Woke up to Deckster singing "Rise 'n Shine!" The morning seemed to drag on - we had a very slow start getting out of the base camp.
Josh's van didn't go to the Rush's right away. We went to Wal-Mart to get pics developed to make a photo album and get things to fix Aristotle's bike.
We went back to the Rush's to meet up with the rest of the gang and to finish up whatever needed to be finished...up. Which wasn't very much at all. Nathan repaired Aristotle's bike while the rest of us made our way to the pool which was now fully filled and ready to play in.
The pool was wicked! We spent a whole working day in the pool just having good laughs with the 4 boys and performing somersaults and other crazy jumps into the pool. We got pretty sweet tan lines.
This is where the hard part of the week came. It was time for the good-byes we were dreading all week. Claire, Stacy, Martha and Connie sang for the Rushes. We shared a heartfelt prayer and said our good-byes, which were not easy at all. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house the Rushes can now call home.
Ms. Rush told us to be grateful for things we have. She asked us to tell our parents how much we really do love them as well. She was so very thankful and appreciated everything we did for them.
We would just like to let everyone reading know that we may have helped the Rushes in a small way but they impacted OUR lives in a much bigger way than they'll ever know. They have managed to find a place in each and every one of our hearts.
Almost as soon as we were back to the base camp, it started to rain. This was almost symbolizing to us a closure of the week. We couldn't go to Biloxi because of the rain unfortunately, but we did however get to watch movies, go out to the Cracker Barrel for dinner and ... CUT JOSH'S HAIR!!! Muhahaha...
~ Connie and Nathan
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Friday: Photoblog
Here are some photo entries as a temporary place-holder for Friday's entry from Connie and Nathan. We were caught up in last-day in Moss Point activities and didn't have much of a journaling time. Look for a more extensive post tomorrow.
For now, enjoy the pictures and head over to the Flickr page for many, many more!
For now, enjoy the pictures and head over to the Flickr page for many, many more!
Friday, June 23, 2006
Thursday: Let the Good Times Roll
We slept all day. We did just about nothing but eat and that's it. Just kidding! So we got up and ate some "Tootie Frooties" for breakfast and headed for our worksite.
We walked into the house and boy were were we surprised! Ms. Rush had basically finished all of the painting (including a 2nd coat!) She's crazy! We then had to think fast and come up with a new list of things to do. This list included cleaning and refilling their pool, doing a little more painting, and cleaning out the garage. For the rest of the day, we played with the kids, ate some lunch... 
and Martha enjoyed a nap on the concrete kitchen floor.
We then went to the local phantasmagorical bowling lane where we played for 2 hours. The bowling was wedgielicious! Some boys cried - Andy, a few fell, and others jumped for joy from this magical bowling experience.
Then we came back to the center where we enjoyed some of Fuhrer Josh's exquisite cuisine of fettucine alfredo with broccoli on the side for the Conaboys. We were all having the hinkering jinkerings for Klondike bars so we naturally were thrilled when Josh, Pat, Nathan, and Andy pranced in with platters of perfect Klondike bars on them. So with one last song and dance from Josh and Nathan we're out! Peace Home Dog.
~ Mattie and Martha
We walked into the house and boy were were we surprised! Ms. Rush had basically finished all of the painting (including a 2nd coat!) She's crazy! We then had to think fast and come up with a new list of things to do. This list included cleaning and refilling their pool, doing a little more painting, and cleaning out the garage. For the rest of the day, we played with the kids, ate some lunch...
and Martha enjoyed a nap on the concrete kitchen floor.
We then went to the local phantasmagorical bowling lane where we played for 2 hours. The bowling was wedgielicious! Some boys cried - Andy, a few fell, and others jumped for joy from this magical bowling experience.
~ Mattie and Martha
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Wednesday: Beauty and the Beach
Today was RAD. We had the usual breakfast: cereal and bagels. Of course, this was after about 20 minutes of Josh saying, "C'mon, guys, its time to get up."
