Happenings – Wounded Warriors at Nebo

Honor and Sacrifice

Today is Memorial Day. Millions of Americans will take time to remember and honor the service men and women who died in service to their country. Originally Memorial Day was know as Decoration Day. It was meant to honor the Union and Confederate Soldiers who died during the American Civil War (1861-1865). By the 1900s it had become a day to celebrate ALL American soldiers who died in any war while serving in the United States Military. It wasn’t until 1967 that it was legally named Memorial Day.

Sharon and I seek out different places to go on our morning walks. A couple of weeks ago we went to the Wildseed Farm just as it opened. It was early so we were the only ones there except for the workers. The fields of flowers were breathtaking but what really caught my eye is the monument (my word) they have put up honoring those who have served or are currently serving in the United States Military. It’s not something I expected to see amidst the wildflowers. Of course I had to have a picture of it and now I’m glad because I can share it with you.

Once the Memorial Day celebration (very low key this year for obvious reasons) is over it will be easy to fall back into our routines and the memory of those who sacrificed so much to keep this country safe and allow us to remain free can easily slip to the background in our thinking. So, I challenge you to make a conscience effort to continue to celebrate the life of those who died for us even after the official day of remembrance is over.

Taking that one step further, do you know the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day? Of course you do – one honors the departed while the other honors the living who have served. Many veterans sport caps depicting the branch of service in which they served or the war(s) in which they fought. They are proud of their service as they should be and so should we.

Here’s your second challenge: Tell that veteran you appreciate his/her service. It takes less than two minutes but makes them proud that you recognized and acknowledged their sacrifice. Watch their face when you speak to them. You will see expressions from surprise to pride and many more.

GOD Bless You, GOD Bless Veterans and God Bless America

Happenings

Peace in Trying Times

I don’t know about you but I have never experienced anything like this COVID-19 pandemic. The closest thing to it that I can think of is the polio epidemic however, it pales in comparison. In the late 1940s polio outbreaks in the U.S. increased in frequency and size, crippling an average of more than 35,000 people each year. There were travel and commerce restrictions and some quarantines. With the introduction of vaccines in 1955 and 1963, the number of cases fell to less than 100 in the 1960s and fewer than 10 in the 1970s. (source: cdc.gov)

That said, I’m using this post to share a devotional I read last week that seems very appropriate for this time and situation. It is taken from DAILYWORD A Unity Publication (dailyword.com). Reference 1 Kings 19:11-12

“The Hebrew scriptures tell the story of the word of the Lord commanding the prophet Elijah to “stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” As he waits, Elijah fails to find God as he endures a wind strong enough to split mountains, an earthquake, and then a fire. Then Elijah discovers God, in a sound of sheer silence.

Sometimes chaos surrounds me as I try to find the peace of God. Other times, the chaos may be inside me I persist in my efforts as I confront inner storms, fires, and earthquakes as I search for peace.

Like Elijah, I remain steadfast in faith, undisturbed by what is happening around me. I wait for distractions to pass. Peace is mine.”

Given the uncertainty we are all experiencing I found these words comforting-telling me to not panic. That God is in control and offers us peace; we just have to listen and accept it.

Happenings

Palm Sunday

HAPPY PALM SUNDAY!! Those of you who want to refresh your memory on what Palm Sunday signifies should read Mathew 21.

Usually our church celebrates this Sunday by holding Palms on the Platz services downtown Fredericksburg at the Market Platz. It’s always a joy to be worshiping outside and meeting the tourists who hear the music and join us. This year however, our service, like so many others, was live streamed so we could watch from home. The only good thing about that is that it is cold and damp outside.

Although the Wounded Warriors at Nebo ministry has had to suspend events for a while, we want you to know that we miss you and you are in our thoughts and prayers.

God Bless You

Happenings

Coronavirus Precautions

Wounded Warriors at Nebo has had to make some hard decisions because of the coronavirus pandemic. We are cancelling all events that were scheduled for March, April and May. This cancellation includes R&R, Vow Renewal and Card Making Classes at WFSC. Unfortunately many who would be participating already have compromised immune systems and exposure to the Spring Break crowds in Fredericksburg would needlessly be putting them in danger. On a personal level, most of us are in the high risk age group and some have family members with health issues that would be adversely affected if one of us contracted the virus, therefore card making had to temporarily be suspended also.

Hopefully this virus will run its course quickly and we can resume card classes this summer and events beginning in September.

Keep checking this website and/or out Facebook page for updates.

God bless you and keep you safe.

