Down Time - Sort Of!

As we enjoy the warm days here in the RGV, we also relax in a bit of down time. We are not nearly as busy as we will be later on when everyone is here in the park, but we continue to keep up with the food and clothing ministry in Mission. We arrived early at Border Missions on Friday (we were the first ones there - hooray) in order to pick up the wonderful produce that is available. I believe that most of this comes in from Mexico, as the producers in the Valley are recovering from the huge amount of rain we had earlier in the year. God always seems to provide enough for all of our needs, no matter if it seems that there is not enough. It is so very gratifying
 to see people filling their bags with fresh vegetable for the week.  "Your people are settled in, and from your bounty, O God, You provided for the poor." Psalm 68:10.

friend Faye helps load our portion of produce at Border Missions warehouse

if you look carefully at the cars in this photo, they are parked in front of a tiny church that is always packed - we pass it always on the way to deliver produce

lovely cucumbers

tortillas

fresh broccoli

tomatoes and peppers - those peppers are very expensive in the store

Rick and Fred unpacking produce - Rick is a very willing helper who meets us at the church on Friday to unpack and sort produce

onions anyone

Saturday, we and other chaplain couple and headed to South Padre Island for a bit of relaxation and fellowship. As we approached the causeway before driving to the island we were astonished at the huge amount of traffic. We had not thought about it being one of the last week-ends before school starts here in South Texas, as well as it being a tax free shopping weekend. We have never seen so many people as many times as we have visited the island. Families were everywhere, cars parked right next to It was so crowded that we could not find a place to park on the beach nor feed the sassy sea gulls.

 some of the hotels seen from the causeway

 the small hotel on the left was the first one on the island

 beautiful day - not too hot, sunny and breezy with the coolness of the water

 this was the scene for miles (and miles and miles)

some even came to fish

families bonding on a lazy summer day

No trip to the island is complete without a stop at Dirty Al's to eat. We think the original Dirty Al's on the island is closed - it was a typical fish market/restaurant. The atmosphere was no much to brag about but the food sure was. We opted to drive back to the mainland and eat at Pelican Station - another one of the Dirty Al's' restaurants but with a great ambiance including a view of the water.  I chose shrimp and scallops, while the rest had just shrimp or shrimp and fish. No French Fires but the delicious coleslaw that is served there. We did not get home until about 8:30 - a close to a memorable day. 

 the causeway to South Padre Island

some of the hotels on the island from the view at Pelican Station

 sweet sea gulls searching for food

 just waiting for someone to take this boat out to the Gulf of Mexico  

Pastor Israel continued his sermons on the fact that we need to put on the armor of God to fight the war with our spiritual enemies. We need to take up the shield of faith. This week we listened to how faith helps us to wage the continuous war with our sinful nature. If we don't have faith we lose the battle. The Roman soldiers had shields that were made of wood and measured 2 feet by 4 feet to stop all the arrows of the enemy. These shields actually fit together to form a solid wall - an almost impenetrable fortress. This is a picture of the church today, as we as Christians meet the threats of this world - standing together as one. "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him".  Hebrews 11:6

 

 

I read the Duck Commander Devotional every day. It is filled with great Scripture as well as prayer and everyday experiences from the whole Robertson clan. Today's prayer really fits in with the lesson from Pastor Israel:

"Lord, I ask for a strong faith and the courage to leave my own comfort to answer whatever call You give me or my family. Father, we accept Your missions by faith in Your promises to bless and protect. In Jesus, we pray in faith. Amen." Al Robertson.

 

Seek God this week and ask Him to allow you to continue in faith regardless of the chaos around us all.