Thank You Jesus

Today was the first Sunday of church services here at the park. Chaplain Dennis anticipated this just a much as all of us did, as we always look forward to the first service at The Church @ Alamo Rec Veh. Dennis' sermon this morning was all about Thanksgiving; not the day but the ability to give thanks to Jesus for everything. It always seem that when I begin to think about my blog for the week, I try to think of a theme - I should know better because something ( or Someone) always comes along and changes my mind. As I walk every evening, I marvel at the wonders of creation, and often thank God for allowing me to be a part of it. A three mile walk allows for lots of time to talk to God. According to Chaplain Dennis, thanksgiving encourages a grateful spirit, helps us to develop a positive attitude (it is hard to be positive and have sad face), and improves our witness. The small things as well as the big ones are all reasons for giving thanks.

Some of the flowers and trees blooming right now are so magnificent and plentiful - I could fill many pages with them, but here are a few -

the color is beautiful

these smell wonderful



beautiful pink

the ever beautiful showplace of Chaplain and Sally Maloney -

so dainty

 

The RAMMAC (Reynosa Associacion de Maquiladoras and Manufactueras AC) fund raising golf outing that we served at last week was a huge success - every penny of the money donated was 100% profit, going to the support of the children at RIN. We are so very thankful to the organizers of this event for their willing hearts to provide for mission projects. The same day in Reynosa the 5th annual Festival de la Amistad was held. This event opens the doors of CHI/RIN, inviting all the neighbouring residents to a carnival in order to help cement relationships as well as spread the Word of the Lord through friendship, fellowship, and witness. I have included a few pictures, but go to Children's Haven International facebook page or website to see all of them.

 

the elementary children - some are from the surrounding area, some are the children of CHI

the crowd getting ready to have fun

one of the games - notice all the prizes

a favorite of the younger kids

face and hair painting

even massages - this young lady grew up at RIN  and is now in the Reynosa College of Cosmetology

the bingo prizes - all are donated - all of the proceeds from this part of the event go to the school - for supplies, salaries, etc.

Bingo players - this is a huge part of the carnival

food was offered - prepared by our amazing cook, Maria

check out that bucket of jalapenos

corn on the cob, but not like the Americano way - but spread with mayo, grated Mexican cheese, and hot sauce - and it really is very good.

one of my very favorite people,volunteer Rhonda and a special guy, Sergio. Rhonda and her husband sponsor this very loving, caring young gentleman.

 

 

If just a seed of faith was planted in a small portion of those who attended this function, think of all those who will come to the Lord - to love Him, to serve Him, and forever be in His presence.

 

Everyone have a wonderful week - be thankful for all of the small things, have a greatful spirit, talk to people not about them, develop a positive attitude, and help us to improve our witness. Doing God's work requires sacrifice (part of Chaplain Dennis' sermon). We have so much to be thankful for, can we not give up something for the benefit of others?

 

 

 

Walking, walking, walking

The evenings are so beautiful that I try to walk every night - hopefully 3 miles (around the entire park). This evening was a bit less as I got a later start and it began to turn dark (I do not do dark).
The winter "families" are returning as there were a few more golf carts cruising the park - one couple even had their cat with them. We were saddened to hear that another couple will be selling out this year due to illness. We pray for those who are not returning, but are forever in our hearts.

a large white crane across the lake - as you can see the lake is very low right now

a strange tree in the park - any ideas?

the lake is filling up - the birds are singing with joy

Sally and I have finally mastered the 2 mile walk video - now we can work with the ladies and feel comfortable about it. We walk with the video twice a week, hoping that many ladies will join us, as we begin to invite them. The video, a Christian inspired work-out by Leslie Sansone is available from our crmintl.org website.  Just go to the website, click on "about us", then Christian Book Dist. In the search field on that site, just type in Sansone - she has quite a few work-out videos, but this one seems the best suited for our ladies. The videos are very reasonable. CRMI receives a donation for everything ordered from this site, thus enabling our continued work for the Lord.

