Today and tomorrow

Today's day of preparation went too quickly. Well, okay, we didn't actually get moving until after 11am, so maybe we just lazed the day away.

Coffee was enjoyed at the Mockingbird Cafe. Christmas present were bought at a local antique shop...where Brittany discovered that a lot of "antiques" were made in China. She bought the ones made by God and the local artisans. Toes were dipped by one brave soul into the Gulf of Mexico. A trip was made to Wal Mart to stock up on food supplies for the week. Bill and Lynn arrived safely, if a bit later than planned, from California and our first night reading of "A Christmas Story You've Never Heard" was enjoyed.

One would think the day was ending there. But no! Sammy has yet to arrive. Her flight was delayed as well. Brittany and Jonathan will be making a midnight run to the airport to bring Sammy safely to our warm and cozy home-away-from-home for a few hours rest before...we head to work!

Mr. Ben is expecting the team at 8am sharp. If we are late, there will be no end to the teasing. I'm preparing for some teasing.

Our trips to Wal Mart were eventful. The group that went for breakfast supplies were greeted at the door by Madeline who knew right away that the group was together (matching sweatshirts anyone?), were volunteers (again, sweatshirts?) and were from California (see previous parenthesis). She hugged each one of them and praised them for the work they were doing. Then there was the cashier who can't understand why people can't build their own homes, without expecting people to come from all over the country to help them. Two different people, two different reactions.

The afternoon trip, Brittany was in the laundry detergent aisle when she looked up to see Miss Shirley. The team that came to Pearlington in March of 2008 built a ramp for Miss Shirley. She and Gail spent an afternoon in the kitchen making pralines...the best pralines we ever had. Brittany talked with her a little while, received a fantastic hug and exchanged phone numbers with Miss Shirley. She has promised to make us more pralines before we leave. Yum!

Photo's and updates tomorrow...we hope! :)

P.S. We are praying for people back home as the rain comes down-down-down!!