Lagniappe Interns

the hero of our story

2007-04-07T19:35:00.000-07:00

"We long to be the hero of our own stories."

So said my RUF campus minister, Brandon Barrett, of Judges 7:1-8:3, spring break 2006, all of us sitting on the floor in a mosquito-filled bunkhouse back in the trees behind the Morrell tent in Waveland. In these verses, Gideon is about to fight the Midianites. And then "the Lord said to Gideon, 'The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.''" (7:2) God proceeds to reduce Gideon's army from 32,000 to just 300--just 300 men to fight an army "like locusts in abundance, whose camels were without number, as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance" (7:12). Like Brandon said--Israel can't be the hero of its own story now. Any victory can only be attributed to God.

These last few weeks, I've been jumping through hoops to bump my graduation up to this December, so I can move down to the bay a little bit sooner. Of course, everyone asks, "Why?" And there's two reasons, I guess.

The first is a quote by Louis L'Amour (yes, the Western writer...)--
“To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain.”

How is this relevant? Well, something I've given a lot of thought to, is, I'm far from the most qualified person to be going to the bay. They need contractors, electricians, plumbers (seriously, if this is what you do... go). I do none of these things. The fact that just now, sixth months later, my broken thumbnail from where I whaled on it last October is finally growing out proves that I'm really not even much good with basic construction skills. But I don't think that gives me a "get out of jail free" pass. Knowing what I know, seeing what I've seen, I've become convinced I have a moral responsibility to go down to do whatever it is that I can do, especially because I don't have anywhere else I've committed to be.

Two weeks ago, I spoke at RUF about Lagniappe's summer internship program. I quoted something Jean says in the Lagniappe video--"We need people to come. We need people to come cry with people, we need people to come drive nails into sheds, and put on sheetrock, and put roofs on. Some people can go, but other people have to send. And so there is a need for people to give. For people to send their sons and daughters, to send prayers, to send money, to help raise the support so this can be here." Speaking to everyone, I said that we--the people in and just out of college--are the people who can go. And so I think we should. Should everyone? No, of course not. But I think that, for some people, it is the right thing to do.

The second reason is this, Galatians 5:13--

"Serve one another in love." Enough said.

And now, I'm leaving this blog to make way for the new 'terns. I've met a bunch of them, & they seem amazing. I'll get to meet the rest of them in July & August, when I'm in the bay after getting back from Goa, India. And then just 4 more months until I can move down for good. Well, as long as "for good" may turn out to last in the life of this nomad. ;)

It's been good times. Thanks.

This is how it works:

"You're young until you're not

You love until you don't

You try until you can't

You laugh until you cry,

You cry until you laugh,

And everyone must breathe

Until their dying breath."

No, this is how it works:

"You peer inside yourself

You take the things you like

And try to love the things you took.

And then you take that love you made

And stick it into some,

Someone else's heart."

--on the radio, r. spektor

paint all up in my hair

2007-04-01T15:38:00.000-07:00

Two Lagniappe-related life developments this week--

1. This Saturday with HPI, my friend Erin & I helped finish up painting some of the houses that didn't get finished at Paint the Town last weekend. We've both talked with our RUF campus minister, Ben Robertson, about the need to get RUF-ites more involved with community service here at W&M--and not just RUF sponsered events; we should dive into the fantastic opportunities that already exist, mix it up with some new people, & get some work done. Like painting houses. Needless to say, I came back covered in paint (Lagniappe staff--is anybody really surprised?? Nope, didn't think so. :P).

2. I had applied for another summer grant, like the one Office of Student Volunteer Services gave me last summer, to use toward this summer.... I found out this week I got it, which was kind of amazing. :) I've been seeing that a lot in my life recently--God providing money when I've needed it, in ways I would never expect. It reminds me a lot of those very early days at Lagniappe, when suddenly someone would come tearing through the room waving a paper in the air, shouting about this donor or that grant or some pledge or another. So, I know He provides, but yet, somehow, each time, I'm still amazed.

PS, PRAY FOR THE BAY bumper stickers have finally materialized??!? I'm gonna go peel some of the other dozen off my car right now, so that people actually have a shot at noticing this new one. :)

PPS It's been two weeks since I was last in the Bay, & already I need another fix. I feel like an addict. The bearable time between fixes seems to keep getting less & less. :P

recap of a week in the tool crib

2007-03-25T06:58:00.000-07:00

Over last fall, and then the times I've been able to be back at Lagniappe this spring, I've had a chance to meet some of the people applying to be interns this summer... basically, they're all so awesome that I kind of wish I was doing a second round. :) Seriously, it's exciting to see the people God is bringing each season to serve at Lagniappe.

Well, spring break was good times & went by all too fast. And now I'm a little less surprised to find that now that I'm back at W&M, Lagniappe continues to be a part of my life here, too. Before I left for break, my RUF campus minister had asked me to speak at the next large group about Lagniappe's internship program. So, did I carefully prepare over those days in the Bay?? Nope, of course not. ;) I threw together a few slides, & then stayed up late-ish Monday night getting them into some semblance of order. I ended up being somewhat coherent, I think, & a few people have talked to me about maybe applying... I think that would be pretty awesome. More W&M exposure to the Bay can only be a good thing. :)

In other news, my brother, Bill, is trying to choose where he wants to go to college, & so we've been talking recently about all the things that go into that--what he wants to do, what he's looking for, what I've gotten out of college. During the course of that, I tossed out an idea I had kicking around in my head about senior year next year, involving maybe being at Lagniappe for part of it. Now, my parents were each able to get down to the Bay for a visit, but my brother never was, & so he has a bit more trouble understanding why I'm continually drawn back there. Also, he just got an ipod. So he's started listening to all the old Lagniappe podcasts so that we can talk through them. I'm excited. :)

Love from the east coast.

pictionary telephone

2007-03-08T14:48:00.000-08:00

OK, so, it's spring break, & I don't feel like actually writing anything. Plus, this is hilarious. :) Let me explain what's going on.

So, Wednesday night, I went to my Transfer Student Ambassadors meeting. As an icebreaker at the beginning, we played this game... you may have played it at one point. Each person starts with a stack of paper, drawing a picture on the top, then passing the stack to the right, that person then writes what they think the picture is of, then passes again, that person (using only the words) tries to draw a corresponding picture, etc., until the original person gets their pile back. You can see how the chain would break down after the first two people. :P

Our topic was "What are you doing for spring break?"

So, I drew (1) a house being washed away, emptiness, and then a house being rebuilt.

The girl on my right actually guessed right what I was doing (2).

The third (3), fourth (4), & fifth (5) people also got it fairly spot on.

The sixth (6) person, however, seemed to be a little confused by (5)'s hurricane symbol. He guessed that over spring break I would be "playing the Big Bad Wolf & blowing down a house."

Which is how I ended up with this picture, (7), of a disembodied wolf head blowing down a house. Please note the pig in the bottom right corner.

Well, I made it through my midterms alive, at last, & am packing for my spring break down at Lagniappe, leaving tomorrow. To play dress up & fairy tales, apparently. :P

Paint the Town

2007-03-03T22:38:00.000-08:00

Well, it's one week later. As promised--an HPI update. Last week, we finished up that roof... the week before, we had done the north side, and last week was the south side. The tar paper was already down, so we had to lug the shingles up & then go to town--old school; no roofing guns here. :)

There was six of us there, plus Devon, the project manager... he's a fellow junior here at W&M, and also getting engaged soon (my best friend from elementary school just got engaged on Valentine's Day... everyone's growing up so fast!). It was a warm day, & it felt really good to be up there making new friends as we got ever-closer to the top. Right about as the sun was setting, we finished up & headed back to campus. Then, today, we got houses ready for Paint the Town... on March 24th, HPI (along with campus service fraternities like APO and PSP, and many local community volunteers) is kicking off the Jamestown 400th Anniversary celebrations (side note: as part of the Anniversary, Queen Elizabeth is coming to W&M's commencement in May) by painting dozens of homes in the Williamsburg/James City/York County area. Today we prepped some of those houses.

There won't be any HPI updates for the next two weekends, because... I'll be back at Lagniappe! Once again, it's spring break, & things have come pretty much full circle.

Last of all, in other news, I found out on Thursday that, from May 24 to June 19, I will be going to Goa, India!! I was accepted to one of W&M's faculty-led summer programs... I'll earn 9 credits (which, together with the credits I took at MGCCC-Jeff Davis last semester & the 18 credits I'm taking this semester, will allow me to graduate on time) & hopefully have an AMAZING experience.

I've been continually amazed by how much Lagniappe has continued to be a part of my life here in VA... between trips back to visit, running into people here who have been or know of it, & other random coincidences, it's been a good transition.

I wonder how long it will take for me to bump into somebody in Goa with a "PRAY FOR THE BAY" bumper sticker?? ;)

spring break 2006--a year later

2007-02-24T20:07:00.000-08:00

So, my post for this week (next week--update on roofing with HPI) is the letter I sent out to my family & friends after last spring break, 2006, when I went with my RUF down to the Morrell Foundation's i-Care Village in Waveland, Mississippi. In two weeks, it will have been a year for me since that first trip, & I'll be back on the coast--full circle. Since that week last March, I will have spent parts of 11 of the last 13 months in Misssissppi. Eight months, altogether. And to think--I originally went for just five days. Crazy.

Hey all,

"Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is a healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision.”

Last Sunday, March 5, I sat in one of the back pews at First Presbyterian Church in Biloxi, Mississippi. I had arrived there, along with twelve other students and our two leaders (Brandon, our campus minister, and Bryon, from our home church in Williamsburg) early that morning after driving all day Saturday. We had walked in, between the broken entryway pillars, been warmly greeted, stood—along with about 85% of the attendants—when asked to identify ourselves as volunteers, and were now reciting the confession of sin.

It amazed me to see these people, survivors of Katrina, embrace their situation to come to a fuller understanding of God. In these last six months, they have come to know what it is to be on the way down, to be low, to have a broken heart and to have nothing. They truly have had to learn to bear the cross in the valley. Yet even through all this, they are able to see in their devastated and ruined homes a place of vision.

After the service, we met with about six other groups, Reformed University Fellowships (RUFs) from around the country. We watched footage of the hurricane, powerful beyond anything the media had shown last fall. Most of the coverage had been on New Orleans, but the eye of the storm passed directly through Bay St. Louis & Biloxi on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. 85% of Bay St. Louis has been destroyed. Most of the federal efforts and money have been funneled into New Orleans, while Mississippi has had to rely on volunteer efforts, most of which have been through church organizations. We were told, over and over, that people who had received nothing from the government (“State Farm Insurance Sucks” signs were everywhere; only 20% of people had flood insurance, & companies were refusing to pay because the damage was caused by “wind-driven water” &amp;amp;amp;amp; not a “flood”; Sunday’s headline was of an 80-year old, wheel-chair bound woman being evicted from her FEMA trailer) were able to rebuild through the aid they had received from the churches.

I thought that the footage we watched had prepared me for what lay ahead that week; I, along with most people in the room, was moved to tears. However, we had arrived in the night, able to make out only a few broken trees and piles of debris. When we walked out of the church, we took pictures with UVA’s RUF. And then we drove around Biloxi.

We first went to a bridge that had formerly connected US 90 across the water. What had looked like any other bridge was now transformed into about 30 concrete towers, each jutting above the water; street lamps and stop signs hung horizontal above the surface, and the double yellow lines stretched up towards the sky, like some unnatural yellow brick road leading up into the clouds. On the shore was a fallen statue—a bronze man, about 20 feet tall, with blank eyes and holding the world in one hand. You could imagine him leaping from one tower to the next, the only one able to use the bridge that humans will never again cross.

The church had been filled with three feet of water; a boardwalk, no trace of which now exists, had been swept off the beach with a fifty foot wave. Houses are completely washed away, leaving only concrete slabs. Others remain in pieces—one whole house, swept out into the Gulf, left behind only a staircase, rising to the right and the left up to a nonexistent second story. Still more, further inland, lie abandoned, everything inside picked up and shaken and deposited at random, soaked through with hurricane water and now molding. Whole stands of pines are flattened, each tree broken and bent at a ninety degree angle. Pipes emerge randomly from the ground, spewing foul-smelling water and sewage into the air until it runs through the streets. Endless broken piers stretch out into the Gulf, which now, with its altered tides, sprays up and onto the highway at high tide.

Our trip was planned in conjunction with Mission to the World (MTW), an organization run through the Presbyterian Church of America. We were housed in a tent-city based out of Buccaneer State Park near Bay St. Louis. The camp was centered around a main tent, housing most of the volunteers. Our group, though, stayed about a quarter mile further back in two just-finished bunkhouses that will later be moved and donated to families who lost their homes. The first night, the house we were in filled up with gnats (interesting fact: since Katrina, the Gulf region, formerly relatively gnat-free, has become a breeding ground for them) & everyone woke up covered head-to-toe in rashes of bites. Our team broke up into three groups, one of which did construction work around the base camp, & by the time we left, both houses were bug-proof.

One of the other groups went to homes in the construction phase, & helped put up drywall & spackle. I was in the third group—I worked with Jess, Ansil, and Sean from W&M, & Beth, Lauren, Jarvis, Bobby, Emily, & Sarah from Wake Forest on a house on Waveland Ave. It is owned by a grandmother now living in North Carolina. The flood waters had reached up to eight feet, making her house uninhabitable. The work order stated that she didn’t want anything salvaged, that we were to remove everything from the house and then strip it to the studs, because she intends to sell it.

The first day, Monday, we followed Jocie, our coordinator through MTW, into the front door. First, she had to remove tape which said “Caution: Enter if You Dare.” She explained that the area, south of the train tracks, had been hit hard by looters. The door opened into a living room, which had a piano sitting in the middle of it, and sheet music strewn all around. As we filed into the house, masks and gloves on, and our eyes adjusted to the dim interior, we saw and understood--as much as we could understand--for the first time just what it meant to have lived through Katrina.

We were standing in a house that looked nothing like any house that any of us had ever seen. Once through the door, we quickly filled the only available standing room. Around us rose a 3-ft. wall of debris—eighty years’ worth of stuff, topped with fallen ceiling tiles. Everything was covered with mold—black, patchy spores that raised clouds of dust when brushed against.

