We Salute Our Veterans

 Throughout the winter the Busy Bees quilting group has been sewing patriotic lap quilts for our veterans here in the park. Last year we presented some to those who had served up to the Vietnam
conflict - this year our goal was tp present  quilts to all the rest of the military in our park - a whopping 70+ quilts. I mustconfess I could have done better but did manage to get 2 of them done - a small number compared to some of the other ladies. On Wednesday this last week, at our weekly meeting, the names of our veterans were called individually and were presented  with a quilt. It was so wonderful to see how many folks gave up of their time ans energy to protect our country and keep us safe. Some of the men were not present, so we hand delivered them the following day. What an honor to present these folks (yes, there were women also) with a small but heartfelt offering of thanks.

lots of hours of sewing represented here

our neighbor with her quilt

and her husband who were both in the service

Noel's wife made this full size quilt for her husband

wonderful next door neighbor, Don, with the quilt his wife Kay made

It has been a rather quiet week as far the Caring Hearts Ministry is concerned - the normal but  bountiful food for distribution and no cracker surprises (see last week's blog).  Although we do have a large supply of donated bread  now ready to distribute on Tuesday.Never a dull moment, but everything is so much appreciated!

We attended church this morning here at the park as we, along with a few others, were recipients of the distribution of church mission funds. We are so blessed with the love and generosity of the park residents  as well as all of those who support Caring Hearts Ministry. We are also grateful for everyone who takes part in some type of ministry work - it really does not matter what the charity is that you donate to, giving is such a satisfying feeling. Pastor Randy's sermon this morning fit right in with this spirit of giving, from I John 2:1-11. This scripture is like a teacher's teaching a class  - the teacher teaches students, then asks the students what she taught, then teaches them again what she taught. That is the way it is with God's Word - we hear it, read it, and then have to be reminded again of it. Do we really understand? John teaches us fellowship with God. All Scripture tells us to walk with God but do we do so - we are all sinners so therefore we can never be perfect. We are so blessed because even if we sin, God has unconditional love for us. Just because God forgave our sin does not give us license to sin again and again. Just because we sin does not give us the right to do sot. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just in forgiving us. Obedience is a natural fellowship with God.   When we choose to walk with God we abide in Him and live for Him.  If you don't feel fellowship with God perhaps you were never a believer. If you say you know Him and do not keep His commandments you are a liar. One of the greatest commandments is to love your neighbor - that is the expression of giving to a ministry - not necessarily monetarily, but with your time and talents. Not everyone is cut out to be missionaries, but loving your neighbor is easy. True love is easy - it is caring about others not self. Open a door for another shopper, help an older shopper unload groceries, or other purchases into their car, let someone in line ahead of you at the check-out line, or in busy traffic. Buy a stranger a cup of coffee or a soft drink- be kn id and caring. What can you do this week?

Cracker Packer

I now have a new title and more skills to add to my resume'. We received a call from one of our suppliers that he had some individual crackers for us - did we want them? Of course we did - we never turn anything down. Fred then headed out to the supplier to pick up the crackers which we planned to fill a quart bag with individually wrapped crackers. When he returned he said, "you are not going to believe this". Well, I never know what to expect, but did not expect 4 big boxes full of INDIVIDUAL cheesits - you know those little cheese flavored snack crackers.  Yep - not wrapped at all.  The supplier had received a huge tote full and decided to share with  us! I finally finished packing them today and wound up with 75 gallon bags of snack crackers. Does not God have a sense of humor - He just wanted to make sure we had a good laugh before we proceeded with His work.

millions of loose crackers  in all of their glory

We spent a really relaxing day yesterday as we traveled to S Padre Island with friends Dean and Karen. Dean drove, so for a change, Fred was co-pilot and got to relax and enjoy the scenery. We went to Brownsville and headed out on Boco Chico Blvd. to the area at the very end where a space station is being built. Lots of heavy duty equipment and construction going on there. We did see a stand where a shuttle should have been, but with the high winds the space ship was blown off it's stand. I do not believe that this was an actual space shuttle, but just a replica for our observation - it was smaller than I expected and way to close to the road. It was a very long trip out to the end of Boco Chico, a desolate drive but nice on a cool, slightly overcast day with a few showers. We then headed back to Port Isabelle to Pelican Station (one of Dirty Al's restaurants), for our yearly shrimp dinner. I did have shrimp and scallops, which were delicious as they are freshly caught and cooked. After enjoying a leisurely meal, we visited the turtle center where sea turtles are rescued and rehabilitated if necessary and returned to the wild. There were some there that will stay in captivity forever as their injuries were too great to allow them to try to return to the water on their own. It was a good exhibit with a lot of folks there.

