Saturday, July 29, 2006

"If I could find my way back home, where would I go?"

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

Came across this verse while trying to finally finish John, and just as I was figuring out that no amount of tin dragging or concrete digging will ever make me tired enough to stop thinking & maybe have some peace. So, God's peace--bring it on. No idea what that looks like, but I'm ready. :)

PS, yeah, the colors are a W&M shoutout.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

God save our gracious Queen,
God save our noble Queen.
God save the Queen.
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God save the Queen!

Those glorious words were ringing through the vast beams of the tool crib this morning. After the torrential downpour of yesterday there was a large puddle across the entrace to the tool crib (or kingdom). Upon entering the crib this morning Stephanie and I quickly decided that this was not just any pond - but THE pond. I hope you know what I mean (if not, find an encyclopedia pronto)

The dreary morning became much jollier when we realized the power of this pond. It was not a mere puddle of brown mud slush and water - but it held the ablitlity to transform even the most southern of speech into the sweet accent of the mother-land. Suffice to say that Stephanie and I quickly dubbed today, July 26th, a national tool crib holiday....Brithish Accent Only Day!(da da da!!! horns sounding)

I must admit that when we began enforcing the rules of this beloved holiday - volunteers were a little resistant. When we stopped a few bonnie lasses and strapping young men from engaging in speech that didn't have the proper tonal influx. However we had one you lad who upon hearing the rules jumped in head first with a "right-o, jolly good show!" He was a definate favorite of ours. After he broke the ice, others became less shy of their accents and began to follow suit. Its never about the quality of your accent - because being from Texas, Steph and I have absolutely horrid accents, but its the heart. (sniff sniff - could you please send us tissues if you think about it...)

One poor man, was a little self-conscious about his accent and refused to speak. He would only write, and I quote, "Desperately seeking strap" Another man attempted to communicate solely through sign language, unfortunately he was about a week to late, since "Sign Language Only Day" in the tool crib was last week. Poor planning indeed. But we did have a visitor stop by wary of the British accent and so he donned a New Jersey accent. While our New Jersey native, TJ, picked up an Irish accent in defiance. It was a cacauphony of accents - quite confusing. Overall we found that British accents are the best way to prevent un-needed questions, since many of our volunteers are gun shy about donning accents and would therefore leave and ask the other interns their questions - leaving us quite satisfied. (disclaimer - we love volunteers and questions...)

For any of you who have loved ones here at Lagniappe this week, you might want to call them and let them know that this Friday is karaoke day! We will not accept any tool requests or returns without a song and/or dance - just give them a heads up so they can begin practicing!
Cheerio to all, and God save the Queen!

****all this must be read in a British accent of course****

Sunday, July 23, 2006

The Aftermath of Solitude


Jesus always seems to be on to something. I often think of Jesus with people and actively ministering among them, but I often lose sight of the Jesus who retreated from those same people to spend time with the Father. How much more do we need to follow this model when we seek to serve as well.
Taking Friday and Saturday off I sought solitude from the day to day hustle of Lagniappe and it was amazing! It gave me a chance to rest, collect my thoughts, read, pray, write, and even do a little fishing. Much love to John Henry for letting me crash his humble abode for the weekend. I found this verse written on a tile on his shelf. So appropriate.

all you need is love


the beetles knew what they were talking about. after a week of being personally overwhelmed i was on the phone with my mother (hi mom). i wasnt really able to explain what i was so upset about... one of things where it wasnt one specific instance but several little things. continuing to nearly sob even after i had hung up, my phone rang again. mother. the first words out of her mouth were, "we're on our way." she had called my dad (hi daddy) and together they had decided to drop everything for the weekend and drive from chattanooga, tn to the bay just for me. not only that but my sister, kelly, (hi kelly) and her daughter, lily, (hey beano) were also coming. wow. i cant put into words the amount of gratitude and love i have for them. the idea that people could love someone that much that they would drive over seven hours just to be near... it amazes me. this weekend was one of the most relaxing ones that ive spent here. and it is all thanks to my family.
guys... thank you so much for coming down. i had a blast with you. i miss you and i hope to see you sooner to another six weeks. i cant begin to tell you how grateful i am to you all. i love you all very much.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006


what a day it was, when stephanie, kim and i first laid eyes on "the bottom of the box." now to all of you not at lagniappe - the pure wonder of this might escape you, but let me try and explain.

