24+ Hours

                                                               
Aren't there some days when it seems that there are not hours in the day? that s yesterday for us. What started out as a quiet Sunday morning with Sunday School and church became a day of not nearly enough hours. After church we went to the hospital to see Miss Opal,our dear friend here in the park. She was admitted on Saturday as she could not walk..As the day progressed, she could move her legs and feet to walk but she had no balance. As we were visiting her on Sunday, she was taken to another facility for an MRI (the one at the hospital she was in was not working). The results were that there was some imbalance in her inner ear. Today she was transported to a rehab unit. After visiting her on Sunday, we proceeded to an RV Park to visit with Elaine,.She lady who who started and ran the resale store for Children's Haven Int'l. for many years. Her husband passed away a few years ago,and now it was time for her to return to Iowa  to be watched over and taken care of. It was a bittersweet visit, as we talked about old times, but know that she will be leaving this week for Iowa. We hope to stop and visit with her perhaps on one of our trips to Wisconsin.

After leaving Elaine's we went to find an amazing missionary. He and his wife spend most of their time in Southern Mexico, ministering to the folks there. He is very seldom in the US - Fred had called earlier and found him home. Bruce supplies us with rice and beans for the colonias.  He does not charge for this, so we give him a generous donation for his ministry. The Gee's park donated funds for beans and rice, so we checked and found out Bruce had some available. While there we talked about God's wonderful ways and how He provides before we can even ask. He gave us 5# of ground Nigra - an animal on the  King's Ranch here in Texas where hunters go to test their skills at hunting exotic animals. Bruce assured us the meat was delicious and makes wonderful meatloaf. We left there, headed home, and called Roy nd Paula Gee, who came over to drive back to Bruce's to get some beans and rice. While there, Bruce then donated boxes for chips and snacks for our ministry - what an amazing gift of generosity he has. Roy and Panla took the rice back to their park to bag for our big distribution in December - they are returning today for the beans. Already it was almost 6 PM - and I have not done anything on this blog, nor other book work to get ready for Monday. We were exhausted so just relaxed until bedtime (which seems to get earlier and earlier every night). Today we loaded all the quilts given to us by our Helping Hads group here in the park, as as well as boxes of clothes and other items to take to Ida tomorrow to distribute. It seems as if we are loading and unloading all the time! But I am not complaining a bit -- we give praise and glory to God for all the things He brings to us.

Rainy again today, so we did chores around the house and went to Wal-Mart for a few items. We usually don't buy food at Wal-Mart as we like HEB grocery stores better, so just picked up a few things that are cheaper in a department store. There were tons of folks there already in what seemed to be a shopping frenzy! We hurriedly got out of there and headed to my favorite store, Dollar Tree, for gift wrapping, etc. for   Christmas season. Again, tons of folks there, all buying Christmas stuff as if it was going to run out  tomorrow! So glad to get that all done and go home to peace and quiet (well sort of). I often think that if people would slow down and think of what CHRISTmas is all about they wouldn't feel that urge to shop, shop, and shop more.

As we enter this Thanksgiving week, start every day with a thanks to God for whatever is on your heart - your health, you family, your possessions, etc. By Thanksgiving day you should feel more relaxed and less stress. As I look beck on the many Thanksgiving dinners we spent with family, it seems impossible that our family has grown and prospered so much over the years. Our parents were the patriarchs of the time - we are now taking their places. As the years have gone by, the traditions have also changed. Our families are more scattered now - sure, they get together for family dinner, but it is more individual families than whole generations of the same family. I pray that each and every one of you have a blessed day always remembering to give Thanks to the One who made it all possible.

Do you realize that it is only 34 days until Christmas? There is not only the Christmas shopping to be done, but also all of the other things to pay for - utilities, food, rent/mortgage, etc. We are lost in the mentality of scarcity - a fear of running out money. What are we supposed to do? All of the daily expenses, Holiday shopping and then the church seems to want you to increase your tithe. You can hardly make the tithe the next few months, let alone increase it! Does God really call us to give? He loves a cheerful giver according to the Bible. We should not be a doubtful giver but a  dutiful giver. I was talking to a friend the other day and she is worried financially -  everything is increasing. They were doing well until her husband felt they were giving too much to the church (his personal wants were being cut back because of the tithing they were doing. After that happened, everything seemed to go downhill. I am not saying by giving more to God he will shower you with monetary riches, but it seems that even though  your income has not changed, it seems that the money stretches farther!!!  We are called to be thankful givers.  As a thankful giver we become more thankful for God's grace - grace that we do not deserve. God  provides for us so we can provide His grace with others. 

