MOM’S MEMOIRS – IRENE LOUISE (NEE KUCKKAN) MUELLER
(Continued)

Mom’s Autobiography – Chapter 58 – In Book, Page 139

Dad’s 75th Birthday Parties, Sue, Timmy, and Chris’ Birthday Party, Lecture About Africa Trip at Christ in Merrill, Wisconsin, Mom Horseback Riding with Susie, Death of Sassy, Debbie’s 50th Birthday Celebration, Births of Alya Caban and Mason Anderson, Matthew’s 16th Birthday, First Anniversary of the ROC, Christmas 2004, With the Chmielewskies and the Wisons

75TH BIRTHDAY PARTIES FOR DAD – (HIS BIRTHDAY IS SEPTEMBER 7TH, 1929)

Wow! It looks as though Dick had two birthday parties – one for him at Sue and Tim’s park model trailer at Pioneer Park, Lake Delton, Wisconsin, and one for him at Melody and Steve’s home. Sue, Tim, and family, and Sue, Jim, and family were there; also Mitch Heitsch who attends Luther Prep with Matt and Julie.

Melody and Steve invited Debbie, Glen, Sue, Tim, Julie, Matt, Mitch, and us to their beautiful home in West Bend, Wisconsin, to celebrate Dick’s 75th birthday. The cake was topped with whipped cream and cherries – what a cake! Where do the years go???? As always, we had wonderful blessed times with our families.

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR SUE, TIMMY, AND CHRIS – 2004

Sue, Tim’s wife, celebrated her 47th birthday on September 28th, Timmy his 23rd birthday on September 19th, and Chris his 21st birthday on September 15th. Of course, Sue and Tim’s whole family was there; also Joanne and Jerry Brandt, and us. Joshua, now 1½ years old, was in awe of it all – the delicious cake and the gift openings. Again, Dick gave some of his wonderful clocks which he especially made as gifts. The ones he gave this time had beautiful pictures of Jesus knocking at the door (of our hearts).

LECTURING ABOUT MISSION TRIP TO AFRICA IN MERRILL, WISCONSIN

Dick and I went to Merrill and listened to Jim preach a very inspirational sermon at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church where he is Pastor. After the service Dick showed pictures of Sue, my, and his trip to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lutheran Church of Central Africa in Zambia and the 40th anniversary of the LCCA in Malawi. Sue was dressed in a very colorful skirt which was especially designed for the anniversary celebrations. The background is blue. In the middle is a circle bordered by red, and in the middle is a picture of Jesus. Above Him it says, “LUTHERAN CHURCH OF CENTRAL AFRICA”, and below Him it says, “TIMALALIKA KRISTU AMENE ADAPACHIKIDWA PA MTANDA" in Chinyanja. I asked Dick, who is very fluent in that language, what it means, and without hesitation he said, “WE PREACH CHRIST WHO WAS CRUCIFIED ON THE CROSS”. Below the circle are the letters LCCA. Around the big circle are smaller ones with Lutheran emblems. Bordering the bottom are connected emblems (the emblem which Dick had designed way back in the early years of our mission in Africa). LUTHERAN is on top, CHURCH on the bottom, CENTRAL AFRICA in the middle on the right side, and Luther’s seal on the left side. The men wore shirts of the same design. The people were very interested, and many asked questions.

After lunch Sue and I went horseback riding. She rode “Honey” and I rode “Sassy”. We had such a good ride, through the beautiful woods and along a river. I love horseback riding. Thank you, Susie, for the very enjoyable ride. After the ride, Susie brought apples to give to the horses. I held the apple in one hand, and down it went to the ground when Sassy tried to eat it. I picked up the apple, and again offered it to Sassy. Again, it fell to the ground. This was with Sassy patiently waiting and looking at me. Finally I offered the apple to her with two hands. Hey, it worked, and Sassy got to eat the apple. It was fun! Sassy is a great horse.

