And so, it ends.

Yesterday was my last day in the DRC. During my 62 days here, I have experienced heartache, joy, and the entire spectrum in between. 16,315 people have been served. I am humbled. I'm sitting in my hotel room this morning and the feeling I have is bittersweet. tonight I will be home with my wife and babies, the anticipation is so strong is almost physical. But I'm leaving behind a group of friends that have helped to change my life. The final moments last night in the DRC felt like graduation day...you hope to see them all again, but in your heart, you know that this parting is final for most of you.

I can say in truth that the residents here were both blessed and a blessing. They are survivors. They got help, but for the most part, they helped themselves. Their spirit brought them through. Most of them thanked us not only for helping them, but for giving of ourselves to help their neighbors. Many waited weeks to get assistance for themselves. They helped others first.

The work is not finished, but those staying will see it through, and well.

For me, I'm looking forward to a period of depressurizing, and getting back into the flow of the normal. However, that may be short lived. FEMA declared the New York, New England area as a disaster area. This entire trip may have been training for doing this all over again..back home.

Pray for my trip home..it's snowing in NY (surprise!).

I am thankful for this opportunity.

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas.

Light the candle, daddy's coming home.

Going shopping for strangers in need

The Salvation Army is doing their "adopt a family" very actively in Galveston. At our G12 meeting, the leader brought it up. It struck me and I adopted a family of four (Dad, Mom and 2 children). It was cool. I went shopping for them with one of the SA workers (she had a wish list). They will wrap them up and make sure that their Christmas is much more merry than it may have been.

I have been so busy, that it has been hard to get into the Christmas spirit. This has helped a lot. I also bought a santa hat, and wear it every day as well as keeping a bucket of candy in my work area to give away to the applicants. It's amazing to me that how much joy something this simple brings.

I've got to ready now. As you go through your day remember this that the SA worker said to me.

To be blessed, you must be a blessing.

Amen!

Victories

I have been here since Oct 20 and have worked in 7 different DRCs. All have their own personalities, but none compare to Galveston 12 (G12). It is the main DRC in the area and we still average over 350 applicants a day. The others are averaging about 25. The hopelessness is pretty much gone among the applicants. Now it's fear and distrust. In G12, we have a great team. I have at least 5 other workers that are born again. We meet before opening and ask the Lord to help us be His face to the applicants. He is faithful. Even the most difficult situations are getting solved. My HUD co-worker, Kathy, and I have been able to figure out the biggest roadblocks to getting applicants through the system. When we arrived last week, the applicants were constantly being sent back and forth between FEMA, HUD and the Galveston Public Housing Agency (PHA). We compared it to a blocked up pipe. By last Thursday, our hard work started to pay off and the flow began. Yesterday, we saw the flow open up entirely. The hardest cases (which we are doing now), have become just cases, and we are seeing the system work. The applicants come in with an attitude, and leave smiling, with their faith restored. It's only by the grace of God that we were able to ID the problems and broker solutions. We have a great team.

I have 5 DRC days left and I am training my replacements this week. On Sunday, I get to hop a jet home. This entire trip has flown by, but these last few days are going in slow motion.

Ike's final blow...SNOW!!!!!

It's been a while since I blogged, and I apologize. I changed DRCs and now work out of the Galveston DRC. We work from 7:30am to 7:00pm six days a week. Where I was seeing maybe 25-30 people a day, I now see 275-300. The good news is that it's working. We got a report today that said that an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 family's still need permanent housing. We started with over 500,000. Wow.

My drive home tonight was a riot. I stopped at Walmart, and when I came out, it was snowing. I mean really snowing. The last time it snowed was after TS Alicia in 1983. The locals say that after every major storm (Hurricane or TS), it snows. People were making snow angels in the parking lot and driving about 30 mph on the interstate.










I can't wait to get home. Only a few days left until the 21st.

Winding down

It's December 1 and we got word today that the DRC's are starting to close down. We've worked our butts off to get it done, and it's time. My DRC will close on the 12th. Too bad I won't be there to celebrate. I start at the main (and still very busy) Galveston Community Center on the 7th. I'll be there until I leave on the 21st.

The numbers have dropped off since Thanksgiving. We have found thousands of housing units and placed people.

