Back to Normal???

What is normal - it is hard to even remember after the past week. In addition to the routine daily things, we were in Chaplain training all week - get up at 5 AM in order to be at Citrus Valley by 7:30 (yes, driving in the rush hour morning traffic), meeting and remembering names of the new chaplains, preparing ourselves for 5 days of schooling and information, driven into our brains with a water hose in order to try to retain it all, eating the fabulous catered meals as well as constant snacks in order to revive ourselves - getting done about 5 PM, driving in the evening hour rush traffic, get home to think about supper and the routine (normal) duties. It was a trial, but it was awesome. Now we need to review and try to make sense of all our notes. The classes were so great, God is working in the CRMI Ministry, especially the RV division, and some folks gained freedom from their bondages. We talked about the changing demographics of the RV parks and industry (from family tents to 45 foot coaches) but even the demographics of CRM is changing - our new chaplains are younger, more on fire for the Lord, as well as eager to take on new and larger challenges. Our group is so diversified - from retired MD's to authors, publishers, government contractors, retired military, school teachers, school principals to truck drivers, farmers, and plumbers. What a group - with the same goal in mind - to take the word of God to those who know and don't know Him. Today we all attended the church service at Citrus Valley with Chaplain Jim Troutman offering us a sermon in order to go out and be disciples for the Lord. Most of the chaplains will be leaving in a day or so to go to their assignment - some here in the Valley, one couple to Arizona, and one couple to New York. Yes, we have CRM chaplains all over the USA!

just one of the fabulous 5 desserts were were served this last week - banana split dessert, also Italian cream cake, fresh fruit and cookies, banana caramel pie, fruit and brownie - oh my. all of the food was homemade, even the bread for the Friday sandwiches. If you are in S Texas, be sure to stop at Coffee Zone and eat.

visiting before beginning classes

the first day  - everyone looks all bright and ready to go

                                      
                                                     

Chaplain Bob Ruesch, Chairman of the CRMI board and CRM manager

                                        

Chaplain Jack Gregory with "Hands on" training, an interactive training method - a chance to know and understand each other

Friday night graduation banquet - our New York Chaplains

 

one of our great waiters

our IT technician from Canada with his wife "Cupcake"

Chaplain Bill and Ali Artherholt (former ARV Chaplains) with missionary daughter Heidi who with her family have recently returned from two years in India 

relaxing after it is all over with a cook out provided by Chef Bill

and more food

After all the activities of the past week, on Saturday Caring Hearts Ministry and Iglesia Batista de Immanuel hosted a children's ministry with Glen and Helen Nations, who have an amazing ministry, teaching kids about salvation We went to the colonias where they presented a children's program centering on doing the correct thing, featuring those who cheated and those who didn't. It was a great leaning tool for the kids. We brought clothes and additional food for distribution - the kids were treated to marshmallows, gifts, pencils, and fun.

some of the non-perishables we provided - rice and lentils, baby food, drink mixes

some of the clothes donated by generous folks

we needed more tables for the clothes - all very nice ones

extra bags of clothes for the next party (Thanksgiving dinner)

Glenn and Helen's caboose - a great teaching tool

and here come the kids

such a sweet little girl

getting ready for the story time

and they keep coming

reading a Bible verse and learning it

turn in circles and repeat the verse

telling the story in pictures and words

getting gifts

the excitement of a present

three sisters sitting so perfectly still

hot dogs for everyone

the kids are so happy with their new clothes and food

this kids proudly hold a shirt they found for their Dad 

The most important lesson we learned this week was to not be afraid to talk about your Christianity - your faith, and share it with others! 

contentment

Contentment

I actually took my camera along everyday of our CRMI Board meetings this week but never even took a picture. We had pretty intense meetings with  many things to discuss and decide - a new direction for CRM Iwas needed and our goal was to see that direction (with the constant help of Our Lord) and make knowledgeable and intelligent decisions. We are so blessed to have a very strong board with the same goal in mind. (The luncheons were extremely excellent - provided by Coffee Zone, a local establishment). After three days of many questions and hopefully as many answers, we feel that CRMI is on the right path as God has laid out for us.

The mornings and for the most part the days, have been beautiful - the afternoons get a bit hot, but it is very clear that fall has really come to the Rio Grande Valley. A bit more activity on the roads as the Winter Texans return - gone are the days when the restaurants are not crowded, the roads are easy to navigate, and parking spots are easy to find. The return of the Winter Texans to the Valley means a huge increase in the economy, as they are noted for hunting - hunting out new places to eat!!!! We are glad to see old friends return, and sad to know that some are not returning, due to a variety of issues, as well as deaths and illness in the family. The quietness of our summer days are gone - but we are not complaining at all. It will be awesome to see the park full again.

