Cheesits No More

Last Friday we received (actually had to bag them into large black bags)  the last of the Cheezits for the season. We then spent most of Saturday bagging them it family size portions to be able to distribute them. Needless to say, we ate a few ourselves ( I really do not care if I see another Cheezit for awhile now). As we were loading, Fred brought me 3 small packages our supplier had given him for me. At first glance, they looked like candy - the name Reese was imprinted in large letters on the package and what looked like pieces of candy. On closer look it became clear that they were anchovies, of all things! We never know what we will get! We also received corn flakes - all boxed already, thank the Lord! We cleaned out the storage shed in the colonias in anticipation of the heat of the summer. We loaded up boxes of the donated clothing that had already been gone through. by the ladies. These clothes go through a huge cycle - first being purchased at the store ( any of them name brands items), donated to a charity, which in turn donates to us after they have been through the sales at the retail store, then gone through by the ladies in the colonias. After that we take them to Goodwill for their use. They sell what they can in their store, then box the rest up and sent it to a recycling center where they are bundled up and sent to the Ropas to be sold for 35 cents a pound.  It is a wonder that they are not worn out by then.

My computer needed work this week so I took it to my favorite repair place, Digital Control. I felt lost, just like when I was a kid on the streets of Chicago and lost my skate key. We wore these around our neck on a strong string - heaven forbid that we would lose it! Sometimes when we fell, it would swing around and smack you in the face - these were the trials of being part of the firehouse gang in the late 40's. Everyone had a skate key - if not you could borrow one for a second from fellow gang member, but it had better be returned immediately. Of course there was always the kid who never had his/her key. In the winter months we would congregate in a basement of one of the apartment houses ( on a day the Mother had not washed - she frowned on skating through her clean drying clothes) and skate all afternoon, or until the Mom would shoo us all home for being to noisy. Anyway, before I got off track, my computer was finally back to normal, and ready for me. If you ever need computer or any electronic repair work while here in the Valley, Digital Control is the place to go. Joel is a wizard! It is on the corner of Raul Longoria and Eldora in San Juan.

The weather has been beautiful the past few weeks - temps in the low 90's at times, but a nice cool breeze. It is quiet here in the park, as most of the Winter Texan have left - it seems strange to see all the spots empty right now. A few are left, but some are leaving this next week. A few more are hanging on until the then of May or June. This is a down time for us before leaving for Arkansas in July, at which time we put it in reverse. We are still receiving donations of food - this week we had six boxes of items - like flour,oatmeal, frozen dinners, etc. - things the Winter Texans bought and never used,  Sometimes we need to repackage some items, but it keeps us busy.

A lovely Sunday morning as we attended church services at 8:30. I did bring a light shawl along as the breeze outside was cool, and of course, the sanctuary was cold from the a/c. Why do buildings have to keep it so cold? I always have a light wrap in the vehicle for emergencies. The sermon this morning revolved around the days following the Resurrection. The disciples were lost, but continued to follow the Lord's commands and preached in the courtyards of the temple. The temple leaders had them thrown into prison where the angels came and opened the doors for them to walk out. In the morning the leaders again saw them in the courtyards preaching the Word. They were again arrested and beaten. The leaders were afraid that if what they taught was true, it had to be from God but if it was false it would soon die out. Te disciples faced many obstacles just as our lives are full of obstacles. There are many ups and downs, roadblocks, and everything else that hinders use from our life's journey, just as it did for the disciples. An obstacle is defined as something that hinders progress. As we run this race of life, we run into many obstacles - no one has a smooth and uneventful journey. Life is not about winning the race, but about helping others to win it also.

Please keep Mary Garza and her family in your prayers as she has been placed in hospice. She was diagnosed a few months ago with cancer - then shortly after that her husband passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack. She is a wonderful lady - a worker here in the park who always had a a helping hand, always with kind words.

He is Risen

     

He is Risen indeed! We have heard the story of the Resurrection for many of us for most of our lives, but really stop and think about what happened. It is real? Yes,  it really happened. The loss and devastation for the apostles, His other followers, and most of all for His Mother and family. Can you yousee yourself in their places - confused because this cannot be happening - He came to save us and but He did not save Himself. Try reflect on this day of the greatest sacrifice of all.

This was another weekend of bagging! those dreaded cheezits reappeared  - in the form of 6 more cases to bag, along with beans, rice, and some clothing. Added to all of this was something new - spices! Large unopened containers of spices - why would anyone buy such huge containers of spices? I would probably never use one in the rest of my life - besides that the fragrance and usefulness becomes less less and less as time goes on. There was dried cilantro, onions, chives, pepper, lemon pepper, bar-be-que spice to name a few. I measured out 1/2 Cup into snack bags and labeled them. 1/2 C for spices, 4 C per bag for cheezits, 6 C per bag for beans, 6 C per bag of rice -and whatever can be folded neatly into boxes for clothing. Who says you do not need math as you get older? Even when I go to bed, I dream of bagging - anything!!!!

