Service With A Smile

Saturday, I was blessed to have the opportunity to accompany a group of youth and youth leaders to Baton Rouge, LA to help clean up debris left by Hurricane Gustav.

I wasn't really expecting much damage, after all we are only about two and a half hours east and we received no damage at all.

Unfortunately I was wrong.

We saw countless uprooted trees, severely damaged roofs, and huge piles of the former belongings of local residents.

I cannot tell you how humbled I was serving these people. Some were quite poor and lived in substandard housing.

One sister was in tears as she told of the heartache and devastation she'd experienced. A huge oak tree fell on the back of her house during the storm. Although they'd tarped the roof, enough water came into the house to cause mold to grow inside. She was thankful no one was injured, devastated by the destruction of her home, and grateful for the help.

I'm not posting this to boast about what we did. On the contrary. I'm writing this first to tell you how proud I am of our youth. They never once complained and worked with enthusiasm. They were quick, respectful and a joy to be around.

The other reason I want to talk about this is to express how much I believe in service. As you know, I've been very busy lately not to mention stressed. On Saturday, I lost myself in service and forgot my troubles. I was humbled by the people that we served and realized how much I need to grow, spiritually.

Our Saviour Jesus Christ taught:

"For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matt 25: 35-40)

Feeling a little stressed? Overworked? Busy? Angry? Remember what the Saviour taught and lose your troubles in service (and remember serving your family counts too=)

I've been a bad, bad, blogger!!

When I first began blogging, I considered it an outlet for creative energy that I rarely had a chance to express. Also, it was a great way to stay in touch with distant relatives and long lost friends. And, truthfully, I do enjoy blogging - both the writing and the reading.

However, my days have become pretty full with school, the kids, school, my church calling, school, housework, school, etc. And, every time I sit down to write, I find myself either

a) with a mental block or,

b) with drool on my keyboard because I dozed off.

For those of you who don't know, I went back to school several years ago to finish my degree in elementary education. Earning a college degree has been a life-long dream for me, and I can hardly believe it is so close to being fulfilled. I am currently in my final semester of classes and will student teach in the spring. As wonderful as that is, I am a bit overwhelmed! The amount of coursework is tremendous!

So, that being said, I'm sorry I've been such a bad blogger. That is, if anyone is still reading my blog. Have you all given up on me? Moved on to Pioneer Woman? Maybe so, I wouldn't blame you!

There is one more reason I haven't blogged as much...I've been two-timing with facebook. That's right, I've actually spent more time there than here. The thing is, I don't have to think much about facebook - just a word or two and I'm done. You know, it is easy to become my friend there too so if you want to join me, let me know...

Although, I haven't written much, I am still reading your blogs. Thanks so much for you updates, funny stories and family pictures. I enjoy them more than you'll ever know! Sometimes when I'm up late at night, working on a paper, I'll take a break to read your blogs. They always bring a smile to my face. What a GREAT way to keep in touch!

Anyway, I'll try to do better, so please don't give up on me!

Hugs, Susan

The Next American Idols

Step aside, Carrie Underwood and Leona Lewis! Lauryn and Kendal may just be your biggest competition yet! Check out their premier music video and you'll see what I mean! (pause my playlist before clicking play=)

We Survived!!!

Well, we survived another hurricane! Gustav proved to be less impressive than our usual, everyday, afternoon thunderstorm! Not that I'm complaining, mind you! I can't tell you how grateful I am! Surviving a hurricane feels a bit like dodging a bullet. We've seen what they can do and feel it a blessing when they miss.

One of the really bad things about hurricanes is that they're so very unpredictable! No matter what you might hear on the Weather Channel, you never know where they're going or how bad they'll be until they hit!

Several years ago, a monster hurricane was headed for our part of the gulf coast. It's name was Dennis and it was a category five! Now, I'm not one to leave town for a hurricane but a Cat-5 is pretty big and very dangerous! That in mind, my friend Andrea and I packed up the kids and headed to North Carolina to hang out with Marc's parents until the storm was over (Neither Marc nor Mike could leave because of work.) Dennis was scheduled to make landfall on a Sunday. So, before heading off to church, we called home only to hear conditions were quickly deteriorating. When we returned, we called home again expecting to hear the worst. Instead, we learned the winds had almost completely died down and there was very little rain. Upon landfall, the "monster" hurricane broke apart and posed little threat. Now, I still have to wonder if this happened because I left town, lol. The fact is, however, we were spared that time and that's a blessing! No matter what the reason!

I stayed for Ivan, that was pretty bad. And, I stayed for Katrina and that was really bad. I've lived through countless false alarms and am thankful for every one. For me, though, the worst hurricane I've ever experienced was Hurricane Frederick. I was only in sixth grade but remember it like it was yesterday. The storm passed through at night and the next morning you would have thought a war had taken place on our street! Trees uprooted, roofs torn off, power lines down, no electricity, no water, and for a moment no hope. I pray I'll never experience that again!

The key to surviving a hurricane is being prepared! You need water, food storage, ice, bread, flashlights, batteries, a 72 hour kit for each family member, gas in the car, cash in your wallet, games to pass the time, a weather radio, dvd's are nice, a generator is really nice, but the one thing you cannot do without - listen carefully this is very important-

The one thing you cannot do without during a hurricane is...

JUNK FOOD!! YOU NEED LOTS AND LOTS OF JUNK FOOD!!!



Is it just me or are hurricanes much more pleasant with a cookie or two? Well, maybe it is just me...

Here's to a quiet rest-of-the-hurricane-season!