We breezed through our work today, piece of cake. We got two rooms finished from scratch, and we put the second coat on the kitchen. Miss Rush was super excited to see the house shaping up the way it was. Of course the best part of the day was playing with the kdis.
We introduced the Red Hot Chili Peppers to them, and I'm pretty sure Tchaikovsky loved it but I'm not positive about the others. Christian finally came out of his shell and he's a cool kid.
After working we went to the BEACH!! The water was sooooooooo warm and shallow. We were like 250 yards out from the sand and could still stand!
We hung out at night with a guy named Eric who is an amazing singer, and it was sweet. Conaboy...out
~ Pat
We breezed through our work today, piece of cake. We got two rooms finished from scratch, and we put the second coat on the kitchen. Miss Rush was super excited to see the house shaping up the way it was. Of course the best part of the day was playing with the kdis.
We introduced the Red Hot Chili Peppers to them, and I'm pretty sure Tchaikovsky loved it but I'm not positive about the others. Christian finally came out of his shell and he's a cool kid.
After working we went to the BEACH!! The water was sooooooooo warm and shallow. We were like 250 yards out from the sand and could still stand!
We hung out at night with a guy named Eric who is an amazing singer, and it was sweet. Conaboy...out
~ Pat
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Tuesday: Paint Goes Up
Today was a much more productive day. With the help of John we made a list of things that needed to get done. He split us up into groups of 3 and we each took a room. Today we actually got a large amount done. We primed, finished the textured paint on the ceiling and finished putting a chocolate color on the wall in the kitchen. It may have been tedious wok but the end result was rewarding.
Throughout the day we had about 3 extra hands. The 3 younger boys were eager to help and enjoyed putting on our giant knee pads and crazy safety goggles. The helped us paint and wanted to have a part in rebuilding the house they knew so well.
One of the most rewarding things of the day was seeing Ms. Rush's face when she saw her finished kitchen. Her boys, all so excited, dragged her from their trailer while covering her eyes until they brought her to the kitchen. Her look of surprise was priceless and made us all want to work harder to finish their house. I could not even tell you how many times she said, "Wow, Wow, " or "Oh, Thank y'all," or, "I 'preciate it." It was exciting to see how excited she was. Each of us felt revived by her strength to make it through this all and now are looking for ways to help them while we are here as well as keeping contact with them when we get back.
Everyone is real excited about the work we are doing. Our enthusiasm is even rubbing off on the Rush kids, who helped us along in our work today. I personally feel great about the work. It has a real personal feel. I also find it interesting meeting people so different than me.
~ Claire and Andy
Throughout the day we had about 3 extra hands. The 3 younger boys were eager to help and enjoyed putting on our giant knee pads and crazy safety goggles. The helped us paint and wanted to have a part in rebuilding the house they knew so well.
One of the most rewarding things of the day was seeing Ms. Rush's face when she saw her finished kitchen. Her boys, all so excited, dragged her from their trailer while covering her eyes until they brought her to the kitchen. Her look of surprise was priceless and made us all want to work harder to finish their house. I could not even tell you how many times she said, "Wow, Wow, " or "Oh, Thank y'all," or, "I 'preciate it." It was exciting to see how excited she was. Each of us felt revived by her strength to make it through this all and now are looking for ways to help them while we are here as well as keeping contact with them when we get back.
Everyone is real excited about the work we are doing. Our enthusiasm is even rubbing off on the Rush kids, who helped us along in our work today. I personally feel great about the work. It has a real personal feel. I also find it interesting meeting people so different than me.
~ Claire and Andy
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Monday: First Workday and a Pinata
Everyone woke up late, but that's OK because it didn't effect anything. We ate breakfast, then we got ready for the day and found where we were going to work. We played frisbee while waiting for Pastor Dave to take us to the site. The home belongs to the Rushes. Because of the extensive damage to their home they are still forced to live in 2 trailers parked on their front lawn.
There are 4 spunky boys. All the boys except the oldest were very social; they all hung out with us and played tricks on us. Despite their prestigious names and the tragedies they've experienced, the kids are very down to earth. They teamed up against us and enjoyed our presence. The youngest had some fun by spraying Josh in the face with their hose. We spent the late morning and afternoon sanding the drywall, painting the ceiling with popcorn paint, and priming the walls.
