17 to 18

17 to 18

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Nichols Street

Today my group consisting of Mr. Mindel, Mr. Barnes, Kelly Mindel, Krista Murphy, Jenn Halaz, Erin Coyne, and myself continued building our deck for a woman named Sherry and her family. Sherry and her family. Sherry had a massive stroke and can only say yes, no and thank you. For our deck, we have all the frame work and decking done. We started on the roof also. Tomorrow, we will be working on the wheelchair ramp. We all got a chance to nail, saw, and measure boards. Besides all of our boards being crooked, everything is coming along great! Jenn found a ruined photo album with pictures still in it! We expect to finish soon! We are all excited and glad to be helping such a sweet family. There are 3 sons who are around 10, 12 and 14. The house itself is slanted but we did some siding and made it look great.

-Melanie Barnes

Loaves and Fishes

Today was a million times better than yesterday. Because i felt sick yesterday, Mr. Magee was very nice and let me go to the the soup kitchen with Mrs. Yarbrough, Heather, Mary, and Natalie.

I encountered so many amazing people which is different in a whole new way than yesterday. We fed about 70 people, and talked to a few of them. I met a lady with about four teeth who said i looked like her daughter and who i gave my yellow bandana to her because it was "something she wanted. " and an unimportant thing to me. Mary also took a picture with a cute man named Oliver who seemed to love talking to use, getting his picture taken, and being around people.

We also met a man who played the piano wonderfully, sang, and who i and many others mistook for a cd playing. We truly saw the devastation--and only a small, 70 people, portion of it--left over by the hurricane

After the soup kitchen we drove to "divine soul" little walk up restaurant where you order at a window and eat at picnic tables under a pavillion. Mary, Natalie, Heather, and i also tried okra for the 1st time which I am now obsessed with.

After eating we worked on power washing, yet again, mold off a house and scraping paint off the wood so we can repaint it tomorrow. At that house, there were homeless people living in the back yard and i had the pleasure of meeting 2 amazing men.

We talked to them about the hurricande and how one of them told us how he rode a refrigerator for a day until the water level went down. They told about how there was about 6-9 inches of mud and muck left on the ground making it hard to walk in until it dried.

I was very excited to take so many pictures of so many Biloxians and to finally get to interact with the people who live there. i am looking forward to the rest of the week.

Annie Gerker

Monday, May 28, 2007

May 28, 2007

Day 3

Yesterday we arrived in Biloxi and got settled. A few of us went for a walk to the beach and walked around for a while. The beach was really pretty, which I was not expecting at all. Liz went into the water and built a sandcastle and was very excited about it because it was her first trip to the ocean. As we walked home to Back Bay a woman in a beach front house called us over to talk to her. She told us about her house was the only one in that area that had survived the storm. Her neighbors homes had been destroyed by tornadoes. She told us that she and her husband Walter planned to turn their home into a Bed & Breakfast and invited us to all come back on our honeymoons. She began tearing up and thanked us for coming and told us how much everyone down here appreciates us coming. She gave each of us a hug and we continued on our way home where we met another woman named Renee. She told us basically her whole life story, the good and the bad of it, but ended each part with "but that's what God wanted." These woman helped me realize why I came down here.
Today we began working at our sites. I went to 240 Nicholas Street with Mr. Barnes, Melanie, Mr. Mindel, Kelly M., Erin and Krista. We are building a porch/deck for a woman named Sherry who had a stroke so she can only say a few words. Every time she sees us she thanks us for what we're doing. We also three young boys at the house. The oldest introduced them to us and apparently the youngest's name was "dorko". They were really cute. We carried lots of wood, measured, and did lots of nailing. It was hard work, but we're about half way done. As we drove back I noticed a few houses I hadn't the first time I was on the road. They were really bad off. At first I was shocked because I didn't think it was all that bad down here, but now I realize that there is still so much work to be done.
When we all finished our sites for the day, a few of us went down to the beach to hang out. We came back, had dinner, and we've all just been hanging around our trailor. We're all having so much fun. I love it here.
-Jenn Halaz

May 28, 2007

Day 3

Today was our first day of working. Me, Megan Kennedy, and Mary Abernathy went with Mr. Magee to get a ton of water. We then went to almost all the different work sites to make sure they had everything they needed. It was cool to see all the different things that needed to be done. Later on, we went and helped paint at one house. It was nice to know that by just helping paint the celling, we were helping this lady make her house a lot better. We ended working at a different site, where we helped move wood. The girls at this site had accomplished so much today and it was neat to see what they all did. After working, we came back and watched a video on Back Bay Mission and what they do for everyone. After the movie, me and a few other girls went to the beach and just rested there. Four of the girls made dinner for us, spaghetti. We have just spent the rest of the night hanging out. We have a full day of work tomorrow!
-Michelle Klas

May 27, 2007

Day 2

Today we arrived in Biloxi. I did not know what to expect, but I was suprised as to how the living conditions were not as bad as I thought it would be. However, there is work to be done. We did not do any work today. After driving, we saw where we would be sleeping, had dinner, then had a quick meeting. I have not yet seen the site where I will be working, but I am looking forward to do so. SInce we have not done any work yet, I do not have much to write about. I am looking foward to this week and the stories and memories that I will make.
-Krista Murphy

May 27, 2007

Day 2

Today, we woke up to get breakfast and it finally hit me that we are going down there and will make a difference in one person's life. We drove to Biloxi, but not until after attending St. Richard's Church. It was cool to see the difference of their Church from mine. They acknowledged us all and even applauded us. When started getting into Biloxi, I could sense a different atmosphere. There was not as much estruction as there was 1 year ago, but you could tell the town had gone through a lot. Once I got here, I had to re-evaluate my ideas toward this trip. Now, I want to know I made a difference and not just be able to get my service done as soon as possible. Talking with Kay and Amanda made me see that I want to make a difference through the work we do. I have an expectation to see a different kind of world and experience the different culltures that are down here, while; still helping in ANY way possible. I want to make these memories last a lifetime.
-Ashley Joern

