Summer has begun!!

Greetings from Adventureland, Ia:

We apologize for the delay in getting this post up, but we were kind of waiting to hear the final word on Judy's lab results and what the Drs. had to say.

1. The results from Arizona lab work showed that things were happening has planned, so we didn't have to return to Houston's Baylor University THANK YOU JESUS.

2. We had a marvelous 2 periods of NOMAD projects in Arizona during Feb. and March.
We were at TMM in Tucson and then went to Phoenix and UMOM after UMOM we stayed for an additional 2 weeks and volunteered there while John worked for ARAMARK concessions at Tempe Diablo stadium,spring training home of the L.A. Angels, where he was a prep cook (making the sandwiches which were served there.

THANK YOU JESUS for 2 great projects where we met a lot of new NOMAD friends. Also for the safety for travels to and from these important projects and safety while performing them.

3. From Phoenix we headed for Gore, OK and the United Methodist, Circle of Care Boys Ranch.. for our next 3 week period, where again we were greeted by a fabulous team of NOMADS. We accomplished much needed projects while there.

4. We then traveled onto Iowa, spending the first 4 days camped at a Corp of Engineers park along the Mississippi River in Eastern Iowa, while visiting with John's family and friends. Thank You Jim and Judy Thomas for the fabulous tour of your work in progress of your wonderful older home restoration.

5. The next 4 days were spent with the ENDEAVOR secured in Franklin Park at Belle Plaine, Ia. where we visited Judy's family and our friends there. We enjoyed our Sunday Morning Worship experience with our Church family at CHRIST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Belle Plaine..was great to see ALL of the cheerful faces and received SO Many warm wishes and greetings.

6. We then arrived at Adventureland Campground (Z-22, where we have spent the last 2 summers) around 5:30 p.m among the light rain showers.

7. We visited Dr. Luft (Judy's primary Dr. here in Des Moines) on Monday morning he had looked over all of the fall/ winters medical records from the various Drs.. he then ordered more lab work.... These tests came back with an excellent report that all levels had returned to NORMAL THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!

8. We then visited Dr. Hanson (her pain management Dr) and he changed her pain medicine last Thursday and at this writing seems so much better for her. THANK YOU JESUS !!!

9. We have been busy with the CRM ministry here in the campground,, there are so many with health issues here this year,, we have made hospital visits and are planning on being involved with small groups by being the facilitators of one. We will be attending the Sunday service over in the Chapel at Adventureland. Along with a Bible Study on Wednesday Mornings.. Please pray for these activities.

Speaking of Prayers those here in Adventureland that have medical issues that need prayer are
Chaplain Jack G., Chuck A. , Judy L., Betty H., Jim K., Dave H., Ron H. and other prayer request that are unspoken.. Please pray for the CRM Chaplains here that we may be a light for our LORD among the folks..


We also want to thank each of you for ALL of your concerns for Judy and John while we have been traveling and for those special request of prayer during Judys recent medical problems dating back to Oct. We are seeing the results of those prayers now as Judy is doing so much better and there isn't any sign of the major problem with her Bile duct. We are all so grateful to those of you that have joined in our ministries financially and want you to know that it has enabled us to go places and witness and work where we would not of been able too do,with out that support.. AGAIN THANK YOU!! We also are always encouraged by notes here on the blog, or in the mail, and hearing your voices on the phone is always a treasured event. Visiting in person, as we cross your paths, is a special treat for us and we always have time for at least a soda or coffee with you. We close with just this wish that each of you have the most BLESSED Summer and that you all have a wonderful day.

GODS LOVE to each and a hug from THE LONGS- Judy and John and we still have those traveling cats BAMM- BAMM and PEBBLES say meooooooow.

So some thought we were still on vacation!!!