Colin is still driving home from her Kansas trip (to see Pappy at Thanksgiving). She's coming down here this weekend. I can't wait to see her.

Three weeks left...then NY in Winter. Yeahhh!

A day to give Thanks

I had made up my mind a while ago to spend today giving, then giving thanks. I worked a 5 hour shift at the Salvation Army Red Badge Lodge, which is a homeless shelter in North Houston. We served about 8,000 from 10:00am to 1:00pm. There are over 500 volunteers from cooks, to waiters/waitresses, clean up, etc. Many families, kids included, volunteered. The "cooks" were Chef's from Houston area restaurants. We also had a player from the NFLs Houston Texans with us (Andre Davis - WR; from Schenectady). I was able to talk to him for a while about "back home". He's the one in the green shirt and white hat. The other guy is Col. Bill of the Salvation Army. He's a trip, and a blessing.











They have seating for about 500 at a time in the auditorium, and the cafeteria area was open as the workers were moving back and forth with the food. What a well organized event.

I got there early, so they asked me to oversee the pie table. Well, you know me, I couldn't just hand out pie. I sang, and asked every person that came for pie to sing for it. (If they didn't want to, they still got pie). It was a blast and the dessert area became a karaoke bar of sorts. One guy blew us away with his voice. He sang a Lou Rawls song (You'll never find...another love like mine...) so well that the place stopped and listened, then broke into applause. When my shift was over, it was hard to leave, but I left the stage in the very capable hands of Kelly.

Oh, and they fed me. The workers had an area to eat. After spending the short amount of time there serving, those of us eating felt like family (complete with spilled drinks).

The enormity of what we are doing here hit me the other day. We are giving the applicant more to be thankful for.

Make every day Thanksgiving.

Easy is done

We had a meeting last Friday and the FEMA lead made the statement that the easy cases are over. The applicants that have been coming to us are the ones with complex issues. Boy was he right.

I'll blog later today, when I get back to my hotel. We're down to 10 or so HUD people this week, and under 5 next week. There are still 25 DRCs open, so I'll be running around a lot.

Tim

Hitting the stride

We have seen our numbers in the DRC slow, but the number of person that see me is climbing. It's getting close to crunch time for them, as their FEMA rental assistance is running out, and they still don't have a place to stay until their homes are repaired. Our Disaster housing program works well to get them in a home, but not to help pay for the repairs. The insurance companies are not coming through...surprise! I have been helping applicants find alternative means to get it done.

I went to the Hitchcock TX fire co meeting last night. Not much different than ours.

Also, since I will be here on Thanksgiving, I didn't want to just hang out. I have been accepted to help at the Houston Salvation Army Thanksgiving dinner. It should be fun and rewarding.

Please continue to pray for my family, there have been some troubles. My amazing wife is getting through it, but if you can offer help, please do. She is going to Kansas for Thanksgiving with the kids, so pray for that trip as well.

Off to work. I'll try to be more consistent here.

New place, pretty cold

I went to a new DRC today (19-B). It's in a highway building and the temperature here is 40 degrees and windy. AAHHH, feels like home. It was pretty slow, but I had the chance to explain our process to the FEMA workers there. It appears they were abandoned by their HUD person. It can't imagine. New Place, new people, same desire to serve. I love this.

Enlightenment

As I was reading this morning, the Lord showed me a verse that puts the confrontation with the DC person this week in place for me. It's been bothering me, but this passage tells me His attitude.

Eccl 7: 21-22 (NIV)
²¹ Do not pay attention to every word people say,
or you may hear your servant cursing you-

²² for you know in your heart
that many times you yourself have cursed others.

In other words, be a little thick skinned and let it go. As well as asking forgiveness for the times that I have talked bad about others.

Ouch and Amen. Off to work.

"Go to guy" and beginning with fun.

I ask you all to pray that I live up to this new title. Tomorrow, I'll start my day in Bayou Vista and then go to LaPorte. I was asked for by the DRC director there and our HUD people in Austin agreed. It seems Jim, our Director, talked to his cohorts. He coined me the Go To Guy. Wow.

