Saying Goodbye

We are saying good-bye to 2012 and welcoming in 2013, but not without remembering all the fun and reverence of Christmas week.

Residents of our park entertained us with a golf cart/vehicle parade. Many of the residents have golf carts to transport them around the park: to activities, to visit others, or just to cruise the park in the quiet evenings. Some of them decorated their carts for Christmas - thus the birth of a parade. We walked across the road and sat in our neighbor's driveway with them to view the spectacle. It was short, but noisy and fun to see the different ways to decorate a golf cart.

waiting for the parade with Dean and Ilene, great neighbors

this really is a golf cart

snowmen in the sunny south

even seniors love convertibles

many of these 3 wheeled bikes are seen in the park

Zoe rides a souped-up three wheeler

The parade was followed later on in the evening with the Christmas program. Just a time of song and getting together, enjoying all the Christmas goodies brought by us all. We sang traditional Christmas carols with fun readings, and then the Christmas hymns along with readings of the true reason  for the season.

 

         reader Anne Fleck leading us in song

 

 

                                                             Verla Johnson singing beautifully, as usual

 

Christmas Eve services at the Church @ Alamo Rec Veh were very poignant for many reasons. The services  always seem to be very extraordinary because of the sermons from Chaplain Dennis Maloney leading up to this evening. His advent sermons seem to increase our feeling of expectation as we rejoice in the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The service itself was so profound: the singing and readings of the choir in a candlelight setting, the quiet but reflective feeling as we quietly took communion following Dennis' reminder of why we were celebrating. Added to all of this peacefulness of the evening was the sadness in the fact that Chaplain Dennis and Sally announced previously that they will be leaving us in the spring to follow God's plan for them. "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord. "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". Jeremiah 29:11.  As we are sad to see them leave we praise God for these last 7 years and wish them well. We also are CRM chaplains, so will see them often (we hopefully pray). Dennis is International Director of CRM in charge of Sanctuary Outpost of which we are a part.

Christmas day brought the park Christmas dinner, where we were invited as guests of Norb and Ardis Gauerke. It was a festive time, as all the tables were decorated for Christmas and wishes for a Merry Christmas were heard throughout the hall. The food was so delicious, but way too tempting. We went home content in the fact that we ate all of our food allotment for the week in one day!!!!
 

                                                         a unique table decoration - someone took time for this

                                                                our table decoration -  these were real flowers

                                                   the table decoration of our organist - he actually played tunes

                                                             Betty Behnken - our talented organist

Norb and Ardis, our host and hostess

 

just a few of the residents, waiting for turkey and gravy

 

 

Later that afternoon, we picked up Karen and headed up to the hospital where her husband Dean spent Christmas Day- the first one in 52 years away from each other. Thanks to God's healing power,  Dean was released the next day to return to the

park with instructions to rest and relax for awhile.

 

 

 

 

our Helping Hands sewing group here at the park presented Dean with a cozy quilt, which they do for all those who are sick and/or hospitalized.

 

 

We ended the Christmas celebration week with a tour to the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan de Valle National Shrine. The Basilica has an absolutely amazing manger scene, almost lifelike, as well as a multitude of poinsettias and other stunning decorations. Sister Rose lead the tour, telling us about the history of the Basilica (which means a church where the members work hard). Go to www.olsjbasilica.org to read all about this shrine. Sister Rose informed us that this parish is the poorest in the United States, but covers 63 acres with a plethora of buildings, including a hotel, cafe, gift shop to name a few. There are also life size bronze Stations of the Cross which cover about 3/4 of a mile. Amazing that all of this, plus additional building, is supported by the poorest of the poor parishioners, filling the collection baskets with plastic bags of pennies, nickels, and dimes.

When I heard this, I thought of the verse in Luke 21:1-4 "As He looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I will tell you the truth," He said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth: but she out of her poverty, put in all she had to live on".  I pray that we can always give and give willingly for the purpose of spreading the Word of God.

 

                                                                   the tree as you enter the Basilica

                                                                   the altar with hundreds of poinsettias

                                                                    one of the many wreaths in the sanctuary

 

the almost life size manger scene

 

Sister Rose - certainly not the nuns I knew!!

 

Our Lady of San Juan

 

 

the candle and flower room where prayers are said

 

We hope you all had a blessed Christmas and that the Lord will bless you in the coming year.

