Alexis B

I have moved Blog sites

2006-12-06T13:20:00.001-05:00

This blog has moved to http://alexisbennett1961.blogspot.com/index.html

Please drop by there and check it out

Happy Belated Thanksgiving

2006-10-13T00:32:00.000-04:00

Well I guess it is better late than never.

So I hope everyone had lots of turkey, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the other trimmings that each individual family enjoy and have as tradition.

Our family had a some what traditional dinner with a few changes made this year. My sister has a friend whom is a gourmet caterer part time and this year her family was away so she joined ours for the weekend. She wanted to contribute therefore her touches were way different than we would usually have.

We normally have peas that end up being thrown at each other; this has been a thanksgiving and Christmas tradition for as long as I can remember, so it was an unfamiliar change to have Brussels sprouts instead. I far prefer peas. Corn was served, a spiced up squash, and carrots. There were so many vegetables and so many left over. I like the Philadelphia cream cheese and sour cream, peas, and moms squash, turkey, stuffing, Mars pumpkin pie and apple crisp, Belles gravy and cranberry.

Ok so I am a traditionalist through and through. I do not adjust well to change. There are 2 times of the year that family times and traditions should remain exactly that.

Now something we started a few years back was sharing around the table what we are thankful for, but since we had an outsider there and dinner was being served her way and things at our table were not the same this never happened. Hopefully we can get back to our family traditions for Christmas.

I will share with you the things I am Thankful for. I am thankful that this year I have been free to be there for my parents and to help around the house in what ever way I can. We have been under renovations for months; we have had new furnaces, central air, new floors, and many other things which needed to be taken care of. I have become a self appointed property manager for my parent’s home. I am also thankful that as my parents are aging and they need to lean on us that I am here and available to help them with what ever they need me for. There have been times in my past that I am not proud of or proud to mention, but I really was not a good and reliable daughter. However as I have aged I am finally able to give back a little that my parent s have given me over the years. They have always been there for me and now I can be there for them. What a gift.

I am grateful for all of my family and for my friends. I am grateful for my church and what it has done and given to me so freely. I am very grateful for my friends The Lavender family and all the special times spent with them and their children, spouses, and grandchildren. Amen for good friends, great family.

Tipsy

2006-10-02T00:25:00.000-04:00

Ok so as promised here are a few pictures of my new baby with some of its new friends. Maybe it she is confused and think they are her mother. Then their are just some ones of her and then me feeding her.

I got her on Wednesday evening and she could barely walk now she walks and is almost running, she climbed out of her first bed ans so now she is in her second bed which is much deeper. She still wets the bed, she will use the kitty litter if i put her in it and rub her under her belly close to her genitals for stimulation like her mother would do. She cleans herself already and is truly becoming a wonderful pet. I never realized how much hand feeding would be.

2am feedings

2006-10-01T23:34:00.000-04:00

Ok so I have been reading some of my friends blogs fairly regularily, especially Sherri, Glenn, & Jonah, on Sherri's page. I love hear all about what is going on in Nashville for them these days. It is nice to see the pics and so forth.

Some of the reading not being a mom has been rather humourous to me and in reallity I have been unable to relate. Well some would say there is poetic justice after all.

Well the other evening I heard of a few small 4 legged creatures that the mother had left and so I took one home with me. I have listened to stories of sleep deprieved Sherri cause of Jonah's irregular schedule, his potty training and many others.

Well since this new little baby of mine was not old enough to be weined from its mother I have been up nights with it for 2am, 4am, and 6am feedings. I have to feed this little baby of mine with a seringe and an eye dropper, it is actually quite cute. I think this baby of mine really thinks I am its mother.

It can be crying in anyone elses hands but when it comes back to me it immediately stops and starts cuddling into me.

I called my new baby Tipsy not after anyone but because it kinda walks like it is drunk and it has a beige tip on the end of its tail. My baby has the cutes little face. it kinda reminds me of a Racoon because of the strip down the from of their face, with out the cirlcles around the eyes.

My little baby is four legged, drinks baby formula, evaporated milk, replinishing milk and my little daring purrs alot, yes it is a little kitten.

I will be posting pictures real soon for all to see my newest pet.

Oliphant Sunset---Lake Huron

2006-09-12T23:35:00.000-04:00

These photos are all copy righted to Alexis Bennett and are not for reuse or resale without her written permission

My Grandparents built their cottage in Oliphant back in 1948/49 and my parent then built our cottage in 1955/56 and we have been going there ever since.

These are a few photos I took a few weeks ago at one of our wonderful sunsets. God blesses us truely with magnificant things like sunsets, sunrises, trees, birds, flowers, lakes, oceans, seas and it ours to enjoy and look after.

Live life to the fullest

2006-09-12T23:11:00.000-04:00

Today I was talking to my cousin’s wife and I decided it was time to write my thoughts down. I called their house to check in to see how my cousin was doing and how his treatments were going. With Cancer you never know from day to day what is going to take place.

He was to have treatment for 12 weeks but his wife said today she actually has lost count as to where they are. There have been so many curves thrown his direction to cause many disruptions to his original treatment plan. During these 12 treatments he was to have three radical treatments which include overnight hospitalization because radiation was a part of those 3 treatments. Some of the disruptions have been a direct result of his blood counts were just to low to give him the chemo, and then the doctors were on holidays and so forth.

Because this seems like it is about half way and today was his second of the three radical treatments we hope that he does not get to sick from it. One of the side effects of this treatment is nausea, and his counts could take another drop and his hair could drop out.

My cousin and his wife have such a positive attitude even though his cancer is stage 4. They both believe that they have to be surrounded only by positive energy and thus do every thing in their realm to create that. My cousin seems to be staying fairly positive even though the doctors can not seem to offer any real answers. His wife told me today that they will not be able to really tell them any thing until around three months after the last treatment. That apparently is when they should be able to see if they have shrunk the tumor at all.

It is so ironic that you go through all this and you do not even know if it is working or not. They have been told it is not about prolonging life but about quality of life.

What I am learning more and more each day is that it is not about quantity but it is about living life to its fullest and the best you can as if today may be your last one here on earth. As I sit here writing this blog tonight I can not help but remember my 2nd cousin whom past away a year ago, as if he was alive tomorrow would be his birthday. He past away from Mad Cow disease.

After many years of living two lives he finally came forth and was living only one life and was trying to live it to the fullest and then a horrific disease took him and all of us by surprise. We just do not know what cards we are going to be dealt but I sure do know I want to live a good full life and that I want to live it the way God wants me to.

Any ways my thoughts are all over the place so I will end for today.

It's been a very Long Time

2006-08-21T09:32:00.000-04:00

Well fellow bloggers, sorry it has been a very long time since I have blogged and lots and lots have been going on since then.

Summer has come and almost gone. So let me bring you all up to speed.

I have spent a lot of time up at our family cottage this year. I have been busy doing things here at the house for my parents. My father has not been very well and therefore since I am capable I have been doing the house hold things. I guess I have become a full time property manager for him.

