Ah, the fun of a week back home...Fallen leaves, my favorite church peeps, cold rain, my munchkins, my sister, my whole huge extended family, cherry sheets, white wine in bulk, unlimited WiFi, familiar roads, familiar traffic, good friends, late nights, Karen and Taylor's wedding, Yuengling, wedding shoes (notice that I did not say wedding shoe blisters), winter clothes, Breakfast with Liz, Breakfast with Lindsey, a Redskins victory, Redskins fans, Sunday Night Ladies Night, turkey, mashed potatoes, and SWEET POTATOES!
It was so fantastic that I almost didn't get back on the plane for my return flight. To all of you with whom I had the pleasure of spending time this past week- thank you! You inspire and encourage me all the time! I love you and miss you so much. Please know that I would never give all of you up just to hang in Mississippi for a year. I really believe that God called me down here to help this community and the Presbytery.
So I am back to Mississippi and back to work. This week I have the pleasure of telling many of the 98 backlogged homeowners on my wait list that we don't have the volunteers to fix their homes this month, so they will need to either wait or contact another agency for assistance. That's the stink part of the job. But this morning, I was able to call several homeowners and tell them that we have stoves and microwaves for their homes. Another family needed beds, which we did not have, but I was able to get them air mattresses and pillows. I'll take my blessings wherever and whenever I can get them!
Tony and Claire, a retired couple volunteering with us for a few months, cooked dinner for the group last night. I had been in a funk all day, just sad about leaving home, and they were able to put the first smile of the day on my face. I am so grateful for them and folks like them who give me such hope. Their generosity, humor, and love warm my heart and drag me out of the the muck most days. See--there must be a plan. There must be a plan. There must be a plan.
That will be my mantra this week. Trust in Him. Love these people. Be patient.
There must be a plan.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Thanksgiving Vacation, Here I Come (11/18/06)
Top 10 signs you're ready to get out of Mississippi:
10. You're drinking Blue Gatorade for communion.
9. You trip and fall on your face while trying to get lunch for a new homeless friend.
8. You're sick of Shrimp Po' Boys.
7. Every time your roommates leave out a dirty coffee mug you dream tossing it out the window (the mug, not the roommate- okay, sometimes the roommate too).
6. You pinched a nerve in your back entering 98 backlogged work orders into a spreadsheet that no one but you will ever use.
5. You said, "Take it easy, now, y'all" and no one seemed surprised.
4. You can't remember the last time you wore anything other than PDA blue. (Bonus points if you can't remember the last time you showered!)
3. You fell asleep two of the past three nights while holding your alarm clock.
2. Your mind wandered towards a few choice f-words when a nun cut you off at the gas pump.
(To be fair, this one may have been my fault since I was backing up to turn around at the pump- but still- not good.)
1. Your plane ticket says it is time to go home for Thanksgiving. I'm on my way!
10. You're drinking Blue Gatorade for communion.
9. You trip and fall on your face while trying to get lunch for a new homeless friend.
8. You're sick of Shrimp Po' Boys.
7. Every time your roommates leave out a dirty coffee mug you dream tossing it out the window (the mug, not the roommate- okay, sometimes the roommate too).
6. You pinched a nerve in your back entering 98 backlogged work orders into a spreadsheet that no one but you will ever use.
5. You said, "Take it easy, now, y'all" and no one seemed surprised.
4. You can't remember the last time you wore anything other than PDA blue. (Bonus points if you can't remember the last time you showered!)
3. You fell asleep two of the past three nights while holding your alarm clock.
2. Your mind wandered towards a few choice f-words when a nun cut you off at the gas pump.
(To be fair, this one may have been my fault since I was backing up to turn around at the pump- but still- not good.)
1. Your plane ticket says it is time to go home for Thanksgiving. I'm on my way!
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Storms of All Kinds (11/16/06)
Yesterday it rained.
I'm not talking about an East Coast fall drizzle. It poured. Lightening, thunder, pounding rain, wind, tornadoes- full wrath and destruction.
My morning started at about 4am when the rain was coming into my bedroom and my roommate was screaming for help in closing the window. Fortunately, I am skilled at closing windows, so I was able to correct the problem even in my semi-slumber state.
The rain wrecked chaos on our day. Volunteers had to be moved into the church to finish sleeping. All of our roofing and siding plans had to be delayed. I had planned on going out on home visits, but the roads were flooded, so I was benched. Our Long Beach site was under a foot of water. The day felt blown at 7:30am.
I managed to get some paperwork done. I organized files and workflows. I tried to make the best of a frustrating day.
Then another storm hit. As has been well documented, I'm dealing with some frustration around communication and organization at work. My teammates and I had a meeting with management and there was a flurry of emotions, feelings, expectations, and needs raining down over all of us. A few guidelines were established, but overall I left the meeting just as confused as I had entered. That left another storm brewing in my brain.
How do I balance the needs of the community, each homeowner, my supervisors, my program, my roommates, my family, my home church and myself without drowning under the weight of it all? The simple answer is that I don't know. I have a tendency to over think everything to every possible detail. This has served me well in some situations, and completely crippled me in other situations. I am trying not to over-process this experience and just live it.
I am trying to have faith in the journey. I believe God called me to this community to help these homeowners and congregations. Katrina was a storm bigger than anything I can imagine. If they can live through that storm and walk on in faith, than I certainly can live through this drama and walk on in faith beside them.
Today I awoke to sunshine and beauty everywhere. A few puddles linger, but the coast seems to have dried out again. Hope anew. Faith restored. All that good stuff.
Another day to try again....
I'm not talking about an East Coast fall drizzle. It poured. Lightening, thunder, pounding rain, wind, tornadoes- full wrath and destruction.
My morning started at about 4am when the rain was coming into my bedroom and my roommate was screaming for help in closing the window. Fortunately, I am skilled at closing windows, so I was able to correct the problem even in my semi-slumber state.
The rain wrecked chaos on our day. Volunteers had to be moved into the church to finish sleeping. All of our roofing and siding plans had to be delayed. I had planned on going out on home visits, but the roads were flooded, so I was benched. Our Long Beach site was under a foot of water. The day felt blown at 7:30am.