 

 

 

Giving Up

Christmas is a time for giving - up. Yes, giving up time , talents, and wants to those that do not have. Sit down and take a look at your kitchen - stove, refrigerator, cupboards, dishes, silverware, food!! Can you imagine that there are people in your area that don't have these things??  Maybe a room or two made out of tin and cardboard, with a blanket or two for the whole family - no refrigerator, no stove to cook food, even if they had food. We had the privilege last Sunday of helping these people by passing out the hams generously donated by our park to over 50 families. Because of the giving hearts of park residents, we also were able to fill their bags with canned vegetables, other Christmas dinner items, a bag of candy and a toy for each child. Imagine being able to eat a whole orange by yourself and not share it with family members. Or being a child and holding your very own toy (or perhaps your first toy), knowing it belonged to you and you alone. Through the efforts of the Great Oaks Community Food and Clothing Ministry, and the generosity of The Alamo Rec Veh Park, children will go to bed this Christmas without hunger pangs, warm in the knowledge that Jesus loves them enough to use us to show them His love. Is there no greater feeling of Christmas than that???
This Christmas (ands all year long, if you choose) make someone else's celebrations a little bit happier by giving - up. Along with the food distribution, the Great Oaks Community Church held a children's Christmas program including some of the children from colonias and impoverished homes. The program was wonderful, the excitement of the children in  portraying the Christmas story was endearing as their faces shone with love for Jesus. One little girl wore a beautiful green velvet dress ( most likely from the clothing ministry), trimmed in fur and wearing purple sparkling shoes!!! The sparkles were gone from the toe area, with the lining showing: perhaps she worn them often. She was so very proud of those shoes - her enthusiasm just bubbled from her. Her beauty just stole our hearts - as did the rest of the children. We cannot save them all, but we sure are going to try.

the youth group depicting the birth of Jesus

the reason for the season

the younger children's group

the beautiful little girl with the purple shoes

this is for me???

a smile for Christmas

this lady was overjoyed

the elderly lady could not say "gracias" enough times

a mother happy in the knowledge that her children will have enough to eat Christmas Day

 
 The Christmas activities seem to just pile up on us this week, including a"crazy hat" day at our park. all those who wanted to could wear funny or cute hats to Wednesday morning coffee. These are just a very few of the selections.

Darryl and Martha - our backdoor neighbors

friends Karen and Dean - please pray for Dean as he is currently in the hospital with blood clots in both of his lungs

full of Christmas cheer

 

Brad - the Minnesota Viking

On Thursday we traveled with 50 others in a bus to RIN in Reynosa to help celebrate Christmas with the children as they held their Christmas program. It was so much fun to see the kids all dressed in their Christmas outfits, proud to be able to show off their talents in the program, including  their newest learning of English to sing a few carols. It was quite evident that that Christian teaching they received helped them to realize the true meaning of Christmas as their love of God showed through in their skit and their singing. Their love and care of the younger ones (as well as their concern of us older ones)  shows that they understand the true meaning of Christmas giving and giving-up! Of course, the day was not complete without a Christmas dinner, prepared by Maria - beef, mashed potatoes, vegetables, pasta, and cupcakes. Needless to say, the kids were all excited and the sugar certainly helped. We spent only 1-1/2 hours on the bridge coming home which gave us time to visit and wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

 

directors Randall and Betsy Chacon - they left the day after the program on a short, much needed cruise for their 20th wedding anniversary

 

 

 

a bus load of people ready to cross the border to Reynosa - they are all sponsors of children at RIN

this was the sight at the Anzadualas bridge crossing - these people were all waiting to cross into the US - about a 4 hour wait



 

                                 the line is very long - luckily it thinned out when we were ready to come home -    it was very windy that day - if you notice the sky is hazy - full of blowing sand

we voted on the best art creations in each grade, as the children showed their understanding of Christmas. this was the 6th graders interpretation.

 

 the house mother of the senoritas - (the young ladies) with her son and new husband. she was widowed for a few years before God brought him to her. she has done a wonderful job with the girls - instilling in them self confidence and worth as a woman.

 all the presents, made possible by sponsors and donations. can you see why the children were so excited?? the newest children of RIN had never received presents before, let alone never seen so many in one place.

part of the program, depicting the story of Jesus and His birth - participants were volunteers from those present.

 

 

                              the shepherds, watching their flocks before the angels made the astounding announcement.

 the Magi, coming to see the newborn King - notice the animals on the left - the donkey was the visiting missionary, Daniel, who played the part well

                        the sisters we sponsor, Paty and Lupe - they are becoming such beautiful young ladies

                                            they would not let us get away until we posed with them -


We had an unexpected guest on the lake - a beautiful huge pelican decided to land there and let us enjoy his presence for a few hours. the ocean and gulf are quite a few miles away, so don't know why he got so far from the water, but he was fun to watch as he preened himself for all the other birds.