This morning's worship service was again so uplifting and full of new ideas on the of concept of being content in your present surroundings. We face so many challenges and worry in the coming days, especially in the uncertainty of the upcoming election. Let God lead your heart in your vote and may He place the person of His choice in leadership. A study shows that we as Americans worry most about finances, corrupt officials, and terrorist groups. We cannot have a contented life if we constantly worry. A young couple, John and Ann, wanted to get married but Ann's parents were against it. She was only 16 and they objected to John so the young couple eloped across the state line and got married. Everyone was aghast and said it would be over in a few weeks. Now, 84 years later, they are still together - she is 100 and he is 104 - the longest living married couple in the US!!! When asked his secret, John replied that he was contented in whatever life brought to him and he learned to day ."yes, dear". In comparison we look at Merle Haggard who had 31 hit songs, 10 top chart albums, but spent time in prison and spent his life looking for something. He recently died a after saying "I am restless in my soul and will be there until I die". And so it was true. Where do you fall in contentment???  The contentment of Americans has not changed, despite all of the medical and technological advances and modern conveniences - studies show that it has actually declined. A higher standard of living does not lead to a higher contentment. Contentment is an inside job - that's right, it has to come from inside you. Paul was content in all of his circumstances - he wrote most of his letters to the churches in his time while in prison, encouraging the new churches to continue on in faith. The #1 key to contentment is to be a person of gratitude, remembering where true contentment comes from, "I can do all things through God who strengthens me". Philippians 4:13. Recognize what you have is blessed and be content it.

Please be in prayer for Chaplains Lee and Grace Tracy as they have returned to Nebraska due to the death of their daughter Melinda, who passed away Friday after her battle with cancer. Pray for comfort, peace, and bonding for the family, and safe travels for them all. I can see her hanging on the Golden Gates and yelling, "This is awesome".  There is a story to this - seeing Niagara Falls was on her bucket list, so a few months ago the family traveled to New York. As she stood on the deck of The Maid of the Mist, she pulled herself up on the railing and yelled "This is awesome".

Honoring Migrants

This weekend the Basilica at San Juan honored the history of the migrants on the Valley. When we lived in Wisconsin there were many migrant workers hired by produce farmers in the area. I never really understood where they came from or how the system worked. After being in S Texas in the Rio Grande Valley, I began to understand it. Even our amazing beautician tells of how her parents, and even her husband and herself were migrant workers. When we visit during the lunch hour with the workers in our park, we ask them about it and really learned a lot!!! Migrant workers are very important to farmers as they follow the crop across the United States. They are very experienced in harvesting about anything as the whole family participates in the labor (no one ever complained about child labor). The families worked together, ate together, and relaxed together and they often went back to the same farmers each year to work. Sometimes the owners were difficult, mean or harsh - these were the one whom the workers avoided the next year. The stories are so interesting as this was a way to make money to see them through until the next harvest. Oftentimes the kids would actually attend school, go to the fields after school, then do their homework, and repeat the same schedule the next day. After the harvest was over, they would travel back to the Valley, where they would find work: cleaning houses, washing cars, working in the many RV parks in the Valley, yard work - you name it - they would do whatever was needed to make a living. Good money was made being migrant workers who are honored as the churches in the Valley celebrate their return to the community. I am sure the knowledge that the workers gained through their travels was just as important as those through formal education. They are the original RV work campers (those who RV full time and work their way through the US by working in RV parks).

As we were returning home one evening just about dusk we saw these huge clouds of black birds - actual clouds moving as if they were all connected. This murmuration or mobbing of birds is quite common but the first we have ever seen. It is an amazing sight.

Yesterday we drove to Reynosa (2 van loads of us) for the 3 month birthday party at the Sirloin Steakhouse. The kids were all so excited as this celebration is a treat for them. The food was so excellent as usual, although I was not sure what some of it was. The salad I made was delicious - various greens, lots of shredded crab meat, raw vegetables, black olives, and a green dressing (with cilantro) that was super good. Also my favorite was on the menu - seafood cevichi. One of the newer boys only had jimica on his plate - lots of it. Perhaps this was all that he had been eating at home or maybe he was overwhelmed by the array of food. He did have an ice cream cone, and a cup of coffee laced with sugar and cream!!!

