookie dessert. Each "birthday girl" had her own mouth-watering cake (made by Sue), and "Happy and Blessed Birthday" was sung to them. Gifts were opened, and pictures were taken.

Addie Pasch (Julie and Tom’s daughter who is in Kindergarten at St. John’s school), sang in the church on Sunday morning. It was a blessing for me to be there. Who would ever have thought that when my sisters, brother, and I were attending St. Mark’s School, that in the future Dick’s and my great granddaughter would be attending school at St. John’s, around the corner from St. Mark’s? And, who would have thought that our son, Tim and his wife, Sue’s, son (our grandson) would be Principal of St. John’s? WOW! God blesses richly!

God also bless you richly. With much love in Christ, Irene, Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma Sister Friend

November 11 –UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

First of all, today (November 11th) is Veterans Day, when we honor and thank all the living and the dead, who have served their country and have made it possible for us to live in peace and to enjoy our freedom. Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). With regard to our veterans, they gave much of their life – if not all of it – for their beloved country. And even if a compulsive draft rather than love lead to their induction, it is right that we convey our "thank you" to them. I remember when some of my cousins were "drafted", and I know that one of them fought in World War II in Europe. He saw his buddy blown to bits next to him. So please pray for all who are now serving our country – in our stead – whoever they are and wherever they are!

The weather is cold (in the 30s) and wet today here in Watertown – a good day to sit at the computer and catch up on e-mails and Facebook messages. Also, I have some snail-mail friends to write to. As usual, the weekend was busy for me. I was invited to a 90th birthday party for our next-door neighbor, Russ Weber, last Saturday, November 8th. The celebration for him was held at the Senior Center in Watertown. There was a photographer there who took pictures (mine included) of guests as they were coming in. His wife, Marlene, attended school with me at Dr. Martin Luther College; in fact, we were in the same dorm. Her first husband, Don Kolander (his brother, Paul, was in my class at NWP) went to heaven. They had a daughter, Kathleen, who lives with Marlene and Russ. It was great to be there visiting with people I knew, and meeting some I didn’t know. The food was fantastic!

On Sunday, November 9th, Sue, Tim, and I attended the Fall Mission Festival Service at St. Mark’s. Pastor Michael Duncan preached a very inspiring sermon. His theme was: "Preach the Good News to Nepal", and was based on Mark 16:15 – He (Jesus) said to them: "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation". He chose the hymns, "From Greenland’s Icy Mountains" (#571), and "Hark, the Voice of Jesus Crying" (#573), which my beloved husband chose for many of his African mission services and lectures. I was invited to two events Sunday afternoon – one at St. John’s School in Lannon, Wisconsin, where Jenny and Kevin’s four boys were participating in a Serve & Hoop-A-Thon. They would shoot a volleyball or basketball into hoops. I was planning to go, and made a pledge for each basket they made to help the school. Also, there was a musical, "Bye, Bye, Birdie", at the Watertown High School. It was one of those times when a person cannot be in two or more places at once. Tim’s wife, Sue, went to Lannon, and I went with Tim to "Bye, Bye, Birdie" (front row seats). Last year I went to a musical there, and was surprised when I saw that a "Kuckkan" was in the cast. There his name was again – "James Kuckkan", my cousin, Georgie’s grandson. It was a leading part, and he did very well. After the most enjoyable musical, Tim and I went to the lobby and took pictures – some of James and some of the teens who attend the ROC who also were in the musical. What a grand day it was! Oh, I honored the pledge I made for all the hoops the four Poston boys made – and they made a lot of baskets!

Praying that all of you are doing well. God’s richest blessings and much love, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

November 13, 2014 –UPDATE from Susie

My loving family,

“There are no secrets in our family”. That’s my motto with Jim, me and the kids. I have seen how offense and hurt has come about with rumors and false information when the truth is not told first hand by those close to the situation. I prefer there be no secrets as to avoid the sin of the eighth commandment given to us from our Father.