a while ago andy gave a cardboard box to stephanie full of papers to be sorted. that on the surface seems like an easy enough task - not to terribly complicated and we get to be inside in air conditioning, but looks can be deceiving. this box, which became the vain of our existance at lagniappe, contained enough files (unorganized that is) to sink the titanic.

here are just a few of the lovely files that we found:
1. a whopping 19 files labled "Home Depot"
2. a file labled "stuff" - thank you andy for your clarity
3. a file entitled receipts (where, when and with who were these purchased.... we don't know). also in this file.... titles, tax information... you name it!
4. our personal favorite..."file" why thank you captain obvious, i think i might get another shirt made for all the girl interns that says "girl" just to clarify for any future confusion.

ok, so now you have just a slight clue of the mass chaos that this box contained - it began to mock us. everyday we passed by the box and began to work on it, its enormity laughed in our face. taunting us - saying "you cant get to the bottom of me - im too big for you"

so we plugged away, day after day. labeling, filing, sorting, tossing - labeling, filing, sorting, tossing - labeling, filing, sorting, and tosssing. that was the entirity of our lives. (note our ascending vocal pitch should be heard in these words)

tuesday - day of days - from the crows nest stephanie shouted down to me "what ho...ahead i see a shining sliver of cardboard. can it be?? the bottom of the box?????" 48 hours later, 16 cups of coffee later, 1 trip to slidell (for a new cabinet), 2 trips to walmart, and hospital saliene drip (6000 cc) - kim lost it for a little bit there and we had to take her in - we accomplished the mamouth task set before us!!!!!

at the unveiling of the empty box/filing cabinet (aka lagniappe masterpiece) andy, kim, jean, stephanie and i all gathered held hands and sang the doxology - i do believe i saw a solitary tear trickle down jean's cheek.

the journey has come to an end!

Monday, July 17, 2006

Amen Omen

One of my first Sundays here, Jean preached on "The Chicken Truck of the Heart." The title was talking about earlier that week when he, Jordan, Dave, Austin, & I climbed into an 18-wheeler full of rotting chicken & threw it piece by piece out into the dumpster. Except in the sermon, he said that "sometimes there're jobs that we just can't ask the volunteers or interns to do, & that's when we as staff really have to step it up." Later in the sermon, he said that the three of us interns had been in there as well, but my initial reaction was to think indignantly, "Hey!! I was in there! I want credit too!" Funny thing is, the sermon was about pride, and how as fallen men and women we seek worthiness and praise in our own good works and best efforts--and how our glory and worthiness is unearned and comes completely from God.

This last Sunday, Curt preached on 1 Corinthians 12:15-21, a passage which speaks about the diversity of spiritual gifts. Then, just today, I found myself beating myself up for not having that many "practical" skills, & thinking how lame it is that what I'm best at is writing. Wait, hold up--who am I to think or say that? God gave me a love for words--for their sounds and meanings, how they can spur imagination or capture memories in a way that's deeper & more long-lasting than pictures. But sometimes it's hard for me to see that as a useful thing, especially here where people need their houses wired, their roofs put on, and I don't know how to do that.

But, four things:
1) I can learn to do those things, and am learning.
2) Just because certain needs exist, doesn't discount the value of other abilities that don't directly respond to those needs.
3) I'm 20 years old. Not that there's ever a point at which anyone has his orher life "figured out," but there's definitely an expectation that a person has his talents, skills, & preferences pretty much sorted by his forties or so. And I think that more and more that's filtering down--every once in a while, I have a moment of clarity and can get outside myself to see, "I'm 20 years old. It's ok that I don't know what I want to do yet, & it's definitely ok that I'm still learning how to do & experience new things."
4) God's got me. He doesn't mess up. He's given me exactly what I need to do what he's put before me. (BTW, he's also got me exactly where he wants me in life, too. Was reminded of that this week--two thumbs up for good friends.)