a space capsule should be on top of this

lots of equipment surrounding it 

                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Saturday a friend held a ladies Christian gathering for the ladies in her park. She had asked if I  would be the speaker, and after a bit of thinking and lots of prayer I had agreed to do it. It was a simple morning of praise and worship with about 35 ladies present. I acted out a skit of the Syrophoenician woman - very briefly alluded to in both Matthew and Mark. Friend Yvonne helped me into my costume  ( a turban, a long black dress from the thrift store, and a robe). It was interesting as most of the ladies had not really understood what those few verses were all about. Faith and Love - the faith of the Syrophoenician woman and love of Jesus Christ. She traveled to see Jesus to have Him heal her daughter from demon possession. She was not a Jew - she was Gentile, a Greek, who worshiped the many Gods of Baal. She was rejected by the Jews (just as Jesus was rejected by His own people) and considered lower than a dog. After traveling through the dangerous area (remember, her people were despised and rejected) she found the house where Jesus was staying. He had gone there to rest from the crowds that continually followed Him. After pushing her way into the house she asked Jesus 3 times to heal her daughter, but was pushed away by the disciples and ignored by Jesus. Finally she bowed before Him , and called upon Him as Lord, Son f David, as she had heard about Him and believed in Him She had faith that He would heal her daughter. Jesus answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel". Matthew 15:24. She persisted and He then answered, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw It to the dogs".  Matthew 15:26. Here is where there is some confusion - was He talking literally about the dogs or the Gentiles, the lowest of society as not being worthy of the crumbs and referring  to the Israelites as the children. She should have been angry and just stomped away, but she replied, " Yes, Lord, but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their Master's table".She humbled herself totally before the Lord which was what He wanted her to do. He answered, "you faith is great - your daughter is healed." To have such faith is overwhelming. I sometimes forget that God knows who we are and what we think. Even though He knows it, He wants to heat it from us. He will answer our prayers (sometimes with a No) but we can trust in Him knowing He loves us with the powerful love of the Father.

Trust and Obey.

Quilts and things

I have always loved beautiful quilts - especially the older more intricate ones. In the last couple of years, I have begun the art of quilt creation - and it really is an art. I did complete many small ones, and 2 bed size ones - now working on 3 more be size. It is relaxing (except when I cut or sew a piece incorrectly). My aspiration as of today is to finish the UFO's (unfinished objects) and embark on a more detailed one - the underground railroad quilt depicting all of the quilt blocks used as maps to safe houses during the Civil War. The women would make a quilt and hang it on hew clothesline or railing showing the runaway slaves the road to the next safe house. Quite a bit of history there. I need to research and see if any the original quilts still exist. The patterns are gorgeous and the colors are close to my heart - earthy colors! Did I mention that I also have a passion for history? Our park held it's annual quilt and hobby show this week with many awesome creations on display. I now fully understand the saying - you are only limited by your imagination. Also on exhibit were crafts that again are only limited by a person's imagination. One gentleman (he really looks like and plays Santa Claus) makes many things from metal - from alligators to tin men. Quite an interesting display. Some men were showing off their carving abilities - from walking sticks from swamp cedar (beautiful) to fish to gnomes to puzzle wall hangings. Lots of jewelry making displays (my downfall) and even beautiful card making.

this one made form her husband's service t-shirts and badges

Elvis anyone

beautiful colors

Miss Opal, 80 years old made this one - will be sold at the craft sale this week for the benefit of Winter Texan Amigos and Caring Hearts Ministry

actually a log cabin with a twist

some of Santa's tin people - see the alligator on the table?

                                            some of the prizes given away, including the quilts in the back

my favorite "attic windows" - on my bucket list

How is it possible for the temps to drop from 89 to 49 overnight? It certainly does happen as it did so here this week. From air to heat in less than 24 hours. We started out the day in a light coat, switched to hot weather clothing, then to heavy jackets and gloves by evening. This next week looks to be warming up though. This is nothing compared to the frozen tundra of the Northern part of our country.

The weather was so cold and rainy that the distribution to the colonias did not occur on Friday. The ladies who sort and pack the produce and food stand out in the cold even though they are under a protective roof. My hands were cold from just being in the outdoors - they would have been freezing. Some folks were as disappointed as we were but hopefully this is the end of the bad weather. We are again receiving donations of clothing and small bottles of shampoo, etc (you know, the ones you get at hotels). These are wonderful as Ida makes packets for each family - not full size bottles, but enough to keep clean and pretty for awhile. As some of the folks have had their government checks cut, these items are very much appreciated.

Short service this morning as we had communion and the last sermon on the fund drive to pay off the $1 million loan on the church building in 3 years. Actually a good sermon on giving though. In the time of Jesus, people we very much impressed in the giving in the Women's Court of the temple. There were huge cone shaped receptacles in the court with different signs on each one to indicate where the offering were going, such as temple funds, widows and orphans, the chief priests, etc. When people dropped their heavy coins in each receptacle, they would make loud noises - thus the more noise the more a person contributed. A widow came and dropped in two small copper coins, very thin coins called leptons. Just a small jingle as they went down the tube. Who gave the most though? The widow was alone with no means of support - what we would call "dirt poor" today, but she gave all she had. Those who contributed more actually gave of their abundance, not a sacrifice to them. We need to measure a gift not by count, but by what is kept. We measure a gift not by money but by spirit. Every gift, even the smallest one, is measured by the right spirit. The poor widow trusted God, so she gave according to her trust Can we do that? I don't mean giving to a church or ministry, but of ourselves to others for the sake of the Lord. Try it this week, you will be blessed.



