The Color of Chrisrmas

What color do you think of when you think of Christmas? This year was a red Christmas for us. We spent a few days with the Gee family in Joshua, Texas. What a wonderful time of semi-controlled chaos!! Roy and Paula have a daughter, 2 twin sons, and twin grandchildren, plus a few random relatives. Last Friday was a quiet day followed by 3 days of eating and celebration frenzy! Saturday was a finger food evening followed by a visit from Santa for twins Mack and Mallie although we adults seemed to enjoy it just as much.  We ladies all wore red and black lounge pants and monogrammed black monogrammed t-shirts, the guys in black lounge pants and red monogrammed t-shirts - a family tradition to all dress alike and act crazy! 

The Gee family - do you see red

acting foolish - they always take some goofy pictures

Mack and Mallie were so surprised to see Santa

even Santa relaxes sometimes

us in one of the silly pictures 

love my red/black loungers and slippers

Fred does not look too impressed with the silliness with the Gees

my Christmas wish list is that each and everyone one you have a wonderful and blessed New Year

Sunday was a beautiful Church service with a sermon based on the many names and meanings of Jesus. Following the service and much discussion of where to go for a family dinner at a local Mexican restaurant was enjoyed by the entire family. A sort of quiet afternoon getting ready for a huge family Mexican dinner on Monday followed by opening of presents, then followed by the whole family attending the movie "Mary Poppins Returns". Actually very entertaining. A hour or so followed with a rest time before bed and some rest before facing another day of eating and Christmas fun. Tuesday produced the annual Christmas dinner of ham, cornbread dressing ( much different than our Northern type), cranberries and all the fixings followed by apple pie. We gave the twins a gingerbread boy and girl - when Mack opened his sister Mallie said,"Look Mack got the old man". Those two keep a person entertained forever.

Even with all of the worldly disruptions going on we managed to always keep in mind the real reason we celebrate. God allowed His Son to be born of man, to suffer and die so that we could spend eternity with Him!! In church last Sunday we heard a song about the trials Mary went through when she was preparing to deliver the Savior. She was in a cold, foreign place, in a dark and dirty manger with animals milling around, no midwife to calm and reassure her, a husband who was just as fearful as she, no cute baby clothes, only rags she had taken with her on their long journey to Bethlehem. Imagine her great surprise when the shepherds came to adore her son!!!! What a powerful song.

Now that all of the celebrations are almost over, we need to think about the coming year. Pastor Jim Maxson's sermon this morning was just about that - commitments. Not the normal commitments of going on a diet, more exercise, etc., but commitments to yourself to release yourself from the bondage of past sin - of allowing yourself to forgive others as well as yourself. To rely on the fact that God has forgiven ALL of your sins so you do bot have to wallow in the guilt of your past. Move on - release those past ghosts and live the life God promised us.

Next week I will have some awesome pictures of the Christmas Party at Children's Haven International in Reynosa as we attended their Christmas party before Christmas. What an amazing time we had. I did not want to overwhelm you with Christmas pictures as any proud parent would do, so be sure to come back and see them.

There was not going to be any food distribution this past Friday as there were not a lot of folks to help out, but an amazing group of young missionaries came to the Valley from NewMexico and were looking for someway to serve. Jim Maxson stepped up and delivered produce to them so they could serve the Lord as well as supplement the pantries of the people in the colonias. A person is never too young to serve - these young folks also are not afraid to share the gospel with others. We thank all of those involved.

Now as we closed out 2018 - let us resolve to not being bitter but being better in 2019. Do random acts of kindness throughout the week and see what a warm and fuzzy feeling you get from it!