It took us two days just to get everything outside. Monday, we managed to create a mountain about 8 feet high, stretching halfway across the property line (about 50 ft.) & stretching as far back from the curb as we were allowed (12 ft). It was picked up that night, & Tuesday, we doubled this. Wednesday morning, the pile was still there, & so we began another pile across the road. The most difficult thing to move out was the fridge. There were two, & on Monday afternoon, we attempted to move the first one. One of the ropes slipped, & it burst open, releasing a mixture so toxic that we had to evacuate, & the next day, before entering the house, we had to spray the entire area down with undiluted bleach. Fortunately, we got the second fridge out more carefully. They weren’t the only dangerous things in the house though; aside from the mold, we later discovered that the homeowners had been chemists. The garage had been converted into a lab, & on Tuesday we removed a bottle of mercury along with dozens of other bottles of chemicals. On Wednesday, we hit a gas line, hooked up to a Bunsen burner. One of the girls from Wake commented that if the work didn’t need to be done so badly, we never would have been allowed near it.

Late Tuesday, while the guys started ripping down the drywall from the front rooms, which had already been cleared, I was tackling the back sewing room. The way the waters had circled through, the already-packed room had ended up with quite a bit of debris accumulated from the rest of the house. I pulled out about a dozen hand-knitted vests, about 60 skeins of yarn, a sewing machine, & three closets’ worth of clothes and shoes. What struck me most was how colorful everything was. The bathroom wallpaper was bright, vibrant flowers in primary colors. The bedspreads were a vivid orange; people kept digging up bright green pewter vases, pairs of red dancing shoes, a yellow teapot painted with purple irises. At one point, late in the afternoon, I finally got out a cabinet that I had been struggling with, and underneath, I found fifteen completed quilt squares, each with a person’s name. I brought them to Beth, who was keeping a pile of things she thought the family might want, & went outside for a water break. There are just some things you can’t see and be unmoved.

Needless to say, we were so happy when the daughter stopped by on Tuesday. She thanked us profusely—everyone our team worked with was so thankful—and said that her mother had asked that, if possible, we find for her a porcelain bust of Venus that had been given to her as a wedding present. By this point, we had removed a good portion of the contents, & no one could remember having seen it. We were sure that it had been crushed. But, after we pulled the second fridge out, there it was—wedged between it and a chair. It was just one of the small miracles that we witnessed, but so huge because this was the one thing that she asked for, out of everything that she owned. Later, one of the Wake girls saw an unopened box in the trash pile, & happened to open it… inside was the deed to the house & the homeowner's will.

The ten of us really bonded over this house. We could hardly believe that it took us four days, about 280 man hours, to clear this house that Katrina destroyed in 8 hours. When we finally carted out the last wheelbarrow of drywall on Thursday, we were left overwhelmed by how much we had accomplished, and by how little it was in comparison to all that needed still to be done. We had helped one family, but how many more people are there who still need help? What about the neighbor who came by the collect furniture out of the trash because he was left with none, & received no federal aid or insurance money?

Each morning I went on a run with my friends Amanda and Sarah. We ran by a sign, declaring in giant block red letters, “KATRINA WAS BIG, BUT GOD IS BIGGER.” This attitude, so incredible, is one that pervades the Gulf areas hit by Katrina.

“On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand, and cast a wishful eye
To Canaan’s fair and happy land, where my possessions lie.
All o’er those wide extended plains, shines one eternal day;
There God the Son forever reigns, and scatters night away.I am bound, I am bound,
I am bound for the promised land,
I am bound, I am bound,
I am bound for the promised land.”

The hymn we sang in church on Sunday, literally standing on Biloxi’s stormy bank, is real to these people. Their faith rests entirely in God and in His goodness.

“You have shaken the land and torn it open; mend its fractures, for it is quaking.” Psalm 60:2. Each person we talked to has reached an acceptance of the storm. A lot of people said to us that they trust God completely to repair what has been destroyed. Another of the neighbors told us that he is so thankful that all he lost is stuff, & that he and his family are safe. He told us what a blessing it is for him to be able to witness people pulling together to rebuild, to see the Christian community rally together to pour out Christ’s love to God’s children. He told us that he wishes we could be so lucky.

The night we left, we got to write on the walls of our bunkhouse, messages that the new family would never see, but which would be built into their lives to give them hope and courage. I didn’t know what to write, & opened my Bible, praying that I would find the words to say. “God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” Psalm 46:1-3.

We will not fear. This is the message of the Gulf Coast. As they seek to create the “new normal,” they do not fear. As Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, & the Gulf Coast struggle to rebuild in the shadows, in the darkness of the valley, many look to God’s love to sustain them. These people may have thanked us, but I am infinitely more grateful to them. They are my hope and my inspiration.

Love,
Kate

...Yeah, people from pre-college call me Kate. It's weird, I know. Anyways... I got second thoughts right before I posted this... started doing some web fact-checking... (FYI: all the numbers & statistics were as I was told them... so, as far as I know, they're accurate)... realized this was virtually impossible, but did come across one statistic, not that I was looking for, that blew me away--that there have been, as best as people can estimate, 61 million volunteers to the coast.

mercy

2007-02-17T08:40:00.000-08:00

... continued... so, Saturday mornings, before I go to HPI, I go to the Mercy Team meeting at Grace Covenant Presbyterian, my church here in Williamsburg. It's a committee made up of about 20 people, newly-formed.

Throughout the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments, God reveals himself to us as a God who cares about the poor, the widow, the orphan, the oppressed, the needy. And he calls us, his people, to reflect these concerns in our own lives. In order to more fully embody in our own congregation God's heart for the needy, we are forming a "mercy team" to help our whole congregation grow in our heart for, and commitment to, meeting practical mercy needs in our community.

That was the announcement in the church bulletin (I know.... it's so weird to be back in a church that has *bulletins*) several weeks ago, where I first found out about this new committee. It's born out of an idea espoused in Grace's vision statement--

... We believe that the hope for our own lives, Williamsburg, and the whole world is the gospel, the good news of salvation and reconciliation that comes only through Jesus. And so we seek to be a community that loves Williamsburg and the world by proclaiming the gospel in both word and deed. We believe that involvement in mercy and justice isn't simply an addition to the gospel, but a vital part. By engaging in acts of mercy and justice, we are participating in God's work of redeeming all of creation, a work that we see in part now, but which he will one day bring to it's full flowering...

Basically, what happened was, I got back from eight months at Lagniappe wondering how, in a world that hasn't been decimated by a hurricane, I was going to find ways to live out the truths of serving in love and grace that I'd learned in the Bay. Well, clearly, there is so much wrong with that line of thinking. To begin with, Hurricane Isabel?? Yeah, happened here just in 2003... recovery efforts clearly still ongoing... also, need is present anywhere there is even one person. There are people in prisons with no foreseeable future, people in hospitals who despair and are lonely, people who are addicted to all sorts of substances with no motive to seek help. These people have an equally great need of help as those in the Bay, it's just a different sort of help they need. Instead of shingles & drywall they need companionship, to be taught life skills, medical attention, etc. And where do these people live? That's right. Right here in Williamsburg. They live where you live, too. (And, never to forget, people in need of help live right where I live, in my dorm room. Which is a single, by the way. :P )

Anyways, so, like I said--got back from Lagniappe, looking for ways to carry on the ideas of lagniappe here in Williamsburg, walk into church, and guess what? I'm not the only one. There's a whole group of people here in my home church with the desire to love & serve. (Another way this ties into Lagniappe... four people on the committee, including my pastor, were on the team Grace sent down to Lagniappe in July... they're going for a return trip to the Bay this August, by which time, God willing, I'll alredy be back there as well.) This morning, we split up a list of local relief agencies, each volunteering to contact some, with the goal of finding 1) what needs exist in the community, 2) how those needs are being met currently, & 3) how Grace can help in filling the gaps between the two. (Basic idea taken from Tim Keller's book Ministries of Mercy.) One of the names on the list, which I volunteered to work with is... HPI. How amazing is it how all things come connect? HPI, the people on the Mercy Team, the roofing team that worked in Biloxi, Lagniappe... it's amazing. :)

