Beautiful Warmth

 It was with great relief that we were able  to distribute to the colonias this last week. Despite all the deepfreeze we had last week, there was an abundance of produce and other commodities to deliver. Unbelievably it was hot as we filled boxes and I packaged donuts and tortillas ( yes, we had  lots of tortillas this last week). Brother Sandoval lead the prayer time by relating what we needed to pray for and some of our ladies prayed as we started filling boxes and preparing to hand out food. Most of all they praised the Lord for His grace and protection as we had faced the deep freeze last week, and gave thanks that all were safe and warm this week. Next week we are going to distribute at a different location so we can hopefully involve more people in the bounty. 

Saturday we attended a memorial service for Pastor Jim Maxson who passed away unexpectedly a month ago. We often attended his service at Mission Bell as he was a great chaplain and was concerned that all folks had a chance to hear the Word and be saved. He was also a personal friend and a great servant in helping with Caring Hearts Ministry, often going above and beyond what was expected of him. Whenever we visited with him and his wife, Shirley, I always came away with another bit of knowledge, from how to make a perfect cup of coffee, or how to properly smoke a chicken, but always with a word from Scripture, explained as only Jim could do. We miss him deeply but are content in the knowledge that he is with His Lord and God. 

 We received our last Covid shot this morning and we both feel good so far. our instructions were to come anytime between 7AM and 7PM, so we rose early and got in line, parked our vehicle, and than lined up to get out shot about 6AM.About 6:45 it was announced that the time was changed to 8AM! Loud sounds of groans and moans were heard as we had to stand in line another hour. I had brought a book along so I red while standing up (good thing I am an avid reader), and pretty soon everyone was talking and visiting. The time went quickly, and the actual procedure took only a few minute, and we were back home before 9AM. It was cool and we were chilled so I burrowed under a quilt in the living room after we had a quick breakfast, and in about an hour I was as good as new. Fred also recovered quickly. So we are praying that we have no side effects that some folks have had.

Athaliah was a woman who was a notorious Murderess. She was the daughter of Ahah and Jezebel and so she was half Israelite and half Phoenician. She married Jehoram, son of Jeshoshaphat. After reigning for eight years, Jehoram died of a predicted incurable disease. While he reigned he was dominated by Athaliah who made Judah idolatrous because of her worship of Baal. She murdered all of the heirs to the throne, or so she thought. She wanted to eliminated all other heirs of the house of David which promised the Messiah to come. She put to death her grandsons and reigned for six years, the only woman to reign as queen of Judah. The daughter of a king, the wife of a king, mother of a king, she was now queen. Unknown to her, as she went out to kill her grandsons, the youngest, Jehoash was hidden until he was seven years old. As the coronation was about to begin, Athaliah entered the Temple and shouted, "Treason". In order to save the temple, she was slain.  

 

Frozen Trundra

 This has really been a trying week as all of  us in Texas faced power outages and water loss due to the extreme cold (extreme for Texas that is). We lost power on Monday, water loss or slow pressure all week, and cold temperature.  Folks were doing everything to keep warm - some had generators and invited others to share the warmth (although gasoline stations were running out of fuel), we would drive around in our vehicle to warm up, sleep under many layers of blankets and quilts, whatever was necessary to keep warm. Those with gas stoves would turn on their ovens to heat at least the kitchen. Our neighbor invited us over during the day to enjoy the warmth as she had her oven going, taking necessary care to avoid carbon monoxide exposure. We would clean out our refrigerators and cook together  whatever was there to make meals and avoid spoilage. I have a gas stove but it has electric ignition so it was of no use to us. Some of the water pipes were frozen, so we thawed out ours and also two of our neighbors. Sometimes we had power for a bit, then no water then maybe water and no power. But by Thursday we were fairly back to normal - we had saved pails of water when the water was flowing, in order to flush toilets and to be able to wash up, even if the water was cold. It was truly amazing how all the  residents of the park banded together - checking on others, shopping for those who could not get out (most of the shelves in the stores were empty, but we all managed when we found an area where the power was on). Any place of business that had power (it was weird as some areas had power and some did not) welcomed folks to come in a warm up a bit. A group of park residents got together and prepared hot meals ( don't know how they did that, except perhaps using a grill or gas stove) and delivered them to all residents. The park manager also provided a homemade chicken soup dinner and spaghetti dinner. All in all we survived and now we are under a water boil situation, but that is minor now. As we "suffered" through this week, I was always thinking that this was awful for us, but many of our people in the colonias this was a daily occurrence. They struggle to keep warm or have water and or power on a daily basis. I prayed for them when I felt like complaining about our situation. We could not deliver food due to the cold, but had just delivered blankets and quilts the Saturday before this all occurred. It is warming up daily and is supposed to be 70 by tomorrow. We will be so blessed to distribute on Tuesday and Friday next week. In all of this confusion, we tend to forget our animal friends. There were thousands of turtles on S Padre Island that were freezing on the beach. Wonderful volunteers collected them and brought them to the convention center in order to keep them warm before returning them to the water.

