Easter Sunday

Since Easter is so early this year, the Easter lilies are not blooming, but just the same , He is Risen!!!! We had an amazing church service this morning - 173 in attendance. Our substitute chaplain brought some folks from his park, and others from our park that do not normally attend church were there. We had to set up more chairs, we ran out of bulletins (only 88 last week - we had no idea so many would be here). As it was communion Sunday, the church board hurriedly fixed more cups and bread. Praise God, what a blessing.

Many residents left last week, this week more are leaving, Soon our park will be almost empty - just those of us who are here longer. It was really nice to have a few hours of "nothing to do". There is always something to do, but to be able to not feel not pressured for a bit of time is refreshing. We are busy with our food and clothing ministries - the lady who helps us in the colonias just informed us they took on a new colonia. Just as we were wondering how we would be able to help fill the need there, a divine appointment Fred had put us in contact with a gentleman who is able to provide us with mattresses, food, and clothing, exactly what the new colonia needs. Isn't God great????

It is almost a year since Fred and I decided that we needed to loose some added tonnage (last year at Easter time). To date he has lost 85# and I have lost 50#. This is the day we celebrate - a trip with friends to Baskin Robbins this afternoon!!!!!! It has been a long journey, but not a difficult one. We still have a bit more to go - but with a little willpower and help from our Father, we will make it. Luckily, we volunteer at the thrift shop for CHI - we often take in larger clothing items and take home smaller sizes!!! That is really the fun part - a continuous change of wardrobe at a very small price.

We are starting to make plans for our annual trip home to Arkansas and then Wisconsin. Although with the list of those we want to visit, it is getting to be a challenge to work in doctor appointments, etc. I promise to take lots of pictures of our travels (I have been pretty lax in the picture taking department lately).

This was our last service here at the park for the season. I mentioned last week that our church was split and under stack from Satan - please keep us in your prayers that healing will take place over the summer, all of the hurts and wounds will be mended through the hand of God, and that The Church @ Alamo Rec Veh Park will emerge stronger than ever. Pray for our church board and management.

Pastor Jim Maxson reminded us of all the things that cause us to be distracted from praising Jesus. When Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and found it empty, she stooped down, looked in, and saw that Jesus was gone. Thinking someone had taken His body away, she was overwhelmed with grief. She then noticed a figure there and immediately thought it was the gardener until He spoke to her. She was so distracted with grief that she failed to notice Jesus' presence. Do we fail to see Jesus in times of grief or other trials???? I know this has happened to me often in the past few months as the split and turmoil in our church escalated. I forgot to give up and give God. I gave it to Him, but then I took it back again. It s harder to trust and live by faith if we let things distract us from the love and protection of our Lord. We need to wipe the tears from our eyes so we can clearly see what God has planned for us. Noah, Abraham, Moses, even the Israelites did everything by faith. Noah built an ark when he did not know what even rain or floods were, Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son, Moses led his people out of Israel when he did not know where he was even going, and the Israelites marched around Jericho for seven days, wondering how that would win the battle for them. Leave everything with God and live by faith. He is in control.

Happy Easter to everyone, a day of new beginnings, a bright future and time to forget the past and look to a bright and wonderful coming of days in the Lord. And don't eat too many Peeps or chocolate bunnies. It's not about the bunnies, it is about the lamb.

Springtime???

It is springtime on the calendar, but I think it forgot us here in the Valley. 43 degrees here this morning, although it did warm up this afternoon. The amaryllis are blooming, but I do not think the Easter lilies are going to open before Easter. The park is becoming more quiet (our next door neighbors left today for their Wisconsin home) as most of the activities are ending for the season. We had our last Ladies Bible Study for the year, the sewing group has also finished their quilting, the creative expressions (do you own special project) finished up last week also. We have only one more church service Easter Sunday here at the park. We pray that God sends us the perfect chaplain/pastor for next year - The Church @ Alamo Rec Veh is split and under attack from Satan so please pray for God's will to be done.