My cousin whom has cancer is still doing ok but still needs lots of prayer. He has started treatment. They had to stop it for a few weeks while his platelets counts build up again. He is back on again but his counts are going down again. His rash is back again. So if you believe in miracles please pray for him and pray for the cancer to go away.

Let’s see I am golfing this year, after falling 4 years ago and smashing my left knee to pieces, breaking my left ankle on both sides and my left wrist. I was told I might never walk again. So to be playing golf it sure is something I am grateful for. Everyday I wake and put both feet on the ground and able to walk is a true bonus in my life.

I joined the women’s league at one of the local golf clubs in Cambridge. I have connected with some old friends, some new friends, and am really just having a great time.

I took a day trip to Niagara Falls to the Bird Sanctuary. I would not recommend it to anyone. It was expensive, and the birds fly around you but it was not anything like what we expected to see or experience.

I also spent some time with friends at their rented cottage in Southampton, and they came and spent an evening at my place and we had a wonderful time. I also took a week’s holiday with a friend at the cottage and we had another friend and her grandson up. It was a very pleasurable time. During me week’s holiday I spent a lot of time loading old slides into my computer in order to turn them into DVD's to show the family. What fun that was and great memories.

I guess like usual the best times for me thus far this summer are the sunsets in Oliphant, the time spent with family at the cottage.

I will try to post again soon with some of the summer photo's. Until we meet again enjoy the rest of your summer.

Rockstars DOWNHERE Can not Live on Bologna Sandwiches

2006-05-11T09:45:00.000-04:00

NEW ALBUM WIDE-EYED AND MYSTIFIED RELEASES MAY 23RD
PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY OR BUY IT ON THE 23RD AT A STORE IN YOUR AREA

Schedule for the next tour is as follows:

» 5.20.06 6:00PMRedmond, WA

» 5.21.06 9:00AMRedmond, WA

» 5.21.06 6:00PMRenton, WA

» 5.24.06 7:30PMSanta Clarita, CA

» 5.26.06 7:00PMFairfield, CA

» 5.27.06 6:00PMCarlsbad, CA

» 5.28.06 8:00AMCarlsbad, CA

» 5.28.06 10:25AMDel Mar, CA

» 5.29.06 7:20PMShocko Springs, Alabama

» 6.4.06 12:45PMDenmark

» 6.15.06 6:25PMWilmore, KY

» 6.16.06 6:00PMAtlanta, GA

» 7.14.06 11:40PMNashville, TN

» 7.15.06 10:20AMMcHenry, MD

» 8.3.06 4:00PMGilford, NH

» 8.4.06 1:55AMGilford, NH

» 8.5.06 11:00AMMonterey, CA

» 8.11.06 7:40PMHuntsville, AL

So since rockstars can not live on Bologna Sandwiches you need to rush out and pre-order this album or buy it on May 23rd.

March 22 2006

2006-03-26T22:58:00.000-05:00

What a wonderful day. 45 years ago I was born and so was my twin sister. We got 2 birthdays that year because 6 months later a wonderful couple from Cambridge adopted us.My birthday once again this year dragged on for 2 weeks.

It started out where my good friend who celebrates also on March 22 her birthday, went out for our annual birthday lunch. Sandy came to Cambridge where we met at my home. Upon her arrival to my home she gave me a wonderful bunch of fresh cut Tulips and a really cool book. We left my house to go for lunch. As we started to drive down the road we decided to go to the Blackshop Restaurant instead of just a cafe. We decided that we really should celebrate our birthdays and friendship with an extra special lunch. As we sat and shared stories of things happening in our lives, family and friends we realized that we have known each other now for 22 years. We also spent talking about Sandra’s new career at ICOL. For me this is probably one of the longest and closest friends I have ever had. Time can pass by for days, weeks, months & when we get together or connect on the phone it is like no time has passed.

I have been so blessed by Sandy and her family over the years I watched her children develop into fine adults. Both develop wonderful careers for them selves, become partners to that special someone and for Shes to become a mother herself. I have been truly blessed to be a part of that. Thank you all for accepting me into your lives and families I am truly honored to share in this.

Then moving along I decided I would like to cook for some very special friends just to say thank you for being important in my life so I did that last Sunday afternoon. Most that know me know I love to cook gourmet fancy meals. Being single I do not usually cook like that for myself. I love to entertain and to do new fun things. So off to the St. Lawrence Market I headed to buy some special items. I got blue potatoes; no one had ever seen nor heard of them before. I got the best beans I have seen in a very long time, and the best thing I got was the gigantic strawberries. They were wonderful. What a wonderful lunch and afternoon visiting and talking with my special friends.

Now Tuesday night my best friend’s son Glenn the guy at the end with hair and a beard plays in a Christian rock band Downhere and they were kicking off the introduction of their new album with a Canadian concert opening in Cambridge. Of course I wanted to go and support them. Two really cool things happened at this concert. First was I gave myself a Birthday present I wanted to give myself for a very long time! As a young child I always remember my parents had an adopted child from Can Save the Children Fund. Our adopted child was Nim Lou who my parents met in Hong Kong I think years ago. Then about oh I would say around ten years ago I started doing the Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes with my niece and nephew and then I got my mother to once again adopt a child. It has always been in my heart to do this some day. I have never made it happen. This year I decided it was time to take this on. My cousin works for World Vision, Downhere promotes World Vision at all their concerts and the World Vision commercials always break my heart every time I see them. I took action and I now have an adopted child named Alinafe Munthali from Malawi.

The second thing that happened was that Downhere's promoters CMC Distribution had a couple of raffles, one for a pair of Kingdom Bound tickets and one for a Fender Electric Guitar. Now any one who knows me and the Lav family know I gave Jonah a toy guitar for his birthday, Miles a toy piano for his birthday and for Christmas I gave to them both a set of toy drums. So me and my sick sense of humor thought it would be funny to enter their names and mine into the draw thinking we would never win in a million years. Well I won the guitar. So I ask my self over and over what I am going to do with an Electric Guitar. I kept getting the answer sell it. Now any reasonable offer I would sell this guitar. Well I will keep you informed about this guitar, as time passes by.

Wednesday was my actual Birthday. I got several calls through out the day from friends and family. Last year my friend Joan and I went out for dinner and our plan afterwards was to go to a movie. Well we had some time between dinner and the movie so we decided to have a pedicure to help time pass by, oh what a treat. So again this year I decided this would be fun to do on my actual Birthday and Joan agreed to join me for a pedicure. So I went to the Lav house for dinner and then Joan & I went for a pedicure and Glen our chauffer for the night went and saw a movie. We had decided after the pedicure we would go back to the Lav house for a chocolate fondue, but when we arrived there everyone had gone off to bed so we decided we would do this on the weekend.

