It's Official

Yes, it is officially fall. The weather here is about to change, too. Rain (which is desperately needed) is predicted  for this coming week with cooler weather to follow. Even though the days are getting shorter it is a very welcome season.

a neighbor's plant sporting fall colors

This last week at our food distribution we were again blessed with enough food to serve almost 75 folks. We would like to take on another colonia (for a total of 4) but are going to wait as this is the time for the produce to slow down a bit - we want to make sure that we have enough for those who are already depending on it. We had a few new families show up again this last Friday as well as sheep this time. Yep - the sheep arrived in time to try to scavenge the veggies for themselves. After they were herded back to their pen, we filled a box of slightly over-ripe items for them and also for the pig - God sees fit that we can feed even His 4 legged creatures! I love these people who are so very close to the Lord as they accept their station in life with love and praises. There are always wishes  of "thank you Jesus, and God bless you" as we just try to do as God instructs us to - to love our neighbor and help to provide for them.

Every once in awhile we see an out of state license plate and a coach or two arriving here in the Valley. Our on-site managers arrived from Illinois for the season, as well as the first of the Winter Texans that we picked up at the airport. Soon we will be overflowing with residents and activities. The park is getting spruced up (floors waxed and shiny, trees and shrubs trimmed, and perhaps some paint in much needed places)

the maintenance crew (Pablo, Mary, and Mary) worked so hard on these floors


The continuing sermon series regarding our distinctness of believers in Jesus Christ asks the question, "how do you know what you know?". We can know something is real because it is measurable, tested, and examined to be real like gravity. We know that if we drop a piece of paper it will fall because of gravity. It won't just float in the air or fly upward - it will fall to the earth because of gravity. It is impossible to understand what has always been. If you see nothing, it is black, but black is something - it is a color. Confused??? So how do we know God, who has always been. There are two ways to know things about God - one is natural revelation - things you can see and touch, such as a new baby or the rising sun. The sun was created by God and not just a huge explosion. It is love for family, friends, loved ones - these things we know without asking. The other way to know God is by divine revelation.  We cannot know things about others without asking. You cannot learn only by observation, you must ask. So who do you ask? You ask God, through reading the Bible. You ask questions, and receive the  answers from the Bible. The Bible is the inspired Word of God, given to others by Him by moving in their minds, using common people to write His Word. It is His word, written by ordinary humans, but inspired by God. Scripture helps us to be wise, to know what we really know because it is full of God's wisdom. His word is useful for learning, for teaching, but He also used His Word for correction - read all the wisdom and knowledge in Proverbs. We do not like to be corrected - sometimes people feel it is more comfortable to be selfish than to be in God's Word. So He corrects us through Scripture, to be able to help others understand His Word. We need to be equipped to do this - not to change their minds but to try to instruct them in God's Word. That in itself will change their minds. The Bible is the most distinct source of knowledge about God and His plan for humanity.

Are you going to listen to the presidential debates Monday night?? I am not sure if I will - I do want to listen to the candidates, but if it becomes just a name calling, finger pointing session, I do believe I will turn them off. Pray for our upcoming election that God will place the correct person in position to lead our country. And please pray for the ending of the violence, prejudice, and hated that seems to be abound today.  

Brown, Orange, Gold

These are my favorite color combinations - the colors of fall. On Friday morning as we were headed to receive our weekly produce distribution for the colonias, there was the most beautiful harvest moon of the year so far. It was so huge and close that it seemed as if a person could reach out and touch it. The Bible mentions the moon by name at least 19 times, not to forget the many times it is just referred to - that really makes it seem of great importance. "When I consider Your Heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars which You have set in place" (Psalm8:3) - this is when I am so awed by the magnificence of the Lord. The harvest moon, pumpkins, winter squash, little ghosts and scarecrows, candy corn, peanut butter kisses, and most of all pumpkin seeds. As a kid my mother used to clean out the pumpkins for carving, wash the seeds, and then roast them with salt - oh how wonderful they tasted, as this was the only time we ever got them. As we were returning from Progresso with friends yesterday, we stopped at the little fruit stand just over the border for a few mangoes - when I spied (much to my surprise) a small bag of roasted pumpkin seeds for $1. I immediately scooped them up and could hardly wait until we got home to try them. Actually, they were not too bad - a bit older and not so fresh, but really good. Guess I will see if I can find a pumpkin and roast my own!

As were  driving in McAllen one day we ran into a huge swarm, whoops, I mean kaleidoscope of   butterflies (a group of butterflies is officially called a kaleidoscope)  - not the monarchs but small wee ones. I hated to think of how many were smashed by the whizzing cars as they made their way on their Southern migration. It was like a snowstorm in Wisconsin. We should be seeing the monarchs and the hummingbirds pretty soon as they, too , head for their winter homes. Almost forgot to mention the Winter Texans, also - we have to pick up the first of many at the airport next Saturday. Time to welcome back old friends and make new ones.

