Blog Posts
5/29/09 What a week!
I can soundly say TGIF today. Not because it was a bad week but because it was soo busy. I've been planning for the coming months as well as working on this coming Sunday's festivities. Most of today was spent creating PowerPoints for the children's Shepherd Sunday worship service (part of our WoRM rotation each month). The big debate in session lately has been incorporating media into the worship service. Using media this Sunday will be an oppurtunity to show some of the more reluctant members what is possible.
I ceased my apartment search for the moment when I realized that I started too early. It's been an experience though! Finding my first apartment is definitely exciting. I just fear there won't be anyplace left come July. This is where I give up worrying. Or at least try. It's tough when you're a perfectionist.
Come September I plan on hosting a Bayou Bash at one of my supporting churches in PA to tell and show my supporters what I've been doing. One of my projects will be to put together a video of people telling why they come back to a city that's below sea level. That's the question everyone asks me. Why rebuild? What happens when another hurricane hits that badly again? Maybe listening to some New Orleanians will finally cause it to click with people.
I'm also looking forward to a small, um, bet I suppose you could call it. The father of a friend happens to be a PCUSA minister. During my last visit to home we agreed to poll a number of people in our respective congregations (anonymously of course) in what ways their faith affects their everyday lives. And so I challenge you to reflect as well: How does your faith change the way you act, the thoughts you think,and the words you speak? James tells us faith without works is dead. What is at least one thing you do that speaks of your faith?
It challenges me and I hope it challenges you. Peace.
5/20/09 Ramblings that don't vanish
Here it is 10:38pm and I should be asleep with visions of paint swatches for the VBS scenery or Pre-K graduation dancing through my head. But I'm not. I've become more aware lately of how different I am from the way I want to be. I keep hearing Paul proclaim "What I want to do, I do not do but what I do not want to do, I do." My desire to become more Christ-like is very real but when I compare myself to Him it looks pretty pathetic. I say to myself: Self, you gave up everything you knew to come to New Orleans and serve. Then a little voice says, but the Son of Man didn't even have a place to lay His head. He gave up everything, His life, for the people He loved. But I am here helping, I'm making a difference! The voice says, but Jesus said to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and house the homeless. You work with relatively well-off people who can't afford their staff. Etc...
In other words, I know that I'm doing a good thing. But I feel that it isn't enough. I keep searching for ways to touch and be touched by the neediest of needy. That scares me in some ways. For starters, I really hate doing things alone. But if I don't listen to God's whisper and challenge myself, I know that I could be in danger of growing complacent. That area where things are neither good nor bad. Just sort of there. I want to remember my first love. When things were exciting, fresh and new. When I desired to be with Him all the time instead of forgeting that He's always with me, like I do oftentimes now.
I pray that you too will listen for your challenge. Remember your first love and act on it. The joy hasn't left, it's just grown commonplace in our minds. What did YOU feel when you first met Christ and gave yourself to Him?
5/5/09 Happy Cinco de Mayo!
This post doesn't have anything to do with the holiday other than that the conversation I'm about to describe took place today. So tonight we had our last regular meeting with our site supervisor. We talked about Jesus' command to love our neighbor. It came up about seeing Jesus in other people: the lonely, the sick, the poor, the oddballs, etc... it made me think about and then share what happend to me last Sunday. It hadn't been a good morning frankly. I'd had a nose bleed, my shoes quite literally fell apart around my feet,etc. I was just looking to leave after fellowship time and go bury my head under my pillow again. Now, there are two other important people in this story. An adorable but slightly mentally handicapped little girl and an elderly disabled man. The little girl had often tried my patience in Sunday school with her crazy antics and lack of understanding about boundaries. The man had gotten a coffee and parked his wheelchair at a table near the rear of the room. I was shuffling along in my broken shoes when that little girl ran up to me blonde hair flying and told me the man spilled his coffee. She pointed and I grabbed a pile of napkins. I asked if he'd burnt himself and then I mopped the coffee up. Various people eventually offered papertowels and our faithful man of the kitchen appeared with a rag to sop it up. I watched the little girl while I was trying to clean, she also asked him if he was alright, brought him another coffee and offered to get him some cookies. He gave her a pat on the head and me a kiss when all was taken care of. It was amazing to me that this unlikely pair showed me how God works through imperfect people. That this rambunctious and often trying child would have the caring and sensitivity that I've seen adults lack touches me. There are unnoticed people in every group. Sometimes, I have to see Jesus in one of them to refind him in myself.