I managed to get some paperwork done. I organized files and workflows. I tried to make the best of a frustrating day.
Then another storm hit. As has been well documented, I'm dealing with some frustration around communication and organization at work. My teammates and I had a meeting with management and there was a flurry of emotions, feelings, expectations, and needs raining down over all of us. A few guidelines were established, but overall I left the meeting just as confused as I had entered. That left another storm brewing in my brain.
How do I balance the needs of the community, each homeowner, my supervisors, my program, my roommates, my family, my home church and myself without drowning under the weight of it all? The simple answer is that I don't know. I have a tendency to over think everything to every possible detail. This has served me well in some situations, and completely crippled me in other situations. I am trying not to over-process this experience and just live it.
I am trying to have faith in the journey. I believe God called me to this community to help these homeowners and congregations. Katrina was a storm bigger than anything I can imagine. If they can live through that storm and walk on in faith, than I certainly can live through this drama and walk on in faith beside them.
Today I awoke to sunshine and beauty everywhere. A few puddles linger, but the coast seems to have dried out again. Hope anew. Faith restored. All that good stuff.
Another day to try again....
Monday, November 13, 2006
Random Thoughts from PJ's Cafe (11/13/06)
It is sunny and beautiful today.
I am sitting outside enjoying the day at PJ's- our favorite place to use the Internet. I say this and laugh because it is really the only place we use the Internet anymore. We haven't been able to get online at the church for going on three weeks. I am trying to be kind and patient and all of that jazz, but really I want to shake someone. Then I get mad at myself for being so dependent on the Internet and want to shake myself.
Work went well last week. I realized that there is no way that I will be able to effectively case manage every one of the homeowners the Presbytery works with down here, so I have got to get some help. I decided that volunteers that come down on work teams may be interested in visiting folks. Not everyone wants to hammer down shingles, right? So I started creating the paperwork and training materials needed to bring volunteers into the casework program. I tested it out on one of the volunteers and got some great feedback. I also rode along with two different contractors to learn more about the construction needs of our homeowners. Now, when I visit someone, I won't be giving them false hope- I can be honest in telling them whether or not we can help rebuild their home. Hurray for information and honesty.
I also had a fantastic visit with mom this week. She was working hard with her team each day, I was working hard with my job each day, but we had plenty of together time each evening. It was great to have her here to talk with and just to sit with. I feel so blessed.
Yesterday we had in impromptu babysitting session with the Castleman kids. They are sweet and smart and wonderful. It made me miss my munchkins. I can't wait to see some of them in just a few days.
I keep forgetting that I am going to Maryland in just a few days for Thanksgiving. I guess I should start to think about packing.
On this day, sitting in this chair, I don't feel as frustrated as I've been.
Maybe I should sit here more often....
The sun feels good......
I am sitting outside enjoying the day at PJ's- our favorite place to use the Internet. I say this and laugh because it is really the only place we use the Internet anymore. We haven't been able to get online at the church for going on three weeks. I am trying to be kind and patient and all of that jazz, but really I want to shake someone. Then I get mad at myself for being so dependent on the Internet and want to shake myself.
Work went well last week. I realized that there is no way that I will be able to effectively case manage every one of the homeowners the Presbytery works with down here, so I have got to get some help. I decided that volunteers that come down on work teams may be interested in visiting folks. Not everyone wants to hammer down shingles, right? So I started creating the paperwork and training materials needed to bring volunteers into the casework program. I tested it out on one of the volunteers and got some great feedback. I also rode along with two different contractors to learn more about the construction needs of our homeowners. Now, when I visit someone, I won't be giving them false hope- I can be honest in telling them whether or not we can help rebuild their home. Hurray for information and honesty.
I also had a fantastic visit with mom this week. She was working hard with her team each day, I was working hard with my job each day, but we had plenty of together time each evening. It was great to have her here to talk with and just to sit with. I feel so blessed.
Yesterday we had in impromptu babysitting session with the Castleman kids. They are sweet and smart and wonderful. It made me miss my munchkins. I can't wait to see some of them in just a few days.
I keep forgetting that I am going to Maryland in just a few days for Thanksgiving. I guess I should start to think about packing.
On this day, sitting in this chair, I don't feel as frustrated as I've been.
Maybe I should sit here more often....
The sun feels good......
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Halloween Photos, take one...
Sorry that I am slow to post these....we're having Internet trouble at the church this week. Here are a few shots from our Halloween fun with the whole YAV gang. The Presbytery six dressed up as the PDA six. We thought it was pretty funny! Check out more photos on my photo page by clicking the link listed on the right ("Erin's Photo Page").
Love you,
E
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Lots of Mom, Little Money
I'm writing tonight from a very cold tent in Orange Grove PDA camp 3. We're watching election returns on a TV with cable and using unlimited WiFi to access detailed results. In a tent! At a camp without flush toilets. Ah, technology.
The political excitement is only enhanced by the presence and enthusiasm of my mom. Mom is here visiting, on a work trip with Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church (www.gpchurch.org - check their blog online!). I can't put into words how good it feels to have my mom in town. After all of the transition, work, and drama of the past few weeks, it is so comforting to have someone here who really understands me, no questions asked. And, of course, it's been refreshing to get out of Handsboro each evening for dinner. Especially since we have lost Internet access at the church and are struggling to get back online.
Fortunately, there is plenty of work to be done. I've been out on the road this week, visiting house after broken house. It is difficult to explain how many people there are here still in need. And the piece that no one wants to hear is that it really is just a money issue at this point. We have the labor. We have volunteers coming out of our ears. We don't have the money to buy the materials we need to supply the volunteers with singles, sheetrock, insulation, cabinets, toilets, etc to put the homes and lives back together again. And it is the same story with every agency working on the coast- lots of volunteers, not enough supplies. My bosses have taken off out of the office this week to find some peace in order to complete reports and grant proposals to secure more funding. And really, the long-term answers are still such a mystery. But as I am reminded each and every day on the coast, if we lift these mysteries to God, He will find a way. It isn't for me to plan, but for Him to provide.