Anyways, the point being... this is the beginning of a story of how Lagniappe is inspiring others and stimulating participation in God's work in other parts of the Kingdom. Narnia is thawing (not literally... it's about 17 degrees here) all over. I'll keep you updated. :)

~~~
And the wheels just keep on turning,
The drummers begin to drum--
I don't know which way I'm going,
I don't know what I've become.
--Coldplay, Kingdom Come

... Life isn't static. As people and children of God we're constantly growing to see how the Kingdom is lived out in all times and all places.

past, present, future

2007-02-10T16:01:00.000-08:00

Past: This past weekend, I was blessed beyond measure to be back in the bay! There are not words for how much I love everyone there, & for how good it was to be back, even for just a few days. Special thanks to Say-rah Denton, for letting me putz around with her in the tool crib. I needed a fix of my home-away-from-home, bad. Only sad part--too cold to sleep in the hammock. ;P It was especially great to see all the things that have changed, and all the things that have stayed the same, if that makes sense. It was good in a weird way to be able to see Lagniappe & the bay with new eyes. One of my very favorite parts was watching the sky as the plane took off when I flew back to VA. The sun was just setting and there was a brilliant orange glow as far as I could see. So cool.

Present: Today, being Saturday, I volunteered half the day with Housing Partnerships, Inc. It's a local organization that uses mostly volunteer (& some subcontracted) labor to do home repairs and rebuilds in the Williamsburg, James City County, & York County area. Some of the homes, like those in the bay, are still being rebuilt after a hurricane (Isabel, in 2003)... others are just straight out of the last centuries, with no heat, or no indoor plumbing. Our volunteer coordinator, Brandie, was telling us of a home worked on last fall in which the husband and wife were each handicapped... the only bathroom was an outhouse... they would roll their wheelchair to the back door, lower themselves into another wheelchair, and then repeat the process to return indoors. HPI used volunteer labor to not only build the couple a handicap ramp, but also to provide them with an indoor bathroom. Anyways, today, we worked out by Norge re-roofing a house for a family whose roof had begun leaking... hopefully it should be done by next weekend. I'm way excited to be able to reach out to local families in this way... it can be all too easy to get sucked into the "Lagniappe bubble" & forget that other people in other places have been through hurricanes, too, and are in need of having their homes repaired/rebuilt, also.

Future: Speaking of.... sort of... guess what? Next weekend, we're going to get to work part of the day with a church team from Lynchburg, who has experience roofing from when they went down to--get this--Biloxi a few months ago. How cool is that?!? I can't wait to get to work with them! I feel like I'm going to be meeting part of my long-lost family, or something. :P

God is everywhere, & in all things.

the victorian age in literature

2007-01-31T22:34:00.000-08:00

Here on the east coast, it's 1:30 a.m. Thursday morning. I've got about eleven hours yet to go until I emerge from the black hole that is my Monday to Thursday every week, in which I am swallowed by a back-to-back schedule of classes, meetings, and work. I sleep very little. I am also about twenty-nine hours from heading back to the Bay for the weekend... to not watch the Saints play in the Super Bowl. :P

But for now, at 1:32 a.m. on a Thursday morning, from one of my lit. books, check this out--

"Religion in most countries, more or less in every country, is no longer what it was, and should be--a thousand-voiced psalm from the heart of Man to his invisible Father, the fountain of all Goodness, Beauty, Truth, and revealed in every revelation of these; but for the most part, a wise prudential feeling grounded on mere calculation; a matter, as all others are now, of Expediency and Utility."

That's Thomas Carlyle writing in 1829, in an essay called "Signs of the Times." Look at how he compares religion as we've made it--a "prudential feeling," calculated, based on expediency and utility--to what it could, should, and is meant to be--

"... a thousand-voiced psalm
from the heart of Man to
his invisible Father, the fountain
of all Goodness, Beauty, Truth, and
revealed
in every revelation of these..."

lagniappe, colonial style

2007-01-22T20:21:00.000-08:00

Well, my few weeks of complete vegetation have sadly come to an end. They were completely & thoroughly appreciated & enjoyed. Even despite the mass quantities of sleep, however, I still did manage to get quite a lot accomplished. Among the highlights,
1) finding a new home for Peje; I agree with Emily Mark--it's way too early for me to resign myself to what Jean once called "the mark of death" :P
2) spending a day in New York with my Dad... there's this amazing bookstore called the Strand on Broadway & E 12th that's inCREDible... my favorite store in the world, easy
3) going on runs on the XC trails behind my high school... I didn't realize how much I missed the woods... 2007 needs to include a backpacking trip, for sure
4) finally, finally cleaning out all my drawers, closets, and taped-up boxes full of clothes that don't fit me anymore... with the exception of one box that's still in a friend's basement, they're all gone, and that's a good, good feeling
5) Dharma Bums, by Jack Kerouac -- good book
6) Filling out my application to go to India for the first 6 weeks of the summer :)

And now, it's time to go back to school. I can't wait! I'm so excited to see all my friends, & to move into a new dorm, & to take what look to be some interesting & (of course) challenging classes. The Volunteer Listserve email has already gone around, & I've signed up for the Valentine's Day blood drive... I may have never gotten a valentine's present, but I sure like to give presents, & I figure this one's a pretty good one. In the job department, I'm starting back at the library (Swem) on Wednesday, although I'm going to look around for a better paying job.... maybe Home Depot? Put my new skills to use? ;) Beginners swing dancing lessons start next week, as does RUF & TSA (Transfer Student Ambassadors), & I'm super-excited for both. (Sarah Denton, if you're reading this, be proud... you inspired me :) ) Now all I need is to line up some gym partners, & I'll be set for what is sure to be another crazy semester.

One of the challenges will be, I'm sure, applying the truths I've learned over these last months at Lagniappe. Like, where does self-worth come from? It's so, so easy to buy into what W&M is all about--working yourself into the ground for academic success, & of course, looking really good while you're doing it. Believe me--we're not the public Ivy for nothing. We're all very good at selling ourselves body & soul to the English department, or Biology, or Government, or whatever. And the gym. Just like how at Lagniappe it's oh so easy to work 14 hour days & stretch yourself to the breaking point. Both of which can be a good thing--a God-glorification instead of self-gratification--if the driving motivation is to serve & honor our Father.

Well, me & my Participating in the Restoration shirt are ready to go.
The car's packed, & I'm heading back south (finally!) in the morning.
Let's bring some tool crib to the 'burg. :)

Jersey

2007-01-09T18:37:00.000-08:00

Well, here I am--Jersey Ryn, posting from Jersey. What's life like after Lagniappe? So far, for me, a few runs, a LOT of feeling really crappy (thanks to getting my wisdom teeth out), a lot of driving (a one day there-and-back to VA for a wedding), a lot a LOT of movie watching, and some family drama. And basically getting nothing accomplished off my to-do list. Except for sleeping a lot, which I suppose counts for something. ;)

Mostly, though, it's a lot of missing people--from Lagniappe & W&M. I guess I'll be back haunting the campus coffee shops before I'll be back in the bunkhouse though... although I'm going to try to make it back ASAP!

Until then... time for another movie? I think so.

Of Ryn and Redefinition

2006-12-07T17:38:00.000-08:00

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Blog and Blog Readers,

We are posting here this day a blog to commemorate one of our very own – the amazing Jersey Ryn Lukacs.

Ryn has – as you all know – been a member of the Lagniappe party for centuries and, although centuries is a ridiculously huge amount of time to fill with nuances, nevertheless, Ryn is a Ryn who never ceases to astonish, astound, and dumbfound!
Here’s the story: Now we all know what Lagniappe means: mud –lots of mud. Mud on faces, mud in hair, mud on shirts, mud on trousers, and most of all, mud on shoes. Shoes step on bathroom floors, bathroom floors get dirty, then dirtier, then most horribly dirty, and what do we all do? Break out the mops! Right? Hmmm, or not… actually we all sneak in and out of said bathrooms, hoping no one ever saw us go in and –God forbid – EVER saw us notice the floor!
All of us, that is, except for Ryn.

Ryn not only noticed the floor, but she noticed it good!
“This is disgusting,” she thought, “I must do something!”
And so Ryn took matters into both her hands. She set to work!! Down on those hands and knees she went, grabbing a bucket and scrub brush she old-schooled it to the tunes of the Black Crows, Journey, and U2, while in the back of her mind, keeping perfect rhythm was the voice – “WAX ON!! WAX OFF!! WAX ON!! WAX OFF!!” And so it went, minute by minute, hour by hour, bubbles flying, dirt receding, and at long last, new floor shining!

“Good gracious what’s going on here??!!!” The explosion of words fell and splattered on the revitalized floor as Juice stood there with mouth gaping wide.
And Ryn just smiled.
She smiled, flipped the gloves off her hands, brushed off her knees and surveyed the room – entire 7 stalls, 13 showers, dressing room and hall of it all.
“Now that’s a lot better, isn’t it?” She said, and then she turned, scooped up her bucket and brush and headed off in a beeline for the Men’s room.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Blog, this is Ryn, this is amazing, this is service.

I am Peje.

2006-12-05T19:44:00.000-08:00

Alias: The Siamese Fighting Cat
Current Location: Intern Bunkhouse
Occupation: Bequeather of Bunkhouse Bedlam!
Mission: Maintain status as Bunkhouse Cat while biting ankles, hands, toes, etc., battling the bouncy bag all night, making the walls go “WHAP!!” at inopportune hours, and sleeping all day.
Next Mission: Performing the above for a minimum of 1.5 hours before being hurtled outside.
Favorite Nap Site: Holly’s Bunk (aka The Bed of Primary Colors)
Favorite Pastime: Hamster-Wheeling! (Courtesy of Intern laundry hampers.)

“I am Peje: The Siamese Fighting Cat.”

Come to the Bay - Save an Intern

2006-12-05T18:47:00.000-08:00

There once was a Bro who came to the Bay with his lovely Sidekick in tow
They came to see Juice, ride a caboose, and by golly just to hang loose…

But Juice had plans:

“If you can wire-up the bunkhouse raise your hand!” “If you can fold a billion shirts then raise your hand!”
“If you can get me Internet, if you can save my scrawny neck, if you can help a little Intern raise your hand!!!!”

And by golly they could, and they did!!

THANK YOU DOM AND AMBER!!!!!!!

Solsbury Hill

2006-11-25T15:41:00.000-08:00

When illusion spin her net

I'm never where I want to be.

And liberty she pirouette

When I think that I am free;

Watched by empty silhouettes

Who close their eyes, but still can see

No one taught them etiquette.

I will show another me--

Today I don't need a replacement.

I'll tell them what the smile on my face meant.

My heart going--boom boom boom.

"Hey," I said, "You can keep my things,

they've come to take me home."

Read it a few times. Think about it.
What I got out of it--
1) Lagniappe's changed my life, 100%, completely. Just a few: I'm braver & less scared (two different things), more real, more free, & know that I am loved by God.
2) Home is with people, not things or a place.
3) Life is best lived with eyes open.

Plans for the next few weeks:
Fly home for Christmas, & back to BSL on the 26th. Drive my car home--stop in Maryland on the 29th to go to a Carbon Leaf show with my friend, Steph! :) New Year's with Mallory. Get wisdom teeth out--also, plow through reading list, & veg on couch watching last seasons of Lost and Gilmore Girls. Sara's wedding in Williamsburg Jan. 6. Drive down to W&M Jan 21.

Biggest New Goal: half-marathon with Jordan & Erica March 25th!!!
Saddest Occurence: My iPod broke. :(
Most Fun Surprise: Surprising my family for Thanksgiving. :)
Airport Rankings: 1. Houston 2. Newark 3. Philly 4. Charlotte 5. Gulfport 6. New Orleans
Favorite New Thing: White knit beanie from Banana Republic / new Reef flip flops (old ones broke)
New Music: Solsbury Hill, live version (Peter Gabriel); Walk On (U2); Blue Sky (Patty G.); Use Me (Hootie & the Blowfish); Someday We'll Know (Hall & Oates)

First There Was Insult... Then There Was INJURY!!

2006-11-19T21:39:00.000-08:00

"When I showed up the state was goin' down

There were people rushing all around

Somethin' orange staring in my eyes -

I lost my space, my office place that night!

Oh where, oh where could my office be?

The evil staff took it away from me!

It's gone to heaven

(Guess what - I was not good!)

And we've ended in the doghouse like I knew we would!"

Tragedy Strikes the Intern Office

2006-11-15T20:42:00.000-08:00

"Oh where oh where could the green walls be?

The paintbrush took them away from me!

They've gone to heaven, but I've got to be good -

and try not to kill the painter when I leave this room!"

A Story

2006-11-15T20:23:00.000-08:00

(Disclaimer: Ok, ok, so this is not exactly about Lagniappe, it just is lagniappe.)

Once upon a time there was a Lagniappe Intern who wanted to go to Texas.
Now why she wanted to go to Texas was anybody’s guess (note: the phrase that follows this ingenious opener has been temporarily forgotten) and so, surrounded as this Intern was by fellow intern, remaining LPC staff, Siamese Fighting Cat, and sunless window, guess they did:
“You know someone out there?” “You’re going to visit friends?!” “You’re insane? (Also ‘crazy’ was another word used…)” were some of the unlucky guesses.

And they were all wrong.

This Intern simply wanted to go to Texas; and, to make matters and confusion worse, there was no ‘because’…
There were, however, cities!
“San Antonio and Austin.”
“Why?”
“Well… because (insert unspoken name here) told me to go to Austin, and who in their right mind wouldn’t want to go to a place with a name like ‘San Antonio’?”
The head shaking continued because, adding salt to pepper, not only was there no motive, but there was no place to sleep and no money.
“Hmmm…oh yeah….” was the only reply from the Intern.
Then one day, a little car unexpectedly arrived at Lagniappe and out stepped a rare thing (two rare things, to be precise): men. Tall and medium-tall men; bearded and semi-bearded men; thin men; Musicians! After a quick and easy bond was established (for, as everyone now knows much too well, this Intern loves music (musicians, some would correct, but what do they know?!)), the question was asked:
“So, where’re ya’ll from?”
“Austin” they replied.
“Oh that is sooo cool! I’m going there!!”
“Really? Where are you staying?”
“Nowhere!”
This statement was followed by a very short pause.
“Hey! We know some people, we’ll hook you up!!”

And this is how the Intern went to Austin.

(On a sad note, the Intern has never seen these two musicians again. Word has it that after a day at Lagniappe, they departed in search of a city called ‘New York’, which it is hoped that they will one day find. However, in the meantime, peanuts and Twinkie bars will continue to be eaten on the patio where they once played, and a song will be sung in honor of their kindness and hospitality to the Intern.)

A century passed (Note: for those outside The Bay, please read as “a week went by at Lagniappe, but because fifteen chickens were running around without a leg to stand on, who really cared what went by.”).
“So…where’re ya’ll from?” what was once a pristine voice and non-descript accent did not waver as it betrayed the fact that it had skipped out on this team’s orientation.
“San Antonio.” The imposing man eyed what he had recently learned to identify as “Intern” and sipped his tea.
“Oh that is sooo cool! I’m going there!!”
“Going to visit friends, huh?”
It was a guess! No one had attempted guessing for a very long time!
He was, unfortunately, wrong.
“Nope, I’m just going!”
“Where are you staying?”
“Ummm…nowhere.”
This statement was followed by a pause, a long pause. After the particularly good piece of chicken was done away with in proper fashion, what has since come to be known as “Pastor (insert unspoken name here)” spoke, “Good girl! We have a wonderful youth leader, you can stay with her.”

And this is how the Intern went to San Antonio.

With a smile on her face and a renewed faith in humanity (Sad note: this was promptly lost again at the 30 Seconds to Mars concert, but that’s another story), the Intern climbed into her car, waved goodbye to her friends, and drove off to Texas.
She was happy because she knew that at least one Person thought going to Texas was a good idea and had given her a present – a place to stay.

The End

(Epilogue: Unfortunately, the Intern did not live happily ever after, but she loved Texas and lived there happily until she had to come back for staff meeting on Monday.)

almost thanksgiving

2006-11-15T19:18:00.000-08:00

A lot has been getting done here this week!

The offices have been repainted, & new carpet has been put in, leaks have been found & fixed, & Habitaters have been Conjacked into helping us get those houses done by Thanksgiving. The Sabins, John & Lynne, have been here working & living with us, as well, & it has been a great joy getting to know them! Lynne is a seamstress, so luckily there will be someone here to sew up Jordan's shorts once I leave. :P