What is a Christmas Gift

This was the title of the sermon this morning at Mission Bell with Pastor Jim Maxson. I'll get to that later on, but it certainly makes a person think. Why do we give gifts at Christmas? My thoughts are because we want to thank folks for their friendship and support during the year, or because we "always do that" with our family. I remember years ago when someone in our immediate family needed to conserve funds, so suggested we draw names for Christmas. That was all well and good, except we were a family for 6 and there were not enough other family members to insure that we did not get our own family! We had to buy gifts for my husband's parents in order to make it work well. That only happened for two years - after that my in-laws rebelled and went back to buying gifts for those you chose to - we opted for the in-laws and kid only which seemed to work out much better. Funny how some traditions become non-traditions as the years go by. Kids grow up, families move farther apart in distance as well as personally. But the reason remains the same - Our Savior was born on Christmas Day (Although it was not in December -any theologians think it was in the fall, others int he spring But whatever the day the message is the same.

A group of us ladies went to the local Women's Shelter with gifts of quilts and toiletries. We collect the small soaps, etc. that we get from hotels and motels which make for great gifts for those in a shelter. The women are there for various reason and often come with only the clothes on their backs.  they and their children may be homeless, it is a refuge from the dangers of a bad relationship , or it is a pace to gather the mother and her children who have no where else to go due to financial circumstances as they try to rebuild their lives. Every Christmas the volunteer's and directer of the shelter invite groups who donate to the organization to a delicious meal - we are served a tamale dinner and waited upon wonderfully as a"thank" you for helping them. Pictures are taken around the tree with smiles on everyone's face. No matter their own internal struggles these ladies are gracious hostesses.

Zoe and Marie delivering toiletriess and quilts

The weather has been pretty crazy - 30's in the morning and then 70's in the afternoon. So dressing in layers is a must! We are so grateful to everyone for their donations of blankets, quilts jackets, hats, gloves, etc. to help those in the colonias keep warm in the cool evenings and mornings.

I posted a picture on facebook of my brother and myself in Chicago in 1947 with a State Street Santa. I thought I had lost the picture, but found it one day as I was changing pictures in the frames -it was hidden under another picture. I love the picture as it is truly a picture of childhood innocence and anticipation as we waited for Santa to arrive. We did get a recording of what we actually asked for that year, but that somehow got lost in moves and transitions. I distinctly remember one Christmas as I lay in bed I hard the jingling of bells and the reindeer hooves on our apartment roof (we were on the second floor, therefore close to the roof). I was petrified that Santa would know I was not asleep and would not leave any presents.

 how innocent we were

We stayed away from all of the stores this weekend as it was a tax free weekend. Hundreds of folks from Mexico came to the US to shop (they receive a card which allows them to enter the US for only 25 miles - they also have to prove they have a reason to return to Mexico, least they use the card as a ruse to illegally enter the US. The stores are packed, the restaurants have long lines and there is not a motel room to be found for miles around. Those unfortunate people who went to Mexico to shop had a 3 hour wait at the border - usually there is a just couple minute wait to cross back to the US. Needless to say we did not anywhere near retail stores!

I stole a couple of pictures from a to Mexico (a chiropractor from the US who feeds hundreds of kids daily just across the border, and owns a pharmacy and spa in Progresso). The pictures give you an idea of the vastness of the fields and amount of produce grown here in The Rio Grande Valley.

one of the many fields of cabbage

cilantro growing everywhere

As I said earlier, Pastor Jim gave a really great sermon this morning. His question"what is a Christmas gift" made us all begin to think. On that Christmas night, the angels proclaimed the truth and the heavens opened up  in praise and glory. But are we puzzled by God's gift? A gift comes wrapped and presented usually in person to another person. God's gift to mankind was presented thousands of years ago in a mall, dirty manager. It was not gift wrapped or sent from Amazon. God created mankind, but mankind spurned Him. He created us to have fellowship with Him, but we hide from Him just as as Adam and Eve did.  Mankind rejected God just as we sometimes run and hide form Him today. From Genesis to Luke, Man continues to spurn God. A child was born, given to us for salvation, but suffered abuse form the time he was a baby and had to flee frorm Herod to the time he was crucified. The Christmas Story is a story of A God who gave until it hurt.