Just another test of faith....because I haven't enjoyed enough of those yet....
And please, please don't read this as a fundraising letter. It's simply my observation and frustration at the moment, expressed to you openly and honestly. I have been so unbelievably blessed with financial, emotional and spiritual support from church, family and friends. You all are making this year possible for me and I am grateful to each of you every day. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do to support me and through me the people on the Gulf Coast.
On a high note- in the hour it has taken me to draft this blog (due to the shaking of my fingers in this cold, cold tent....no, really because I've been trying to get some work done too) the Dems seem to be taking over the House and they have definitely won back control of Maryland. Hurray for faith and hope. We'll see how the rest of it shakes out in the morning.
Good night and God bless.
All my love,
Erin
The political excitement is only enhanced by the presence and enthusiasm of my mom. Mom is here visiting, on a work trip with Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church (www.gpchurch.org - check their blog online!). I can't put into words how good it feels to have my mom in town. After all of the transition, work, and drama of the past few weeks, it is so comforting to have someone here who really understands me, no questions asked. And, of course, it's been refreshing to get out of Handsboro each evening for dinner. Especially since we have lost Internet access at the church and are struggling to get back online.
Fortunately, there is plenty of work to be done. I've been out on the road this week, visiting house after broken house. It is difficult to explain how many people there are here still in need. And the piece that no one wants to hear is that it really is just a money issue at this point. We have the labor. We have volunteers coming out of our ears. We don't have the money to buy the materials we need to supply the volunteers with singles, sheetrock, insulation, cabinets, toilets, etc to put the homes and lives back together again. And it is the same story with every agency working on the coast- lots of volunteers, not enough supplies. My bosses have taken off out of the office this week to find some peace in order to complete reports and grant proposals to secure more funding. And really, the long-term answers are still such a mystery. But as I am reminded each and every day on the coast, if we lift these mysteries to God, He will find a way. It isn't for me to plan, but for Him to provide.
Just another test of faith....because I haven't enjoyed enough of those yet....
And please, please don't read this as a fundraising letter. It's simply my observation and frustration at the moment, expressed to you openly and honestly. I have been so unbelievably blessed with financial, emotional and spiritual support from church, family and friends. You all are making this year possible for me and I am grateful to each of you every day. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do to support me and through me the people on the Gulf Coast.
On a high note- in the hour it has taken me to draft this blog (due to the shaking of my fingers in this cold, cold tent....no, really because I've been trying to get some work done too) the Dems seem to be taking over the House and they have definitely won back control of Maryland. Hurray for faith and hope. We'll see how the rest of it shakes out in the morning.
Good night and God bless.
All my love,
Erin
Sunday, November 05, 2006
By the numbers (11/5/06)
Another busy week....another fun weekend!
The quick highlights, by the numbers:
2- hours of artsy-fun spent wandering through the Peter Anderson Festival in Ocean Springs, MS. (Yes this is my third festival in two months. We love festivals- they're free!)
372- mosquito bites acquired during ONE 10 minute walk along the Pearl river.
372- also the number of mosquito bits I gladly took on during that walk in order to spend time with my great friends/co-workers. (Thanks for playing host, Becca!)
44- times I was thankful that I don't live in a trailer, while spending quality time with the GCM crew in Becca's Pearling trailer this weekend.
2- tanks of gas purchased for my car this week that I can't really afford.
5- gas requests I received from strangers this week who can't afford anything.
172- thoughts of guilt over stressing about the gas situation, when really, I don't have anything to stress about compared with most of the people I meet down here every day.
97- mini-peanut-butter cups eaten, provided by 1 fabulous work team from Westchester, PA.
100- cookies that my dad sent this week (yum, yum!).
9- number of cookies already in tummy.
2- new, young and fun friends who expressed interest in joining Handsboro Presbyterian Church today!
1- shot of Jesus consumed in the form of blue gatorade since the volunteers drank all of the grape juice the church had intended to use for communion this morning.
3- hours spent ignoring the Redskins game since they loose every game I actually watch.
100,000,000+ thoughts and prayers for all of you! I love you and miss you all the time!
Final Note:
My mom arrives today with a work team from her church- Gaithersburg Presbyterian. Please pray that they all arrive today safely. I'll be spending the week living with them at the Orange Grove PDA camp, right down the road. I am so excited for mom to be here! I am sure we'll take lots of photos and update with lots of stories in the days to come.
Until then, peace and joy,
Erin
The quick highlights, by the numbers:
2- hours of artsy-fun spent wandering through the Peter Anderson Festival in Ocean Springs, MS. (Yes this is my third festival in two months. We love festivals- they're free!)
372- mosquito bites acquired during ONE 10 minute walk along the Pearl river.
372- also the number of mosquito bits I gladly took on during that walk in order to spend time with my great friends/co-workers. (Thanks for playing host, Becca!)
44- times I was thankful that I don't live in a trailer, while spending quality time with the GCM crew in Becca's Pearling trailer this weekend.
2- tanks of gas purchased for my car this week that I can't really afford.
5- gas requests I received from strangers this week who can't afford anything.
172- thoughts of guilt over stressing about the gas situation, when really, I don't have anything to stress about compared with most of the people I meet down here every day.
97- mini-peanut-butter cups eaten, provided by 1 fabulous work team from Westchester, PA.
100- cookies that my dad sent this week (yum, yum!).
9- number of cookies already in tummy.
2- new, young and fun friends who expressed interest in joining Handsboro Presbyterian Church today!
1- shot of Jesus consumed in the form of blue gatorade since the volunteers drank all of the grape juice the church had intended to use for communion this morning.
3- hours spent ignoring the Redskins game since they loose every game I actually watch.
100,000,000+ thoughts and prayers for all of you! I love you and miss you all the time!
Final Note:
My mom arrives today with a work team from her church- Gaithersburg Presbyterian. Please pray that they all arrive today safely. I'll be spending the week living with them at the Orange Grove PDA camp, right down the road. I am so excited for mom to be here! I am sure we'll take lots of photos and update with lots of stories in the days to come.
