Monday, June 29, 2009

Clay is 18 today.

Today is Clay's 18th birthday.  
He is officially an adult today.  
It doesn't seem possible that on this date 18 years ago we became parents.  We were completely clueless.  Somehow we've managed to stumble through this thing called parenthood and raise an amazing young man. 

He's quiet and respectful.  He still likes hanging out with his family.   He isn't afraid to work hard.  He makes us proud.
  
Happy Birthday Clay, we love you!

A Good Week

Last week we traveled to New Orleans for a youth mission trip.  This was our second trip to New Orleans.  

(Clay working on the addition)
Throughout the week, we dealt with record high temperatures and 12 hour work days.  One day the temperature was 104.   

We worked hard.  We arrived at the worksite around 8:30 AM, had morning devotions, and started working around 9 AM.  We took a 30 minute break for lunch and continued to work until dinner.  At 5:30 we offered a Summer Day Camp for the community kids.  Around 30 kids attended throughout the week.   Several groups continued to work while Day Camp was in progress.  We finally sat down the tools around 7 and had worship service under a tent located in a vacant lot next to the house.  Each night we would load up the vans around 9:30-10:00 and head back to the seminary.  

(Zach, Bob, and Clay)

It is really hard for me to put into words what this week meant to our family.  

The work was difficult.  Dealing with the heat and heavy labor was hard.  There were times when you felt like you could not stand it another moment.  But you did and before you knew it, another day had passed and more progress was made.

The worship services were amazing.  As the week went along, we were joined by individuals from the neighborhood.  A local Christian Rap Group performed for us.  Their love for the Lord radiated through their music and blessed us.

Sitting under a tent, on the vacant lot of a former crack house in the 9th Ward of New Orleans, our faith was renewed.  Filthy and tired we sat there as the love of Christ rained down on our heads.  We left each night with hearts overflowing.  

It was a good week.