We were deep in prayer this week as the possibility of losing one of the girls we sponsor (along with her sister) who were in danger of being lost to us by being requested to return home by their mother. It was agreed that they could go home for a special visitation day, but need to return RIN the following morning. We prayed for their safe return, that they would not be lost to us forever (as we had no idea what their mother had in mind for them). Much later in the day than they were supposed to return, CHI Director Betsy called with tears in her voice that they were safely on the way back to the Haven. We are not trying to keep these precious children from their parents but just give them the opportunity for a chance in life, one much better than they would have living in the colonias and streets in Reynosa. Many folks ask why we do what we do at our age (we are not old, are we) instead of relaxing with a good book or movie, settled back in our recliner, enjoying the leisure time of our retirement. We do this because we are called by God to do so - not because we think we can change everything just that we can change one person at a time, perhaps not changing their circumstances, but changing their way of looking at their circumstances. We do this because of God's love for us so we in turn can tell others about His love for them - give them hope by making their paths a bit.  smoother. We don't feel unrighteous or smug bout it, but certainly feel good about it when we receive a "God bless you" forrom those we serve. It is at this time we tell them that we are just the vessel - God is the one who loves them and uses us to provide.

Sunday church services this morning were filled with joyful music and love for God - just as David danced before God in praise and worship so should we. It was a great praise and worship time. Pastor Robert's sermon was a continuing one about our distinctiveness of being a Christian. We as Christians, live in faith: faith that Jesus was the Savior, that he was crucified for our sins, died, and was resurrected. How can that be, how can anyone conquer death??? To die, you must be human. What if He was not raised form the dead?? Then our faith is truly worthless. Death entered creation through Adam and Eve's sin. Sin leads anger, pain, worry, frustration (all human failings) which eventually lead to death. Jesus' resurrection gives us eternal life and saves us from eternal death. Death was conquered by the Cross and defeated by the resurrection to give us hope - a hope that reaches beyond the grave to Heaven forever.

Embrace this amazing season with all it's glorious colors of orange, brown, green and gold. (Whoops, green and gold, are those Green Bay Packer colors?). Enjoy the smell of the fall, and the scent of coming winter. Roast some pumpkin seeds!

9/11

Today is certainly a day to reflect on this day 15 years ago when the very worst attack on US soil occurred. Facebook is flooded with pictures reminding us to take the time and pray for the families of all those involved, but please remember to pray for our country. During the days that followed the attack, our country was more united than it ever had been in it's history - today we are move divided than we have ever been. Pray for a returning to God, a spiritual revival. I am truly sickened by the highly paid athletes who feel that it is it their constitutional right to not stand in respect for the National Anthem. Yes, they have a right to express their thoughts but they need to remember that it was not for this great country and the sacrifices of many they would not be allowed to have those rights. How many wounded warriors would jump at the chance to stand up for Americas National Anthem  if they have the ability to do so.

this picture says it all- it is because of him that we all have the right to express ourselves, but hopefully in a respectful manner

Our blooming cactus went wild the other day, as there were about 35+ blossoms on it. I was so surprised when I went outside that morning and saw so many of them blooming. We had some errands to run - so I decided that I would take a picture when we returned home. Oh no - the blossoms were already wilted - evidently they only last overnight!!! Still lots of blossoms left, so will try again.

 earlier this week at night, just a few blossoms

more blossoms than I can count - notice trailer in the background that because of the love and support from Prairie Grove Christian Church we were able to purchase - Fred is going to build sides and a roof for it

A wonderful lady whose belief in the Lord is unshakable despite all of the physical situations she has had to endure gave me this delicious recipe for pickled eggs. Because of the health reasons, they sold their mobile unit last year and will not be returning to the park. I made the eggs twice already this year, and think of her every time I see make them. Easy to  make - equal parts vinegar and sugar (usually one cup each or more depending on size of container). Add sliced onions, sliced jalapenos (I use both fresh and those you buy in a jar or can), sliced red and/or green peppers, banana peppers ( 1 jar, don't add juice yet). Put all in container, if not enough juice to cover, add juice from banana peppers. Let set at least a week - if you can last that long. When all eggs are eaten, you can use the liquid and vegetables once more - I add a few more jalapenos. We bought the great jar from CHI resale store for $2 - what a deal.

one dozen eggs - now to wait a week

We had an amazing distribution in the colonias this week - thanks to having the ability to receive more produce by having the trailer. We also had drink mixes and individual bags of fancy shaped marshmallows for everyone. I brought along 7 boxes of each (total 72 packages of each) to make sure we had enough. The Lord brought more folks than ever before - as usual He provided enough to go around - 84 families fed this week. It was terribly hot but we persevered until all the items were boxed and some were already distributed.  As we were preparing the boxes for distribution, we stopped to pray as we always do when I felt a pressure against my leg, thinking at first it was one of the dogs in the area but it seemed too large for that. Whoops, two goats decided to join us, looking for handouts. Their owner tried to herd them back to their pen, but they sure were stubborn. he home where we distribute is in the colonias, looking very much like a colonia home - the electric washing machine is in the yard, filled by the water hose (yes, she washes in cold water) PVC pipe is hooked to the rinse pipe and the water is pumped onto the yard to water it. Clothes are hung on the line to dry. I love these people and their ability to be content in their place in life right now - they are so loving and willing to share whatever they have with us. This week the husband was grilling fish and offered it to us to share, even though they have saved for 2 years to have enough money to fix their truck. Friday was a wonderful day for them, as they were able to pay for the repairs and get their transportation home again.

