2014 Coming Up

Impossible to think that it soon will be 2014 - the year seems to have flown so fast and yet sometimes the days seem to drag on. Christmas has come and gone - the time to take down the decorations for another year. The outward signs of celebration are almost gone, but the inner reason for celebration should remain with us all year long. Jesus, Our Lord and Savior, was sent to earth by His Father to die for the forgiveness of our sins! We, who are sinners and unworthy of such love have been given salvation by the grace of God. Let it live in our hearts every day of 2014.

 

our neighbors will soon be taking him in for another year

part of the almost life size manger scene at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan

This is so beautiful - we try to see it every year

another part of the scene

the Basilica with it's hundreds poinsettia's and a Mariachi band makes for a beautiful Christmas service

Our park had it's usual Christmas dinner, except this year it was ham instead of turkey. It was really a nice change. Chaplain Bill's wife Ali and I hosted a table this year, and invited some people we barley knew. It was a truly enjoyable time getting to know others while enjoying all the wonderful food!! One lady brought chocolate covered strawberries, another a strawberry rhubarb pie, and still another a raisin meringue pie.
We even enjoyed a pineapple cheese topping for the ham which was delicious.

 the kitchen crew preparing the ham

 sharing Christmas dinner at our table

new and old friends fellowshipping together

 

 

Our park really goes all out for Christmas celebrations, from a fun Christmas program to a Christmas parade of golf carts and vehicles. The most touching and beautiful celebration of all was our candlelight Christmas Eve service. The Church @ Alamo Rec Veh Choir performed a program with song and readings, reminding us of that first Christmas so very long ago. The final portion of the program was the lighting of the candles and singing "Silent Night" as we all proclaimed the reverence of the night. I did so want to take pictures of the candles held high in adoration of the Baby Jesus, but was not accomplish it. It was truly touching and beautiful. I just pray that I keep that feeling in my heart all the time.

 

 Our neighbor Don and Chaplain Fred, posing together, as they are often found drinking coffee together

 Now there are two helpful elves ( do you suppose their wives had anything to do with this)

 is this Minnie Pearl?

 Just a few of our many talented musicians paying Christmas Carols for us

 a very funny toy store story - notice the jack in the box who was hilarious

 

 Just one of the many golf carts in the parade

 as you can see, it was pretty chilly

some of the participants who really enjoyed themselves

 

 

As we come to the end of another year and start making New Year's resolutions, include in them the desire to become closer to God - to establish a relationship with Him by reading just a few verses from the Bible. Find a good devotional to help you read every day - take the time to read and think about God's Word - His road plan for you. Check out John 3:16, I Peter1:18-19, Revelations 1:5 for assurance of God's love. Make 2014 the very best year of your life by understanding where God is leading you; you will be pleasantly surprised. 

 

 



And The Giving Continues

Our park has been collecting small hams so that those in need will have a Christmas dinner including meat! Again, we collected over 100 hams as well as monetary donations and were humbled to be able to distribute them last Sunday evening. Great Oaks Community Church presented a program which included less fortunate children prior to a food distribution night. The program was such fun, especially to see the kids participate and enjoy themselves.

hams collected from our park - ready and waiting

friends and neighbors, Fred and Lorey who have some alongside our ministry to help

some of the many food donations

individual bags of tortillas, beans, rice, and candy for each family

fresh celery

 

broccoli (there was much more produce - such as tomatoes, eggplant, carrots,  jalapeno peppers, lemons, etc

lots of ruby red grapefruit, too

Pastor Israel and his wife Becky receiving checks and money from Fred

even the very small children participated in the program by ringing bells

the elementary kids presented the story of the giving of the poinsettia

junior high kids told the story of a poor Mexican boy and his gift to the Baby Jesus

the high school kids presented a great puppet show - which they developed into a puppet ministry to take to the children's hospital and day cares in the area

Becky and the puppeteers

 

a grateful lady receiving hams to add to her Christmas dinner

 

 

We were invaded by pelicans this week - at first there were two, then they multiplied to over 60!!!! I was lucky enough to see all of them on the lake - the pictures do not show them all. What a beautiful sight as they glided around the lake, showing off for us. They stayed around awhile, but most of them took off for parts farther South. We still have a few left, swimming around looking for small fish. The lake could not have fed that huge flock!

some of the pelicans on one side of the lake



another gathering on the other side of the lake while the middle is also full

 

The Christmas party at the Children's home in Reynosa was also this past week. 4 van loads of us went across to see the program, as well as visit with the kids, to see old friends, and just to enjoy the day. We were very blessed all day long, and further blessed by only about a 10 minute wait at the bridge on our return to the USA which is unusual for this time of year. One of the vans was stopped by the Mexican border guards while crossing into Mexico  for inspection, but was immediately allowed to continue on with no problems whatsoever. We ask for grace and a green light when crossing, but every so often we someone gets a red light, which means pull over. None of us has ever been detained. 

 

 on the way to Reynosa, we saw cane fields burning - a process in the harvesting

 when they burn the fields, black "snow" falls everywhere

Kayla, our smallest toddler, showing off

 

 

 Belinda and Paty - the two girls we sponsor

 

 the senoritas, preparing for their part of the program - they signed a beautiful song

 another tradition - ribbon dancing

 the youngest children depicted the manger scene - each one taking like their character

 this may be a goat

 one of the house parents and his daughter (who has a beautiful voice) sang a Christmas carol

 the high school kids carried banners, proclaiming the many names of Jesus

 this was hilarious - perhaps some of you have seen this on facebook with a group of monks

shy Belinda giving the blessing

 our dinner of turkey (cooked with apples and herbs), mashed potatoes, vegetables, and a red noodle something

 our newest baby, Sarah, daughter of house parents Juan and Susanna (whose shower I attended earlier this year)

the college boys spelling out "Feliz Navidad"

 Mateo, our Canadian former intern returns to visit us. This year he brought his girlfriend

 beautiful Paty

 pretty Belinda

 

 

 

As we prepare for Christmas with all it's hustle and bustle, preparations, and parties, take time to remember why we are celebrating . God sent his only Son to become a sacrifice for our sins, so that we could have eternal life with Him. Instead of asking what we want for Christmas, do as Chaplain Gary Laird said this morning, "What does God want for Christmas?". He wants our hearts - our love - our obedience. What does He want from you - ask Him and listen for His answer. You will be amazed.

 Christmas blessings to all of you.