(Sadly, Susie’s beloved Sassy was diagnosed with a neurological disease in December of 2009, and after one week’s time of the vet trying everything, there was nothing to do but put her down. Sue had her for almost nine wonderful years, and was truly a blessing for her – parades, mounted shooting, horse games, gymkhanas, cattle runs, and just plain fun with her. Sassy will be missed by many – most of all Sue – but we know that when “God shuts one door, He always opens another”. And God did open another door. On February 19, 2010, Sue called us on the way from Boscobel, Wisconsin, and told us that she and Jim had just picked up another horse! His name is “Cisco”. He is a black horse, and is fifteen years old. Sue said that Jim is the one who will ride Cisco the most. Thank you, God, for answering their prayers.)

We had another treat the day I rode Sassy.. Christina played her trombone for us and did very well. The Weiland family is very talented when it comes to music.

DEBBIE’S 50TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION – 2004

Debbie was surprised by their family with a big party celebrating Debbie’s 50th birthday. Her birthday is October 27th. Their whole family – Elaine Wilson, Nicki, Dave, Cassie, and Caleb Chmielewski, David, Ann, Emma, and Elaina Wilson, Mark Wilson, Janice and Ken Chmielewski, Sue, Tim, Jenny, Kevin, Joshua, Timmy, Chris, Julie, and Matt Mueller, Melody and Steve Mueller, Pastor Will Krueger and his wife, Joyce, many other relatives and friends, and we were there. Their family sang to Debbie, and of course, there were lots of mouth-watering refreshments, very meaningful cards and beautiful gifts. It was another family fun and blessed day!

BIRTHS OF ALYA MARIE CABAN AND MASON RICHARD ANDERSON

Kelly and Ismael Caban became the proud parents of Alya Marie Caban on October 10, 2004, and Cary and Grant Anderson became the proud parents of Mason Richard Anderson on December 7, 2004. We thank God for the blessing of giving us two more great-grandchildren.

Mason was born with what is known as “Ventricular Tachycardia”. It is a condition where the heart beats out of control. Thank God that nowadays through the loving-kindness of our dear Lord, miracles are performed with the heart and many lives are saved. (In the year 1941, because of rheumatic fever which lead to leakage of my 6-1/2 year old brother, Henry’s, heart – when I was eleven years old – the angels carried him to heaven in 1942).

We are so thankful to have seen Mason (who will be five years old) running around with the rest of the little boys at our 80th birthday celebration. Mason, along with his brothers, Ben, Aiden, Theron, and Mom, Cary, and Dad, Grant, will be moving from Wichita, Kansas, to Anchorage, Alaska. Grant will be working at Elmendorf Air Force Base. How we will miss them, but we are thankful that they were able to be with us for our 80th birthday celebration. AS PROVERBS 3:5 SAYS; “TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING”.

16TH BIRTHDAY OF MATTHEW RYAN MUELLER – DECEMBER 1, 2004

There is the old familiar family balloon tablecloth on the dining room table at Sue and Tim’s home, with all the smiling faces around it. How can Matt be 16th years old already? And there is a beautiful cake with 16 candles and a card which says, “Matt’s Driver’s License – it’s finally time to drive your parents crazy”.

THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROC IS CELEBRATED – DECEMBER, 2004

Wow, look at more delicious goodies at the ROC!!!!! The tables are laden with food. The mayor of Watertown, Mr. Ron Davis, even came. There were many teens, parents, volunteers, and friends there. What a happy and blessed time all of us had! A beautiful huge hand-painted picture adorns the wall. It was donated by the artist and depicts “From Darkness to Light” – from the darkness of sin to the light of eternal life.

CHRISTMAS 2004

Every year Watertown has a beautiful parade before Christmas called “Watertown Christmas Parade of Lights”. We were happy to see that some of the magnificent floats were religious telling about the birth of our Savior, Jesus.

CHRISTMAS, 2004, WITH THE CHMIELEWSKIS AND WILSONS

We were invited by Nicki and Dave to the Children’s Christmas Service at their church, Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in which Cassie, their daughter, and our great-granddaughter, would participate. What a joy it was! Dave saved places for their family, Debbie, Glen, Mark, Grandma Elaine Wilson, and us near the front of the church. Cassie did so well. Two beautiful white and gold angels, one on each side of the huge cross above the altar, were so impressive. Jan Chmielewski told me that they are only used for the Christmas services. Of course, while we were with all of them, we were treated to some great food. Our family has very talented chefs and bakers.