Paper Overload

 This has been a busy week as we prepare to reopen the distribution to the colonias. All cases of Covid have been cleared, so we will begin distribution on Tuesday, and then again on Friday. The folks who pick up food have been checking every week to see when we will be back. Even though we have not gone to the colonias, the donations from others continues. We received a very generous donation of canned goods, ice cream bars and fudgesicles, and loads of paper goods - toilet paper. paper towels, and kleenex!! We bagged the toilet tissue so that each family would receive 2 rolls each, along with either a roll of paper towels or a box of kleenex. It seemed the fairest way of doing it and insure that everyone received the same. We had so many ice cream treats that one of the chaplain wives and myself went around our neighborhood and surprised our neighbors with special treats. We also received many loaves of garlic bread which make our Texas room smell delicious!! We are so thankful for all who donate - and are surprised every week with something new. Who would have thought I would spend a day bagging toilet tissue - what a great God we serve. 

We met with the West area Chaplains for luncheon and fellowship one day - all observing Covid rules. It was good to see and visit with each other - enjoying the company, sharing, caring, and praying. We are just normal folks - laughing, sharing thoughts and ideas, just as any other group of friends do. All of us are just trying to get through this rough time in our country right no and come out fairly sane and normal in the end.!! The Covid seems to be fairly contained here in the park - a few cases but no huge outbreaks. We all try to be very careful - we ourselves do not attend any of the few activities right now the park - for safety reasons and also the fact that we do not have a lot of spare time. 

The days have been warm, and the evenings and mornings cool. When I walk in the evening before dark  yes, I still am fearful of the dark, it seems so peaceful and serene, as if there is no threat in the world at all. It gives me time to reflect on the day, the beautiful environment around me, and wind down for the day - even though the dishes are waiting for me when I back home (Fred has surprised me every one in a while and had them done when I returned, especially on days when there is a minimal amount to do).

Ahlai #1 was the daughter of Sheshan and a descendant of Pharez, the elder son of Judah and Tamar, whose name appears in the royal genealogy of Jesus. She was given in marriage to an Egyptian servant, and became the mother of Attai. Ahali #2  was the mother of Zabad, one of David's mighty warriors. This may seem pretty boring right now, but it lets us know that women played an important in Scriptiual history. Aholah and Aholibah are two symbolic women ( likened to naming a ship or a hurricane). We do not know what their names stood for. It is unclear who these last two women actually were. Aholiab was a man who was empowered by God to fashion the furniture of the tabernacle while the women spun the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn for the tabernacle cloth - Aholibah may have been the symbolic name for these women. 

As we travel through the Book of Nehemiah, I begin to have a clearer understanding if Nehemiah's place in Scripture - to be a model for us to press on. We begin to see that Nehemiah was fighting for future generations, just as we are doing today.  There were no recorded miracles in the Book of Nehemiah - the miracle was God working in and through the people. Just as in Nehemiah's time, God has given each one if us a God-given purpose to fulfill in our lifetime. We need to have a dedication to God. We must have an anointed resolve to thin bout our purpose in our life, actually God's purpose and to fulfill it. There is a quit culture going on now - it is the tendency to give up. Refuse to be distracted and keep your eyes on the goal. We cannot stop important work by getting distracted by others. Stay focused on the task in front of you. The lifetime of opportunity must be seized in the life of the opportunity. We see to be dying today by distraction. Make the most of right now. It seems that all of us can be easily intimidated. Be like Nehemiah and refuse to be intimidated and continue working on the wall with greater determination. He prayed to the Lord oi stay on task, just as we should.  There is a movement today to silence the word of God but He is the only answer to our broken world. He cannot be canceled. In today's world, your character can be attacked. Don't back down from danger. Don't be afraid of man but be afraid of God's disappointment. Simply refuse to quit. Persevere to the end - finish well. Finish the race God marked off for you.