Until then, peace and joy,
Erin
Friday, November 03, 2006
New Photos
Hey- this week has been busy. I don't have the Halloween photos up yet, but I did just post a fun, random collection to my shutterfly page: http://eringulfcoast.shutterfly.com
Enjoy!
Love and peace,
Erin
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Halloween Report (11/1/06)
Happy Halloween!
The Gulf Coast Mission crew- all 15 of us together, if only for an hour and a half, but together, for the first time since orientation- met in New Orleans yesterday for a little business and a whole lot of fun. My 5 housemates and myself arrived dressed as six of the other volunteers (photos to come) and if I do say so myself, the joke went over quite well. We had a brief meeting and then toured around the French Market for the afternoon. It was a beautiful, sunny, not-very-fall-at-all day, but I still loved it.
We came back to Gulfport to meet up with friends and do a bit of trick or treating adult style- we hit one bar and one casino in costume (again, photos to come). Brenna was dressed as a lobster, Linda was an angel, and I was a ghost. I mean a real ghost. White sheet with eye and mouth holes. I thought it was classic! I mean, who dresses as a ghost anymore? Well, apparently not anyone in Mississippi, because when we were out at the casino a man asked if I was dressed as the Klan for Halloween. That was the end of my costume, and my ignorance. I am learning things about the south, slowly but surely.
All the same, it was a great relief to get out of the church, see some friends and enjoy a few laughs yesterday. It's been a stressful couple of weeks for me down here. I have been so fortunate to be so wonderfully supported by church, friends and family through phone calls, emails and care packages. And I really feel that I've bonded with housmates through this experience. But the work is hard. The relationships are hard. The communication and organization is hard to work with at this point. We've had meeting after meeting to try and address some issues. The simple fact is that this still is a disaster zone. There may not be bodies lying in the street anymore, but people here are still living in crisis all the time; working in crisis all the time. I get frustrated that things aren't more organized or structured, but then I remember that no one has had time to structure the structure, because they are still working on feeding and housing their neighbors. I really hope that my housemates and I can provide some relief by way of hard work and help, but I also think it is arrogant to expect that I can just jump in and create change and provide help. It's a daily battle for me to find a way to help without getting in the way.
But I believe God has called me, and so many others, here to serve. He didn't give us directions or assembly instructions. He gave us hands and minds and hearts to use in His service. The rest of the details are just that, details that we've got to figure out. I have faith that as a community of His servants, we'll "make it work" (Is it okay to borrow a catch phrase from my Project Runway friend Tim Gunn while attempting to make a serious point? Apparently, yes.).
Today my friend Linda and I attended a service of healing and prayer with our Episcopal friends here at Handsboro. Sensing our emotions and stress levels, Sarah, the priest, asked us how far we are into our mission year. She guessed we were 8 weeks in. We told her that she was about right. She told us that when she started seminary, they told her upon arrival that pretty much all seminarians experience a meltdown around 8 weeks in. I guess it is just the natural time to question every expectation you had, relationship you've developed, hope you've believed, assumption you've made and bit work you've done. So, if you have been reading these blogs you know I have been struggling with some things lately, but know that those struggles are normal. It's time to question everything. The priest said so. And so does my heart. And I know that these questions and emotions will only bring me closer to God, to the work He has called me to do and the people He has called me to serve.
And it's not like I'm not having any fun......
The Gulf Coast Mission crew- all 15 of us together, if only for an hour and a half, but together, for the first time since orientation- met in New Orleans yesterday for a little business and a whole lot of fun. My 5 housemates and myself arrived dressed as six of the other volunteers (photos to come) and if I do say so myself, the joke went over quite well. We had a brief meeting and then toured around the French Market for the afternoon. It was a beautiful, sunny, not-very-fall-at-all day, but I still loved it.
We came back to Gulfport to meet up with friends and do a bit of trick or treating adult style- we hit one bar and one casino in costume (again, photos to come). Brenna was dressed as a lobster, Linda was an angel, and I was a ghost. I mean a real ghost. White sheet with eye and mouth holes. I thought it was classic! I mean, who dresses as a ghost anymore? Well, apparently not anyone in Mississippi, because when we were out at the casino a man asked if I was dressed as the Klan for Halloween. That was the end of my costume, and my ignorance. I am learning things about the south, slowly but surely.
All the same, it was a great relief to get out of the church, see some friends and enjoy a few laughs yesterday. It's been a stressful couple of weeks for me down here. I have been so fortunate to be so wonderfully supported by church, friends and family through phone calls, emails and care packages. And I really feel that I've bonded with housmates through this experience. But the work is hard. The relationships are hard. The communication and organization is hard to work with at this point. We've had meeting after meeting to try and address some issues. The simple fact is that this still is a disaster zone. There may not be bodies lying in the street anymore, but people here are still living in crisis all the time; working in crisis all the time. I get frustrated that things aren't more organized or structured, but then I remember that no one has had time to structure the structure, because they are still working on feeding and housing their neighbors. I really hope that my housemates and I can provide some relief by way of hard work and help, but I also think it is arrogant to expect that I can just jump in and create change and provide help. It's a daily battle for me to find a way to help without getting in the way.
But I believe God has called me, and so many others, here to serve. He didn't give us directions or assembly instructions. He gave us hands and minds and hearts to use in His service. The rest of the details are just that, details that we've got to figure out. I have faith that as a community of His servants, we'll "make it work" (Is it okay to borrow a catch phrase from my Project Runway friend Tim Gunn while attempting to make a serious point? Apparently, yes.).
Today my friend Linda and I attended a service of healing and prayer with our Episcopal friends here at Handsboro. Sensing our emotions and stress levels, Sarah, the priest, asked us how far we are into our mission year. She guessed we were 8 weeks in. We told her that she was about right. She told us that when she started seminary, they told her upon arrival that pretty much all seminarians experience a meltdown around 8 weeks in. I guess it is just the natural time to question every expectation you had, relationship you've developed, hope you've believed, assumption you've made and bit work you've done. So, if you have been reading these blogs you know I have been struggling with some things lately, but know that those struggles are normal. It's time to question everything. The priest said so. And so does my heart. And I know that these questions and emotions will only bring me closer to God, to the work He has called me to do and the people He has called me to serve.