We have the job of watering the flowers and vegetable of our neighbors - they have tomatoes and peppers in their back yard and flowers out front. I love to see blooming flowers - I just do not like to weed them!!!

neighbor's colorful leafy plant surrounded by roses

 

 

The park held a St. Patrick's Day parade Thursday, followed by a dinner and dance. We watched the parade for a bit - it was short and did not come past the house, so I really did not get a lot of good pictures - it was nice to be outside with neighbors, just enjoying the earlier warm weather.

 red hatters enjoying the ride

 if you look closely on the road by the street sign, you will see one of the radio controlled cars scooting along in the parade

this lady walked the whole parade route with her walker

 

 

The Lord has so blessed our ministry with donations of food and clothing. We will have to get a warehouse permit pretty soon because of all the donations that have been coming in. We do plan to distribute a huge amount this week to the colonias. Fred took a load into the colonias this last week and surprised the residents with the fact that all of it was for them and it was free!!! It seems a man, representing himself as a church representative, brings bags of overripe vegetables to them and then charges them $5 a bag. How sad that someone would take advantage of someone less fortunate than himself. All of the things that are donated to us (including some items we ourselves buy) is distributed free to those who need it. Along with the donations, we try to instill in them the Word of God - that God does truly love them and died for their sins so that they too could have eternal life.

 food and clothing - the bins are full of bagged rice and beans (we get the beans and rice in bulk and bag it in gallon bags).

 produce, clothing, and bolts of fabric for quilt making

we are indeed going to need a warehouse permit

 

 

Pastor Jim Maxson delivered a powerful message this morning entitled "Three Crosses". The worship team and he do not confer on sings and message - today it came together perfectly. We also had a beautiful cross on a table which just intensified the power of the message. The cross is actually a chosen symbol of our faith. Jesus' arms stretched out vertically reaching towards heaven reminds us of God's greatest gift as an atonement for our sins. Jesus' arms stretched out horizontally for all of us - each and everyone. Jesus' first and last words on the cross were "Father", symbolizing His confidence in God and to all who die believing. When Jesus' said the words, "It is finished", He meant many things - His suffering was over, His victory over Satan, the debt was paid. Jesus paid the debt so that when we stand before the Lord on judgment day, His death covers our sin in a blanket of white - He paid the debt for us so our sin is not visible. What a wonderful victory!!!!

 

During this Holy week, remember that Jesus died for all of us - each and everyone. If we accept Him as Lord and Savior, we are free - free from the power of Satan. Be prepared to proclaim, "He has risen"!!! 

 

Daylight Savings Time

So --- what did this accomplish??? We got up an hour earlier (much before we were ready),couldn't sleep last night for fear we would get up late for an important event (like church) tells us to eat when we are not really hungry as the clock strikes 12, throws off the farmers milking schedule, interferes with out internal clock, and tells us to go to bed before we are really not ready. All for an extra hour of daylight. OK, guess those who are in the know feel this is good for us.

It has been a very difficult and trying week, as there are divisions in our church and park -  husbands and wives arguing, friends, neighbors, etc. all on opposite sides of the fence. We have been praying constantly for God's will to be done, all for His glory and none for ourselves. Yesterday the answer was revealed for a simple solution, one that was in front of us all the time. All we had to do was trust in the Lord. The issue is not yet totally resolved, but with everyone leaving for the summer perhaps tempers will cool and everyone will return in the fall with a new perspective. To God give the glory.

The weather is beginning to warm up as spring dissolves into summer. Many of the residents have already left and many are going to leave this coming week in order to be home for Easter, which is quite early this year.

We had a substitute Chaplain this morning who presented a very appropriate sermon "Paralyzed". He retold the Bible story of the paralyzed man whose friends lowered him through the roof in order to allow the Lord to heal him. The roofs at that time were very thick, as they we also used at living spaces - sleeping areas, eating areas, etc. The friends had to dig a hole at least 6 feet long and 3 feet wide in order to allow the pallet to be lowered - this pallet also had to be brought up to the roof first. What an effort these friends went through in order to bring their friend to the Lord. Are you one of, or do you have, 4 friends that would go through such an effort in order to bring someone else to the Lord. How many times do we miss the opportunity to minister to someone - when they ask us to pray for them, do we do it immediately or do we pray once and then forget about it?? 

Since the fire we had here in the park a few weeks ago, clean-up has been going on. The trailer house has been cleaned up - the lot looks as if nothing ever happened. The 5th wheel belonged to a couple from Canada (who have already left to go back home) took a bit longer. A few days ago a flat bed came to remove what was left of the 5th wheel. In a very short time, the 5th wheel was loaded, the lot cleaned, and all looked like nothing happened. So often in times of tragedy, we forget that life goes on, regardless of what has happened. We need to be reminded to trust in the Lord for His provision.

ready to return to Canada

a miracle that no one was injured

We need to always remember that God is always with us wherever we go, always beside us in all difficulties, ready to give us all the help we need, all we need to do is ask Him. Continue to pray constantly.