4/25/09 Birthday Fun
The 21st was my birthday I am now 23 years old! My site supervisor Kathy, the other YAVs and 2 other friends took me out for dinner to a restaurant called Crepe Nanu. It was delicious! It was a lovely week even though my birthday was celebrated 3 times. The funniest gift I recieved was a talking card from the staff of the church. I think I almost fainted from laughing so hard. Another year gone by and another brand new year with many possibilities lies before me.
Tonight was my first Table For One dinner and it was a shining success! My raspberry balsamic chicken went over well and everyone had a good time getting to know some people they'd only talked to occasionally. My partner Susan had volunteered to read the scripture for the evening and she chose a selection from Matthew 6 about not storing up treasures in heaven. It really struck a chord with the ladies. They all had a Katrina story to share and instances where they had to inform outsiders that no, everyone didn't automatically receive a nice sized check from the government. No, some places still aren't rebuilt. One woman shared her sense of loss from the death of her husband who was confined to a hospital when they evacuated. She didn't know he had died for several weeks and had to fight to know exactly what happened to him.
Among the pain that was shared was also a concern for others. The group wanted to find ways to get together more, serve the older population of the church and meet for other kinds of activities. I look forward to seeing this heartburst of mine through to the end.
Thank you for your prayers. God Bless.
4/20/09 Benjamin Button
As I write, I'm watching Benjamin Button with my roomate. It's fascinating in it's own right of course but I'm especially enamoured with the fact that it was shot in New Orleans. Some things I recognize are:
St Charles streetcar
city park
the tv in the hospital is showing katrina coming
Benjamin and his father watch the sunrise over lake Pontchartrain
the majestic theatre
the Cabildo
Pair this with the "Y'at" performer Benny Grunch who played at the church today and I've had a very interestingly New Orleans day!
Please continue to pray for my friends Susan and Naomi. Thank you so much.
4/13/09 April Showers...
Well, first off I'll say that my friend Susan is out of the hospital and much better. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. She actually just found a new apartment and is looking forward to moving in.
Life has been moving steadily onward. Holy Week was a loooooong week. LPC has 4 services. I don't think I've ever folded so many bulletins in my life! I've recently begun to work with a small group of people on putting together a pictoral directory for the church. I'm glad I'm in charge of publicizing it and not getting people to sign up or volunteer. I must say it's a very good deal though and I look forward to getting my first professional portrait taken for free! Well, I get one free 8x10 which will probably be given as a present sometime in the future. :o)
I've got my first singles dinner night coming up on April 25th that I've named Table For One. I'm cooking the main dish and I'm a little nervous seeing as I'll be the youngest there! But I believe this will be alot of fun and meet a need within the church.
Our YAV retreat is coming this weekend which, I hope, will help me to de-stress and focus on how to better serve the Lakeview community.
Jazz Fest is also coming up! It's a 2 weekend long music extravaganza with all kinds of music. It's very New Orleans and sounds really awesome. One of the ladies in Rose's congregatin got us discounted tickets. What a kind person!
Today was in the 80s and I'm loving it, but it's also brought the mosquitos back. Time to break out the anti-itch lotion...
3/31/09 Need for Prayer
I've been super busy lately and it's been very good for the most part. The children are great, work at church is picking up for the Easter season, and I had a wonderful time at my Volunteers Exploring Vocation Conference in Georgia. I loved connecting with volunteers from across the country, worshiping in different places, visiting seminaries, and discussing the rainbow of possibilities available to us. I still don't think I'm called to seminary. If He wants me to go, He's gonna have to call louder! ;o)
On the darker side of things, a dear friend of mine by the name of Susan has ended up in the hospital. Please pray for her health/well-being and for the friends and family who are worried. It's been a rough day.
