Hurrican Relief-Part 1

Since I posted the last blog I have been thinking about how to start with the mission trip saga. I guess it would be appropriate to start at the beginning. He he

On June 9, fifty-six high school students & ten sponsors headed down to Bay St. Louis, MS. Which is one of the towns that the eye of Katrina hit directly.

So off we went, driving, yep driving with a 59-passenger bus and a 15-passanger van. So after being in close quarters for 30-hours we arrived in Mississippi.

It was a amazing even 9 and a half months later how devastated the area still was. People still not receiving money from insurance, due to inner fighting with the companies. Flood insurance saying it was wind damage, wind insurance saying it was flood damage. Storm surge that went 5-10 miles inland. The local Wal-Mart of all places was under 20 ft. of water. Can you imagine?

So arriving in Bay St. Louis was very surreal. As in shopping centers totally empty of any business. Homes in total disarray. People literally living in trailers.

We arrived at the church and found our sleeping facilities. Which were tents outside and outdoor showers. Ok most of the kids have never experienced summer in the south. So for those of you that never have been there. imagaine. taking a shower and never being dry for a week, but also add 100 degree tempatures. Yep that is how it was. hmmm hmm good.

Actually. I have to give these kids credit. They did say from time to time that it was hot and the bugs were biting. But not once did I hear anyone complain about wanting to go home.

Our first full day we attended the church service, which mind you...this chapel, maybe held a 100 people. We had 66 people, so we took up most of the pews. The kids also got up & sang a song for the congratation. It was just one of those, hey if you know this song come up. I was impressed that most of our group went up to singThe pastor shared with us why he was there and why we were there. it was a good time to connect to the people of the community.

That afternoon, we took off for New Orleans. I have to tell you. I know we have all seen pictures on the news about what happened there, however I was amazed on the emptiness of the city. .

I had been to N.O. about 12 years ago, as we were driving through the town it looked as if an atomic bomb went off. Empty gutted buildings, deserted gas stations. It looked like a ghost town.

One thing that really struck me was an apartment complex with HELP still on the roof. Someone had gotten stuck there...just very eerie.

We did have a little fun in the French Quarter. We split the group into 10 and walked around a bit. Enjoyed the MS river and I took some of my kids to the Cafe Démodé. Yummmmy!!!

It was a nice break after the bus ride and before the week of hard work started.

When I am able to get to it, I will post about the different types of work we did, some of the stories behind it. Share some of the things the kids had to say about the trip.

Have a good holiday weekend!

to blog or not to blog

Well I had a friend ask..why haven’t you blogged in awhile. Welllll, getting ready for the mission trip, going on the mission trip, recovering from the mission trip. Yeah that pretty much sums it up.

It is funny, I was laying in bed last nite thinking about all the stuff I wanted to blog about. Of course I want to blog about the trip itself, however that will be a 2 or 3 part blog. I really want to dedicate some time to that and really share what God has done in my life.

Then I thought, well I could blog on my co-dependent cat. She constantly threw-up while I was gone. Poor thing.

Then there was this revelation I had on Saturday about why I had some insecurities in my last relationship. It was pretty profound.

Then I thought, there is always what God has been doing in my life over the past two months. It has been pretty amazing.

Then there was the subject I had been thinking about on how people (myself included) turn to other things or cut things out of their life’s or they try to ‘fix’ things. When all they really need to do is give God control.

So I then thought…wow…this is partly why I haven’t blogged in awhile. I have too many things to blog about. I just wish I had more time in the day for fun stuff…as in blogging.

Well I will say this. God is pretty amazing. You might not understand. Where He is leading you or what path you might be on until after the fact.

I can say this. I have been really blessed. Not just from the trip itself, but just really realizing that God is in control and that He loves me more than I can even imagine. But realllly laying hold of that. I think that God puts people and situations in your life for a reason. Recently, I can say this with the youth at Wellshire. I have grown to love these kids and they are now a vital part of my life and ministry. (darn you kids!!) he he

Sooo yeah, not really anything in particular then me rambling. I will pick out a few pictures from the trip and post them with this blog. I am HOPING to get things put together over the next week or so for the trip and blog about that. It was absolutely amazing.

Blessings!!

PICTURES: First one, Mission Trip Reunion. Wednesday, June 21. (right to left) Kelly, David, Sarah, me, brain, brendan.
Second: They still need so much help there.
Third: The chaos that I was in charge of.
Fourth: Some of my kids, David & Sarah and me of course.
Fifth: Kids working....yes it was freakin' hot, not to mention HUMID! (front to back, Abby, Graham, Phillip & Natalie)

been a year??

So…I am taking a breather from Mission preparation!

I haven’t Blogged in a LONG time. yeah I am a slacker! :o

Been really busy as of late! Which is good. Though I was driving home on Wednesday, which was May 31st and I thought. Wow, I have been at Wellshire for a year today!

WOW, amazing how much things can change in a year. I am always amazed on how much God stretches us beyond our comfort zone. How He teaches us what His grace and mercy really mean. Though at the same time we only see glimpses of this.

So…well over the past year, I have moved from Greeley down to Denver. Though I do miss everyone up there so much! *wave* Hopefully I can make up to church after I get back from our trip.

Which BTW, we leave a week from today. So please be in prayer. There are 66 of us going and right now I am well up to my eye balls with mission work.

So back to the past year…yesterday my roomie and I were swimming and I said ya know I am at a much better place than I was a year ago. A lot of things have changed. God has really blessed me and it is amazing to see what He has done over the past year. I think that it is truly a testimony of trusting Him, stepping out in faith. Doing something even though you have no idea why you are called to. So there ya go.

Sooo, not quite a year of blogging yet, but perhaps there will be spectacular blogging extravaganza OR maybe i will just forget all together. ha ha ha ha

Ok I know this is very short and just me rambling, but then there is nothing new with that!

Take care and all of that!

Blessings!