 

Springtime

I do believe that spring has finally come - the days are longer, the fruit trees are blossoming, and the birds are chasing each other all over. It is so amazing to greet each day with sunshine and warmth and find joy in the knowledge that this is the day the Lord has made - just for us. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead next Sunday morning (I do it Saturday night so I don't forget).

Chaplain Lee and Marilyn Bahney will not be coming back to the park next year, so we are again looking for a new chaplain. We trust in the Lord to bring us the exact Chaplain that we need. We do not know why Chaplain Lee was called by God to be here this past year - perhaps to bring a few back to church. With that mission accomplished, he will be called for another purpose. Keep Marilyn and her family in your prayers as she and Lee traveled to Indiana due to the passing of her mother. Pray for safe travels for them (a stone hit the passenger window on their truck, shattering it - praise God that no one was injured).

Last night we attended the annual fund raiser for Children's Haven which was, in addition to being a ton of fun, a huge success. There was a silent auction, a live auction, bake sale, a dinner, and style show as well as door prizes. Most people know what they are going to donate,  so the bidding becomes fast and furious as well as downright silly. Pies went for $100 on up to over $200!!! It is fun to watch the action, but kind of sad due to the fact that a person is often overbid by big spenders. The food was delicious as always, prepared and served by volunteers (who else).

We had spent the day earlier with fellow chaplains as we traveled to Brownsville to visit another chaplain at one of CRM's newer parks. It was a relaxing drive, and a good time to fellowship with other chaplain friends.

There seems to be a huge epidemic of residents from our park in the hospital as we have made 4 hospital visits in the past two days. Please pray for all of those who are ill or in the hospital for God's healing hand to be on them.

On Thursday a group of us (mostly women - only 4 men) went to see the movie Risen. It was relaxing to get away for the day and just enjoy ourselves. The movie was very good, (although not always Scripturally correct). If you get a chance to see it, try to do so.

The owner of our park bought 2 fish feeders - sort of like a deer feeder, only it shoots out fish food twice a day. He came to fish in the lake because he had never caught a bass before - it was his lucky day as he caught two of them. It is a catch and release lake where many of our residents while away the slow, warm afternoons.

A few weeks ago, we traveled to Reynosa for the Jan, Feb, and March birthdays. As usual, the kids (as well as adults) were excited. The theme was Superheros which of course, all of the kiddos enjoyed. Lots of fun games, prizes, treats, presents.

Superheros - here we are

presents just waiting for their owners

Benjamin -son of the directors - as his favorite superhero

Directors Betsy and Randall Chicon and son, Benjamin

 

lucky birthday kids receiving their superhero masks and capes

tying up the foes



a huge baked potato for lunch 

find the superheros heart

he really loved the green frosting

So many forces of evil are at work in the world. Our message, presented by Chaplain Lee Tracy, reminded us to "put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes". Ephesians 6:10-18. The devil is certainly alive and well in this country as well as all around us. There are many things that we can do to stand firm in our beliefs - as well as things that we cannot do. We need to do the things that we can do, and let God take care of the rest. The armor of the Roman soldiers was very protective, but there was nothing protecting them from the back. If we turn our backs on the devil, he can and will attack us. God's armor brings victory. I don't mean to dwell on evil forces but if take a look at the world today, it is clear that people are tuning their backs on God. There is one kind of wrath and that is the wrath of abandonment. It is that wrath exhibited by God when He turns His back on a society. In Proverbs chapter 1 verses 24 to 31 there is a similar sentiment. "Because I called and you refused, I stretched out My hand and no one paid attention and you neglected all My counsel and did not want My reproof, I will even laugh at your calamity. I will mock when your dread comes, when your dread comes like a storm and your calamity comes on like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come on you, then they will call on Me but I will not answer. They will seek Me diligently but they shall not find Me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord. They would not accept My counsel, they spurned all My reproof. So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way and be satiated with their own devices."

 

 

Pray for a spiritual revival in this country - a country that was founded on religious beliefs. An don't forget to turn your clocks ahead this coming weekend.