Thanksgiving and giving back

We traveled back to New Orleans for Thanksgiving break with a small group of volunteers from our church.  Our goal was to complete the drywall in four rooms, hang doors, paint, and set a few kitchen cabinets.  

We also planned to have Thanksgiving dinner in the house.  We pre-ordered a turkey with dressing, gravy, rolls, and pumpkin pie.  I brought green beans and corn.  Another lady baked a couple of pies, and another lady brought sweet potatoes.  We plugged in our crock pots and we were set.  

Well not quite....We forgot the carving knife.  Luckily Doug had a knife in his truck.  It wasn't pretty but it did the job. We set up dinner in the front room. 
It was a day filled with sheetrock dust and mud.  The day was also filled with lots of laughter. 
While there was a great deal of work completed, there was also a fair amount of good-natured teasing and jokes.  We were a group of teachers, ministers, moms,  students, and a judge working together toward a common goal.  

It was a time for each of us to reflect on all the good things that we have been blessed with in the past year. 

It was a time for each of us to give back in our own different ways.  

It was a time to step out of our comfortable homes and get uncomfortable for the sake of others. 

It was a time for some to temporarily leave behind the stress, worry, and grief that has recently flooded their lives.  

It was a time to work shoulder-to-shoulder with a brother and sister in Christ.

It was a time to give back.

The best part about the trip is the fact that on Sunday morning a group of believers will gather in the front room of this house for the first time since Katrina to worship together.  

It was time.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:9-10

16

16 years ago you came into our lives....2 weeks early I might add.  I'll never forget seeing those blue eyes for the first time.  They took my breath away. 
You were such a tiny baby.  Barely 18 1/2 inches long.  I remember worrying that you would be small for the rest of your life.  Now you come home and tell me about squatting 375 lbs in weight training.  

16 years.  It really does go by too fast.

Be strong and be faithful Zach.... we love you!

Sunday afternoon drive

Zach wanted to practice driving his jeep.  He turns 16 in a week and will be taking his driving test soon.  

It was a beautiful day and I wanted to visit some old family homesites.  

There are 4 different buildings and the old house still standing on this property. Inside one building is an assortment of old glass jars.  I don't think they ever threw anything away.  I saw several old tin canning jar lids that I would have loved to brought home.  I was too afraid of snakes and cutting myself on the glass to go into the building.

The door into the wood shop.  It amazes me that these buildings are still standing.  The old logs have not shifted.  The foundation under each building is simple stacked stones.  Nothing fancy. They used what what they had.  One building was still filled with firewood kindling in anticipation of winter.  This generation had lived through the depression and summers were spent canning and storing up supplies for the winter.  A trip to town was considered a luxury. You had to rely on yourself.  While my generation feels secure with a safe retirement fund or a healthy bank account, their security came from having plenty of canned goods, firewood, and a firm belief that God would provide everything else.

An old truck still parked at my great-aunt Bessie's house.  When I was a little girl, I would ride with my grandmother on Sunday afternoons to visit my great-grandmother.  As soon as we got there, we would call Aunt Bessie to come over and make hot chocolate.  I never remember a time that she didn't come over.  She was never too busy to make us hot chocolate.  

She'd take Hersey's cocoa, add a little sugar, heat the milk in a pan and mix in the sweetened cocoa.  Then she would serve it in a coffee cup with a saucer.  All my great-grandmother's family would drink their coffee by pouring a little into the saucer and drinking from the saucer. Once the coffee in the cup cooled, they would drink the remaining coffee out of the cup.  My sister and I would imitate the adults with our hot chocolate.

Old doorknob at my great-uncle's house.  He lived in this house until his death just a few years ago.  It is a very primitive house.  He never had hot water in the house.  Several family members offered to install a water heater and he refused.  The old wood stove where he heated his water is still in the living room.  He was very self-sufficient.  I admire that in a person.

The old rock wall at my great-grandmother's home place.  The house has long since disappeared but the new owners have left the old rock wall and steps.  

Sweet memories.

Fall Formal

Clay and Zach went to the fall formal this past Saturday night.  Clay had to attend a class so he missed the picture session.

Zach and Chelsi

The entire group.  Clay's date is the girl in the center wearing pink and black.  After smiling for their moms and taking picture after picture, they all went to dinner together and then to the dance.  

Early Morning

This was the view from my front porch this past week.  Simply beautiful....

13

It's official.  I'm the mom of three teenage boys.  Happy 13th Birthday Adam.  

Sunday thoughts....

My new porch cushions.  I found the fabric at the thrift store.  3 yards for $3!  I love a good bargain.

"Stay, stay at home, my heart, and rest; home-keeping hearts are happiest." Longfellow

This quote pretty much describes me.  While I don't care for cleaning or laundry, I get all out of sorts if it gets too messy. I love being home. It is where I am the happiest.