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

Mom’s Autobiography – Chapter 76 – In Book, Page 183

More “Pebbles From The ROC”, ROC Moves to Permanent Location on North Third Street, Watertown, Wisconsin, Wedding of Travis Heitsch and Jenna Robbins, Party at Steve and Melody’s Home, ROC Brat Stands, Jerry Kasten’s Memorial Golf Outing, Sunflowers and Goldfinches

JUNE, 2010 – PEBBLES FROM THE ROC

Thanks be to God! On Sunday, April 18th, two teens (Amanda and Brandon) who attend our Watertown Recreation & Outreach Center (ROC) Youth Center, were baptized in the name of the one true Triune God. Brandon has also had the joy of confessing his faith and oneness with us through confirmation. These are more blessings coming out of our youth center.

Blessings from God also continue to be enjoyed through the remodeling project. Since our last update, the following have been completed: drywall installed, walls painted, new windows and doors installed, face brick placed, drop ceiling, lighting and fans installed, wood trim cut and placed, computer and refreshment area countertops installed, refreshment area cabinets installed, tile placed, and plumbing and electrical continued. Please stop by anytime to see the progress. If you can’t help with your time and talents, please help with your gifts. About $36,000 ($9,000 less than last month) is still needed to completely pay for the building and remodeling. Please send your gifts to THE ROC, 1411 Wedgewood Drive, Watertown, Wisconsin 53098. We thank our Lord for such wonderful blessings and we thank all who are giving so generously and cheerfully. Our hope is to move into the new building sometime in June and have a Grand Opening Open House in September. More upcoming ROC events include:

Sunday, June 27: Golf Outing – 4PM: T-Time – 7 PM Meal
Thursday, Friday & Saturday, July 22, 23, and 24: Rummage Sale
Friday & Saturday, August 27 & 28, Glenn’s Market Brat Stand

SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2010 – MOVING OF THE ROC – According to an e-mail from our son, “PT”, Pastor/Director of the ROC – “THE ROC HOME is now at 213 N. 3rd Street in Watertown! On Saturday many willing and giving people showed up to help move THE ROC. The big move went quickly and was completed already by 10:30 a.m. when we enjoyed visiting and fellow-shipping until the meal was served at approximately 11:00 a.m. We thank our Lord for moving so many hearts to remodel the building, help us move in, and provide the luncheon. The amount of hours given to our Lord through the ROC mission and ministry is staggering. Thanks be to God. Please place on your schedules GRAND OPENING/OPEN HOUSE, in two weeks, Saturday, June 26, 1-5 p.m. and theROC BANQUET/GOLF Outing on June 27th.”

SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2010 – WEDDING OF JENNA ROBBINS AND TRAVIS HEITSCH

On June 11th Melody and Steve picked us up from Debbie and Glen’s home (where we left our car) and went with them to Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee to catch a Frontier Airlines plane (with Jack the Rabbit painted on its tail) to Denver, Colorado. When we got to the airport, we had to wait a half hour for our luggage because there was a tornado warning. Steve rented a Ford Fusion, and then drove about 100 miles to Cheyenne, Wyoming. We went to Steph, Jeff, and Sami Jo’s fantastic new home out in “the bush”. They had the delicious rehearsal dinner in the basement. There were tables and chairs set up everywhere. Many relatives and friends were there. It was great to be with all of them.

The next day all of us traveled to Fort Collins to the Embassy Suites Hotel. Steph had reserved a big beautiful suite for us. We went to the Ptarmigan Country Club in Fort Collins where Jenna and Trav’s wedding would be performed in a huge tent by Pastor Jeffrey Heitsch, our son-in-law. The scripture readings were: Psalm 23 – 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a – Luke 10:38-42. The wedding address was taken from: Isaiah 41:10. Mitchell, Trav’s brother, was Best Man. Sami Jo, Trav’s sister, was one of the bride’s attendants. It was raining, but everyone looked great, and was smiling and happy. Debbie, Glen, Nicki, Dave, Cassie, Caleb, Sue, Jim, Christina, Laura, Melody, Steve, and we represented our family. Dick was asked by the bride and groom to have the table prayer for the reception. It was an unforgettable evening.