Normally every year for years I plan my own birthday party and it usually consist of a bunch of my friends getting together for dinner and bowling or something fun afterwards. This year I decided I just wanted to spend it with my Sunday lunch gang. We all went for Thai food and it was great. The restaurant turned down the lights and brought ice-cream with sparklers, singing happy birthday. I was so embarrassed but at the same time thought it was cool. Then Joan had us all back to their place for the chocolate fondue and she surprised me with a cake.

I was so touched. Like my friend Sandy and her family I have been so blessed by the Lavender Family as well. You all have accepted me into their lives unconditionally and I cherish all the special times we have together. Thanks to you all for being in my life and for sharing your lives with me. I so love all the warm hugs and kisses from those two adorable little men. It has been so neat in the short time that you have been in my life to see you 3 become parents, and to watch and be apart of their lives as they grow and develop into little men. Thank you for giving me the gift of friendship.

And I think or hope that my final birthday celebration was tonight at my older brothers home. He had all my siblings and their spouses and children for dinner. Jamie does this every year and it is so very nice of him. He and his wife Marlene are fabulous cooks and we always have a great meal. The kids are always so much fun to play with. They are all getting so excited cause in about 3 weeks we leave on our family cruise. All 18 of the Bennett clan are off to the Cayman Islands and Jamaica on a cruise supplied by our parents for their 50th wedding anniversary. Thanks mom & dad what a wonderful gift to all of us. It was nice to end such a wonderful week with my family, sharing, laughing and just being together. My niece Kate who is gong to be 20 is away at 2nd yr in University, Mike just turned 18 and is school captain, & chair person for his school for the Relay for life. Oh how they grow up and make ya feel so old. Benny 12, turning into a teenager this November is off to high school this fall. MacKenzie and Rob are not far behind. And well they others they just are still at that young funny silly age. So much fun to be with. God may have not Blessed me with my own children but he sure Blessed me with a wonderful niece and wonderful nephews. MacKenzie loves music and is hoping to get a small band together of his friends; he has an acoustic and went nuts to hear I won an Electric Fender Guitar. So guess who know owns it. Yes MacKenzie. He has been taking lessons for over a year and he is buying an amp from a friend. He made me a deal i could not refuse, he is a wheeler and a dealer and I am just glad to see the smile on his face when he went home tonight. I makes it all worth while. He is so excited he is probably sleeping with his new guitar as we speak.

Well thanks to all who helped me to celebrate my Birthday.

You all made it so very special and I do thank you for that.

Till next year, wait maybe I will start counting backwards from now on.

Reflections

2006-03-20T10:13:00.000-05:00

Well another year has come and will be gone as of Wednesday. As they say it s..... To be me. Lately I have had several reminders that I might be getting old and that things are changing for the better in my life.

I have been 9 yrs with out drugs or alcohol, and the past is in the past. From time to time some of the people from the past pop up in my life. All I have to do is speak to them for a few short minutes to realize we are not on the same pages any more and that my book has gotten a whole lot more interesting.

Just over 4 yrs ago I gave my life back to Christ. It was rocky at first but these days things seem to be on a whole lot more of an even keel. Things that use to disturb me for long periods and send me into hibernation (depressions) for weeks only last for days or hours now. When I trust the Lord he seems to never let me down but to carry me forth. He seems to be my driving force these days.

I am doing things today in my life that I never in a million years thought I would be doing. I go to home league at the church every Tuesday. Most of the women are older than me, but it is very enjoyable to socialize and share with them. I run a bible study every Sunday morning at the church. It is awesome. We have been following the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. It is a 40 day study that we are doing over 40 weeks. We are on week 17 and thus far we have learned so much of what God is asking us to do. It is also giving me an opportunity to meet and bond with 7 other women that maybe under normal circumstances we would not meet and get to know. I also have had the opportunity to be a youth leader of the older youth, unfortunately most of those youth are so busy in school, with work and life that they do not want to spend time at youth group but with their boyfriends/girlfriends, friends and just plan socializing.

I never dreamed that I would ever be this involved with the happenings at my church. I use to feel like an outsider sitting looking in but never as I belong. Today I feel I do belong and that people respect me and value me as a member. It takes a long time but eventually as they see you in action, people start to warm up to you.

My circles of friends have changed drastically from the old days. Most of my friends today are from my church. Most of them accept me for who I am and encourage me to keep up the positive changes in my life. I have no desire for the old life and hate when the old Alexis pop in from time to time for visits. Those visits are usually short and are dangerous, but I see them more rapidly these days and nip them right in the bud.

God is God, God is great, God Loves me and I love me. Wow who would ever think I would be saying that.

I am turning 45 years old this week and I am single, never married, no children, and am on disability. This is not exactly how I pictured my life would be at 45. I think it is exactly where God wanted me to be. He is still molding me for bigger and bigger things. I am not sure what but in his time he will revel it to me. I may not have children but I have 1 niece, 7 nephews and friends with children and grandchildren, who I can share in their lives. It is so very awesome. God has blessed me with other people’s children.

Even though I am not where I thought I would be I am exactly where he wants me to be and he is building me and molding me for something. Am I willing and ready, I think so. Am I preparing for it, I hope so. In his time I will know what it is he is asking of me and I pray I am up to hearing, seeing and speaking what it is he is asking of me.

Another thing that happened in my life that I have always wanted to do but never thought it would happen did happen this year. I was able to go and serve my fellow man in the USA after Katrina hit. This was awesome. I got to speak to the people, pray with them, and give them words of encouragement. I want to do so much more of this kind of work. I believe and trust God will lead me there when the time is right.

So at 45 years old I am not sure what my life is about, but each day that I have had regrets they are starting to dissipate and I am starting to prepare for his work. What I do know even though this is not the path I thought I would be on God has taken me on this route for a reason and will take to where ever he wants me to be.

I am blessed with a wonderful family, great friends, a fabulous church and church family. I am blessed to be alive, fairly healthy and am working towards a healthier life style. So I am glad to becoming older and wiser this year.

COME EAT A BUG!

2006-03-14T23:27:00.000-05:00

Well anyone who knows me well knows that when I get a bug in my ear, well nothing stops me. I read in the paper last week about Bugfest 2006 at Wings of Paradise® Butterfly Conservatory in Cambridge, Ontario Canada.

Some people might ask what is Bugfest 2006 Well this is what it is:

COME EAT A BUG! Dailytasting 1:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m

SEE LIVE INSECTS! Jewel Beetles, Hissing Cockroaches, Millipedes, Tarantulas, and more!

INSECTS OF THE WORLD See interesting insects on display from around the world and learn how insects impact our lives!

PARADISE AWAITS Enter a lush tropical garden bursting with life!Featuring 100's of free-flying butterflies and 75 different species of flowering plants, trees and bushes

Well if you know me well you know I will try anything once. I am almost embarrassed to say that Wings of Paradise has been open for 6 years and I have never gone to see what it is all about. I have heard of Bugfest before as well but never got the courage up to go. This year I set my mind to it. I invited several different young people from my church to go with me but I had no real takers. I asked my nephews but no real keen interest, girls and sports is what interest them mostly these days.