It was not easy to save the world when it did not want to be saved. God knew that there were those in every generation who would not believe or care but He sacrificed anyway. The Christmas story began in a lowly stable and ended at the cross. Jesus was born in a borrowed stable and buried in a borrowed tomb for our sake. Jesus would crush the devil and destroy his work. Revelation says that before creation that He was the Lamb who was slain for our sake. "So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Romans 14:11

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

We may be out of pocket for Christmas, so there may not be blog until later in the week. We wish everyone a very blessed Christmas.

Fruits of the Labor

This is a picture of the Red Mill in Waupaca, WI whuch I consider my hometown. There is a covered bridge where many a bride walked across to the little chapel in the woods. A beautiful setting any time of the year. For a time it was a wonderful gift shop,with lots of Christmas decorations as well as pictures and stories of the past. A great place to visit.

The anticpiation and preparations for the Christmas celebration/distribution in the church group from the Dallas area were there to help with all of the festivities. We made various trips to the colona area where the program was to take place in order to make sure everything that was needed was there, as well as of of the donations were in place. A group of folks from Big Valley RV Park made over 100 Christmas stockings and filled them all for the kiddos, as well as donated hams, canned goods, quilts and blankets.

The ladies of Big Valley at work filling stockings

fruits of the labor

 The day started out very wet and cold, but as the day wore on the rain let up but the dreariness remained. when we arrived at the sight, the driveway and all of the area was muddy and soaked. There were three vehicles but we managed to get to where we were supposed to be without too much trouble. We immediately began to fill bags with hams, canned goods, peanut butter, pudding and cake mixes, rice, beans and whatever commodities that we had gathered. Two very helpful young ladies worked right along with us as we set up an assembly line -calling out to the other helpers as we ran of out beans, rice, etc. They immediately supplied us with more and kept up the pace. As we filled bags, a short Bible study for the kids was being held, as well as a short Scripture reading. Lots of Christmas singing, as well as beautiful hymns sung in Spanish. It was then time to eat! The ladies had made 175 dozen (yes you read that right) tamales, beans from the large commercial cans which were donated to us, and rice (from the rice we provided) was the menu for the afternoon. After this warm meal, we handed out boxes of food for ladies, the kids received gifts and stockings for each one of them. The joy in their eyes as they hugged the stockings realizing that this was for them , just for them and they did not have to share. It was such a rewarding and blessed day. As the day was coming to  an end the program was cut short as a result of the weather, the clouds seemed to break up and blue skies were seen. As we cleaned up , tired, cold, and muddy we maveled at how everyone helped so the job was done quickly. We did get stuck in the mud and had a bit of a problem getting out, but we made it. Car wash today for sure!!

a multitude despite the mud and cold

Ida trying to keep order despite the bad conditions

singing Spanish hymns

praising the Lord

packing boxes

ready to deliver boxes of food - a big job done

some of the many tamales

hot sauce anyone - I did not try it

hot meals for the family

Fred, Chaplin Roy Gee, Zoe (a faithful worker) and Ida

a special family - Sol, Emily, and Jr along with Fred - we hope to help achieve Sol's goal of being a veterinarian

Sol, Emily, and Jr's mother, Jessica

Fred, Brenda, who graciuusly allows us to have our distribution on her property, and Chaplain Roy

stockings ready to hand out - notice all the other presents

and more presents

smiling and happy for the blessing of lots of food for the family


As I leave you today, I ask you to remember the reason for this season, and to always be thankful, no matter what the circumstances. this lady certainly portrays that. 

Beans and Rice and More Beans and Rice

In case you don't know it, my very, very favorite Christmas decoration (other than the beautiful manger from my brother) is gingerbread! I like smiley snowmen, and reindeer  and bells and holly, but gingerbread puts me in the holiday mood. Not only the taste of gingerbread,  but everything gingerbread. Although this is not a gingerbread scene, it reminds me of one.

