Beautiful Arkansas

Well, I missed posting a new blog last Sunday as we were in Joshua, Texas visiting wtth Chaplain Roy and Paula Gee. We left S Texas early Friday morning on our yearly break and stopped at the Gees for our short break. Roy and Paula were chaplains at Big Valley RV Park in Donna, Texas, for the past few years until Paula developed severe allergies Roy reluctantly resigned to make sure Paula could get her needed medical treatment to try to relieve her breathing problems. Roy has stayed on as new board chaplain for CRMI though. It is always so relaxing as there is no stress and is the beginning of a time for us to wind down for a bit. We went into Fort Worth to do a bit of shopping (new earrings for me!), but mostly just visited and enjoyed the beautiful weather. The weather in S Texas was still very hot when when we left, so the bit cooler weather was a relief. 

We attended church and Sunday School with them at Lane Prairie Baptist Church, a truly loving and welcoming congregation. Their Pastor, Brother Jerry Clemens,  is truly devoted to the Lord and reminded us that without faith we cannot please God. By  faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did, By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death, By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith,  By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going, By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born,because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. These are just a very few examples of how God's people acted on faith. (From Hebrews 11). We need to have faith in our  praying, living , and giving. We need to live our life on the basis of faith every day. 

Hebrews 12:1 )"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Turn to Jesus and make Him Lord and Master of your life. Change your life and run towards Him and He will change your life. We have to remember that God is not done with you yet - through Him all thing are possible. We have a lot of short spurt of Christians today - those who profess their faith, run the race for awhile, and then seem to slow down because of the conflicts of the world. True faith will be tried and stretched but it will make you stronger. It is not time to give up, it is time to look up and outward. Give your sin to God so you can finish strong. Then you will hear hear the words:"well done good and faithful servant. 

After the inspiring sermon, a Mexican potluck was to served to send off the youth minister to a new  position as lead minister in a small town in Missouri. There was enough different Mexican dishes available to make any Mexican food connoisseur droll - not to mention the many tables of desserts. The rest of the Sunday afternoon was spent in much needed naps.

1. 

   enjoying a meal with Roy and Paula, (on each side of us) and other members of the congregation, including a sweet lady from Louisiana who always wears a hat

We left our friends and made our way to Fort Smith, AR to stay with our oldest daughter for a few days before heading on to NW Arkansas to see 2 more of our daughters. (Our only daughter still living in Wisconsin will be joining us over Labor Dy weekend). We stopped at the cafe our daughter and her husband own in Barling AR (near Ft Smith). Amazing wonderful food, great service - a comfortablefamily restaurant. Saturday we will be celebrating Fed's 78th birthday with our daughters at the restaurant. 
It is indeed beautiful here in Arkansas at our daughter's home- quiet, peaceful, and green (we miss the green and trees in when we are in S Texas). Sitting here at their dining room table just looking outside and watching their horse, Ruby, peacefully grazing is really the  medicine we need to relax. Last night granddaughter, Sydney,and great granddaughter, Harper, came for a visit. Harper is 3 and such a character!! We cherish all of this family time.
Remember to always keep God in your focus, trust in Him, and you will feel always protected.