Let's get the show on the road!

Here it is, 2:19 in the morning and I sit here blogging. It has been very peaceful. (And I have spent time praying) The house is as silent as it ever gets; I can hear clocks ticking. NO ONE is stirring, not even the cat. WHY are you up, you may ask. There are several reasons. We leave for Mississippi on Saturday for nine days helping with Hurricane Katrina clean-up and rebuilding. (And yes, it is still a huge mess and these people are not going to be back to "normal" again for years.)

But anyway we are going with 50 people from our church. (Anna and I had the privilege of going with 15 back in October; I am excited to be going again!) Hence, another reason I am not sleeping. I am excited! I am also anxious about completing everything this week and my mind races with organizational matters; all of us are going this time except Hope. So--there is stuff to be bought--socks for 6, hammers for 4, suntan lotion, toothpaste, snacks, and so on--there is getting Hope organized to stay with two dear families...packing for her...permission forms to write and sign.....instructions for the dear college student and friend who is staying with my mother and making sure she doesn't starve to death....tools to be bought and marked and organized....packing....cleaning....ironing...cooking (life still goes on here this week, too)...Tim still working on mom's house....the kids have been great helping too....getting someone to watch and feed the lizards, cats, fish...thank God for a sweet neighbor who happens to work for Petsmart....and many other odds and ends. But it is getting done, and I am thankful. I am somewhat surprised I am not sleeping because when I was in teh checkout line at Walmart at 9:30 I was beat and I did not believe the nurse practioner's words who put me on a steroid pill to try and heal my wounded lungs "you won't be able to sleep" Ah well. Second wind? I did come home and work on some more stuff.....well anyway, those of you who read this and pray, please pray for our time and our team in MS. May we be representative of our glorious LORD and savior Jesus. May we grow in the grace and knowledge of Him. May we LOVE with HIS LOVE. May we leave SELF behind and be REAL servants!! And of course, may we touch others with the GOOD NEWS that Jesus saves and restores!

I am so thankful almost all of us get to go this time. There is definitely something to be said for sharing these experiences as family, such memories, such bonding (I hope!) We will be spending 48 hours total on the bus with each other! : > ) May God be honored. There is the key. And now, dear friends, I am getting sleepy. You probably are, too. Blessings to all and pray if you think of all of us!