This morning's sermon was a very powerful one and one that most people do not want to hear about: Sin. Before Pastor Robert began, there was  short presentation to the 3rd graders that really was special. The kids were presented with Bibles wrapped in brown paper, which represented the fact that the Bible was indeed an old book. They were asked to remove the brown paper, and discovered another wrapping - this one was the comic section of a newspaper which represented all of the stories in the Bible for them to discover. As they unwrapped the comic section, they discovered another wrapping of gold paper. Gold represents value - the Bible is most valuable because it is God's Word, a gift more precious than any other. The sermon, based on Genesis 3:1-13 seems to be centered on sin and who fault it was - man blamed God because He gave Adam a wife, the wife blamed the snake because he tempted her. But was it the snake's fault or was he just the instrument to allow man to sin? Pastor Robert lit a Styrofoam cup with fire, blew it out, and showed black stain and a hole in the cup. Whose fault was it for the destruction?? Is the fire (sin)? Sin is the potential for destruction, chaos, and disobedience in our lives. The source is not evil (the fire nor the snake were evil) only the potential for evil. When sin hits it leaves destruction (as in the hole in the cup) and the black stain of the sin. Relationships are destroyed because of the hole left by sin: it represents the separation between God and man because of sin. Fire (sin) is the absence of heat (love), the inability to forgive on our part. Praise God for His Son who made forgiveness possible.  Sin is really the easiest thing to understand in the Bible: when we understand that sin is the cause of brokenness in the world.

Continue today to remember those who died on 9/11/2001 - those innocents who were just doing their job, as well as those who gave their lives to try to save them all. And please do not ever disrespect our great country.  

Blessed Rain

Hooray - it rained two days earlier this week  and today it is a lovely rainy Sunday. It is quite dry here and we certainly need it. Praise God that the hurricane missed us, but continue to pray for those who are affected by it. Flooding causes such devastation as many folks are not aware of the mere strength of rushing water. First rule we learned when we moved to Arkansas - do not cross running water!

I am so very disappointed in the pre-election news on TV - I often turn it off. The candidates should concentrate on what they stand for and what they hope to accomplish rather than just bashing each other continuously. I am not sure if I want to watch the upcoming debate just to hear two adults acting like children - pointing out each others faults and sins rather than trying to put our country together again. It seems that this country has forgotten God.  In August 1984, Ronald Reagan spoke to an ecumenical breakfast in Dallas, Texas the following "We establish no religion in this country, nor will we ever. we commend no worship. we mandate no belief, but we poison our society when we remove its theological underpinnings. We court corruption when we leave it bereft of belief. All are free to believe or not believe, all are free to practice a faith or not. But those who believe must be free to speak of and act on their belief, to apply moral teachings to public questions...... Without God there is no virtue, because there is no prompting of conscience. Without God we're mired in the material, that flat world that tell us only what senses perceive. Without God, there is a coarsening of the society. And without God, society will not and cannot long endure. If we forget that we are one Nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under". OK, I am off my soapbox for now.

I really have no pictures again this week - it is so dry in the Valley that even most flowers are not blooming and I can only have so many picture of our food and clothing distributions. We were so very blessed with a trailer this week (through your great support) so Fred will be working on enclosing it to use in hauling food, etc. Hopefully it will put less wear on our vehicle.

Our tall cactus in the front is absolutely loaded with blooms, so there should be pictures coming soon. Little activity in the park as of yet, but folks will be returning the end of this month. One of the units was sold earlier and now workers are doing some remodeling - the rabbits are busy hopping all over, but the birds are even quiet. So much for lots of action here!!!!

Pastor's sermon this morning continued on the Trinity - today centering on the Holy Spirit.  What is the Holy Spirit? The question almost should be "Who is the Holy Spirit"? The Holy Spirit is the 3rd person of the Trinity. Some people believe the Holy Spirit is a feeling, some people feel overcome by the Holy Spirit through tongues, or by singing or dancing, some feel the Holy Spirit actually overcomes us physically - it is means different things to everyone. The Holy Spirit is an enabler in a good sense of the word. Enabler means a person or thing that makes things possible. Do you want to be set free form the bondage of your sins? The Holy Spirit will enable you to do that. We cannot get there by ourselves - we need help. The Holy Spirit also empowers. We are all blessed with spiritual gifts - the Holy Spirit empowers us to know what they are and to use them for God's work. The Holy Spirit is also an encourager. When everything seems to go wrong, when we have nowhere else to turn, when we fail,  the Holy Spirit is there to encourage us to look to the Lord for hope. Without the Holy Spirit we fail to be a church - all parts of one body. The Holy Spirit sets us apart from any other organization - we are the organization of believers.

At the beginning of this new school year, pray for the teachers, the children, the school employees, everyone who is involved in the education of our kids who are the future of our country.