Speaking of... that time is getting closer! Just a week until Thanksgiving, & then I'm leaving three weeks after that. I'm starting to get to that point where I'm looking back on all that's changed since I've been here, & seeing how much I've changed, too. Dealing with burn out & frustration at myself over burn out has been a learning experience, too--maybe one of the biggest ones I've had down here--at least, it's been very humbling, for sure. Most of all, it's been great getting to spend time with & know better my bunkhouse mates, Holly, Erica, Ruth, Meri, & Jordan.

It's hard to believe it's almost time to go.

running through the tape

2006-11-06T12:13:00.000-08:00

... (thanks, Sarah Denton)

Things are crazy here this week! Most of the staff is out of town on what should have been our week off, & me, Curt, Clyde, Helen, & Conrad are here, gearing up to deal with the influx of 120+ volunteers coming in tomorrow night. It was like that this weekend, too (we've got a little bit of a break today, Monday)--I had to do a massive tool check-in by myself, & also do all the shedding: making the calls, writing the work assignments, loading the sheds, &--this is the part I had to do for the first time--delivering them. I ended up "Rynjacking" (their word, not mine!!) two volunteers (electricians) who had finished early & driving with them out to OST. It was great. :) Tonight I've gotta get on the phone with Jordan to go over the skills evaluations for the teams coming in this week & match them up with work assignments. Tomorrow I've gotta pull the tools, & then at night I've got check-in (potential problem: am also supposed to be in Gulfport for class. Solution? Drive up to Gulfport, be there for attendance, then drive right back for check in. Ideal? No. Feasible? Yes.)

Other than work stuff, the terns have been on my mind a lot lately. After talking with Em (hi, friend :) ), I realized I wanted to re-write down my prayers for them.

Haley--peace of mind, wisdom in decisions
Stephanie--to be diligent in your work, to have time to do all you have to do, strength & rest
Sarah--calmness for your heart, encouragement in your friendships
Kim--Christian community, encouragement, India
Em--Christian community, wisdom & insight for God's best in your life, integrity & honesty in your relationships
Austin--peace & comfort for your heart, knowledge of the assurance that your Father sees & knows your fears
Christy--sleep!, words to say, friends to encourage you, rest
Jordan--rest on vacation, the energy to be more productive and assurance that your worth and salvation aren't dependent on productivity
Dave--comfort & peace, guidance after you graduate
Zech--Christian community, encouragement, good coffee :)
Tom--(stealing from d. webb) that you'll take to the world this love and hope and faith, take to the world this rare relentless grace; peace & rest; for friends to encourage & challenge you
Eric--diligence in school (even if it is your easiest semester), encouragement & wisdom in all you do, especially your relationship with Emily...
... Emily Mark, the 14th intern ;) --energy in the weeks you work, rest for your weeks off, good communication with your parents

And I pray for all of us, that God will show us how broken we are, & continue to break us, & meet us in all of our needs; that we will trust him as the only one who can provide for any of us; that we will have the faith to trust that his plans for us are good and perfect.

more superlatives

2006-10-31T12:45:00.000-08:00

Biggest "I Told You So": I dropped a cinderblock on my foot. Jordan told me to wear sneakers. :P

Biggest Surprise Birthday Present: A Tiffany's necklace from my parents!

Best Conversation: Not sure it counts as a conversation, exactly, but with Jordan on the way back from birthday in New Orleans.

Biggest Accomplishment: Pulling a 76 on my nutrition test! :)

Best Weekend Ever: This last one, when Eric, Emily, & Tom were in.

Summer Plans to Date: Goa, India?

Playlist Now Includes: Patty Griffin, Flaming Red (Thanks, Em!! I love it :) ); Shawn Colvin, Tough Kid & Cinnamon Road (with Patty Griffin), When the Stars Go Blue, Ryan Adams (Thanks, Eric, for the heads up!)

growth

2006-10-26T23:00:00.000-07:00

I'd have to be internally blind not to see how God is using these few fall months in a big way to change and grow his daughter.

It's been a hard day. It'll be a hard weekend, it's been a hard week, month and two months. This is the most exhausted I have ever been--I can't remember the last time I got more than two hours of sleep. I'm drinking so much coffee that my hands are starting to shake. I fall asleep at Derek Webb concerts (... but not the Black Crowes--no fear of that! ;) ). I'm up at 6:30 to tool-crib it, & work until 6:00 p.m. doing the internship thang, then--once in a great while--run and shower, then eat dinner, then get to work on the whole community college thang. Human nature, I'd love to think that I can handle all this, that I've got it under control. But I so don't. Check it out.

- Despite my best efforts to stay on top of my assignments, I somehow missed three in my Child Psychology class... how do I explain that to a professor? Somehow I've gotta suck it up, put myself out there, & beg for an extra credit assignment.

- I can't seem to manage to make higher than a C on any of my tests.

- The most ironic thing is, even though there clearly are not enough hours in the day, I still feel like I'm not really accomplishing much on the internship-side of things. What's happening here? I've always gotten my sense of self-worth from the work that I do, & I'm watching God strip that away. My worth comes only from him, & I'm learning that in a big way.

Most of all, I see and feel--and yeah, it's painful--God teaching me to trust completely in him alone. I want to know what my future holds--the places, decisions, joys, tragedies, and--most of all--people it holds. And I've got my own preferences on what those should be (understatement, anyone? :P ). But as, bit by bit, I've watched the things I've thought would be good and right for me taken away, I'm coming to learn that God and God alone knows what is good and right for me.

His plans are perfect, his promises trustworthy, his faithfulness eternal, his love incomprehensible. And they are all for me, his daughter.

Eric Shaved His Head--True Story; I Was There / I Helped.

2006-10-19T23:02:00.000-07:00

It's 1 a.m., and I'm pulling another allnighter, my 2nd this week (not that I've gotten much more sleep the other nights), for my Child Psychology test tomorrow. I'm not the only one up though--the Knoxville high school kids (from the same church as last week's UT Cross Greek group) are up, too--I can hear them outside the office watching T.V. And they've got to be up and out of here by 6:00. I'm only guessing that they must be able to sleep most of the way back. Anyways, once again, Knoxville came through in a BIG way. These kids were great. They'll be missed. And, absolutely incredible, they donated us three compressors, roofing guns, and hoses. AWESOME.

This week--running the tool crib, making a lot of Lowes runs, loading & helping deliver sheds, unloading H.A.N.D.S. trailers on the Moffet (my fave--not gonna lie), running teams out to worksites, painting benches, but most of all hanging out with Emaline. So good. Tuesday, the two of us and Jordan decided last minute to drive out to Birmingham to see a Derek Webb show, Emily Mark, Eric, and Kim. It was too short, of course, but AWESOME. I needed some tern time, bad. Hoping to get back their direction soon. Other accomplishment of this week--I've been "running" (15 minutes each time) twice. I'm hoping to get into some sort of running shape again before I leave. Not that I have the time, but whatev--I'll make time. :)

Superlatives--

Best New Lagniappe Addition: The conversion of the light pole into the Tern Direction Pole (come back! add one!).

Second Best New Lagniappe Addition: The couch in the tern office; or the cot in the tool crib. Either way, I can now work all the time and not even have to move for my two hours of sleep each day. Great. Fantastic.

Best New Food/Beverage Product: Pomegranate Oolong tea.

Favorite Verse: Jude v. 24 & 25.

Favorite Quote: The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. --Jack Kerouac

Soundtrack Now Includes: everything Coldplay and Derek Webb, Time After Time (Erin Bode)

Comments. Do it up. It's like encouragement without having to do any actual work. :)

volunteer Volunteers, & Miss Emaline

2006-10-13T08:05:00.000-07:00

The UT Cross Greek kids are here, and I'm LOVIN them. They can come back anytime, for sure. They've got Ethan & an awesome worship team--two thumbs WAY up. And they're extra encouraging, not to mention really hard workers. From what other team did I get three hugs, and an offer to go running at 5:30 a.m.?? That's right, none. GO VOLS! :)

Back to the superlatives.

Amount I've Slept In the Last Four Days: 10 hours.

Best New Food I've Discovered: Kashi GoLean Crunch.

A Top Ten Lagniappe Moment: Miss Emaline Schmidt getting here last night. I did the leap-forward-and-sit-on-her-waist move. People applauded. :)

Proudest Accomplishment: With Emaline, switching out the bucket on the skidsteer, hooking up a trailer, & loading three sheds. New job description--all right. :)

Hardest I've Laughed: Listening to Cliff talk to Christy Dale on my cell at Los Tres last night. PS, Inez's family is really fun, too. :)

Soundtrack Now Includes: Steal My Kisses (Ben Harper), When It Don't Come Easy (Patty Griffin), I Can't Catch You (Sixpence None the Richer), Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac), What About Love (Heart), Rain (Patty Griffin), To Be With You (Mr. Big)

Right now, I'm sitting in the Mockingbird, one of those really big mugs--that you can wrap both hands around--of black coffee sitting in front of me, my textbooks and notebooks spread all over. At the table across is Erica, the Habitat coordinator (and another Vol--she was SO pumped when Tennessee beat Georgia in Athens... her boyfriend is a Bulldog, & then she had to spend the rest of the night on the phone with him explaining that she wasn't really *that* excited that the Volunteers won... funny. :) ) who lives with us at Lagniappe (Hi, Erica :) ). She's studying for her menu exam at Trapani's tonight, and I'm studying for my Nutrition exam tomorrow. She's got two hours left, & I've got 16. In reality, I have 12, because 4 of those hours will be taken up with driving to the exam tomorrow, and tonight eating with Em at Lookout 49 & then picking Jean up from the airport. And theoretically, I have less time than that, because I should spend some of it sleeping, but, let's face it, that's not happening. Thursday night I slept an hour, from 3-4 a.m., because I was up writing a paper & then taking Jean to the airport, and my nightly sleep average (NSA) hasn't improved much since then. That's why I was so looking forward to running with Ethan this morning, but equally okay with the fact that their breakfast got moved to 5:30 & so running got moved to the backburner. I needed the sleep. (Thanks, Ethan--it'll happen next time. Spring break. No worries. :) ) Anyways, I think I've procrastinated enough. This exam so isn't going to study for itself.

Grace & peace.

Festivus, The Lagniappe Tradition of "The Airing of Grievances"

2006-10-07T17:34:00.000-07:00

I don't recall exactly when we adopted Festivus. I think it was during Spring break when Jean and I were talking at Lagniappe's first staging site, a peninsula in the back of Buchaneer State Park in Waveland. Knowing the interpersonal challenges we would face we determined to establish a weekly forum for repentance and reconcilliation. Since I am able to recall more movie and tv trivia than Scripture references, I told Jean how that sounded an aweful lot like Festivus, the fictional holiday made famous on an episode of Seinfeld. At Festivus families and friends gather at the dinner table for "The Airing of Grievances," a time for sharing all the ways a person has disappointed you over the past year. This is followed by "Feats of Strength." Lagniappe Festivus is the application of Matthew 18. We don't shout how people have disappointed us or wrestle them to the ground. We humbly go to a brother or sister who has hurt us, seeking restoration and reconciliation. It is an attempt to establish a pattern for repentance to God and to each other. As a testimony, I believe Festivus has kept us from devouring one another. Several times I have come to Festivus with anger and resentment and left with a renewed love for Jesus and deeper love and respect for my brothers and sisters. If you want to learn more about Festivus check out this website: http://www.vidlit.com/festivus/

... continuing with the 'tern blog-list tradition

2006-10-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

Since being back at Lagniappe, Round 2...

Best Charles Gray Quote: "Yes, and there will be a covered walkway between my houses, so that I may walk from one to the other without having to be seen from the street."

Best Surprise: Getting to meet Barbara Hunter, the lady whose house we gutted on Waveland Ave. over spring break. We're having lunch tomorrow! :)

Best Free Stuff: KARING gave free haircuts & massages at the casino last night. Two thumbs WAY up.

All My Money Is Going To... : Gas. My new favorite free-time thing to do is drive around with the ipod.

Best Night Out: two way tie between 1) Saints v. Falcons Monday Night Football!!! :) and 2) Daniels.

Biggest Accomplishment: Building Peje's cat prison (as Holly likes to call it. :) )

Scariest Moment: Taking Meri to the ER at 3:30 a.m.

Best New Discovery: The incredible coffee over at the Mockingbird off Main.

Best Conversation: With Curt, about life. Thanks Curt. :)

Soundtrack:
10. Amen Omen -- Ben Harper
9. Only A Fool -- The Black Crowes
8. Torn to Tattered -- Carbon Leaf
9. Yellow -- Coldplay
7. This World -- Derek Webb
6. Every Little Bit -- Patty Griffin
5. Horn -- Nick Drake
4. She Talks to Angels -- The Black Crowes
3. Forgiveness -- Patty Griffin
2. Nobody's Cryin' -- Patty Griffin
1. Driving North -- Chris Pureka

Good to hear from you all. Keep up the comments. :)

anyone still here??

2006-10-02T21:35:00.000-07:00

Just updating to say:

I'm pulling an all-nighter in the main building... got a geography test tomorrow that I haven't had time to study for until right now. Hooray for caffeine!

Also--is anyone even still here? Comment so I know whether or not to start posting again!

--Ryn, the last intern

bonjour, peje

2006-08-21T21:36:00.000-07:00

(Disclaimer: Not sure this is where we're supposed to be posting anymore, but whatev.)

Let's recap two pretty sweet days.

Sunday: My Mom & I spent the day in Brooklyn, Soho, & Chinatown. The Brooklyn Tabernacle was, as always, a great experience. It's so much fun to be standing in the balcony, while thousands of people sing & stomp & clap, & the balcony shakes under you. Also discovered that Mulberry, one of my favorite words, is the name of the street running through Little Italy. Thought that was kind of cool. And called Eric & Emily on the way back to see how MCATs didn't go (answer: great), but got continually cut off due to some really bad service coverage. BUT, not before Eric got to hear--from my mom--her reaction to my tattoo.

Monday: OK, this is going to be long, but a lot happened & I can't tell each of y'all about it, so I'll just have to write about it. This morning (well, yesterday morning, I guess), I started off the day driving up the parkway north to Red Bank, & had an appointment with my nutritionist, which went really well. Then, drove farther up the parkway & crossed into PA (shoutout to Haley & Dave!!) to visit some friends from Lehigh (side note: It's really important to me to keep up friendships, & I've been known to drive insanely far distances for even ridiculously short periods of time to get to see a friend). I had lunch with Steph (& got to tell her all about the Guster concert from Friday night--inCREDible!), then spent the afternoon with Katie W & got to see the house she's living in this year; she's done an amazing job with it, planting morning glories everywhere, & she's got a tomato garden growing in the backyard. She's sewing curtains for the windows, & her neighbor is an artist. Yeah, Katie's pretty much one of the coolest people I know. :)

So is Katie P, who I went to meet up with in Union, NJ for dinner. If you remember the night we prayed in the guys' side of the bunkhouse, Katie's the girl I asked you to pray for. It was SO good to get to see her, & she's been back from TX & doing so good for eight days. I am SO proud of this girl. I got to see where she works (an animal hospital) & her mom's house, & dinner was good, too. And, on top of all that... she gave me, completely free & complete with tons of necessary "accessories"... a little tiny kitten. That's right. Me, who doesn't even like cats, now has a little calico kitten. Its story is, it's one of a dozen that were dropped off, & it's a runt, so they've had trouble placing it. As usual, I've got a soft spot for the runts. Without quite thinking through everything, I soon found myself driving back south, with a kitten in the passenger seat (of my mom's car--as my transmission is theoretically being fixed--who, btw, is allergic to cats. Also, who knew that Benadryl is for allergies?? I thought it was for sleeping. So, Tom, extra extra thanks for sharing yours, when you probably needed it way more than I did.). Anyway, there I was, next to a loud, meowing kitten that didn't seem to want to be quiet. And what do I know about kittens? (Or about how to make them be quiet?) Well, on top of being cute & curious & inquisitive & soft & fuzzy, my kitten also has excellent taste in music. A Patty Griffin song (Tony) came on & within seconds, my little kitten quieted down. So, what to name her? I didn't like Patty or Griffin... P.G.... P.G..... Peegee.... Peje, with the "j" like in "Jean." Peje. My own little kitten. (What a weird, weird sentence).

