Holla, Holla, Holla!!! I just wanted to give a quick update on our trip to New Orleans. There really are no words that can describe the thiings that I saw, the people that I met, and the stories that I heard. The footge that is shown in the news, and even the pictures and vidoes that I took truly, to not do justice to the extent of destruction that has hit, not just New Orleans, but the entire region. i did not realize how wide spread the damge is, It is truly unreal. I felt like I was on the set off some horror movie!

We left on Thursday the 15th of September. There were 24 of us, 2 RV's, and 5 other vehicles (which were wither pulling flat beds w/supplies, or trailers). I really did not know that many people that went on the trip, and when we were assigned to vehicles I was placd in a vehicle w/absolutley no one that I knew!!! I was excited about that, since I like to meet new people, this was definitley the perfect oppurtunity. I woudl spend the next 27 hours in an RV w/my 4 team members, who I now call friends

The ride down was crazy between the time change, driving all night, and just being trapped in an RV w/complete strangers. I kinda felt like I was on Road Rules The days definitley ran together!!! We spent Thursday night driving. Friday night we spent in a parking lot in Baton Rouge. I think we were at a school, but I am not real sure. We were all a bit delirous by this point in time! Somewhere along the line (I can't remember if it was before our Baton Rouge stop, or when we were closer to New Orleans), we stopped at a gas station to fill up. ONe of the RV's took diesel, the other regular. It seemed like most gas station only had one or the other. So we are at this gas sation and we find out that the limit is $30. It takes literally several hundred dollars to fil the tanks, so obviously $30 isn't going to do us alot of good. The actually atarted to turn the lights off at the gas station, and people everywhere were totally de-railing. There were people at the gas station who were leaving teh New Orleans area and were saying that down the highway (in the direction that we were headed) there were fires breaking out, and random gun shots There was this little old couple (90 some years old) who kept asking people for help b/c they were trying to get out of the city. They said they took a few of their belongings and left their nursing home, to try to get to safety. It was so sad

When we finally got to our first base (PRC COMPASSION) in Baton Rouge, we were briefed on what woudl be doing throughout the rest of our trip. We were informed that some of the residents would be returning to their homes while we were there, and that we would be passing out food, water, toiletries, and clothes. More importnatly we woudl be there to listen to anyone who needed to talk, as this woudl be the first time they woudl be seeing what was leftof their lives. On the way down I went over some information with the rest of our team that would give eveyone some ideas and tips for wokring with children who are dealing with grief. It is amazing the time of eveyrthign that took place on our trip. It was planned SOOOO last minute. I signed up to go on Sunday and filled out my application. I found out Monday night that I was chosen to go, and we left on Thursday, Yet, God worked it out that we coudl be there to talk and pray with the surviviors who were able to come back in to their parish!!!

I have alot more to tell... and hopefully I will have pictures and vidoes online soon, but for now I need to go check on the baby!!!

Once again, i have been neglecting xanga. Things in MD are lovely!!! I am just getting over an illness. I really don't know what I had, but I ahve been sick for several days, and missed alot of work, which is really not cool.

Last week I was in the OBX. It was great fun  Mom, dad, Jake, Liz, Jared, Amie Joel, my favoritest buddy Frank, and my self all rented a lovely house and kicked it there for a week. Frank and I then spent a few days in VA Beach. It was so nice to be away from the office and all the crazies for a few days!!! 

Well, I am really tired, and still somewhat ill, so I guess I should get some more sleep...

Much Love...