Christian Love

This past week has been very busy, as usual. Last Monday, we received a car full of clothing, as well as a truck full of Keebler crackers for the Food and Clothing Ministry. No sooner has we delivered these when we received a call from a park resident who said they had some clothes to donate - 10 boxes later our Texas room was full - as well as two full boxes of toiletries, including some very expensive small bottles of name brand perfume. Think of how special some ladies are going to feel this Christmas!!! Many folks have donated money for Christmas hams (the small 1# ones). We checked prices and were aghast at the price increase from last year, but this morning's newspaper ads showed a great sale at CVS Pharmacy, so today we scoped out two of them - only a total of 8 hams were to be found, but more to be on the truck Tuesday morning. So far we have enough money for a total of 24 - not counting those caring people who have already donated hams and cans of Spam, tuna, etc. The Spirit of Christmas giving continues on.

a car full of clothes - even the front seat was packed

a trunk full of crackers

and a house full of boxes of clothes and toiletries

The moon was so beautiful this week - jut the small sliver on the bottom - I tried to take some good pictures, but they turned out a bit shaky - you can see the entire outline of the moon though. So many wonderful things to see if we just take the time to look.

 

  almost looks like two moons

 

 

Our park has a "yacht club" for remote control boats A group has built steps down to the lake so all the boating enthusiasts can have races or just spend the afternoon "boating". After our huge Thanksgiving dinner at the hall, people were out walking, riding bikes, touring the park in their golf carts, watching the races, whatever they could to walk off the turkey and trimmings. The day was so beautiful and perfect that it seemed a shame not to be outside.

 some of the residents enjoying the boat races, while loving the great weather

three sailboats on the lake - there was even a speedboat

 

This morning during church services a gentleman became ill and needed immediate attention. Chaplain Bill, a retired MD,  quickly assessed the situation while his wife Ali began to pray from the pulpit. Everyone sprang into action, attending to the man, calling 911, running for a wheelchair, consoling his wife and praying with her while we waited for emergency crew to arrive (which did not take long at all).  Members left phone numbers for the wife, in case she needed to return home (she rode in the ambulance) so that she would need transportation. (I myself was a recipient of this loving kindness a few years ago when Fred had a heart attack - neighbors set up a transportation schedule so I did not have to drive to the hospital.) The area needed  to be mopped, and immediately the congregation grabbed mops, rags, whatever was handy. Everyone acted in the manner that Christ has commanded us to do. It was so amazing as everyone worked together to help another. The gentleman is hospitalized overnight for observation, and could possibly return home tomorrow. We resumed services with only 10 minutes for Chaplain Bill to preach. I think we learned more about ourselves and our obedience as a result of our actions.

 

 We are reading the Essential 100 weekly - a series of Bible Scripture that everyone should read, starting with Genesis. We then discuss the past week's reading in Sunday School. This past week was the story of Joseph - what an amazing story. There were many things that were brought out during discussion - almost like a book club discussion (guess that is really what the Bible is). Even though Joseph was hated by his brothers, and sold as a slave, he himself did bring this about by his attitude and feeling of superiority. I always felt sorry for Joseph, but the discussion shed a new light on his misfortune for me.

 

We were not able to help with the soup kitchen and produce distribution this week as Ali and I hosted a thanksgiving dinner table, but according to those who did so, 480 people were fed a chicken dinner on Thanksgiving Day (sad to say, the chicken ran out and some folks had the usual beans and rice. Produce was distributed to over 400 people also. What a great God we serve that provides for those in need - and what a privilege we have to be part of His provision.

 

As Thanksgiving 2014 becomes just a memory, we look forward to the Christmas season and the beautiful story of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. All of the fuss, presents, decorations, and gaity are just the wordly celebration - keep Christ in your hearts this year.  

