Isn't it funny how when you think you are going to "serve" you end up feeling like you've been "served" instead? Three hot meals a day, toiletries provided and lots of smiles and expressions of appreciation. I liken it with this website: We know it's been therapeutic and encouraging to us, that's a given, yet you tell us of how you are blessed as well. I am assured again of how mysterious and wondrous are God's ways.

Going to Louisiana did not in the least feel like a sacrifice, quite the contrary, it was a great time of fellowship and community with believers and an opportune time to reach out to non-believers. The sense of accomplishment we felt as we helped clear out yards (the work seemed unending but we made a difference to individuals) was satisfying, yet we know it was a small part of the effort.

Continue to pray for those who are still there especially and for those who are lost: Maria and a teenage boy several in our group had conversations with. His grandmother is a believer but the young man did not join his father and the group in prayer before our workers left.

I am thankful that we were healthy enough to participate (the work was very physical) and no one got hurt - we were using chain saws and clearing tree debris. It was a very productive way to spend Thanksgiving with the added bonus that I didn't have to cook - ha ha... The lesson for me was that in any kind of loss, God is with us and you can find something to be thankful for. It seems there is often the temptation to fall into self pity and despair, which is understandable in tragedy, but our Father assures us of His care and love and gives hope, providing a way out of despair.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 "We have this treasure [Jesus' light in us - previous verse] in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."

Love,
Mom