3/17/09 I'm Sick
Hello everyone. I'm so sorry it's been awhile. i've been incredibly busy with so many things. To top it off I'm sick again. This is what I get for working with small children everyday. One of the church members suggested that I start wearing a mask to work, the kind they wore to de-mold the buildings actually. Might not be a bad idea.
Happy St Patricks Day! My mom and Aunt will arrive today and will be staying for a week. Pray for theri safe travels please and to mention prayers, my co-worker Naomi whom I've mentioned before is having her hip surgery today. She'll be out of commision for 6 weeks. Please pray for her as well.
I'm off to work for the day and then a Tom Bandy transformation meeting tonight. I look forward to it even after the 9:30-2:30 "retreat" we had with him Saturday. He has some good things to say about not becoming complacent and stagnant. Have a very green day!
2/23/09 More Mardi Gras!
Tomorrow is officially Mardi Gras day. I think many people, including myself, had a half day of work today knowing the fever (and the crazy traffic) will be striking soon. The Hermes ball was very interesting. Maura, Andy and I arrived at the Hilton in our "Costume de Rigueur" ready for some fun. Everyone was beautifully dressed but what surprised me was that all the men wore tails, white ties and white gloves. Hermes is an all male krewe so all the members wore purple ribbons across their shirts to distinguish themselves from the guests. The presentation of the court was what we were mostly invited to see. The krewe Captain presented the King of the ball (who puts out about $50,000 to be king), the ladys-in-waiting (young daughters of the members), the maids (High school aged daughters), the pages (very young sons of members), and the queen(an 18-19 yr old daughter whose family puts out about $30,000 to be queen). Everyone was dressed in bright white with sequins and gemstones. What I found to be a little eerie was that all of the men wore cloth face coverings. The Captain also presented previous queens with flowers and there were 2 short dances before the dinner part began. It's fascinating to see how traditions have carried over from generation to generation. There are many different krewes the oldest are all men but there are also some co-ed and a few all female such as Muses.
The two best parades that I've seen so far are Endymion which is a glorious night parade with fantastic lights and gigantic floats, and Bacchus which had the most creative, artistic floats I've seen. The theme was creatures of the imagination which included, pegausus, phoenix, the family of kongs(king, queen and baby), a ginat whale and a moving dragon! Truly an art form I've never appreciated from such a short distance before. Of course because this is New Orleans there are marching bands, steel drum bands, jazz bands and other varieties of music throughout the parade.
The coveted "throw" from the Zulu parade tomorrow morning is a Zulu coconut. I'll be crossing my fingers and waving my arms with the crowds. Enjoy your Tuesday, I certainly will!
2/15/09 Mardi Gras in the House!!!
Well, my first Mardi Gras parades were very interesting. I caught the tail end of a hand-drawn float parade with a political sort of theme the first weekend there were parades. Then, this past friday night three of us went to watch a double feature, so to speak, in Metairie. The krewes of Excalibur and Atlas put on a great show. There were big floats, trucks, and even a marching band or two per parade! The krewes threw beads, plastic cups, chocolate, dabloons, and my roomie Rose even caught a stuffed lobster! Children were so much fun to watch. Some of the parents set up ladders with a special seats attached to the top where the kids could sit and catch the things thrown to them. I almost wish I had one! I look forward to attending the Hermes ball this Thursday evening with my friend Maura, from Lakeview, and her boyfriend Andy. Also, Mardi Gras Day is a city-wide holiday here even for the churches. So next Tuesday i'll be seeking out a prime spot with my roomies to catch the big parades like Rex.
A note: the address to send donations to has changed. Please contact me if you'll be sending any donations.
As they say down here, let the good times roll! Oh, and bundle up if you're in the frozen north. :o)
2/4/09 Merry February
The weather down here is going crazy! One day it's 75 and the next it's 35. One day I'm bragging to my family that I'm wearing a T-shirt and the next my mouth is frozen shut. Oy! But things have been going well. Friday is our YAV Team Day where the 4 of us and Kathy get together and do some service project together. I'm really looking forward to it.
Also this Friday is our Mardi gras Masquerade at the church. There will be live music, lots of food and a mask making activity for the kids. Thursday will find me teetering high on a ladder to hang streamers.
