A New Chapter

"There is a time for everything, and a season for  every activity under the heavens......a time to weep and a time to laugh" Ecclesiastes 3:1 and 4. 

We are beginning a new chapter in our lives -  a new chapter that the Lord has already written in our book of life. We have felt lead to return to NW Arkansas and finally sold our place here in S Texas. Tomorrow we will be on the road - to Joshua, TX to be with friends for a few days, then on to AR to family. The past few weeks have been a flurry of work as we prepared others to take over the food and clothing ministry that the Lord has allowed us to serve here in the colonias in S Texas the past 10 years in various areas.  (We have been in the Valley 16 years) We have been blessed with friends who have become family, people who worked diligently with us, giving of their time and energy - the two things that they have to offer as their resources are extremely limited. We have learned so much about daily living, and using whatever you have to enjoy life. It is a bittersweet time, but we look forward with anticipation to see what the Lord has in store for us. After making sure all of the beans, cereal, bacon bits and cheezits ( I will never forget the cheezits in huge totes) we bagged and delivered to the distribution area, along with any other items that were donated, we began the job of packing up and preparing for our journey.  We met with various friends, having a time of fellowship and prayer as we (and they, too) go on to other adventures. Sunday we were presented with a plaque, a beautiful cross with a tree representing how the Word of the Lord grows branches like a tree, as well as branches of the family we all belong to, and a gift certificate to McDonald's for our travel. It was a time of reflection, tears, and laughter. Last night we met with Greg and Suzy York, of Lovelight Ministries, (Check them out on the web, an amazing couple),who are our music ministry team at CRM.  Suzy prepared a quiet meal for us in their beautiful new home, after which we enjoyed a time of relaxation playing a board game. We love Suzy's love of the Lord, and her faith in just waiting for him to speak and tell them where to minister next. Their musical talent is a joy to hear. They, too, are preparing to leave on their next assignment, singing, preaching, and praising the Lord in parts of the US. 

Suzie took this picture of our hands, forever bound in friendship 

We have finished loading the vehicle and trailer, ( a young man in the park  helped us - he was much spryer and able to jump into the truck much quicker and easier than we can. He and Fred did a great job - it is all tarped and ready to go. The young man then washed and waxed the truck, all much less expensive than hiring it out somewhere. This young man is laid off right now, and does many things for folks here in the park( mowing, loading, washing trailers and vehicles, etc. for extra money). His wife is recovering from some type of surgery, and then they will return to work on the pipeline. Yes, there is work on the pipeline here yet. The border situation is not getting better, only worsening, no matter what the media says. We know God is in control and is always with us

 I will continue with this blog, as our home church in Prairie Grove, Arkansas, has work waiting for us when we are ready (although we are always ready to serve the Lord) after we take a few weeks of relaxation and then a vacation to Wisconsin to visit family and friends. 

Hopefully, I will be able to continue with the ladies of Scripture next week after we settle a bit and I can find my references. 

Continue praying and caring for our country, our families, and each other as God commanded us to do.