And it's not like I'm not having any fun......
Monday, October 30, 2006
Church Pumpkin Carving Photos (10/29/06)
Yesterday the church had a punkin carving get-together. I thought you all would like to see some of the photos!
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Candy, Casseroles and Corn Maze, Oh My! (10/28/06)
So do you remember when they told me that flexibility was the most important quality in a disaster worker? Apparently God wants to test me on that one. All year. This week especially. It's been a roller coaster of Erin emotions.
I had the ups- receiving a warm, fuzzy care package full of my favorite things (magazines, popcorn and love) from my home church, getting the software installed that I need to run the casework program, making new contacts at the housing summit, spending quality time with my housemates, etc....
But I also had some downs- rain, rain and more rain, the frustrating housing conference with no answers, a three hour long meeting with our program leadership to discuss house concerns, losing my work cell phone in a hayfield, etc....
Patience. I am working on patience. I have a housemate who keeps reminding me that it is more important to be faithful than to be successful. That seems to be the motto of our year, maybe of all work on the Gulf Coast right now. Success is difficult to measure down here. A mentor once told me that there are some days when success is simply not making things worse than when you arrived. I am not sure where I fall in all of that, but I do think that there is a certain amount of success just in being present. Just showing up says a lot. I am here. I will try to do what I can. But I will also just try to listen and be present. And I will eat candy. Lots and lots of candy.
Thanks to the fantastic family I have back in Dickeyville (DMPC), my housemates and I are stocked in magazines, candy, popcorn and Halloween fun (see photo above). Thank you, thank you, thank you! You all are so wonderful for thinking of me. And really, every day recently, I have been getting cards in the mail from DMPC folks, which truly brighten each and every day.
Except for casserole day! I don't have the photos yet, but yesterday we received a shipment of more than 100 casseroles from the ladies in Meridian, MS. It is so sweet of these women to bake food for the volunteers down here- but just wait until I show you what hundreds of casseroles look like in your freezer- not to mention in your jeans.
To work some of the casserole off, we had an active adventure today. I am posting a few of our corn maze photos. Who knew they grew corn in Mississippi? But if there is a corn maze to be found- I will find it! And it was fun.
The lesson is, whenever you get frustrated, grab some candy, some casserole, or some corn maze and restore your faith in friends, family, and community.
Love you all,
E
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Oh Casserole, My Casserole (10/26/06)
This week's casserole count is at .5. I thought we were at zero, which would be a momentous occasion and the reason why I started this post, but I was wrong.
We had "spaghetti pie" for dinner with the Episcopal church last night. I'm not sure why it was called a pie- I suppose the pie dish in which it was served provided the name- because it looked like a casserole. I mean, eating in layers, is eating in layers. So I am counting the spaghetti pie as half a casserole, since there was no mention of casserole in the name.
Also, in an effort to curb the effect the casseroles are having on my rear, I started the 2006-2007-move-that-thang-workout-plan today. Morning in Mississippi was welcomed with a bit of sweat. Let notice be served- the casseroles will not win!
Bring it!
We had "spaghetti pie" for dinner with the Episcopal church last night. I'm not sure why it was called a pie- I suppose the pie dish in which it was served provided the name- because it looked like a casserole. I mean, eating in layers, is eating in layers. So I am counting the spaghetti pie as half a casserole, since there was no mention of casserole in the name.
Also, in an effort to curb the effect the casseroles are having on my rear, I started the 2006-2007-move-that-thang-workout-plan today. Morning in Mississippi was welcomed with a bit of sweat. Let notice be served- the casseroles will not win!
Bring it!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
"I don't have any answers, but I can tell you what WE are doing...."(10/24/06)
That's all I have heard the past two days as I have struggled through the Harrison County Affordable Housing Summit. About 75 professionals from the public, private and non-profit worlds gathered at the most extravagant casino on the Gulf Coast to talk about how no one has any real solutions to the housing problems facing this community in the rebuilding process. You see, the politicians and newspapers like to talk about how the coastal communities are well on their way through the rebuilding process- with big developers and stable businesses moving back in. There is a work boom going on! Hurray Gulf Coast! Everything is great! Nevermind that all the folks who have come back to work can't afford to live here and that there is no public transportation to speak of, so if they live outside the cities, they can't get to work without a car, but they can't afford gas, and if by chance they actually owned a home in town prior to the storm and actually have the deed to said house, they can't afford their skyrocketing insurance rates any longer, if their insurance company still exists and is still writing policies, etc, etc, etc. No one is building affordable housing. No one is planning transportation. People are living in storage units. Really. And I am not just talking about these problems as if they only impact those at the bottom of the pay scale- I am talking about teachers and firefighters who can't afford to live in the communities in which they work but can't afford to commute either. The problem is growing. And the leadership doesn't have the answers.
Don't get me wrong, it was great to see so many concerned parties get together for a giant brainstorm session, but if you've ever met me, you know that I like to get things done. We didn't get anything done this week. I know that there are no easy solutions. I didn't expect to come out of there with a plan, but it is so frustrating to talk around all the problems and have no action items to take home at the end of two very long days. We did gather some useful information about government aid programs, pull in plenty of networking time and made a few good contacts with other agencies working in the Gulf. Ah, hope! Oh and we managed to find the back way into the casino's very posh pool, which I fully plan on taking advantage of when the heat returns in the spring.
Tomorrow, we're back to trying to save the world....or at least our little piece.
Love,
E
Don't get me wrong, it was great to see so many concerned parties get together for a giant brainstorm session, but if you've ever met me, you know that I like to get things done. We didn't get anything done this week. I know that there are no easy solutions. I didn't expect to come out of there with a plan, but it is so frustrating to talk around all the problems and have no action items to take home at the end of two very long days. We did gather some useful information about government aid programs, pull in plenty of networking time and made a few good contacts with other agencies working in the Gulf. Ah, hope! Oh and we managed to find the back way into the casino's very posh pool, which I fully plan on taking advantage of when the heat returns in the spring.
