Answered Parayers

They say good things come in threes. Within the last year, we have had 3 big prayer requests, the first being a trailer to help with the produce for the colonias. Because of the love and support of our home church., Prairie Grove Christian Church, we were able to purchase a simple utility trailer (which Fred is going to modify to fit our needs) that has doubled the number of families we can serve!!! We had been praying for someone to come alongside us to deliver produce to "our people" while we are gone from the Valley for two months. We went over our list of possibilities many times, asking a few we thought would commit to the job, but to no avail. Then, from seemingly no where an amazing man with a heart for missions came into our lives. Nope, we did not know him before this - a complete stranger to us who had heard about us and became curious. After going along with Fred twice, God laid it upon his heart to be our stand-in. Two prayers answered so far. We were also praying for the funding to build a small building in the colonias to store commodities, produce, clothing, etc. so that we would not have to make two trips a day to the colonias. One kind lady in the colonias offered her property to place it on, and the Lord brought folks to us who wanted to donate to the project. We acquired 3/4 of the money for the project, the other 1/4 was supplied by a division the Baptist Association of Texas. This last week, the building was up - not totally completed (needs painting, eventually dry wall, etc.) for all general purposes, it can be used. It was used this last Friday for the first time - praise God. All three prayers answered. This building will also be used for Bible study, sewing and cooking classes - whatever is needed. By placing the building in the colonias, it gives those who live there a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem. They are proud of the building and are looking forward to lending physical labor to complete it.

beginning of construction

20 x 10 with a porch overhang

hard at work in the heat of the day

two windows and a door

siding on and ready to distribute

                                      

blessing of a trailer

                                     

a bounty of vegetables this day

                                      

everyone takes a part in unloading

shingles waiting to be put on

getting ready to fill boxes - look at the wonderful homemade bread

boxes filled and ready for distribution - 110 for the day

cactus pads - these are handled very carefully with tongs - to prepare them,  they are held with a clothespin, skinned with a very sharp knife and fried - either with vegetables or eggs

Miss Opal joined us on Friday, as she made this quilt for Ida, as a thanks for her dedication to Caring❤'s Ministry

Miss Opal tries to make friends with the family horse - this is right next to the family home

My amaryllis is blooming again, but the poor Easter lily got lost somewhere in the weeds (I love flowers but hate to weed and/or take care of them). The oregano plant is flourishing, even though I often forget to water it. Even my cactus blooms without my help. Am I committing plant abuse?

 even it is growing in a pile of weeds, it is brilliant

 the cactus and it's beautiful flower

a large leaf oregano

As this is palm Sunday, we were presented with a fresh palm leaf as we entered church. The palms grow everywhere here, so we got fresh leaves, not the dried ones we used to receive years ago. These were the fronds that were laid at the foot of the Savior just a week before the Lord was crucified.

fresh, green palm leaves

The sermon this Palm Sunday was based on a sin-filled cross. In Jesus' time, the cross was a symbol of death. It was likened to our modern day electric chair. We see the electric chair the same way - as a form of punishment. Why was Jesus destined to die such a barbaric death on a cross that was designed for torture and shame? In the beginning, man sinned by disobeying God. Every opportunity to separate us from God became a reality because the full weight of sin fell on the Lord. But God had a plan to save us from sin. Jesus. He took the full weight of  man's sin - the cup He did not want to bear, because His Father could not look upon sin. He no longer was perfect - He was seperated from God for the first time. The full weight of sin died on the cross. It took Jesus' perfection to rid us of our imperfections. In order for the full weight of sin to die, Jesus had to die. Because of this we have hope. Jesus had to die for us to be saved-  remember the price that was paid.

I want to take this time to pray for those who are caught up in the trap of drug addition. Everyone of us knows of someone who is lost in the fog of drugs, be it friend or family. That person is not the same person Jesus formed in the womb - the person is a slave to drugs which overtake their whole person. We may think that this is our friend or relative, but it is not. It is the terrible addition of drugs. Please pray today and everyday for those children of God to accept the fact that they can only be healed with treatment and prayer.

