Sunday Sickies

I have been bothered all week by the Texas crud - at first thought it was allergies, but guess it wasn't. Coughing, phlegm all the time, sore throat off and on,  and extreme sleepiness. It has been going on two week now but each day seems a bit better until evening comes.. Early this morning, Fred came down with the symptoms - chills, sore throat, coughing, and sleepiness. It is strange, because a person gets a burst of energy - so we try to get something done at that time. For the first time as long as I can remember, we missed church services.

Neighbor Ron Pease gave us a tiny palm tree so we planted it. Of course, we had to soak the ground first, then dig out spot for some cement pieces to make a circle around it. Some of the neighbors left us their flowers which we have been watering, so I transplanted some white double petunias, and regular red ones which proceeded to flop over and die by evening. I gave them until today to redeem themselves - guess I will go out as soon as it cools off and pull them out. They do look pretty sad out there.

It seems as if all God's creation has come alive this week - a oriole tried to feed from the hummingbird feeder. He finally got frustrated and took off in a squawk!! A huge turtle was sunning himself on a neighbor's driveway - every time I tried to sneak up on him and take a picture he retreated into his shell. As I was vacuuming the living room I glanced out the window and saw him ambling down the road, headed for the lake. Actually, I do think it was a female, looking for a place to lay eggs. I checked on the neighbor's mourning dove nest, only to discover that at least one egg had hatched. New life abounds everywhere.

headed back to the lake

surveying the new world

looks like mama is still sitting on something or someone

The Easter lilies that former Chaplain Dennis and Sally Maloney planted are starting to bloom - those that are bloomed already smell so beautiful - the scent is in the air all over. What an amazing reminder of Jesus' resurrection.

 These were a gift to us - so beautiful and pure

 some lilies in bloom - those amaryllis sure look sad, though

 more blooming lilies

 the basil is also blooming - and smells heavenly

a huge cluster of lilies

 

One of our residents has been in the hospital for a while, and now is in rehab as a result of her kidneys totally shutting down. She also had pneumonia which added to the trauma. She was granted a 4 hour pass today to come visit us at the park, so our resident cake baker, Gordie, bake her a welcome home cake, and wife, Aggie, baked some amazing brownies. Janice did not know of the impromptu party, so was quite surprised. After she has become more stabilized and gained back her strength, she and husband Elmer will travel back home to Fargo - stopping for dialysis along the way. Please pray for her, as well as her daughter who will be giving her kidney for transplant if Janice is strong enough for the surgery. 

 welcome home with cake, ice cream, and brownies

 surprise!!!! Elmer looks pleased with himself.

Janice and Elmer - who have over 50 years of marriage and a truly great marriage

 

 

I have been reading through the Book of Hebrews only because it seems I was led  do so. As I read Chapter 11 (almost finished with Hebrews, ready to start another Book) I began to truly understand faith "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see" Hebrews 11:1.  I basically understood the concept of faith, but had not really taken in the full effect of it. By faith, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses' parents, Moses, the Israelites who passed through the sea; these we all know about (if not, look them up!), but how about the countless others in the Bible - the walls of Jericho, Rehab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, the prophets - all those in the old Testament. We who have the knowledge of the written Bible, still believe in faith as we read God's Word. Take time this week start a Book - read one chapter every day. You will be surprised to see how much you look forward to the next chapter!!! Blessings to all of you in Christ's name.

 

 

 

 

Easter Sunday

What is so special about this Sunday - we go to church every Sunday - to praise and worship the Risen Lord. We did the same this Sunday, except for one thing - we know for certain - Jesus is Alive - He has risen and therefore fulfilled Scripture. He has died and risen to forgive our sins - not only the sins of your brother or sister or neighbor, but your sins. Make it personal - Jesus died on the cross for _______ (insert your name here). He rose from the tomb as He promised so we know that we will have a resurrection - a new and wonderful life in the Lord. . What a glorious day!!!!!

We had the opportunity this week to work at an Expo for Christian Resort Ministries in order to meet with park owners and managers. Chaplains Elton and Liz Glenn were also there as we explained what the RV Division of CRM is all about. We enjoy talking with people, sometimes surprised to find out we know the same people, been to the same places, live in the same area. Many of those we visited with were very interested in the idea of an on site chaplain to meet the needs of the residents. Some were new managers, so just getting grounds floor information was great for them. We also got a chance to talk about our women's conference and made many contacts for our 2015 conference. An interesting afternoon with lots of chocolate!!!