Ms. Rush was very apreciative of our work but also very eager to get back in her home. She has been through so much but her spirit is undaunted by tragedy. She seems like a great mom.
After we got back from work we had lunch and enjoyed each other's company. We made cards for Kristen Klein, a member of the Presbyterian Youth Group who is celebrating her sweet sixteen today.
We found the BAGS!! That was such a relief.
Our downtime provided for some thoughts and reflection. Moss Point is a small town with many young people but the area seems almost lifeless and exhausted. It was surreal to see the damage in the form of experience beyond what I've seen in the news. The Rush family gave a face to Katrina and made the cause within me much more meaningful. We are fellow Americans, fellow humans with the victims of Katrina. I feel a duty and a sense of purpose. The people here are no longer a statistic and I'm not just another volunteer. We are people helping people and that makes our task much more meaningful. After this week's experience, I believe that I will take more from it than I can ever contribute.
~ Stacy and John
There are 4 spunky boys. All the boys except the oldest were very social; they all hung out with us and played tricks on us. Despite their prestigious names and the tragedies they've experienced, the kids are very down to earth. They teamed up against us and enjoyed our presence. The youngest had some fun by spraying Josh in the face with their hose. We spent the late morning and afternoon sanding the drywall, painting the ceiling with popcorn paint, and priming the walls.
After we got back from work we had lunch and enjoyed each other's company. We made cards for Kristen Klein, a member of the Presbyterian Youth Group who is celebrating her sweet sixteen today.
We found the BAGS!! That was such a relief.
~ Stacy and John
Monday, June 19, 2006
Sunday: Travel Day
Long day. Started at 3:45 a.m. after going to bed at like 1:30 a.m. It is now 10:05 local time (1 hour behind Eastern Standard Time) and we're starting to wrap things up. The morning person in me is protesting. Je suis TIRED. The flighit from Philly to New Orleans was smoothe as well as the drive from Clarks Summit to Philly. However, we are now missing 4 bags. The drive from New Orleans to Moss Point was ... enlightening.
I heard from a friend that New Orleans was "up & running" but this was clearly not the case when neighborhoods look like ghost towns, no, homes like Post-WWII London or Hiroshima and blue tarps everywhere. Another sign that New Orleans is not flourishing is the difficulty we had in finding a place to eat lunch. Clearly what my friend meant was the French Quarter is "up and running." I guess we will have to see for ourselves.
~AnnaBeth
I heard from a friend that New Orleans was "up & running" but this was clearly not the case when neighborhoods look like ghost towns, no, homes like Post-WWII London or Hiroshima and blue tarps everywhere. Another sign that New Orleans is not flourishing is the difficulty we had in finding a place to eat lunch. Clearly what my friend meant was the French Quarter is "up and running." I guess we will have to see for ourselves.
~AnnaBeth
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Welcome!
Welcome to the blogging home for the High School Youth Group of the Church of the Epiphany in Glenburn (Clarks Summit), PA.
The first big use of this blog will happen next week. 12 youth and 3 adults will be in Moss Point, Mississippi and New Orleans from June 18-25 helping to repair homes damaged by Hurrican Katrina. Rotating every day, 2 youth will be assigned to write a summary and reflection of each day's events. We'll also post a few pictures every day.
So bookmark our site and check in on us daily next week to see what we're up to! Or, subscribe to our RSS feed through your new aggregator of choice for automatic notification of our new posts!
Peace to you,
Josh
The first big use of this blog will happen next week. 12 youth and 3 adults will be in Moss Point, Mississippi and New Orleans from June 18-25 helping to repair homes damaged by Hurrican Katrina. Rotating every day, 2 youth will be assigned to write a summary and reflection of each day's events. We'll also post a few pictures every day.
So bookmark our site and check in on us daily next week to see what we're up to! Or, subscribe to our RSS feed through your new aggregator of choice for automatic notification of our new posts!
Peace to you,
Josh
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