Hurricane Warning

It's been quiet on this blog.  The work in Pearlington came to a halt and so have the stories.  That doesn't mean those of us who spent so much time in Pearlington have forgotten the town or the people we have met.  We talk about our time there often, with joy and hope of one day returning.  We don't want to return because of another hurricane, though.

Tropical Storm Isaac is on path to becoming a hurricane and the Gulf Coast is now in the projected path.  Tonight I am praying the storm dies out...because changing paths just puts other towns in the line of potential destruction.  Praying that the rain and winds cause no harm and that the next time we go to Pearlington it's for vacation!

Memories

I stood at a bus stop this morning in California, dressed for a day at the office.  It was about 8am and there was a soft breeze moving the cool air around.  I stood with my face to the sun and closed my eyes.  I heard birds, the sound of a tractor in the distance and a few cars driving by.  It one second I was transported from that curb in California to the edge of the porch at Captain John's house on a cool December morning, with a breeze blowing the cool air around, the sun shining down, birds singing their songs, tractors moving in the distance and cars driving down the highway.  I could see the paintbrush in my hand and hear the murmurs of my friends voices as they painted on the other side of the house.

I opened my eyes and looked down, half expecting to see my work boots on my feet.

I'm missing Pearlington today.

49ers vs. Saints showdown today!--Update

Are you going to be watching the game??  Need some company?  I'm moving the TV to the room with more seating, come on over and join me!  :)

Whew!  That was a game!  Would have cheered on either team in the next step but secretly excited about the 49ers moving ahead.  Or maybe not so secretly now.  

Blog silence break...for football

This has nothing to do with rebuilding Pearlington and everything to do with friendship and a little competition in the sports world.

I got an email from Ben Saturday just saying "Playoffs--Lions at the Saints 8pm EST". 

Yesterday I sent a reply email that said:  "Perfectly happy to cheer on the Saints last night.  However as a born and raised 49er fan, my allegiance lies with them next Saturday."

Ben's reply:  "Girl, put on your gloves."

The New Orleans Saints play the San Francisco 49ers this coming Saturday at 4:30pm EST.  A Facebook, email, texting match will be held as well between Mississippi and California.  Fun will be had by all.

The end?

It has been 6 years since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast.  It's been 5 1/2 years since a team of 21 people headed to Pearlington from California and found themselves in the midst of chaos, struggle, heartache, despair and the tiniest, smallest amount of hope...and strangely joy. 

It seems amazing that so many years have passed.  For many of us it seems like just yesterday.  About this time of the year for the last 6 years, I've been in the beginning process of planning a trip to Pearlington.  This year is different.  The work, though not done, has stopped.  The money has dried up.  The attention of the country and the world has moved on to other places.  While I would love to be planning a trip, to be reunited with my friends in Pearlington that does not seem to be happening.  This seems like the end.  There is the fact that I'm no longer employed at the church but that won't stop me from jumping at the opportunity to take a group of people back Pearlington if God makes it happen.  Not being in Pearlington around Christmas and New Year's will definitely be different!  It's in God's hands.

For now, this blog will remain up, though maybe not active, just to remind us of where we have been, what God has done and to keep the little town of Pearlington in our hearts and minds.