We started our day with the stress counselor, Kari. She's our resident stress/grief counselor. She's not only there for applicants, but for us as well. Today...she had a plan. We gathered and went around the room telling how we have been dealing with the stresses of the long days and work. I pray, read and sleep...oh yeah and joke around. We all talked, laughed and shared. Frank, the FEMA lead said the camaraderie we have in DRC #21 (Bayou Vista) is similar to what he felt in Nam, but without the fear of death. I am soooo glad about that. So, back to the plan. We all took numbers and the winner was Ilda. She got to whip cream pie Jim..smack in the kisser. It was a riot.

We were pretty busy today, and as you would expect, I'm the kid magnet. If I'm not busy with an applicant, any children in the DRC are directed to me, which I appreciate. It gives me a chance to use my (very) old jokes and tricks on a new audience. It also serves to give me a kid fix, but it also reminds me how much I miss my group of young'uns back home.

I have a good amount of driving tomorrow, so it's off to the sack. Keep praying as this mission/ adventure starts a new chapter.

Distractions and Changes

Our DRC had a HUD visitor yesterday from DC. this person was very pompous and insulting. I was told that "they're going to bring in contractors. Because they're more suited to this work than we (HUD employees) are". (A lot more was said too, but you get the point). I thought I kept it together, but the FEMA workers saw through me. I didn't say a thing, just got up and walked away. Thank God for my contacts at the Joint Field office (JFO) and the FEMA workers in our DRC. My scope was dialed in and they talked me off the roof....no shots fired. From what I gather, this person helped to create the process we use to get people into housing. It's kind of sad that they care only that the process works and has lost sight of the people. It could put in jeopardy much of the good work we have done in the communities. These people don't care for the people, just that the process works. Please pray.

On our weekly conference call, I volunteered to help cover other DRCs that have no HUD staff. I regret leaving my home base, but I strongly feel that I should go where the need is the greatest. I should get my orders tomorrow and I'll keep you posted. Also, I'm changing hotels on Sunday. I'm moving out of the city and closer to where the DRCs are. I won't miss the traffic.

Bed calling. Love you all.

All systems go!

After nearly three weeks, the process is coming full circle. FEMA does intake and sends to HUD. I find houses. I helped about 40 people find a spot to wait until their home is repaired, or to live permanently. Wow, what a great feeling. Our DRC is a great team. I've been able to help out FEMA, and they help me out. It's a blast.

To keep it all in perspective, Colin sent me a message that puts everything I have been experiencing together. It's in Romans 12 (The Message):

^{6 -8}If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.

^{9 -10}Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

^{11 -13}Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

^{14 -16}Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

^{17 -19}Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."

^{20 -21}Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

God knew, he told Paul. He told us.

Good night.

Computer problems and extension of time

The past few work days have been really slow(ish). Today, my HUD supervisor stopped by and told us that the computer between FEMA and HUD has been down since Thursday night. Well...it's fixed and goes on-line tonight. 12,000 people will be getting calls sending them to the DRCs tomorrow. Circle the wagons boys, there's indians coming.

In the slow time, I've been able to able to get the applicants that came in personal service. I have met some great christian people and have invitations to attend at least 3 different churches. I also have to say, now that I have been here 3 weeks, that I have not had a single person that gave me a difficult time. Some are angry, and frustrated, but in the end they know it's the process and accept it.

The next part is very important for all of you that read this blog.

My time here has been extended until December 21, with no trip home for Thanksgiving. My wonderful family gets it, and HUD really needs us to stay. Please pray for us as we get through this time.

I'm asking all of you that can to offer any help you can to Colin while I'm away. Pray for her and if you can, help her out. I'de appreciate it.

Nuff for now. Busy day tomorrow. Love and miss you all.

Slow Day...until

Today was really slow until about 2:00 and then the floodgates opened. The list of available homes on Galveston are gone. The lists for Texas City, League City, Alvin, etc. used to be 15 -20 pages and are now down to 2-4. Many of the applicants are beginning (?) to get worried that they will have to move off the island and (OMG) commute to work. I can understand those with kids. It will be hard changing schools and all, but the biggest complaints I hear are from singles.

Anyway, it's not how you start, it's how you finish, and we finished strong today.

