Dad and Mom's 65th anniversary

Today is Mom and Dad's 65th wedding anniversary! That is a lot of years to have been faithful to each other and to have been nuturing the four of us, me, David, Jon, and Jan--in order of our ages!--as well as the five grandchildren. Jon and Gwen have Allen who is married to Anne and also Allison. Rick and Jan have Ben, Eric, and Melissa. Mom and Dad have been a wonderful inspiration to all of us in many ways. They have overcome difficulties and challenges. They both have a great sense of humor. And, at almost 88 and 87, they are still going strong....involved at church, taking care of their own home and lawn, and Dad even does intarsia. It is so special to wish them a great anniversary and more to come!

The Yellow Rose of Texas

Here is the first rose on my newly planted rosebushes here in Raymondville. I hope that I will someday have as many roses as I had in Reynosa.....but of course, that will take time. There are two more buds....so there is hope.

Happy 60th Birthday, David!!!

Today is my brother David's 60th birthday!! He is celebrating big time. From the reports I have gotten on the cell phone, he is receiving lots and lots of birthday cards. He received a phone call from a missionary friend in AFRICA!!! Today the family is having a special breakfast at Stockholm Inn, a favorite restaurant and on Monday he is going out to have ice cream with Melissa, our niece! And I hear that there are some presents for him too!!!! What a great day!!

It is fitting that we celebrate David!!! He is an incredible guy! Born with cerebral palsy which caused some physical and learning problems, he has accomplished so much. Let's see! He was a faithful newspaper delivery boy when he was young. For over 30 years he served as the head usher at his church, setting up the church for services, handing out bulletins, greeting people, taking up the offering, and generally cleaning up after the services. David faithfully writes letters...now using his computer and Microsoft Word...to many of his friends, including missionaries and ministers! David has loaned money to many of us in the family, bailing us out in tight moments! He makes great popcorn to share while watching his favorite videos. And, he loves to treat family and friends to meals at Culver's, Dairy Queen, Taco Bell, Lino's, Stockholm Inn, Domino's Pizza, etc!! He helps Mom and Dad by doing the dishes, taking care of the lawn, getting the garbage cans out to the street, vaccuuming and cleaning the house, and on and on. He goes with Dad on errands and gives a helping hand! As for directions.....if you want to go somewhere David has been, he can get you there!!! He always remembers the way! David's prayers are fervent and touching...and he does pray for everyone's needs.

The list could go on and on and on!!! The most public recognition David received came at the Covenant Church annual meeting in June of 2004 (I think it was!) when he was honored with an award (along with Mom and Dad) for outstanding Layman of the Year, the T. W. Anderson Award. He even spoke to the assembly of more than a 1000 people! It was truly a great honor.

So, my blog is dedicated to David today.....a really awesome brother! Happy birthday and many more more!!!!

Thanksgiving

My LIST of thanksgiving!

1--It did not rain nor was it COLD while I was packing or unpacking the van.

2--I did not have any trouble getting any of my possessions across the international border.

3--I was able to bring all four cats, Chiquita, and Opie with me with no problems.

4--The movers were on time (a true miracle for Mexicans!) and did a good job with my furniture.

6--I was able to get all the utilities, internet, and the landline phone connected with no LARGE deposits or fees.

7--Everyone...the landlords from Reynosa, the landlord in Raymondville, the church family.....were so patient with me while I did all the moving.

8--I received a few gifts of money and a couple of loans which have helped me get through this time of excessive bills.

9--God is really good to me!!!

10--I have new opportunities and there will be new doors opening as I now live in Texas again.

How Cute!

My teenage neighbor did this collage because she is already missing Opie. She calls him Señor Morales since his father's name is Carolino Morales. I think it is a cute collage.

Leaving Reynosa with REAL FIREWORKS!!!

Today was my day to finish up bringing things from Reynosa over to Raymondville and to clean the Reynosa house. Well, I started out fine and got to the international bridge.....and found it surrounded by police cars, flashing lights, and police redirecting traffic away from the bridge. The police said that a group was having a demonstration in protest of high diesel prices and a high military profile. I drove to McAllen to the post office to get all my junk mail and then back to the bridge. By 11 a.m. it was open and I crossed. However, when I arrived on the Mexican side, there was a very, VERY high military presence. That happens, so I went on to my house, swept two bedrooms, put a folding table and a chainlink fence gate into my van......and my neighbor Lupita came out to tell me that there were shootings in Reynosa. Well, by then, the traffic was at a standstill, the city of Reynosa was closed off by the military, soldiers with rifles and face masks were ALL OVER. Several schools were in danger....and although I do not know for sure, it sounds as if a couple of students were killed. The soldiers were escorting kids out of the schools. The federal police were trying to arrest a new leader of the Gulf Drug Cartel, according to what I have heard. And, I heard that at least 6 people died. By 2:30 p.m., the traffic started to flow again and I decided that instead of staying to work in Reynosa, I should come back home. I had to go through three military check points to get to the Mexican border...and then all was quiet on the US side. I am safe and that is great. However, I didn't get any cleaning done and will have to go back on Thursday to clean and Saturday to turn in the keys. Pray that the bridge is not shut down again and that there is no violence. What an explosive way to end my years of living in Reynosa. REAL FIREWORKS!!!

PTL!

With much relief, I can say that the moving van with my furniture made it across the Mexican border into Texas today! Yes, I still have a lot of cleaning to do at the Reynosa house and there are things to finish up. Yes, the house in Raymondville is full of boxes and bags and even stacked furniture. But this was a big step and I am so thankful.