Some of you may know but others might not, our Christina had filed for divorce from Mike almost a year ago and it now has become final. This was not an easy decision for Christina but after much prayer and consult from her pastor (and parents) it was deemed that Mike had deserted his responsibilities as the head of the household with his addictions. It has been a tough road for Christina and it won’t be easy with two toddlers and no support from Mike but she’ll be okay with the Lord who strengthens her. She and the babies are living with us at this time for physical and spiritual support. Please keep her in your prayers. Most importantly, please keep Mike in your prayers because our family had grown to love him and still care for him deeply. He chose to forego his earthly life with our family but we pray that he does not desert his hope of eternal salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Mike has a soul and needs as much prayer support as we can possibly give him.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

Matthew 18:12 "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?

1 Timothy 1:15 Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst.

We also have some other very sad news. Some of you know that our son-in-law, Patrick (who is married to Becky) ‘s mother died at the age of 53 to Huntington’s Disease with her symptoms starting at around the age of 30. Patrick and Becky have known that he has a 50% chance of also having the disease. Because Patrick is now 31 years old he decided to be tested and sadly, it was positive. Huntington’s disease is a progressive degenerative disorder involving motor, cognitive, and behavioral changes. It is extremely rare and there is no cure at this time. This disease is extremely complicated but one way it was put to me is that it is Lou Gehrig’s (ALS) Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s all bundled into one. There are levels to the disease of which Patrick’s CAG (cytosine-adenine-guanine) number is 45 with 33 repeats in the HTT gene. I have included a chart below for Patrick’s status meaning. His meaning is in bold. Gabriel has a 50% chance of having the disease now also. He can be tested at age 18.

Less than 26 – normal Persons in this range do not have HD and are not at increased

risk for having a child with HD.

27-35 intermediate Persons in this range are not at risk for HD, but can have a

child with HD.

36-39 reduced penetrance

Persons in this range are at increased risk for developing HD,

but might not ever develop symptoms.

*40-59 full penetrance Persons in this range will eventually develop HD. The average

age of onset is 35 to 44 years.

More than 60 juvenile Persons in this range develop juvenile onset HD. The age of

onset is typically under 20 years.

Patrick’s life expectancy after symptom onset is ten to fifteen years. Of course, there is always hope for a cure. There are medications that can ease the symptoms somewhat. Please keep Patrick, Becky and Gabriel also in your prayers.

Deuteronomy 31:8 TheLord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Philippians 4:6,7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Of course there is always good news! Those I’ll leave for our Christmas newsletter. Not to forget, though that the Good News of our Lord and Savior’s birth, life and death far surpasses any trouble that we have on this earth! It is NOT about now! J Love Sue

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

November 17, 2014 –UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

You are all very busy, I know, but please allow me to send an UPDATE which I hope will not be as long as some are – thank you! The time goes so fast. After Dick retired from the full time ministry, both of us were still very busy, He loved being a "Deacon" at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, helping give Communion who wished to partake of it. He did that until he thought his knees might give out because of steps and he might fall. He and I visited lonely souls at the Golden Living Center here in Watertown. He kept busy writing long letters encouraging many relatives and friends via e-mail, which he also did before he retired by preaching and lecturing in our WELS churches, and spreading the Word of God by writing long letters, visiting people, using ham radio, here in the States and in Africa. He loved people! I am so thankful that he, our families, and I could all serve God together. Our Tim is now a Deacon at St. Mark’s, and was installed last Sunday. What a joy it was for me!

Today I went to the hospital to visit my sister, Beatrice’s (she went to heaven October 8, 2005) husband, Donnie (Nehls), who is in the Watertown Regional Medical Center. It was sad to see him in pain. Please keep him in your prayers. Their daughter, Patsy Golden, was there, and in the midst of seeing Donnie, it was a blessing to see and talk to Pat who lives in Waterloo.

