Back in the Big Easy

The work week consisted of many frustrating times. We started on Monday thinking that we would be finishing a retired Air Force veterans house. But, what we found out was that the only jobs we could do were clean up other people's messes and mop the floor countless times. It was unfortunate that we couldn't see the house as a finished product. Later in the week I was luckily moved to another project working on an older womans house. There I got to work with Andrew, who worked for lowernine.org, he let me work on a staircase that had termite damage and was built wrong by the original contractors. Other than working a day and a half, I enjoyed all the good times with the youth group. -Phil

Patience

Hurricane Katrina made landfall in New Orleans in August 2005.  The winds and subsequent flooding caused widespread damage.  Twelve years later, some homes have been repaired, some homes are in the process of being repaired, and some homes will never be repaired.  This week, my work group worked with St. Bernard Project to restore a home for Ms. Delores.  Two times this week, she visited the home while we were working.  She is quiet and reserved.  I wonder what she thinks when she looks around the house.  It has been a long process.  The finish line is now in sight.  St. Bernard Project hopes she can move back home by the end of September.  She has been very patient.  Hopefully, that patience will soon be rewarded.

What God leads us to,
God will lead us through.

- Bob Little

In The City :)

Today LutheranHANDS ventured into the city of New Orleans. We started with getting a HUGE group picture in Jackson Square. After the picture we went straight over to Cafe Du Monde to get beignets and chocolate milk. The server there was underwhelming, but the beignets were deeeelicious! Thank you to Ms. Thomas for paying completely for the scrumptious food. Next, we split up into groups to explore the city. We did tons of shopping and sightseeing and got to see the awesomeness of the French Quarter. Once we were all tired out from walking, we went as a youth group to get dinner at Olde N'awlins Cookery. We got to try alligator and crawfish for the first time ever. It tasted a lot like chicken but also had a new unique taste of its own. Sitting with friends and enjoying their company was an amazing experience and something we'll never get tired of. So that was our evening in the city of New Orleans. -Ronnie and Will :)

home

One word, four letters, and a million and one different meanings. Tonight at family time we opened with a quote that says "Home isn't a place, it is a feeling." Immediately, I think about where home is to me and the best way to describe it. As everyone shouts out different adjectives such as family, security, even youth group, which are all great things to describe a home, one word comes to my mind that is consistently present in each place I have felt at home and that word is love. Nowadays, it isn't uncommon whatsoever to come from a place that isn't the perfect home. For me, I have moved around and had a different view of home each time. But each place I have gotten the chance to call home, there is one thing there in each place. Wherever it may be, whoever it may be with, where there is love there is life and where there is both you have a family and you have a home. This trip has led me to form new and stronger relationships with my church family, and even a couple hundred miles away from my house, I feel at home somewhere I have only been in half of a week because of the crazy amount of love this group has to give. 

Sarena Vogelsong

Thursday, July 13

Today was the last full work day at our job sites. My group finally- after we primed everything, cleaned the doors, painted and primed the ceiling, drywalled the walls, mudded, got to painted the walls bright green. After that, I showered and went to large group. Many of the kids sang and danced, then a family, that went through Hurricane Katrina talked all about their experience and what it was like for their faith. During family time, we talked about what makes a home. In conclusion, we decided that familiarity, love, and the people who surround us. Then they read a quote, "It's a funny thing coming home. Nothing changes. Everything looks the same, even smells the same. You realize what's changed is you." Tonight was the last family time too. Tomorrow, we are able to work for half a day, then have free time to go to the city. I'm really going to miss this, but I'm looking forward to going home and seeing my dad and my pets.

Arianna

Thursday large group

       
        Today was a very eventful day as it was our last full day of work at our worksites. People are finishing up the projects that they were assigned and relationships have been strengthened greatly. At large group I had one of my god moments this week. One of the work groups homeowners came to eat dinner, hang out, and worship with us. He spoke to us about his experience in the hurricane and how he struggled to get his home back together. This paired with the music and other parts of worship gave me literal chills on me, I felt like this was where I belonged and where God put me.

      -Tyler                      

Maddogg's Post

Today we discussed how God has overfilled our "cups" with so many blessings and that our mission in life is to fill others' cups and appreciate those who fill our own. My cup has been overflown by everyone's love and compassion on this trip. Each day I am blessed with each new person I meet and get the chance to talk to and laugh with. Being an adult leader of Group 11, with 34 people, seems like a daunting task but having a group of kids who are ready for any challenge at hand makes it so much easier. At each work site we have completed our jobs not only with hard work but also with ease. I can't wait to see what we do the next two days!!
Miss you all. Thank you all for all of your wonderful support!!
S/o Julia Freimuth -- love you❤️