Palm Sunday

This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. It is an absolutely beautiful day here in RGV (although I rejoice in the dreary days, too). It is too bad that so many people are leaving this week when we finally get some amazing weather. Those that are left  are out, riding bikes, visiting, walking, cruising in their golf carts - really enjoying the sunshine and cool breeze.

Chaplain Bill's sermon this morning revolved around Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem - He was praised and loved by all those who were in Jerusalem at the time - the Jews who were in Jerusalem at the time, those who had seen the raising of Lazarus from the dead, the pilgrims who came from every where, and the disciples. The Roman leaders were scornful of Jesus, who  many proclaimed to be the King of the Jews. Any conquering hero rode into a city a triumphal return came riding on a great horse, in a silver chariot, pulling along the conquered king, with many proclaiming his victory. There was sort of a ticker tape parade, only instead of confetti, rose petals were falling on the conquering hero (thus the phrase - sweet smell of success). Who was this man, riding in triumph into the city on a donkey, dressed in simple clothing, wearing sandals??? It was Jesus of Nazareth, who purposely challenged the authorities in order to fulfill prophecy. As we enter into Holy Week, use these coming days to think about and thank God for the great sacrifice, His only Son, given for us!!!! So that someday we can share in the glory of heaven in His presence.

Right after services, Bill and Ali left the park,  going forward into whatever God has planned for them. I am thankful to the Lord for these past two years under Bill's leadership and Ali's friendship. I have learned so much from them and know that God had great things in mind for their next journey. We pray that whomever God sends us as Chaplain can take the Church @ Alamo Rec Veh to another new level.

We are still very busy with the food ministry, as the folks who are leaving for their Northern homes bring their foodstuffs to us for the food pantry. It is a process to combine all the sugars, flour, cereals, etc. into gallon size bags for distribution. We are so thankful that people are so generous in order that we can provide for those who cannot afford food, for they are busy trying to provide a roof over their head. We do receive some surprising things - chocolate rimmed ice cream cones, many types of snack crackers, candy canes, snack cakes, etc., as well as rice, beans, and pasta. Not only staples, but special treats, too.

 boxes of food and bags of clothes, the second car load this week - we will deliver the quilts this week

cereal, crackers, coffee, and cake mixes (for those who have stoves) are just a few donated items

We are praying for a blessed Easter for each and every one of you - that you take time to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Late???

I know yesterday was Sunday - we did the Sunday things - an amazing Sunday service with Chaplain Bill preaching and teaching - a great Sunday School class - but I have no clue what happened to the rest of the day. We visited with friends for a bit, then other friends at a different park. About an hour ago I realized I had not even thought to keep this blog updated!!! Guess my brain is also winding down.

We have been having a bottle cap collection (just bottle caps from beverages) and have collected thousands of them! 2500 caps, recycled, equal 1 chemo treatment for a child at St. Judes hospital in Memphis. Everyone has done a fantastic job saving their caps for us. Actually, our Texas room has turned into a storage shed - quilts to be distributed to the colonias (soon, I hope) food and clothing for Great Oaks Ministry, and other sundry items for the resale shop for Children's Haven. It will continue like this for a few weeks as people are leaving and dropping off their extras for use in our ministries. It is truly amazing how the  Lord keeps blessing everyone - those who donate, those who purchase at the resale store, especially those who benefit from the gently used items. We are so very privileged to be able to serve the Lord in this manner.

We have had so much rain again this past week - the yards look like overgrown prairies. There are pink wildflowers growing everywhere, the blue bonnets are bursting with their beautiful color, even the pointsetias are blooming and thriving. God has a way of creating beauty after the gloom. It is so perplexing to see ripe grapefruit on the same tree as fragrant blossoms! The smell of the citrus blossoms is almost overwhelming.

grapefruit and blossoms on the same tree

these grapefruits were gone the next day, as the residents who live at this place headed home right after they picked this sweet fruit.

a blooming pointsetia

Our next door neighbor, Kay,  had a surprise birthday party hosted by another neighbor, Pat. Pat loves to cook and always seems to be expecting an army of people. We laughed as she served spiced small hot dogs, barbecued ribs, hot dogs, pulled park sandwiches, potato salad, deviled eggs, jello, and other items too numerous to mention, complaining that she forgot to make the fish!!!! Dessert was birthday cake, cupcakes, and angel food cake. We had a fun time, as the sun peeked out to make this day one we could all join together in friendship.

