Yard Photos - Part 2 (5/30/06)

Yesterday afternoon we went to a local Amish garden center and got a few more plants. Margaret was outside again early this morning to plant them. Afterward she made a not so subtle hint that I should post new pictures to show the recent additions. "I don't want folks to think it was going to stay the way it was yesterday" was her reasoning!

She added some color to the red maple.

And moved the nursery around to the front of the house onto a mulched bed.

Plus mulched around the baby red maple.

Recent Photos

Margaret got up early this morning to do some gardening before it got too hot outside. Later in the morning I went out to see what she had done with the plants we got yesterday at a local garden center. In the above picture she is mulching around the corkscrew willow tree in our front yard. The screen is to protect the tree from the rabbits who love to eat the new leaves.

Sand Cherry trees and hostas along the west end of our house.

Petunia's that Margaret planted this morning around a baby red maple tree.

The screen is to protect the tree from the rabbits.

Part of Margaret's plant "nursery"

.More of the nursery

This morning (5/28/06) Margaret planted celosia in the flower boxes at the entrance.

A close up of one of the flower boxes.

Margaret mulching our corkscrew willow tree.

This is a maple tree that Margaret planted a couple of years ago.

Margaret took this picture of a sunset at Rehobeth Beach while there witha women's retreat.

Wednesday, 5/24, on the chapel

I a day we had on the chapel yesterday except that Margaret was not with me.  She had a garden club meeting to go to in PA and rode with the ladies from the club.  She left from home early and did not get back to the house until late afternoon.

 

When I arrived at the chapel Chaplain Allan had stayed over and we went into the restaurant to have breakfast together.  Allan shared all about his recent mission's trip to India.  He had a great time in the Lord and has come back refreshed and energized.

 

Chaplain Allan left to return to Philadelphia and while I was finishing my tea Virginia driver Allen came in and set down with me.  We stayed in the restaurant and fellowshipped while he had his meal. (No, I did not eat again!)

 

It was about 1:30 p.m. before Allen and I went back to the chapel.  I still had not unpacked.  Everything was just piled up inside the living quarters.

 

I prayed with Allen and he left about 3:30 p.m.  Then I finally had a chance to get unpacked and organized.

 

We had a awesome Bible study at 7:00 p.m. with quite a collection of folks.  As the study finished we were joined by John, a drunk, who it turns out is also a poet.  John says he knows the Lord.  He was what I call an "alligator" - all mouth and no ears.  He liked to hear himself talk but was not too good at listening.  John left we prayed for a request from one of the drives who was there.  He came back later and gave me a can of beer!  He said he would regret it later but felt that if he gave it to me to get rid of it then he would not be tempted to drink it.  Someone told me they saw John later carrying the rest of the 12-pack.

 

By now it was 9:30 p.m. and I closed up the chapel to go home and get Margaret.  By the time we got back to the chapel and settled in it was almost midnight.  I'll be sooooo glad when we get the other car back!

In His Name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
TFC Elkton Website
Personal Website

 

A Big Praise the Lord!

Exciting news!!

 

As most of you know, this past February Margaret had a one-car accident.  She was not injured but there was an estimated $6,000 damage to the car.  Then we found out that our automobile insurance would not apply to the repairs. (Click here for more details.)

 

For missionaries like us there is no practical difference between $6K and $6M dollars.  We did not have the money to have the car repaired.

 

The exciting news is that during the past 3 months God has prompted numerous individuals and organizations to contribute to our "car repair fund" and we now have the $6,000 for the repairs!  PTL!  Plus two sources have told us that if the repair costs exceed the initial estimate they will help make up the difference.

 

The body shop has ordered the parts and begun the repairs.  I will post pictures soon!

 

God is so good!  A big thank you to each and everyone who contributed and/or prayed for this situation.

 

In His Name,

Chaplain Sam & Margaret Houchins
TFC Elkton Website
Personal Website

 

We have new e-mail addresses!

Margaret and I have new e-mail addresses.  Please update your address book!

 

Sam:  chaplainsam@comcast.net

 

Margaret:  mhouchin@comcast.net

 

In His Name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
>>>>>> Please note NEW e-mail address <<<<<<
TFC Elkton Website
Personal Website

Update on Toyota

Praise the Lord!  Margaret made a down-payment to the body shop for the Toyota repairs and they have ordered the parts they need.  The repair work should begin soon.

 

A big THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed to this project so far.  We need only another $1,500 to cover the total costs.

 

In His Name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
TFC Elkton Website
Personal Website

 

Picture of Chaplain Sam & Margaret Houchins

Good news about the Toyota

We now have donations and pledges to cover 75% of the estimated cost to have the Toyota repaired.  We still need another $1,500 to finish the project.

 

The body shop says we can give them a down-payment now and they will begin the repairs.  PTL!  Purnell Body Shop is doing the work.  They have been awesome to work with.  If you live in the Elkton, MD area and need body work done to your vehicle see them!

 

In His Name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
TFC Elkton Website
Personal Website

 

A long weekend!

What a long weekend we just had.

 

Friday night we were late getting home from the chapel.  Saturday morning I went to an 8:00 A.M. men's breakfast.  Then Margaret and I attended a memorial service for our friend and long-time prayer partner Phyllis.

 

Sunday morning we attended church at Grace Bible Chapel, in North East, MD., for their Prayer for Missionary's day.  GBC is one of our supporting churches.  Sunday evening I preached the service at the church we attend, Smyrna Wesleyan.  Our Pastor had surgery last week and is still recovering.

 

Monday morning I got up early to be in Marietta, PA for a 9:30 A.M. meeting at the TFC, Int headquarters.

 

In His Name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
TFC Elkton Website
Personal Website

 

Congratulations to Margaret

Margaret has won two prizes in a recent garden club competition.  She won first prize for the plant specimen she entered and also won third prize for the arrangement she entered.

 

Way to go Margaret!

 

In His Name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
TFC Elkton Website

Welcome

Welcome to the personal blog of Chaplain Sam Houchins. I am a missionary Lead Chaplain at the Transport For Christ Life-Saver chapel located in Elkton, MD. Check out our website.