                                                    a friendly pelican, letting us enjoy his presence


As Christmas Day approaches, let us take the time to understand that Jesus came to earth, born as a human, to sacrifice himself for our salvation. As we are studying Revelation in Sunday School, we come to a greater understanding that He is telling us, actually warning us, of the end of times. Jesus came to earth as our Savior so that we can  be prepared. Let us always remember the reason for the season. Make it a point to give - up this coming year. A very blessed Christmas to all of you.

There are no words that can describe the feeling of horror as we listened to the news of the shooting in Connecticut. We need to cling to the knowledge that Christ came upon this earth to being us hope, regardless of the situation. My prayer is that the families use this tragedy to turn to God, rather than away from Him. We do not have the answer to "why", as I am sure that questions resounds continually in the community of  Newtown, only the struggle to make sense of this. Take a minute right now to bow your heads in prayer for all of those affected.


I saw this on face book - pray for each and every victim of the shooting by name, thanking God for their life on earth and being secure in the knowledge that they are now safe in the arms of the Lord.

After putting out a plea for hams for the Great Oaks Food and Clothing Ministry, our park has again shown their amazing gift of love and giving. We have collected 114 hams, cases of vegetables, and other Christmas meal items which is enough to feed over 50 families in the colonias on the American side of the border. There has been a series of articles in the local newspaper featuring these families and their struggle to survive. Stories of children sleeping with machetes to kill any rattlesnakes crawling between their walls, coming in through the holes in the floors perhaps to eat the mice and rats also rampart in the walls of their homes. These are not people who refuse to work - they are people who are down on their luck such as a single father, trying to raise his 4 children. He is a truck driver, but cannot work as he has no one to care for his children while he is on the road, trying to make a decent living. Despite all of this poverty, the families seem to have a positive attitude. They find pleasure in small things, hope resides in their trust and faith in the Lord. "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be openhanded towards your brothers and to the poor and needy in your land". Deuteronomy 15:11  If we can beings smiles to the faces and comfort to the stomachs of just a few of these folks we will be doing as the Lord asks of us. We have been invited to be a part of the food distribution this evening - we both feel it is a great privilege to do this, as just other volunteers helping our brothers in obedience  and love.  

 

 A group of us attended an open house at the local women's shelter "Women Together" , Mujeres Unidas in Espanol. Our park church partners with them in our offerings for a month .Our "Helping Hands" group provides quilts, toys, and hats for the residents.  Because of privacy and safety issues, I could only take a few pictures, but we were welcomed to the facility and served a wonderful lunch. I happened to sit next to a young, mid-twenties man whose ministry it is to provide anger and violence management to Hispanic men in the colonias. Most of these men have grown up in a violent environment, and will pass that along to their sons unless they learn to control their tendencies. He provides a five step program, involving anger and violence in the family, workplace, and community. It was his goal to enroll 200 men in this program - he wound up with 310!!! What a blessing that this young man would use his talents to provide for others and to break this strand of violent behavior. And we admire the men to want to learn to be better husbands and fathers. Many times women will seek help, but for men to do so is truly a miracle.  

 

 

                                                  some of the volunteers from our park (and myself) at the shelter

 

 

                   

                        a great luncheon - tamales, beans rice, ice tea, cake and cookies - i  need my

                       3 mile walk every morning to keep from gaining weight!

 

 

Another event this week was a ladies Saturday morning brunch at Great Oaks Community Church. We all took the time to praise and thank the Lord for our own blessings. Becky Rodriguez was the model of hospitality as she provided us with a Christmas setting - a manger scene at every table, small gifts for everyone, and a beautiful surroundings.  She proceeded to tell us the story behind each manger scene as it pertained to her.. Some were presents, some were acquired for specific purposes (as was the Fisher Price manger, purchased to keep her grandchildren from breaking her special ones), and some were family treasures. We discussed each figure in the scene, portraying what that particular figure meant to us. I guess I never thought about each figure individually - Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, shepherds, Magi, and even the animals and angels. Each one had is purpose and meaning to God, as it should also to us. It was a time for fellowship, praising the Lord, and just taking a break from the hectic season. After a brunch (yes, food again) of tamales (another 3 mile walk), pan dulce (sort of Mexican sweet rolls), McDonald's biscuits, refried beans, coffee and juice, we were graced with a duet from Becky and her granddaughter - a beautiful song that helped us all remember to pass along God's never ending love - from father to son, from mother to daughter, from family and friends. As we are nearing the blessed Christmas Eve, the birth of our Lord and Savior, let us also be reminded of His great sacrifice for us - a sacrifice that assures our place in heaven if we only accept Him and believe.