Helping Mexico

What a Sunday! We had 73 people worship with us this morning. The reason we had so many was that the Trailblazers, the male chorus from Trail's End, sang for us. They were OK but not as good as in the past. Perhaps they did not have as long to rehearse. Regardless, it was an uplifting experience. We came home and did not go to Immanuel because there was no Communion today. We came home and had lunch of left over fajitas for the fourth time and we still aren't finished with them! I will definitely finish them off tomorrow for lunch because I will be alone as Evelyn will go to lunch with a Bible study group. After lunch we took a tour of Nuevo progreso and the area with the Mabel's free clinic group. They take people on tours to increase awareness of the dental and vision work with the poor children in northern Mexico. We are friends of the tour guides and had a good time with them. We had a light meal with them in a Mexican restaurant there. I took us almost half an hour to get back across the border because of the traffic. I am sure the people walking out beat us to customs. We came home and had popcorn at around 6:30. We tried to call Emily several times. We were always surprised to reach the home and hear much family commotion but never get anyone to answer in the six times we tried. Evelyn worked on getting some of her responsibilities for the next week covered. I wrote this scintillating blog entry.

Great payment for little work

Evelyn exercised early while I slept in. I was so exhausted that I slept until 8:30. I haven't slept that long for some time. We showered and then went to the bank again to cash some rebate checks. When we returned, we had a message from Dave and Bonnie Lind, asking us to meet them at our park dance tonight. I had to call them and explain that we were going to the RGV volunteer barbecue. We thought we could leave early and meet them toward the end of the dance to talk with them some. They told us that Blanche, our friend, had finally passed into her reward in Heaven. We both pray that we have the same faith she had when she died. We went to the barbecue/dance at 6:30 and many people from Immanuel and our park were there too. This dinner and dance is part of the pay for donating 4 hours of work at the stock show. In addition, we will receive a season ticket to enter the grounds for the full ten days and have free parking as well. What a deal!
Saturday was a rainy day. We needed rain very badly and got over 3/4 of an inch. As a result of the weather we did not go to the walk for basketsfull after the Gideon prayer breakfast. I worked on this week's sermon and next weeks order of service. I want to get ahead because I really have to work on next week's because it is my week to preach at Llano Grande, another RV park in the Valley. Evelyn also invited a couple from across the street for a dinner of boudin, shrimp etouffee, corn bread, slaw and blackberry cobbler. Neither of us thought the etouffee was up to standard, but the blackberry cobbler was superb. After dinner we played a card game called "65". They play cards quite frequently even though she has macular degeneration. They are very nice and left at 8:30 so I could work on my sermon for tomorrow. I tried to get them to come to worship at Trail's End instead of Immanuel because there is no Communion tomorrow. I don't think they will come. Evelyn called and talked to Olivia. She seemed to be well, but that is not unusual. We also have an opportunity to rent our HRL unit for the summer. A retired seminary professor wants to come down to help in the building of a house for another local pastor. The renter has macular degeneration too. I don't know how he will be able to help, but I hope he can. We will charge him a very low rate to keep the place occupied unless we are blessed enough to sell it.

Shame

We exercised and returned home. We had been thinking that we should go to Harlingen for several reasons. We wanted to meet the renters there and get their next check. We wanted to talk with the sales agent trying to sell our unit. We wanted to visit Blanche in the nursing home. And we wanted to stop at Texas Trader and deal with our bill for refrigerator repair to the motor home. We found no one at home at 320 so we went to the culinary arts department of the college near the airport. They only have meals once per month and they are full for the next month so Evelyn can't take the Ladies Leisure there. The director suggested we go to Sazos to see what that restaurant would do. We were hungry so we went to Appleby's and shared a combo meal of steak, onion fingers, veggies, French fries, and dulce le leche dessert. After lunch we went back to the unit and met Mr. Peters, the renter. We had a nice visit, but his wife had gone shopping with the checkbook. The realtor was not in either so we started back to Weslaco. We stopped in at Texas Trader and talked with them. I had prayed for calm and patience, and the Lord was (is) faithful. The owner and service manager admitted blame for our problems with the warranty company and offered $465 assistance on the bill. It was not all I had hoped for, but they were contrite and accommodating and I thank Jesus for that. We came home and unloaded (Evelyn had gone shopping in HRL while I napped) and it was time for dinner. We had mostly fruit and cottage cheese and then Evelyn went off to Bible study, followed by the Mary Martha circle meeting. I worked on the sermon for Sunday and then went to bed. The shame comes from our forgetting to visit Blanche, one of the most important reasons for the trip to HRL. This is not a solid Christian witness nor good work. We may have to return tomorrow to do the Lord's work.