We pray that everyone has a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving - be sure to thank God today and every day for His blessings - write down all the ways He has blessed you in the past year - you will be pleasantly surprised.

Thank You for Your Service

                                          


I hope that everyone took time today to say thank you to a veteran for their service and their willingness to  serve our country so that we can freely read or write what we please without fear of being persecuted or criticized. We have freedoms in this country that no other country has - the right to worship where and how we please, the right to bear arms, the right to express our political views with out fear of repercussion, as well as the the right for our vote to be counted. Yesterday when going to Wal-Mart I meet a man in the parking lot, clearly a serviceman by his uniform. I walked up to him and shook his hand and thanked him for his service. His reply - "Thank you ma'am for supporting me". This young man was someones son, brother, grandson, and perhaps father. There are many military here in S Texas right now, preparing to guard and protect our borders. Please pray for them  as they defend our borders. Don't forget to thank those veterans who have served previously - our fathers brothers cousins, neighbors, etc. who also gave up their freedom so that we could have ours. There are serviceman in our family - cousins, brothers-in-law, brothers, uncles, and and friends who we cannot thank enough for their sacrifice for us. Our country was founded on freedom - let us never forget that.


Rain again today and cool  the past few days. Those who have returned from the North were expecting warm sunshine, I am sure. Days like this are perfect for a cup of hot coffee, a good book, and a snuggly blanket!

Yesterday we attended our first chaplain training/meeting for the season, giving us a chance to fellowship with our new chaplains and welcome them to S Texas. As always, it was a great time of fellowship, praising the Lord, and sharing thoughts and ideas of how we all can best bring the word of the Lord to those who know Him and those who do not know Him. Our guest was a funeral director with suggestions on how to handle the death of folks in our parks who are from other areas many whom have funeral arrangements in their home states. We  learned many interesting facts and laws in Texas which may not be the same in other states. Sort of a strange presentation, but things we do need to know as most of the folks here are retired and are older.

Fred is done with the bunk beds which he will take to Brenda's family on Tuesday. Her and her sons will paint them - we could do that, but by  letting them do some of the work themselves, they might take more pride in them. Sometimes I feel like we are taking 1step forward and 2 steps back as we serve the colonias, but every accomplishment no matter how small, is for God's glory and none of ours. Some wonderful ladies from another park donated sheets and quilts for these beds for the kids as well as another blanket for the daughter who sleeps in bed with her mother. So thankful for everyone who donates.

one of two sets of bunk beds - a piece of plywood will be put down, and then the mattresses will be laid on top of that. The boys have already been sleeping on the mattresses on the floor of the shed now bedroom and love it there .

Activities here at the park are getting underway - cards are being played every night, church services are being held, as well as Bible studies and Christian movie nights, shuffleboard and pool is being played, sewing and quilting has started just to name a few. There has already been a pot luck, which is held almost weekly. Folks are out biking, walking, riding their golf carts again and when the sun is shining, enjoying the beautiful weather. I finally got my few flowers weeded ( a chore I do not enjoy) and have up the fall and Thanksgiving decorations. Cannot believe Thanksgiving will soon be here. It is early this year so it seems to have come up really quickly.

Brokenness trough betrayal is another way our lives can be broken and changed. Have you ever heard, "family is forever, blood is thicker than water, ". There is a danger in these thoughts as we love our family, but sometimes  love makes pain hurt more. The more you love someone, the more they can hurt you. What happens when family members betray other family members? Betrayal leads to isolation, We isolate ourselves so that we do not become hurt again. Isolation then leads to retaliation.Vengeance tends to cloud our judgement. Then retaliation then leads to devastation which sometimes leads to reconciliation. This may take a short  period of time or even years to happen. Betrayal is not God's plan, but the plan of humans. Because we are human, betrayal happens often in families. Don't let hurt separate you from family members - reconcile with estranged family members before the time comes when it is too late to do so.