I've come to a big conclusion...less coffee=early bed. I'm down to 2 cups a day and by now I just want to collapse. Gotta eat though. Tonight...Chicken Pie. One of our locals brought it in for us and it smells yummie.

'til tomorrow.

New President, same stuff

Today the lines kept coming and we kept working. I started work at 6:15 and just got back. Too tired to write much. Need food and sleep.

Night.

It's coming to an end

The election, not the disaster relief. I received notice today that I will be going home On Nov 26, and back here on Dec 1 until Christmas. "They like me...they really like me" (I'm not sure where that quote is from). Just had a 1/2 hour phone talk with my baby and she understands. The only way i can describe my feelings is that this must be how missionary's feel. The need is so great and you work so hard, but the need keeps coming. It's a tug of war between helping those who need it and the utter scope to the disaster.

We are continuing our battle with the state guy that I talked about yesterday and I think it's going to come to head tomorrow. He unilaterally pulled some of the state agencies out of our DRC. It's not because they aren't needed. Who knows. Pray that the petty crap will stop.

Well, more and more polls re closing and by this time tomorrow we will have a new "leader of the free world" elect. Let's just hope our world stays free.

The weather is changing here tomorrow and we're looking at more 80 -85 degree days and humid. Good weather for cranky people. I'll fit right in.

Blessings.

Back to work day

Had Sunday off and stayed around Houston. I talked to the family using the web cam for about an hour and that was great. It's hard being away.

We always get to the DRC early (because people are waiting) and stay late (until everyone is gone). We don't have to, but Jim, the DRC director, asked that we do this to provide the service that people need. He repays us with donuts.

So, today I got stuck in a huge traffic jam. I decided to get off I45 and go through a McDonald's drive thru. Went through and got back onto I45 RIGHT BEHIND THE SAME CAR! No joke. My commute (that usually takes about an hour), took almost 2. As if that wasn't bad enough, when I get there (still 10 minutes before the DRC opens), this "new" guy from the state of Texas tells me I'm late, and wants me to sign some form. I took a breath and asked him who he was. He said he was the state manager and I need to sign the form. He said he is there to make sure we all are working when we're supposed to. He also said I have to tell him when I'm on break and need to sign out when I leave the general area of the DRC (we're upstairs in the government building). At this point I looked for Jim and told him about this. (This guy also went to the other federal agencies and told them the same thing). Fortunately, Jim is from Montana, and is not easily flustered. He checked with FEMA and asked us to check with our agencies about who this guy is and if he has any jurisdiction over the work we do. Long story short. No. This guy has no jurisdiction and from what I hears got a call from the Governors office to let the federal people alone. I don't suspect he'll stay around long. I'm glad I didn't lose my cool and "go union" on this guy. Lord knows I wanted to. But who knows what the IRS people will do. :-)

I tell this story to illustrate the chaos that sometimes exists regarding this whole operation. FEMA and feds take the blame from everyone, but can't do it's job because the state and localities won't do theirs. Political infighting slows the process. In the end, it all works out, but you get my drift.

Referred at least 20 families today. My connections with the faith based organizations (normally called churches) is very good. They are womderful at helping connect people with places. Pray for us though. We got word today that the available housing has moved at least 20 miles from Galveston (they're all full). There are still thousands on the Island that need assistance and who knows where we will have to send them. We also learned that approx 160 thousand persons (most from the area I'm in) have asked for help. Huge task...are we up to it? We'll see.

Don't forget to VOTE.

2 days...Many issues

The past couple of days have been busy, and the info is slow to get out to the applicants. They are frustrated. They take it out on us. We have big shoulders and can handle it, but it's frustrating for us to that the process hasn't flowed like it should. We are doing a lot of good though and by and large, the applicants are very thankful for whatever we can help them with.

The 12 hour days are not unexpected and I have hit my rhythm. Get up at 5:00, go to work, come back to the hotel, sleep, start over. Tomorrow is Sunday and I have the day off. I'm not sure if I'll just chill around Houston.Galveston, or join a bunch of the workers on a road trip to the Texas Motor speedway for the NASCAR race.

Right now, it seems the whole state is inside watching the Texas/Texas Tech football game. Football is king down here. One of the applicants told me that they start their boys at age 3 in organized football. Full pads by age 5.


