news from the orientation meeting

last night we had our orientation meeting.  it was like a pep rally in high school without the cheerleaders and basketball players.  it was so cool and the excitement was high.  it was fun to see those we haven't seen since the last trip and was also great to meet the "newbies".  i remember my first meeting - excitement mixed with fear and wonder.  i saw that in the faces of the new members last night and some of the veterans, too.  the feeling was excitement by all i am sure.

we keep adding team members so we are up to about 64 and counting.  that is so great.  but - just because some of you aren't on the trip, please know we are taking all of you with us in our hearts.  please pray for us as we will for you.

there have been a couple of changes that make me a bit anxious but it is the best way to do things.  camp restore has thrown open their case files and we have our choice of projects.  our "general contractor" "general organizer" will go down a few days before we go there and get everything ready.  at that point he will match talents with projects.  new also this year is that teams will be more fluid than in the past.  that will mean that just because you start with one team on monday, you may be needed with a different team on tuesday.  the neat thing about this is that you get to work with and spend more time with more people.  i think i like this new wrinkle.  the drawback i see is that if your homeowner is present you may not get to spend that much time with them.  i love to be with the homeowners but maybe this way we will get to meet more than one.

also new this trip is another opportunity to serve the people of new orleans.  there is an outreach program where some of us may work helping at the art museum, a horse farm, or a youth center, etc. wherever we are needed in the community  what fun.  truly this year there will be something for everyone.

we also discussed the blogs and from time to time we may have "guest bloggers".  i love the thought of sharing with you all different views of our experiences.  so, be sure you check out lark sanders blog at larkn5.blogspot.com also.  you never know who will turn up on these pages.

so - tonight i have started packing my "tub".  it was fun to pull out my work clothes again.  talk about paint drips!  i also write the year of the trip and the address of my house on my work pants as a memory.  that was cool to look at again.  tuesday (senior day 10% discount day for us seniors) i will make my trek to fisher nuts outlet store to gather my ingredients for the road trip treats.  that was the greatest discovery on my first trip - never had anything like it before but am addicted.  chocolate candies, hot spicy peanuts, gummies, jellie bellies and much more all mixed together.  what could be better!!!  a junk lovers paradise.  how can you travel without junk food?  then when we get down there i have to get a case of zapps potato chips.  if you have never had them - yummo.  they have a crawfish flavor (now now - it's not as yucky as it sounds so stop making those faces!) chips.  talk about an addiction!!!  potbelly sandwich stores sell them but that is the only place up here that carry the zappos.  the owner of zappos chips is also on the board of the camp restore governing group so that makes me happy too.  boy - it sounds like all we do is eat but no - well, kinda.  gotta keep up that ole strength you know.

well, for those of you reading this and going on the trip, i feel your excitement.  for those of you staying home and keeping the home fires burning please know we love you and will miss you but you will never be far from our hearts and minds.  i hope with all my heart that we will make you proud.  and to those of you that couldn't go this year because of financial reasons or scheduling reasons, or anything else that makes this just undoable, our hope is that next year you can join us. we'll talk.......  i promise..... we'll get you there with God's help.

we love you all -