Chaplain Elton getting ready to visit with people

 Chaplain Liz Glenn and Chaplain Fred planning strategy

talking with park managers

 We were honored again to be able to attend a wedding in Reynosa.  The Mexican Director, Malena, was married on Saturday. We did not stay over in Reynosa, as today was Easter Sunday, as well as a pot luck in our park. We did not want to miss church at Great Oaks, nor a wonderful ham dinner, so we, along with a few others, elected to come home on Saturday night. The wedding was beautiful, being held out of doors for the most part, with a not too hot overcast day and a nice breeze. Malena's husband, Karim, along with his sister and brothers, were RIN kids. They spent much of their  young lives at the Haven going to school and living in a Casa as the kids do today. Karim's sister went on to school, became a lawyer, and is now on the Mexican board of CHI. What a role model for the young senoritas!!! As we were not staying overnight, Director Betsy's husband Randall informed us that we had to leave in time to get to the bridge by 11 PM as the nearest bridge to the US closed at that time. We were all enjoying our wedding cake when Randall announced that we were leaving. After gathering up those Americanos who were going back across and saying goodbye to the kids, we loaded the van and left. We arrived at the bridge in plenty of time --- the bridge was closed!!!! When I heard Randall proclaim, "this is not good" I began to wonder WHAT was not good??? We had to turn around and drive through Reynosa to another bridge(not a good thing for a van load of gringos on a late Saturday night in Reynosa). We made it just fine with no incidents, but the prayers were flying all over in that van!!!

 the new palapa, a perfect setting for the ceremony

 one of the house mothers and little Kayla, all dressed up for the wedding

 Matt Campbell and girlfriend from Canada - Matt was an intern at RIN and returns frequently

 Directors Randall and  Betsy Chacon and son Benjamin

 the kneeling pillows

 radiant Melana and her father, who was the minister at the ceremony

repeating their promises to one another 

the signifying of them being bonded to each other - a white silk cord

 receiving coins signifying the sharing in a marriage

 the traditional gift of a Bible

 another tradition - the serenading of a Rondalla

 the end of the religious ceremony - in Mexican tradition there are two ceremonies - the civil one which in this case was performed Friday night, and the religious one

 popcorn, chichironi, and hot sauce - a pre supper snack

 the newly paved and painted area between the dorms 

 the bride's choice of bridal footwear - red cowboy boots

 all of RIN kids, houseparents, and directors

 the throwing of the groom - wonder if they ever missed catching one?

 Tia Carmen, Tia Susanna, Tio Juan and children

 the cake was delicious

 a real money tree

 a portion of dinner guests

 Pretty Paty and us

dinner of chicken and Mexican sauce, mashed potatoes, and green spaghetti - the round things on the table are gifts - tightly sealed caramel-honey - gooey and sticky!!! don't forget the amazing tasting Mexican coke.

 Bashful Belinda and us

Karim surprised Malena by serenading her

 

 

After a tiring week-end, it was nice to relax a bit this afternoon before our volunteer work this coming week. Try to do something special for someone you do not know this week - pay their order at a drive up, let them go ahead of you in line, shake the hand of a military person and thank them for their service, ask you server at a restaurant if you can pray for them in some way, hand out umbrellas in a rain storm (they are only $1 at Dollar Tree), just be polite even if you are in a bad mood. Thank God for another day!!!

 

Flowers and yard sales

This time of year here in S Texas is just bursting with flowers. The most beautiful are the bougainvilleas, especially the deep, deep purple ones. Here in the park, the flowers are blooming everywhere. The people who have left and gone home often leave flowers behind, hoping somehow they will make it through the summer. Most of them don't unless a neighbor waters them.

we will water our next door neighbors flowers - when we are gone, another neighbor will take over

these cacti will not need watering, but will grow over the summer

a huge amaryllis - they come back every year, regardless of the weather

this neighbor was going to being the flowers over to me, but I like them where they are so I can enjoy them when looking out my window - I will faithfully water them.



even the sweet onions are producing - look at the size of this big fellow

There have been yard sales all winter here, mostly only clothes hung on hangers on fences. I do think the people visit the ropa usadas (used clothing warehouses), buy the clothing by the pound, wash the items, and then hang them on fences for a yard sale. I cannot imagine where all the clothing comes from otherwise. I love the attempt of the sellers to advertise their sales. I don't believe they have quite a total grasp on the English language yet. I have seen signs that say, "garage yard", garge sales", "yard", and "sale yard". In the Spanish sentence structure, the adjective follows the noun, so the last one does make sense to them. I am not laughing at them at all - I am sure I would make the same mistakes in new language - I admire their tenacity at learning. God reminds us "do not mistreat an alien or oppress him for you were aliens in Egypt. "  Exodus 22:21. Many of our own relatives were aliens in this great country when they immigrated from other countries to find freedom from oppression.