The local newspaper came and in it is the obituary of one of my cousins, Orville Kuckkan. His father, Edward, and my father, Henry, were brothers. His father and mother, Cora, had five sons – Harold, Edward, Orville, Georgie, and Louie. I remember going to their home on Monroe Street when I was a kid. They had so much delicious food (all homemade) at their parties when all the Kuckkan brothers and sisters got together (there were twelve of them)! Orville’s funeral is on Wednesday, November 19th at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church where the Kuckkans were members. I remember my aunts, uncles, and cousins sitting in the pews when I was a child. God willing, I will be at the funeral. Orville’s and his wife, Leona’s, grave plots are near ours. His wife went to heaven on August 16, 2010. There are two brothers left, Georgie, and Louie.

Life goes on! Winter is here, as evidenced by the snowfalls we are having. I get exercise by going out there and shoveling – as long as it is not too deep – then Tim snow blows it. He was here today and got rid of some more of my post-its which I put on the dining room table as I think of things which Dick used to do. He does the things and throws the post-its in the wastebasket – hey, it works! Dick and I loved going to the ROC, and I love going there now. Last Thursday I was there and Tim’s Bible Talk Time was again so interesting. He showed traffic signals on the screen, and asked the teens what they meant. Then he showed Christian symbols like the cross, fish, etc. He told them how when we were in the catacombs in Rome where the Christians hid from their enemies, they left symbols of their faith when they lived down in the tunnels. He asked if there was anyone with symbols on their person. One teen named Nick has the symbol of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) tattooed on his chest, and also wears a necklace of the Trinity. He wears black, has spiked hair, and has black around his eyes. I talked to him, and he has a deep faith in God. Looks can be deceiving. To end his Bible Talk Time, Tim showed a picture of a lamb with a cross, to remind us all of the Lamb of God, Jesus, who died on the cross to save us from our sins.

Jerry Brandt’s (Sue’s father) 78th birthday was celebrated with a brunch last Saturday, the 15th, at Sue and Tim’s home. Again, the food was delectable, as Tom, Julie’s husband, described it. Sue is a great cook! A beautiful butterscotch torte was put in front of Jerry, A Happy and Blessed Birthday was sung to him, gifts opened, and pictures taken. As Thanksgiving approaches, we thank our loving Lord for EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING! God’s richest blessings and much love, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

November 25, 2014 –UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

This is especially to wish all of you A VERY BLESSED AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING! We not only give thanks on Thanksgiving, but every day for everyone and everything God gives us for our bodies and souls. We especially thank God from the bottom of our hearts for freely giving us the precious gift of Jesus, our Savior!

Debbie is coming to get me tomorrow, Wednesday. I will be with her, Glen, and their families on Thanksgiving Day, and come home on Friday. Debbie works at Kohls, and will be working on "Black Friday". It will be great to be with all of them!

This is probably the shortest UPDATE I have written. Please have blessed, happy, and safe Thanksgiving Day get-togethers with your loved ones.

God’s richest blessings and with lots of love always, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

November 29, 2014 –UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

A big THANK YOU to all who wished me a very blessed and happy Thanksgiving via e-mail, Facebook, phone calls, cards, etc. I pray that you had a very blessed one, even as I did. Our daughter, Debbie, and her husband, Glen, invited me to come for their family gathering. Debbie and her grandchildren (our great grandchildren), Aubrey, and Brayden (Debbie and Glen’s son, Mark, and his wife, Jamie’s, children) came to Watertown to "collect" me on Wednesday, the 26th. We went to McDonalds for lunch so the children could "run off some steam" in the play room. In the evening we went to Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church’s (in Sussex) Thanksgiving service. What a joy and blessing it was! It was wonderful to hear the choir (of which Glen is a member) sing.so beautifully : "Our Song of Thankful Praise". Pastor Bruce Margraf (who we knew as a child) preached a heart-moving sermon. The theme was: "Thank You For Giving Thanks", based on Luke 17:11-19, which is when Jesus healed the ten men with leprosy, but only one came back to Him and thanked Him.

