"Go and do likewise"

I had the most amazing week with the most amazing people. Words can't describe what it was like to camp in a church with a bunch of strangers who become friends with a common bond, and work in terrible conditions until you are filthy and aching. Words can't describe the feeling of joy at presenting a Bible to a home owner who is overwhelmed at the service that was just provided to them for free. Seeing God's people live out His word, extending grace to those who have done nothing to deserve it, giving selflessly, loving others...it is truly wonderful. I'm so blessed that I was a part of it! This experience will be with me the rest of my life.

Here are some pictures of my favorite people and memories.

Dave, Lloyd, me, Bill and Rick

One of the crews I worked with
My room for the week
Larissa
Howard
one of our dinners at a local church



circle-up for prayer

me and Pastor Karl
me and Andy

2 Corinthians 4:5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

288

Ok, I’ve calmed down now and life is peachy.

Had a great day of cleaning and cooking, laundry and grocery shopping, rebounding and pampering, and then a nice homemade dinner of soup and salad; all the joys of life. Afterwards Darryl and I went to see 288 in concert at Grace Church. It was a fun day and a nice night out. It was also fun to talk to some of the old crowd from my past.

Just to be on the safe side, I called my doctor today to make sure I had a tetanus shot recently, and all is well. I am covered. Now just waiting for the finger to heal.

FAIL

Yeah, that is what the devil would have me believe. I was buying it for a while, but no more. I’m not a failure. And if I rub people the wrong way just because I’m excited to serve God and by being a hard worker, I would have to question their motives for saying so. Seriously, this is nothing new for me. Back when I was working full time, I had people come up to me and tell me, “Don’t work so hard. Don’t work so fast. Don’t make us look bad.” I’ve had bosses who stopped giving me work to do because I did it better than they did, and they were worried about their positions. People hate me for doing my best because they rather sit there and read magazines or do their nails or talk on the phone. People want to get away with doing the minimum they have to do and then complain about it. Well, guess what. I’m sick of. I WAS excited to work hard, to work efficiently. If someone has a problem with that, then they can get off your own lazy rear ends and do it themselves. They are not going to steal my joy. They are not going to pull me down. They are not going to make me stop serving or stop working hard. If people choose to go behind my back and complain about my enthusiasm and energy, or if my work ethic offends them, tough! Monday I worked for Samaritan’s Purse. I loved the challenge of the difficult work and I wasn’t worried, nervous, or anxious about anything. Those who worked with me appreciated me. No one complained. I got nothing but compliments. My leaders loved me. Tuesday I cut my finger pretty bad when I had a crowbar/hammer accident. So I had to leave the job site. It really bummed me out. Later, my pastor took a bunch of us to some falls in the afternoon and that was pretty stinking cool. Wednesday I had ladies Bible class. Then I went out to lunch with my new friend, Peter. Later in the evening I had a very nice dinner at church. I finished the day babysitting for my little buddies, Isaac and Ben. I thoroughly enjoyed all the activity and running around being busy. I enjoyed living in Wayne! Here's the diner Peter and I went to.

This morning I came home. I was very sad that I had to leave and that I couldn’t finish out my week there. But it's ok. My life will go back to normal now.

If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:10

Lord, lead me. I am a willing vessel. Use me where You see fit.

flood's aftermath

This week has been crazy. I worked with Samaritan's Purse 4 days. It was a struggle to go back each day. I dreaded it on one hand, but found it rewarding on the other. The drive to Wayne each day really stressed me out. There is a lot of construction on 80 and the traffic is horrendous! Then when I get there I have mixed feelings about whether I should be there or not. It's like, yes I know I'm doing a good thing, but hey come on, I have a life and I need to get other things done. Like maybe stay home once in a while and get house work done, or just relax... But when I walk into a house that has been flooded I get flooded with emotions that I'm not used to feeling. It's so dreadful to see what these people are living with. Most of them are living in their homes while they are being gutted and rebuilt. They have so very little left. Their living conditions are incredibly horrible. The stench of mold and rotting insulation is enough to make me gag. It's such a heart breaking reality that people have to live that way right in our own church community. I am trying to help but it is overwhelming. I do as much as I can but never quite feel that it is enough.

In this picture is a dear man named Peter. He adores me! I think he has become my new grandfather. I took him a lunch today because I don't think he has been eating. I will keep in touch with him, and others I have met this week.

Next week I will be temporarily moving into the parsonage so I won't have to make the drive to Wayne in the early morning traffic. I really need to go help for the last week of work there. I am good at it and I think they like having me there.

God, give me strength!

Psalm 93:3
The floods have lifted up, O LORD,The floods have lifted up their voice; The floods lift up their waves.

