MOM’S MEMOIRS – IRENE LOUISE (NEE KUCKKAN) MUELLER
(Continued)
Mom’s Autobiography – Chapter 81 – In Book, Page 195
Debbie Visits the ROC, Celebrating Joshua’s 6th Birthday, Travis Heitsch Engaged, Tim Preaches For Mission Festival – Trinity, Watertown, Wisconsin, Steve Attends “The Price Is Right”, St. Mark’s School and Music Center Dedication, 35th Anniversary of Abiding Savior – Weslaco, Texas, Tim’s Divine Call to Wonewoc, Wisconsin, OWLS Guest – Beth Ingalls Leisses, Michael Schroeder Concert at St. John’s, Watertown, ROC Teens Learn a Lesson of Compassion
FEBRUARY 4, 2009 – OUR DEBBIE VISITS THE ROC AND US
We always look forward to when Debbie visits us. We took her to the ROC building which was still on Water Street. Tim, her brother, the teens and we had a wonderful visit with her. Debbie played pool with one of the teens, Dick visited with Mr. Duane Thompson, who hadn’t yet gone to his heavenly home, and I probably visited with one of the lady volunteers. The teens love to come to theROC – it is their second home.
FEBRUARY 5, 2009 – CELEBRATION OF JOSHUA MICHAEL POSTON’S 6TH BIRTHDAY
We can hardly believe that Joshua is 6 years old! Here we are again in Album Number 78 with pictures of Joshua, his Mom, Jenny, Dad, Kevin, and brothers Jonah, and Conner Poston. Also Kevin’s parents, Bill, and Colleen, are there. Of course, Timmy, Chris, a girl “friend” of Chris, Julie, Matt, and we are there. All of us are again indulging in a delicious meal and fabulous birthday cake (on the balloon table cloth), with a big 6 on it, baked by Joshua’s Mom, Jenny.
FEBRUARY 6, 2009 – TRAVIS HEITSCH GETS ENGAGED!
Quoted from an e-mail from our daughter, Stephanie, Heitsch, to the family – “Hi All: I just wanted to share with you all because we are so happy that our son, Travis, got engaged last night (February 6, 2009) here in Steamboat (Wyoming). He took her on a private horse drawn sleigh ride, stopped at a snow filled field, got down on his knees with the snow lightly falling around them and proposed!” Wow, how romantic! We wish them God’s richest blessings throughout their married life.
FEBRUARY 15, 2009 – TIM PREACHES AT TRINITY FOR MISSION FESTIVAL
Dick and I attended the Mission Festival at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, and heard Tim preach a great sermon on Matthew 9:35-38 – “Having Jesus’ Compassion For Souls”. Pastor Paul Kuckhahn, who we think is a relative of mine, was the worship leader. After the service we talked to both Pastor Kuckhahn and Pastor Brauer. Dick mentioned to Pastor Brauer that a member of Trinity and I had been friends many years ago, before I met Dick. The friend became a judge, and Pastor Brauer quipped, “So she chose the Gospel instead of the Law!” Coming off the top of his head, we thought that was quite an ingenious remark!
FEBRUARY 16, 2009 – STEVE ATTENDS “THE PRICE IS RIGHT”
Steve had to go to Los Angeles, California, on business, so he decided to go and see the show, “The Price Is Right”, hosted by Drew Carey. He went and was almost picked to be on the show. However, he was on a video, and we have the pictures of him in the audience to prove it. We wish you had gotten on the show, Steve, but it must have been exciting just to be there. Here is what Steve wrote about his TV debut:
“Hi all,
Set your TiVo or VCRs to record the Price is Right on Monday, February 16th.
Why you may ask? No, I didn’t get on the show, but I was there for the taping this past Monday in Los Angeles. I had to go out there for business and had some spare time, so I attended the Price is Right J. Look for me!
I had an aisle seat on the right-hand side of the studio (as the camera pans) and a few people who got called up ran right past me; in fact, I high-fived a guy as he ran past me. So look for my hand at least J. I was wearing a dark blue shirt with white horizontal stripes. Hey, this could be my national TV debut J.