Belinda - who has become a lovely, outgoing girl - Paty was not there as she had some school function - education comes first for these kids

two of the older boys (who celebrated their birthdays) acting up as teenage boys always do

Fred and  two good kids

fruit and a chili/sugar sprinkle - really very good

ready for the countdown to open presents

Dan and an updated version of "Simon Says"

So proud of his presents

Belinda's plates - all desserts

At Dollar Tree the other day I saw a wall writing (for only $1) and thought it would be perfect on our kitchen wall. Now as I sit down at the table in the morning, it is the first thing that I see - to remind me of who is in control.

                                                    my morning wake up reminder

Anther beautiful day in the Valley - we always start our Sunday morning (after devotions) by driving to the corner to our favorite paper lady to get the Sunday paper. She is so reliable - always there no matter what h weather - and stays until she sells all of her papers. After getting our paper we go on to Sunday morning services. This morning was again so wonderful - the praise band "Witness" is truly a witness to the power of God through song. Pastor Robert spoke this morning about what a covenant heart really is (Jeremiah 31:27-34). Have you ever gotten a song stuck in your head and just could not get it out. It crawls into your brain and stays there until you figure it out - just repeating itself over and over. Can something get stuck in your heart the same way???  Things do get stuck in your heart - precious keepsakes. What does it mean to have a covenant heart and what does it look like?? If you have a covenant heart it shows, through your words, actions, and deeds. Jeremiah knew a lot about agriculture and realized that the law of God is like a seed. It doesn't just show up in your heart, fully grown - it starts as a seed and is feed through study, prayer, and meditation. It will not get you to eternity alone - we need to nurture it and let it grow in us. The Law of God plants roots in our hearts and blossoms into a tree in our heart. Soon we don't have to tell others about the effect of Christ in our hearts (although it is a good practice to continue to do so) because our life is shaped by the Law of God. A covenant heart cannot be contained  as our life will be a testimony of what God does in our heart.

 our smiling paper lady

 a warm Sunday morning welcome

"Witness" an awesome praise band leading us in worship 

 

Pastor Robert giving us the message - sometimes he is so filled by the worship music that I think he going to jump out of his shoes

Become a witness to the Lord this week by your actions -a kind word, a forgiving heart, an random act of kindness - let your actions show your covenant heart.

Where is Home???

The hummingbirds are migrating but nothing like we had a few years ago - guess they found a better route. We have had at least 8 or more everyday, keeping me busy filling feeders. The other day I cam home from volunteering at CHI and the little guys were chirping at me as I got out of the car - the feeder was empty!!!! How dare I! So I immediately filled the extra one (we always have a clean one on hand for emergency refills) and hung it up. Hardly before I got the ladder down, they were back, I could almost hear them, "mmmmm,  fresh cold nectar".  One feeder holds 4 cups, the other only 2 cups, so we have to keep close watch - they need filling daily.

protecting their territory - I thought I had captured a bunch of them, but they scoot around so fast guess I missed them

"go find your own dinner table"

this guy did get in a few mouthfuls before being driven off

"my house, my food"

We took a trip to Mexico on Saturday to pick up a few things for others as well as a few get away time for us. The weather was cool and wonderful so we thought it would be a great day for a short trip.  Seems as if everyone else thought so too - I have never seen it so crowded so I asked if there was something special going on - a festival or celebration of some sort. Nope - just a beautiful day to to be out shopping. The street vendors and hawkers were in full force - I got tired of shaking my head no. More people on the streets than even when the Winter Texans are here.

Lots of Winter Texans (friends and residents) are scheduled to return this coming week. Even the water birds seem to think it is time to return to our park, as the lake is beginning to show lots of activity with ducks, egrets, and even the ibis' (at least that's what I think they are).

I am on the soap box again, but this time it is very short - all of this gutter garbage that has been dragged up is disgusting. I have only one thing to say "he who is without sin cast the first stone".  Let's get on with the issues please.

We are pretty busy with everything starting to come alive with the new winter season. CRM Fall Conference - training for CRM chaplains old and new, CRMI board meetings, planning for the ladies conference (which I am so very excited about - more later), as well as holiday celebrations in the colonias, for kids was well as adults. Need to check my schedule every day to make sure I don't miss anything! We love the activity and the ability to do as God has led us to.