 

 

look at these great bags - made from bird seed sacks lined with coordinating fabric!

part of the great feast - almost forgot about the sauerkraut/sausage dish and cauliflower cheese casserole.

 for those who watch what they eat - a huge slice of angel food cake

 

cupcakes anyone

Pat - our ever gracious hostess

 Pat recently lost her husband and a friend made these bears from her husband's shirts - what an idea

 Pat's flowerbed - really blooming because of the rain

her gorgeous roses

birthday girl Kay

 

We had some wonderful ripe mangoes given to us this last week. They were at the peak of perfection and tasted sooooo sweet. It amazes me that someone, someplace, sometime decided which fruits were safe to eat and which were not. Was someone a guinea pig - you know - you eat it first and see if you die???Or is it just through God's direction that we know instinctively what and what not to eat?

mangoes - ready to eat

Chaplain Bill and Ali Artherholt treated us to a magnificent meal at the Republic of the Rio Grande - a truly elegant place to dine ( you will notice that I did not say eat - we dined!!). Scrumptious food - I had grilled chicken in an avocado sauce that was out of this world. We all shared in the banana bread pudding  (there were numerous other mind boggling desserts - mango cheesecake, nuetrella brownie, sweet cornbread and ice cream, and an almond encrusted taco, filled with a cream filling. I think I will go there every day just for dessert!!!


don't we look pleasingly  full? - at the restaurant after indulging

 after eating, we spent a few hours playing Fast Track at the Artherholt's spot. Aren't Ali's flowers beautiful???

Sunday will be our last church service here at the park - shortly after which Chaplain Bill will be leaving, headed back to Red Oak, Iowa to answer God's calling. We will truly miss their leadership, but especially their friendship. I believe that God sent Bill to Alamo Rec Veh  to help release people from their bondages and help them find freedom in Christ. His work accomplished, God called him to other ministries - but why did He take them away from us! We look forward with great anticipation to receiving our next chaplain - who knows what God has planned for the Church @ Alamo Rec Veh ???  

 

 



 

 

Winding Down

It hardly seems possible that the season here at ARV is winding down. Quite a few people have already left the park - either to their Northern homes or to continue a journey around the country. Chaplain Bill and Ali have just returned form a quick 4 day trip to see their new grandson in Colorado. We again had the privilege of having their cat, Charlie, stay with us. As usual, he kept us on our toes with his natural sense of adventure. He learned to open the door on the computer cabinet and jump right in to investigate. His greatest sense of fun was to pull the paper out of my printer as I was printing. No matter where he was, he came running if he heard the printer start up, climb on the desk, wait for the paper to appear, then use his paw to swipe it out of the printer.

Charlie in action

Last year, our park built an air rifle range, which seemed to be very well received. Dave Niccum, who spearheaded this project, sadly passed away last summer. As a result, a resident of the park built a gun case for his gun to be mounted in the gun range in his honor. We were able to be present at the brief ceremony with his wife, Pat.

 

 Pat Niccum accepting the gun case -

in memory of Dave,  mounted in the gun range - the cross you see was the cross he held in his hand as he went to be with the Lord.  

 

 

 

 

We went to the last Fiesta in Reynosa at RIN. The kids were so very excited, as they love to show us the beauty of their culture, not to mention the fact that a wonderful surprise was in store for them as the dinner was baked potatoes with everything !!!