Love,
Steve”
FEBRUARY 22, 2009 – ST. MARK’S SCHOOL & MUSIC CENTER DEDICATION PLAN –
GOD’S PLAN TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING
As quoted from the Dedication Booklet – “Our New Facility – Soli Deo Gloria! To God Alone Be The Glory! – We are so thankful to God for bringing us to this day and into this wonderful facility. The educational wing is dedicated to the proclamation of His Word through our Lutheran Elementary School. Kid’s 4 Christ Sunday School, and the various other Bible Classes that will be held. The new Music Center is designed to serve multiple youth and adult choirs, as well as the instrumentalists of the congregation, so that our services might be filled with the harmonious proclamation of Christ. The commons, gym, and computer lab serve many functions with always the same purpose, that Christ’s people might gather to share their God-given gifts and show their love”. The preacher was: Professor Emeritus, Rev. Daniel Deutschlander. The sermon was based on Matthew 17:1-9 – “Look Up and See Only Jesus” – 1. Prepare to See Him as You One Day will: That’s Why We Have This Building 2. Prepare to See Him as He is Now: That’s Why We Have This Building
FEBRUARY 22, 2009 – 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF ABIDING SAVIOR, WESLACO, TEXAS
Dick’s last full-time ministry was at Abiding Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church, Weslaco, Texas. He was privileged to be the congregation’s Pastor from August 1, 1993 to June 16, 1996, when he retired. During the time we were there, much work was done. In 1994, a Fellowship Hall was built. At the same time the church was remodeled. The kitchen was removed and made into an overflow seating area. New carpeting was laid. Pews were put into place and churchly chandeliers were added. The chancel was redesigned and a communion rail was installed. In March of 1996, volunteers added a balcony which provides a practical place for the organ, the computer organ, and seating for the choir.
Yes, God richly blessed His work at Abiding Savior. It hardly seems possible that when we arrived in 1993, there were only chairs and no pews in the nave. Sunday School classes, Ladies Aid, and all other meetings were held in the back of the church because there was no fellowship hall. Also, the kitchen was also in the back of the church. There was no communion rail or balcony. As all of the above took place, how excited and thankful all of the members, visitors, and we were for all of God’s blessings. Without Him we can do nothing.
Dick and I were invited to the 35th Anniversary of Abiding Savior, but even though we would have loved to have been there, we couldn’t. Our thoughts, hearts, and prayers were with them.
MARCH 7, 8, 2009 – FROM ST. MARK’S BULLETIN
“Pastor Tim Mueller, the Pastor/Director of the ROC, has been called to St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wonewoc, Wisconsin. Pray that the Lord guides them in their deliberations”. The Lord did guide Tim in his deliberation, and we are thankful that he returned the Call to St. Paul’s. He is sorely needed by the ROC teens.
“OWLS MEET SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2009 – 3:30 p.m. Parish Center Multipurpose Room, devotion, business meeting, guest speaker will give a presentation on The Little House on the Prairie theme, potluck supper to follow. Visitors are always welcome.” Beth Ingalls Leisses gave the presentation which was very interesting. She had many pictures and mementoes from the actual Ingalls home. There was Laura Ingall’s doll, a potty, etc.
MARCH 13, 2009 – ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL – MICHAEL SCHROEDER CONCERT
We were invited to hear a special Gospel song concert by Michael Schroeder at St. John’s School, Watertown, Wisconsin. St. John’s is the Lutheran School where Jenny’s husband, Kevin Poston, is Music Director, and third grade teacher, and where their son, Joshua, attends school. Many people attended, and enjoyed the concert.
MARCH 18, 2009 – FROM THE WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – WATERTOWN ROC TEENS LEARN LESSON
“Teens who visit the Watertown Recreation and Outreach Center for Youth recently learned a lesson on compassion. ROC volunteer Todd Morris dressed up as a homeless man named Hank and sat outside the ROC holding a sign, “Will work for food”. Pastor Mueller watched as the teens noticed the “homeless man” and started talking about how they could help him. “All of the teens eventually wanted to help “Hank” by giving him some food and asking him to come into the ROC to warm up, as it was bitterly cold outside”, Mueller said. One of the teens gave the homeless man the blanket he had made during the ROC After-School Program (Jennifer Poston, very talented daughter of Sue and Tim Mueller is in charge of Crafts). Later “Hank” revealed himself as Morris. “You could have heard a pin drop as the teens were shocked”, Mueller said. ROC staff told the students the exercise was not intended to embarrass the teens, but to teach the lesson of compassion and love to all.