December Rain

It has been raining here in South Texas - a much needed, refreshing, earth soaking rain. It started Saturday and is gloomy yet today, but still a beautiful day.

I pray that everyone of you remembers to say "Merry Christmas" to those you see. Let the reason for the season be our very first priority.

Last week was a busy week as usual. It started Monday night with a surprise birthday party at our Bible study. I was wondering why CHI director Betsy Chacon, husband Randall, and son Benjamin were there, as they usually have many things going on with Benjamin and school activities. Wonderful snacks, ice cream, and a beautiful cake (the cake was a present from Betsy and Randall). The cake had wonderful fresh fruit on top, very healthful, if you did not eat the whipped cream that the fruit was embedded in!!!! I am so blessed to be surrounded by loving, Christian friends. Fred bought me flowers and a card (in Spanish ) as we are taking lessons and I think he was giving me a test.  We also went to Hildago on Wednesday evening to see all the Christmas lights while riding on a trolley.  Our trolley guide was a very well informed gentleman who had lived in the area for many years. He related a lot of the history of the area, as well trying to teach us what the words to the song "Feliz Navidad" meant. He was extremely entertaining! A friend and neighbor, Marion, took me to lunch on Wednesday (the actual day of my birthday) which made for a perfect day.




we arrived in Hildago just as the sun was going down - a beautiful sight



some of the lights in Hildago - the chairs were there for a musical presentation, but the night was truly cold and we did not stay for  that

a trolley ride on a cool evening was so invigorating

our tour guide

just a sampling of the Christmas light display

this home is owned by a very famous Mexican musician ( a Mexican Myron Florian )

Tuesday  two of us couples went to Reynosa to deliver the donated Christmas presents for all of the children (to be stored until the party this Thursday). We also wanted to see Teacher Gloria, the principal of the RIN school, whose son and granddaughter were burned over 85% of their bodies and are in burn centers in Texas. She was getting ready to return to Texas to be with them and we wanted to assure her of our love, support and prayers. Sometimes we do not know why God allows bad things to happen, but we have to trust in His plan for each and everyone of us. Please keep Teacher Gloria's family in your daily prayers. It was chilly that day, but by looking at the children a person would think it was bitterly cold there!!! We visited the school rooms and most of the children had hats and even scarves on. One of the pre-school girl had the same name as I do, and when I told her, she got very excited, so we had our pictures taken together. A former intern, Matthew (Mateo) Campbell from Canada was there on a two week vacation - he is a very wonderful Christian young man who works for the Canadian police, but his heart is in Reynosa, Mexico. We stayed for lunch with the children where Maria again outdid herself, caldo de res (beef soup) with homemade warm tortillas. We take every opportunity to go to Reynosa, to deliver items to RIN, but I sometimes think  to just be with the children and sample Maria's excellent cooking!

pre-school girls keeping warm

Leila and Leila ( in Mexico it is pronounced Lay-la)

the children all love Matthew Campbell

a volunteer friend Larry, with three little cuddly children



don't they look cold, although it was probably 45-50 degrees

Gas is $3.14 a gallon and going down!!!! Never thought we would celebrate at that price! 

This week is another busy one with Bible study tonight as we continue the study of Jeremiah. God gives us a commission, and we often try to rebel against His plan. How often do we say, "Who me, Lord? I'm too old, or too young, or not smart enough or strong enough, are You sure You mean me"?? He promises us that if we obey His commands, He will be there and never forsake  us.