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.