Golf is fun--sometimes

Up early and off to the Palms of Mid-Valley to play 18 holes of golf with Ray, his brother Joe, and his nephew Bruce. It was a beautiful day, and I played better than I have for years. My drives were mostly straight for a change and my putting was good too. I shot 52 on the front and well on the back although I never saw the score added because Joe forgot the card and no one but me wanted to see the final score anyway. I was disappointed because I might have broken 100. Or at least close. Probably not. We didn't get back until 2:00, and Evelyn was already back from her stint at the hospital and ready to go to the flea market where she wanted to get some stationary for Elizabeth and Rosalie. We also got some pineapple and tomatoes from the fruit vendors. We drove to the bank to cash a check and decided to get some Burger King chicken sandwiches for dinner. We have some 2 for 1 coupons that will expire at the end of the month. When we returned home, I found out that the neighbor across the street died this afternoon. He drove to the hall to get the mail and died in the car with the engine running. Evelyn thinks that would be the best way to go. It does sound easy. We ate and then went to Lenten service. We thought we would have choir practice but found out Bonny would be gone Sunday. She has had many demands on her time. But many of the choir members were there and wanted to practice. So we did practice one song for Easter. By the way, I still haven't heard from Pastor Edge about my work with the church, like I ever will. We came home and watched Ray the movie again. Ray Charles was such a master musician. My brother met him once in an airport. I wonder if he held to any of his Christian roots. I really hope he is in Jesus' choir.
We had a scare last night. We received an e-mail from Stacy outlining problems with Olivia. She moreless threatened suicide and that scares us. She is such a troubled child. She causes problems in the family and starts fights with other children. We are worried. She is seeing a child psychiatrist, and it doesn't seem to be working. Perhaps we can help when we can get together with her in North Carolina this summer. If you read this and you pray, please lift her to the Lord.

Uplifting day.

We both has an abbreviated exercise this morning. We then showered, and I prepared to go the McAllen Mayor's prayer lunch while Evelyn went to the Tuesday morning Bible study. Glenn and I enjoyed the lunch from Jason's Deli and the talk by Cal Thomas who gave his usual great Christian witness. A young Jewess read from the OT in Hebrew. It was beautiful. We came home and Evelyn took a nap while I tried to finish up the sermon. I learned that one of the pianists that helped us on Sunday mornings doesn't want to play anymore. I must contact John Hamel to see if he would be available. I laid out the 9X12 mat we bought yesterday. It fits on the floor of the screened porch. Evelyn had another Bible study tonight featuring The Purpose Driven Life. I watched TV and finally completed the puzzle. Ray called this morning and invited me to play golf tomorrow morning at Mid Valley. We will rent a cart and play 18 holes if it doesn't rain. He will pick me up at 7:45 tomorrow.

Surprises

What a great day in the Lord! The worship at Trail's End was blessed with 40 people. We were blessed by 40 people worshipping with us. I am using The Passion of the Christ and readings from the Gospels recording the final week of Jesus' life we know as Holy Week. We then went to Immanuel for the Lord's Supper. I also checked my mailbox because I don't want to miss the letter that is supposed to be coming my way. I rather think that Jesus will return before that ever happens. Evelyn had invited Glenn and Lucy Combs for lunch to finish the fajitas from last night. We didn't finish them. They stayed until 4:00 and then Evelyn took a nap because she had been up since 4:00 this morning. We finished the evening with peanuts and desperate Housewives and tried to finish a puzzle we started after Christmas. I don't know how much longer it will take, but we will get it done.
Monday took us to exercise and then to the town meeting. We asked for people to give us money for the walkathon on Saturday. We got only $5 but maybe we will get more. We came home, cleaned up, and ate a "light lunch". Actually Evelyn doesn't know the meaning of the phrase. She gets it "honest" as hoosiers used to say. Her mother didn't know it either. We went to see Dr. Ghaddar, the oncologist, who examined her and gave her a good report. Praise God that her cancer has been in remission for three years! We then decided to go to Mission to buy some things at Camping World and have dinner there out of our coupon book. We checked out a boutique/restaurant called Renee's as a possible location for the final Ladies Leisure meeting. Then off to El Loco Pollo. It was good, but the original plan was to get take out. But when we ordered, Evelyn said we wanted it for here. I learned shortly that she had her eye on the Marble Slab Creamery, and ice cream makes her lose sight of all reality. We came back to Weslaco and tried to rent movies with our two for one coupon, but it had expired. I had a long wait just trying to check out the one movie Ray, about Ray Charles. It is tragic to see what a man with a great gift from God does to himself. We watched it and loved the music. Tomorrow I go with Glenn Combs to hear Cal Thomas.