Today's sermon really hit home as Pastor Robert talked about what is home and where is it? Many people say home is where the heart is, but oftentimes that is not the case. Moving pains can be awful, especially if it not of your choice. Most of the time it it is not certainly fun to move - sure the excitement of a new surroundings,  environment, and friends is an adventure. But the sometimes homesickness sets in - I have suffered from this at times. It is a longing for what we had, what we did, who we knew, a comfortable way of life. Many are forced to flee their homes - their country because of political unrest, flee their homes because of natural forces (hurricanes, floods). The people of Israel were forced to flee their homes by King Nebuchadnezzar - they were taken away from familiar things in order to displace them. Jeremiah wrote from their former home to a taken people. Don't we sometimes feel that way?? That we were taken from our comfortable homes and displaced. God told the Israelites to adjust - to build homes, to plant the native grains, to have children and raise them in their new home. God took what was a bad thing and made it good. Just as He takes us in our time of displacement and makes it good. Home is where we are - we become a settled people not a carried people, just as the Israelites were. Your heart has nothing to do with your home. Your home is where you are right now. Instead of longing for what was or could have been, make your home where you are now. He wants to use us right where we are - it really doesn't cure the homesickness but does help us to be at home anywhere.

There are times when we really get homesickness - where we feel our heart truly belongs. This was brought  very close to home (yep - where we are now) as a very dear friend passed away and because of our schedule we could not make the 800 mile trip for the final goodbye. We know he is with the Lord right now - probably, in his best Marine Sargent Major voice telling a tired St. Peter to, "suck it up, Pete, and get busy guarding those gates". Please keep his family in your prayers this week as they say their final goodbyes and celebrate the life of a very special person.

October days

Cool, clear mornings, sunny days, and beautiful sunsets - these are the things that October are made of. Here in S. Texas there are no color changes, just the beginning of the growing and flowering season. Produce harvesting is over, as many of the farmers have prepared their fields for a new growing season - most of the produce is being shipped in from Mexico, California, and Florida. The prices are still very reasonable yet, so we still enjoy the freshness (of sorts) every day.

More and more people are trickling in - the merchants are counting the days until the Winter Texans arrive in full force to help the economy, more out of state license plates are being seen, and activities are gearing up. Our CRM Fall Conference is being held here in the Valley, so we are anticipating seeing many of our chaplains again, to come together in fellowship and study, increasing our knowledge of God's great plan for our lives. Of course that means more work for us, but it is what we signed on for!!!!

Today's sermon, "Bent Justice" so much reminded me of our week, as we distributed food to the colonias - again, produce is way down, so we supplemented our distribution with items we have stored for such a situation. Luckily, we have packages of rice and lentil mix, small packages of marshmallows, and drink mixes that be dissolved in water to encourage more fluid intake. One of the families that we serve had their electricity turned off this last week as they had no money to pay the bill. The husband just got back to work after months of trying to find a job, then hurt his leg (it is inflamed and swollen) and cannot afford to pay a doctor for treatment. Yet this lady, after seeing that we  might need some extra produce, brought a huge bag of carrots to help supplement. Bent Justice - you bet!!!   Today is world Communion Day, a means of grace that unite the world  - a time when we cannot even begin to comprehend the number of people who have shared the Lord's table with us this morning. In many other countries, chura means dog and that is what Christians are considered. In one country, a young Christian woman was kidnapped, kept in a small prison, beaten and raped daily for 4 months until her family (yes, the whole family)  sold themselves in slavery to a brick maker to raise the ransom money to free her.  Yet in other parts of the world, we as Christians can freely proclaim our faith and worship as we please. Bent Justice - yep. Habakkuk was perplexed - he cried out to God about the increasing evil in the world and why did God did not punish those evil ones. How often do we feel that today??  Justice is indeed warped - 10% of the people in the world do not have access to clean water, 1 in every 9 people do not have enough food, 1 in every 5 people have no shelter. Our question also seems to be - "Lord, how much longer do we have to cry out?". Justice is warped - police who are supposed to protect us are being sent to jail, clergy who are supposed to lead and also protect us are being convicted of abusing those very ones they are supposed to shepherd, and even judges are being convicted of corruption. The world is broken - where is God??? He is on the cross - Jesus continues to suffer as Christians are being persecuted  all over the world. Even here in American we are ridiculed, put down, and laughed at. As Jesus was dying on the cross, the soldiers gambled for His garment. The same communion was shared with us today - why are we so lucky to have been born here in America? Where is the justice? God has the answer: "For the revelation waits an appointed time, it speaks of the end, and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait, for it will certainly come and not delay". Habukkuk 2:3. Today is terrible, but tomorrow is promised to us to be perfect.

So as not to end on a depressing note, October is here - time for cool evenings, hot chocolate, pumpkin pie, comforting fires, snuggling under the quilts as you read your favorite author, with the promise of Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner.

to put a smile on your face -

my latest creation (I do find time to play)