Tomorrow, we're back to trying to save the world....or at least our little piece.
Love,
E
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Why am I still awake? (10/22/06 at 1:30am- seriously!?)
It's late and I haven't slept much, but I also haven't updated the blog in a few days and wanted to drop a hello in here. First, my family freaking rocks. I was on the receiving end of so much love this week. I had several packages come in from sisters and mom- including one with Halloween candy and decorations. Thank you guys! I love you!
Speaking of Halloween- I need some costume ideas. I mean, how do you dress-up for the devil's day when you live in a church? Help me out here.
This weekend has been really fun. Many of the 15 GCM crew came into Handsboro to chill a bit. There were board games, football games, long talks, celebrity magazines, a bit of beach time, and 2/3 of my favorite 80s movie (Better Off Dead). I learned that while down here, you just can't beat some quality time with folks who really understand what you are doing and the point of this adventure. I love this team!
It's also a bit crazy since we have several volunteer teams coming in and one big team leaving for home tomorrow morning. The church is full of energy and spirit, and noise and smells. I'm so sad to see the SoCali team go home, but I know we have some great peeps coming in to help out this week.
It is raining again. Maybe it is time for me to turn in.
I love you guys!
Peace,
E
Speaking of Halloween- I need some costume ideas. I mean, how do you dress-up for the devil's day when you live in a church? Help me out here.
This weekend has been really fun. Many of the 15 GCM crew came into Handsboro to chill a bit. There were board games, football games, long talks, celebrity magazines, a bit of beach time, and 2/3 of my favorite 80s movie (Better Off Dead). I learned that while down here, you just can't beat some quality time with folks who really understand what you are doing and the point of this adventure. I love this team!
It's also a bit crazy since we have several volunteer teams coming in and one big team leaving for home tomorrow morning. The church is full of energy and spirit, and noise and smells. I'm so sad to see the SoCali team go home, but I know we have some great peeps coming in to help out this week.
It is raining again. Maybe it is time for me to turn in.
I love you guys!
Peace,
E
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Without the rain, the work wouldn't get done. (10/18/06)
Have I mentioned yet how the volunteer work teams make all the difference down here?
Here at Handsboro we make home for a constant cycle of volunteer work teams from all over the country. Some teams bring experienced construction workers and some crews come to do office or medical work. Some teams arrive with 40 members strong and some consist of just one or two dedicated people. They are from large California churches and small North Carolina congregations. They come in all ages, shapes, sizes, and attitudes. And each one of them brings a needed shot of faith, hope and love to this community- including myself.
We're currently hosting a team of 30 from Newport Beach Presbyterian Church in Orange County, CA. It's a huge, wealthy church full of folks who are ready to fix things and do good all over the globe. They've been a bit frustrated this week because we've been slow to get the work done. You see, we've been thrown a kink in our work plans by mother nature. It's been raining! Since Sunday we've had nothing but rain, rain, rain. I haven't seen rain since I arrived on the Gulf Coast- I wasn't even sure it rained here at all. This week, I learned. It rains. It's been dumping. And that rain really slows our roofing, painting and building plans. Sometimes I think it might be funny to put a bunch Californians up on wet roofs and watch what happens, but down here they won't let me do it. I suppose that's Southern Hospitality for you. So, we had to scramble to find inside jobs for the Cali crew. We searched and searched our files, and finally found a great inside job just under our noses- the church sanctuary. Being over 100 years old the church has seen some shifting and her walls were covered in cracks and tears (you folks at DMPC haven't heard of anything like that, have you? He, he). They spent the day filling the cracks and preparing for new paint.
This morning, when I joined them for their daily devotional mini-worship, one of their team members read Philippians 2: 3-7 and spoke about being a missionary as being a servant. He spoke about doing the work that needs to be done, regardless of your own agenda. He had been one of the team members who wanted to get out into the town and build roofs and houses and meet people and change lives and who had been frustrated by how the weather had changed his mission trip plans. But this morning he looked around the patched together sanctuary and noticed that, " if not for the rain, this work wouldn't have been done".
That struck me. He was talking about this week's rain spurring all of the work on the church building, but I heard him preaching about the Katrina rains and how the work in this community wouldn't have been done with out them. All of the families, churches and schools that are rebuilding down here were hurting before the storm. The hope and joy coming out of this rebuilding effort is lifting this community higher than it stood before.
I also heard him talking about me. If not for the rain of tears that followed my sister's death, and my move back to Maryland, I may not have found my way down to Mississippi to join in the rebuilding effort to get my work done. I don' know that I would have had the emotional, physical, spiritual and financial resources to take on this challenge if not for the year and a half through with I struggled, explored and learned. And as much work as I do in this community, there is just as much work going on in my head, and my heart. That work would not have been done, if not for the rains.
I know the teams come down here to serve and touch the lives of the Gulf Coast community- I just never expected to be included as a recipient of those gifts, to be included in that community so soon.
Here at Handsboro we make home for a constant cycle of volunteer work teams from all over the country. Some teams bring experienced construction workers and some crews come to do office or medical work. Some teams arrive with 40 members strong and some consist of just one or two dedicated people. They are from large California churches and small North Carolina congregations. They come in all ages, shapes, sizes, and attitudes. And each one of them brings a needed shot of faith, hope and love to this community- including myself.
