Forever Christmas

Now that Christmas has been over for a bit, I just never want it to end. The magic of the season, the smells, the joy in everyone, and the birth of our Savior. We are keeping Christmas alive yet in our home as we continue to read our Christmas cards. I always hate to dispose of the after Christmas, but just imagine how many cards I would accumulate after 56 years!!! I take a day sometime after Christmas to look at and read every card, savoring the notes, the beauty of the cards and the love sent with each one. Every day in our morning devotions we take a card from the stack and pray specifically for the family. It gives us such a connection to our friends and relatives that seems to last all week.

It was a crazy, busy week as usual – very cold in the mornings – we took our plants in and just put them back out yesterday. I could almost hear them sigh with relief as they felt the warmth of the sun and received fresh water. I guess we all felt that way after such cold weather. Today is beautiful as was yesterday – it was great to see all the residents out and about – the sun seems to liven everyone and everything up. But even with the cold, rainy days we accomplished more than I had planned on. Someone donated bags of clothing, so Fred went on a box hunt to Little Caesars and found boxes to hold the clothing as we sorted and packed many boxes, ready for delivery to the colonias. There were lots of coats, sweaters, and jackets so the folks there will be prepared for another cold snap if it arrives.

Friday, we attended a fund raiser for Children’s Haven International which featured Ambassadors of Grace (our presenter at our ladies’ conference in February) with country gospel music, and Punches (a family group) who played Bluegrass gospel music. It was a fun afternoon, blessed by God, and blessed by those who contributed monetarily to the event. Yesterday as we took a break and relaxed in the afternoon, we were watching Great American Bluegrass who did we see – the Punches! And immediately following that they showed up again on Great American Gospel. What a double blessing. If you ever get a chance please attend one of their concerts.

We did not deliver produce to the colonias this week, as the weather was so cold and rainy – we would have done so, but Ida cancelled the delivery because our loyal ladies would have had to be out in the cold and rain for about 4 hours. We felt badly bout the fact that we did not deliver, but content in the knowledge that everyone was out of the cold, drizzly, rain.

We were at the hospital visiting one of our chaplain’s wives as she underwent surgery when our Corporate Secretary (who was with us) received a phone call. After about 2 hours into the Winter Expo where CRMI had a booth all of the brochures we almost gone as was the candy. So off we went to print more brochures and buy more treats for the visitors to the Expo. Many people were there as the weather was so bad that it was a place to go and see what is available here in the Valley. As we were on our errands, we encountered a snow shower – yes – it was snowing again in the Rio Grande Valley.  It was pretty but cold!!!

CRMI’s Freedom in Christ renewal starts tomorrow – a 5-day revival (as we older folks call it) in Mission, Texas. This was a dream of Chaplain Jim Trautman and has become, through the love and generosity of an amazing minister from Mission who enabled CRMI to hold the renewal there. Please pray that we reach all who are in need of spiritual renewal by bringing the Word of God to those who know Him and to those who not know Him.

We attended church this morning, not bundled up in winter coats and scarves. What a feeling of freedom there!  We continued the sermon series on giving. Did you know giving expresses love? Just read the book of Ruth – you will see love all around – expressed above and beyond the norm. Boaz was a righteous giver – a model of giving. Ruth (a widow) left her homeland to go with her widowed mother-in-law to her homeland, as that did not have a man in the household to support, so Naomi wanted to return to her native land near Bethlehem. Ruth went to glean the fields to support herself and her mother-in-law. The fields she went to were owned by Boaz, a well-respected man in the community. Boaz noticed her, favored her with more gleanings, fresh water if she needed it, and was protected from the normal abuse poor widowed women of that time endured. Boaz did as the Word said – protect and help the widowed, children, and strangers. But why did he do it? God was in charge of all that had happened to Ruth and Naomi. God multiplied generous giving over and over. Ruth gave up her homeland to help Naomi, Boaz gave the best gleanings and safety to Ruth, so God blessed Boaz by allowing him to marry Ruth, redeeming their land, have children, and be a part of the lineage of Jesus Christ just as was prophesized. Is not God amazing?

As we prepare for our ladies conference on February 17th, we are focusing on “memories” – God’s remembrances in the Bible. Come join us at Victoria Palms Ballroom as we take a walk down memory lane. Contact me at 479-957-6683 for tickets ($35).