 

The youth group at Great Oaks is raising money to attend Congresso (a conference for youth held at Baylor University in Waco, Texas). This Baptist conference offers youth a chance to hear the Word of God in words they can understand and relate to. It also offers the opportunity for some kids, who could not otherwise afford it, the chance to earn the money to attend. These kids can talk to others who are in the same circumstances (poor living conditions, no father figure in the home, poverty, no hope) and realize that they are not alone. It gives them a chance to have hope, to trust in the Lord knowing that He loves them and wants only the best for them. " Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Psalms 3:5-6

The youth had a chicken plate dinner fund raiser. A person could just drive up to the church, and purchase a chicken dinner to go. The kids raised $576 towards their trip. What a blessing! Thereare 17 attending from Great Oaks, so transportation was a problem, as the church has only one van. Another church called and offered extra sets on a bus they had rented (they had 20 seats left). God always seem to come up with a solution to a problem just at the right time!!!!

a delicious chicken dinner - 1/2 chicken, beans, rice, chips, bread, a jalapeno, bread

 and drink for only $6 - what a deal

 

This week is Holy Week - the last week of Jesus' life here on earth. I remember as a child going to church on Palm Sunday, listening to the sermon, smelling the incense, and receiving a palm frond to reverently take home and place in a prominent place to remind us of the days to come. Good Friday was a special day as most business' were closed from 12 until 3, at which time we attended service at a church (for me it was mass and a time to visit the stations of the cross). It always seemed to cloud up around noon and then clear up shortly after 3. Take time to read the story in Luke (chapter 19, verses 28-40 to hear of the praises the people sang to Jesus). Then read Luke chapters 22 through 24 for the rest of the story. The greatest sacrifice ever just because God loved us so much "that He gave His one and only Son that whoever  believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life". John 3:16



 

Singing Sunday

Today is really a musical Sunday - church this morning at Great Oaks was alive with glorifying praise and worship music - after arriving home the music at the next door Mexican flea market (pulga) must have a band playing, as we can hear all the music through our open windows. Last night, after I went bed, I could feel the pounding of the drums vibrating in the night. The pulga is an amazing place - you can buy anything from nuts and bolts by the pound, to live birds in every color imaginable, boots and shoes, jewelry, Avon, used clothing (probably bought by the pound at the ropa's and resold), food of every kind, piñatas, even used flea market items. During the week, the vendors set up outside, but on Wednesdays and week-ends, the festivities move indoors, including a dance every day and night on the weekend. Sometimes, it is impossible to get into our park driveway because the traffic is lined up , waiting to get into the market.

just a small section of the outside market - buyers and vendors

a very busy place

I have shown you a picture of my beautiful but short lived blooming cactus, but this year it truly out did itself with 3 blossoms - it was so awesome to see them in full bloom. Whenever I was out side and someone passed by, I told them to look quick because the blooms would not be around very long. True to form, they bloomed late one evening, into the night, and only the next day. It kind of reminds me of life which seems to go so fast and if we wish it away, we can never get any of the minutes back. To God, it is just a snap of the fingers. "A thousand years in Your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night." Psalm 90:4

 

 

                                                  

              side view

 

 

they are so brilliant and gorgeous

 

 

We worked one day at border Missions where we feed countless number of folks, and then passed out countless amounts of produce. This time I was in charge of cookies - bags of chocolata gallentas (chocolate cookies) which were really a treat for many. Fred handed out chocolate tomatoes (a day for chocolate, I guess). The tomatoes really are chocolate in color and taste sort of like tomatoes, but are very good. After we were done with the soup beans and rice line, one of the workers brought us some shrimp patties and cactus to eat. Some volunteers were reluctant to try them, but I did (Fred is much more less adventuresome than me and declined). They were delicious!!! Too bad there were not more of them. - we all just got one patty and some cactus.

 

On one of our last trips to Reynosa, I noticed that the van was making a funny noise, sort of a constant metallic sound from the time we crossed the border and were in Reynosa. We drove about 4 miles before we reached the gates of RIN. After we entered the gates, Fred checked the tires - sure enough there was a piece of metal in the tire which at that point began to go flat. After the Tios took the tire off to get it repaired, they found one of those spikes that are used to stop a speeding car embedded in the tire. By all accounts, that tire should have gone flat immediately, but God protected us until we reached the safety of RIN. I cannot imagine what we would have done with a flat tire in Reynosa with a van full of Americans!!! Another example of answered prayers, as we always pray for safety when traveling to Reynosa.

 

the spike that was in the tire

 

 

It promises to be a more quiet week coming up - everyone enjoy the spring weather, thanking God every day for all things promised and given!