God at Work

I think I mentioned that one of our chaplains moved a shed (donated) into the colonias to transform into a sleeping area for the boys of Brenda, where we distribute commodities on Friday. God performed miracles int the renovation of that shed. Some wonderful folks donated $500 to remodel it into a comfortable sleeping quarters.  Chaplain Jim moved it into place, and decided that it needed a door, of course. A lady donated an RV door,  perfect as it already had a screen door attached. As he was installing it, with the help of another volunteer, the volunteer's wife said a window was needed - so she bought it for him. Jim then put the window in, painted the shed, and added the trim around the door and window, all with donated or left over materials. He really wanted to insulate it, but the cost was really intense. A few weeks later, his  park renovated all of the old ceiling tiles - yep perfect insulation. God said to be still and wait! God provided it. He added the insulation - 3 panels thick, and still had enough left over for Jessica's added bedroom which was built this fall by the same folks. Jim's park also makes mattresses - upholstery fabric,with  "tunnels sewed in the length of it. These tunnels are then stuffed with plastic bags ( over 900 of them ). They make serviceable and comfortable mattresses for the bunk beds Fred is now building!  We were donated 4 of them - just enough for two bunk beds. Our Miss Opal, who wants to be in involved in the ministry, donated left over gray paint to paint the "bedroom"  - enough of it is left to paint the beds. I love this story of how God had His hands on this whole project - anticipation what was needed and then providing it. Oh, the shed was originally used to store hay - as Jim said on Friday of the shed - "from a stable to room at the inn". Amazing isn't it?

the completed bedroom -notice the walkway and railings added for safety, also the washing machine outside - that is where the clothed are washed - the machine is filled with the water hose and then drained onto the yard when done

yep - even electricity - one bulb and outlet so that the cord is not overloaded

looks wonderful - the window and door are strategicely placed to allow for cross ventilation

                                 Fred and Jim discussing details on where the bunk beds are going - and the ever so friendly yard dog

mattresses - 4 of  them ready for the beds

if needed the boys can sleep on the mattresses on the floor until the beds arrive - most likely they sleep on the floor in a very dilapidated trailer now

Our new Tuesday distribution is going so well - over 60 families feed. There were boxes of clothing in storage Tharp we put out for the ladies to take home. Ida bound these coverall and immediately put them on to work - even though is was pretty warm out. She is modeling them here along with a couple of ladies who help with the distribution.

the first church was under the trees and so our ministry on Tuesdays started under a tree also - look at all of the tomatoes on the left - the boxes and totes in front are full of clothes. There is Ida in her new coveralls!

We were so thrilled at an answer to another prayer - Mary, our friend and worker here at the park, has raised over $5000 in order order to have her surgery for tongue cancer. She will have the surgery on Friday - PTL.

Friday distribution is back on a"normal" (whatever that is ) schedule as we fed over 130 families. God is so good - He keeps blessings us with more opportunities to tell others about His majesty and power. 

 it was cold Friday morning as the ladies prepared the boxes to give away

 our helper, Doug, is back to work - now we await our other fearless worker, Dean

lots of donuts, or "pan" pronounced pon

Today's sermon seemed to be directed at us more mature (read "older") folks. Do you feel old today - your muscles are tight, your back aches, you keep forgetting things. Facing our fears also include the fear of aging but death is the only way to escape aging. Aging is a reality for everyone . From the minute we are born, we are aging - much faster in our young years, but a continual process. Age brings change. It can bring  joy but also bring uncertainly. Aren't we all in the denial of aging? Oh, I just forgot that,but it happens too often. We have to think awhile to recall names  places, and sometimes dates. Do you fear the uncertainty of the next step, or are you prepared to enjoy the thought of eternity with the Father? Not only do we fear the uncertainty of death, but we are sometimes in  denial of the aging process in our parents, or especially our children. I want to see my grandchildren and great grant children grow up - to see what kind of individuals they will become. But that is impossible. Let us live in the present day - face the uncertainty of aging with hope, faith, and the knowledge that aging comes with change and we an change with it.

We are asking prayers for an unspoken prayer request - a request that, too, faces uncertainty.

  

Strange Star In the Sky

A strange star showed up in the sky yesterday - one not seen for a few weeks. It was bright, warm, and brought a smile to everyone's face. Yes - it was the sun!!! Today is just as beautiful and wonderful.