The best part? I was about another forty minutes down the parkway before I realized, "No way. No WAY." (*pause to let head bang against steering wheel in disbelief*) "I did it. I became Crazy Old Cat Lady. And I'm only 20! No passing go, skipped right past the whole still-middle-aged-and-single thing. Direct to Crazy Old Cat Lady. GAHHH!" :P

And, I kind of wanted to wait & surprise Christy, Emily & Eric, & Kim with little Peje. But I just couldn't wait to blog about it. :)

Much tern love to y'all. Prepare to be inundated with phone calls as I start my long journey south. Let's hope there's not too many dead patches.

Road Trip
Wednesday: W&M (Nyssa)
Thursday: Hickory, NC (Christy)
Friday: B'ham/T'town (Eric & Emily, Kim)
Saturday: BSL!

Uhh..which way is south?

2006-08-21T13:40:00.000-07:00

David: Yo, Haley. Can you see any of the 'terns from up here?

Haley: No, I think they're all too far away to see. But I see them in my dreams every night.

David: Do you think they miss us? Or maybe they're just extremely jealous that there's two 'terns in the same place.

Haley: I'm sure they miss us... I mean who wouldn't? But now I can see why PA didn't have to enter into the petty squabbling about which state is better. PA is way cooler than Texas.

David: Man, that's the truth... So how long do you think it will be before we stop calling ourselves "'terns?"

Haley: We're always going to be 'terns.

David: Alright, well you can argue that with them when they kick us off the intern blog.

Haley: They won't kick us off.

David: Well, we should blog this picture while we still can use it to communicate with everyone.

frozen burritos and drinkin' right out o' the bottle

2006-08-21T08:32:00.000-07:00

School has officially started. I'm sitting in the computer lab in my old dorm and I have an hour until I have to be at work (clearly not enough time to walk approx. 20 mins back to my appartment and then walk back 20 minutes later). The only other person in the computer lab is another student with headphones on listening to some vicious techo music...quite loudly. Even though I'm across the room from him, I'm reminded of our dear friend Zech. It sounds like a killer dance mix with about 4 seconds of music skipping....over and over. Anyway, just got back from my first class. It was a lame library "mini-class" that everyone in the arts and sciences college has to take. It only meets once and everything from then on is online. If everything goes as planned, I will only have classes on tuesdays and thursdays this semester. I moved into my appartment this last thursday. Its a little over a mile from the edge of campus. So, when I get a bike, I will be golden. The last few days I've been attempting to move in and begin life in Lincoln. Last night for dinner I had a frozen burrito and since moving in I haven't wanted to wash dishes much, so I had a big jug/bottle/container of orange juice I was drinking right out of. Hadn't really done that much before- it was quite freeing. Dirty dishes in the sink, piles of chaos everywhere, drinking oj right out of the bottle and cheap frozen foods- isn't that what college is all about? (sigh) I've been frequenting my D. Webb and Patty Griffin cds- they're pretty much flippin awesome and remind me of you guys. Kim sent me an e-mail and she mentioned the fact that going back to college reminded her of Mr. C Gray: He changed and New Or-le-ans didn't. As Kim mentioned, I feel like I changed and Lincoln didn't. The transition has been odd. On that note, I've appreciated the calls and text/facebook/email messages y'all have sent- it's been awesome. I've had requests to tell y'all about the Chicago trip. I don't have my camera with me now, but I'll try to post some thoughts about the trip and maybe some pictures of Nebraska (woot!) on the new blog and attempt to start the blog transition. I miss y'all so much and hope you're doing well.

so it's 8:00 am

2006-08-16T06:13:00.000-07:00

and I'm sitting in the dark in front of Andy's computer. I've been awake for the past hour (working the tool crib leaves your body a little confused about when normal people are supposed to be awake :) I don't have a lot to post except this. Last night was one of the most incredible wind storms I have ever been in the middle of; I knew I needed to be worried when Conrad started battening down the hatches of all the trailers. As I'm holding tightly to a metal pole while lightning is flashing almost continuously above me (I was trying to get the hammock down...) I thought of Psalm 104 which says

O Lord my God you are very great;
You are clothed with splendor and majesty.
He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens
like a tent
and lays the beams of His upper chambers on their waters.
He makes the clouds his chariot
and rides on the wings of the wind,
He makes winds his messengers,
Flames of fire his servants.

Right before the storm the sky was an incredibly eerie but beautiful mixture of dark gray-blue and then pastel light-blue and yellow. There was what appeared to literally be a blanket of yellow and gold clouds spread across the top of the sky, while to the west the sun set behind a beautiful line of deep golden orange clouds. I describe that and want to delete it because it cannot do justice to what I saw, but I'll leave it as a pathetic attempt. I thought about taking a picture, but that doesn't work either. As I held onto the metal pole-simultaneously frustrated at the hammock for not coming down and amazed by the wind and lightning display around me I realized that my view of God is just much smaller than it ought to be. The meaning of this verse was redefined for me and I have a new awe when I read "He makes winds His messengers and flames of fire His servants" !

let me tell you a story.....

2006-08-15T07:06:00.000-07:00

have you ever stopped to think about the way God puts thing together for us in such an amazing way. as most of you well know... i had no idea what i was going to be doing at the end of the summer. i felt that God was leading me away from Lagniappe... but He was also telling me that i couldnt stay at home (my family is utterly amazing and incredibly supportive, but my life outside of them wasnt the best situation for me, or anyone, to be in... thats a longer story in and of itself). driving back to the bay from a week leading at Urban Young Life camp with Christy, Stephanie, and David... i began to feel increasingly overwhelmed to the point of tears (i think i might be a little too emotional... sorry guys). i began to confide in them about my situation. i didnt know what to do... i didnt know where to go... i knew God was leading me from Lagniappe and home but i didnt know where he wanted me (keep in kind that we only had a week left until the end of the summer). being the wonderful friends they are, they prayed for me on the ride home. i felt a little better but i knew that nothing had been settled.
our last week passed a lot quicker than i thought it was going to. on thursday night the remaining 'terns went over to the Larroux's house for a subway and pancake dinner. so much fun but still strange without all the other 'terns there. towards the end of the evening, only Christy, David, Melissa (David's friend from home that was going to be riding up with him to drop me off in TN on their way back to PA), and i remained at the house with Jean and his fam. while everyone else was inside, Jean and i were sitting on the porch when he began to call me out. "what are you doing, Haley? why are you leaving the bay? if youre not going home where are you going?" all valid questions... valid questions that i couldnt answer. i told him that i felt confident that God was leading me away from the bay... but that He was also leading me away from home. after talking a while longer, he suggested that i ask Melissa if i can come to PA and move in with her (fyi... i had just met Melissa about... uh... 20 minutes ago!). he said that it would be good for me to live with a woman close to my age who had such a close relationship with the Lord and i could get involved with Network (the ministry she works for) and basically take refuge in God. i thought that was a great idea. one problem. there was no way i was going to ask her if i could move in with her... she would think i was crazy! to which Jean's response was, "ok... well then we'll pray that she asks you." oh ok... that sounds like that could happen... YEAH RIGHT! i conseaded and we began to pray... "God, we think this is stupid... we're just going to lay that out there since You know we're thinking it. we dont think You're going to be this. but please lay it upon Melissa's heart to ask Haley to move up to PA with her. we know this would be a good enviroment for Haley..." after we finished praying, i looked at Jean and said, " i feel bad because i dont think she's going to ask me." then came his response, " does it make you feel any better that i dont think she is going to either?" uh... no. "act in faith, Haley. pack a bag and you will go." i left the house with this overwhelming feeling of peace and confidence which stayed with me all night and into the next morning.
the next day, i had misplaced my wallet so Melissa had stopped to help me find it. we began to talk and she asked me what i was going to be doing once i go home. i gave her the gist of it... didnt know... wasnt in school... felt led from both here and home... willing to go anywhere... just needed options. she told me that she thought we were going to have some great converstion on the way home. still had the feeling of peace an confidence.
we left the bay around 2:30. not an hour after we left Melissa said, "ok, Haley... lets talk options." ok. "i think that you should just come up to Chambersburg and live with me." WHAT?! i was speachless... but God gave me the words. i told her about the conversation with Jean the night before. how we had prayed specifically for that. she said that she had thought it earlier but didnt want say anything because she's learning to wait on things. (keep in mind that we had met the night before and that she didnt even know anything about me... just that i was friends with David and was riding up with them to TN.) after talking about for a while she said, "i dont know... i just think youre going to come." "yeah... i am." come to find out that David had praying for the past week that Melissa and i would meet and that i could somehow get involved with Network as well. later Christy told me that it had entered her mind as well and that she was praying about it too. woah. Melissa and i both felt that this was God will but we wanted it to be confirmed... confirmed by her roommate and her landlord. so we prayed that God would grant us the "go ahead" by allowing those two to be ok with it. she called both... her roommate was completely fine with it and her landlord was too.
David and Melissa stayed two night at my parent's house with me. my parents are extremely supportive and knew that this was and is from God. they got to spend some time with Melissa and see that she's not an axe murderer or a member of a cult.
tomorrow morning i'm leaving for Chambersburg, PA. i'm excited... i dont have any expectations... i really cant have any. i know that God is bringing me there for a reason... i just dont know what yet... but i'm excited. please keep me in your prayers... y'all are all in mine.

A Tribute to Patty Griffin (or, A Nap That Was Worth A Thousand Dollars)

2006-08-14T21:10:00.000-07:00

So, it’s still true that I hate airports… although it’s not their fault, really. It’s just that I hate having to say goodbye—and a long weekend of goodbyes kicked off at 4:45ish am at the Gulfport airport. Echoing Christy Dale’s choice of Friday morning as one of the best Lagniappe memories, though. It was the definition of bittersweet. My ipod cycled through D. Webb & Patty Griffin (not crappy music, Eric, but just what I need, anyway :P ) all the way to Atlanta, during my layover, and then into Norfolk… then through the drive home to NJ.

I've had some time to think about you
And watch the sun set like a stone
I've had some time to think about you
On the long ride home

At about 3:30 am, I fell asleep (irony there somewhere, right…?) and crashed into the side of the Delaware Memorial Bridge… fortunately, no one else was hurt, and I just banged up my head a little. I got a flat tire, which after this summer I knew how to change (although—Kim, Tom—being stranded on the side of a road isn’t near as much fun by yourself!). I finally made it home at 6 am (and later found out that the damage totaled about $1,000).

Well, a long night turns into a couple long years
Of me walkin' around, around this trail of tears
Where the very loud voice of my own fears
Is ringin' and ringin' in my ears

The wedding was beautiful, Amanda was beautiful, and the look on Jonathan’s face when she walked down the aisle was beautiful (ps, I couldn’t manage to find one dress that would work for both, but I found a basic brown-and-white polka dot one for the wedding, and a black one for the service). It was outdoors in a cranberry bog, and the sky was every bit as big as it is in Mississippi. Their story is so great… they just graduated (her from Charleston Southern, him from Liberty) and have been together since their sophomore year of high school (my eighth grade year), doing the long-distance thing all four years of college. She teaches kindergarten and he… well, I’m not sure what he does. I sat on the bride’s side. :P

Camping with the little brother was awesome, too. My ankle is off still so I was really slow and we couldn’t go all that far, but we hiked into a lean-to and roasted hot dogs & marshmallows, then hiked out the next morning (this morning) and made it back to Manahawkin in time for the service—which, as it turns out, my Mom got put in charge of organizing (speaking of my mom… best reaction to a tattoo *ever*--“Oh… I’m SO sorry!”… hilarious). So I helped her out with the flower arrangements. At the service, she wasn’t able to get up to say anything, so I got up and said a little bit…

I was going to write a post, like some of you have already done so well, reflecting back on this summer. But I just don’t have the right words. Collectively, y’all’ve radically changed the way I live life. And you’ve each individually made an impact that I won’t ever forget. I love you all. I hope you know that. For evidence, I submit that I’ve already seen Kim, Emily, and Eric walking, and Sarah, Stephanie, and Tom driving around my town. Not really, but I think that I just wanted to badly enough that I tricked myself into thinking I really did. :P Is it time for the ‘tern reunion yet? Ohman.

May you dream you are dreaming, in a warm soft bed
And may the voices inside you that fill you with dread
Make the sound of thousands of angels instead
Tonight where you might be laying your head

Once upon a time...

2006-08-14T11:16:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, in a land far-far-away in the kingdom of Jasper there lived a mouse named 'Hunkamonka.' I first met Hunkamonka when the boat I sailed out of Bay St. Louis on washed up on the shores of Jasper. Now Hunkamonka was an adorable little mouse and looked very much like someone else I had met. So I asked her if she had ever met someone named Lily. Hunkamonka assured me that she had not. That was good enough for me so we decided to color in her magic coloring book. What is magical about it you ask? Well, I didn't know this at first but everyone who colors in it becomes an artist. We colored for a little while and I looked over at Hunkamonka and told her she was quite an artist and in her squeeky mouse voice she replied, " I know." After several more pages of crayola fun Hunkamonka turned to me and said, "David, you're an artist, too." Feeling rather accomplished I smiled and said, "Thank you." To celebrate our artistic endeavors we did what all great minds do... we made silly faces. When it was time for me to leave I sailed away thinking, "What an affirming little mouse and a magical place the land of Dalrymple in the Kingdom of Jasper is!"

A Couple of Shout Outs

2006-08-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

To my brethren of Mississippi origin (Jean & Eric): I couldn't help but to think of ya'll when I saw this tomato with mayo laying on the ground when we stopped for gas on the trip home.

To my health conscious and compassionate sisters: This chicken truck reminded me of all the conversations of the cruel reality faced by poultry, swine, and beef cattle in the world today. (Just look how sad those chickens are. They can hardly move, but I guess its for the good of taste and profit. I mean who would want to eat anything that actually exercised its muscles? It would be way too tough to chew.)

To all ya'll ;) "Furmanites": I came across this picture while satiating my nostalgia and check out my friends' shirt! Crazy...

it's about time...sort of

2006-08-13T09:45:00.000-07:00

My name is Sarah Denton (I'm the one on the far left with short blond hair), and I have been here since July 1st of the summer, but you haven't heard from me for two reasons. First, I am completely and utterly computer illiterate, and I lack the desire and passion to really understand computers, so today's blogg is an incredible feat for me! Secondly, and more importantly, I did not want to miss one moment with my incredible friends here--working or laughing or talking or whatever.....not even to write about it to the rest of the world. Today however, I have time to write because they have all left. They left on Friday actually (that's where the computer illiterate bit factors in)...and I have finally learned how to post so here I go.

How do you sum up a month and a half on a blogg which others will read? I don't want to bore you, but I don't want to limit my words and do each of these phenominal people and the work being done here a disservice...but I fear both will inevitably happen. Bare with me :)