We are going to be pretty busy these next coupe of weeks, as this coming Saturday is the 1st Christmas distribution, there will be 2 in the colonias, so we are preparing to gather up everything that we need to make sure that those  folks have a few things to help them celebrate the season. Saturday will be a day when  all the people come together to celebrate, with skits,Christmas worship music, a Bible study, a wonderful hot meal and gifts and

Turkey Overload

People say tryptophan is the chemical in turkey that makes you tired, but nutritionists say it's a myth. You get sleepy when digesting a big meal. I suppose I cannot blame turkey for the sleepy Thursday! We had a wonderful buffet at Victoria Palms again this year - except there were no sweet potatoes!! What is Thanksgiving without sweet potatoes. I don't mean the casserole with marshmallow, etc - just plain baked sweet potatoes. A friend told me that she put them in her crock pot - unpeeled with a bit of water, and cooked them that way. A great way to beat he kitchen heat. I hope all of you had a wonderful thanksgiving, never forgetting to give thanks for all of the blessing you have received so far this year. 

My birthday is coming up soon so I ask that you check out my face book site - I am asking that you think about a donation to Christian Resources Ministries this year as I would like to see our Ministry fund grow, Last year we had some nice donations which allowed us to build 2 bedrooms for two different families in the colonies Fred did finish the bunk beds for the boys and put them up this week in their converted bedroom from a shed. They boys were overjoyed as they were also given sheets and blankets for their new room. We also gave them paint, brushes,and rollers for them to paint their beds. Hopefully they will take pride in ownership and do so.

 they made their beds - well sort of

 ladders on opposite ends of the beds 

they even have one outlet for a small heater

they love their own "room"

Children's Haven is preparing for the Christmas party at the refuge in Reynosa. The kiddo so look forward to this - putting on a program for their parents and their sponsers who cross the border to see them perform.  I really don't know what is going to be happening this year - they will have a program but don't know if we will cross the border to see them. There are military people stationed at all of the area borders - some even just a few miles down the road in Weslaco. Betsy, CHI director, will be monitoring the situation and will not allow us to go if there is any danger what-so-ever. We would not be caught in Mexico because we are American citizens, but could be held up for hours on the return trip. We place it all in God's hands and will definitely follow His plan.

Friends and relatives of a lady here in the park planned a surprise 80th birthday party for her yesterday - a breakfast brunch. It was wonderful - we did not have to make breakfast at home! Her friends flew her daughter and grand-daughter here from Wisconsin to surprise her and it was a huge surprise There was so much food leftover that we were invited to take some home - so we did not have to make breakfast again this morning - what a great treat.

We attended the early service this morning - a traditional service as we had errands to do today and wanted time to relax a bit afterwords. Pastor Ricky presented the sermon reminding us that the future of our churches rests on our children. grandchildren and great grand children. God reminds us that we need to have the faith of a child in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. Christianity is only one generation away from extinction. It is our responsibility to share our faith with the next generation, especially our immediate families. Children are the most likely to become followers of Christ as they are humble, always willing to learn and not be afraid to ask questions. When you open you heart to a child, you are opening your heart to Christ. Reaching people, especially children, is God's highest priority. In the busyness of raising our children we often loose sight of their spiritual growth. Make it a point to talk about God to them, your grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

they love their own "room"

24+ Hours

                                                               
Aren't there some days when it seems that there are not hours in the day? that s yesterday for us. What started out as a quiet Sunday morning with Sunday School and church became a day of not nearly enough hours. After church we went to the hospital to see Miss Opal,our dear friend here in the park. She was admitted on Saturday as she could not walk..As the day progressed, she could move her legs and feet to walk but she had no balance. As we were visiting her on Sunday, she was taken to another facility for an MRI (the one at the hospital she was in was not working). The results were that there was some imbalance in her inner ear. Today she was transported to a rehab unit. After visiting her on Sunday, we proceeded to an RV Park to visit with Elaine,.She lady who who started and ran the resale store for Children's Haven Int'l. for many years. Her husband passed away a few years ago,and now it was time for her to return to Iowa  to be watched over and taken care of. It was a bittersweet visit, as we talked about old times, but know that she will be leaving this week for Iowa. We hope to stop and visit with her perhaps on one of our trips to Wisconsin.

