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.
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