So, deep thoughts for this week.
Also, quality lyrics by Ben Harper:
What started as a whisper,
Slowly turned in to a scream.
Searching for an answer
Where the question is unseen.
(Amen Omen)

the "chatty" folk

Dear 'ol friends from "chatty" town
Thanks so much for coming down
'Twas so nice to talk to y'all
And hear your funky southern drawl
Thanks for hanging our Lagniappe sign
For painting, & scraping with turpentine
David "the chainsaw", you rocked the trees
More than 30 a day- done with ease
You, Beka, lived the life of a hardcore 'tern
We're sorry 'bout the chainsaw burn
Y'all helped us out by leaps and bounds
We see y'all soon in "chatty-town"
-Emily Schmidt and Nyssa Perryman







 Posted by Picasa

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Gardening For Beginners




So for those of you who may be interested in my adventures as a green thumb here's the skinny. Tomato and pepper plants get big. It looks a little chaotic but they're surviving.
In other news the mango tree has finally made its appearance after about 6 or 7 weeks.

The Sunday Slumber


When all goes to plan Sunday truly is a day of rest.

Friday, July 14, 2006

Rainbows, Rainbows - Rainbows everywhere.. A quick shout out to E-Rock

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Isaiah 43:19

"For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert!" This morning as I walked around site, I began to notice all the new additions to Lagniappe. We have been so blessed - God is certainly doing a brand-new thing...take a look for yourself. (the last 3 blogs are also new things God has given us!)


Our bunkhouses being sided
New side doors were installed yesterday- all of our large holes in the walls and ceilings are now covered. Thank God for air conditioning- it's glorious. Posted by Picasa
Stephanie sporting her sweet new shirt (shout out to Austin and her momma for making/sending the t's to us- couldn't be more awesome!)
A few days ago we got a new copy machine and Kim now knows how to run the beast
the lagniappe bball court
beginnings of a new bunkhouse Posted by Picasa
Future offices being sheetrocked
the shedders' work board (made by the lovely C. Shores and T. Hart)
the work order board (note the organization!)
Nyssa came to us about a week ago from Virginia and will be working with us for a few more weeks. Nyssa and Ryn are school buddies. Thanks for making us smile, Nyssa. You 'da best! Posted by Picasa

We have a kitchen!!!

The waiting is over! We now have a kitchen- fully furnished and ready to prepare meals for +200. Thanks to all who helped set up the kitchen and to our awesome kitchen staff!










Alicia and her famous onion rings! (Note the room she now has to make food!)
Our new ice maker not only makes ice, but shaved ice...just the way we like it. Posted by Picasa

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Family Night at Lagniappe -- Thanks HARTS!!! THE RIBS WERE GREAT!

Kim did the taste testing.... MMMMMMm gooood. The family that cooks.

Emily sitting beside a man that wandered up from the beach... Looks familiar though.
Live Music. Posted by Picasa

hi mom

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Saturday, July 08, 2006

i've been sitting, waiting, wishing

Wish List de la momente (is that right? anyone? ohman. :P )--

trip to a music store to stock up on new cds
vegetables
wisdom, discernment & peace
pirates II
my fav pair of o'neill jeans from home
hugs

and numero uno (multilingual post today)--
flute music to pachabel's canon

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Os bons tempos e amigos bons




Over the past week and a half we got to know the guys that were contracted to work on the Lagniappe Church roof. Far from Brazil they found a home here for a time and it was sad to see them leave. I feel blessed to have met them and pray that God will be with them as they travel and continue work in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. VĂ¡ Brasil!