Debbie and Glen have a very tall live Christmas tree in their home, and were busy testing lights, etc. Oh, how I remember doing that with my beloved husband. On Thanksgiving Day, the 27th, we went to their son, Mark, his wife, Jamie, and their two children’s (Aubrey and Brayden) beautiful home for the family get-together. Besides all of them, Debbie, Glen, and me, Nicki, Dave, Cassie, Caleb Chmielewski, Ken Chmielewski (Dave’s father, Joe Chmielewski (Dave’s brother), Roger (Glen’s brother), his wife, Cathy, and children, Kaitlin and Brian were there. What fun we all had visiting together! And the meal was out of this world – turkey, ham, dressing, cranberry, Glen’s famous sweet potatoes (which Dick loved), Debbie’s mashed potatoes which all of us love too, and homemade pumpkin, apple, cherry pies made by Debbie and Nicki), etc. Everything was delicious! The next day Glen took me home – Debbie had to work a 10-hour shift on Black Friday at Kohls. When we got to Watertown, he treated me to a great breakfast at Perkins. I am now enjoying yummy leftovers from Thanksgving Day.

THANK YOU, Debbie, Glen, Jamie, Mark, Aubrey, and Brayden for inviting me into your lovely homes, for taking me to church, collecting and taking me home again! I appreciate everything you and your families did!

Susie, a big THANK YOU too for coming on November 22nd, staying overnight, and attending the church service at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Addie Pasch (daughter of Julie and Tom), sang "If I Were A Butterfly" with the rest of the Kindergarten class. We also heard Pastor Doug Carter (the new Pastor and son of Bob Carter, a schoolmate of Dick’s and me at NW), preach an inspirational sermon with the theme: "The King Works Through His People", based on the text: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 23-24. After the service Susie and I went to Perkins restaurant and had a very good meal. After our wonderful visit, Susie left to go to Wisconsin Lutheran College where she would meet Jim and hear and see their daughter, Laura, perform in an Improv.

Today we are blessed with a beautiful sunny day. I received word that another one of my snail mail ladies (who lives in Harlingen, Texas, and was a member of Abiding Savior, Weslaco, Texas, when Dick was Pastor of the congregation) was in the hospital for five days, is now home, but very weak. So life goes on. O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, and His mercy endureth forever. Amen. With God’s richest blessings and much love to each one of you, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

November 29, 2014 –BLESSED MEMORIES UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

Memories (only a few) of my Honey – Dick – my sweet loving husband of 60 years – written on June 7, 2013 (our anniversary).

l. Put in eye drops every day when I had two cataract (eye) operations (at his persuasion) so I could see.

2. Lovingly brings me one rose into our home when the roses are in bloom which he cut himself.

3. Always wants me to have the best.

4. Buys sexy lingerie for me – once a bikini swim suit and matching hat and jacket which we saw in a store window in Lusaka,

Africa (Zambia).

5. Holds and opens doors for me.

6. "Tucks me in" car seatbelt.

7. Helps me with the computer.

8 Dick had a "Katywampus" (quote by Dick) pile when devotion books were askew purposely by him.

9. Loved dill pickles and peanut butter.

10. Loved his garden, even during drought of 2012.

11. Told clerks when he bought sundaes for me, "Make it fit for my queen".

12. He always pointed to the cross when he preached his sermons about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. He preached

the Law and the "sweet" Gospel in every sermon,.

13. Helped me take dishes out of the dishwasher and folded his clothes after laundering (after he retired).

14. Held me in his arms while we said our prayers and told each other we loved each other every night.

15. We took a bath together in our hot tub!

16. Loved his cowboy hat from Cheyenne, Wyoming.

17. When my "cowboy on a horse" statue from place where Steph worked in Isabel, South Dakota, broke on the airplane, Dick

lovingly glued each little piece together for me.

18. He had inspirational, sincere, interesting, sermons, prayers, sung hymns with enthusiasm! He was a very friendly

pastor/missionary. He loved people and they loved him.

19. Gave each of our babies his or her first spoonful of cereal. Then he held the baby over his shoulder and burped him or her.