Saturday, May 26, 2007

First Day on the Mission

Today we left at 8 am after a good prayer and some hugs goodbye. The ride was nice and long and we're betting most of the girls slept or ate most of the time. The dads/moms were just trucking along with their caffinated beverages, trying to ignore backseat snores. We arrived at the La Quinta Inn in Jackson, Mississippi around 4 and hung out and relaxed until dinner. Dinner was quite a fiesta at El Portillo where we just barley squeezed in with a grupo of sesenta. The dance party was rockin right after dinner and lasted until 9 pm...


We hope to have a stong foundation after mass tomorrow and maybe gain a little guidance for the rest of the week. We are very exicted and are getting to know eachother very quickly. Bonding is a must. We are having alot of fun so far, but we are most excited to experience and sense of service. We cannot wait to see what is in store for us. See you tomorrow!

Thursday, May 24, 2007

I guess God wanted us in Biloxi

As the soccer season wore on, I had thought that our Biloxi trip would not include Taylor, Allison, or Lauren. I have to admit that I was disappointed about this development. I have coached, taught, and been an advisor this year to Allison. Lauren always works hard and makes me laugh and smile plus she's from my hood (shout out St. Dominic Saviooooooooo). Taylor seems like a great kid. We would not have 3 great kids on this trip. As much as I was disappointed, I was actually cheering for this disappointment. I wanted those 3 and a couple dozen more to be State Champions. So was this His plan?

My JV basketball team this year went 26-0. A phenomenal accomplishment, but the math involved says that for every 26-0 team there are 26 25-1 teams and 325 24-2 teams. (Okay not really as I assumed p to be .5, math geeks don't explain this to the others--else we will have too many people at our secret meetings) and the question becomes did God want us to lose? Why Nerinx? Why this time? C'mon the goalie was 2006 Back Bay volunteer Bonnie!

I don't know why this happened? I could explain it in a probability model, but it would not stop the disappointment of our team and our friends. I can only say this, some of my greatest disappointments in my life have been followed by my greatest joys. I would not be at Nerinx today without disappointments and yes, failures in my life. It is okay to say that I failed, because we all do, but my failures in my life have led me to this place, at this time, with you. 43 wonderful girls and 16 wonderful adults. And after failure and setback, I think I take my lessons learned and become a slightly better person. So when we see Allison, Lauren, and Taylor give them a smile and maybe a hug on Saturday and maybe even Sunday for good measure, but after that step aside because the talents and energy of those 3 will surely blend with the talents of our other 40 who were not quite as good as kicking a ball, but have so, so many other talents.

A Proud Teacher

This week is really been a special time.

Today, I got to see the 2007 Class at Loyola Academy graduate.
These are the same kids I coached and taught at 6th graders.

Phillip gave the valedictory address and it was truly one of my proudest
moments as a teacher. Phillip was my responsibility as a sixth grader
and I remember being in his apartment with his parents in the first month
of school trying to convince him what a great opportunity Loyola would be
for him.

I left that place that day, convinced I had lost the argument and Phillip would
soon find his way back to his old school. But today I heard him deliver a
wonderful speech accurately describing his journey from an angry,
apathetic young man to a student who would work hard to fulfill his dreams.

I also was there to award the first annual Pedro Arrupe, S.J. award to my friend
Mike Barry for his hard work behind the scenes raising money for Loyola.
I got to stand up in a room full of people and praise a friend I have known for \
more than 20 years. I hope you all get that opportunity some day. Jen praising Nina,
Ashley praising Emily, or Krista praising Caitlin, just think of the possibilities.

oh, btw, the nicknames are almost done and in my mail today a present for each of
you has arrived. I hope you take the time in the next couple of days to find some time
in silence so you can listen to yourself.

This week can be a truly extraordinary experience.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Less than 80 hours

I just got back from the last 5 innings of the ball game. I had a basketball meeting, so I gave my tickets away to Nerinx alum, Casey Kraft and her sister. I was able to make the game, by the fourth inning and saw a good Cardinal win.

Last year, I got so tired of Sports Radio and the pessimists. I just decided the Cardinals would win the World Series. Ask my friends., I was on board from early in the season.

The Cardinals last year, were a good way to look at the world. Can you imagine being a pessimist for your entire life, and never seeing our world at its best. I am much more happier being an optimist. And I have met great optimists in my life, and I am excited that we are going to be enjoined on this trip, by one of the greatest optimists in my life through her granddaughter. Phyllis Allen was always happy, and always said kind words about me growing up. There was not a time, I saw her where she did not tell me what a great person I was and what a great family the Magee's were. She is definitely a person who in a small way has molded me to be the optimist that I am.

I hope and trust that this can be a great trip for all of us. The response from our Nerinx students has been phenomenal, and the number of moms and dads that are going.. We have an amazing crew and the talents from our parents will amplify the gifts that your daughters will give to the people of the Back Bay. NH is truly a special place. So I encourage all of you to think about what we are trying to do, and commit to the goals of Service and Sharing.

And if you have ever met Phyllis Allen, she would tell you, you are a special person, and then she would get you to laugh.. So for all of our grandmothers, who have always been proud of us. I encourage you to work your best, spend a week living simply, and remember to laugh at all of Mr. Magee's jokes and it will be a good week.

So, I am going to think