Miss Opal

There is an amazing lady here in the park with a heart for missions. She told us that she wanted to be a missionary ever since she was 13, and now feels that being involved in Caring💕's Ministry has fulfilled that dream. Miss Opal's real name is Lynette Opal Womack, from South Carolina who moved here  after her husband BR (Billy Ray Womack) passed away. She is now a full time resident here in the park, as also is her sister and brother-in-law. We call her Miss Opal as a sign of respect and she loves it! Miss Opal attends church with us every Sunday wherever we go, allows us to share in her Costco card, shares my love for sewing, and of course, thinks Fred hung the moon!!! She is a very special lady who uses her talents to help others. So far she has made 9 quilts for the ministry, helps Fred bag beans and rice, and just is fun to be around. This last week she wanted to send her friends an e-mail and pictures of what she does here in Texas, so I helped with the pictures and sending the e-mail. Her sister and sister's husband, who help her with computer work, are on vacation now and since Miss Opal has not yet quite mastered the computer, I stepped in to help her complete her wish..

Miss Opal has turned her bedroom into a quilt pinning area (she sleeps in her Texas room porch and loves it there). She is pinning a donated Christmas quilt top.

another donated top getting ready to "sandwich" and pin

front and back fabric for the quilt

She is  machine quilting a quilt for Ida, a lady with a heart for missions, who is our wonderful contact in the colonias. Notice the beautiful view from Miss Opal's home - the lake in the background where she can watch the birds and enjoy her spot here on earth.

Lots of activity here in the park, as many residents are leaving and some visitors for just a day or two as they head back North from the deep South of Mexico. There are going to be changes as the owner is adding a road on the west side of the park as an access road to his flea market next door. When the flea market is open, the traffic is stalled on the frontage road to the point that sometimes we cannot even get into or out of the park. As a result of this change, some homes on the west side fence are going to have to be moved, sold, or just torn down. Some folks are moving to a different lot, some are moving out of the park, some just sold out and not coming back due to health or other issues. Our one neighbor is also moving to a vacated lot on the lake, a few other homes have left the park. It is going to be difficult to keep track of everyone. Every year brings some sort of change.

We are so looking forward to our 2 month vacation the end of this month - getting to see new family members, renewing friendships, etc., as well as attending our home church in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. We will enjoy it even more sa we are content in the knowledge that someone is going to take over for us in delivering fresh vegetables and other items to the colonias while we are gone. I have not been going along on Friday as Cy has been training with Fred, but will go the next few weeks, because I really miss the  families we serve. God has been so good to bless us with the ability and health (even when Fred broke his leg) to be able to serve others as He has commanded each and every one of us to do. Some many folks are involved in and have supported this ministry that we are certain this is the path He wants us to follow right now.

As we journeyed along the theme of The Power of the Cross today in church we explored the meaning of the "proving spear". In this day and age, we all are in search of the truth - we want to know what is real - we want the facts, the proof. What did the spear prove?? Jesus was already dead so none of His bones were broken which fulfilled prophecy. The spear in His side proved that he was dead - if He did not die He could not rise again. The spear proved Jesus' deliverance - Scripture was fulfilled.  God was at work then  and is at work today in all circumstances. He is in control!! He will bring light to our brokenness. In John 19 verse 35, John reported what he had seen. Something strange had happened and John thought it important enough to write about it. It was not a normal situation when blood and water poured out of Jesus' side when He was pierced by the spear.It proved that Jesus was God. Before He was Resurrected, His death and divinity was proven.

Pray for safety and travel mercies for all of those traveling now and throughout the summer. We all want to visit family and friends, but travel is getting to be such a danger - either flying or driving. Keep safe.