20. He made beautiful original clocks for gifts for our families. He ordered parts from "Klock-It" in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

21. He made squirrel feeders, bird houses, Squeez-Its, even reverse clocks for our children, spouses, grandchildren, and great

grandchildren.

22. He subscribed to Readers’ Digest for our children as long as he was in the full-time ministry.

23. Bought huge cream puffs and eauclairs for me at the truck stop in Johnsons Creek.

24. Loved my ski jump and long hair.

25. He went to live with Jesus in heaven on December 1, 2012. He is my lover, my light, my one and only my everything!

He always is with me in my heart – my dear husband of almost 60 years.

26. I would say to him, "Whisper sweet nothings in my ear, and he would say, "sweet nothings", and laugh.

27. He baked delicious bread with the Bread Maker.I gave him for Christmas (which he asked for).

28. When he lectured in the States during our furloughs from Africa about our mission work there, he ended every one with:

John 9:4: "WORK WHILE IT IS DAY BEFORE THE NIGHT COMETH WHEN NO MAN CAN WORK"!

It was on our 60th anniversary that I wrote this. God gave me the gift of my forever husband. and words cannot ever express my thankfulness to Him! With God’s richest blessings and much love to all of you, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

DECEMBER PEBBLES FROM THE ROC (The following article is by Brandon Simmons, a twenty-one year old man who used to be a teen at THE ROC but worked through all three volunteer ROC stages. During his almost eight years at THE ROC, Brandon has become a Christian, a member of our church body, an Adult Volunteer of THE ROC Youth Center and THE ROC Videographer.) Brandon writes, “My favorite Bible passage is John 3:16 ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ I thank God for all the gifts He has given to me in Christ, especially forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Recently God gave me another wonderful gift. Since I was like 2 years old I had a lot of allergies to various foods. Recently I got blood work done to check my allergies again, and we found out that my milk allergy level number is way lower when it was when I was a child. I am now actually able to eat a cheese pizza, yogurt, hot chocolate and the like. I love the taste. Thanks to God for letting me try new foods in my life.”

We are looking for someone to head up the heavier work connected to the ROC RUMMAGE SALE. Such work would include the moving of tables and heavier donated items. Please call Pastor Mueller to offer you help. Thanks so much.

Thank you so much for your gifts which are the main support of THE ROC. THE ROC cannot continue without your continued support. Thank you again. Other ways to help would be to designate your Thrivent Choice Dollars to THE ROC, make your AMAZON purchases by first going to http://smile.amazon.com/ch/30-0122566 – The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to THE ROC. Also have supper at Culvers on Wednesday, December 17th as 10% of all purchases will go to THE ROC.

December 2, 2014 –THANK YOU UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

How can I thank you for all of the outpourings of love, thoughts, and prayers and memories of our dear loved one via e-mails, Facebook with messages and pictures, and phone calls. I was astounded at all of the wonderful memories which so many of you have of him, and it warms my heart. He loved all of you so much, and he knew that you loved him.

Every night we held each other and prayed to God together, starting with "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep" and ending with the Lord’s Prayer. We prayed six prayers in all, and I still do. I am not telling you this because I am a Pharisee, but because that I pray that you may also do the same – even though after long days you are tired and want to get some sleep. It brings couples close together. When my sisters, brother, and I were little, "Ma" taught us German prayers (my parents and others were taught in German at St. Mark’s years ago). I pray those too, even though I might not pronounce the words right.

One little prayer my Honey taught me is: "The day is done, O God the Son, look down upon thy little one, O Light of Light, keep me this night, and shine on me the morning light, I need not fear when thou art here (we changed it from "near"), Thou art my Savior, kind and dear. Amen."

All of you are a great comfort to me, and each one of you is a blessing. I love you very much. Thank you again, and God bless you. Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend Psalm 31:5 – "My times are in Your hands".

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14)

December 11, 2014

Dear loving relatives and friends,

Over two years ago, on December 1, 2012, my beloved husband, Pastor/Missionary Richard William Mueller (father, grandfather, great grandfather), went to live with Jesus in heaven. Many of your and our loved ones are there with him singing praises to God! I love good uplifting music (now CHRISTmas carols), and it fills the beautiful condo which our loving God provided for us when we moved back to Watertown in 2003.