So I got a couple of friends and off we went. They were going to have nothing to do with trying any of the bug food. Now the menu seemed pretty calm to what you see on fear factor so I was game to try. They were serving tea biscuits with crickets, grubs and some kind of worm in it as an appertizer, then grub soup, and for dessert cricket ice cream.

Now it was all pretty tasty but I am not sure if I could eat that for days on end or not.

My two friends were definitely not going to have anything to do with it what so ever. So when we were all done looking at everything and spending an hour in with the butterflies we went to the real cafeteria for some lunch. We all decided to have soup and a sandwich. I decided to go and get some more grub soup to add to my soup. While there I also grabbed a couple of the tea biscuits. I offered to one of my friends to try the teabiscuits I got with my soup. She did and loved it. So I offered her the second one. They were gone in seconds.
When I told her what she had just eaten she said she could not even tell she had just eaten a bug or two. So I just proved it was mind of matter but still could not convince her to try the rest.
They just missed out in a wonderful experience.

Winter Bugs or Sickness

2006-03-05T11:05:00.000-05:00

So lately I have been out of commission due to a flu bug and strep throat. I woke up in the middle of the night last Thursday with what felt like a rock in the back of my throat. My throat was very dry and sore. I had the chills and a high fever.

Lucky for me I already had a doctor's appointment for later Friday afternoon. I went to my doctor and he told me I had strep and he gave me a prescription for some kind of throat gargle and penicillin.

It took till Sunday for my fever to break. And I just got my voice back yesterday.

There have been so many people down this year with some kind of flu or sore throat. I decided I needed to look up the definitions to some key words. I always use the Webster Dictionary when I look up words.

The first word I chose to look up was Common Cold, Flu, which lead to Influenza. And because the doctor said he was going to treat me for a Strep throat I thought I should also look up what that means.

So there you have it a very comprehensive look at the definitions to winter bugs they call common cold, flu, strep and others that arrived from the original three I was looking up. If I had to sum it up in layman's terms I would just have to say I had a high fever, a very inflamed sore throat, with the chill, and a common cold that is following now that I am over the flu, & strep. I guess what this means is total rest, staying away from others so they do not get what we have, lots of fluids, popsicles. Snuggle in for a short hopefully winters nap.

common cold
Function: noun
1: an acute disease of the upper respiratory tract that is marked by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, eyes, and eustachian tubes and by a watery then purulent discharge and is caused by any of several viruses (as a rhinovirus or an adenovirus)

flu
Function: noun
Etymology: by shortening
1 : INFLUENZA
2 : any of several virus diseases marked especially by respiratory symptoms

Influenza
Function: noun
Etymology: Italian, literally, influence, from Medieval Latin influentia; from the belief that epidemics were due to the influence of the stars
1a: an acute highly contagious disease caused by any of several single-stranded RNA viruses (family Orthomyxoviridae) and characterized by sudden onset, fever, prostration, severe aches and pains, and progressive inflammation of the respiratory mucous membrane; broadly
b: a human respiratory infection of undetermined cause
2 : any of numerous febrile usually virus diseases of domestic animals marked by respiratory symptoms, inflammation of mucous membranes, and often systemic involvement

inflammation
Function: noun
1 : a local response to cellular injury that is marked by capillary dilatation, leukocytic infiltration, redness, heat, and pain and that serves as a mechanism initiating the elimination of noxious agents and of damaged tissue
2 : the act of inflaming : the state of being inflamed

streptococci
Etymology: New Latin
1: any of a genus (Streptococcus) of spherical or ovoid chiefly nonmotile and parasitic gram-positive bacteria that divide only in one plane, occur in pairs or chains, and include important pathogens of humans and domestic animals; broadly
2: a coccus occurring in chains

strep throat
Function: noun
1: an inflammatory sore throat caused by hemolytic streptococci and marked by fever, prostration, and toxemia -- called also septic sore throat

prostration
Function: noun
1 a : the act of assuming a prostrate position
b : the state of being in a prostrate position : ABASEMENT
2 a : complete physical or mental exhaustion : COLLAPSE
b : the process of being made powerless or the condition of powerlessness

toxemia
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin
1: an abnormal condition associated with the presence of toxic substances in the blood

Relay for Life

2006-03-02T11:10:00.000-05:00

Well since my last post I have been in bed with a terrible strep throat and high fever. But this has given me lots of time to do something’s that I needed to get into place.

As many of you will know June 9th and 10th is the Relay for life Walk. It takes place every year out at the Waterloo Police Recreational Association. It is a walk to raise funds to help the fight against cancer.

The first lap is always the survivors lap. Our team has 4 people walking that lap.

Here are the results for Relay for Life 2005 they were amazing, over $350,000 was raised in the Waterloo Region. This was $13,000 more than 2004. Nationally $31.3 million was raised.

This year our Team is made up of people who have lost loved ones to cancer, people who know or have family members that are survivors, and we have two members who have actually battled the fight against cancer, and I personally have my father and a family member walking the survivors lap.

One in two people are affected by this disease Cancer, so come on out and support this walk, sponsor us or if you are a survivor walk the victory lap. If you have 10 people you can also form your own team and enter the walk as well.

Presently I am looking for one more member for our team. So come join our team, we need you.

If you want to sponsor us please go to the following Canadian Cancer Society and click on the following spot Pledge a participant - search by first or last name. Then click next and then type in my name and follow the rest, step by step. Thank you for your support.

Lets Drive Cancer Out Of This World together.

CANCER

2006-02-20T23:19:00.000-05:00

I really am starting to hate the word CANCER

What does this word mean: (according to the Webster Dictionary)

1 capitalized
a: a northern zodiacal constellation between Gemini and Leo
b (1): the 4th sign of the zodiac in astrology -- see ZODIAC table
(2): one born under the sign of Cancer
2 [Latin, crab, cancer]
a: a malignant tumor of potentially unlimited growth that expands locally by invasion and systemically by metastasis
b: an abnormal bodily state marked by such tumors
3: something evil or malignant that spreads destructively

4 a: an enlarged tumor like plant growth (as that of crown gall)
4b: a plant disease marked by such growths

I have made one of the definitions bold so that it would stand out. I want it to stand out because it is exactly how I feel about the word. "Something Evil, and Spreads destructively." It seems these days every time you turn around you hear of someone you know who has been diagnosed with it, living with it, or dying from it.

There seems to be no rime or reason to how, whom, when or where this awfully disease will attack. I have known babies who have died from this disease, old people young people all ages, sizes, colors and races. From the most health addict to the person who never looks after themselves.

When you read some of the facts I have included you will see that an estimate of 69,500 deaths will occur in Canada. Cancer is the leading health concern for Canadians with 2 in 5 Canadians facing a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.

