The Gang

Our time here in New Orleans has been filled with many experiences that we can all learn from, but tonight I don't want to talk about the disaster, I want to talk about the group. Today we starting mucking a house, a house which has not been touched since the storm... so it was quite a job, but the group really came together and did quite a job...

This morning I learned how people in Iceland get their last name, it's based on the first name of their parents... so I renamed my self Nick Halldorsfriend. Halldor, the smiling Icelandic genius has been amazing me all week with his wisdom... yeah, his wisom. Just about every topic we discuss he gives me a different way to look at it, and it makes so much more sense. I love this dude!!! We have hugged each day... and each hug gets better. His new name is Hugdor!

Adam to me represents a great example of someone living their life in close relationship with Christ. Adam may be the most sincere person I have ever met, and somehow seems to make everyone he is around feel important and special. Adam truly has a gift for people, and I am blessed to have this opportunity to get to know him and create a friendship. Someday I will let Adam beat me at Euchre, but he'll never beat me in Wal-Mart basketball!

Kim K... the quiet one. Kim is such a hard worker, but doesn't say much, and then all of a sudden she will just say the funniest thing; she is so refreshing. The greatest thing about Kim is that she cares about everyone, and wants everyone to feel good about themselves... we all should be like that, but it's obvious that we aren't all like that... she is a great person to talk to, especially if you're a little down. And I don't mind that she contaminated my gas mask... her reaction was worth it!

Kim C... The first time I met Kim was at a dorm meeting, and she came off a little umm... bossy. But after the meeting she came to me and apologized, she admitted she was a little frustrated. It takes a lot for someone to apologize to a perfect stranger for coming across a certain way... I don't think I would. That says a lot about her character, she is strong and confident, and is a very helpful and caring person. Today she really helped me, by squirting juice in my eye when I got something in it. Thanks Kim... you have no idea how much that meant.

Tom is my new Episcopalean (I know that's spelled wrong, see my disclaimer below) friend... He is so funny, and I absolutely love his laugh. But Tom is so much deeper than that, he will listen to everything everyone says during a conversation, and then will give his two cents, and is always right on. Tom is a hard worker and a pleasure to be around. I had never met Tom before this course, he is a few years ahead of me, so I don't know if I ever would have. I am very glad that I have met Tom, he is wise, smart,and funny. I thoroughly enjoy being around Tom!

Mary... oh Mary! My adopted mother! It's funny, we've been in I-group together, but have never really talked until this trip. When you look up the word caring in the dictionary, there is a picture of the beautiful Mary... Her and I have had some deep conversations, and she has this amazing way of putting everything aside and letting the person whom she is speaking to know that they are the most important thing to her at that time. What a gift, and a blessing for those who know her.

Pastor Ruth, I believe she is the first person I met when I came to visit Trinity, she made me feel welcome that day, and every time I have been with her since. She is truly an amazing Pastor, and is able to keep us focused on our mission, even when we are rendered speechless by what we are witnessing... then she gives us time to express what we're feeling and has words of healing. She is an amazing driver... and is quickly becoming a great Euchre player.

Bill and Dave, the guys from Gethsemane that came down with our group. These two men are both wise and fun. Bill has a great sense of humor, and a great laugh. His outlook on life is one I can definately learn from... Dave is hilarious, he is an incredibly hard worker but always has time to laugh. He is the only member of our group who doesn't mind sunbathing when it's 50 degrees... I'm really glad they are both here.

Then there is Leah... my buddy; we run together, we walk together, we laugh together, you cook, I eat... a match made in heaven! haha! Seriously, there is no one I would rather have in the kitchen... and she loves every second of it. I've known Leah for a while, she was the one I knew best before coming down, but after a week of really getting to know her, I found she is an amazing person. She is so close to being perfect... so close. But hey, we all are right? Leah is the best.

And then there is me... I am blessed to have these people in my life, this course is going ot teach me a lot about disaster, stuff I'll never forget, but these people will hopefully be in my life for years and years to come. Their wisdom, their sense of humor, and the way they care about everyone, they are blessings to all who know them...

Okay, I'm done for now. I'm sore and am going to bed...