After leaving Elaine's we went to find an amazing missionary. He and his wife spend most of their time in Southern Mexico, ministering to the folks there. He is very seldom in the US - Fred had called earlier and found him home. Bruce supplies us with rice and beans for the colonias.  He does not charge for this, so we give him a generous donation for his ministry. The Gee's park donated funds for beans and rice, so we checked and found out Bruce had some available. While there we talked about God's wonderful ways and how He provides before we can even ask. He gave us 5# of ground Nigra - an animal on the  King's Ranch here in Texas where hunters go to test their skills at hunting exotic animals. Bruce assured us the meat was delicious and makes wonderful meatloaf. We left there, headed home, and called Roy nd Paula Gee, who came over to drive back to Bruce's to get some beans and rice. While there, Bruce then donated boxes for chips and snacks for our ministry - what an amazing gift of generosity he has. Roy and Panla took the rice back to their park to bag for our big distribution in December - they are returning today for the beans. Already it was almost 6 PM - and I have not done anything on this blog, nor other book work to get ready for Monday. We were exhausted so just relaxed until bedtime (which seems to get earlier and earlier every night). Today we loaded all the quilts given to us by our Helping Hads group here in the park, as as well as boxes of clothes and other items to take to Ida tomorrow to distribute. It seems as if we are loading and unloading all the time! But I am not complaining a bit -- we give praise and glory to God for all the things He brings to us.

Rainy again today, so we did chores around the house and went to Wal-Mart for a few items. We usually don't buy food at Wal-Mart as we like HEB grocery stores better, so just picked up a few things that are cheaper in a department store. There were tons of folks there already in what seemed to be a shopping frenzy! We hurriedly got out of there and headed to my favorite store, Dollar Tree, for gift wrapping, etc. for   Christmas season. Again, tons of folks there, all buying Christmas stuff as if it was going to run out  tomorrow! So glad to get that all done and go home to peace and quiet (well sort of). I often think that if people would slow down and think of what CHRISTmas is all about they wouldn't feel that urge to shop, shop, and shop more.

As we enter this Thanksgiving week, start every day with a thanks to God for whatever is on your heart - your health, you family, your possessions, etc. By Thanksgiving day you should feel more relaxed and less stress. As I look beck on the many Thanksgiving dinners we spent with family, it seems impossible that our family has grown and prospered so much over the years. Our parents were the patriarchs of the time - we are now taking their places. As the years have gone by, the traditions have also changed. Our families are more scattered now - sure, they get together for family dinner, but it is more individual families than whole generations of the same family. I pray that each and every one of you have a blessed day always remembering to give Thanks to the One who made it all possible.

Do you realize that it is only 34 days until Christmas? There is not only the Christmas shopping to be done, but also all of the other things to pay for - utilities, food, rent/mortgage, etc. We are lost in the mentality of scarcity - a fear of running out money. What are we supposed to do? All of the daily expenses, Holiday shopping and then the church seems to want you to increase your tithe. You can hardly make the tithe the next few months, let alone increase it! Does God really call us to give? He loves a cheerful giver according to the Bible. We should not be a doubtful giver but a  dutiful giver. I was talking to a friend the other day and she is worried financially -  everything is increasing. They were doing well until her husband felt they were giving too much to the church (his personal wants were being cut back because of the tithing they were doing. After that happened, everything seemed to go downhill. I am not saying by giving more to God he will shower you with monetary riches, but it seems that even though  your income has not changed, it seems that the money stretches farther!!!  We are called to be thankful givers.  As a thankful giver we become more thankful for God's grace - grace that we do not deserve. God  provides for us so we can provide His grace with others. 