In 2005, it is estimated that:

-149,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer – 3,500 more than last year
-69,500 Canadians will die from cancer – 1,200 more than last year

And these numbers will continue to increase. If current trends continue, over the next 30 years it is estimated that:

-almost 6 million Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer.
-about 3 million will die from cancer.
-direct cancer healthcare costs will be more than $176 billion.
-over $248 billion in tax revenues will be lost because of disability due to cancer.

CANADA IS FACING A CANCER CRISISand WE NEED YOUR HELP to stop it. SIGN THE PETITION NOW

Here are some facts from the Canadian Cancer Society website:

Current Incidence and Mortality

An estimated 149,000 new cases of cancer and 69,500 deaths from cancer will occur in Canada in 2005.

The total number of lung cancer cases (men and women combined) is greater than the number of either prostate or breast cancer cases.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women.

Overall, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer.

Estimates for Cancer Incidence and Mortality, Canada, 2005

An estimated 149,000 new cases of cancer and 69,500 deaths from cancer will occur in Canada in 2005.

Men outnumber women for both new cases and deaths, by 4.7% for incidence and 11.9% for mortality (Table 1).

Three types of cancer account for at least 50% of new cases in each sex: prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers in males, breast, lung, and colorectal cancers in females.

Twenty nine percent of cancer deaths in men and 25% in women are due to lung cancer alone (Figures 1.1 and 1.2). Comparisons during years prior to 2003 with respect to colorectal cancer mortality should be made with caution because of a change in classification practices (see Appendix II for further details).

Lung cancer will continue as the leading cause of cancer death in Canadian women in 2005, accounting for an estimated 8,300 deaths, compared with the 5,300 deaths expected for breast cancer. This reflects the rapid increase in lung cancer mortality rates among women over the past three decades, while age-standardized breast cancer mortality rates declined slightly. Lung cancer incidence among women also continues to rise. With an estimated 10,200 new cases, lung cancer is the second leading form of cancer in women, ahead of the 9,000 new cases expected for colorectal cancer, which ranks third. Breast cancer continues to lead in incidence among Canadian women, with slightly more than twice as many new cases as lung cancer.

In Canadian men in 2005, prostate cancer will continue as the leading form of cancer diagnosed, with an estimated 20,500 newly diagnosed cases, compared with 12,000 lung cancers. Prostate cancer estimates were produced by a variation on the methods employed for other cancers (see Appendix II: Methods). Lung cancer will remain the leading cause of cancer death in Canadian men in 2005; the estimated 10,700 lung cancer deaths far exceed the 4,500 deaths due to colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death in men. Prostate cancer is third in mortality, causing 4,300 deaths.

So some of you might be wondering why am I writing about this. My dad has cancer, my mothers parents both die from cancer, my dad's brothers wife died of cancer, my mom's sisters husband has cancer, other relatives have died or live with cancer, some young and some old. I have had many friends die of cancer and diagnosed with cancer, and just recently another person whom I know has just been diagnosed with cancer.

Cancer is running ramped in Cambridge, Ontario and Canada, I am sick of this disease and its effect on us. Instead of Cancer killing us we need to kill Cancer. Every time you turn around someone is saying this is not good for you, it causes Cancer, it feels like everything gives you cancer, so how do you kill it before it kills you. I wish I had the answers to this.

I know I can only do my little part and that is I support the Canadian Cancer Society and last year I was involved in the Relay for life. It is my plan this year God willing to get involved again.
Maybe if we all do our little part we can change this numbers from 2 out of 5 to better odds.

Relay for Life local chapter is Waterloo Region is Relay For Life

Catch Up

2006-02-15T23:02:00.000-05:00

Wow I can not believe it has been almost a month since my last post. Where has the time gone?

Things have been very busy for me and also very rewarding. As I mentioned in my last post my father had eye surgery in the beginning of the New Year. He has been having a lot of trouble with his vision and there for is not driving. My younger brother was so kind to offer to fly me home on his air points if I drove my parents to Florida. Well things did not work out where I could use his points but I did drive my parents to Florida. We did the drive in 2 days which was fine with me, as it gave me an extra day to enjoy in Florida.

Boy for retired people who should just be relaxing taking it easy they sure do have lots of things happening.

We did lots of shopping, had lunch with friends and went to there place to relax afterwards. What a place. We were invited to go with a bunch of my parent’s friends for a train ride and lunch. Mom and I were not to sure what dad committed us to. But the train ride was at Port Manatee it actually ended up being very interesting. The train was more like a golf cart tram and took about an hour to tour the whole port. I would recommend it to any that is in that area. After that we went to the Holiday Inn for an all you can eat buffet. It was good but not a lot of choice. Afterwards Mom, Dad and I decided to go to the Red Barn Flea Market to see what bargains we could get. I got a belt and a few gifts, mom got some watches and well dad he got some gags toys, and some cd's. All exhausted we head back to the condo for a nap, I was hoping to go to the pool or beach.

We designated Monday as my tanning day but it was over cast and crappy so no sun. Oh well time with my parents was more fun.

On the Thursday before I was to catch my plan home we decided to go to Tampa early to MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY (MOSI) to see the famous exhibit of Bodies by Dr. Gunther von Hagens: A Life In Science Provocative. Awe-inspiring. Human. Gunther von Hagens' BODY WORLDS 2: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies is a revealing and thought-provoking look at the hidden wonders of the human body. Featuring over 200 real human specimens including entire bodies, individual organs and body slices, this exhibition offers an once-in-a-lifetime chance to see and understand our own anatomy and health. You'll gain a new appreciation and respect for what it means to be human. This exhibit is also on right now at the Ontario Science Centre

If any of you go and see it I look forward to hearing from you and what you think

God Knows Best

2006-01-19T08:37:00.000-05:00

About a month ago I wrote about how disappointed I was that I was not able to go back to Biloxi and that I knew God had other plans for me but I was not sure what they were.

Well ever since that I have been so busy my head is spinning. Christmas at our house is always busy and crazy and this year was no different, infact it was a fun zoo with the children running here nd there all over. This is what makes Christmas so fun.

Then since Christmas has been over I have been busy with my computer business. Lots of new customers and 3 sales thus far and more still pending. So God is being Good to me right now. Thank you Lord for this.

I also took a week to go to Quebec to visit and help a friend of mine out. Her 17 year old daughter was pregnant and ready to deliver any day. Unfortunately she did not go into labout till a week later. She gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

And finally their once was a time in my life that I was not there for my family in times of need but now for the past 8 or 9 years I have been getting far better at this. Lately I am there at a drop of a hat as they say. My dad has been having a great deal of trouble with his eye for the past few years. And for the last 3 or 4 weeks he has gotten double vision and is not driving. So mom and I have been sharing driving him around here and there.

A week ago he had a skin graph done in London to build up and reenforce the lower eye lid. So far we have had to make 3 trips back and forth to London and next week he sees the surgeon hopefully for the last time and then they will be off to Florida. I have been offering to drive them down and fly home and my baby brother has offered to give me airmiles to fly me home but thus far my parents are being stubborn and refusing the offer.