We made a trip to Reynosa this past week, transporting items to the Haven for the carnival/neighborhood party held there on Saturday. This is a great fund raiser that is held every year with games, fun, food, and prizes, as well as spreading the word of God to the many invited neighborhood families We also had two travelers along with us, Tyler and Cheryl, a wonderful couple who are working at the Haven with a TEAM from the Central Community Church in Chilliwack, British Columbia. This church TEAM has been to Reynosa before, but this is the first time for this couple. They are a young family, with 3 daughters (the daughters stayed in Canada with their grandparents), who are planning to enter the mission field on a full time basis. It was amazing listening to their testimony, their plans for mission work which involves a great challenge to them as a family. Right now they are just in the planning stages, not knowing where God wants to "plant them",  when or how they are going to start. They have just placed their faith in God, letting Him take the lead in this situation. Add them to your prayer list - to strengthen their decision to step out in faith and to understand God's calling.

part of the Chilliwack TEAM waiting in the lunch line at RIN. This group has been there all week, doing whatever physical labor is necessary

Cheryl and Tyler - an amazing couple (Hmmmm-  maybe I should be walking more than I am)

Paty and Lupe - sisters we sponsor - they are growing up to be beautiful young ladies

We did not work at the carnival in Reynosa this year, as the annual golf fund raiser here on the American side was also the same day. The Reynosa Association de Maquiladoras y Manfactureras AC (the manufacturers and warehouses along the border in Reynosa) holds this every year as a fund raiser for several ministries. CHI is very blessed to be able tobe included, allowing us to convey to everyone the purpose behind CHI and how important donations and fund raisers like this are to the organization. We chose to help raise funds at the golf outing, trying to plant the seed of love for mission involvement in all those who attended. CHI's Bible verse that exemplifies their vision is Matthew 18:5, "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me". We were again stationed at the 8th hole, where the golfers tried to get a hole in one in order to win a new car. It was a fun filled day as 180 golfers covered the greens.

set up and ready to go

the men planning their strategy

the team

and here come the golfers

the first team teeing off

watching the 8th hole to verify a winner

And now on a more personal note -  the Fayetteville, Arkansas School District ran a shampoo collection drive for the district's disadvantaged and homeless student population. They collected 1116 bottles to be given out for months to come. With extend sincere thanks to all who donated and to the Technology Director for giving the Technology Department the tools and the time to do it. I mention this because our youngest daughter, Christine, is a part of that department and we are so proud of her for her willingness to step out and help serve - in a sense, she, too, is working in the mission field - helping those less advantaged than she.



the tech team with 1116 bottles of shampoo - our daughter, Christine, in the middle

 

 A beautiful Sunday after a rather busy week. We needed to replace the floor in our bedroom as we were walking around soft spots and holes, so that was done earlier in the week. We had planned to have the room repainted, so wound up sleeping on the mattresses on the floor until the painting was done - quite a feat for those of our mature state! We made a last minute decision to replace the carpet, so off we went to a carpet dealer who was going out of business and came home with a nice carpet at a great price. Now we need to get an installer - therefore still sleeping on mattresses on the floor and the house is in total disarray. But the painting is done!!!!


Don't you just love this sign at the enterance of our park??

you really don't need reservations for Bible study.

We had a Bible study this morning, as our church services here at the park will not begin until the end of the month, after which we then attended communion services at Pastor Israel's church. What a gift that Jesus gave to us - a time to share His body and blood in rememberence of Him. A time to share this with other believers as we took communion together.

We were the receipients of many, many towels and sheets (all very good to new condition) but in need of washing as some of them had not been used in a long time. On Wednesday, we washed and dried 16 loads of them - yes - 16 loads, and donated them to the Great Oaks Outreach Program. I now know that I would not have been happy working in a laundry.