For those of you unaware, Mardi Gras will be on the 24th. I actually have off work that day! Fabulous! I'll also be attending my first Mardi Gras Ball. The balls are put on by the different krewes that work different parades. I'll be going to the Hermes Krewe Ball on the 19th. It's my first girly moment in a while so bear with me, I'm excited!
Everybody keep warm.
1/19/09 Happy MLK day
I hope everyone enjoyed a day off of work and/or school! Today is a day at the church for me. My male roomates said to me "That's terrible! How do you have to work on MLK day!?" But I don't think Mr. King would be upset. He stands for freedom, equality, love and service in my eyes. He fought hard and he fought peacefully for what was, at the time, an unpopular idea. It seems fitting to me that I am volunteering and serving others on this day when we celebrate him.
Tomorrow is Inauguration Day: Some people are leaping with joy and others are cringing. I personally will be watching and listening carefully in the next months to see what Mr. Obama will do to help our nation. I'll be praying for for him and the new government that they might have wisdom and strength to do what is right.
I posted some pictures of the Dayschool kids and, hopefully, I'll have some more in a little while. Also, my newsletter should be on its way shortly. Peace to you.
1/12/09 The Journey Continues
Well, They kept me busy my first week back! The Dayschool has opened up an 'Under 1' classroom. I'm doing my best to keep up with three classrooms now. The babies have a wonderful new teacher who is working on colors with them through many interesting play techniques. The toddlers, well, we're working on kindness to others! And in the 4-5yr old class they're learning about water. Specifically the oceans and seas currently. I helped them make an ocean picture with foam shapes and markers today. It's amazing the things these kids will think of to put in an underwater picture. One boy drew a hotdog and the hot dog was so smelly, it killed a fish. Sure enough, there was a fish with X's for eyes close by.
I've also been hard at work chosing a VBS and preparing to go before the CE commitee. I'm very excited to announce we will be doing Crocodile Dock this year! I look forward to bringing the bayou into the church. What I really liked about this VBS was that the lessons were mostly from the same book of the Bible and everything about it seemed much more cohesive and planned out than some others I looked at.
Please pray for a dear friend of mine, her name is Naomi and she's having some health problems. Also, for my teamates and I that we may glorify God in the new year through our service.
Blessings to you all.
12/31/08 Happy New Year!
I realize it's been a month since I last updated. Work was extremely busy and I had no personal computer. Not excuses, explanations.
On New Year's eve I usually begin feeling sad and a little depressed. Look, another entire year has passed by already. What did I do with it? Look at all the mistakes I've made, the less than perfect decisions I've made, relationships I neglected and other such negative things. It's true. I didn't have a perfect year and the upcoming one won't be perfect either. Instead of becoming sad at how quickly time passes and how I've failed throughout the year I'm going to try something different tonight. I'm going to thank God for all the experiences I've had. For all my friends and family. For the opportunities provided, even if I didn't take them. I'm not one for New Year's resolutions frankly (why make an empty promise to yourself you won't keep?!), but this year will be an exception.
This year I will spend time thanking God everyday for the things I consider good and those I consider bad, I will see each day as having enormous potential to live for God and not for myself and, when I fail, I will consider each failure an opportunity to learn and grow.
May God bless you in the upcoming year with the ability to rejoice in success and failure. May you run to Him when things are going your way and when they aren't. I pray that you look upon opportunities to serve Him as an honor and a privilege, not as an inconvenient obligation. I pray you remember how much He loves you. Amen.
11/30/08 A New Month
I can tell you all that my Thanksgiving was wonderful. Quiet and contemplative for the most part. I served lunch at Jefferson Presbyterian. They have a Food bank and a homeless program. It was a real community effort. This church had their sanctuary burn down earlier last year and then a woman drove her car into it! They have managed to survive by transforming their Fellowship hall into a multi-purpose room.
I will do my best to keep up with this blog but it's been a little more difficult lately because my laptop went and died on me. Therefore I'll be answering e-mails and blogging from the church. Please bear with me! All of my pictures and information are inaccessable until I come home.
