Passing the baton

This was a busy and tiring week as we had annual board meeting of CRMI and training g for new chaplains. All day sessions of videos, discussion, devotions, and singing praises to the Lord, lead by Suzy and Greg York. At the board meeting, I formally resigned as treasurer and passed the honors on to Shairon Dickey, who proved to be a perfect replacement after only one day of training ( yes we worked that in too).         It was good to see those that we have not seen in awhile as well as welcoming our new chaplains. Not to mention the great food all week!     

                       A great group

                                Chaplain Roy Gee giving the opening devotion.                                                           The weather took a drastic change  as we had a cold front move in - the mornings are cool - around 50ish but then warms up to about 80 in the evening. Really perfect weather for the return of the "snowbirds" from the North! They are slowly trickling in to our park - by next week we should have a big influx. Fun to see old friends returning but it will be sad as we will be missing  others.                                                     Brag time as I post a picture of our newest greatgrand daughter born just a few weeks ago. She is such a precious gift from God.       

                           Sweet Veda.                                 This morning's pop verse is from if  10:13 "I can do all things through God who gives me strength".  A depth of meaning in this verse that can change your life. We often are so stressed that we want off the train of daily living.  How can we find daily strength in Christ.  Why is the strength not there even if we pray? The secret of feeling content is to Be Content in you life. We can do all things in life if we rely on Christ and lear on our relationship with Him. Let go of what you think you have and do what you can for Christ.  Use you strength to serve the Lord instead of the world. If you truly want strength change your perspective  Focus on God and everything else will fall into place. You will have when you do. The more you bless the more blessed you will be. When we get busy living in Christ we get busy dying to the world.

Hot and Hotter

The hot weather does not seem to be wanting to let up. It is almost the 4^th week in October and the temps are still in the 90’s, even hit 103 one day. We do get a break occasionally when it drops to 80 or so. Today was not nearly as bad, as we had a short shower this afternoon. When we came out of church today it was so humid that Fred’s glasses got steamed up. A person could feel the moisture on your hands which said rain was coming.

This coming week is the CRMI chaplains training and conference here in the Valley. The chaplains assigned to parks in the Valley as well as the new chaplains will be in attendance. Also scheduled is the annual board meeting where our new secretary and treasurer will be admitted to the board. As I am resigning my position, there will be a lot of work to be done to pass the baton, including some training sessions for the new treasurer, but she will do well!! As we will be returning to Arkansas to continue our ministry there, it will be sort of a bittersweet time for us – but I always refer Ecclesiastes 3 “a time for everything”. It will be a wonderful time this week though for learning, meeting new chaplains and board members, good food, and great camaraderie.

It has been a bit of a busy week, as we have been doing some packing of things we don’t need as of now, cleaning, showing the house to perspective buyer, as well as receiving donations of clothing for the colonias. Ida had an event yesterday at the church for ladies – bible study, food, a study time, a time for crafting, and distribution of beans, rice, and clothing. There is also another event being planned, so all of the donations we have received so far are so much welcomed, as well as a frozen turkey! which will be cooked and used for the children’s meal and bible study on Wednesday.

The sermon series continues with Pop Verses – popular verses that congregation members submitted for discussion. Today was another favorite verse of mine from Jerimiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, plans to proper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. I remember a few years ago when a good friend called and said he wanted to read me that verse, as it was the guideline for his life. He survived a heart attack, and 5 different types of cancer, only to recover stronger and more determined to serve the Lord. I marveled at his faith and determination to continue serving His Savior. When Jerimiah sent this letter to the Israelites after Jerusalem was destroyed and they were taken captives by the Babylonians, it was meant to be a letter of hope and promise. The Israelites expected the letter to tell them that God would release them from captivity and return them to their homeland. Instead the letter encourage them settle in Babylonia, raise crops, marry and have children. He encouraged them to become members of the community where they now were. He put them there for a reason – to seek shalom (peace) with their captors. Does god speak to us today through Jerimiah’s message? We ourselves have experienced this when the Lord led us here to the Rio Grande Valley to serve Him, away from our comfort zone, to a strange and new place and culture. The Lord urged us to be a part of the community totally different and uncomfortable to us. He taught us to be at peace where we were, to reach out to those live differently than we did. God is still speaking through Jerimiah’s letter to the Israelites. The words of Jerimiah indeed gave us peace in our new surroundings. Being at peace is also told us in John’s letter to the Philippians in Philippians 4:7. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heat and your minds in Christ Jesus”. The Lord has given us peace and understanding here in the RGV but now is uprooting us to return to NW Arkansas to serve Him there. As we prepare to follow Him, we are truly at peace. We rejoice in His actions. Gods promise for our future is a certainty that we rely on. He has given us a future filled with hope

#8

Time for great grandparents bragging rights. Last Monday, October 7, our 8^th great grandchild (and 5^th great granddaughter) Veda DeMarkquie Mylove Vaughn entered this world weighing in at 10lbs. 1 oz. and 21 inches long. A big baby girl with beautiful black hair.  She had a bit of trouble breathing at first and spent a few days in the NICU before being able to be held by her parents. She had to go back to the NICU as a result of being jaundiced, but is now safely at home, being loved by her blended family siblings. When we were married 57 years ago, we never even thought at that time we would have 4 daughters, 6 grandchildren, and 8 great grands. I am sure we never even thought of the future generations that would follow us, but God as so blessed us with a wonderful family – all of them so different in their own right!