I have been reading about what the Bible says about women in ministry. I won't debate that issue here as it certainly is a very debatable issue. In my reading, I came upon this very important paragraph. "The other unchallengeable ministry for women is the role God gives all of His children, men and women alike. No one can keep us from the specific contribution that God has called us to make. If God opens a door, no one can close it. If God closes a door, no one can open it. No government, institution, tradition, or person can keep us from doing what God has called us to do. For that reason, we need to relax in the confidence that our responsibility is not to force our services on our world but to let God do His work through us. Our responsibility is not to build a ministry, but to faithfully, honestly, and lovingly do what is a hand". Sometimes, I know that I want to get ahead of God, becoming impatient if what I think should be moving along more quickly seems to be bogged down. I forget that everything works according to God's plan, not man's. Building a ministry allows for God's leadership.

As we studied Psalm 56 this morning, we all discussed what we were most afraid of as a child. David lived in fear for many years as he was constantly being pursued by Saul. There were many answers from the group -  the authority of their earthly father, funeral homes, appearing "poor" to their schoolmates,  and snakes. Then it came to me - and again referring back to my early Catholic upbringing, my answer were the nuns. They just seemed to float around, making no noise regardless of their long habits and hanging beads, constantly reminding us to "confess and be assured of a place
in heaven". I remember one Saturday morning Mother made me a huge cup of hot cocoa with a big white marshmallow in it. How wonderful it smelled and felt - so warm and comforting on a cold Chicago winter day. Now not to make my mother seem like an un-Italian Catholic mother, I must confess that she could curse better than any man I ever heard. As I took the chocolate in my hand and prepared to sip it's chocolate flavor, I realized that the cup was incredibly hot - so I merely repeated some of the words I heard her say - not understanding that no child was supposed to use those words. What happened next made all thoughts of drinking that fabulous drink vanish. I received a smack across the cheek that almost made me fall from the chair. Another lesson learned - do not curse out loud in front of adults. I suppose I somehow knew those words were taboo. I then was lectured on
how not to confess to the priest, as he would immediately want to know where I heard the language.
Another lesson in the code of silence that prevailed in our family. I don't want to blacken my mother's character, but it seemed that most of the mothers in the neighborhood spoke the same way. One girl friend of mine called my mother a bad name, at which time I was instructed not to play with her anymore. Somehow, we instintively knew which words to use when. Dysfunctional was not a word used in the 40's to describe families (although I honestly believe that a form of dysfunction exists in every family). You just took what you were dealt and functioned within those perimeters. Actually, my childhood was not unhappy, I just approached each day with a feeling of expectation of something new and exciting. I hope that I continue that in my late adult life - expecting new doors to be opened as others close - anticipating God's leadership in the path He has laid out for us to follow.

This is the day the Lord has made

It is hard to believe that another week has gone by - Sundays seem to come around so quickly. When I was a younger, I used to wish I was older, or that Christmas would hurry up and get here, or wish my birthday would come twice a year instead of once, or that I would grow up faster. My Italian grandmother would tell me not to wish my days away - the time would come soon enough. Now the time has come and gone - I think I have grown up, I don't wish I was older, I am likely to forget my yearly birthday, and Christmas can take it's time so I can prepare myself for the birth of my Savior.
Interesting enough that Pastor Israel's sermon this morning was on the secret of contentment - the art of being satisfied with things as they are and willing to accept our current circumstances with a peace of mind in the knowledge that Christ is alive in me. I will miss Pastor Israel when our services start here in the park soon, but am so looking forward to Chaplain Dennis Maloney's sermons. I do believe that I miss them as much as he misses preaching!!!!!

Every evening as I walk, all the creatures continue to amaze me - it seems as if they do something new and interesting every night. Lately, the small blackbirds that hang out here in S Texas have multiplied by the hundreds. Towards evening, they gather up in huge herds (guess birds are flocks) of 100 or more. Perhaps this is their church service for the evening as there is much chattering and squawking going on - then one of them starts to fly, and all of them take off and almost cover the evening sky. During the day, they gather around any place where the sprinklers are running, and enjoy a social time drinking and bathing. It is interesting that soon I can almost identify a few of them by their actions. Just as I hope all those I come in contact with can identify me as a follower of the Almighty God just by my actions.