Just a few things that have transpired since Jan. 20th when the Drs. in Houston, released Judy to travel... We arrived in Casa Grande, Az. for a week with our fellow Christian Resort Ministries Chaplains; Don and La Von Baker.
We then went down to Tucson's TMM Family service to begin our 2010 NOMADS projects.. The project at TMM began Feb.1st for 3 weeks ending Feb.18th,and consisted of a great many things that needed to be done.. some of which were moving them out of their office space into a temporary office area ,while they remodel the old space into much needed single parent housing apartments. We painted various spaces, one was all of the wrought iron fencing surrounding the street sides of the property. John hand lettered a sign indicating where all of the temporary offices are presently located. Lots of miscellaneous tasks were accomplished, keys sorted and reassigned to a master lock box, blue prints re-tubed and relabeled, washer repaired, basketball hoops, installed, light bulbs replaced in the dining hall, outdoor walkway lights repaired, a stepping stone walkway constructed, and of course the always present NOMAD task of cleaning and sorting. The team there was 3 couples: The Dave Hartts from Michigan were our leaders, the Ken Younts from Tennessee, and us.We had the traditional NOMAD activities of Game nights and food.

Then we moved up to Phoenix and began NOMAD project period 3 (2/22-3/11) at UMOM. UMOM is a campus with a wide variety of ministries to single moms and families that are homeless. The team here consisted of 5 couples: The Delmar Smiths of Illinois were the team leaders, the David Smiths from Michigan, the Mark Fords,formally from Wisconsin; but are full-timer RVers like us. Also there was the Warren Rices from Minnesota along with us.
Again the work here was widely varied. The major project accomplished was the installation of tile in the new conference rooms coffee area and the adjoining restroom. Also the conference room (50'x36') was primed and painted in 1day by the whole team working together.there was an old serving window that was filled in and painted... The team also helped with 3 large mailings.. there was closet shelving installed in 3 offices, shelving assembled and many boxes moved out and then back in the accounting office area. The ladies worked numerous days at the clothes closet ( a place where donated clothes are sorted and made available to the residents). The ladies also worked in a area where there were piles and piles of catering utensils and equipment stored, they straighten and washed a lot of items. Some worked in the food donation area arranging the cans by product and checking the dates for those that were outdated and tossed.

We are staying at UMOM even after the "official" ending date of the NOMAD project until the2nd of April, Judy is working wherever she can be of assistance, while John is working over at Tempe Diabo stadium 'The Spring Training Home of the L.A. Angels, he is working in the food concession stand building sandwiches (hot dogs, bacon-cheese burgers, brats, and Portabella Mushroom) on non-game days John is assisting the UMOM maintenance dept by doing various electrical and plumbing repairs.

We then will be traveling to Judys April 7th Drs, appointment in Houston before joining the NOMAD period 5 team at the Boys Ranch in Gore, Ok.(4/5-4/22) then we head home to IOWA, plans are in complete at this writing as we are waiting to see how the Drs visit goes.

Of course all of this could NOT be possible with out the guidance of God and ALL of your support in prayers, calls, letters, e-mails and especially the financial support you provide.
Hoping to see many of you when we are in Belle Plaine the 1st weekend of May.

May God continue to bless each of you
Hugs around from the Longs-on the road for Christ; Judy and John

Arizona

Hey all:
We have been busy! but we will try to get the " update" posted NO LATER than Friday evening; have LOTS to share and am trying to get pictures finished and added. Hope this finds all of you well.

Keep praying for us as Judy is doing ok so far,, had a minor Krone's attack over the weekend... John has been selected to work for the L.A. Angels training stadium in the concession stand along 3rd base.----more later.

Love you all and see some of you in late April or early May when we return to Iowa.

YES; WE ARE STILL IN TEXAS

Greeting from the Texas deepfreezer:

We realize that most of our blog readers are getting this northern weather worst then we are, and we are praying for them. We are already below freezing here near Houston, and expected to stay around freezing for over 36 straight hours...

Any way just a short note to let you know that we saw Judy's Specialist yesterday at the Baylor Medical Center for the consultation, He felt that the extra procedure is still necessary, 1) to see where or what caused the initial bile duct blockage. 2) to remove the original stint and possibly replace it if necessary. 3) To see if there was any damage done to either the pancreas or liver and make a positive determination of NO Cancer.

The Dr. was very through with his questions and allowed us adequate time to ask anything we needed to know..We were impressed.

This procedure is scheduled for Friday Jan 8,2010 at 9 a.m.; should take about 11/2 hours to perform and then a 2 hour recovery and if it goes well back to Livingston by 1 p.m.