We pray that everyone has a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving - be sure to thank God today and every day for His blessings - write down all the ways He has blessed you in the past year - you will be pleasantly surprised.

Thank You for Your Service

                                          


I hope that everyone took time today to say thank you to a veteran for their service and their willingness to  serve our country so that we can freely read or write what we please without fear of being persecuted or criticized. We have freedoms in this country that no other country has - the right to worship where and how we please, the right to bear arms, the right to express our political views with out fear of repercussion, as well as the the right for our vote to be counted. Yesterday when going to Wal-Mart I meet a man in the parking lot, clearly a serviceman by his uniform. I walked up to him and shook his hand and thanked him for his service. His reply - "Thank you ma'am for supporting me". This young man was someones son, brother, grandson, and perhaps father. There are many military here in S Texas right now, preparing to guard and protect our borders. Please pray for them  as they defend our borders. Don't forget to thank those veterans who have served previously - our fathers brothers cousins, neighbors, etc. who also gave up their freedom so that we could have ours. There are serviceman in our family - cousins, brothers-in-law, brothers, uncles, and and friends who we cannot thank enough for their sacrifice for us. Our country was founded on freedom - let us never forget that.


Rain again today and cool  the past few days. Those who have returned from the North were expecting warm sunshine, I am sure. Days like this are perfect for a cup of hot coffee, a good book, and a snuggly blanket!

Yesterday we attended our first chaplain training/meeting for the season, giving us a chance to fellowship with our new chaplains and welcome them to S Texas. As always, it was a great time of fellowship, praising the Lord, and sharing thoughts and ideas of how we all can best bring the word of the Lord to those who know Him and those who do not know Him. Our guest was a funeral director with suggestions on how to handle the death of folks in our parks who are from other areas many whom have funeral arrangements in their home states. We  learned many interesting facts and laws in Texas which may not be the same in other states. Sort of a strange presentation, but things we do need to know as most of the folks here are retired and are older.

Fred is done with the bunk beds which he will take to Brenda's family on Tuesday. Her and her sons will paint them - we could do that, but by  letting them do some of the work themselves, they might take more pride in them. Sometimes I feel like we are taking 1step forward and 2 steps back as we serve the colonias, but every accomplishment no matter how small, is for God's glory and none of ours. Some wonderful ladies from another park donated sheets and quilts for these beds for the kids as well as another blanket for the daughter who sleeps in bed with her mother. So thankful for everyone who donates.

one of two sets of bunk beds - a piece of plywood will be put down, and then the mattresses will be laid on top of that. The boys have already been sleeping on the mattresses on the floor of the shed now bedroom and love it there .

Activities here at the park are getting underway - cards are being played every night, church services are being held, as well as Bible studies and Christian movie nights, shuffleboard and pool is being played, sewing and quilting has started just to name a few. There has already been a pot luck, which is held almost weekly. Folks are out biking, walking, riding their golf carts again and when the sun is shining, enjoying the beautiful weather. I finally got my few flowers weeded ( a chore I do not enjoy) and have up the fall and Thanksgiving decorations. Cannot believe Thanksgiving will soon be here. It is early this year so it seems to have come up really quickly.

Brokenness trough betrayal is another way our lives can be broken and changed. Have you ever heard, "family is forever, blood is thicker than water, ". There is a danger in these thoughts as we love our family, but sometimes  love makes pain hurt more. The more you love someone, the more they can hurt you. What happens when family members betray other family members? Betrayal leads to isolation, We isolate ourselves so that we do not become hurt again. Isolation then leads to retaliation.Vengeance tends to cloud our judgement. Then retaliation then leads to devastation which sometimes leads to reconciliation. This may take a short  period of time or even years to happen. Betrayal is not God's plan, but the plan of humans. Because we are human, betrayal happens often in families. Don't let hurt separate you from family members - reconcile with estranged family members before the time comes when it is too late to do so.