This last week hosted many of our seasoned chaplains as well as our new ones since chaplain's training was held in Harlingen, at Lakewood RV Park. The newbies attended Mon thru Wed morning, then the seasoned forks joined them for the rest of the week. We have a great group of new chaplains, eager and excited to begin their duties here in S. Texas as the minister to the residents of various parks. Our Friday session was led by Chaplain Jeff Hastings as he held our attention in the morning with a great teaching about grief, how to deal with in yourselves and others. The afternoon was spent discussing and learning about ways to deal with stress. All of us stress about something everyday - even if it is getting tangled up in a traffic snarl, or waiting in a long line at the grocery store after  long and busy day. A great afternoon of sharing ways of stress relief and how to deal with others who are stressed out. We were treated to a wonderful meal of bar-be-que ribs , thanks to a few of our chaplains who smoked them for us. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and getting to know the new members of our organization Caring Resources Ministries. If you are interested in becoming an RV resort chaplain go to crmintl.org and check us out.

 Chaplain Al Dickey leading us in prayer

 our amazing music ambassadors - Suzi ad Greg York

singing praises to the Lord

Even with all  the events concerning the border, we traveled in two vans to the refuge in Reynosa to celebrate the Oct thru Dec birthdays of the kids and adults there. What a huge group!! We met at Peter Piper Pizza for a fun time with the birthday kids (they all were allowed cards which had money loaded on them to play games, etc. ) We celebrated the kids who had birthdays and allowed them special pizzas and "first in line"privileges. We were dismayed to a certain extent as there are so many of these kiddos that we did not recognize _ but the other side of the situation is that more children are being saved. Many of the kids we have seen grow up are now employed, attending college, and graduated college with a career that they are pursuing. They are truly a role model for those kids at the refuge to work hard and a proof that they, too, can achieve their dreams.


examining her gifts - new sparkly shoes


some of these sweet children never received presents before, let alone had pizza and ice cream

Pati on the right - studying to be a lawyer - Jacklyn on the left , also in college



birthday kids


playing the games and winning tickets for prizes


everyone got in on the fun


It always amazes me how our Sunday School and Sunday Sermon always seem to compliment each other. The theme of both today was change- whether it be because of your own choosing or not. Sometimes a change is made because of a determined decision to do so, sometimes it is because of a job change, perhaps it is because of a financial or health issue. In all circumstances, change causes stress of some sort (same theme as our chaplain training!). The Israelites were forced to change when they were defeated by the Babylonians - forced to leave their homelands and be resettled in Babylonia.  They were forced to accept the strange ways, to build homes, plant crops, raise families in a foreign land with a foreign culture. What a shock that must have been! Learning to cope with change is a big part of our accepting Jesus as our Savior and leaning on Him in faith. Always remember that He will never leave you or desert you, no matter what the changes can be occurring in your life.

Please be in prayer for Maria Garza, a lady who works on our park. She is a loving, giving person who has just been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer on her tongue. Because she does not have insurance from her employer here at the park, she needs to raise $5500 in order to have the surgery that may save her life. She has a go fund me account. If the Lord so lays it on your heart to help her reach this goal. the link is: gf.me/u/m6979n

Rainy and Cool

It seems that we are having a bit of a cold front - 50's and 60's and rainy. It is about right now that I wish we were in front of fireplace just watching the flames. Although it does feel great when we come in from outside and feel the warmth and sweet smells of home. The perfect weather for a bowl of the tomato soup our daughter and I canned while in Arkansas - awesome with a toasted cheese sandwich (made with Wisconsin cheese,of course). We thank God for the simple pleasures that make us comfortable.

A busy week again - board meetings for CRMI (of which our RV Chaplain division is a part). It was a good two days with many issues discussed and decided upon. We met at Lakewood RV Park in Harlingen where the kitchen crew made sure we were well fed which always seems to be the norm. Those gals really went above and beyond with breakfast and noontime meals. The RV venue is changing - many younger families are now loving the RV lifestyle. We have noticed it in our park - those coming here for the winter are looking for different things than those a few years ago. The switch is from spending the winter at a park in S Texas to perhaps just staying a month or so and then moving on. We really have to just our ministry to accommodate the change.

