Life is just a bowl of cherries

Life is just a bowl of cherries, or cantaloupe or pineapple, etc. We love fresh fruit and so much enjoy the abundance of it here in S Texas. There was a great sale on cherries this week at a great price, so we enjoyed them for a week! Don’t you wonder where sayings come from or what they mean? Life is just a bowl of cherries means life is great, unless it is said in a sarcastic sort of way, then it means the opposite. No wonder foreigners think English is difficult. I often wonder wondered what “don’t throw the baby out with the wash water” meant, until I googled it. Don’t discard anything valuable along with something undesirable – still a bit confusing to me. In medieval times people bathed in the same water, oldest to youngest. It is suggested that by the time it came to the baby, the water was so dirty that he baby got thrown out by mistake – sort of makes sense now. A bit morbid though.

don't they look wonderful

fresh sweet cantloupe

A duck family has had a lot of trials and disappointments in trying to raise a family. They had a nest on a branch overlooking the lake - when the floods and wind came, the branch broke off and the lost the nest. Then they rebuilt, again the winds took it away. Then they built in a bunch of water lilies until the winds of this last week created a leak. I wanted to take pics of the nest with mama in it, but today I see they are diligently working to rebuilt again – this time I do believe that there are eggs in it. Such determination. Perhaps they are a young couple and need elderly advice on building.

papa duck going for more reeds

there are eggs in the nest

We received such wonderful blessings this past week on Friday.  Our produce distribution was more than plentiful- as we arrived at the colonias we were informed that a group of missionary kids from a small town outside Dallas and their church leaders had arrived at the colonias. They were waiting for us to arrive and immediately wanted to know what to do. We told them to just be patient as we set up a few things, then they pitched right in – unloading the vegetable, fruits, etc., filling baskets in preparation for boxes to be filled and distributed. We received “Mexican candy” – dehydrated fruit with sugar and honey added and fermented a bit. I was not looking forward to breaking down the bigger bags into smaller ones – guess what – three girls dove right in. I had plastic bags and plastic gloves, but it was still a sticky mess!! They did not want us to do anything – even returning the extra bags and gloves to the vehicle – they wanted to know where to put them. After all was done, they all proceeded to carry the boxes to the vehicle of those those coming to receive the food, along with a case of bottled water for each family. As we prepared t leave, Jessica and Sol arrived.  We used to have the distribution at Jessica’s home, but because of a riff we moved it. She and her daughter, Sol, have just recently been coming to receive food. They asked us to pray for Sol’s health (she has asthma I believe) and then asked if we would come to their home and pray for their home and family situations.  They revealed the situation after we arrived at their home (we cannot discuss it at this time but please pray for them) so we prayed with the whole family outside. We prayed on a cement slab that was so previously covered with junk you did not know it was there. They have become more aware of the appearance of their property now and becoming more involved in their neighborhood, which is part of what we are trying to instill. They also invited us to eat with them, but as we had a previous commitment, we begged off until next week. They did say it would be about a half hour – with in S Texas time is about 2 hours or maybe Manaia! We did not enter their home – we have never been asked in any colonia home – and do not want to unless specifically asked to do so. Only out f respect for the homeowners, and not afraid of what we will encounter.

We are beginning to plan our “vacation” time, even though it is a working vacation to Arkansas and Wisconsin. We have decided that if we forget anything or run out of something, there are stores everywhere. No need to pack so many clothes either as everyone has a washer and dryer.

How do you minister to the world – out in the fringe area. We know we did that on Friday by praying and sharing God’s word with Jessica’s family. The disciples ministered to those in Samaria, the people in the fringe area of society. We all have our comfort zones, but when called to witness where we are uncomfortable, how do we do that? Paul and Silas were thrown in prison where the ministered, worshipped, and sang praises to God with the other prisoners. They ministered where they did not want to be or with people they did not want to be with, especially the guards. When the earthquake came and opened the doors of the cells, and their shackles fell off, they could have run and escaped. But they witnessed to the guard, who was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped and he would be killed anyway. Eventually, they brought the jailer and his whole family to the Lord. If we miss an opportunity we miss being witnesses. We need to welcome and be welcomed by those who need to hear the Word. You don’t have to preach or quote Scripture – just show them how Jesus changed your life and how their lives can be saved.

Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy all of the bounty of your area – the fresh fruits and vegetables. When winter comes remember the bowl of cherries!