God at Work

I think I mentioned that one of our chaplains moved a shed (donated) into the colonias to transform into a sleeping area for the boys of Brenda, where we distribute commodities on Friday. God performed miracles int the renovation of that shed. Some wonderful folks donated $500 to remodel it into a comfortable sleeping quarters.  Chaplain Jim moved it into place, and decided that it needed a door, of course. A lady donated an RV door,  perfect as it already had a screen door attached. As he was installing it, with the help of another volunteer, the volunteer's wife said a window was needed - so she bought it for him. Jim then put the window in, painted the shed, and added the trim around the door and window, all with donated or left over materials. He really wanted to insulate it, but the cost was really intense. A few weeks later, his  park renovated all of the old ceiling tiles - yep perfect insulation. God said to be still and wait! God provided it. He added the insulation - 3 panels thick, and still had enough left over for Jessica's added bedroom which was built this fall by the same folks. Jim's park also makes mattresses - upholstery fabric,with  "tunnels sewed in the length of it. These tunnels are then stuffed with plastic bags ( over 900 of them ). They make serviceable and comfortable mattresses for the bunk beds Fred is now building!  We were donated 4 of them - just enough for two bunk beds. Our Miss Opal, who wants to be in involved in the ministry, donated left over gray paint to paint the "bedroom"  - enough of it is left to paint the beds. I love this story of how God had His hands on this whole project - anticipation what was needed and then providing it. Oh, the shed was originally used to store hay - as Jim said on Friday of the shed - "from a stable to room at the inn". Amazing isn't it?

the completed bedroom -notice the walkway and railings added for safety, also the washing machine outside - that is where the clothed are washed - the machine is filled with the water hose and then drained onto the yard when done

yep - even electricity - one bulb and outlet so that the cord is not overloaded

looks wonderful - the window and door are strategicely placed to allow for cross ventilation

                                 Fred and Jim discussing details on where the bunk beds are going - and the ever so friendly yard dog

mattresses - 4 of  them ready for the beds

if needed the boys can sleep on the mattresses on the floor until the beds arrive - most likely they sleep on the floor in a very dilapidated trailer now

Our new Tuesday distribution is going so well - over 60 families feed. There were boxes of clothing in storage Tharp we put out for the ladies to take home. Ida bound these coverall and immediately put them on to work - even though is was pretty warm out. She is modeling them here along with a couple of ladies who help with the distribution.

the first church was under the trees and so our ministry on Tuesdays started under a tree also - look at all of the tomatoes on the left - the boxes and totes in front are full of clothes. There is Ida in her new coveralls!

We were so thrilled at an answer to another prayer - Mary, our friend and worker here at the park, has raised over $5000 in order order to have her surgery for tongue cancer. She will have the surgery on Friday - PTL.

Friday distribution is back on a"normal" (whatever that is ) schedule as we fed over 130 families. God is so good - He keeps blessings us with more opportunities to tell others about His majesty and power. 

 it was cold Friday morning as the ladies prepared the boxes to give away

 our helper, Doug, is back to work - now we await our other fearless worker, Dean

lots of donuts, or "pan" pronounced pon

Today's sermon seemed to be directed at us more mature (read "older") folks. Do you feel old today - your muscles are tight, your back aches, you keep forgetting things. Facing our fears also include the fear of aging but death is the only way to escape aging. Aging is a reality for everyone . From the minute we are born, we are aging - much faster in our young years, but a continual process. Age brings change. It can bring  joy but also bring uncertainly. Aren't we all in the denial of aging? Oh, I just forgot that,but it happens too often. We have to think awhile to recall names  places, and sometimes dates. Do you fear the uncertainty of the next step, or are you prepared to enjoy the thought of eternity with the Father? Not only do we fear the uncertainty of death, but we are sometimes in  denial of the aging process in our parents, or especially our children. I want to see my grandchildren and great grant children grow up - to see what kind of individuals they will become. But that is impossible. Let us live in the present day - face the uncertainty of aging with hope, faith, and the knowledge that aging comes with change and we an change with it.