It would be nice to go down and see there new place for a few days to help mom unpack and carry everything up into there condo. I guess they are not ready to accept the fact they are older and could use this extra help. They say maybe next year. HEHEHEHE, private family joke ok Hughy.

Any ways when ever they need me I am there ready and willing to help.

This week has also been crazy at the house cause we are getting 2 new furnaces what a huge ordeal this is, more than any of ever imagined. So I have had to be here at the house watching over things.

So I guess God knew better than I that I just needed to be here in Cambridge to help out my family and my friends.

God is good and where ever he leads me I will follow. I try harder each day to hear him and to follow what it is he is directing me to do. Like I always say one door closes and another will open it just might not be what we were thinking it might be and that is ok.

What is Today's Society Coming To?

2006-01-15T23:02:00.000-05:00

Do people in today’s society just not have morals any more? I guess to answer that we need a clear precise definition of what Moral(s) means:

If you look at the Webster Dictionary definition it is not as clear as Encarta so for this post I am going to choose to use the Encarta definition.

involving right and wrong: relating to issues of right and wrong and to how individual people should behave
derived from personal conscience: based on what somebody's conscience suggests is right or wrong, rather than on what rules or the law says should be done
according to common standard of justice: regarded in terms of what is known to be right or just, as opposed to what is officially or outwardly declared to be right or just a moral victory
encouraging goodness and decency: giving guidance on how to behave decently and honorably
good by accepted standards: good or right, when judged by the standards of the average person or society at large
able to tell right from wrong: able to distinguish right from wrong and to make decisions based on that knowledge7. based on personal conviction: based on an inner conviction, in the absence of physical proof moral certainty

My next question then would be do people of today’s society just not know right from wrong?

Ok so have I peaked your curiosity as to why I am asking these questions? On July 29, 2002 a friend’s daughter was taken from them. I can not even begin to say I know what it is like for them because I myself do not have children. What I can tell you is that I have watched them and been there with them through this tragedy.

One of the things that my friends have worked so hard is to make sure that their daughter’s gravesite is always kept nicely groomed and well kept. They decorate it for each season and they cherish each item they lay there for their child's memory. It helps with peace in their souls to go to the gravesite daily. However they have had so many battles in the cemetery since they buried their daughter there.

They first had a battle with the people who run the cemetery and the bi-laws. Well they helped to form a committee and to get new livable bi-laws in place. They have abided by them faithfully.

They also very shortly after laying to rest their daughter had everything stolen from the gravesite. Many friends and family members brought mementoes to the site and a lot of Angels. Someone or Somebody's came to the site and stole them all.

For the longest time things went along ok and once in a while something went missing, but again this summer things began on a regular basis to go missing. It is hard to say what is happening. Could it just be somebody passing through and see something they like and take it, could it be a group of people hanging out in between Toyota and the cemetery partying and then think they might just go have fun taking things from graves. Could it be cemetery workers removing things they do not believe match bi-law codes. I guess there could be a lot of different could be's.

Bottom line it is just wrong no matter why or who is doing it. So now I need to define the word Wrong:

not conforming to accepted standards: not in accordance with law, morality, or with people's sense of what is acceptable behaviorIt's wrong to steal.
unsuitable: unsuitable, or showing poor judgment on the part of the person who chooses

What angers me the most is that what ever the could be's is I do not think they have any idea the further pain and suffering they are causing this family. Maybe they were just not taught it is wrong to steal period. Maybe they have not been taught respect for the dead. Maybe they have never had to experience this for them selves.

It’s the same old story how young people go out starting at the first site of pumpkins on peoples doors steps, grab them and smash them in the street. No concern for the time and effort spent carving them.

Or the people who steal lights off your Christmas trees to smash them in the street to hear the bang. No regard as to how long it took you to put them up, and the cost to replace them.

These might be small funny antics for youth, but remember with most antics there is always someone whom gets hurt in the end. You might think it is cute to take something from the gravesite and that no one will miss it or even noticed but they do. Like the inside of our homes we have inventory of everything there. For some people they have inventory at their love ones final resting place.

I am not sure if this is a personal attack on my friend’s gravesite for some sick reason or why they keep attacking their gravesite on a regular basis but I wish they would stop. Every time something is stolen from the gravesite it just opens another wound on top of another wound.

The individuals whom are responsible for doing this know who they are and if by any remote chance you are reading this I hope you will read the definition of moral(s) again and realize right from wrong and know that you do not have to answer to me or anyone one but God and do not forget he sees everything. He knows who you are and when it is your time to join him he will want you to answer for this. They start answering now by putting a stop to this very nasty unmoral behavior immediately and start by returning the stolen items to the graveside if you can.

I feel so angry towards the individuals who have been doing this and I am praying you will find it in your hearts to stop doing wrong and start doing right. Get some MORALS

The Salvation Army--Tsunami Relief efforts

2005-12-24T12:56:00.000-05:00

The Salvation Army in India

The Salvation Army first established its presence in India in 1882 and its membership now totals 352,346. Currently there are 1,410 Salvation Army churches, 1,314 outposts, 218 social institutions (which include hostels, children’s homes and hospitals) and 73 schools.

India Central Coastal Rehabilitation Program

Purpose:

To re-establish the lives of 2,776 families who depend on the fishing industry. By working with and strengthening the capacity of local institutions, this project will improve previous living conditions and create sustainable development for the most marginalized groups in Indian society.

Results to Date:

9 supplementary feeding programs for 2,832 families
31 new fishing boats supplied
16 boat engines replaced
68 boat engines repaired
4,973 fishing nets supplied

India South East
Tsunami Rehabilitation

Purpose:

To rebuild several villages in the Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts and the small state of Pondicherry. The reconstruction of damaged housing, the building of new homes and the provision of fishing equipment will allow for livelihood rehabilitation and help these communities to become self sufficient.

Results to Date:

88 new fishing boats supplied, 10 on order
22 fishing boats repaired, 50 on order
40 new outboard motors supplied, 63 on order
40 new kattamarans supplied. 60 on order
510 fishing nets supplied, 250 on order
130 cold boxes supplied, 285 on order
260 boat lights supplied, 150 on order

The Salvation Army in Indonesia

The Salvation Army commenced its work in Indonesia in 1894 with a network of educational, medical and social services. These programs continue as its 42, 581 members operate 196 churches, 128 outposts, 94 schools, 6 hospitals, 18 clinics and 21social institutions.

Indonesia
Aceh Post Tsunami Construction

Purpose:

To construct 500 new homes in the village of Suak Ribee in Aceh Meulabuh. All 500 homes will be equipped with basic household items and come complete with electricity, water and toilet facilities. On December 26, 2005, all beneficiary families will receive written title to both the completed homes and the land.

Results to Date:

408 new homes have been completed
92 homes are under construction
727 new homes to be built in January 2006

The Salvation Army in Sri Lanka

The Salvation Army first established its services in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) in 1883 and currently maintains 45 churches and outposts in the country. Its 4,500 members help run 28 institutions that include hostels, day-care centres, community centres and hospitals.