Each intern who served here brought such a unique talent and personality, but far from dividing us these differences formed one of the most unique communities I have ever seen. They welcomed me--the late intern who had been traveling for a month while they worked tirelessly--and they loved on me in an incredible way. They poured out love in the small details--like laughing at my mistakes when I wanted to scream, by teaching me how to drywall, or drive a stick shift, or check out tools from the tool crib. They loved me by giving wise advice, dancing with me no matter where we were, putting up with my endless energy and sudden sleep attacks in the middle of hang out time--and even loved me when I broke the hammock and almost killed two of them in the fall! I have seen here women of God who are not affraid of work, and who are not affraid of vulnerability--no I take that back. They were terrified of vulnerability but because of God's grace were able to enter into community despite those fears and walk in openess. I have seen men of God here who are incredibly strong and yet incredibly humble--men who understood community as well and were willing to teach and encourage in a way I have never seen before. I want to write a paragraph on each individual...but I realize that's not possible, so don't worry. (This is what happens when you have an english major who misses her incredible friends....perhaps this is the stuff of bad novels, but I would prefer to think that perhaps the incredible novels come from emotions like this :)

The work is still going on here. Yesterday a friend and I moved a lot of lumber onto the lumber racks welded and installed by our incredible guys; we cleaned the area, we threw out all the debris....things haven't stopped because everyone has left, but it feels different. We as interns aren't vital for this ministry to go on; Lagniappe will continue to grow and work by God's grace and when we leave others will fill our spots or do the work we were used to do...but it is an incredible priviledge to be included in the work. Saying bye on Friday there were tears, not because our world was coming to the end or because none of us are going to be able to function in the outside world (though I'm sure we are all wondering if we really will be :), but because we have to leave something which has shaped us, is incredibly real, and which will never be assembled in the same way again until heaven...there is a picture below of Eric, Tom, and Dave saying goodbye and I would venture to say it is one of the best expressions of the relationships formed here. Debby Downer is bowing out now and optimist Sarah is returning, and I promise to stop typing soon. I have been so blessed by the chance to be here; blown away by the way God is working in Bay St. Louis and in the lives of all the people he brought here to serve. I have been challenged, strengthened, weakened, and made to rely on Christ in a beautiful way. Here is a place where lame people get serve, and don't get criticized when we limp because we know it's not us doing the work in the first place.

Enjoy the pictures, I don't have them all so more will come tomorrow, but I hope that some of the incredibly hillarious and beautiful personalities of the interns comes through just a little bit :)

so everyone's transferring to furman, right?

2006-08-11T17:26:00.000-07:00

I'm just a teenager, but I'm doing all right for a college kid ;)

let's take a walk down memory lane with some of my favorite lagniappe moments...
1. Driving Ryn to the airport at 4:00 in the morning while still in a coma with my eyes closed
2. Learning to drive a stick for the first time with the gray truck, a large trailer, and 5000 lbs on it in a crowded 84 lumber parking lot and then destroying the trailer tire on an obnoxiously oversized fence in the parking lot. In hindsight, it wasn't our best idea.
3. Hearing Jean in his self-gratifying moments e.g. being a blessing to this church
4. Having Jill pop my tire within a 400 foot radius of the church and sweet Dave fixing it the next day
5. Listening to our friend Kevin freestyle about Smokey the dog
6. How much joy we find in a bottle of water and a real shower
7. When people I've just met comment on how small my hands and feet are
8. Being reminded that I resemble an elf.
9. When Ryn asked me where they could find me in the movie Elf. Thanks.
10. When Ryn asked me if I'd ever been a mall elf. Even better.
11. Being voted most likely to become a rapper. Finally you recognize my lyrical genius and crazy rhetoric!
12. Having Dave and Haley come with me and Steph to YL camp and getting to see a huge, important part of our lives.

I think 12 is a good, strong number for right now.

I had no idea how difficult it would be to say goodbye to y'all today. It's become so evident that what was started here was completely designed by the Lord. How else could so many extremely different 'terns form a whole-heartedly functional and devoted group -- devoted to each other and spurring one another on in doing God's work. Although I cried buckets today, you could probably call me ridiculously excited because I know this is not the last time I'll see you guys. I can't wait to see how our relationships are continued and what kind of paper mache creations I receive in the mail from each of you (don't worry, I'll blog my school address later so that you can send them soon). I spy a challenge: I really want to know the paths that each of your lives are taking, so keep up with this blog. Do it. I love you all so much. I'll probably write something cheesier later.

every grain of sand

2006-08-09T21:40:00.000-07:00

As I write, I'm sitting in the basement of my parents' home in Topeka, KS. I drove here from BSL on monday and tuesday (approx. 16 hours- really not that long y'all...come see me!) and had some awesome time to listen to newly acquired cds and sermons (thanks Jordan). On the 'tern mix, I listened to "Every Grain of Sand"...at least 5 times. When the song would end, I would rewind it just enough to hear the last line again: "I'm hanging in the balance of a perfect finished plan- like every sparrow falling and like every grain of sand." (ooh, and p.s.-I have a lump in my throat the size of a fema trailer as I write this) I guess that line just really hit me- we're in the balance of a perfect finished plan. We don't know what that plan looks like or how our present situation fits into that, but we know that God already has it figured out and his plan is perfect. God has every detail figured out (down to the details of each grain of sand...which has so much more meaning now) and Lagniappe was part of His perfect plan for each one of our lives. I'm SO thankful for all you lagniappe folk and the awesomeness of this summer- I love you guys and miss you like crazy.

2006-08-09T10:55:00.000-07:00

i thought about writing to each person here that i care about....... however...... this way others will be able to understand the amount of love that i have for these amazing people. fyi... this might get a little / a lot sappy...

Jean, Kim & fam: i've had the plessure of getting to know your family. from the moment i arrived in the bay, you made me feel at home (probably because we were arguing within 1 minute of knowing each other). Jean... it means so much to me that you made me your friend instead of just an "employee"... thanks for all the advice and encouragement. you helped me more than you know. Kim... you welcomed me into your home and made me feel like a part of your family. TJean, H.G., & A.E.... y'all are so great. i still cant determine whether you three are exceptionally mature or if i'm just exceptionally immature (probably the latter). thank you all for the love of Christ that you showed me on a daily basis.

Andy & Cammie: you two are phenominal. Andy... i know that you and i are always joking around with each other but let me tell you... thank you for all the times you put me in my place and vice versa... i had a blast. Cammie... you are amazing. thank you for letting us in your house all the time to hang out and eat all your food. thank you to both of you for putting up me and all the other 'terns.

Curt & Kelly: Curt... i love your sence of humor... please continue to laugh. Kelly... i, along with everyone else, am praying for you and Curt. we love you all very much.

Jordan: my brother... youve looked out for me even before i got down here. thank you for continually calling me to come down here. God used you to get His child back. you are such an amazing man. God is going to continue to use you to do incredible things. i love you so much and am terribly thankful for you.

Emily: i already miss you. thank you for always making me laugh... you have the ability to any time you want. i miss the looks that you would give me and the way you would say, "Haley, why would say that?" in your unintentional Napolian Dynamite voice. i miss your blunt-ness and your seriousness as well. never stop asking questions. i love you so much Em.

Ryn: my roommate... until we got the hammock. i love your ability to love. you quietly show how much you love this community by the perpetual hard work that you do. you outwardly show how much you love me by the hugs and tears that we've shared together. thank you for all the times you let me show you a portion of the love that you show me.

Eric: my drywall partner... for a time. i loved getting to work with you the short amount of time that we did. i love being able to hear you laugh through the wall... its the best. youre brilliant. thank you for your willingness to listen to my craziness and the advice that you have given me. i love you so much Remmy.

Emily Mark: i'm so thankful that i had the plessure of meeting you. you and Eric are so blessed to have each other. youre a wonderful woman. i love that you are always positive and smiling... keep it up Em.

Tom: i had the prevelidge of taking you to the hospital. no... not because i get some sort of sick enjoyment out of seeing you so ill... but because i had the opportunity to show you a small amount of love that you show to everyone that you come in contact with. when i think hugs, i think Tom Hart. what an appropriate last name... you have such a big heart. i love you very much Marv.

Kim: youve not been gone a whole day and i already miss you. i miss the way you get tickled and start to honk. you pour yourself into your work and i admire you for that. thank you for the hugs... you just seem to fit right there. you are most kind. thank you for being my friend. i love you.

Zech: youre great. thank you for teaching me patience... i truly mean that. you are a fantastic person and God blessed me with your friendship. i miss your close talking. i love you very much.

Austin: i miss my Austin. you are hysterical! you have an amazing sence of humor... always making me laugh. thank you for all the fun we had together... all the awkward hugs. i think they broke us of that though. i love you and i cant wait to see you in greenville... trust me i'll be there often.

Stephanie: you truly amaze me. your love, your patience, your kindness. youre a wonderful woman. you are going to be incredible mother. i'm so thankful that i got to spend that week at camp with you and be shown your amazing qualities. i love you Steph.

Sarah: oh my Sarah. i love you so very much. you are an anomaly... i love it. i love your eagerness and your energy. i love that you can sleep anywhere. thank you for your friendship.

Jill: i'm sad that we dont get to spend a lot of time together. i wish that i could get to know you more. hopefully we can hang out when i come to visit in greenville. i want to thank you for being a good friend to my girls. from what i hear and can see for myself... youre pretty flippin awesome.

David: i admire you so. you have such a love for life... youre always learning. your patience, your passion, your faith, your humility is so encouraging. God is using you to do great things for Him. thank you for your friendship. i love you very much and will miss you.

Christy: my sister. where do i start. i love Christy Shores. you are such an amazing blessing to me. i am incredibly thankful for you and your love. i love my little elf. i will be in greenville often... i am unwilling to live without you. even though you dont think you have... youve helped me tremendously. i love you so much.

Thank you God for these people in my life. You have truly blessed me with their love, acceptance, and friendships. You've given me a whole other family. You've shown me that there are quality people in this world. Thank you Lord for this experience.

Caught Between the Promise and the Things I Know

2006-08-05T15:36:00.000-07:00

Above is the calendar with all of our departure dates on it....also known as the calendar of sadness...

Someone asked me today what I would miss most about Lagniappe, and I struggled to come up with an answer. What I will miss most about this beautiful place isn't tangible. It's the love here. It's our love for God, love for each other, and our love for this city. I honestly can not describe this community, you will have to come experience it for yourself (please do- they'd love to have you down). We are just beginning to become truly familiar with the residents of this community. We see them at Waffle House (we achieved "regular" status today thanks to our awesome waitress, Tara), or Bay City Grill, or wherever, and we say to each other- "I delievered a shed to them," or "They came in yesterday," or we're recognized first and are thanked for whatever it is we were able to do for them. It is beginning to feel more and more like home each day...and now we are leaving. Sorry to be Debbie Downer, but this is a reality that we are all facing, regardless of how much denial we are in.
I heard this song by Sarah Groves on Wednesday, and I stopped what I was doing and thought that the words had been composed directly from my journal...

I don't want to leave here
I don't want to stay
It feels like pinching to me
Either way
And the places I long for the most
Are the places where I've been
They are calling out to me
Like a long lost friend

It's not about losing faith
It's not about trust
It's all about comfortable
When you move so much
And the place I was *Tuscaloosa* wasn't perfect
But I had found a way to live
And it wasn't milk or honey
But then neither is this

I've been painting pictures of Egypt
Leaving out what it lacks
And the future *away from BSL* feels so hard
And I want to go back *or stay...whatever...*
But the places that used to fit me
Cannot hold the things I've learned
Those roads were closed off to me
While my back was turned

The past *BSL* is so tangible
I know it by heart
Familiar things are never easy
To discard
I was dying for some freedom
But now I hesitate to go
I am caught between the Promise
And the things I know

So with a little shifting of the words...this song describes me perfectly. Ryn offered a great piece of advice for me on Thursday. She said, "Take Lagniappe with you, and figure out how to make it work wherever you are." I wish there was a word for Lagniappe x a million...because that is what I have been given here. If anyone reading this does not have plans to come down here, make them. Call Cammie, and come experience it for yourself. Or come on down to Arab and visit me. We'll go eat a the L'Rancho (Little joke for the 'terns...)

Learning To Fly ;-)

2006-08-05T14:18:00.000-07:00

I Heart the Terns

2006-08-02T13:50:00.000-07:00

I Love You All
((((HuG)))))

Happy Birthday Zech (aka: Zeke, Zetch, Zick)

2006-08-02T12:31:00.000-07:00

Rather Be At

2006-08-01T11:54:00.000-07:00

Ya know how "they" have those shirts and bumber stickers that say, "I would rather be golfing... or I would rather be fishing." Well, I would rather be at Lagniappe!

"If I could find my way back home, where would I go?"

2006-07-29T08:05:00.000-07:00

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

Came across this verse while trying to finally finish John, and just as I was figuring out that no amount of tin dragging or concrete digging will ever make me tired enough to stop thinking & maybe have some peace. So, God's peace--bring it on. No idea what that looks like, but I'm ready. :)

PS, yeah, the colors are a W&M shoutout.

2006-07-26T08:11:00.000-07:00

God save our gracious Queen,
God save our noble Queen.
God save the Queen.
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God save the Queen!

Those glorious words were ringing through the vast beams of the tool crib this morning. After the torrential downpour of yesterday there was a large puddle across the entrace to the tool crib (or kingdom). Upon entering the crib this morning Stephanie and I quickly decided that this was not just any pond - but THE pond. I hope you know what I mean (if not, find an encyclopedia pronto)

The dreary morning became much jollier when we realized the power of this pond. It was not a mere puddle of brown mud slush and water - but it held the ablitlity to transform even the most southern of speech into the sweet accent of the mother-land. Suffice to say that Stephanie and I quickly dubbed today, July 26th, a national tool crib holiday....Brithish Accent Only Day!(da da da!!! horns sounding)

I must admit that when we began enforcing the rules of this beloved holiday - volunteers were a little resistant. When we stopped a few bonnie lasses and strapping young men from engaging in speech that didn't have the proper tonal influx. However we had one you lad who upon hearing the rules jumped in head first with a "right-o, jolly good show!" He was a definate favorite of ours. After he broke the ice, others became less shy of their accents and began to follow suit. Its never about the quality of your accent - because being from Texas, Steph and I have absolutely horrid accents, but its the heart. (sniff sniff - could you please send us tissues if you think about it...)

One poor man, was a little self-conscious about his accent and refused to speak. He would only write, and I quote, "Desperately seeking strap" Another man attempted to communicate solely through sign language, unfortunately he was about a week to late, since "Sign Language Only Day" in the tool crib was last week. Poor planning indeed. But we did have a visitor stop by wary of the British accent and so he donned a New Jersey accent. While our New Jersey native, TJ, picked up an Irish accent in defiance. It was a cacauphony of accents - quite confusing. Overall we found that British accents are the best way to prevent un-needed questions, since many of our volunteers are gun shy about donning accents and would therefore leave and ask the other interns their questions - leaving us quite satisfied. (disclaimer - we love volunteers and questions...)