Today the chaplains that have arrived for the annual chaplain training session started to arrive, so we all attended church services at Bob Ostermaier's park for morning service, then went on to a fellowship meal together. More of the chaplains will be arriving today in tie for the opening session tomorrow and more training for the rest of the week. The new chaplains will have 2 1/2 days of RV chaplain training, and then us seasoned chaplains will have the remaining 2 1/2 days in which we will join them in various training relating to a RV chaplain. We are only involved in the food ministry portion of CRMI so I will only go on Friday and Fred will join us after he finished the distribution in the colonias. Two of our master cooks will prepare an evening meal on Friday of bar-be-que ribs!!! Please pray for the training that all goes according to God's plan.

This coming week will be the first Tuesday distribution that I will be able to participate in as I was in meetings last week. I am anxious to see how God is working in this new venture - hopefully many will be blessed, both physically and spiritually.

The Winter Texans are beginning to trickle in - I expect a few more this coming week, as the early ones come in about this time. November will bring most of the rest of them - looking forward to seeing old fr ends, making new ones, and see how God will work in every one's lives here in the park. We look forward to seeing these folks return - but feel saddened for those who are unable to return because of ill health. We especially mourn those who have gone on to be with the Lord, but remember all the great times in fellowship with them.

Chaplain Bob had a very interesting message this morning - keys. Peter is not the only one with the key to the kingdom of God. . We often think of him standing at the pearly gates, waiting for someone to enter so he can open the gate (and many churches believe this).  Keys represent authority. If I give you the keys to my house, then I give you authority to enter it. The Kingdom of Heaven  is about Jesus finding lost sheep and taking them to His eternal kingdom. It is about unlocking things on earth through the teaching of the gospel. We have all been given the same keys by Jesus . We have the authority to preach the word of God. These keys give us the power over Satan. We, the church, are the tool God intended to use to take Satan down. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world, but the weapons of God. Jesus holds the keys to hell!!!

Please keep in prayer all of the folks still affected by the floods and fires  - many of the still cannot return to their homes to salvage whatever they can.

What is Normal?

As we try to get back to the normal routine of daily living, I wonder what is really normal? Normal for you is entirely different than my normal. Perhaps days of relaxation and reading, tending to your special hobbies, or even shopping are normal – while others may have a hectic, time-consuming normal. expected this week to be somewhat normal and back to a comfortable routine. No way!!!  Our “normal” Friday distribution to the colonias was cancelled, again due to rain and flooding in that area. The area is low lying and floods every time it rains, as well as turning into a real mudhole. One of our chaplains and regional manager arrived for the winter with a coach full of clothes, sheets, etc. for the colonias, so we drove to their park instead and filled our trailer and vehicle with tubs of much needed items. The rest of the week-end was sorting clothes and other items – wound up with 7 plastic tubs, 1 suitcase, and 15 boxes of wonderful donations. Most of it was children’s clothes, which we desperately need – some of them brand new with the tags still on. God certainly blessed those who donated, the chaplain who drove it all here to S Texas, and to Ida who will help distribute it! So many hands involved – even those who we do not know but thank so much.

On Tuesday, we delivered produce and many boxes of juice to the new area where another distribution point will begin this coming week. We will be distributing on Fridays as usual but then again on Tuesdays to those in need. We hope and pray that this will result in a hand up to the folks who often need an extra bit of food or clothes to wear so they can function – perhaps have decent clothing to apply for a job, or have bit of extra funds to pay the electric or water bill.

A few of our winter friends are returning – more will come soon as it has been snowing “up North”, making the warmth of S Texas beckon them. Some will be late due to the earlier rains – many are still farming and the wet fields have made it impossible to get into the fields. But they will come – along with the activity that will change our meaning of normal for abut 5 months. We do not mind – just need to change our own personal mind set.

I had enough tomatoes to make a batch of salsa to freeze. As I scalded the tomatoes my memories of our extra-large garden in Wisconsin came to mind – the year we had such an abundance of veggies that Fred went around the neighborhood with a wheelbarrow full of carrots, handing them out to whomever wanted them. I had canned and frozen enough for our family of 6! We also had enough raspberries that the neighbors picked 30 quarts for themselves. Tomatoes were at a premium that year as I canned tomatoes, tomato soup tomato juice, pasta sauce, pizza sauce, and even tomato paste. Don’t know how I did that and kept a full-time job as well while trying to keep track f our 4 daughters. “I can do all things through the God who strengthens me”.