Happenings

Valentine Cards

A funny thing happened on the way to this blog. I always ask for a photo of the cards being taught to include them on our website and Facebook page. I was a little late getting around to posting about the January 21 class. When I asked Sharon for the picture of her card she laughed and said “I don’t have it. It’s already mailed so when you receive it take the picture.” Sooo got the card this morning and completed the post.

Since Valentine’s Day was coming up soon, Jackie & Sharon both designed Valentine cards for the January 21st class. They were excited that the Cancer Support Group joined them for the class. These were people who had never been to the class. Some of the new group had never made cards while others were experienced card makers or scrapbookers. Everyone enjoyed themselves and left with two lovely cards.

We hope you all will come again and often.

Hope you had a

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!

Happenings

7 January Cards

We made two very different cards on Tuesday. Jackie’s design was almost a design your own. Everyone picked out the colors they wanted to use then decided how much of the primary image they would color, making each card unique. The second card was a whimsical valentine that involved stamping and fussy cutting.

Design your own card
Whimsical traditional valentine

Join us on 21 January 2020 for some creative fun at WFSC craft room. Class starts at 10 a.m.

Happenings

Card Making

December usually means Christmas cards will be made at both the 1st and 3rd Tuesday Classes and this year was no exception. Cards made on the 1st Tuesday (December 3rd) were designed and taught by Jan and Ruth.

December 17th cards were designed and taught by Sharon & Dottie.

Our sample cards are just that – samples. Most of our friends attending add their own creativity to personalize their cards. It’s always exciting to see the end products.

If you haven’t joined us yet, then you are missing out on fun and fellowship and some really good desserts which are served at the end of the class. Mark you calendar for January 7, 2020, and come to WFSC craft room. We begin at 10 and are finished between 11:30 & 12 noon.

To view more photos click on “Photos” at the top of the page and select the album “December Cards”.

Like us on Facebook.

Happenings

Turkeys for Troops

Mid November Toyota of Boerne held their “Turkey for Troops” event where they gave away turkeys. Wounded Warriors at Nebo was blessed to receive 45 of them. Rather than give them out at Thanksgiving, we took them to Dutchman’s meat market in Fredericksburg who smoked, shrink wrapped and froze them so they could be delivered for Christmas.

Families attending the December R&R received a turkey as they checked out of the hotel Sunday. Then on December 17th Wounded Warriors at Nebo took the remaining turkeys to Ft. Sam Houston and gave them to representatives of the Army, Navy and Marines to be distributed to their families in transition.

Thank you Toyota and Dutchman’s for your generosity.

Day Event

Alternative Gift Market

The weekend before Thanksgiving First Presbyterian Church, Kerrville, TX held their Alternative Gift Market. This type of ‘Market’ is where charities from around the world setup tables with information regarding their organization so those wishing to do so can make a contribution for a friend or loved one in lieu of a gift from Amazon, Walmart, etc. For example one organization digs wells to provide clean drinking water in poor countries. Some participants had tangible items you could purchase made by people whose only source of income comes from the sale of these items. One such organization had soy candles of various sizes and fragrances made by women who have been rescued from sex trafficking.

This was the second year that Wounded Warriors at Nebo has been invited to participate. Our ‘Gifts’ were: Spiritual Fitness $10; Care Giver Respite $25; Couples in Crisis $50; Family Christmas R&R $100.

Richard & Sharon Ready to tell the Nebo story

Obviously receiving the donations is wonderful and helps us to continue serving veterans both active duty and retired. However, every bit as important is raising the viability of the ministry. It is amazing how many local people have never heard of us and what we do.

So thank you, First Presbyterian Church for including us in your market and thank you to all of the generous people who purchased gifts.

Happenings

Christmas Request

Chaplain Thompson was recently transferred from Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX to Korea. He reached out to us this past week asking for Christmas Decorations. He said it’s pretty bleak there and many of the troops have little or no family so he is making a special effort to bring a little of home to the base. His plan is to decorate the basketball gym which will be open to everyone so that when one walks in it will lift their spirits and put them in the “Christmas Mood”. He says it is difficult to get those kinds of decorations there so is asking for our help in obtaining them.

We have set up a Wish List on Amazon that you can peruse, select what you want to send, purchase it and have it delivered directly to the base in Korea. The only big ticket item is the tree however, it would be a great gift for a group of friends to pool their money and purchase or perhaps a Sunday School Class. You get the idea. What is Christmas without a tree? Here is the link to the list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/dl/invite/4Ev7Udc?ref_=wl_share

Be sure to use the following shipping address: HHB 1-38TH FAR . Unit # 15735 . APO . AP . 96224

Shipping time is 21 days so place your orders quickly so they will have the decorations well before Christmas.

I’ll ask the chaplain to send pictures of the celebration.

God Bless You and thank you for your support.