How thankful I am for all of our dear family members and friends! Every night Dick and I prayed together for every one of you, and I pray for all of you now. God is with me every day, and my prayers are answered before I even pray to Him. He is there for all of us if we welcome Him into our hearts. With God nothing is impossible!

PRAY, PRAY, AND GIVE THANKS

to Jesus, our Savior, at CHRISTmas, and always!

With much love in Christ,

Mrs. Irene Mueller Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

Galatians 4:5 – " But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law"

Just had to share with our families this e-mail which came from Tim this morning. I wasn’t home when he called, so I called back. Tim was lecturing about the ROC, but Sue told me that he was soooo excited that he got the doe! Got on the computer right away. That’s our "African" hunter! It’s meat on the table; great because meat costs a fortune nowadays!

As Dad would say, "Have a blessed day!" With much love to all of you, Mom

Here’s the link to my doe kill last night.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/020hgrviypya70e/doe%20down%20smaller%20file.mp4?dl=0

December 31, 2014 –UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

As I am sitting here at the computer, the bright warm sun is streaming through the window, and I am reminded that God is always with me – with all of us! When I turned the radio on this morning, the announcer (in between playing music) said that it was one degree above zero. How thankful to God we are that the weather during the CHRISTmas season was not snowy and icy which makes it so difficult for travelers going to visit friends and relatives.

I pray that all of you have a blessed, happy, and exciting 2015! Where do all the years ago? It is over two years ago that my beloved husband went to live eternally with Jesus in heaven. In the late 1900s Dick and I would wonder if we would live until the year 2000. God blessed us in granting Dick life on earth until December 1, 2012. Now it is almost 2015, and God is giving me the wondrous blessing of being with our 81 members of our family, and enjoying them! We have 81 souls – 6 children, and spouses, 20 grandchildren (one in heaven) and spouses, and 37 great grandchildren (four in heaven and two on the way). Thank you, God, for all of those precious gifts from you.

As I started this UPDATE the phone rang. It was our son, Tim, asking me if I wanted to go to the Towne (Classic when I was a child) theater. They are taking the younger children to see "Big Hero 6". It will be a lot of fun! I was "on the go" all during the CHRISTmas seasonl With so many great grandchildren, I was at Pre-School (even a 2-year old), Kindergarten, and Grades 1-6 Children’s Services. Also I went to the Luther Prep CHRISTmas concert, the Watertown High School concert, a Strings Concert, Grandparent’s Day programs, etc. It takes my breath away when I think of all the events I have attended. I thank God that he gives me the health and strength to be "on the go"! I am also thankful to all of those in the family who made it possible for me to attend by giving me the transportation to be at so many places and events.

Our dear six children and spouses gave me a surprise CHRISTmas gift. Each one sent an e-mail with letters and numbers, and instructed me to figure out what my gift is. At first it all "looked like Greek" to me. It all came together, and it turns out that they are all taking me on a 4-night Bahama Family Reunion cruise on the Royal Caribbean "Majesty of the Seas"ship. starting out in Miami, then Nassau, Cococay, Key West, and back to Miami! Wow! I never expected that! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Dick and I had great "fun in the sun" with all of them in 2008, and I know it will be a lot of fun for me too. He would want me to go.

Before I close, thank you all for the very meaningful CHRISTmas cards, interesting family newsletters, e-mails, Facebook messages, phone calls, gifts, etc. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and prayers so much!

With much love during 2015 and always, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sister Friend

JANUARY PEBBLES FROM THE ROC “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ” (Colossians 4:3). Doors are constantly being opened at THE ROC to share Christ. A father recently stopped at THE ROC to share an essay written by his son in which the son wrote, “I really thank the pastor at the Roc in Watertown, because one day a friend and me went to go have some fun and we decided to stay for the sermon. The Sermon he had that day changed my life forever. I don’t remember what the pastor’s name was or even what the sermon was about. All I remember is that the sermon had changed my life and brought me closer to God. I started to go to church more often then I had before and started to pray more and more. I really owe thanks.” Please continue to pray for more doors to open through the Mission of our Watertown Recreation & Outreach Center for Youth (THE ROC).