Finally Friday

Finally Friday. This is the day we have been looking for all week. We arose for our exercise after sleeping quite hard all night. We needed the rest desperately. It was a dreary, drizzly day so we didn't do much. I dinked around on the sermon much of the morning and then we took a nap in the afternoon. We did work up energy to go to the Friday night dance. It was a hillbilly theme. Evelyn wore a multi colored pastel skirt and a straw hat while I wore an authentic outfit: oil stained work shirt (with a George name tag) and jeans. I stuck shop rags and a bandana out of each pocket and a wrench in my pocket. I wore a straw hat as well. The costumed couples were judged and the "Hollywood" hillbillies won. We didn't mind because they all worked hard on their costumes. We came home and went right to bed.
I arose at 6:00 AM to go to the Gideon prayer breakfast, my sacrifice for Lent. I left there and took some items to the Immanuel "garage sale" for the school. I intended to get a chicken dinner from the Mision church, but I forgot and came back to Weslaco to get some things during bag day at the local Borderland hardware. It was still somewhat dreary so I came home and continued tweaking. We had tortilla soup for lunch and then took another nap. We both still need to recover from the past week, I guess. We then had to prepare our fajitas and the chopped vegetables that go with it: lettuce, salsa, chives, and tortillas. Evelyn did a great job on putting the things together. The entire meal was something we bought at HEB called a meal deal. Buy fajita meat and get the extras free. They do this about every week with different entree items. We invited Lu Ann Jones and her mother and mother-in-law. We all had a great time. She brought two bottles of wine, and we finished the red one but still have the white. Evelyn and Lu Ann then worked on plans for Ladies Leisure in the coming weeks. Lu Ann is leaving the park so Evelyn will have to find another partner for next year. I also planned the order of worship for next week today. I can assign readings tomorrow if I have the readings ready. I have only the hymn selections to go. I think I will try to do that now. Goodbye for now.

What a week!

Today was the big day for Mabel's breakfast. I had to be at the hall by 6:45 to instruct my parking volunteers. I had slept very well last night, so I was more refreshed. The parking went better than I had anticipated because the people came, ate and left. Therefore we had no problems providing spaces. The crowd dwindled by 10:00 AM and Evelyn and I ate. We know we wouldn't eat again until 5:00 so we ate heartily. We came home, changed clothes and went back to the hall where the mayor of Weslaco came to speak for the Ladies Leisure. Things went well until the end when a park resident came to the microphone with a packet of papers and demanded the right to speak. The co hostess really handled it well telling him he couldn't use the microphone unless everyone else was given that same right. The mayor went to the cookie table as did everyone else, leaving him without an audience. After that Ray and I went to the Executive golf course to play a round. I played my usual atrocious game. We took a long time because the course was full. Ray even joked once that we waited so long between holes that he forgot what he had come out there for. We came home at 5 and went with the Durkins and Bauers to the King buffet for dinner. We came home for a quiet evening of relaxation. I still need more sleep so I will go to bed early again. I hope next week is a bit more relaxing.

I need sleep

I could not sleep well last night. I got up at 4:30 and stayed up all morning. I wanted to take a nap but always found something to do. I went to the bank to make deposits from the renters. I walked/jogged. I cleaned up. I had a bratwurst for lunch because Evelyn was at the Christian Women's club luncheon. Then it was time for the second portion of the AARP class. It went well even though the Iverson's were there. They behaved well. When I got home at 5:00, I was exhausted. I watched Lost, set the VCR and went to bed. Evelyn met Janice Waters at the luncheon. They had an inspirational day.