We are asking prayers for an unspoken prayer request - a request that, too, faces uncertainty.

  

Strange Star In the Sky

A strange star showed up in the sky yesterday - one not seen for a few weeks. It was bright, warm, and brought a smile to everyone's face. Yes - it was the sun!!! Today is just as beautiful and wonderful.

This last week hosted many of our seasoned chaplains as well as our new ones since chaplain's training was held in Harlingen, at Lakewood RV Park. The newbies attended Mon thru Wed morning, then the seasoned forks joined them for the rest of the week. We have a great group of new chaplains, eager and excited to begin their duties here in S. Texas as the minister to the residents of various parks. Our Friday session was led by Chaplain Jeff Hastings as he held our attention in the morning with a great teaching about grief, how to deal with in yourselves and others. The afternoon was spent discussing and learning about ways to deal with stress. All of us stress about something everyday - even if it is getting tangled up in a traffic snarl, or waiting in a long line at the grocery store after  long and busy day. A great afternoon of sharing ways of stress relief and how to deal with others who are stressed out. We were treated to a wonderful meal of bar-be-que ribs , thanks to a few of our chaplains who smoked them for us. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and getting to know the new members of our organization Caring Resources Ministries. If you are interested in becoming an RV resort chaplain go to crmintl.org and check us out.

 Chaplain Al Dickey leading us in prayer

 our amazing music ambassadors - Suzi ad Greg York

singing praises to the Lord

Even with all  the events concerning the border, we traveled in two vans to the refuge in Reynosa to celebrate the Oct thru Dec birthdays of the kids and adults there. What a huge group!! We met at Peter Piper Pizza for a fun time with the birthday kids (they all were allowed cards which had money loaded on them to play games, etc. ) We celebrated the kids who had birthdays and allowed them special pizzas and "first in line"privileges. We were dismayed to a certain extent as there are so many of these kiddos that we did not recognize _ but the other side of the situation is that more children are being saved. Many of the kids we have seen grow up are now employed, attending college, and graduated college with a career that they are pursuing. They are truly a role model for those kids at the refuge to work hard and a proof that they, too, can achieve their dreams.


examining her gifts - new sparkly shoes


some of these sweet children never received presents before, let alone had pizza and ice cream

Pati on the right - studying to be a lawyer - Jacklyn on the left , also in college



birthday kids


playing the games and winning tickets for prizes


everyone got in on the fun


It always amazes me how our Sunday School and Sunday Sermon always seem to compliment each other. The theme of both today was change- whether it be because of your own choosing or not. Sometimes a change is made because of a determined decision to do so, sometimes it is because of a job change, perhaps it is because of a financial or health issue. In all circumstances, change causes stress of some sort (same theme as our chaplain training!). The Israelites were forced to change when they were defeated by the Babylonians - forced to leave their homelands and be resettled in Babylonia.  They were forced to accept the strange ways, to build homes, plant crops, raise families in a foreign land with a foreign culture. What a shock that must have been! Learning to cope with change is a big part of our accepting Jesus as our Savior and leaning on Him in faith. Always remember that He will never leave you or desert you, no matter what the changes can be occurring in your life.

Please be in prayer for Maria Garza, a lady who works on our park. She is a loving, giving person who has just been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer on her tongue. Because she does not have insurance from her employer here at the park, she needs to raise $5500 in order to have the surgery that may save her life. She has a go fund me account. If the Lord so lays it on your heart to help her reach this goal. the link is: gf.me/u/m6979n