Sri Lanka Tsunami Reconstruction Program

Purpose:

Provide permanent housing solutions for 650 families in the Galle and Kalutara districts. Provide household kits to 650 families. Establish rainwater storage facilities at 650 new homes that will benefit 3,250 people with clean drinking water. Re-establish the livelihood of 1,200 families through the provision of business skills and employment creating business opportunities. Conduct substance abuse surveys that will educate 27,531 people about the negative consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. Establish 3 community centres in Galle, Hikkaduwa and Kalutara that will include education facilities for children, HIV/AIDS and trauma counseling, gender awareness and a variety of other community services. Establish community based early tsunami warning systems in the Galle and Kalutra districts.

Results to Date:

A detailed funding proposal has been finalized and submitted to the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), for use of government matching funds.

Tsunami: A Year Later

2005-12-24T12:37:00.000-05:00

Tsunami: A Year Later

Michael Stittle, CTV.ca News

One year after a massive tsunami struck Banda Aceh, the reconstruction continues. The natural disaster altered the city's landscape forever. But, less visible are the deep psychological wounds carried by the survivors.

"Everybody has a story here of what happened to them," Canadian Red Cross worker Russ Froese told CTV.ca. "I'm so impressed by how resilient these people are and how they get on with life. But if you scratch the surface you find all kinds of issues."

The island of Sumatra is a highly earthquake-prone area. Tremors are as common as the rain, and residents never feared the shaking until Dec. 26, 2004.

"We get tremors every week," Froese said. "And if there are any large tremors, people don't take them in stride like they used to. There's a lot of terror in their eyes. They'll be calling relatives; they'll be looking to the ocean to see if another wave is coming."

Froese said the anniversary will be a dark, sorrowful affair. Everyone has lost friends and family.

"The anniversary is going to be something that is very personal for people," he said.

"We're not trying to have big events, because people will be going to mass graves, which are all over the city, and doing very personal things to commemorate their loss and remember people."
The Canadian Red Cross has committed itself for 10 years to help rebuild the city. It is a complex operation. Most of Banda Aceh survived the tsunami relatively unscathed, including the city's airport and downtown area. However, the outlying coastal area -- roughly a third of the city -- was wiped out, destroying the fishing industry.

"They had a lot of the villages and housing right near the water," Froese said.

"It's not habitable now because the land is sunk. A lot of it is underwater. The wells have been tainted by seawater. You have to move them and that's where the problems have arisen.

Because you have to find replacement land, get the government to come up with a policy of who's going to pay for it, and register people."

According to Froese, most of the land was never registered before the disaster. It must now be done in the customary Muslim manner, he said, using witnesses. But in some villages, where the tsunami killed up to 80 per cent of the population, there are no witnesses left.

Waiting for housing

In Banda Aceh, an estimated 70,000 homeless can only wait, their lives still on hold.
Zoelfitri, who like some Indonesians only goes by one name, lives in a homemade shanty on the outskirts of the city, where he cares for what remains of his family. He knows that international aid has reached Banda Aceh, but is frustrated with the results.

"We know a lot of money is going to Aceh, but where is it? Where are the buildings? Where is the construction?" Zoelfitri, 32, told The Associated Press.

Aid organizations are working hard to construct new homes. Sewage pipes are also being laid, and a major road on the west side of the city is being rebuilt.

According to AP, roughly $4.5 billion US in relief money has been collected for Banda Aceh and the province of Aceh:

The World Food Program estimates it has spent more than $125 million US in Aceh during 2005. Of that amount, $20 million US bought helicopters and airplanes to transport survivors and cargo, while $26 million purchased 72,000 tons of food aid.

British-based Oxfam gave $11.5 million for public health, including sanitizing water and the construction of new wells.

Save the Children has focused on restoring schools, investing $1 million US on text books and supplies. About 20 per cent of Aceh's schools were destroyed.

There are billions of dollars still to be used, as charitable organizations like the Canadian Red Cross prepare to spend years in the reconstruction.

Banda Aceh is not alone in its struggle to rebuild. The United Nations estimates that more than 230,000 people died either directly or in the weeks that followed the Dec. 26, 2004 tsunami. At least 31,229 people died in Sri Lanka, 10,749 in India and 5,395 in Thailand.

Many of the survivors are still waiting for adequate shelter.

"Large numbers of survivors remain forced to live in sub-standard conditions that fail to meet criteria for adequate housing and living conditions dictated by international human rights standards," the UN said in a statement.

Sri Lankans hope for change

The problem is typical of many areas in Southeast Asia. In Galle, Sri Lanka, the conditions are far worse. About 95 per cent of the population is still homeless, living in flimsy shacks with little protection against the heat and rain.

Shivani, who lives in a tin-roofed temporary shelter in Galle with her daughter, is one of the many victims waiting for help.

"I'm not asking for a palace," Shivani told CTV's Matt McClure. "Just a small home like we had before, where my daughters and I can forget about everything we lost that day."

Basic sanitation problems, like garbage collection, remain unresolved. Worse, when the tsunami struck it carried waste that polluted the city's water supplies.

Recovery has been slow partly because the tsunami crippled the city's infrastructure, leaving Galle's workers helpless to rebuild. The mayor, Mohammad Arif, still remembers the desperation in the first days following the disaster.

"When we saw this devastation, we didn't know what to do," he said. "We were not eating, we were not drinking, because we were so sorry."

Aid groups like the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) are hoping that rebuilding the city's infrastructure will help solve Galle's homeless crisis. FCM has an $11-million partnership with Sri Lanka to restore its municipalities.

One year after the tsunami brought so much destruction to Banda Aceh and Galle, aid workers know it will take far longer before their efforts bring noticeable results. In Banda Aceh, where most of the city survived, the slow progress can be baffling.

"On one hand, you've got a city that is working, thriving, moving along," Froese said. "It's so frustrating not to be able to just turn this around."

Tsunami relief effort is not over

2005-12-24T12:32:00.000-05:00

Clinton warns tsunami relief effort is not over

CTV.ca News Staff

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the UN special envoy for tsunami recovery, is urging the international community to follow through on its promises for help, almost one year after the disaster devastated Southeast Asia.

"One year ago ... millions of ordinary people across the globe rallied to the immediate aid of communities devastated by the tsunami," Clinton said in remarks prepared for the one-year anniversary and published Saturday in the International Herald Tribune.

"Now our collective challenge is to finish the job, to leave behind safer, more peaceful and stronger communities."

On Dec. 26 last year, the most powerful earthquake in four decades -- stronger than magnitude 9, ripped apart the ocean floor off Sumatra island, sending giant waves crashing into Indian Ocean coastlines from Malaysia to east Africa.

Villages in Indonesia and Sri Lanka were carried away, five-star resorts in Thailand were flooded, and entire islets temporarily disappeared in the Maldives.