March Heat

We are having very hot weather here already - in the 90's. Certainly not normal for this time of year. We are starting to plan and prepare for our annual trek North to Arkansas and Wisconsin - the weather should be more comfortable there. The Arkansas Crossroads quilt (a wedding present for oldest daughter Chandra) is almost done - just need to add a border of red. It came back from the quilter on Friday so I should have it done this week. I also have a set of place mats I made that are ready to quilt, which I will do myself as they are small. I am working on the baby quilt for our new great grandson due in June (if he cooperates, we will see him when we get to Wisconsin). God has been so good to allow me some periods of time so I can works on these projects. I did have another project which is completed thanks to Fred. Our daughters gave me a house plant two years ago which has grown wild. I decided that I needed to make a trellis for it to climb on. A friend gave me an old metal trellis which I used steel wool on to clean it up, then Fred spray painted it black and we figured out how to attach it to a TV tray so that it could get the exact sunlight and be able to climb wherever it wanted to. (Guess I have been watching too much Flea Market Flip!!). It does look great though.

now my plant can travel wherever it wants to

Arkansas Crossroads quilt - (looks like there was something on the camera lens)

place mats - love the colors

I can tell that it the end of season here in S Texas, as our Texas room is filling up with donations from those Winter Texans heading back home. Lots of non-perishables as they clean out their cupboards, some refrigerator and freezer food, some folks have sold  or bought trailers so are donating all the extras (clothes, linens, kitchenware, etc). There is going to be a big distribution in the colonias in April, so these items are so very much needed. We thank God for the generosity of these folks and for our ability to be able to house these items. Most of them are going out tomorrow to be readied for the distribution, the rice beans are going to be stored and saved for when we are gone for 2 months. Plans are in the process to build the storage building in the colonias so that all items can be stored there without handling them so many times. Please pray that all of this comes together before the end of April.

                           

bags of clothing and linens, boxes of non-perishable foods - someone even donated bottles of coke. The boxes on the right are full of bags of beans and rice.

                          

pails of beans and rice, waiting to be bagged and sent to the storage area.

We attended church services this 4th week of Lent with friend, Opal. Miss Opal is a full-time resident here in the park recently moved last August from South Carolina. She is an amazing lady who used to teach sewing/quilting for the Community College for over 20 years for mostly senior citizens. She had not quilted for years, as she spent 22 years caring for her husband. After he passed away, her sister, who lives here in the park, acquired a home for her here. After we met her, we became instant friends. She is so full of energy now, so glad to get back to her projects, and always gives thanks to God for everything He provides. She faithfully helps Fred bag beans and rice, and is going to start helping me volunteer on Mondays at Children's Haven Thrift Store. My goal is to find someone to be able to take Miss Opal to church on Sundays when we are gone, as her sister is now on vacation and Miss Opal does not drive. We need to find someone who would  make that commitment for 2 months until we return. Please keep this request in your prayers. This morning's sermon revolved around the "Costly Nails" - the real price of the nails in Jesus' hands. The nails were actually the tools of torture. Jesus had to stretch out His hands in order to have the nails driven into them, a horrible thought. Outstretched hands can mean a lot of things: more please, wanting a hug, even as lending a hand. Open hands often mean "I want". Most of the time when someone holds out their hands to us, we want to turn away, afraid to take the risk. When Christ opened His hands to receive the nails, He did so not for His benefit, but for ours. We need to understand what was offered to us: the offer of love, actual sacrificial love. Sacrificial love is dying for one another - would you lay down your life for your brother?? Jesus did so - over 2000 years ago for our redemption. Jesus was standing in for us as His pain was our redemption. In John 20:24-29, Thomas did not believe until he saw the holes in Jesus' hands. He then believed by faith. The source of our faith also come from Jesus. Everything we believe comes from the open hands of Jesus because He paid the cost of our belief.

As spring evolves into summer. remember to be thankful for the warm days, the days of more light and leisure, the opportunity to show love to our brothers through our actions, and to give God the glory for the seasons.