just a few of the many bags of spices for the people

Some do not know this, but many do - I love shoes! Anything different or unique (so does my youngest daughter who recently purchased a pair of camouflage tennies). But there is a limit to how unusual or unique they are - especially with today's styles of high, high and higher heels and platform toes. I volunteer at the CHI resale store one day a week,and noticed a few pair of, shall I say different styles of shoes. No thanks, these are not for me. 

notice the spikes sticking out on the back of the heels - my questions is - WHY???

yellow and snakeskin - really???

a person could tip right out of these


Resurrection Sunday early service was light this morning - lots of Winter Texans gone home, local folks went out of town to visit relatives,etc. Easter lilies flooded the sanctuary as well as the narthax in both worship centers. The planted lilies in the prayer garden were blooming, and the photographers were taking free photos of families there. An amazing day weather wise although the wind was pretty gusty. The title of today's sermon was"One Got Out" based on a few experiences of the Pastor, but referring to Jesus - imagine Satan's feelings when he realized One got out - and the One who mattered most of all. He escaped death - and because of that, we all have a chance to escape Hell's fury. The Resurrection marks the moment in history when life overcame death. We are presently in the land of the dying, waiting to go to the land of the living. Resurrection also marks the moment hope overcame grief. There IS something beyond death.Hope is confidence in what we cannot see but believe. The Resurrection also marks the moment when we have to make a decision. The disciples did not believe believe the women when they returned from the tomb and declared that the tomb was empty and the Lord had risen. Peter went to the tomb to see for himself, but came away from the empty tomb wondering what happened, not daring to believe that Jesus has truly risen. If the Resurrection is not true, we are just wasting time in believing. Continue to have faith - one day we can proclaim, It Is True!!!!

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday, in the Christian tradition, the first day of Holy Week and the Sunday before Easter, commemorating Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It is associated in many churches with the blessing and procession of palms (leaves of the date palm or twigs from locally available trees). 
As a child, I looked forward to palm Sunday with great expectations as the good nuns of St. Angela Parish in Chicago presented us with dried palm  leaves, woven into a cross or a crown of thorns. I saved them for many years, but somehow they got lost in my growing up years and different moves. Today we attended Palm Sunday services and received green palm branches from the native palm trees herein S Texas. I also saved them for the past few years and most of them are still green! 
We received a cross made from horseshoes asa gift so I have positioned the palm fonds in the cross so I never forget the greatest sacrifice ever made - and all for the forgiveness of my (and your) sins. 

about 4 years of palm branches - some of the older ones have faded but are still green

It has really been a rather quiet week - most of the Winter Texans are gone, the roads are not quite so crowded, and it seems as if things have gone into a more relaxed mode. The distribution this last Friday was so beautiful in color - surprisingly a bountiful supply. We were 4th in line to receive our supply - a rarity for us - we are usually 1st or lately 2nd. We leave home about 6:30, arrive at 7 and wait until 8 to begin loading. It is  peaceful wait, waiting for the sun to fully rise, the birds beginning to wake up (although I do not hear the songs of the songbirds here). I try to use this time to catch up on a bit of reading, or even a short nap. Friday I happened to look up at the nearby trees as I saw a flutter of wings, and saw these ducks sitting in a tree on sawed off branches. Reminded me of the wood ducks in Wisconsin who often perched in trees. I often wondered how they could stop so fast as they flew into a hole in the tree? The baskets that the girls had prepared to distribute were so colorful - red peppers, Swiss chard, cucumbers, tomatoes, light green squash, packages of donuts and tortillas, as well as packages of broccoli/rice mixture. Included also were honey bars --( we received 5 boxes of 600 in each box), and individual packages of chocolate syrup.   Great treats for the kiddos as well as adults.  An easy day as we were home about 13:30 - unheard of in the busy days prior to this.

two ducks in the trees

We had the opportunity to meet witha Chaplain ad his wife for lunch yesterday to discuss the possibility of her taking over the treasurer position at CRMI as I wish to retire the end of the year. She had a few questions that I could honestly answer and we both promised to pray about it. Fred and I believe that the Lord is moving us in a different direction in our lives of service to Him - this wonderful development came quite quickly, so we feel He is answering our personal prayers also.

Palm Sunday services were special this morning as we received palm leaves and waved them as we sang praises to the Lord. Matthew, Mark , and Luke wrote very similar books concerning Holy Week - only John's writing as different. We listened to the entrance to Jerusalem according to Luke 19:29-40 - perhaps the most read book of Holy Week. It is said that a picture is worth 1000 words - I can tell you all about Texas bluebonnets - their beauty, colors, the quantity of them growing together, etc. but until you see a picture or experience them for yourselves, you cannot truly appreciate them. Isaiah 50:4-9a gives us a portrait of Jesus in a very important phase of His life. Did the disciples really realize what Jesus tried to tell them?  The portrait that Isaiah drew was of a teacher - a person of knowledge and experience. What God gave us through the words of the Prophets is for  us to use - to see what they understood and how it came to pass. Jesus, who was a subject of great influence, still maintained His humility throughout His life, especially on Palm Sunday. He did not try to escape His fate, but surrendered Himself to His Father's wishes. He knew His Father was with Him, but did not protect Him from His destiny. Isaiah's portrait is the image of a Godly man who faced His fate and accepted it. How would we have reacted in such a situation? Would we beg and plead with God to release us from our fate, or accept it as His will?

