Beating the Heat

We have discovered the best way to beat the summer heat here in S Texas is to stay indoors from noon on. Or only go out in it if you are going to an air conditioned store. It has been  unseasonably hot here - usually the hottest times are July-Sept - we have had over 100 degree weather for over a month already. One good result is the fact that we have been getting a few "honey do" items crossed off our list!!! We will certainly welcome the coolness of NW Arkansas in a couple of weeks.

The new tariffs that went into effect this month will definitely have an affect on your grocery bill, but it also has a drastic affect on our food distribution. The tariff increase has forced the donors of fruit and vegetables coming from Mexico to the US to keep them in their coolers and try to sell them rather than donate them to our distribution center. Last Friday we had very little produce and other commodities for our colonias. Luckily, we have another supplier that we relied on and finally received a full load for our families. The supply of non-perishables certainly helped out . We do not know how long this will continue, but pray that we can find other distributors that we can count on to hep fill the gap. It makes for  longer day and more miles traveled, but to see the smiles on every one's faces is well worth it. Yes, these tariffs do affect each and every one of us, but we cannot allow illegals to swarm our country by disobeying our laws. We welcome immigrants from everywhere, but just ask that they come into our country properly.

Loving this time of year and all of the fresh fruit available. My favorite this week is the lychee - you know, those little non color round things at a Chinese buffet. They are so fresh, just sweet and juicy enough to curb the munchies. Although they look like tiny porcupines before you peel them, they are so very good. Do you know a baby porcupine is called a porcupette - really!!!!  (just a bit of trevia to muddle your brain). Of course, the watermelon,  cantaloupe, and grapes are also delicious. There is a small stand nearby that makes wonderful drinks from fruit. All of them have no sugar - except the cucumber-lemonade one (super delicious) which uses agave. So very refreshing - and only $2 for a 32 oz cup. Last week I had cantaloupe one - perhaps I will try them all - except the watermelon. I do not like anything watermelon flavored except of course, the watermelon itself. 

Again, our sermon this morning and our Sunday School class broached on the same subject - and neither one of them are co-ordinated. "How can we relate to people of other faith", and "am I a real Christian".  Both based on the Golden Rule. Matthew 7:12 says,"Therefor whatever you want man to do to you, do also to them, for this is the law and the prophets". Sometimes this is very hard. As  child in Chicago in the late 40's and early 50's, a daughter of n Italian-American stanch Catholic mother, I attended a Catholic school where we were taught that we not not supposed to associate with non-Catholic friends, let alone date or marry one. As I got older (well, into my preteen and teen years) I realized that I could not adhere to the teachings of the Catholic church and tried to become a follower of Jesus and His Word. As a result, I married a non-Catholic in a Lutheran Church. My mother did not attend the wedding or ever set foot in any church except the Catholic one. The was one exception to that - she attended a Christmas Eve service in Arkansas at our home church and seemed to treat it as if it were a concert rather than a meaningful church service. My husband's grandmother was also a staunch Catholic - a little short woman with a strong will, When I got married she told me that she loved me but could never forgive me from leaving the Catholic religion. I could never understand that because all of her children including my mother-in-law were Lutheran. All sorts of forgiveness on my part was involved in both of these incidents. Mark 9:50 says, "Salt is good, but if salt looses it's flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves and have peace with one another". Salt makes things taste good - it enhances the favor. To have salt in yourselves, you should do the following: S.A.L.T. S for service, be a willing servant , A- appreciate others,  L - love - work hard to give back. Love everyone with an Agape (unconditional)  love, respect others. T- treasure others - recognize that they are important. Jesus died for them whether they recognize it or not. Maintain SALT in yourselves and you can maintain peace. Follow the Golden Rule.