A Glorious Week

It has been a glorious, week, with so  many unexpected pleasures. It started out on Tuesday as I went to the local Post Office to do some mailing. As I walked into the post office, a rooster crowed. Yep - loud and clear. At first I thought it was some sort of  sound activated device - then it crowed a few more times. Guess someone was sending a rooster - only in South Texas. As Fred and I left the following day to pick up a complete bed and bedding for a family in the colonias Fred told me to get my camera ready. Right next to our driveway was a turtle laying eggs. We sure hope they hatch before we leave on our trek North - we may put a sort of a fence around them while we are here, so we can corral them and take them down to the lake before some critter swallows them up.

 mama laying her eggs

I tried hard not to disturb her

I did finish the Arkansas Crossroads quilt and sent it off to the quilter to be quilted. I then cut out and started the quilt for our new great-grandson due in June - hopefully we will be in Wisconsin when he arrives. I am beginning to feel more confident in working on a quilt project -the girls in Busy Bees on Fridays are so very helpful - always suggesting ideas or techniques and not making me feel stupid or inapt. Thanks to all the experienced quilters for their understanding. Perhaps next week I will have some pictures of my projects.

As Friday was St. Patrick's Day, the park held a parade - sort of a short one, but pretty nice. I settled myself outside with a cup of coffee and camera, as the participants  passed by. An added plus - they threw treats to me!!!!  I chose a roll of Smarties and gave the rest to Fred.

 happy St. Patrick's Day as she threw some treats

  a bicycle built for two

 waves and smiles are great treats, too

 hello everyone

 friends and neighbors, Don and Jo

even the dogs joined in the fun

Saturday brought the Jan-March birthday celebrations at RIN in Reynosa. As we traveled to Mexico with 3 vans, including our good friends Doug and Yvonne, we noticed the line heading out of Mexico to the US - a really LONG line. As this was the first time for a few of the passengers, we hoped that they,too, would be blessed. After a short tour of the compound including 2 Casa's and the school, we met in the Quonset hut for the program - honoring all those with Jan, Feb, and March birthdays. After presenting them with ribbons, they posed before opening their presents. Usually, a lunch is served, but Mexican director, Malena, announced she had forgotten to order the food so we all loaded up and went to the Sirloin buffet in Reynosa. (this was all planned ahead of time, as we Americans moaned and groaned because no meal was planned, but it was a surprise for the kids). What a great time we had - some of the kids enjoyed their meals and headed for the desserts afterwards, some just ate the desserts, the older boys filled their plates more than once, some just sat and ate, while others flitted all over the place. After visiting we loaded up and headed back across the border, this time taking a different brudge with a supposedly shorter wait time (the bridge we came over on was about a 2 hour wait). We did have to wait about an hour but arrived safely home tired but blessed as always by the love and affection from the kids

presents, ready and waiting

 the intermediate room - for the kids who come to the home and have had no education at all - kids of all ages are in this room

friend Doug hiding behind the door - does he belong in the intermediate room?

 newly painted bathrooms between the two school buildings

 bright colors that the kids love

tiles in a newly renovated Casa bathroom - the tile is beautiful - actually a raised design

Paty, Fred, and me - we never did a picture of Belinda as she was one of the flitters!

director, Betsy Chicon on the left, celebrating her 49th birthday

he was so proud of his ribbon

 this was one of the 4 brothers who came a few years ago - not able to use utensils while eating and still in diapers

all the birthday "kids"

they had to wait until Mexican director, Malena, gave the signal to open presents: uno duo, tres" 

 and the race is on

some of these kids never received a wrapped present before

beautiful new shoes

his very first pair of shoes all for himself

beautiful Paty

two waiters at the restaurant goofing off

 the salmon and fish were delicious

 the dessert bar

and more dessert

a shy little girl and her Mom at the chocolate fountain

salads and more salads

my plate - it looks full, but it is all salad on the left - and mostly Chinese on the right

