Gardenia
taken at Camp Hope in Vancleave, Mississippi.

Day one of the Katrina Relief trip is finished.

Pondering the Week Past

This past week or so has taught me a lot, and I find that I'm grateful for many things. (We returned from Mississippi today (Sunday, June 8, 2008) around 4:30 P.M. I'm sure I'll not articulate this as well as I'd like... but I need to record a few thoughts.)

In No Particular Order:

• I'm grateful for big-hearted friends that were willing to go the distance (literally) to help people in need.
• I'm grateful that I was able to accompany and assist them.
• I'm grateful for the people that continue to organize relief efforts, despite the financial and other odds, and for the many people that assist them in supporting those who travel (as did we) to offer our help.
  
• I have learned that people in distress are a part of my family in this experience of life and its ups and downs.
• It doesn't take long to have someone you've never before known, settle into the center of your heart.
• Disasters can result in blessings.
• Serving others is the way we are supposed to co-exist.
• Being grateful is a "two-way street."
• With only a little effort, a few people can offer encouragement and hope for better days ahead.
• I'm grateful for the opportunity to get to better know and appreciate the people with whom I traveled and worked this past week.
• I'm grateful for those that would have liked to have been with us but couldn't. They supported us financially and in ways we may never fully know and/or appreciate.
• I'm grateful for my friends and neighbors that allowed me to travel by keeping watch over my yard(!) while both my husband and I were gone (he at a mission of the heart in another direction).
  
• I appreciate YOUR support; your kind, supportive and encouraging notes.
• I'm grateful for the entire experience, and the emotions that were evoked.
  
• I know there is much more, but I've exhausted myself! :-)

I'm going to work on a post for "Making Memories" tomorrow.