 

Stuffers and Puffers

It certainly has been an interesting week. A friend and I attended a workshop on Friday in which we learned how to make the plastic bag mattresses that I spoke about in prior blogs We arrived at Mission Bell on time, expecting a few ladies stuffing mattresses. What a surprise was in store for us. The folks there usually have 2 workshops a year - so the room was full of men and women with all sorts of activity going on.  We were assigned to be stuffers - stuffing approximately 900+ plastic bags into tube sewn into single size mattress made from  upholstery fabric. So - we took about 3 bags, pushed them into tube section of the fabric, and used a stick to push them to the end. The idea was to pack them in very tightly, creating a firm but comfortable mattress. No problem - yeah right. Halfway through I thought my arm was going to be permanently injured from pushing the bags. Then of course, you have to pound the tube every so often to make sure all of the lumps are out. While this is going on (it took me a bit, then I worked like a pro), the fluffers were busy keeping up with us, fluffing plastic bags ,making sure they were clean and empty. Everyone worked quickly and but not quietly. Sounds of fluffing, shouts of "we need fluffers ), the pounding of the sticks as we flattened out the lumps - whew, what an experience. After we completed a mattress (3 of us worked on one together), we were invited to take a break - snacks and beverages. All this time, pounding, fluffling, and shouts were going on! As each  mattress was completed, a sewer was at work sewing the ends shut - wala - a completed mattress. The group  usually makes about 25 to 25 mattress at a workshop, so no need to try to count how many folks were there. - lots of them.These are the same mattresses that we received from them for the bunk beds in the colonia that Fred made for the shed/bedroom addition. What a fun time - we must have done OK as we were invited back in March for another workshop, provided they have enough bags saved up again.So you see, another way to serve a mission - save your plastic bags, or as we call them "Arkansas windsocks".


                                       

fluffers at work

 getting our assignment

looks like a pro

husband and wife team

 my stuffer teammates

Zoe pounding (with force)

 first one stuffed and almost done

break time with completed mattresses

our first one done

Out next door neighbor Marian is a cousin of Fred's - somewhere down the line. As young marrieds, we used to pal around together, our daughters played together (3 for her, 4 for us) got together for parties, played cards, etc. Then lost track for awhile and brought back together through the efforts of Marians's husband Ed, now gone on to the Lord. Marian still comes to the Valley every year through the efforts of her daughters.This year the "girls" of the family, daughters, granddaughters, sister and aunt,  ( even one grandson) decided to come to the Valley for a visit. We got a chance to interact with them, catch up on their lives so far, etc. What a wonderful time - especially for Marian and her crew. All the arrangements to fly, drive, etc were taken care of, although the storms in the North delayed some of the visitors. Marian took them to all of the points of interest, flea market, Old McAllen with it's junk shops,S Padre Island. etc. as well as all of the great eating places. Quite an accomplishment to get the group together for all of this. One night they went to the hall for a country dance band, and made a hit with everyone with all of their energy. So much fun to be around. All of them except the sister left this morning for Wisconsin, Minnesota, San Antonio, and California. Poor Marian must be totally exhausted, but a fulfilling type of exhaustion. 

The church we attend here in the Valley is having a Capital Campaign to raise the money to pay off the building of the new sanctuary and all that was needed for it. The idea is to raise enough money to pay off the mortgage in 3 not 15 years. As a result,the last few sermons have been on giving and the joy of giving. I must admit that even though the focus was the heart of a joyful giver, the sermon did have wonderful points for us to know. What has God created since the beginning of creation? The answer is nothing. God has chosen to work for creation through us. He certainly does not need us, but we need Him. When the Israelites were in the wilderness, God  asked them to do two things: give offerings and build Him a temple. God does not need money - He needs our willingness to use what He has given us for His glory. Where did the poor Israelites get the money, gold, jewels, and everything that was needed to build a temple? They went to the Egyptians and asked for it when they left Egypt. God provided for them , although at the time they did not know why they needed all these riches. We marvel at that often when we are donated some items or items to Caring Hearts Ministry and wonder wha tin the world are we going to do with that? Within a day  or two the need arises for exactly the items we received - as when we were donated four single mattresses - what do we do with them?. The next day Ida called and said she located a family who were sleeping on the dirt floor - a family of four!! God chooses to work through people in order for them to build a relationship with Hum as well as giving them an invitation to trust Him and His provision. Trust in Him always and do not lean on your own understanding.

As well as being a great day in the house of the Lord, we were treated to a breakfast at church -bacon, sausage, pancakes, waffles, orange juice, and coffee, as well as sharing this meal in fellowship with others.