A few of our park residents are starting to trickle in - I am sure that by the middle of this month we will see the beginning of the winter influx. We are looking forward to welcoming all of them back, and becoming involved in all the activities here. The food ministry has begun, as we delivered 5 boxes of food and some clothing to the Great Oaks Mission Outreach today. CHI has begun to gear up for all of their winter activities and programs, and we are preparing for our Bible studies there.
Sally Maloney and I are working on the Spiritual Work-Out that we are planning for the ladies here at the park - we actually made it through the first session of the tape without having to stop and rest!!!! Hopefully, by the time the ladies are ready to join us, we will not look so uncoordinated and unsure of ourselves. We practice twice a week, not only for preparation but also for our own exercise. We must remember that our bodies are temples to the Lord, and we must treat them as such. Hopefully the ladies will enjoy this work-out, as it is not to intensive - just a two mile walk.

Please pray for all of the "Winter Texans" that are traveling South here to spend winter in the warmth. Pray for travel mercies and God's grace on their trip. Also pray for those who are not returning - we already have heard of 2 or more couples who will not be returing for health reasons. They may not be physically here, but are here in our hearts.


A little bit of fun now - in earlier posts I mentioned that I was raised in Chicago in a Catholic-Italian family (although my father was German, all of our relatives were on my Italian Mother's side).  I certainly am not poking fun of or degrading any religion, but just relating my experiences as I remember them. We attended Cahtolic school in my early years, and the good sisters of St. Angela (on Chicago's West side) were all alerted to me -  I am certain I tried their patience to no end. I had my favorites, and then there were the ones I truly tried to outwit. Also present were the priests of which Father Dorney was my very favorite, although I believe that he was the favorite of all the kids at the time. He was an ex-boxer with a broken nose  who seemed to love every child individually, and had time to talk to us, not acting like other adults who all seemed to just tolerate us. I really loved to go to chapel rather than church services,because it was not nearly as long as the high mass on Sundays. To this day, the smell of incense brings back memories of the priest chanting in Latin and waving the incense burner in front of the chapel. I do remember one time I got in trouble (just one of many, I am sure) when listening to the priest, asking my Mother "what is he chewing the rag about"? I did not understand Latin at the time, and could not understand what I thought was mumbling. Another sin to confess on Friday. The mystery of the confessional kept me pretty much in line. Penance was a ritual we all endured as payment for our sins. I would peek around in the pews to see who was praying the longest - those were really the sinners! My brother was an altar boy, which put him practically next to God - he could do no wrong, so I proceeded to make up for it. I am sure I harassed and took the nuns to the end of their patience.  And yet I was awed by them: they seemed to have no feet, just gliding across the floor, swooping down to poke you for some unknown rule infringement.  Life was pretty simple then - school, chapel, confession, Saturday freedom with the firehouse gang (the neighboorhood kids) and church on Sunday as we got older. I don't remember how we got to church - Dad drove us sometimes, Mother did not drive, so I suppose we walked in good weather. Often we went to the Central Restaurant in Austin for Sunday morning breakfast - French toast for me please, or maugee (sp) eggs. Mother made eggs for us sometimes in the morning, and cooked them just right - so you could dunk your toast in the soft yolks. Being Italian, she called them maugee eggs, which related to soft or runny, or just right to dunk your toast in. So when the waitress asked how I wanted my eggs, I quickly answered "Maugee, please" before Mother had a chance to stop me (she seemed to have a sixth sense about when I would say something embarrassing, but I was quicker). Do you suppose I tried her patience also???

Everyone have a wonderful week - great each morning with, "Good Morning, Lord" and not "Good Lord, it's morning".



My brother and myself in Chicago in the 40's - perhaps wishing for Christmas.