 

 

Diamonds and Spider Webs

Diamonds and spider webs  really don't seem to fit together. This morning was so terribly foggy that we could not even see the lake which is very close to us. As the fog lifted, the dew and left over moisture from the overnight rain  remained on the yard, making the grass sparkle like diamonds of every color. As we walked to church, there were spider webs everywhere - and I mean many of them. They too were covered with dew, and as the sun would shine on them, they would sparkle like the most expensive diamond ever.  Every intricate part of the web was covered with diamonds, sparkling in the early morning dew. What wonders God creates for us if we would only take the time to stop, look, and put them in our memory bank.

Tonight's blog is later because Great Oaks Community Church had a Harvest Feast - a huge Thanksgiving dinner complete with all the trimmings. I made Southern sweet potato casserole, thinking I would have enough to freeze for later eating - we have only enough to eat at home for a meal and a half. The first sweet potatoes of the season taste so wonderful. All of the food was delicious - including the ever present corn, cheese, mayo, hot sauce the Mexican love to eat (so do I ). It was an amazing evening of food, fellowship as we thanked God for all the many blessings He has bestowed on all of us.

waiting to eat

the dessert table

rolls, eggs, potatoes, sweet potatoes, salads, all of this in addition to the turkey and dressing

one of the many beautiful table decoration

This week we received an answer to prayer - Fred and I have been praying for pinto beans for about 2 years now (yep-pinto beans). We got a call late this week that there were 1000# of pinto beans waiting for us, and we needed to pick them up by Friday!!! I had visions of a truck load of beans that we would have to shovel out of the truck, but they were all in bags. We scrambled around and found someone who had a truck to help us haul them to Great Oaks Food Pantry (Thanks Leonard Fulk!). We actually wound up with 400# of beans and 450# of rice all in large bags. These life saving food items will be packaged in smaller bags and distributed to those in need. God does answer prayers - sometimes it takes awhile.

 

beans and rice - ready to be repackaged

 the food pantry is well stocked and ready to distribute next Sunday

the Lord has blessed the pantry with a lot of items for those who desperately need it

Chaplain Bill had such a great sermon this morning concerning Thanksgiving. Why do we thank someone??? There are lots of reasons. We need to just thank someone for who they are - just because we appreciate them as a person. Bill passed out spots for us (tiny stickum dots) to put on our watch faces, cell phones, the corner of our glasses, even on our fingernails (then cover with clear coat) to remind us every time we see the spot to thank God for just being God, for just being there for us always, for forgiving us for our sins as we are mere humans, and for all the many blessings He has bestowed on us. In time, after the dot has worn off or fallen off we will be in the habit of always thanking God.

 

During this Thanksgiving week, try to thank someone every day for something  (a cashier, a co-worker, your mail person, a neighbor - the possibilities are endless) and do it with sincerity and love. The first Thanksgiving (which lasted 3 days) was indeed a time to thank God for all He had done for the Pilgrims, even though they struggled to stay alive that first year in America . They still were thankful to God despite all the hardships they endured.

 

Give thanks for God is good and His mercy endures forever.

 

Bucket List - Check

Every Sunday as we traveled to Mission to church, we passed the Mission Feed and Hardware Store. It is an unique store, and is always open on Sundays, too. And we always say, "It would be fun to stop there" (an item on my bucket list).  This past week we had the opportunity, along with other friends, to be in the area on a week-day and decided to stop. It was an amazing display of anything and everything - I think if you could not find it in this store, it is not made. I was getting a headache just thinking about doing an inventory!!! Of course, being a feed store, there were also live chicks and other fowl. So amidst the explosion in my brain trying to take in everything, the peeps, squawks, and smells were almost overwhelming. I also got to cross another item off my bucket list (which includes some almost impossible things to do as well as silly and crazy things).

 

need one of these for your front yard?

you have to see this place

a small section of the outside

need any cast iron?

everything a pet could want

alligator head skeletons anyone?

2nd bucket list item checked off - find a Sasquatch. this one seems to love Paula. 