Driving class

Evelyn had to arise early and go to Knapp for volunteer screening. She wanted an X-Ray but couldn't get one until Thursday. Exercise and jog/walk followed. We went off to the banks to make some deposits and return things to Wal-Mart. I went crazy when I saw the Valentine candy marked down 50 %. I bought four packages and will likely eat it all since it is Evelyn who has the will power. I had to get prepared for the class this afternoon. I hadn't slept well last night so I had hoped to get a nap in before noon but couldn't. Off the rowdy class. The Iverson's are in the class, and I am occupied in keeping them reigned in. I will be glad when my three required class leadings are over. This is the last one. We finished a bit early because there are only ten in the class and the discussion portions go faster. We had bratwurst I had barbecued weeks ago for supper, and then the renter of the motor home came to pay the rent for March. He wanted a rate reduction because of the inconveniences they suffered when the refrigerator stopped working. I agreed to a reduced charge although I didn't want to. Oh, well. It is God's money and perhaps He wants someone else to have it. He certainly must want the bogus extended warranty company to have more than I would like them to have. I have almost decided that if the gas setting on the refrigerator doesn't work, we will sell it and begin traveling in a Lincoln Navigator or something. I will miss that form of travel but things change. Good night.

After the walk/jog and exercise in the park, we went to the park meeting. I told a joke about doing nice things for the wife today like opening the door for her as she puts clothes in the washing machine and moving the plug to the vacuum as she moves from room to room. It got a few laughs. We came home, cleaned up and began to celebrate Valentine's Day. Then I went to the bank and returned for lunch. I did small jobs until 3:00 when the Durkins picked us up for our trip to McAllen. We went to the newest HEB grocery there, to Sally's Beauty Supply, Tuesday Morning to get a gift certificate for Emily's 40th birthday (our younger daughter), and to the Remington Steak House for our long anticipated dinner. But no. For the second time we were thwarted. We couldn't order from the menu because they were featuring a Valentine's buffet for $24.95. We decided that was too expensive, so we went down the road to Black-eyed Pea and had a nice dinner. We all shared an appetizer and Evelyn and I shared a dinner. We came back here for some Key Lime pie or a brownie. Then to bed for a busy day tomorrow.

Here we are ending the weekend. It began with Bob's going to the Gideon prayer breakfast at the local Best Western. It is quite an uplifting experience. From there he went to Immanuel Mercedes to help prepare for tonight's catfish fry. George and I put plastic covers on the tables, and then Joe showed up and we washed 309 pieces of catfish. They were still partially frozen and the cold water felt good on our hands. I came home and had lunch and a nap. I get really tired in the afternoons and am not sure why. Regardless it was back to church where I carried breaded fish to the pot of boiling oil and carried the fried fish back to the serving line. We began cooking at 4 because serving was to start at 5:30. Of course we began to run behind because people came at 5. I am sure many wondered why they had to wait in line, but fish must be entirely cooked and cannot be rushed. I am sure that many of the early ones were winter Texans who always arrive 1/2 early, especially when food is involved. When we finished serving, I left with dinners for Evelyn and I. I also decided to buy some for Ray and Genny and delivered them. I came home, and we ate ours. I worked on the sermon for tomorrow and then got hooked on a puzzle we are assembling until midnight. No wonder I get tired in the afternoons.
Sunday began with worship. 38 souls came to hear the first of seven sermons examining the seven days of Holy Week. I pray that many will follow the series throughout this Lenten season. I brought Evelyn home and worked some before I went back to church to sing with the men's group at the end of the second service. I came home and we ate the other dinner that we hadn't eaten last night. To We often try to be satisfied with half of a dinner. Guess what after lunch? Right! A nap. We got up and began working on cleaning the screened porch. Actually it was more of a one person job, and Evelyn was that person. I did try help some but my efforts were unsuccessful. We took a long bike ride on every street in both this and the neighboring park. He for an evening of popcorn and television. Evelyn called he cousin and Emily because we have so many weekend minutes on our new wireless plan. I am not used to encouraging her to use the phone. She certainly is not used to hearing me. I must draw this to a close. I am disappointed because my golfing friends Ray and Glenn won't call me to play anymore. I guess I will sell my clubs and get some knitting needles so I can have some diversion and work on the same projects Evelyn works on: bolas. I may make one for each of my ex-golfing friends.