                                                         thousands of turtles being revived

On a happy side, I had my first package of Peeps for the year. Yep - original yellow ones. Wow, there are GIANT ones.

                                             

                                                                    

                                                         

                                                                     Giant Bunny Peeps

Continuing with ladies in Scripture, we see Asenath, the woman a king gave to his prime minister. Her  name of an Egyptian name one who belonged to Neit, the heathen god of wisdom.  She was the daughter of Potipherah and was given to Joseph as a wife Perhaps the king did this in order to keep Joseph tied to Egypt. Because he was a Hebrew he should have refused to marry an idolatress unless she denied her false gods. It was probably the reason Joseph's tribe was obliterated so swiftly. Perhaps this is why so many people believe that when you marry you should be evenly yoked. She bore Joseph two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. 

What do you do when you accomplish a task? You celebrate. Nehemiah chapter 9 was a time to celebrate the rebuilding on the wall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah called together all of the people to sing and pay instruments to celebrate. The priests purified themselves, all of the people and the gates of the wall. Ezra took a group of people and went up on the wall to sing and praise God. Then Nehemiah came form another direction with the rest of the people also singing. Everyone could see were they had a part in rebuilding the wall so they could tell generations to come of their part in it. They had a spiritual joy in what God had done. We should walk around our own world and claim it for God, just as the Israelites did. Celebrating God in worship is essential for our spiritual health. worship is the key to putting God in His rightful place. Worship breathes spiritual life into us. worship is really a strategy. We as Christians own worship. Singing and worshiping God is essential to an evaluating world. Sunday morning is a special day for celebration and worship. We can celebrate al the goodness God has brought us. We certainly can do this  as God has bought us to this day out of the suffering in Texas and elsewhere. 

Land of Two Summers

 This area of Texas, especially the Alamo area, is the land of two summers. Sure can't prove it by me these past few days. Last week at this time, we had the doors open, no air on, enjoying the beautiful weather. Today, we have the heat on and are staying snuggled under a quilt reading or watching TV. What a change. One day the sewing group at our park called me after the craft sale and asked it I wanted the extra fabric and other sewing supplies left over from the sale. Of course, I said yes, as Ida uses it all in her sewing class for the ladies in the colonias. They also gave us some of the quilts they make for ministries. Just in time, as Ida indicated that she had families who were inquiring about blankets because of the cold. God always anticipates our needs before we do! We did not do any distributions on Friday because of the cold - the ladies who help cannot spends 4 hours in the cold, not matter how devoted they are. I am so thankful that we had distributed so much extra on Tuesday - especially for the soups and canned goods, as well as the 120 blankets that we had to give away. They were not high quality, but at least could provide some extra warmth. Not only do they use them for blankets, but often as added insulation on doors and windows, IF their home has any of those. Sometimes it is just a board nailed up over an opening. 

We had another chaplain's meeting yesterday - at first the room was warm and cozy, but by the time we left it was cooling off. We had a great meeting, ending with a suggestion that we end in a song which turned into about 10 more! We would finish one and then someone else would start another one. What a way to start the weekend singing  praises to the Lord. If you know of anyone who would like to become a winter chaplain at an RV park here in S Texas (or Arizona or Florida), go to our website for info and application. - CRMintl.org. If sending a donation please make cks. out to: CRM International, Inc. and send to 2186 Jackson Keller Road  Box 2094, San Antonio, TX 78213-2728. If you are making a donation to CRM you can also send it to the same address - if you want to specify it for a specific chaplain or project  please note that in the memo line - otherwise it will credited to the general fund. 

Despite the cold, we had a chaplain's meeting on Saturday. Not all of us were there, but we did have a good meeting of fellowship, caring, and praying. We ended with a song which developed into a series of hymns. We would finish with one and then someone else would start another.  What a way to start the weekend! One of our chaplains has published a book "The Cheesy Pasta Gang", a "cheesy pasta". A good read for the family to enjoy together. It can be purchased at Amazon. We are going to get one for each of our grandchildren for their kids - one book to each family. The author, Marty Zeigler, will do an inscription for each child - one book will have 4 names!

Apphia was a believer from Colossae and married to Philemon. Her name means dearly beloved or our sister. She was important enough to be mentioned in Philemon verse 2. Tradition has it that she, Philemon, and others were stoned to death under the rule of Nero. 