 

 

Fellow Chaplains, Roy and Paula Gee collected  many items for the Great Oaks Food and Clothing Ministry. Some were donated, and some were even bought at yard sales. They, along with their friends Ellis and Fran, picked us up and we drove to Great Oaks where we were met by Pastor Israel and Becky Rodriguez. Most of these items will be used at Christmas time, although many will be distributed to the needy of the area.  We thank God for loving Christians who "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Hebrews 13:16

 The Gees, the Preuss', and the Rodriguezs and all the gifts

 sweet baby dolls

 toothbrushes and toothpaste

 lots of toys

 stuffed friends for the kiddos

 

Chaplain Bill lead our worship service here at Alamo RecVeh this morning. We had a great attendance (almost doubled our last week's) as more and more people arrive here at the park. We spend time in the service to welcome everyone back, and especially welcome newcomers to the park. We have a prayer and praise time, reading prayer requests and praises. It is so eye opening to see the prayer requests become praises (but why are we amazed at a God who answers prayers). "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." John 15:7

It has been really cold here this past week. As I walked one morning, I was bundled up with a hood, scarf, and gloves. Needless to say there was no one else out until the sun began to rise. It was a beautiful time of the morning; cold, sort of crisp, and very quiet - even the cats and rabbits were still snuggled in, as I was wondering what in the world was I doing in the cold morning???  It is a perfect time for me to start my day in prayer - being able to concentrate on God's enormous creation just waking up!!!

This week take time to read Genesis - truly read it as if you were reading it for the first time. It is a wonderful Book of the Bible which answers many questions for us. try to find the passage where God gives Noah permission to eat meat! Yep - it is there.

 

 

 

 

 

  

Fears

Because there still are a few issues with starting church here at Alamo Rec Veh, we  attend Sunday morning services at Great Oaks Community Church. Pastor Israel's sermon this morning was pretty thought provoking. He encouraged us to not be afraid. Fear comes in many areas, - physical fears such as being afraid of spiders, the dark, bugs, heights, water, as well as being afraid of happenings that tend to be more imaginary than real.  We all know people who are afraid of getting a terminal illness, or financial ruin, even fear of some criminal offense against them. A lot of these fears are due to things that have happened to us although some fears are just products of our imagination. And then there is spiritual fear - which is hard to overcome and still a puzzle. If we continue  to grow in God's love fear will be cast out. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love". I John 4:18. Fear is a result of Adam and Eve's sin - they became afraid after they disobeyed God. Remember as children how afraid we became when we disobeyed our parents?? We often can overcome fear by confronting the very thing we fear. My fear of the dark has diminished since I have been walking in the early morning - now if I can just conquer my fear of pipes ( a bazaar fear that one of my daughters and I both have)!!!

I was invited to a very last minute baby shower for one of our CHI Mexican board members (Dulce) whose baby was due at any time. It was fun as there were only 6 of us in attendance and we had plenty of time for visiting. Of course, Betsy had a game prepared, which did not tax our abilities too much - lots of great food and laughter.

a delicious array of food - including Dulce's favorite - chicken wings

she is due any minute

a package of "butt crème" which really confused her

baby girl outfits

 

dessert of strawberry, mango, cream cheese, or tarimasu cakes - very rich but wonderful.

Dulce's baby girl, Ana Sofia Zapata, was born 2 days later!


We also celebrated a Harvest Fest the following evening at Great Oaks Community Church with a fun time for the kids in costume (even a few adults got into the mood), games and prizes for everyone, as well as a hot dog supper. I was in charge of the  duck pond - the kids pulled out a duck with a loving message on it (you are awesome, God loves you, you are wonderful, etc.) and then won a little prize. One little girl was enchanted by the ducks, stomping around the pool and pointing at them all. She had no interest in touching them or the water,  but giggled at them constantly.

 a cute little flower girl

 some of the cake walk prizes



the cake walk - hoping for a cake or pie

 some adults having a great time

 my duck pond - just a few ducks with powerful messages

 Jose Louis - his first try at making cotton candy

this little one had her hands and mouth full of cotton candy

 

 As we enjoy the bounty of the Lord, let us give thanks always for everything He provides for us - for all of the earthly needs, but especially for the spiritual blessing of His overpowering love.