If you would like to be involved with my Christmas project, please let me know ASAP. I'll be conatcting my five churches directly, but for anyone else shoot me an e-mail!
11/18/08 Advent approacheth
Well I'm busy as a bee getting ready for the holiday season! Lakeview is planning all sorts of things for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We're having the kids make Chrismons for the tree, Thanksgivng we'll be donating food to a local shelter after our own fellowship lunch, Sunset Sundays on Canal Blvd. is doing a huge caroling event, and so much more.
Someone said something to me yesterday that really hit home. Throughout this season, many people want to skip from Thanksgiving to Christmas, forgetting the Advent season. And I asked myself, what is Advent? I came up with a time of reflection, anticipation and preparation. Jesus may not have been born on December 24th but we have designated this time as a time of celebration. I think I'll be taking some time to reflect how I have strived to glorify God throughout this year. How have I served my 'neighbor'? Have I listened and obeyed God? Have I thoughtfully read the Word? If I were to welcome Christ into my "Inn or Stable" would I be ashamed of the cobwebs, dust and clutter?
Just some random things to ponder.
I look forward to returning to Lancaster on the 22nd of December to see my family and celebrate Christmas. Though I think I'll miss New Orleans in the mean time. It's wonderful and strange to think how much New Orleans has become my home and those around me have become part of my family.
11/2/08 Almost Election Day! Go Vote!
Random joke: Why did the shepherd cross the road? Because his sheep were being baaad! That's a joke I contributed to the Christmas play According to Luke that my coworker has recently written and begun rehearsals for at church. It's very cute and I look forward to helping out. I think I'll be doing the sound and helping create scenery and such. No acting for me. I also wrote an article a week ago for the Presbytery of South Louisiana's monthly publication Leadership Letter. My roomates and I have been taking turns contributing so that everyone knows who we are and what we're doing. I must say, my article was pretty ridiculous. I started off with some "You know your from Pennsylvania when..." jokes and I've been on a bad joke kick ever since.
This weekend I took some free time to put together 4 Operation Christmas Child boxes. http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/ if you're interested. I had so much fun buying toys and crayons and things. I plan to send them off this week.
And lastly, I have information on the Christmas project now! I'll be sending out information to anyone who would like it. Project Homecoming has presented me with two options: Homes for Christmas and Adopt A Home. This organization helps people rebuild their homes that are below the HUD poverty guidelines, aged or disabled, uninsured or underinsured homeowners. Anything we contribute will not be wasted. Homes for Christmas is raising awareness and funds for families Project Homecoming is or will be helping as a whole. Adopt A Home is when a group raises and donates funds for one specific home. You have some choice what the funds are used for and who you're helping. I have e-copies of the information available for anyone who would like it. The point person for this is going to be a man by the name of Richard who works inside Project Homecoming. He'll be a wonderful resource for those who want to commit and have some in depth questions I just can't answer!
Unless there are inviduals or churches that wish to do something by themselves, I propose that those of you supporting me from back home come together to do this. I feel that we would be better able to pool resources and it would create a bond between congregations that may not already exist! Please, I humbly ask you to pray about this. Wouldn't it be wonderful to know you were carrying out Christ's command to love your neighbor during the time when we celebrate His birth? Mark 12:28-34, Matthew 10:25-37
With love in Christ, Alicia
10/22/08 Finding Joy in Odd Things
Life has been good. Work at the church has been falling into a routine in which I can be flexible and yet know what I'm about. My kids at the Dayschool bring me much joy and lots of hand washing. They love to sneak into the garden and get all dirty. I look at these parents in a different light when they walk through the door and I have a great respect for the single parents. Especially now that I know what their kids do all day! Geez!
I look forward to participating in Operation Christmas Child. I'm going to try and put together at least 4 boxes. Working with kids has really given me a heart burst for this ministry.