The cold weather has kept most churches closed, but we were warm and comfy at home as we listened to Vance continue with the Book of Nehemiah. the longest prayer in the Bible is the one Nehemiah made in Chapter 9. Now was the time for the Israelites to rebuild their lives as the wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt and they received the Word of God. As Nehemiah did, all prayer should begin with with Praising who God is. You are the Lord God who....gave us your only Son, a church family, an eternal home in heaven, the Holy Spirit in us. How do we respond? With love and obedience. The Israelites turned from God after He rescued them from the Egyptians. He called the Israelites stiff-necked which comes from the fact that oxen were directed with a touched by a stick on his neck to direct him. Sometimes he refused ti obey and thus called stiff-necked.  The Israelites were called stiff-necked because they refused to be lead by God. God did so much for the but they.......did not respond by showing their praise, thankfulness, and love. God did not desert the no matter what they did. " "But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow in ager and abounding in love. therefore you di not desert them.: Nehemiah 9:17.God does the same for us. This is where our favor becomes God's forgiveness. He gives us chance after chance. Mercy is not getting what we deserve and grace is giving us what we don't deserve. Read Psalm 103:8-12. 

Colder Weather

 We finally were able to deliver again to the colonias as the Covid virus seems to be over there - those who had it tested negative and there are no new cases. We certainly do not have to say that we were welcomed back with similes and thank you. Again, we told them that all of this is the work of the Lord - we are just the hands that deliver it. We had plenty for all - 30 families in Tuesday and 90 on Friday. This was a great turnout as many did not know that the food distribution is open again. The word travels fast though - we expect more next week. They were pleased with the paper products as well as the airline blankets. The weather is supposed to be colder this week, so I am sure they will be much appreciated. We also had canned fruit cocktail, large boxes of oatmeal, and chicken soup, which I am sure will taste wonderful as the cold sets in. We were not as tired as as I thought we would be after the break we had and were ever so thankful for those who helped. (Although getting up at 5 AM on Friday in order to load early was a bit of a push!) We usually do not load until 8, but we need to get in line early or we will be at the tail end and not load until 10 or so. It was a peaceful, cool morning as the ladies were fixing boxes and I was - yep - packing donuts. Anyone who has helped with this project knows the fun I am talking about. I love the part of the morning as everyone prays - for the food, for the day, for the folks who are picking up the food, and everyone who is ill. Regardless of the confusion of unloading and deciding how many tomatoes each box gets, it is a time to reflect on God's gracious goodness.

                                    much need paper products - thanks to Southern Comfort Park

Just a few of the 90 boxes that were packed- squash and fresh cilantro as well as mucho tomatoes

   

                                                         some of our willing helpers

Things are pretty much the same here in the Rio Grande Valley - restrictions on a lot of places, masks required everywhere. Who would have thought that we would be doing this for a year and maybe more?? I know that I am going to feel strange not wearing a mask. We did make a trip across the border to Mexico to pick up medications for a friend - it is pretty much the same there - masks are required, although the virus does not seem as prevalent there. It certainly did not seem to deter any one as the streets were crowded with shoppers. We walked in, went to the pharmacy, and walked back out across the bridge. For the time being, we are not going to venture farther than that.

Anna was the first woman to become a Christian missionary. I m sure most of you have heard of her in some way or another. Her name means favor or grace. Her husband who died young was not mentioned by name in the Bible. Anna was a prophetess, but it is never explained why she was called this. To prophesy means to proclaim a divine message and Anna was known to be able to know about coming events - even what was to happen afterwards. She knew the predictions of the coming of the Savior were fulfilled. She was only married for only 7 years and widowed for 84 years. She spent most of that time in the sanctuary, waiting for the Messiah. Anna was alone, as only some widows are. She only desired to have the house of the Lord as her dwelling place for the rest of her life. She served God with fasting and prayers of praise. Then one day a miracle happened as Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple and Simeon said, "Now, Lord, Let thou Thy servant depart in peace for my eyes have seen Thy salvation". She, too, rejoiced and was prepared to depart in peace. 

The wall of Jerusalem was finished in 52 days. God's hand was in it under the leadership of Nehemiah. It was not so important to build the wall, but to rebuild their spiritual life. What does it take to make your heart right with God? After the wall was built, Ezra the scribe, brought the Book of the Law of Moses to the people. The people then went away in great joy because now they understood what the word of the Lord meant. Our country today has no clue as to where the truth comes from. Are we allowing the Word of God to become the dominant influence in our mind? What influences you the most? Does more influence come from the news, social media, or u tube? We have to recommit ourselves to let the Word of God be the dominant influence in our lives. We need to hear the truth, develop new habits, have a new purpose for our lives. This is for everyone, not just new Christians. Recognize you spiritual poverty and respond with repentance. We need a complete turn around in our country today, a turning around back to God. It is one  thing to hear the Word and to read the Word but you also must be obedient to the Word. Make the decision today to commit to God.