On Sunday, June 13th, we had breakfast at the Embassy Suites, and then went to see Jenna and Trav’s new home in Severance, Colorado. After that all of us went back to Steph, Jeff, and Trav’s home in Cheyenne, Wyoming. We had a very nice bedroom in which to stay. Steph and Jeff had arranged for three RVs to be pulled in next to their home for guests to stay in. One of Jeff’s brothers, Tom, his wife, Tracy, children, Shae Lynne, and Whitley Ruth, had driven their own RV to Cheyenne from Rapid City, South Dakota. Also Jeff’s mother, Carla, had come with them and stayed in their RV. His other brother, Tim, and wife, Sonya, also came to the wedding. It was a blessing to be with all of them again.
Slowly but surely, everyone started going his and her separate ways, back to their lives and responsibilities.

On Monday evening there was a worship service at Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cheyenne, where Jeff is Pastor. It was a question and answer service based on Scripture Lessons: 1 Kings 17:17-24, and Galatians 1:11-24. The Gospel Lesson was based on Luke 7:11-17. We were very happy to attend the service.

Dick and I stayed until the following Friday. We enjoyed being with Steph, Jeff, and Sami Jo in their new home. One day Steph took us to the Cheyenne Frontier Days arena and we watched Sami Jo on her horse, Socks, practice with the other “Dandies”. They were getting ready for the big Frontier Days Rodeo when they would ride their horses into the arena to open the rodeo. Another day Dick and I went on a trolly ride with a guide who showed us famous places in Cheyenne. It was very interesting.

Sami Jo showed us her very nice living quarters in the basement of Steph and Jeff’s home. She also showed us Frontier Days posters on the walls. The night before we left, Jeff grilled huge delicious steaks for us accompanied by baked potatoes and corn. We ate out on their beautiful deck. They told us that there are antelope which they see from their deck sometimes. Thank you, Steph, Jeff, and Sami Jo for your wonderful hospitality. God bless you.

We thank our gracious Lord for the wonderful trip so that we could be with our loved ones in Colorado and Wyoming. We again boarded a Frontier Airlines plane (this time with a dolphin painted on its tail). There were storms going on in the Midwest and we did have a few bumps, but we arrived safely at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee. Steve picked us up and took us to the Veolia building to show us where he works. Wow! He gave us a very impressive tour. We entered a cool room which was full of “servers”. There had been a company picnic that day, so Steve served us a delicious meal. There was a lot of food left because it had rained that day. Thank you, Steve. Steve took us to Debbie and Glen’s home where we picked up our car and headed back to our home in Watertown. Thank you, Steve, and Melody, for all you did for us to help us enjoy our trip. God bless you.

AND NOW BACK TO THE PAST –

AUGUST 4, 2008 – A GREAT PARTY AT MELODY AND STEVE’S HOME

Everybody looks so happy again on my pictures – Melody and Steve, Debbie and Glen, Sue and Tim, Sue and Jim, Steph, and Dick and me. We’re all sitting on Melody and Steve’s comfortable deck overlooking their lovely yard, and eating great delicious food made by Melody and Steve and drinking Marguerites. Then everyone displayed their talents at Karaoke which Steve has all set up in their basement. We had a wonderful time. Thank you, Melody and Steve!

AUGUST 9, 15, 16 – ROC BRAT STANDS

The ROC teens had a brat stand at Walmart on August 9th, and also one at Glenn’s Brat Stand on the 15th and 16th. Of course, Dick and I were at both places and ate bratwursts which were great. We also took pictures of the teens, Tim, the volunteers, and the many people who came.

AUGUST 17, 2008 – ROC/JERRY KASTENS MEMORIAL GOLF OUTING

The Jerry Kastens golf outing was held at the Watertown Country Club (below the hill where the Koplin farm was located). There are golfers and non-golfers (us) who come only for the delicious mouth-watering buffet dinner. The barbecue ribs are my favorite. Our son, Steve, came to golf with his brother, Tim, and also to treat us to the buffet dinner. Thank you, Steve! There are speeches and also a silent auction. All proceeds from both the brat stands and the golf outing go to help fund the ROC.

AUGUST 17, 2008 – SUNFLOWERS!!!!!!!!!

WOW! Those are really something – huge! The pictures show that they reach way up to the roof and over the house. They remind me at this date, May 20, 2010, to plant some more. The goldfinches love them, and we love to watch the goldfinches come.