Here's some of the gang who volunteer for Samaritan's Purse. Several of the people I worked with went home earlier today so I didn't get to see them. This is the bunch that came to church for supper tonight. In the top picture on the right is the boss lady I worked for (Cathy). The lady on the left is the one who gave me my hat (Joyce).

It looks like I'll be going back again! They want me to move in and spend the week there...yikes. Guess I better do some laundry and pack my bags again.
Don't worry, Darryl, the house WILL get clean eventually!

the good samaritan

My new shirt and hat. When the lady gave me the hat (on the second day), she said to me, "You can't buy this hat. No amount of money will pay for it. You have to earn it. And you already did."

hehe... I really liked that. I wore that hat and shirt proudly.

My second day working for Samaritan's Purse was just as exhausting as the first, but I sure slept well! On the first day I did a little first aid on a guy named Jack. He handed me his knife and had me cut a nice splinter out of his hand. yeeeesh! Yesterday he told me it was doing just fine! I was a bit sad that I wasn't there at the end of the day yesterday when the Bible was presented to the home owner (at least I think it was), but I did get to sign it and give her a big hug! Tonight at church we are serving dinner to all the volunteers who are in Wayne. It should be really fun!

“Go and do likewise.”

helping Samaritan's Purse

Today was quite a different kind of day. I decided to go help Samaritan's Purse with the gutting of homes in Wayne and the surrounding area that were affected by floods. I left my house at 6:45 am, got home at 3:30 pm. I could have stayed longer but I didn't want to spend another hour and 20 minutes in traffic, so I left early. I was beat!! (Still recuping from cruise). This first picture is showing where I parked my car, there is a fence there that was covered with flood debris that washed up. You can also see piles of discarded household items in the yard.This is the kitchen after it was gutted completely. I felt so sorry for the home-owner because she is still living in the house. She had no door on her bathroom, so I rigged up a curtain for her. This home was built as a summer home and when we tore the walls out we found that there was no insulation at all. So, when it is rebuilt is will be nicer! I talked to her about my experience when my home had to be gutted and rebuilt after our fire. Wanted to let her know I kinda understand what she is going through.
This is the river right out her back porch.Another room we gutted with a couple of the ladies I worked with.It was quite an experience to go and help today. Even though I was dead tired, I'm glad I got myself out of bed to help. I looked at that woman and her home and I thought, "That could be me." I have been in similar situations where no one has helped me and I was glad that I had been through it. Thankful for the experience. Like the Bible says, in 2nd Corinthians 3:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

I got tired, sore, dirty, and sweaty, but it was all worth it. I am going back tomorrow.

1 John 3:17
But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

Oh yeah...edited to say: The boys are doing great. Talked to them on the phone today. It seems they gave a homeless man a good sum of money to get him started off. They used it as an object lesson on God's grace. The amount of money he needed was something he couldn't pay, just like we can't pay for salvation. It's a free gift given by grace alone. This man couldn't pay it so my boys did. They preached the gospel to him, took him shopping, and gave him the money he needed, all to show God's love. They are amazing.

Carnival Dream Cruise is over

Our Carnival Dream Cruise...yep, we did it. 7 days out in the ocean, stopping at different ports along the way. It was frustrating for me not to be able to contact my boys, so we did break down and buy a little bit of internet. So that made me feel better, just to be able to write them and see how they are doing at college. It also frustrated me that it was so crowded everywhere you go. It was challenging to find a quiet place to go. Glad we had a balcony.

So, here are some of our pictures. I didn't post them all because it takes so stinking long to put them on blogger. Let's see, we went to Belize, Cozumel, Roatan (Honduras) and Costa Maya. It was nice, I guess. But when you stop and get off the ship, you either have to pay a LOT to do something fun, or you go shopping. Those are your choices. We did do one trip of snorkeling, and went to a beach a little bit, but mostly we shopped, which isn't one of my favorite things to do. I did get a nice necklace and a pair of earings from Red Coral and silver. So, that was my one big purchase. I also got some real vanilla.

Here's our first day as soon as we got on the ship.

One of the formal nights.




Our nice big suite with a balcony.
This is the beach where we went snorkeling in Honduras. We took a ski lift to get there.Here's Eric, a guy who ran the tender boats from ship to shore. He talked to me the whole time we were on the boat.A big chair

Mayan PyramidSome little shops
Some people swam with dolphins (not me, it was too expensive)
Our 2nd formal night. Showing off my new jewelryThis is Aleksander (videos coming soon)Big screen!!! On top of the ship watching the Packer game until it started pouring.Big slides we went downBack of the shipMy last dessertPiano barelevatorsWe got back to Orlando in time to see the rocket launch...well part of it. We were looking in the wrong direction, so only got a few lousy shots.PS: I only gained 3 lbs.