Blog Posts
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
