Dulac Mission Trip

So this past week, my best friend and I were able to join some other people from around the country to do some rebuilding work in New Orleans. We were in an area about an hour south of New Orleans called Dulac which is mostly resident to a tribe of Houma Indians. Most of the homes and buildings there were severely damaged due to Katrina, but also due to the high incidence of flooding that occurs on a regular basis.

The whole trip was truly a great experience. Our day would begin at 7 am cooking breakfast, doing the dishes, working on the community center for 4 hours, coming back and making lunch, work for another 4 hours, shower, make dinner, and then hang out playing 28 or spoons till 2 in the morning (these games were intense =P). It was a blessing to experience the teamwork and camaraderie amongst us initial strangers displayed on practically every level.

Much to my surprise, I also loved the feeling of getting my hands dirty doing some hard core manual labor! We were putting up drywall, spackling, sanding, painting, etc. and at the end of the day we were covered in mud, paint, dirt, and sweat.....and it all felt very good. There was something very satisfying in the exhaustion we felt at the end of the day. Everyone who came was there to work and work we did.  In the end, it was really gratifying to see the tangible fruits of our labor.

I know what we did doesn't even make a dent into what needs to happen there, but the fellowship and friendships that were formed and what we learned of the Native Americans there, just made our world a little bit smaller in seeing the plight and hardships of other communities. I look at these projects, not so much as an opportunity to serve, but to observe how God works in other communities and to broaden my sometimes very narrow worldly perspectives.

I pasted the link below to an article written about our trip in their local newspaper....some of the facts in it are wrong but you'll get the gist of the mission that's run there =)

http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20100416/ARTICLES/100419562?p=1&tc=pg
Bond attracts Indian Americans to Dulac
HoumaToday.com

DULAC — A couple of times each year, a kindred group of volunteers visits Dulac to help rebuild the bayou community from hurricanes and flooding.

Forgiven

In this life
I know what I’ve been
But here in Your arms
I know what I am . . .



An amazing song that speaks to my heart.

Nightmares Becoming Reality

I came upon this "interesting" story and all I can say is ugh! I don't know why I'm deciding to post it, but I am.  It's just one of those bizarre things you come across and read and wonder what are people thinking?

Warning: my first reaction was to gag.

The title:         Bizarre Ways to Beat Stress and Unwind

I've had one recurring nightmare for as long as I can remember and it involves snakes and picturing something like this.....and now this is a way to unwind?? A snake massage! I don't think so.  Just looking and thinking about it makes the anxiety level go up a couple notches.

If you want to read the article and even see the video (yeah, that's right, there's a video)....go ahead, enjoy
http://health.msn.com/mind-body-connection/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=100256034&imageindex=2

Weird, just plain weird!

What comes to your mind on this Easter Sunday?

Here's what I'm thinking about:

New beginnings
New life
Hope
Renewal
Resurrection
Purity
Forgiveness
Love...

and an overwhelming sense of peace that comes from understanding what He had done for me 2000 years ago today......a peace from knowing that He is in complete control of ALL things.

It's a day to remember that no matter where you are in your life, no matter the path you've been on in the past, Christ's resurrection allows you to start fresh, and to start anew.....

Have a Happy Easter.

Good Eats - Toscana 52

Dinner Tonight:
a local goodie where there's a new Italian menu every week (hence the name 52)

Toscana 52

4603 Street Road

Feasterville PA 19053

Phone 215-942-7770

http://www.toscana52.com/

"Experience authentic modern Tuscan cuisine in the tranquility of a dramatic Tuscan Villa. Our team of executive chefs prepare each days menu from scatch. Features include crudo (Italian Sushi), fresh seafood, wood grilled meats, homemade pasta, our pastry chef's seductive sesaonal desserts."

Does God Really Love Us?

"Does God really love us? I say look to the crucified Jesus. Look to the old rugged cross. By every thorn that punctured His brow. By every mark of the back lacerating scourge. By every hair of his beard plucked from his cheeks by cruel fingers. By every bruise which heavy fists made upon His head. God said, "I love you!" By all the spit that landed on his face. By every drop of sinless blood that fell to the ground. By every breath of pain which Jesus drew upon the cross. By every beat of His loving heart. God said, I love you."
-Billy Lobbs

It's hard to imagine that a day where we remember unimaginable cruelty inflicted on a man that was sinless and perfect, as being called "good".  But can you imagine the consequences if these events never did transpire?  We'd be left to our own devices, to suffer the consequences of the depraved sinful creatures that we are.  But instead, because of his sacrifice, we are made clean, freed from the bonds of sin, and even made righteous....and what do we have to do? Just believe.

Indeed it is GOOD.