A great message from our Sunday School class regarding fears, feelings of isolation, and loneliness.  A fear of something could actually alter your life. One of our class members related that he loved history, started college, and planned to become a history teacher, but he sadly destroyed the English language to the point that he could not write an essay in order to pass the class. He changed his major and became an English teacher, which he excelled at. The fear of failing a college course changed his direction of life.  Sometimes facing our fears allows us to overcome them and enjoy what we feared. I am still afraid of the dark – the really black as midnight dark. I face that fear but certainly have not come to enjoy it – my hearts begins to pound, I hear noises, and imagine frightful things if I am exposed to the dark for any length of time. I don’t know why this is – or where it came from – perhaps therapy will help. The best therapy I have right now is to call on the Lord to protect me from my imagination and give me strength. Fear can also isolate person, causing loneliness. Fear of crowds, meeting new folks, even the simple act of going to a party where you only know a person or two can throw people into a panic. I am also claustrophobic especially when caught in a crowded area, or a small place, like an elevator. I know I could never survive an MRI!  I have not allowed it to keep me from riding in an elevator or going to a huge park pot luck though. I just say a prayer, put a smile on my face, and plunge right in.  Fear can also make you feel insignificant and withdrawn.

The opposite of fear is really trust and faith. Have faith in the Lord to believe He hears your plea and trust to know that HE will see you through any situation.

And So It Continues

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL

After about 2 months of being away from home for a wedding, family visits, meetings, etc I am back to continuing this blog. I could have written it as we traveled but it seemed every minute was busy, especially with the wedding of our granddaughter in beautiful Northern Wisconsin. It was a beautiful ceremony, very elegant, but so tastefully done. As we started out on our journey, we stopped along the way to visit friends before we arrived in Arkansas at the home of our youngest daughter. We kept all of our Dr appts with the go ahead for good health for another year! Of course it was the annual meat making process - brats, sausage, and kielbasa  sausage, as well as canning tomato soup from a recipe I found years ago.

                                  
                                          tomato soup ready to can - so good with cheese dumplings



                                                    
                                                                     kielbasa sausage ready to cut

birthday party of great grandchildren Brielle ans Jaylen

                                                    
                                    Jaylen and great grandpa having a discussion

                                   

lovely Brielle

a warm and cozy fire on the patio

                                              
                                   pumpkin made from pallets that our daughter made for me

 Arkansas great grandchildren

We did meet with our church mission board who supports us with love and prayer in order to update our Caring Hearts Ministry. We thank them so much for everything their faith in our mission. They also supplied us again with 33,000 individual packages of a cheesy broccoli mix. Last year some of this went to support the flooding in the Houston area. We so uch love Prairie Grove Christian Church - our home church in Arkansas. As we attender our fist back to Arkansas service we felt the love and support from everyone. 

We left Arkansas for Wisconsin, stopping long the way to visit friends. While there we attended a church where our nephew and wife serve attend and serve on mission trips to Africa every year. Their ministry is called Centershot Ministry - where they take the gospel into the schools of South Africa.

Most of the the time was spent preparing for the wedding of our oldest granddaughter Katie. It was an outdoor wedding and it oured in the morning but cleared up and became a beautiful fall day in Northern Wisconsin - if maybe a bit humid. 

 a perfect setting in the Northwoods

 Jake and Katie Knobernik

 we do clean up pretty well

Grete granddaughter Harper who was the flower girl

so glad this is over

Are we blessed??? Truly we are. God blessed us with a beautiful family, friends, a warm place to sleep, and a knowledge that through Him all things are possible.  Another unexpected blessing was the gift and delivery of a metal shed which we can use for colonia storage - hooray!  my Texas room will be visible again!!

 a blessing

After we returned to Texas we were aware of the miracles that God preformed while we were gone. 2 people who had been battling cancer were declared cancer free - PTL. Those who were recovering from surgeries and illnesses are on the road to recovery, the food and clothing ministry is well into it's almost 6th year, and we are embarking on another distribution day to another colonia. God is so good - we give Him all the praise and glory and realize all of this is according to His plan.