A Great Day in the Lord

Today has been an amazingly great day in the Lord. Chaplain Bill presented a very powerful message this morning after some praise songs to the Lord, including a saxophone solo by one of our park residents. As I was reading the church activities for the coming week, the digital piano (with the unwilling help of the pianist) proceeded to give me a drum roll!!After the laughter died down and I finished, Chaplain Bill announced that he never got a drum roll at which I asked if HE had done anything this week to deserve it!!! Believe it or not, we are people just like the rest of you folks and enjoy fun, too. After the services and a quick church clean up we headed to another nearby church where one of our chaplain was being ordained. We were very honored to be able to be a part of this important step in His life. Altogether, there were 12 Chaplains who were there to support him. Chaplain Joe DeAngelis, who is a floating Chaplain and subbed for Chaplain Bill the year was ordained and was ready to follow the Lord's call. He was called to Alaska for the summer and his story was just awesome. After showing a video series, he was reading the credits and came to a name when the Lord asked him to call the number listed. He called and was asked what he wanted - Joe simply answered that he did not know. He told them that the Lord led him to call this organization, who just happened to be looking for spiritual leader at a smaller park in Alaska. Isn't God wonderful??  They will be flying to Alaska in late May, hopefully after we get a chance to visit with them in Arkansas (Yep, they are fellow Hog lovers!).

We were privileged to hear at our park this week a local mariachi group of young high school and college kids who played under the direction of a very dedicated instructor. It is a group of unrelated people who have a passion for mariachi and wanted to form a group to perform together. They have been invited to play at a competition in Houston along with 4 other groups. The winners will have the honor to play at the Houston Rodeo as well as open for famous entertainers. The object of playing at the parks was to earn money for the trip. They were fabulous! As usual, our park was as generous as ever as the donation baskets were passed - $800 was raised towards their endeavor. We wish them the very best of God's blessings as they prepare to travel to Houston. I asked them to let us know how they placed, so I can relay this on to you at a later date.

the instructor on the left with a very talented college boy

her voice was lovely - as we announced the amount of money raised, she closed her eyes and praised the Lord

a portion of the group - there were 15 in all

It is getting to be that time of year when the residents begin to plan their trip back to their Northern homes. Some have left already, and many are planning to leave this next week. It is sad to see them leave, but after the hustle and bustle of the season, it will feel good to just sit back and relax a bit! We will continue our ministries here in S Texas until the middle of May, when we will return to Arkansas for much needed break. In the meantime, please pray that God leads us to someone to take over our duties here for a few weeks as we take care of our doctor appointments etc. in Arkansas, as well as spend some much needed family time. I do miss our home church and the love that is always there, so am looking forward to worshipping with friends.

 

We are still studying Luke in our Monday night Bible Studies at CHI, but we WILL finish this year before our group also leaves to head to their homes - all except Rhonda, who lives here year round and is a dedicated teacher here in S Texas. It is a wonderful group with great insights to the Word, promoting enlivened discussion.