We're currently hosting a team of 30 from Newport Beach Presbyterian Church in Orange County, CA. It's a huge, wealthy church full of folks who are ready to fix things and do good all over the globe. They've been a bit frustrated this week because we've been slow to get the work done. You see, we've been thrown a kink in our work plans by mother nature. It's been raining! Since Sunday we've had nothing but rain, rain, rain. I haven't seen rain since I arrived on the Gulf Coast- I wasn't even sure it rained here at all. This week, I learned. It rains. It's been dumping. And that rain really slows our roofing, painting and building plans. Sometimes I think it might be funny to put a bunch Californians up on wet roofs and watch what happens, but down here they won't let me do it. I suppose that's Southern Hospitality for you. So, we had to scramble to find inside jobs for the Cali crew. We searched and searched our files, and finally found a great inside job just under our noses- the church sanctuary. Being over 100 years old the church has seen some shifting and her walls were covered in cracks and tears (you folks at DMPC haven't heard of anything like that, have you? He, he). They spent the day filling the cracks and preparing for new paint.
This morning, when I joined them for their daily devotional mini-worship, one of their team members read Philippians 2: 3-7 and spoke about being a missionary as being a servant. He spoke about doing the work that needs to be done, regardless of your own agenda. He had been one of the team members who wanted to get out into the town and build roofs and houses and meet people and change lives and who had been frustrated by how the weather had changed his mission trip plans. But this morning he looked around the patched together sanctuary and noticed that, " if not for the rain, this work wouldn't have been done".
That struck me. He was talking about this week's rain spurring all of the work on the church building, but I heard him preaching about the Katrina rains and how the work in this community wouldn't have been done with out them. All of the families, churches and schools that are rebuilding down here were hurting before the storm. The hope and joy coming out of this rebuilding effort is lifting this community higher than it stood before.
I also heard him talking about me. If not for the rain of tears that followed my sister's death, and my move back to Maryland, I may not have found my way down to Mississippi to join in the rebuilding effort to get my work done. I don' know that I would have had the emotional, physical, spiritual and financial resources to take on this challenge if not for the year and a half through with I struggled, explored and learned. And as much work as I do in this community, there is just as much work going on in my head, and my heart. That work would not have been done, if not for the rains.
I know the teams come down here to serve and touch the lives of the Gulf Coast community- I just never expected to be included as a recipient of those gifts, to be included in that community so soon.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Driving around with a car full of Erins (10/16/06)
This afternoon I toured some of our worksites with a volunteer named Erin who was taking video footage for her church in Newport Beach, CA. What is it about Californians that makes them all want to videotape everything? She was the second director I've worked with from CA in a week. Anyway, Erin is one of the coolest volunteers I've had the pleasure of working with down here....must be the name. We traveled around and spoke with homeowners and volunteers and just talked about all things disaster recovery. It made me wonder how it is possible that I've only been here for 41 days. (?!?!?!) I feel so connected to this community and the people with whom I am sharing this experience. I can't imagine what the next 10 months will bring....and I can't wait to find out either.......
Long, long week (10/16)
Things have been busy! I had a confusing week of trying to do casework with folks down here without knowing anything about the Presbytery's vision of casework- not knowing if there was money to spend, which types of assistance they want to provide, etc. Then I met with the leadership on Friday and learned that they don't really have a vision, so joy of joys, I will get to create the program from scratch! It is exciting and terrifying all at the same time and I am loving it. When I get nervous I just remember that God has a plan for me here and for this program to help this community. So I am back to resource and information gathering in an effort to learn about what is being done in the community and where we still have holes that maybe our new program can help fill in.
This weekend we held a fair to kick-off the after-school program that a few of my housemates are creating. We had a balloon pop, a cake walk, cotton candy, a pie toss contest, face-painting and the all-important bounce house fun! Some church folks and some neighborhood folks came by to play for a few hours and I ate a bunch of yummy fair food- all good stuff in my book. We also made time this weekend to stop by the Gautier Mullet Festival. Now, my roommates and I thought we were going to an 80s hair-style celebration, but quickly discovered that the mullet is a fish down here. It was a wild- fish throwing, music rocking good time. And yes, they did have a hair cut contest- because even fishin' folks recognize the hilarity of the mullet haircut. I still can't believe I forgot my camera!
This weekend we held a fair to kick-off the after-school program that a few of my housemates are creating. We had a balloon pop, a cake walk, cotton candy, a pie toss contest, face-painting and the all-important bounce house fun! Some church folks and some neighborhood folks came by to play for a few hours and I ate a bunch of yummy fair food- all good stuff in my book. We also made time this weekend to stop by the Gautier Mullet Festival. Now, my roommates and I thought we were going to an 80s hair-style celebration, but quickly discovered that the mullet is a fish down here. It was a wild- fish throwing, music rocking good time. And yes, they did have a hair cut contest- because even fishin' folks recognize the hilarity of the mullet haircut. I still can't believe I forgot my camera!
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
A day in the life.... (10/10/06)
Back at work. Today I was up at 5:00am to help my housemate Linda with her Hispanic Outreach efforts. We went to a local day labor pick up area with coffee and doughnuts. Her goal is to create relationships with the Hispanics in the Gulf community, assess needs and maybe, eventually work on building up a new worship community. Today was a great start! Then I went out to the Interfaith Warehouse- a fantastic place many local churches partner with to provide supplies and furnishings to families in the area. I got to see how the help is really delivered. Then I came back to the office and spent the day on the phone and in person working with families in need. I'm still working through our backlog of work requests, but I am developing hope that we'll get through some of them soon. With that in mind, I will be hitting the phones again tomorrow........
Love and peace,
E
Love and peace,
E
Monday, October 09, 2006
A great weekend of football, fun and fellowship. (10/8/06)
What a great weekend!
On Friday, my housemate Linda and I went to dinner in Biloxi and finally found where all the young people in the gulf live- in a gym at the Methodist Church! There were about sixty 20-somethings gathered for food and fun organized by Hands-On, a non-profit volunteer agency working in the Katrina rebuilding effort. But they live in a gym. A lot of them. With 3 showers for 60 people. The gym did not smell good. Not at all. I am glad that I don't live in the gym. There will be no complaints about my living situation, ever. I don't live in a sweaty gym- hooray! But it was fun to met other young folks working in the area, and I am sure we'll head back over to the sweaty gym again soon to make some friends.