What blessing can there be in this?

The walk/jog went well, and Evelyn was greeted with a new treadmill and aerodyne bicycle in the exercise room! Who would have ever guessed that the park would spring for workable equipment. After Bob showered, he had to make some on line bill payments. We went to the bank to deposit some checks; actually it was to keep away from the refrigerator until lunch. We made it and had some of the ribs left from Tuesday and a nice salad. Then came the hold your breath wait to see if the repairs on the coach would be completed by five. We napped and then went to LaFeria to wait for the repair. We wanted to get it earlier so we could make the awards dinner for the Encore Games. The Lord was merciful and changed the time of the banquet to 6:00 instead of 5:00. We took the coach back to Trail's End and set it up again, but inspection showed that it is still not working--at least on gas. Sometimes we just can't figure what the blessings are in these problems. We hope to understand soon. We took the small refrigerator back to the unit in case the electric isn't working either. We made it to the banquet late, but they were only about half finished with serving. There must have been two hundred people there. We went to La Hacienda nursing home to visit Blanche. She has wanted to die and join Jesus in Heaven, and it looks like she will soon get her wish. What tremendous faith Jesus has given her! We will both miss her and envy her. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

The Lord at work

Up at 6:30 for my walk/jog and then to the shower. I wanted to get the motor home to the repair shop by 10:00. I grabbed Ray who was desperately reading the Mid Valley Town Crier, and he went with me to Trail's End. We packed up the coach, not without some trouble: the engine died often and the rear slide wouldn't close properly and the protective awning wouldn't roll up correctly. We drove to La Feria (Ray followed in the jeep) and delivered the coach. I begged the parts guy to get the work done early tomorrow. We will miss the Encore games awards banquet if they don't. Back home to prepare for the Ladies Leisure where a Canadian and I led group singing with the ladies. We also were invited for the salad and dessert lunch--like I need dessert. Things went well, and the ladies seemed pleased. We came home for a nap. We both have been tired in the afternoon lately. I was then ready to go to the Gideon pastor's appreciation banquet at the local Best Western. The menu was a nice steak, potatoes, zucchini and pie. The testimonies of how Christ works through those testaments always moves me tremendously. We gave money to the ministry and trust the Lord will use it to His Glory. Pastor Edge and Dena were there. Dena and I talked about her parent's return to Indiana next week, and I agreed to meet with them to help plan a route back. We have certainly traveled that road enough times. They want to avoid Dallas. I can help with that.

A part at last

Praise Jesus! The part for the refrigerator came in. That was this afternoon. In the morning I walked both parks and took Evelyn to Knapp Hospital for her day of volunteering. I cleaned up and then went to HEB to buy a smoker that came with many food extras. I also had to wash the car because it had mud all over the bottom of the car. I washed it in the driveway even though it was getting cooler. I picked Evelyn up at 12:30, and we had left over stromboli. We were both very tired so we took a nap. After that I called the parts department and learned about the part's arrival. That means that we had to get a motel room for the renters. We selected the Deluxe Inn. It looked nice from the outside, but we couldn't look at a room because they were all full. That is a good sign. After supper of left over cheese enchiladas, we went to Ash Wednesday service and choir practice. We also bought our fish fry tickets for Saturday. We are at home for the evening and still tired.