For any of you who have loved ones here at Lagniappe this week, you might want to call them and let them know that this Friday is karaoke day! We will not accept any tool requests or returns without a song and/or dance - just give them a heads up so they can begin practicing!
Cheerio to all, and God save the Queen!

****all this must be read in a British accent of course****

The Aftermath of Solitude

2006-07-23T16:50:00.000-07:00

Jesus always seems to be on to something. I often think of Jesus with people and actively ministering among them, but I often lose sight of the Jesus who retreated from those same people to spend time with the Father. How much more do we need to follow this model when we seek to serve as well.

Taking Friday and Saturday off I sought solitude from the day to day hustle of Lagniappe and it was amazing! It gave me a chance to rest, collect my thoughts, read, pray, write, and even do a little fishing. Much love to John Henry for letting me crash his humble abode for the weekend. I found this verse written on a tile on his shelf. So appropriate.

all you need is love

2006-07-23T14:27:00.000-07:00

the beetles knew what they were talking about. after a week of being personally overwhelmed i was on the phone with my mother (hi mom). i wasnt really able to explain what i was so upset about... one of things where it wasnt one specific instance but several little things. continuing to nearly sob even after i had hung up, my phone rang again. mother. the first words out of her mouth were, "we're on our way." she had called my dad (hi daddy) and together they had decided to drop everything for the weekend and drive from chattanooga, tn to the bay just for me. not only that but my sister, kelly, (hi kelly) and her daughter, lily, (hey beano) were also coming. wow. i cant put into words the amount of gratitude and love i have for them. the idea that people could love someone that much that they would drive over seven hours just to be near... it amazes me. this weekend was one of the most relaxing ones that ive spent here. and it is all thanks to my family.
guys... thank you so much for coming down. i had a blast with you. i miss you and i hope to see you sooner to another six weeks. i cant begin to tell you how grateful i am to you all. i love you all very much.

2006-07-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

what a day it was, when stephanie, kim and i first laid eyes on "the bottom of the box." now to all of you not at lagniappe - the pure wonder of this might escape you, but let me try and explain.

a while ago andy gave a cardboard box to stephanie full of papers to be sorted. that on the surface seems like an easy enough task - not to terribly complicated and we get to be inside in air conditioning, but looks can be deceiving. this box, which became the vain of our existance at lagniappe, contained enough files (unorganized that is) to sink the titanic.

here are just a few of the lovely files that we found:
1. a whopping 19 files labled "Home Depot"
2. a file labled "stuff" - thank you andy for your clarity
3. a file entitled receipts (where, when and with who were these purchased.... we don't know). also in this file.... titles, tax information... you name it!
4. our personal favorite..."file" why thank you captain obvious, i think i might get another shirt made for all the girl interns that says "girl" just to clarify for any future confusion.

ok, so now you have just a slight clue of the mass chaos that this box contained - it began to mock us. everyday we passed by the box and began to work on it, its enormity laughed in our face. taunting us - saying "you cant get to the bottom of me - im too big for you"

so we plugged away, day after day. labeling, filing, sorting, tossing - labeling, filing, sorting, tossing - labeling, filing, sorting, and tosssing. that was the entirity of our lives. (note our ascending vocal pitch should be heard in these words)

tuesday - day of days - from the crows nest stephanie shouted down to me "what ho...ahead i see a shining sliver of cardboard. can it be?? the bottom of the box?????" 48 hours later, 16 cups of coffee later, 1 trip to slidell (for a new cabinet), 2 trips to walmart, and hospital saliene drip (6000 cc) - kim lost it for a little bit there and we had to take her in - we accomplished the mamouth task set before us!!!!!

at the unveiling of the empty box/filing cabinet (aka lagniappe masterpiece) andy, kim, jean, stephanie and i all gathered held hands and sang the doxology - i do believe i saw a solitary tear trickle down jean's cheek.

the journey has come to an end!

Amen Omen

2006-07-17T20:26:00.000-07:00

One of my first Sundays here, Jean preached on "The Chicken Truck of the Heart." The title was talking about earlier that week when he, Jordan, Dave, Austin, & I climbed into an 18-wheeler full of rotting chicken & threw it piece by piece out into the dumpster. Except in the sermon, he said that "sometimes there're jobs that we just can't ask the volunteers or interns to do, & that's when we as staff really have to step it up." Later in the sermon, he said that the three of us interns had been in there as well, but my initial reaction was to think indignantly, "Hey!! I was in there! I want credit too!" Funny thing is, the sermon was about pride, and how as fallen men and women we seek worthiness and praise in our own good works and best efforts--and how our glory and worthiness is unearned and comes completely from God.

This last Sunday, Curt preached on 1 Corinthians 12:15-21, a passage which speaks about the diversity of spiritual gifts. Then, just today, I found myself beating myself up for not having that many "practical" skills, & thinking how lame it is that what I'm best at is writing. Wait, hold up--who am I to think or say that? God gave me a love for words--for their sounds and meanings, how they can spur imagination or capture memories in a way that's deeper & more long-lasting than pictures. But sometimes it's hard for me to see that as a useful thing, especially here where people need their houses wired, their roofs put on, and I don't know how to do that.

But, four things:
1) I can learn to do those things, and am learning.
2) Just because certain needs exist, doesn't discount the value of other abilities that don't directly respond to those needs.
3) I'm 20 years old. Not that there's ever a point at which anyone has his orher life "figured out," but there's definitely an expectation that a person has his talents, skills, & preferences pretty much sorted by his forties or so. And I think that more and more that's filtering down--every once in a while, I have a moment of clarity and can get outside myself to see, "I'm 20 years old. It's ok that I don't know what I want to do yet, & it's definitely ok that I'm still learning how to do & experience new things."
4) God's got me. He doesn't mess up. He's given me exactly what I need to do what he's put before me. (BTW, he's also got me exactly where he wants me in life, too. Was reminded of that this week--two thumbs up for good friends.)

So, deep thoughts for this week.
Also, quality lyrics by Ben Harper:
What started as a whisper,
Slowly turned in to a scream.
Searching for an answer
Where the question is unseen.
(Amen Omen)

the "chatty" folk

2006-07-17T07:45:00.000-07:00

Dear 'ol friends from "chatty" town
Thanks so much for coming down
'Twas so nice to talk to y'all
And hear your funky southern drawl
Thanks for hanging our Lagniappe sign
For painting, & scraping with turpentine
David "the chainsaw", you rocked the trees
More than 30 a day- done with ease
You, Beka, lived the life of a hardcore 'tern
We're sorry 'bout the chainsaw burn
Y'all helped us out by leaps and bounds
We see y'all soon in "chatty-town"
-Emily Schmidt and Nyssa Perryman

Gardening For Beginners

2006-07-16T16:07:00.000-07:00

So for those of you who may be interested in my adventures as a green thumb here's the skinny. Tomato and pepper plants get big. It looks a little chaotic but they're surviving.
In other news the mango tree has finally made its appearance after about 6 or 7 weeks.

The Sunday Slumber

2006-07-16T15:52:00.000-07:00

When all goes to plan Sunday truly is a day of rest.

2006-07-14T20:34:00.000-07:00

Rainbows, Rainbows - Rainbows everywhere.. A quick shout out to E-Rock

Isaiah 43:19

2006-07-12T11:17:00.000-07:00

"For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert!" This morning as I walked around site, I began to notice all the new additions to Lagniappe. We have been so blessed - God is certainly doing a brand-new thing...take a look for yourself. (the last 3 blogs are also new things God has given us!)

Our bunkhouses being sided
New side doors were installed yesterday- all of our large holes in the walls and ceilings are now covered. Thank God for air conditioning- it's glorious.

2006-07-12T11:06:00.000-07:00

Stephanie sporting her sweet new shirt (shout out to Austin and her momma for making/sending the t's to us- couldn't be more awesome!)
A few days ago we got a new copy machine and Kim now knows how to run the beast
the lagniappe bball court
beginnings of a new bunkhouse

2006-07-12T10:57:00.000-07:00

Future offices being sheetrocked
the shedders' work board (made by the lovely C. Shores and T. Hart)
the work order board (note the organization!)
Nyssa came to us about a week ago from Virginia and will be working with us for a few more weeks. Nyssa and Ryn are school buddies. Thanks for making us smile, Nyssa. You 'da best!

We have a kitchen!!!

2006-07-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

The waiting is over! We now have a kitchen- fully furnished and ready to prepare meals for +200. Thanks to all who helped set up the kitchen and to our awesome kitchen staff!

Alicia and her famous onion rings! (Note the room she now has to make food!)
Our new ice maker not only makes ice, but shaved ice...just the way we like it.

Family Night at Lagniappe -- Thanks HARTS!!! THE RIBS WERE GREAT!

2006-07-09T09:43:00.000-07:00

Kim did the taste testing.... MMMMMMm gooood. The family that cooks.

Emily sitting beside a man that wandered up from the beach... Looks familiar though.
Live Music.

hi mom

2006-07-09T09:40:00.000-07:00

i've been sitting, waiting, wishing

2006-07-08T22:01:00.000-07:00

Wish List de la momente (is that right? anyone? ohman. :P )--

trip to a music store to stock up on new cds
vegetables
wisdom, discernment & peace
pirates II
my fav pair of o'neill jeans from home
hugs

and numero uno (multilingual post today)--
flute music to pachabel's canon

Os bons tempos e amigos bons

2006-07-02T17:56:00.000-07:00

Over the past week and a half we got to know the guys that were contracted to work on the Lagniappe Church roof. Far from Brazil they found a home here for a time and it was sad to see them leave. I feel blessed to have met them and pray that God will be with them as they travel and continue work in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Vá Brasil!

Models? Lagniappe staff? You choose....

2006-06-30T14:28:00.000-07:00

beans and rice

2006-06-28T07:20:00.000-07:00

The first time my Dad told me & Bill (my brother) about his mission trip to Brazil, one of the things he said was that he after eating rice & beans every day for three months, he didn't want to ever eat them again. Lesson I drew from that story? Rice + beans = bad. Well, the most awesome thing anyone's done for me this week is when Eric & Tom picked all the meat out of a bowl of rice & beans for me so that I could have an actual dinner. Pretty much awesome. They'll probably have me eating burgers by August. :P

What else??.... hmm--I came up with a name for my new puppy, when I get her/him: Moffat Bailey Brown (thanks, Moffat Man! :) ); some more support money came in (incredible... so much thanks); my Mom came to visit for a few days (meaning I'll have been to the airport 4 times this week!); and I may or may not have infected the scrape (that I got from chasing Haley) with bacteria from the sewer water I fell in repeatedly while pulling roofing to the curb with James and then Tom.

This week's still got 4 days left, so we'll see how that goes. :)

All of the vain things I cherish most, I sacrifice them to His blood.

2006-06-25T22:08:00.000-07:00

What a hard, cold, miserable return: Seems that it is far easier for us (sinful beings) to bicker and argue with one another than it is to stop for just a moment in the heat of a battle and love one another. We all struggle with different things and yet we don't have the vision to see past that. Why do we expend so much time and energy swatting at these flies with sledgehammers? Why are our hearts and minds so instantly engaged and our emotions surging with great vigor in our defense? The answer is simple. These issues are not minor or insignificant. We defend that which we deem of great value. We think it is our life we are saving. We believe something much larger will be lost if we do not use every means to rescue it. Our name, our reputation, our honor, our glory. "If I don't point out that I've been misunderstood, misquoted, or falsely accused, then others won't know I'm right. And if I don't point out my rightness, nobody will. I will be scorned and condemned in the eyes of others. Man fails all the time: man fails to admit, man fails to do right, man fails. We need to throw our pride out the window and pursue that one perfect Love (that being Christ our Lord) above ourselves, above others, and it all that we do - Pursue Him for He will never let you down, He will never leave, and He will never fail.

2006-06-23T07:44:00.000-07:00

Hi Mom.

shrimp boat, anyone?

2006-06-19T15:11:00.000-07:00

Some of us 'terns (and Jordan) got a chance to relax and take a break from work and ride on a shrimp boat on Saturday (thanks Tim!). 'Twas glorious. Beautiful day- shrimp boat- warm water- afternoon off site- dolphin and jellyfish spottings- time to get to know the other 'terns...what could be better?

If i have to go to the hospital one more time this week...

2006-06-18T11:38:00.000-07:00

this was my first official week as an intern here. by "first official" i mean my first week to be here and co-lead a team with fellow intern Remi (aka Eric). fortunately we did not have to take any of our crew to the hospital... however... i have become close friends with the doctors and nurses at the Hancock Medical Center. on thursday morning Tom awoke with an upset stomach... more than likely from the water that he was given the day before at the Orleans Parish Prison (he had been arrested for "wreckless driving" by a New Orleans officer... Tom, I'll let you explain that one...) after returning to the main facility from working offsite later in the afternoon, i noticed Tom was sitting on the steps of the bathroom. his upset stomach had gave evidence from both ends since around 10am. my parents and sister had just driven down that morning for a stint of volunteer work. after receiving very strick instruction from my mother i took Tom to the emergency room. Tom, being the unbelievably positive person that he is, was still cracking jokes. while wrapped in blackets in his freezing E.R. room looked at me and whispered, "i see dead people." he ended up staying two nights there at the hospital, injected with 5000 CC's of saline, phenegren, and too many other medications to name. Fortunately he his back and ready to go!
once wasn't enough... my sister called me around 12:30am last night to tell me that she had fallen at our friends Andy and Cami's house and had was sure that she had broken her leg. clumsiness runs in the family... thanks Mom. after having her xrays, the doctor told her that the inside back bone in her left ankle was broken... apparently a very "unusual" break... again a family trait.
fortunately everyone else is alive and well for now. hopefully we will all continue to be. so... to those of you here or on their way: let me know if you need to go to the hospital... i'm on a first name basis with the staff.

Zoom Zoom

2006-06-16T08:50:00.000-07:00

It is about 11:47 on Friday morning - I just finished work and I am about to pack my car.
I will see you all very soon! :)

You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sautee it....

2006-06-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

Alright, so I'm not Emily. Sorry if that causes any disappointment, but being absent minded as I am, I already forgot my password to this whole blogging business and I (Austin) am using Emily's account. Recently we seem to have been saying "goodbye" a little more than I expected to. Zech left a few days ago, and this morning Emily Mark - Eric's "special friend" left and both are sorely missed here! I wonder if Emily took the low-skilled route home.....

On a different note, last weekend we were treated to a shrimp boil curtosey of Tim and Tommy Kid. They brought some 200lbs of shrimp and some crabs to Lagniappe and cooked them here along with everything else that a shrimp boil entails. Now, being from Texas and from a family that doesn't eat alot of seafood, I was not aware of shrimp boil etiquette (is there such a thing?) and this was my first true shrimp boil experience. Its a little embarassing to say, but I didn't even know how to peel shrimp, so Eric quickly stepped up to the plate and gave me a shrimp peeling lesson. Everyone was elbow deep in shrimp and smiling from ear to ear at the treat! I'm sure it was a welcom break for Eric and Alicia who normally cook for us! A few of us spent a lazy Sunday afternoon talking and peeling pounds and pounds of shrimp so it wouldn't go bad. I had no idea how entertaining it could be to just sit around talking, laughing, and peeling. Since this weekend, we have been having various forms of shrimp - gumbo, creole etc. which has also been stellar.

That is just some of the news from the Bay so far but there is always more to come....

Genesis 1: chaos to order