We had good distribution this last Friday in the colonias – there was a cool breeze for a while, so the girls worked quickly to finish the boxing of produce, etc. before it got too hot. I again had the donut bagging responsibilities – it seems that the girls do not want me to do any hard work! We distributed the 150# of beans, and 150# of rice, saving some back for an event coming up soon. We also had a few boxes of sorted clothing to be given out at that time. Fred and Jose were busy fixing tables that a few unruly teenage boys thought it was fun to destroy. Hopefully they are remorseful as they realize that it was not a good thing to do. Fred warned them that perhaps the next time it happened, the authorities would be called. With a bit of luck and prayer, they won’t think to do it again.

                                                      The ladies worked hard to fill these boxes

                                       

Fred and Jose repairing the damage to one of the tables

                                                  

still working as the sun begins to heat up - no matter the temp, some ladies always wear long sleeves

A new sermon series has started at church. The congregation was asked to submit their favorite verses which be featured each Sunday. Sometimes verses are taken out of context and create an entirely different meaning, so Pastor Ricky will examine each one and dissect it so that we understand what is being said. Sunday’s verse was from Joshua 24:14-15 “as for me and my Lord. The series is called “Pop Verses, meaning popular verse sometimes misquoted. Preaching has the power to save people. Joshua was a preacher. When he preached this to the people, he was old and did not want his teaching to fade way. Since all of the Israelites had settled in the promised and, they had become lax in their beliefs. God used and continues to use sermons to impact the lives of people, believers and unbelievers. We all take away something different from listening to the Word. God has acted on our behalf and shown us His love. If you don’t give your life to serve the Lord, He chooses to no longer bless you. Put away all of your earthly gods (money and possessions) and focus on God. It is OK to own a beautiful home or car, to have a job that allows you to lead a leisurely life, and a close, loving family, but always put God first and do not let pride come between you and God.  Commit to God’s blessings and realize it all comes from Him. Keep your commitment to Him always first and foremost in your lives. Let not a rock, which is a symbol of our sins, become a stumbling block for us to serve the Lord.

Caring Hearts Ministry Update

Our CRM Chaplains Fall Conference will be taking place the end of this month. We will be welcoming and training new chaplains to serve here in the RGV at the RV parks, for the folks living there for the winter so that they can have a winter church home right in their park. I have been asked to write a short report on our ministry for them, so I include it here so you, too, will be updated.

Caring Hearts Ministry is continuing to serve the people of Alton colonias on Fridays. The Tuesday distributions have been on hold for a while, as there is no one stepping up to help out. On Fridays there are at least 6 or 7 faithful ladies who help unload the produce and clothing, box it up and distribute to families every Friday, for which we are so grateful. Ida’s health is slowing aging, as is ours– therefore we need the help on Tuesdays to package, distribute (not to mention my official donut packaging duties) and clean up the church afterwards. The folks there are asking when we will be able to begin the Tuesday distribution, and Ida tells them whenever we have a few folks to help out. Those who help get additional perks, such as watermelon if there are only a few, extra produce that is left, etc. They also seem to be able to get the first pick of the clothing- a small return for their steadfast help. Knowing the girls as we now do we realize they are doing this from their hearts and not for the material rewards. One of the older ladies broke her wrist, had to have surgery and is going to therapy because of nerve damage, but shows up to open the bags for the donuts for me to package. She says that is about all she can do right now, but does it so willingly. I reward her with her favorite sweet roll.

Bible study for the ladies continues, along with the sewing ministry. We were recently blessed with more fabric, and a huge amount of quilt tops and backs that just need putting together, as well as 2 rolls of batting material. The ladies are busy for at least one day a week – some are new to sewing being taught by Ida, some experienced seers, but no funds to purchase fabric. God anticipates our needs before we do. There is also a Wednesday children’s ministry – a short Bible study, then craft projects – some of them to become presents for their families, some to be used at events. The children are feed an evening meal beforehand (perhaps the reason for their attendance) and then receive the Word of the Lord... The meal consists of whatever we have brought to the colonias on Friday and other food items donated by friends of the ministry through actual food and monetary donations.

We will soon be receiving 150#of beans and 150# of rice, which Fred and his bagging ladies will package in 3# bags for distribution.

Donations seem to be down for the ministry, but God always provides. We manage to be able to provide whatever is needed for the folks there. Funds trickle in but seem to go out almost as fast, but again, God knows our needs and seems to always have what is needed. 

An interesting week as I strained a sciatic nerve in my back and leg. I could not believe the excruciating pain I was in. After an appointment with a chiropractor and some treatment, the pain was somewhat relieved. I do have a few appointments coming up to relieve all of the stress and pain on the nerve. I had never gone to a chiropractor before, but did not want to go to the ER and only receive pills. After having x-rays, I was relieved to learn that my back has only the normal aging process. I have always had a weak back of sorts. The chiropractor told me that some of my problems could date back to when I was in 6^th grade and got hit by a car and flew over the roof before landing on the road. Who would have thought? I just praise God for the healing already taking place – the pain is now bearable. I do not like sitting in a chair with heat and ice on my leg all day long. I also received some good pointers for the relief and prevention of back pain- only cross your legs at the ankle, do not watch TV in bed unless you do not have your head facing downwards, also when reading or using your device, do not bend your neck forward, and sleep with only one pillow under your head and also one under your knees.

It isn’t easy to be a Christian. Perhaps if we had a bit more faith, then maybe we would be able to forgive, be able to put our trust fully in God. How different could our lives be if we fully rely on God? We only need the faith of a mustard seed. Sin always happens so we need to cry out for forgiveness. How do we combat the reality of sin? Jesus told the people how to manage the sin in others by being with them and forgiving them. Escaping sin is difficult. Getting out of sin is very difficult as is forgiving sins in others. Jesus had to die and be resurrected in order to help us understand forgiveness in order to forgive others. Faith delivers us. A little faith can make a big difference. We all need to strive to make a difference.