Spring

Spring has sprung and so have most of the Winter Texans. Most of the have already returned to their Northern homes to find the now almost gone and to prepare for their summer fun. A few remain - one couple from Quebec lives at the end of our block. As I was sewing the other day, I heard a dog bark, looked up and saw a flash of a critter run around the corner, followed by their dog. It was sooooo funny (probably nor so for the cat though). The neighbor was hollering at her dog, the dog was barking, and the cat was making tracks!! Sure wish I had a video! The cat successfully got away, so no harm done. We have lots of feral cats here on this side of the park - some neighbors take them in - one neighbor has 8 in their house, and numerous outside. A sad situation, as they keep having kittens - one had babies under the truck across the street 2 weeks ago. Luckily, someone took them in, but the cats need to be neutered and/or taken to the shelter. A few are OK, but we are overrun this year it seems.

Lots of flowers and shrubbery blooming, (which does not help my allergies) but it is pretty, although there is nothing prettier than springtime in Arkansas - the red buds, dogwoods, and Bradford pears to just name a few. Sometimes it would just take my breath away to see the beauty - the beauty that God created for our enjoyment.

We have again been overwhelmed with donations as the Winter Texans leave - lot and lots of non-perishable items, clothing, etc. It keeps us bust most of everyday - along with the Tuesday and Friday distribution of food. Who received 4 boxes of honey bars ( like snack bars) - each box held 600!! What an amazing donation. 

We also received many pillowcase dresses in different sizes made form actual pillowcases, the larger sizes  from fabric.Each dress had a pair of panties attached. As you can see from the expressions on these girls faces', they were thrilled. They even put them on over their clothes because they were so excited. The boys received shorts and shirts that they too , were excited to receive. Ida made baskets for the kids with candy and toys - she also included a few cans, boxes, and bags of soups, beans, mixes, cereal , etc. ( donated of course) so that they could take this home to be used for the entire family. One little girl was very sad, as her mother was put in jail the night before - the mother was illegal, had been deported once before, and will now be deported again.  The saddest part of the whole situation is that the mother does not want the responsibility of the children ( 2 other older sisters) so depends on family to care for them. 

pillowcase dresses - these will be so cool during the hot summer - they got to choose their own dress

We have been so busy that I think I forget to mention that I did take a bit of a down time a couple of weeks ago. Three of us ladies went to Mexico early in the morning - had breakfast at Renee's              ( everyone seems to go there). They have the most wonderful Mexican pastries - so very similar to  ours - like huge cinnamon rolls but without as much sugar. A couple of us had breakfast, while one lady chose a pastry. We then went to a spa to have a pedicure - a nice relaxing time at half the price of a pedicure in the states, and just as good if not better. A few minutes of shopping and we were back home by 10:30. We plan on doing this one more time before one of the ladies goes home (she is the one who drives into Mexico so we do not have the long walk across the bridge). It was a great time of total relaxation! The bridge waits now are terribly long - about 2+ hours as many of the border guards were called away for other assignments because of the border crisis. And folks it really is a crisis. If you lived here you would truly understand the importance of controlling the immigration. One lady, who lives just a couple of miles from the border, has a night camera in her yard. Last week 16 illegals jumped the privacy fence in her gated community and hung around in her backyard for 20 minutes right next to the bedroom window. A total of 26 were spotted in that small area. There is a holding area here in the Valley where 1000 folks who we granted immunity were being housed (this term is used very lightly as it is an unused nursing home) where waiting to be sent to their sponsors throughout the US - they were waiting last Saturday to be sent out on buses, trains and planes, as another group of 1000 were being processed in. All of this in one day. Not nearly enough staff.

Service this morning were very soothing - it looked like rain when we entered church - and it did rain throughout the sermon with a bit of thunder (God speaking?) but it was a peaceful soft rain. After church it had quit enough to walk over to Sunday School classrooms. The sun is now shining and it is a beautiful day.

How do you face endings?? We all experience endings - be it a retirement, for teacher and students and teachers it is the end of the school year, or perhaps the end of a relationship. We face them all with with mixed emotions and feelings. The Israelites faced changes as they lived quiet peaceful lives as God had promised, then the Babylonians ravaged their county - nothing as left of Israel as it was known. Many of the people we taken to Babylonia as slaves - the rest were left to fend for themselves. Israel as a nation was ended, as the people thought God has deserted them- just as we feel God deserted us.  God had a future for them, just as He has a future for us. God does not deal in permanent endings. God will do new and wonderful things in our lives as He ends one area of our lives and sends us on another. Look For It!