I can't believe it's almost Halloween already. It seems like a moment and yet an eternity has passed since the anxious moments in August before I left. Yet here I sit, a y'all saying, Po-boy eating, bike riding woman. And let me tell you, biking through this city is not exactly smooth sailing! In front of my house a 5 ft wide strip of lush green grass separates the two halves of the road each with two lanes. This grassy area is called the neutral ground (I'm not sure why, I'll write it up when I find out!) and almost all of the main roads are constructed like this. Along my bike route some roads may have sink holes in them (where the pavement sank), there are a few power lines that still flop uselessly from poles onto the road, and, during working hours, the air is filled with the sounds of construction in many areas. I could try and ride my bike on the sidewalk, but that would be hazardous to my health. The sidewalks in my neighborhood alone look as they were tectonic plates crushing together to form mountains! In other words, the huge trees along the edge have huge roots that broke up the sidewalks. It's just easier to ride in the road. I take back any complaints I had about the sidewalks in West Chester!
Today I was working on organizing those pesky minutes from the Session and ALL of the committees. Wow, we Presbyterians looove to keep records! At first I just sighed, gazing upon the mountain of paper. You know what that's like. But as I began sorting, hole-punching and filing I was astonished to see that many records dated back to the 90s. I was told that people would pop in and offer up their personal records to try and fill in the gaps created by the storm. Glancing at records from 2005 & 2006 showed lists of donations, offers of assistance and many thanksgivings. Just an unexpected place to find evidence of love. If my church had been flooded, I think I'd unregretfully do away with those "business as usual" types of things such as minutes. (I just don't delight in paperwork unfortunately.) And if this church had, I wouldn't have realized how many loving offers they had and the blessings they discovered after the chaos.
10/10/08 Life Continues
Sorry this update is coming a little late! After I got back from New Mexico, which was amazingly beautiful, everything picked up very quickly. My role at Lakeview has shifted as most job descriptions do. I will continue in Christan education (Sunday school and Children's time during worship) but I'll also be working on publicity for a new music ministry they're calling Sunset Sundays on Canal Blvd. I'll also be working on the website eventually. I will continue to work with the kids at the Dayschool and I may be participating in the church's youth ministry.
On another note, Lakeview has found a mentor for me! She will be a person from the congregation that I meet with periodically to asses how things are going and to take personal inventory. I look forward to the new insights this relationship is sure to bring.
This morning my housemates, the Americorp folks and I went to the Presbytery of South Louisiana's presbytery meeting to introduce ourselves and be commissioned. It was my third commissioning for this trip! Everyone was very welcoming and many Louisianians came up to us and said that all of us serving in New Orleans is a blessing. I wanted to say that God blessed me when He called me here. My life wouldn't have been as rich if I hadn't listened. Everyday feels like a new gift given for me to unfold, though I am far from deserving.
On a final note, I sent out a snail mail newsletter to all 5 of my churches and to individuals who I know have partnered with me. If you would like to receive my monthly newsletter please send me an e-mail and I'll be happy to put you on my list. I will also be looking for a Christmas project, a way to give back to the community. More on that later.
9/22/08 New Mexico here we come!
Well, let me tell y'all about what I've been up to. Last week I started working at Lakeview Day School which is a preschool supported in part by my church. I work with the 1 and 2 year olds who are darling usually, the 4 and five year olds three times a week and then I fill in wherever I'm needed. The school hasn't been functioning at full or even half capacity since Katrina and just this year they've almost hit 3/4 capacity.
Sunday school went fabulously both times in my classes. The PreK3-1st graders and the 2nd-6th graders made some beautiful illuminations. Also, this past Sunday I sang in a quartet in church. It was nerve wracking I assure you but fitting. We sang Amazing Grace 'New Orleans style' which means it had alot of soul!
I split my workday Monday Through Friday between the Day school (8:30 am-12:15) and the church (12:15pm-4:30). We've still got some work to do in the Sunday school rooms but I'm proud to say that they look rather fantastic! We have at least a few artistic people at Lakeview.
On my photobucket I've included a few pictures of my home and new housemates. The only one who escaped the camera was Alex. He was out seeking a TV for Monday night football as we don't have cable.
Wednesday Rose and I will fly out to New Mexico for our national YAV orientation/retreat. There I'll find out such useful things as whether I am eligible for a student loan grant from the Church. I'll be sure and take some pictures because I'm told it will be gorgeous.