Well, my dinner is ready and I hope I can finish before I fall asleep.

Longest Day Yet

Today took forever......I started at 7:00am in downtown Houston. I had to go to the Houston HUD office and pick up a portable (and very cool) printer. We can't use the FEMA printers. Why you might ask? (even if you don't I'm going to tell you anyway) FEMA is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS doesn't play well with others. There may be spies behind every bush waiting to print. Anyway. Got the printer and got to Bayou Vista. Set it up. And I have now told you the most exicting part of my day. Our more experienced FEMA workers call it the low tide mark. It's the time (usually 1 or 2 days) between when people have registered for help and the decision is made. in the nest few days, applicants will be told that they get help, or don't. either way, it's going to be crazy. I was told that my DRC has 6,500 applicants. Get ready for the surge. (Sorry for the bad choice of words).

I need food. Good night.

Blah, Blah, Blah

I just got back to my room and it's almost 8:00. The faces change and the work goes on. the title does not describe my feelings, but just that so much happens, it's hard to put it all down. I would have thought that we would be thinning out with the number of applicants, but the opposite is true. As word spreads, more show up. Today, I was able to refer a number of people to the PHAs (Public Housing Agency) to get the final process for housing done. It's great to see the hopelessness disappear, and the realization that a place to call "home" is becoming a reality.

We had a late lunch, so I'm going to finish up my paperwork and watch the 3 inning World Series game on TV.

Secrets

I just got "home" and boy were my research skills put to the test today. We had a guy who lost his mobile home. Literally. He and his "significant other" are living in a tent, and the FEMAs are trying hard, as am I, to find them real housing. Pray we succeed. Can't say more.

The hotel program ended today for most of the applicants, so tomorrow is going to be interesting. We're up to the task.

Gotta give blessings and props to the ladies with us from the "early voting" here in Texas. They have taken it upon themselves to make sure that we have good food for lunch every day. It's something different, and definitely Texas home cookin'.

Bed is calling. I'm answering.

Crazy Monday

Really busy and crazy day. There was a line waiting all day long. Most of the applicants start with this..."You probably can't help me but". It's great to be able to change their mind and their opinion of the process. FEMA is working hard with HUD to get people into housing that fits their want AND needs. This was the first day we started to see the process work and we are finally able to send people to the Housing Agencies for placement.

The DRC team is great. In ours we have FEMA, HUD, SBA, and the IRS on the federal side. And the State of Texas Employment Services, and the very important Texas Division of Insurance (TDI). These people sit next to me and it's their job to make sure the insurance companies don't mess with people. I can't believe the number of insurance companies that won't pay what they are supposed to (tongue planted firmly in cheek). For example, if a person has flood insurance, they say the damage is from wind. If they have wind damage, the flood did it. Every owner that comes in is having some sort of problem with the companies. TDI calls for the owners and nearly every time, they get it done for the owners. Talk about job satisfaction. The TDI people are great people too. I'm making a bunch of friends.

Although most of my job is sitting and talking/listening, I am exhausted at the end of the day. I've been going to bed at 8:30/9:00. It's approaching 8:00 and my dinner is finally ready. I might even watch a little TV (but will probably fall asleep).

Yesterday, I was able to talk to nearly all of the family. I miss them a lot, but thank God for the ability to stay in touch with them and do this kind of work.

Be blessed...I am.

Weekend

Sorry I didn't post on Saturday. I was bushed and went to bed early. I was able to call some family, then got a funky busy signal... Saturday was not as busy as expected, so we were able to get out in the area and I took some pics. this is from the neighborhood and is 5 weeks after the storm. As you can see, there are still boats on the median.






















Went to the Church this morning and it was great! A lot like cornerstone, but with Texas slant. I've been invited to a small group, and want to go, but we'll see if my schedule allows. after Church, I went to the Johnson Space Center. I was able to watch an airshow from there. The Thunderbirds were there. Very cool.

I need to do laundry, so bye now.

A constant stream and a miracle.