 

 

some of the 4 van loads of Winter Texans ready for the Fiesta to begin

 Paty, giving us a preview of her progress on the guitar that she received for Christmas

 rondolla - a guitar group of RIN children with only 3 weeks of practice under their belt - they were very good

a strange instrument

 the always present pony program, designed for the young girls who love it

 some of these young men had real machetes!

 very impressive

 Kayla, who came to RIN as a very small baby - how she has grown

 Paty and Dan

 this young lady is an intern from Canada, led by God to minister at RIN for 3 months

 dinner of tostadas along with Mexican coke

also the huge baked potato

 what a flower girl

our sweet Carolina - hopefully after this surgery she will be able to walk, something she has never done

 a group of new guitar players

 Paty is doing so well

  

 

Paty gave her testimony which brought tears even to Director Betsy's eyes

no Fiesta is complete without the old drunken men

these girls modeled traditional dress from many of the Mexican states

 dessert - tres leche (3 milk) cake

 mango pie

 

 or chocolate cake

 

 

pinata fun

everyone scrambled for candy after the pinata was broken

us with Paty and Belinda

 time to load the vans and say adios - we had an hour wait at the bridge!!!



Chaplain Bill's sermon this morning regarding the Cosmic Battle (the battle between truth and lies) coincides with our ladies Bible study - Breaking Free. We are all bound by lies - lies that have affected our lives for years sometimes. We need to break those bonds of lies and be free in the knowledge that God loves us and will never leave us. The truth is that there are 3 realities in this life: the world is not what it seems, there is a life and death battle of Christ's love, and it is about us. Lies come from Satan, the world, and the flesh. We need to remember that Salvation is based on the truth of the Word of God. Read you Bible, immerse yourself in the word, and you will know the truth. "If you continue in My Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free".

John 8:31-32

Daylight Savings Time - Ugh

I say this every year when daylight saving time rolls around. First of all we lose an hours sleep. Second, I have to get up way too early (in my mind), and it's dark out in the morning. About the time I begin to adjust to the time change, it is time to change it back again. Whoever thought up this idea anyway???  The first national observance of Daylight Saving Time in the United States was in 1918, to save energy during World War I. This lasted seven months before being repealed. A similar, year-round, national observance went into effect in World War II, starting February 9, 1942, and ending September 30, 1945. The starting and ending dates have changed over the years. From 1986 through 2006, DST ran from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October. Beginning in 2007, the observance starts on the second Sunday in March and ends in the first Sunday in November, adding an additional month. I saw this on facebook - it makes sense to me!

                    


Chaplain Bill continued his sermon this week by reminding us that mercy is not giving us what we deserve, while grace is giving us what we don't deserve. When asked if life is fair, I often answer, "no, it is not". If it was fair, God would not grant us mercy or give us grace. We would be punished for our sins, not forgiven, and have no hope of eternal life with Him. What an amazing God we have!

After services and Sunday School today the church board (we were also included) held their annual appreciation dinner at the Echo Hotel for Chaplain Bill and Ali. We do this every year as a Thank You for all they have done for us over the past year. This year was a bittersweet time, as Chaplain Bill and Ali are leaving our park and following God's direction to other things - things He has planned for them. Bill felt that he was sent to our park for a specific purpose - to bring people to freedom in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. He has done so in many instances and his work here is now done, Please pray with us as we ask God to send the perfect Chaplain to us for next year -

It has again been cool and rainy - this is perhaps the coldest and wettest year here in the Valley. Many people have had relatives and friends visit for a week or so, only to have plans change because of the weather. But it seems that just when we are really tired of it all, the sun breaks out and we enjoy a brief reprieve. My only problem is that I have only a few cold weather clothes - layering has become second nature to me.

We were invited to a birthday party for the one year old grandson of one of the ladies who works here in the park. The decorations were lavish - the theme was carried throughout the who celebration. Most of the relatives dressed in camouflage, even the birthday boy. Yep you guessed it - the theme was Duck Dynasty. It was fun, the food was good, and the people were just so comfortable to be with.

some of the guests being foolish

the birthday boy and his proud grandmother

placemats of vests and matching hats

theme birthday cake

piñata - ready to be smashed

another on of our park workers with her granddaughters - the baby was only 2 weeks old

my plate - guess who

the camouflage relatives - can you see them

this baby had a camouflage ribbon - almost as big as she was

pinata time - the weather was sunny that day

birthday boy getting his turn

ready to do damage

this little sweetie was also ready to break it

gathering up the spoils

the remote control sailboats were also sailing

As the season begins to wind down, many of the residents are getting ready to travel back home - continue to pray for their safe travels until they return next fall. Also pray for us, as we serve God here in the Valley - providing food and clothing for those who are so much in need.