Monday always begins with the park meeting. Both Evelyn and I had to speak--I asked for more volunteers for parking cars; she reported about Ladies Leisure. We left there to conduct business at both banks and mail packages to the girls. We decided to eat out at Jose's Cafecito where we have a "buy one cheese enchilada dinner and get one free" coupon. The lunch was good but too generous so we took some with us. We went to the HEB and bought a meal. They do this often with various promotions. We bought a package of beef fajitas and got tortillas, chips, sour cream, free. I also saw a smoker that comes with many freebees too. I think I will go back and get one later this week. We then went to inspect a local motel where we might lodge the renters when we have the refrigerator repaired. Home to read the mail and Evelyn to make a cake for the craft sale tomorrow. We had some black bean soup that had been given to us by a friend and stayed home to work on a jigsaw puzzle we have had out on the table for over a month. We are puzzle wizards!
Up early Tuesday so Bob could get his parkers started. Each wears an orange safety vest and waves an orange flag. The idea is to keep people from parking in front of other people's driveways. The job is actually quite boring because few people have been coming to the sale. Each of had a free lunch ticket due to the job and the cake so we had bowls of tortilla soup and a piece of cherry pie and cherry bar dessert. We then went to Mexico so I could get a haircut and Evelyn a pedicure. We also bought some ceramic parrots to hang on the porch, a belt, and a pendant shaped like a heart to hang on a sterling silver choker. We spent the afternoon at home, Evelyn napping. I remembered to call the RV repair shop only to learn that the long sought after part was still not there. Bummer. We then went to the restaurant at the local Best Western. They have a Tuesday special of two pounds of ribs for two with two orders of french fries and two slaws. We went with all the professional church workers from Immanuel. The pastor is supposed to contact me to discuss my status with the church. We will see. We enjoyed the ribs and the fellowship. Evelyn brought me home and went off to her "Purpose Driven Life" study. That was her second today only she led this one. I stayed home and composed this scintillating blog. Aren't you glad you read it?

Super Sunday

What a wonderful day in the Lord. We began with the worship service at Trail's End. There were 38 there. Not as much as last week but a blessing none the less. This happened to be the Sunday on which the park serves brunch. We went with Ray and Genny and had an omelet; I also had hash brown potatoes. We talked until 11 and then parted. We returned home and Evelyn lay down because she tires easily and had to go to Mercedes to help with a reception for a retiring Thrivent agent. I was able to get my order of service finalized for next week while she was gone. I have to select hymns and find readers from the congregation. It always takes a while to select hymns that support the message of the Biblical text. When Evelyn came home we went to Newcomers for a Super Bowl party with them and the Jones's. The game was pretty good, and we had great food: Evelyn's stromboli, cheese dip, chili dogs, cole slaw and oatmeal brownies. Afterward I had to go to the motor home to get the cooler I had borrowed so they could have refrigeration. I had borrowed a small refrigerator from Joe Winston for them because the cooler owner wanted his back so they could go to the Island tomorrow. I had taken the frig there and left it with a note, asking them to bring the cooler here when they returned home. Since it was not here after the game, I borrowed another from Newcomers in case I couldn't get the borrowed one from them. The renters don't like me to go into the coach when they aren't there. I respected their wishes and left Joe's frig outside. I won't do anything like that again. When I got to the coach, there was the cooler all packed up waiting for me to pick it up. I took it without saying anything to them. I was pretty disappointed. They knew I needed it tonight and likely didn't know that I knew the code to open the gate to the park. I brought the cooler back and returned it to the owners. I am hitting the sack when I finish this. Good night.

Geezer Fun

Friday we exercised and then returned home for some relaxing fun. Bob saw that a neighbor was having new carpet installed and saw a chance to get the replaced carpet to give to the colonia in Mexico. Another neighbor has a covered pick-up and volunteered to keep it until the man who takes the carpet to Mexico returns from a tour to Guadalajara. We had delicious hamburgers I had previously grilled for lunch along with a salad harvested from our garden. I worked on the sermon in the afternoon, and then we got ready to work at the park dance. We do that once in a while to volunteer as helpers. The band was Lyle Beaver again. It is a very good time. It makes a late night after clean up but someone has to do it or we wouldn't have dances.
Saturday we exercised and went to a flea market sale at another local park. We were disappointed because they had almost nothing. We were looking for a toaster for our unit in Harlingen. The new renters from Canada are due in today, and Canadians love toast. Since there was nothing, we went to Big Lots to get some soap, etc. We came back home and had a very early lunch. We were very tired because we had been up late, not slept well and wakened at 6:00. We took a long nap and then had visitors. We had wanted to invite a different couple for dinner but couldn't contact them. The drop in company stayed late enough that we were forced to have the stromboli Evelyn had made by ourselves. It was delicious although not quite as good as son-in-law Tom's. But he has had years of experience and a baking stone. We went to the hall for a short while for "horse races". The ideas is to have six talons and a pair of dice. After bets are made, (no more than one dollar) the dice are rolled and the number of the horses corresponding to the number on the dice are moved forward until one crosses the finish line. The people loved it. We came home early so I could tweak the sermon for the last time.