FOOD OUTREACHES AND FUN

  Since we got back from San Antonio,  we have been busy gathering food and distributing food. A few rounds of golf with the people in our park, and a St Paddy's Day parade in the park. 

   Today we find ourselves in the Baja of California visiting our daughter Kelly. Paula and her share a birthday so we thought we'd go and see where she calls home now in Cerritos, Mexico 🇲🇽. 

  We have had some great times getting to see the area Kelly lives in, had some great food, enjoyed a church service Sunday,  some beach time, and watched Kelly surf, play sand volleyball and we even sand a few karaoke songs last night. It's a wonderful way of living here. NO WORRIES. 

  Today we golf, tomorrow a sunset whale watch cruise, more golf and then head home. A great birthday celebration for the family. We miss having Kristin,  Larry and Lea here, they would love it!!

KRISTIN AND LEA CAME TO VISIT

  Paula and I drove up to San Antonio last weekend to spend a few days with Kristin and Lea. The only direct flight arrived Sunday afternoon. Paula and I went to Cornerstone Church with our friends Juvenal and Benita before the airport.

   We picked the kids up after church and left our luggage at the hotel and made our way to the Rainforest Cafe on the Riverwalk. Free dinner at the hotel, swim time in the indoor pool, and then bed.

  Monday was free breakfast  then Legoland, Build a Bear, and Aqualand. Lots of walking but fun! Check out of hotel and head to Juvenal and Benitas house for dinner and two nights.

   Tuesday we went to the Zoo and walked miles again. I went to get the car about a mile away and found a young lady struggling to change a tire near my car. It took a few minutes to change it and she was so thankful for the help. Back to the house for some delicious Brisket 😋, and then off to the movie Muffasa. The whole theater was ours.

  We left for the Tower of America Wed morning and went to the top when it opened. The cold front arrived and it was very cold 🥶. 21 degrees. We took the kids to the airport and made the 4 hour drive home. It's cold, rainy and windy here for a few days. 80s next Wednesday. 

DO NOT TRAVEL???

  February has been a little crazy on the border since Donald Trump has been closing off access to our country. Our State Department has issued a "DO NOT TRAVEL" order to the State of Tamalipas, which includes Reynosa,  Rio Bravo,  Matamoros and other cities along the border.

   I have not gone to Reynosa since January 20th because I knew the cartels would go crazy as the border gets closed. Paula continues to go and several people have been helping to keep things going. I'm not afraid to go to Reynosa,  I'm just honoring my families wishes. We still go to Melodys Orphanage in Progresso and we're so glad they are there and out of Reynosa.

   Our daughter Kristin and Lea are coming to San Antonio this weekend and we'll get to celebrate Leas 9th birthday which was on the 11th. We'll spend a few days there with them and enjoy the time if only for a few days.

JANUARY, A BUSY MONTH

  Although January started out with a road trip to Phoenix,  it ends with a short trip to Melodys Orphanage today. Rick and Diane Balmer are here from Illinois and will bless the kids with pizza today for lunch. 

  We experienced a severe cold 🥶 front last week. Below freezing Temps killed most of our plants and everyone else's as well. We took blankets to Mexico to give to anybody that needed one.

   Paula went to Mexico to hold our monthly food outreach and was without electricity while her and China stayed overnight. No power in the morning,  so Sergio and I stayed home and met the girls in Nuevo Progresso at Melodys Orphanage for lunch.

   We have reconsidered our plans to drive 15 hours into Mexico to visit Paula's family. The new Trump administration has declared the cartels terrorist organizations and we think it best to keep a low profile for the near future. 

   A huge thanks to all that have supported us and the ministry. We got all the giving statements mailed out and we're always amazed at God's Favor by providing for us.

A FATHER DAUGHTER ROAD TRIP

  After bringing in the New Year,  Kelly and I headed to Arizona first thing on New Years day in her van. 17 hours later, we pulled into a remote camping spot in the mountains above Tuscon. A beautiful but chilly view when day broke. 32 degrees with a 930 tee time 30 minutes away. A beautiful course with cactus 🌵 all around.

  We drove to Phoenix and met my cousin John and his wife Betty for dinner. Kelly dropped me off at long time friend Rodney's in North Phoenix. Friday we met Kelly for breakfast before she headed to California and then on to Cabo.

   Saturday I met with another long time friend Fels that we went to school with. I headed back to Rodney's and we went and saw the movie Bonhaffer. Sunday we went to Calvary Church and had tacos for lunch.

  Sunday night I met Lulu and her daughter Gina for supper. We were in a Bible study in Illinois for years together. Now they live in AZ.  Rodney and I met Steve for breakfast Monday morning at cracker barrel before I headed to the airport. I met Steve on a missions trip last April when we took Melodys Orphanage to Creel to minister to the indigenous people there.

  Now I'm home and it's chilly here. Highs in the 40s for a few days. I didnt get to visit everyone i know in Phoenix,  but only a few days there made it a sprint not a marathon.