Today we had a constant stream of people, but it wasn't too busy. The local mayor came in and agreed to get the word out to his city that we are here. We share the room with early voters. Many of them are surprised to see us and end up staying to talk. In the late morning, the local highway workers and police put up large signs all over Bayou Vista about the DRC. By 5:00, we were very busy. We are open tomorrow for a full shift and I believe it's going to be crazy. I was surprised to learn that on Wed and Thurs alone, 501 people came through our DRC. I guess being busy makes the hard work not seem that hard. Tomorrow, the first day open on a weekend, we expect all the 9 to 5rs to show up.

The most memorable of today's "talks" was with a young man of 21 named "D". D has Downs Syndrome and was informed that he must move on the 1st. He was with his sister, who told me "all he wants is a bed and his TV" (he loves the cartoon channel). This talk killed me, because we are still in the intake phase and don't have the resources in place yet to direct someone to housing. D looked at me as I spoke and a tear dripped out of his eye. That was it. There was no way I could let him leave with just information and being told to wait for a letter from FEMA. His sister would not allow him to just be placed in a home far away from his home. Houston is 50 or so miles away. I didn't even know where to start. They left me and as they spoke with the other agencies in the DRC, I prayed and He answered. Using the net, I found a local disability housing agency and called them. I told the very compassionate worker D's story and she said since Ike, they have been full, with no hope for any openings. I asked here to check again and prayed hard. She came back on the line nearly giddy and said that they HAD AN OPENING FOR A HOME RIGHT HERE in BAYOU VISTA! By now, all of the other DRC workers knew Ds plight and when the saw me hang up and give the "touchdown sign", stopped what they were doing. I walked (floated) over the D and his sister and gave them the news. The whole place was cheering, both workers and clients. It was unreal. Our DRC leader told us that "this is what it's all about!"

I need sleep. Keep praying.

Very moving day

The people we saw today had stories that moved me to tears (but after they left). I can't imagine losing everything and having to be at the "mercy" of others. The great thing is that we are giving them hope. Hope that will allow them to start again, or anew. Money is fleeting though. everyone gets money help. I feel that that biggest thing we are giving is a listening ear, and compassion. I tell them that I have nothing to compare with what they are going through, and they actually smile about that. You don't live in "Hurricane alley" was one response. In addition to all the bad, most of the people we see still have a sense of humor about it all and will not feel sorry for themselves. They just want to move on.

We also had a bit of excitement, as one of the refineries had a pretty big fire (but from the locals told us, it happens all the time). Gas here is $2.39 for Super!

On a positive note. We found out today the DRC's will be closed on Sunday's. I volunteered to work, if needed, but look forward to being able to go to church. One of the other DRC workers from the state of Texas invited me to his church and I told him I would be glad to go.

I'm pooped. The hours are long, the work drains you, but it's great to make a difference in someone's life. Tomorrow is new, the people are expecting, and thankfully, we will be there to answer the call.

Out!

NOTE:

I noticed as I posted the time was set for Pacific. I changed it to Eastern time.

Arrival and first day on duty

I traveled on Tuesday to Houston and the flight was uneventful (thank God). However, I got a birds eye view (really) of the scope of the disaster on our decent into Houston. we came in from the south and there were hundreds of blue tarps covering damaged roofs.

After a short 3 hour "training" at HUD, I drove to my duty station or Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). As I approached Bayou Vista, the damage was more and more evident. There are few signs still standing (both store and street/highway), so bless God for the free GPS I got from my rental company. As I got off the exit, I had to re-route around a boat in the road. I mean a 25 foot boat! The clean up is going slow and the people are tired, frustrated, looking for help (gov't assistance) and a shoulder to cry on. I worked there until 7:00 tonight and the persons I talked to were so grateful. I can only hope and pray that the words I spoke and the information I gave will help them. I'm going to bed now, as the day starts again at 7:30 tomorrow.

PS: I drove through my first Texas thunderstorm on the way "home" and had to drive through (no kidding) a foot of water for the last 1/2 mile. The guy in the room next to me said that was a little one. Things are bigger in Texas!

The night before...

These last two posts were for practice. We just put the kids down for the night. Everyone is feeling better. It's going to be a long 5 1/2 weeks.

The day before.

I am at home trying to think of what I will need to pack. We have a bunch of kids sick with a stomach bug, and I have it too.

Tune in to this site for updates of what I experience between now and November 25.