This was our second day here, but our first day actually working.  And boy did we work, whoa!  I can't speak for everyone else, but I am NOT used to manual labor.  We all learned how to put on vinyl siding today and trust me, we are now professionals.  Anyone need some siding done?  We met other people from all over the country gathered here to build 12 houses for people we have never met before.  

 

We were all very relieved to see Ian's face after his random night of traveling...this is a picture just to prove he's actually here!

Mike got here safely and we're looking forward to his leadership as our crew chief for the rest of the week...we're at your service!  By the end of the day, we were all sufficiently tired with various aches and pains, but it was a great day.  It was a good kind of tired knowing that we were doing something worthwhile and actually building a house for someone to live in.  Even though all our little nails and pieces of siding may not seem like much, what we are all doing together is going to mean something really great to a person or family.  God is working and it's so fulfilling to be a part of it.  

 

Our journey to Baton Rouge is underway!  Our day started while most of you were still sleeping (except for Mark Jee, who was our gracious airport chauffeur)- our flight left from SFO at 6:20, which meant we had to get up around 3:00 or so.  And yes, that is AM.  As you can tell, we were all really awake!

   

We arrived in Dallas and heard about your surprise when you got to church this morning and saw Ian sitting there.  So we thank you for working things out and getting him to the airport- we look forward to him joining us here tomorrow!  See, you are already a part of our trip.  We arrived in Baton Rouge around 3:30pm Central time, registered, and checked out the house we will be working on this week.  The group from last week made a lot of progress.  We are proud to be CBF!

 We checked out the local cajun cuisine and actually had blackened alligator!  Honestly, it tastes like chicken.  And so, we are exhausted from our day of traveling and anxiously awaiting our first day of work tomorrow, as well as Ian and Mike joining us.  We hope worship went well this morning,  it felt strange not to be with you.  

 

It's finally here!  Very early tomorrow morning (and I do mean early!), the mission team guys and girls will leave for Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the week.  We will be joining with Habitat for Humanity as well as other groups from around the country to build houses for some people who lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina.  This is the second week of this Baptist Blitz Build and we hope to complete the houses in the time we are there.  Not that we will actually be completing all of the houses, we will just be working on one particular house for the week- I mean, we don't want to show off. 

We want you all to be a part of our journey, so make sure to check back daily for updates and pictures from our progress throughout the week!  You can also check the official Blitz Build blog for information about everything going on during the week as well as what progress was made last week:  http://habitatbr.blogspot.com/.

Please pray for safety as we travel and as we work, as well as for the people whose homes we will be working on.  Pray that God will work through us and in us as we serve others.  Blessings to you!

Last Saturday we hosted a Spring Fest for the kids in our church and our community, as well as other friends and family.  The weather cooperated and it was a great day!  The kids played fun games like "Ring the Cactus" and "Gigantic Basketball," made candy necklaces, jumped in the jump house and enjoyed the best balloon animals I've ever seen from the fabulous Mr. Shap  And what event would be complete without a table full of sweets! (my personal favorite was the chocolate fountain)  So many adults and youth helped out with this wonderful day, but special thanks go to Gwen and Mary for all of their organization and hard work in putting it together.  What a great day to celebrate our church family!

Happy Easter!  The events we remember and celebrate during Holy Week and Easter weekend define who we are as Christians, as Easter people.  (not the Easter bunny, eggs, or candy, a common misconception)  From Jesus' triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, to the intimate Passover meal with his disciples, to the dark events of Good Friday, we walk this path with him, all of which leads us to the glorious resurrection of our Savior on Easter morning.  It is the reason we gather and worship together to this very day, some 2000 years later.  

All of these services were wonderful times of worship, reflection, and fellowship at NABC.  Thanks so much to all who gave of their time, talents, and fabulous food!  

Blessings!