Thanks to those who help and volunteer at THE ROC. Each newsletter we will list some of our volunteers so that you may speak with them to find out more about THE ROC and maybe considering volunteering. Our volunteers, for whom we are extremely thankful, include (from St. Luke’s) Tyler Clemmons, Rick Dunham, Brenda Scheunemann, and Ruth Uttech.

Next month THE ROC Board members will also be listed. A new Board Member is needed from St. John’s, St. Luke’s and St. Mark’s to replace Arlynn Boll, Rick Dunham and Brad Steffen. Thanks to all who serve their Savior so faithfully.

January 12, 2015 –UPDATE

Dear loved ones,

The sun is shining beautifully this morning! It is cold, but not as cold as it has been – below 0! Dick always fed the birds (two feeders), so I was just outside "carrying on", and fed God’s little creatures. Yes, I have loads of "pets", not dogs, cats, birds, parrots, etc. like we used to have. I am very busy – keeps me "out of trouble", as they say. I am thankful to God that I can live alone in our condo. I miss my dear husband and everything we used to do together, but God is with me every day and in everything I do, just as He is with all of you in everything you do.

It’s a blessing that it wasn’t below 0 yesterday when the Packers played the Cowboys (and won) – also that there wasn’t a snowstorm! I wonder how many people who were at the game thanked our loving God for the better weather than we have had. There could have been many accidents going to and from Green Bay, like there were in so many parts of our country with bad weather.

Yesterday Sue, Tim, and I attended the church service at St. Mark’s, and then I went to watch the football game at their home with them and guests. Of course, the delectable food (including tacos made with venison from the deer Tim shot) was great, as usual. cooked by Sue. The guests helped with salads, etc., just as they used to do when they came to visit us years ago, That game was pretty exciting! When I left their home, I wondered about the roads where my beloved Dick’s resting place is in the Lutheran Cemetery (which is near Sue and Tim’s home), and went there. I am very aware of getting stuck in the snow and sitting out there in the cold by myself. Everything went well, and on the way out, there sat a car really stuck in the snow! The driver was trying to dig the car out with a WINDOW SCRAPER – no kidding! I got out of the car, and saw that he was really stuck! It would have taken him hours to get "shoveled" out! I told him that our son and his wife lived close by, and I would try to get help. I told them about the situation, and he and son, Chris, who was still there, got shovels, and we went to help the man. He wondered who they were, but saw me, and then knew. Tim and Chris shoveled and shoveled and made a path to the cemetery road which was clear. Then they pushed, and with the help of sand and cardboard, got the car out. The man was thankful, and told them that he had come to the cemetery to pay his respects to a friend, who had been a Packer friend of his. Thank you, Tim and Chris, for everything you did to help!

What happened reminded me of something that happened to us when we were in Africa. We had been visiting missionaries "in the bush", and it was late at night when we headed for home, 40 miles away. It had rained (rainy season), and the road was a "sea of mud". The road had ruts which we were supposed to follow, and so that’s what we did. Alas, the car went off the road (?) on the slick mud, and there we sat in the bush! We had to have the car windows open because it was hot, (no air conditioning in cars then), and then the mosquitoes came in! Thankfully, we had mosquito netting over the collapsible "pram" which our baby, Tim, was in. God answered our prayers, and suddenly out of the dark night there came a bright light! It was a tractor light, driven by a kind African from a village in the bush. He pulled us out of the mud, and thanks to God, we made it safely home. Some people say, "Miracles don’t happen", but I know from experience that they do.

With that I will say, "Have a blessed day", like Dick was known to say to everyone! With God’s richest blessings and much love in Christ to all of you, Irene Mom Grandma Great Grandma Sisters Friends