Sunday is Here

Sunday is here and I am working on this blog. Not such a busy week, but still lots of things going on here in the park and elsewhere. There was an incident in Progreso Mexico where we shop - but I see it as the fault of the visitors.  A Winter Texan drove his vehicle into Progreso and down a side street to a dentist's office. Two men then entered and at gunpoint asked for his vehicle keys. Point #1 - do not drive your vehicle into Mexico, especially is it is one of the vehicles desired by the drug cartel - ( a truck, certain type, color, etc). Point #2 - do not wander off the main street - Point #3 - do not wear a lot of jewelry or anything that would make you look like you have money. We have an older Ford Taurus which the cartel would not want, we park on the American side and walk into Progresso, we do not veer off the main street, and certainly do not wear expensive jewelry (as we had had a lot of that, either). We are cautious, but anything can happen, of course. We won't go to Progreso for awhile until things calm down again.

Last Sunday I was invited to yet another baby shower.  You would think that at my age I wouldn't know so many expectant mothers! The hostess is the wife of Pastor Jesse Alvarez of Puro Jesus Church (Pure Jesus). We work with him and his lovely wife Belinda at Border Missions (when we can manage to be there), so it was an honor to be invited to the shower. We played the usual games evident in all of the Hispanic showers I have attended, accompanied by fun and laughter. The guest of honor was radiant in her pregnancy, and so very grateful for us Americano guests. We even had Pizza Hut Pizza, along with fruit and salad. We excused ourselves early as we had to attend a supper at our park - West Texas antelope and ham dinner. It was interesting, but I really did not care for the antelope - it did not taste gamy, but was sort of tasteless and tough. At least I tried it!!!!

see how close you can come to the correct waist measurement using toilet paper - I won this one!!

yummy fruit kabobs - the cotton balls in the background were from another game 



Lovely Linda - expectant Mom

Pastor Jesse's wife Belinda - looks gross but was only candy bars in diapers -we had to guess which candy bars were in three different diapers -

drinking a baby bottle - glad I did not have to do this one

see how many clothespins you can remove from a hanger with only one hand - I was ahead in this game until former farmer's daughter Alberta held 11 in her one hand!!! Comes from milking cows, I suppose.

 

 We facilitate a Bible Study Monday nights for CHI for volunteers and whomever wants to attend from November until March . We are on our 3rd year in the book of Luke, but I have confidence that we will finish this year. We don't have a big crowd, but it is really interesting just to read passages, and then open it up for discussion. God tells us that no matter how many are gathered together, He is there with us. Of course, you can guess what else we do - yep - eat!!! It is a good time for fellowship and sharing. Right now I am making a split pea soup in the slow cooker for tomorrow night - we take turns preparing the main dish and the rest just fill in with salads, desserts, etc. Last week I took advantage of the wonderful supply of fresh fruit here in the Valley and made a fruit platter - of which almost all was gone before the night was over.

my contribution - it looks so good

 

 

Saturday here in the park we celebrated those who were married in 1965 - a 50th anniversary celebration. We only had 4 couples this year, but the stories were so very funny, especially when one gentleman said that the car "wouldn't start" on the first date. Hmmm - where have we heard that line before? The two ladies who put his together did an amazing job and provided great memories for all. God has truly blessed these couples over the years as their many stories seem to confirm the fact. When God is for us, who can be against us?? A dinner was served afterwards, along with wedding cake and ice cream.

 

 one of the event planners - and some of the beautiful decorations - she was "the tall"

 

 the co-coordinator - they were billed as the short and tall of it - she was the "short"

 the four honored couples

 Chaplain Bill giving the invocation - and telling a couple of cute jokes!

 This couple has been married 72 years!!!!!! She was 16 and he was 17 when they married so many years ago.

and he proclaimed "the car would not start" on their first date 

 

 

We try to make it a habit to ask our server at a restaurant if we can pray for anything for them as we pray over our food. This past week we received two very surprising answers - one for prayer and cleansing, and the other for thankfulness for all God has provided in his life. Both were young gentlemen and already have turned their lives over to the Lord. Try asking your server next time the same question - you will always be surprised at the answers.