Back from mission trip world, back to reality.

So my time on the mission trips are over. Alaska was gorgeous and I'm still in awe that I got to go there. Even though it had it's pros, it can't beat my time in Mississippi. Part of me still regrets not finishing out the summer with my team. All of me is very grateful for being blessed with what has been the best summer of my life. One pro for Alaska: it gave me time to reflect on life and what I'm going to do with it. Times, they are a'changing.

They're HEERREE!!!

The first group has finally arrived! That has actually made things a ton better because now we are always doing something, opposed to just waiting in anticipation. Since they are the first, they are a bit like guinea pigs, but things seem to be working out OK. The group is 42 students (middle school, high school and entering college in the fall) and 11 adult leaders. Most of the students are in the youth choir at their church in New Mexico, so this is also a "singing tour" for them as well. On the whole, the students and leaders are great!
Today was the first day of work - 7 sites, about 7-8 people at each. We are doing a couple decks/wheelchair ramps, some flooring, drywall, and insulation. I went out with the crew who was supposed to be doing insulation...we hit a bit of a snag when we ticked of some gynourmous bees as we moved their hive that was in the insulation. So we had to leave that site after someone got stung and a couple of the kids said they were allergic. But no worries, we hooked onto two other sites and everybody got a good day's worth of work in. When the youth pastor commented that the kids were hard workers, he wasn't kidding...and the majority of them haven't even done work like this before!
So after a long day of work, Amy and I headed back for a refreshing shower before making spaghetti for 60 people...note to self, buy more sauce and cook the noodles earlier and in two pots next time! Yikes! But thanks to one of our wonderful "Mississippi Moms," we were able to make it work. Now off to bed...

It's the end/beginning of the week. We are just about ready to go, except that the group coming in has no where to sleep yet because we can't set it up until Sunday. But other than that, we're doing good. The messages sound great, PowerPoints look good and our intro is going to rock! Amy and I had a very exciting first experience at Sam's Club buying a week's worth of groceries for 50-some odd people. We are all a little punch-drunk but excited for the first group to come in. I'm still surprised at the hospitality we've received and am looking forward to truly becoming a local. We found the only Chinese buffet probably in a few counties (rated one of America's Top 100 Chinese restaurants). Brother Harry (Crane Creek's pastor) took Amy and I to lunch yesterday...I had a pretty good burger with Cajun fries. I can't wait for fish fry or crawfish/crab boil!

In the 'Sipper

So I haven't written in over a year. This began as a way to stave off the boredom that was soon to follow being unemployed. Well, it didn't work so much. I just got bored with doing this. I have now decided to use this as a way to chronicle my summer down South. As one of 8 interns with Next Step Ministries, I will be leading teens to Christ through actions, words and service. We will be working together, ministering to the high school students coming down each week and to the community through worship and work. We are down in Hancock County, Mississippi, where the eye of Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. Many families are still without proper housing and Next Step has sent some of the first groups of volunteers this far up from the coast to help. The work projects for the summer are already shaping up well and we are basking in Southern Hospitality! Hope to have many more updates. Prayers and good thoughts are always appreciated!

Sunday Shaky Sunday

A rolicking good time at the PPC Saturday night. The gang all headed there to cheer Holly on during her quest to make it through the 5th week of PPC Idol...which she did via a fabulous rendition of "You Can't Hurry Love," "Thank You for Being a Friend," and "One Way or Another." Let's hope she makes it at least through Week 3, when they actually get cash prizes.

I dragged myself out of bed at the crack of noon after one too many Miller Lites (haha...and classy!), headed over to Chipotle on Rt.1 (with a free burrito coupon!), and then to Barnes and Noble to peruse. Not finding anything interesting there, I headed up to Borders in Burlington and finished reading "Marley & Me"...an easy read, but in a feel-good, makes you laugh/cry kind of way. Hopefully this non-working time will give me ample opportunity to finish and/or start reading the pile of books by my bed. After dinner with my dad, I headed for an area favorite, Socs Ice Cream, for my shake.

Adventure: First time to Chipotle on Rt.1 and first time spending an afternoon reading/browsing Borders in Burlington).

Shake: Cake Batter from Socs. Cake in drinkable format, what's not to love? A couple things actually. The shake it self was yumm delish. The rude counter-girl who practically threw it at me I could have done without. Sorry, Socs, but that takes you down a point. Straws up: 4.

Day...I lost count of - I'll go Crazy if I Don't go Crazy Tonight

In true everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day fashion, Happy St. Patrick's Day all! I have my Guinness so I'm all set. Also in honor of the holiday, today's shake was the shake to beat all shakes...drum roll please...McDonald's Shamrock Shake!

It's frothy, minty goodness earned 5 straws! I love this day, but it makes me miss Ireland even more. Dublin was one of my favorite places to visit and I wish I could go back, and then visit more of Ireland. Oh well, someday hopefully.

Today was chock-full of St. Paddy's fun...I drove down to Plymouth, had lunch at some bar on the water that had Irish music and step dancers and all kinds of festivities, had a delicious Irish Fish and Chips (I was going to have the traditional Boiled Dinner, but they got me with the Guinness-flavored then fried fish...magical words Guinness and fried). Then I headed off to the British Imports store where I hoped to get some real Cadbury's or other UK chocolate and/or some Digestives, but they were closed and didn't look like they had much of a selection anyway. I also took in the Pilgrim Hall Musuem...I believe that is the one Pilgrim-related place I had never been to. I took a swing down to Plymouth Rock and the park and then headed home. All in all, not a bad day and the weather was beautiful! Can't wait for 60 degrees tomorrow!

Day 5/6 - We're One, but we're not the same

Not much to say today, except I WISH I HAD U2 TICKETS...so without further ado...

Day 5 - Shake - Bedford Farms strawberry frappe. I'm not much of a fan of strawberry ice cream, but this was the flavor that caught my eye. Straws up: 4.



Adventure: National Heritage Museum in Lexington. Not a bad little museum, it was free after all. Only 4 exhibits - Ellis Island photos, History of Masons in Mass., Folk Art in Mass., the Battle of Lexington and Concord.

Day 6 - shake: chocolate shake from Kelly's; straws up: 5...yummmmmm. No adventure today as I had an meeting with Beacon Hill Staffing (woohooo) and am now vegging out.