After the sweaty dinner, Linda and I joined the rest of our roommates at the hottest, most happening place to be on Friday night in Gulfport: the high school football game! They do love their football here in the deep south. We arrived at half time and the score was 42-0. I spent the second half watching the cheerleaders and band members avoiding each other and remembering how painful high school really was for most people. Then some snotty high school girl ma'amed me in front of all my friends and that stopped me from feeling bad for her any more. I mean, I know I live in the south and so kids at church and tellers at the grocery store are going to call me ma'am, but I just can't take with when the cheer captain does it when I am giving her my coolest schpeel. Whatever. I am old. Maybe it is time to accept it. Humpf. We finished the evening enjoying the surprisingly cool weather out at the beach. A beer by the water is always a good way to end the night!
On Saturday, some of our PDA friends came over for the Texas/OU football game. I also snuck out for a quick hike in the nearby National Forrest. The trails were so damaged by the storm that many paths are now impassable- but that just serves to get me into the scrambling mood and attack those trees. The spiders slow me down, though. Big spiders with really big webs.
Sunday brought the double dose of church I've come to love- 9am service with the Episcopals and 11am Presbyterian Extravaganza. It's a fun combo and the commute is right (they both worship where I live). We bombed out of the service to make it to a sports bar in time to catch the horrible Redskins game. I've noticed a pattern this year- when I watch the games, the Skins lose. Maybe next week I won't watch and they'll be great again! Then we came home and I attended the Blessing of the Animals, hosted by my Episcopal friends. It was too cute. Everyone was told to bring any animal that would fit in their car to be blessed by the priests. The dog and cat owners were cute, but the kid with the fish just cracked me up! Then I went to the beach for a bit to clear my head before our evening- planned to include family dinner, spiritual gumbo and some board game fun! I met a few random strangers on the beach, watched a beautiful sunset and took off for home. We had a great team dinner and then dove into the bible study/discussion on faith that I have come to call spiritual gumbo- because you never know what will come out of that pot! We each take a turn hosting the evening, so it stays fresh. Tonight I hosted and we had a lively discussion about faithfulness. I can't begin to tell you all how brilliant, talented and funny the team is and how glad I am to have them in this adventure. We closed with a pathetic game of Trivial Pursuit- which may never be played in this house again. Unless we can get those blessed animals in on the game. They may actually be able to answer some of the questions. Wait, I thought I said my teammates were brilliant?
Oh well. It's late. I'm beat. Too much football. I love football. But maybe not every day. I love my housemates. I love the animals. I love all of you. And I miss you. Miss you like mad. But I am doing well, feeling strong and ready to work. This is going to be a good week.
All my love,
E
PS- I ate zero casseroles this weekend. No, wait. I heated up casserole left-overs for lunch on Saturday. Gotta love those Presbyterian women and all of their casseroles!
On Friday, my housemate Linda and I went to dinner in Biloxi and finally found where all the young people in the gulf live- in a gym at the Methodist Church! There were about sixty 20-somethings gathered for food and fun organized by Hands-On, a non-profit volunteer agency working in the Katrina rebuilding effort. But they live in a gym. A lot of them. With 3 showers for 60 people. The gym did not smell good. Not at all. I am glad that I don't live in the gym. There will be no complaints about my living situation, ever. I don't live in a sweaty gym- hooray! But it was fun to met other young folks working in the area, and I am sure we'll head back over to the sweaty gym again soon to make some friends.
After the sweaty dinner, Linda and I joined the rest of our roommates at the hottest, most happening place to be on Friday night in Gulfport: the high school football game! They do love their football here in the deep south. We arrived at half time and the score was 42-0. I spent the second half watching the cheerleaders and band members avoiding each other and remembering how painful high school really was for most people. Then some snotty high school girl ma'amed me in front of all my friends and that stopped me from feeling bad for her any more. I mean, I know I live in the south and so kids at church and tellers at the grocery store are going to call me ma'am, but I just can't take with when the cheer captain does it when I am giving her my coolest schpeel. Whatever. I am old. Maybe it is time to accept it. Humpf. We finished the evening enjoying the surprisingly cool weather out at the beach. A beer by the water is always a good way to end the night!
On Saturday, some of our PDA friends came over for the Texas/OU football game. I also snuck out for a quick hike in the nearby National Forrest. The trails were so damaged by the storm that many paths are now impassable- but that just serves to get me into the scrambling mood and attack those trees. The spiders slow me down, though. Big spiders with really big webs.
Sunday brought the double dose of church I've come to love- 9am service with the Episcopals and 11am Presbyterian Extravaganza. It's a fun combo and the commute is right (they both worship where I live). We bombed out of the service to make it to a sports bar in time to catch the horrible Redskins game. I've noticed a pattern this year- when I watch the games, the Skins lose. Maybe next week I won't watch and they'll be great again! Then we came home and I attended the Blessing of the Animals, hosted by my Episcopal friends. It was too cute. Everyone was told to bring any animal that would fit in their car to be blessed by the priests. The dog and cat owners were cute, but the kid with the fish just cracked me up! Then I went to the beach for a bit to clear my head before our evening- planned to include family dinner, spiritual gumbo and some board game fun! I met a few random strangers on the beach, watched a beautiful sunset and took off for home. We had a great team dinner and then dove into the bible study/discussion on faith that I have come to call spiritual gumbo- because you never know what will come out of that pot! We each take a turn hosting the evening, so it stays fresh. Tonight I hosted and we had a lively discussion about faithfulness. I can't begin to tell you all how brilliant, talented and funny the team is and how glad I am to have them in this adventure. We closed with a pathetic game of Trivial Pursuit- which may never be played in this house again. Unless we can get those blessed animals in on the game. They may actually be able to answer some of the questions. Wait, I thought I said my teammates were brilliant?
Oh well. It's late. I'm beat. Too much football. I love football. But maybe not every day. I love my housemates. I love the animals. I love all of you. And I miss you. Miss you like mad. But I am doing well, feeling strong and ready to work. This is going to be a good week.
All my love,
E
PS- I ate zero casseroles this weekend. No, wait. I heated up casserole left-overs for lunch on Saturday. Gotta love those Presbyterian women and all of their casseroles!
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