the inside of one section of the restaurant

This was the last Sunday in many parks for church services. We went to Mission Bell to hear Jim Maxson's last sermon for the year - so appropriate for the end of season here in S Texas as many folks are hitting the road for home.  Where you wind up depends on which road you take- such a simple  idea but often overlooked by so many of us.This is also so true in the spiritual world. Whatever road you take forever will determine where you spend eternity forever. We all are born and will die - we will eventually get to our final destination. "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while, and then vanishes". James 4:14. Similar verses are Job 9;25 and Psalm 90:10. There are only two roads to eternity - heaven or hell. There is the broad way - where everything is based on yourself and your personal pleasures. "everything is OK", it is my life, I'll do it my way". Guess what -- you are not really in control. God is. You are just sometimes a pawn of the devil. The narrow road is God's plan - the road we must follow. That does not mean you cannot enjoy  life, have projects, friends, goals, leisure time. It just means that you follow God's road to assure your place in eternity. It is not easy, but the rewards are heavenly - everlasting life with Him - the blessed assurance He promises all of us.

Enjoy the summer - the endless roads you can travel - but make sure you follow the right road to reach your final destination.

The Last Hoorah

No, this is not the last blog for me, but the last of many activities in the Valley for Winter Texans. Some of our chaplains are leaving soon, some have had their last service, some will be next week, and perhaps a few will still be here. We had our last chaplain meeting yesterday at Golden Corral in Harlingen - a time to say good-bye to our chaplains as they finsh their duties here in the Valley and head on out to their summer duties - some to serve in other areas, some to just vacation and visit family and friends, others to travel. We now look forward to next fall when they all retuen for training in October, along with all of our new chaplains. We have acquired two new parks in the Valley, so are looking for chaplains. If you know someone dedicated to the Lord, wanting to serve in an RV chaplain capacity, go to crmintl.org, and fill out the interest form. We would be so happy to have you join our organization.

Vicki Troutman - Board Secretary reminding  us to "turn in your end of the month reports, please".

final instructions to chaplains

more of our chaplains

listening intently

my favorite thing at Golden Corral - jalapeno cornbread

Texas regional manager Lee Tracy and wife Grace wishing all safe travels as he ends the meeting

Still raining off and on - lots of flooding in other nearby areas, but none here right now. We definetley need the rain, but the flooding is not really necessary.

Park activities are winding down - seems as if 6 or 8 folks leave every day, but that is to be expected this time of year. We will be really interested in next season, as many new things are promised as far as activities and park functions are concerned. We do not attend very many of them, as we are quite busy with Caring Hearts Ministry.  As I previously stated, we are going to miss all of our winter friends, but it does come a time for them to all head back home so we can relax for the summer.  As many leave, they clean out their closets and cupboards and Caring Hearts Ministry receives clothing and food donations - which are all greatly appreciated

We attended church with Jim Maxson preaching this morning (next week is their last service) as he impressed upon us the us importance of communion. We received communion together reminding us of the blood and body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jim's sermon title "The Table"

stresses the fact the Son of God prepared the table for us today, just as we need to prepare ourselves to receive it. I Corinthians 10:16 is the only place in the Bible where the table is referred to as communion which is from the Greek word Kononia which means fellowship or brotherhood - the reason we take communion together. When coming to the table we are joining ourselves in it - becoming on with the Lord. God created man for fellowship with Him, He deserves fellowship with us through communion. We become one with God - the sin debt is paid. God's goal is to bring fellowship with Him, All who are members in Jesus Christ are invited to the fellowship or communion. Therefore, our motives need to be right to receive communion - we need to examine ourselves to be sure we are ready to receive communion. Do not take it lightly.

Ugh - daylight savings time. As an old Indian once said "cutting one foot off a blanket and sewing it to the other end does not make it longer". (I think I  mentioned this last year). As we go on into summer, hopefully I will get accustomed to the time change and learn to enjoy the extra sunlight - hope you too, take time to enjoy the sun and all of the wonders God has created for us.