We will have to go back to the Dr office sometime next week for a follow-up visit, and then we hope to head to MUCH warmer Arizona at least by the end of the week.

Thanks again for all that you all do for us as we have this opportunity to represent Christ to the RVing community and those who are disadvantage served by the agencies partners of NOMADS.

Gods Blessing and warmth
and Hugs from the Longs:on the road for Christ: Judy and John
along with the freezing traveling cats Bamm Bamm and Pebbles

NEW YEAR GREETINGS

Happy New Years Y'all:

Since arriving at the R&L Ranch here in Rainbows End, near Livingston, Tx . We have been busy. We HAVE to play pinochle on Monday,Wednesday, and Friday evenings. Then we play hand and foot 3 afternoons a week, then there is the mexican train games to get in. Besides going to Sunday School and Church on Sundays, then vesper services here at the Care Center on Sunday Afternoons. Of course we attended Candlelight services on Christmas Eve at 1st United Methodist Church, Livingston. There was the huge Christmas potluck dinner at the Activities Center (which we hosted the table of 11). New Year Eve was another huge finger food party,with live music (we found an empty room to play hand and foot in and still heard the music). Breakfast was served at 11 p.m. then at Midnight we gathered in a circle joining hands and sang Auld Lang Sang.

We have toured Livingston a few times getting the lay of the land for when we might settle here. We have traveled over to Triple Creek RV resort at Woodville, Tx twice on Saturdays to listen to some good Gospel music 1 night and Country music 1 night.

We had New Years Day Dinner with 3 other couples at the Wiehrs (The home of the R&L Ranch).. We have been keeping the leaves raked up and (over 30 wheel barrows full) hauled away off of the front yard. John repaired a light fixture in their family room. He has also repaired a hole in the Tin roof over the woodshop area. Caulked around the foundation of their manufactured home. Covered the airvents with plastic so the air doesn't get in the crawl space.
SO JUST MAYBE this explains a little why this space hasn't been updated sooner (possibly spending a LOT of time on FACEBOOK AND TWITTER might be another reason.) One could follows us on FaceBook as John N Judy Long or on Twitter as ChaplainLong.

Just saw this great CHRISTMAS POEM:
'Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house,
Every creature was hurtin', even the mouse.
The toys were all broken, their batteries dead;
Santa passed out, with some ice on his head.
... See More
Wrapping and ribbons just covered the floor,
While upstairs the family continued to snore.
And I in my T-shirt, new Reeboks and jeans,
I went into the kitchen and started to clean.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the sink to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the curtains, and threw up the sash.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a little white truck, with an oversized mirror.
The driver was smiling, so lively and grand;
The patch on his jacket said "U.S. POSTMAN."

With a handful of bills, he grinned like a fox
Then quickly he stuffed them into our mailbox.
Bill after bill, after bill, they still came.
Whistling and shouting he called them by name:

"Now Dillard's, now Broadway's, now Penny's and Sears
Here's Robinson's, Levitz's and Target and Mervyn's.
To the tip of your limit, every store, every mall,
Now charge away--charge away--charge away all!"

He whooped and he whistled as he finished his work.
He filled up the box, and then turned with a jerk.
He sprang to his truck and he drove down the road,
Driving much faster with just half a load.

Then I heard him exclaim with great holiday cheer,
"Enjoy what you got. . . . . .you'll be paying all year!"

We do hope that you will join us in Prayer for all of those that are in our Armed services, serve us in the public sector as Firemen, Policemen, Doctors, Nurses, City Servants. There have been many who have lost LOVED Ones this season, pray for them all.. Also especially remember Our Close Friend Chuck, who has just been diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia. Judy goes in for her consultation on this Wednesday ( this has been rescheduled 4 times) we are hoping that the Specialist at Baylor doesn't detect anything else... SHE REALLY HAS BEEN DOING GOOD, even when she has bad days; she has bounced back pretty quick.

Again we would like to thank all of you, that have decided to be a part of our Ministries by your Prayers; moral support of calls, letters , e-mails; and the financial support that allows us to stay out here fulltime on the road for Christ... we really appreciate all that you do.