Something interesting that happened to me over the week: All the volunteers from Project Homecoming went on a Recovery Tour last Monday. It was good to see how things have moved on from when I was here last, 2 years ago. We were driving down a road in the ninth ward when I saw a house that looked familiar and a little further down the road a Baptist church. I believe I saw one of the houses I gutted as a college sophomore but now it's restored! It was reassuring. Talking to many of the Louisianians, especially those I see weekly or daily, has been fascinating. They love their city with a great passion and hurricanes or not they're going to keep coming back. My "boss" talked about a loved one she lost to Katrina. An elderly man who wanted to stay with his house and his dogs. She talked about what a fix-it man he was and spoke lovingly of the hand crafted Noah's ark he built that lives in the arts and crafts room, battered though it is. Resilience is the the only word I can use to describe these people.
I suppose in a city that cheers on the Saints(football) you have to be resilient... they lost this past Sunday. Once again. I've never watched football but I'm almost obligated to here if I want to join in on the conversations on Monday!
Please pray for a safe journey for those of us flying to New Mexico and for wisdom for me as I begin to piece together a more permanent role for how I will be in serving Lakeview this year. Thank you.
9/13/08 First Week
My first week is officially completed. Working at Lakeview is always interesting what with the good company and a new thing to dive into each day. Please pray for me, I will be teaching the first rotation of the new Sunday school program tomorrow but I just found out yesterday. I'm excited to do my arts and crafts project about the origin of the Bible. We'll be creating illuminations with stencils and colored pencils! I will also be doing the same lesson next Sunday for the older class, just a little more in depth. I plan to spend this lovely Saturday afternoon with my housemates walking, talking and sharing our plans for the week. Since Sunday is sort of a "work day" for me, today is my day of rest and enjoying my little community!
Acts 2:46-47 'Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people.' NIV
9/8/08Â Welcome to NOLA!
I wanted to give a quick update to let ya'll know that I arrived here safely. It's been an interesting first couple of days, including my first day of work today. I look forward to helping Lakeview finish up their sunday school rooms so they will be ready for their new rotation style sunday school that starts this Sunday. For dinner my first night we had authentic New Orleans Gumbo! That was very exciting. I can safely say that I look forward to working with the people at Project Homecoming and Lakeview. For more information on Project Homecoming go to http://projecthomecoming.net/
9/4/08Â Update
Residents began returning to the city yesterday, my group along with them. Though much of the city is without power and there is some safety concern as people begin pouring back into the damaged city, there isn't as much damage from the hurricane as was feared possible. The levees held! Thank you to those who shared their encouragement and love with me through e-mail. I'm so grateful for everyone's prayers.Â
9/2/08Â Flight Postponed
Good afternoon. I wanted to let everyone know that my arrival in New Orleans has been delayed due to Gustav. I did NOT fly in this past Sunday. Hopefully, I will be flying in on Saturday the 6th if all goes well. Please keep those who have been and will be affected by the hurricanes in your prayers. As we watch the news and hope, all we can do is trust the Lord.
8/17/08 2 Weeks
Well, I'm about 2 weeks from leaving. My flight leaves at 7am on August 31. I had an interview last week with the potential placement representatives and it looks likely that I will be working directly with a church for at least part of my time. It also seems likely that I will have some kind of teaching role-- likely with youth or kids.
If you've been thinking/praying about supporting me, please let me know how/what you would like to contribute so I may have an accurate assessment.
I did a Minute for Mission at Wayside Presbyterian church this morning, I will be speaking at Highland Presbyterian church on Monday evening and the following Sunday I will be speaking at Ebenezer United Methodist Church. Because time is limited for me to be physically present at any more Sunday worship services, if anyone is interested I would be willing to write something, ex. a newsletter article, to inform people of my plans and current activities as I've done for Wrightsville Presbyterian.
God is good and I trust Him to answer my prayers in the proper time. Thank you again everyone.Â
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 7/27/08
Hi everyone! As far as I know I'll be leaving sometime around September 1st and here it is already the 27th. Time is flying fast and I'm almost at my halfway point financially, but I still need funds as well as prayers. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I prepare for this adventure. I'll keep you posted on my progress periodically. Thank you all so much for your support.
Alicia