2006-06-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

Last night as Jean was nailing up the map of Bay Saint Louis to the wall, he looked around and noted, "today is our Genesis 1 day: from chaos to order". On Sunday our main building was in a state of disarray. But by dinner on Monday the building had been transformed into an awesomely organized space. Now we not only have a well planned out eating area, but also a green intern office and a living room (complete with coffee tables, candles, and a van seat plywood footstool!) Ryn worked with Jean, a team 'o volunteers, and a few 'terns, to organize our mass of chaos. It was an all day job.

As we were moving all the kitchen appliances, food, and tables from one end of the building to the other, it was easy to get overwhelmed with the details of how the space was going to be used and where everything was going to go. Ryn finally took a step back from the kitchen area and looked at what we had done. She said to me "Ya know, when you take a step back, it looks pretty good!" I stepped back to where Ryn was standing and everything seemed to be in its place. It made sense. It looked good.

I think it's easy to slip into the mindset of being overwhelmed with the details in our own lives. When we step back and think that the creator of the universe is in charge of the chaos of our lives, it makes sense that things come together like they did yesterday. We underestimate what God can do, so we're suprised when He does something big among us. We really shouldn't be suprised. God is capable and willing to do more than we can imagine, and He has great plans for our lives and for Lagniappe Church.

"No one is good enough to save himself. Awake my soul tonight to boast nothing else"-D.Webb

Ugh!

2006-06-11T14:36:00.000-07:00

=
Such a long dull drive - I hope everyone is well!
Lord willing I will be driving back very soon! - I miss everyone!

Being a tern is hard...

2006-06-10T11:48:00.001-07:00

I guess life is hard, but it's so obvious down here. I am blind to what's really going on around me. God has chosen to use me (and I know I'm too broken to even know how broken I really am) to take part in the restoration of the Gulf coast. He has sovereignly arranged for me to spend my summer bleeding, sweating, and crying for the advancement of His kingdom, but that's not how I see it. I curse the cuts, the heat, and the pain. I stand in the shower after a long day thinking about how many hours I've put in, and how much I should be getting paid. I crave recognition for what I'm doing.

How does He use people like me to work such wonders as bringing hope to the hopeless and salvation to sinners?

Praise God.

Some Sweet Pics...

2006-06-07T22:18:00.000-07:00

Just to catch anyone up on some of the things going on here at Lagniappe...

Our kitchen is almost finished. There is caution tape everywhere, however it doesn't really do any good. No one is any more cautious than normal.

The groups we have here this week are incredible. The group in the second picture started working within an hour of their arrival. They arrived, ate dinner, put away their luggage and then got to work on the intern bunk house. THANK YOU SEVEN RIVERS YOUTH!

Note to self: Don't take pictures of electricians at a fuse box. The flash scares them. (Immediately after this picture was taken, we almost had to rush them to the hospital due to cardiac arrest caused by the flash from my camera).

Eric and Dave "Chinstrap" have been spending some quality time caulking the freezer for our new kitchen this week. Eric and Dave, you both rock. Thanks for caulking like pros ALL day.

This Sunday's service at Lagniappe had the highest attendance ever. It was amazing to have all of the other volunteers worshipping with us.

God is meeting all of our needs like crazy. He never ceases to show us that he is capable and will do more than we could ever ask or imagine. We recieved an incredible donation of all of the wood that we could carry away yesterday. After one conversation in the coffee shop across the street (our only semi-private, calm location to talk and get some serious work done), the Lord brought us an incredible gift and put us into contact with some very generous individuals.

Pray. Pray that we will continually look to Christ and be satisfied in the justification that he brought to us. Pray that we will be patient with each other, patient with volunteers, and patient in waiting for the Lord to reveal his awesome will.

We look forward to seeing you SOON, Ryn and Haley! And we look forward to telling you guys about our trip to THIRD BASE!!!!!!!! :)

thoughts from home

2006-06-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

So I’ve officially listened to your (plural you… this would be where ‘ya’ll’ would be useful, I guess?) message dozens of times. Sometimes because I had to before I could get to my other saved messages, but mostly because it's incredible & awesome & listening to it makes me happy :) . I think that now I can pick out whose voice is whose. :)

Anyways, I’ve started packing, & have quickly realized that space is extremely limited; that, combined with the sad truth that I have essentially no money, I did what I do for my family at Christmas—come up with a list of all the things I would get them if I could. :)

Emily—something to block the sun & ward off the bugs but that isn’t sticky & doesn’t contain the word ‘fantasy’

Eric—James coming back to work…ohnowait, that’s right, he is—end of this month—true story

Haley—floundering equipment…or whatever it is someone needs to catch flounder … also, a sign saying “No, This Is Not My Natural Hair Color, & Yes, I Like It This Way” that you can use to save time—I might have an old one laying around somewhere you can have :P

Jordan—toothpaste…unless you’ve already got some… then… the Arsenic & Old Lace dvd—not for any particular reason, only that I just saw it, & it’s only the most hilarious movie ever

Kim—tickets to Guster…or a Snow Patrol shirt

Tom—your guitar; and music for Be Thou My Vision, unless you can play it without music

Zech—water that is not Aquafina and does not taste like feet

And for all the other interns who I haven’t met yet—Twister…that’s right. :) Only, this one I can actually make happen. If I can figure out between now & Sunday how to make about 4 pairs of socks & a few t-shirts condense themselves to make room.

Also, last thing: my new Top Five Favorite Songs EVER (Today) list—
5. I Will Follow, U2
4. Everything's Not Lost, Coldplay
3. Diamonds on the Inside, Ben Harper
2. Portions for Foxes, Rilo Kiley
1. Open Your Eyes, Snow Patrol

.... I cannot emphasize enough how much Open Your Eyes is the best song of ALL TIME. ohman. it will revolutionize your life. :)

Missing you, Charles, & Slim & Ace being Charles,
Ryn

** hopefully can edit later with pictures of where i've been living... internet access, not so much though

2006-06-06T21:11:00.000-07:00

Well, my days at Lagniappe are beginning to wind down. My experiences here have been quite incredible. I have made a few new friends and met some very nice families – overall I am sad to be leaving. It seems that the good times are just beginning and now I have to leave!!! What a bummer :( It is always hard starting something and then having to quickly end it. Maybe it is simply the not know what is ahead that is difficult. But I suppose it teaches us to trust in the Lord.

Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!

(Psalm 27:14)

I also love this photo, it looks like the statue has an afro of some soft!

You know you're a lagniappe intern if... (the extended edition)

2006-06-02T17:41:00.000-07:00

5) washing your hands before you eat is no longer important... sorry mom
4) you get Conjacked at least once a day
3) you have figured out how to rig the pull chain showers to stay on all the time
2) showering no longer actually cleans you... rather it gives a placebo effect of being clean
1) sunburn becomes abtract art.... also know as sunart

Provision

2006-06-01T22:42:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here alone at about 12:50 blogging on the interns blog. For all of ya'll that check this blog and all ya'll that are part of this blog I don't know if you truly know the true picture of our interns. They are full of energy and without them this place would not run nor be near as much fun. They run themselves into the ground each day serving and enjoying each other and allowing me to be a part of that but still this is not the true picture of what God has provided to Lagniappe through our "interns". As I write this Kim is yelling at me to get to bed and I will get there, but this is important. I suspect that all of our interns expected to come down here to work and that is evident, because they do. They were all either on a roof, caulking a freezer, or sorting tools until dark. But still I haven't gotten to the true blessing what God has provided. God has provided children of His who truly desire to follow Him and grow in Him together. I left the property to go see Andy as the interns we talking about needing a Bible study and needing to pray. We have not been able or have not stepped up to the plate to feed them as we would like to and yet, they pray together, they share their needs and pray together, they love each other and support each other, and love on us and get us through the day. They demonstrate what the body of Christ should be. They pick up the slack for each other, hold each other where they need to be, and seek God and to serve Him together. I thank the Lord so much for this blessing and pray that we can help them to grow in the Lord and be a part of what they themselves have already began. This ministry and myself are so blessed. Keep praying for them and us, God is so good.

Is this body lice???

2006-05-31T21:02:00.000-07:00

That's the quote of the day by my good friend Tom Hart. Today was a great day here in the Bay. For me it consisted of finishing the office, rearranging all of the stuff in the great room, and getting "Conjacked" to learn some metal bending and caulking tips. Emily and I have been gloating all day over having nailed the color for the new office. We painted and had a wonderful time. Dave and I will be sealing the freezer tomorrow and hopefully get that ready to go. Tonight for supper the 'terns went to chateau de Jean and ate some delicious barbeque and introduced Dave to twice baked potatoes. We had a great time. After that we decided to go to the laundry mat and that was a good idea since I only have three pairs of socks. I've been warned by some 'Nam vets that I don't want the jungle rot. The laundry mat was interesting... everything from swing dancing to jui-jitsu lessons to slaps. Fun fact for the day: Tom Hart has never been beaten at slaps or thumb war. Pictures from the laundry mat will be added tomorrow seeing as how Emily has already put up the camera. Oh yea and I forgot about the other fun thing we did. Emily and I stood on top of the office will a crew from H'burg made a bucket brigade tossing mattresses to Dave and Zech who would then hurl them to Emily and me javelin style. Those guys are beasts. In a good way. Well all my peoples are going to bed so I should too. Haley and Ryn if you are reading this... we miss y'all so bad and can't wait for you to come back. Call us sometime. Cheers.

2006-05-30T19:14:00.000-07:00

guys I'm computer illiterate...how does this system work?! oh yeah, and the reason you don't know who I am is that I just finished my last final TODAY so I'm still at school...but I'll see ya'll in July!

El'lo Mates

2006-05-29T16:11:00.000-07:00

It's aboot time for a (BB) Blogger Break!
I think the theme of the day is something along the lines of Sleep Deprivation...
After a 4:30AM trip to the air port many of us are running on E - but I suppose that is a small price to pay for a fellow intern.

"you're from jersey??.....oh." -- thoughts on being a yankee in the bay

2006-05-28T16:50:00.000-07:00

OK, so we've all been talking about putting up profiles of ourselves. (Note: as a group, we very rarely do anything that we talk about doing. :P ). So here we go. First one. :)

Name: Kathryn. Ryn. Jersey.
From: south Jersey; W&M in VA
Age: 20 years, 6 months, 29 days
Favorite color: green
Favorite pizza topping: vegetables
Top 5 favorite bands (today): Carbon Leaf, Hootie & the Blowfish, Coldplay, Journey, U2
5 new favorite words I've learned in the Bay: scrill gun, futtons, nips, lame, lagniappe
Major: English & secondary ed.
Weird fact: I don't want to teach English.
Top 5 favorite hobbies: dumpster diving, thrift store shopping, surfing, roadtrips, climbing trees
Question: Why don't I eat meat?
Answer: I don't like it.
Top 5 heroes: Lance Armstrong, my Dad, Lagniappe Leper Colony '06 'terns, Kelly Slater, Tyler Hamilton
What my tattoo will be of: On my right foot, Integrity, Strength, Endurance, Beauty, Truth--one on each toe; and a leaf on the bottom.
Top 5 new things I want to do this summer: learn how to whistle with my fingers, learn how to say "dawg," learn to drive a skidsteer (& a stick), catch a flounder, dance on a table
Random fact: My hair is actually blonde. Probably it will be back by the end of the summer.

:)

Typical day in the life of a 'tern

2006-05-28T08:43:00.000-07:00

6:00 - Awakened by the early rising older men in our bunkhouse
6:01 - Decide that it is too early and roll over for another hour
7:00 - Wake up again and feel bad because all the volunteers are already working
7:06 - Gain enough motivation from guilt to actually get out of bed
7:15 - Eat a danish and drink some powdered milk... breakfast of champions
7:45 - Start walking around the facility so that people will think we are working
8:21 - Actually start working after having thoroughly inspected the grounds
8:25 - Remember that we haven't put on bug spray and Vanilla Fantasy... convenient break
9:00 - Water break
9:45 - Water break
10:00 - Water break
10:34 - Start wondering what time it is
10:35 - Remember that we don't want to know what time it is because it is depressing every time we find out
11:00 - Now depressed because we accidentally found out what time it was and we still have an hour to go until lunch
11:13 - Water break (stalling for lunch)
12:00 - Lunch time... never lasts as long as we want
12:45 - Nap time with eyes open
1:01 - Doughnuts in the parking lot with the skidsteer
1:07 - Curt finds out and holds an emergency meeting
1:30 - Water break... must keep those dehydration blues away. Kim starts talking on the phone.
1:43 - Start actual work for the first time
1:44 - Start wondering what's for supper
2:49 to 3:23 - Eric and Tom start doing Charles Gray impersonations
3:23 - Emily and Ryn make them stop
3:24 - One more quote from Charles
4:19 - Insist that it is time to start cleaning up
4:27 - Dr. Tom holds a meeting about keeping up with the tools
4:36 - Water break... Kim finally gets off the phone
4:41 - Dr. Tom holds a meeting about keeping up with the tools
4:55 - Reapply bug spray/Vanilla Fantasy
5:17 - Start walking around looking important again until supper
5:51 - Tom and Eric coach Emily and Ryn in talking southern
5:57 - Emily and Ryn practice the pronunciation of dog.... or dawg... or dwahg... dag...
6:30 - Eat supper
7:06 - dog.... or dawg... or dwahg... dag...
7:40 - Best time of the day.... bath time
8:01 - Take a nap
9:14 - Go to Bay City Grill.... dance the night away... sweat more.... laugh
10:56 - Jean and Tom dance on the table
10:59 - Jordan cuts in on the old man dancing with Haley
11:56 - Waffle House
12:15 - Five rabid F.R.O.G's launch a sting operation on Haley, sending her to the bathroom in hysterics
12:16 - Haley won't come out until Eric and Tom neutralize the F.R.O.G. forces
12:17 - Ryn falls out of her seat in a sudden giggling fit; Emily, still wet from the F.R.O.G attack , is not amused.
12:31 - We arrive back at the base, and Haley dons her barber's apron to trim the 'terns hair
12:33 - Water break
12:45 - Kim gets off the phone but this time no one knew when she started talking
12:49 - Haley mows a chunk o' hair out of Zech's head, and silently gasps and tries to break the news to Zech
1:00 - After more Charles impersonations, everyone goes to bed, only to wake up a mere 5 hours later to the familiar sound of diesel refrigerator.

Top 5 favorite ways to sweat at lagniappe:

2006-05-28T08:16:00.000-07:00

5) listen to the greatest hits of all time...fm 102.3
4) hack down a giant stump in the Larroux's backyard
3) hang toilet paper holders on the plywood walls in the sauna (aka: bathroom)
2) army crawling under the 12 inch space under the bunk houses
1) dance with Jean at Bay City Grill

This is what we do for fun...

2006-05-27T18:09:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi2CfuqcUGE

Check it out. It will change your life.

"I grew older...but New Or-le-ans didn't"

2006-05-26T20:45:00.000-07:00

Top 5 ways you can tell you're a Lagniappe intern:

5) You use a drill as a blow dryer
4) WaffleHouse home fries are called PO-Tay- TO s
3) You learn how to talk Miss-Sippi
2) Your infestations of bug bites closely resemble leprosy
1) You smell bad

Words of Wisdom

2006-05-26T19:53:00.000-07:00

Zech here, it is my fourth day four at Bay St. and it has been yet another HOT day!!!

I am tired and don’t feel much like writing, so how about a simple encouraging quote to warm our spirits – It is one of my favorites.

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity;
an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Winston Churchill

It's Mardi Gras...so....

2006-05-24T20:26:00.001-07:00

So maybe it's not really Mardi Gras...but we did find some beads on the side of the road today... (that's for you , fellow interns!)

More importantly, we built a shed and learned how to drywall, delivered a shed, ate Chinese Food (where I laughed more than I thought was physically possible; we might not be able to go back there...) and now we're sitting around "the office" aka Jean's front porch.

Much like Tom, I didn't have time to unpack before I was put to work! I'm dirty, sunburned, and bug bitten...but like Jean said yesterday, Christ is okay with us not being okay! Keep us in your prayers, and you all are in all of ours!