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.