Although there are conflicting reports on the death toll, it's believed more than 230,000 were killed either directly in the disaster or in the weeks that followed.

According to the UN, almost 400,000 houses were reduced to rubble, more than 2 million people left homeless, and the livelihoods of 1.5 million swept away.

Though the international community responded with donor pledges of some $13.6 billion US, many refugee camps are still overflowing and concerns linger about the pace of the reconstruction.

Indeed, thousands of survivors have been found new homes but humanitarian agencies say they are only about 20 per cent of the total number that still need homes.

Meanwhile, two days before the first anniversary of the tsunami, survivors gathered to mark the grim date.

Peter Pruchniewitz, 68, who was swept from his hotel room and lost a friend to the disaster, returned from Zurich to attend the ceremonies in Thailand. When asked why, he told The Associated Press, "to remember."

The ceremony in Thailand is one of the first of hundreds which are to be held in the dozen countries ravaged by the tsunami.

At Bang Niang beach in Thailand's Phang Nga province, hundreds of mourners, including Western tourists, Buddhist and Muslim villagers watched as the nomadic Moken (or sea gypsy) tribe launched a ceremonial bird-shaped boat laden with offerings into the Andaman Sea to ward off evil spirits.

In Indonesia, which took the brunt of the deadly tsunami, workers at a historic mosque in a coastal suburb of Banda Aceh were preparing for special services on Monday.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono intends to join survivors in prayers on Monday evening, officials said.

During his two-day trip to Aceh, Yudhoyono is also expected to visit mass graves and respect a moment of silence at the Baiturrahim mosque.

Updated Katrina Fast FactsFriday, December 02, 2005 --

2005-12-13T13:07:00.000-05:00

The Salvation Army responded immediately following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, serving the immediate needs of survivors by providing shelter, food, water, ice, cleaning supplies, baby supplies, and hygiene products.

Over One Million have been served in at least 30 states. The following information represents the Southern Territory’s fifteen states and the District of Columbia.

The Salvation Army has served 5,324,043 hot meals, 7,516,515 sandwiches, snacks & drinks.
The Salvation Army has provided 178 Mobile Feeding Units (Canteens),
11 Field Kitchens, capable of producing 20,000 hot meals per day (each), (Incl. 8 Southern Baptist Kitchens.) in the many areas affected.
The Salvation Army has distributed 157,957 Cleaning Kits. (Broom, bucket, mop & detergent) and 185,363 Food Boxes (groceries.)
The Salvation Army has ministered through Pastoral Care to 238,134 individuals.
The Salvation Army has registered and begun helping with 263,608 Social Services Cases.
The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) has received over 61,000 inquiries and has found 25,508 survivors.
Salvation Army officers, employees and volunteers have served a total of 751,062 hours.
The Salvation Army has assisted a total of 1,368,603 individuals

Christmas

2005-12-09T10:33:00.000-05:00

Far away and long ago.....down through the corridors of time...before the foundations of the world..God in all His splendour...gave thought to creating this place called earth..A place where He could manifest His glory in beauty and majesty.....So....."In the beginning...God created the heavens and the earth"..Genesis 1:1...What a beautiful beginning!!!

Colossians reads.....Col. 1:16 "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: ALL THINGS WERE CREATED BY HIM, AND FOR HIM.." We were created for HIM??? God?? The creator of the universe??? Why??? Because God had a purpose...a purpose that only a Divine Father could ever have. He wanted fellowship with someone...anyone who would want to.

God could have created mankind like a scientist would build robots....only to move or talk or listen or react at his command! But God wanted more......He wanted someone who would WILLINGLY CHOOSE to love Him!!! As a parent..don't we much more appreciate knowing our children love and obey us .....just because.. Instead of what we do for them..or what they're going to get out of it??? Of course, we do.. So why shouldn't our Heavenly Father expect as much. He wants us to want and love Him because WE WANT TO!!

*************************************************************************
So He makes this perfect plan....creates a perfect place...puts Adam into the picture and even gives him THE perfect wife...in a perfect environment...The Garden of Eden!!! So what happened?? Did He make a mistake?? Absolutely not!!!

What happened was.."The Test"....SIN......and the "free will" to make the decision to choose "To Sin?" or "Not To Sin?". THAT is the question.. Well, we all know the story...The serpent.....the fruit...the tree of knowledge of good and evil........and two human beings with their 'free will'. Hmmmmmmm...what do they do??? They choose not to consult God about this dilemma, but rather listen to what is given them in the choice of...."Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?"..and..."Ye shall not surely die...For God does know that in the day you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened..and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil". Genesis 3:1b, 4b, 5. Wow!!!!!! Gods....Us??? Sounds pretty tempting, eh? Yummy???.........NOT!!!

Well, God in all His glory..creating the perfect couple in the perfect environment..because of His holiness and His standards...has to do what was necessary..."And the Lord God said unto the serpent......Because you have done this...you are cursed above all cattle...etc."........"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed, it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Genesis 3:14a, 15.....A way out????? Exactly!!!! The first promise of the Savior to come...the first prophecy concerning the Lord Jesus....and strewn throughout the Old Testament Scriptures..God shares His plan of redemption for mankind!!!

*************************************************************************
He gave a choice.....it was made......and then price had to be paid..Ephesians 1:3, 4 reads.."Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ; According as he has chosen us in him BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love...". "For God so loved the world..that He gave His only begotten Son..that WHOSOEVER believes in Him..should NOT perish..but have EVERLASTING LIFE." John 3:16. Commonly called, "The Gospel In a Nutshell".

God made a way of escape......because of Who He is and being the Holy God that He is...He could not allow sin to enter His presence....So in order for this to take place ......a PERFECT, SINLESS SUBSTITUTE..had to take our place as a sacrifice had to be made. A supreme sacrifice....made by a "lamb without spot or blemish". The Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 1:27, 28a, 30b, 31-33, 35 "To a virgin bethrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name ws Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said.."Hail thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee......."Fear not Mary..for thou hast found favour with God.."And, behold , thou shalt conceive in thy womb,and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David; And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end..."...The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."

******************************************************************************

So...salvation's plan was begun...God chose to send His only Son into the womb of a woman..to be born as a human...so the God incarnate or 'in the flesh' could be made known and real to all those who knew Him. But..did they know Him?? Did they recognize their Messiah or Savior? Unfortunately not!! He lived a life....apart from His Father and from the Glory of Eternity Past and Present and chose to die for our sins..and become that supreme Sacrifice. You know that story, too, don't you? Yes, He was mocked, ridiculed, spat upon, beaten, stabbed, made to be a "king" with the crown of thorns, and then finally....the ultimate...crucifixion upon a cross....a death only for the worst of criminals....and then if that wasn't so horrible........the complete separation from His Father. The Holy God that could not look upon sin..He had to turn His face from the terribly mauled precious face of His Son...because He was to bear the SIN for ALL mankind.

If you haven't already.... Visit this site called "John 3:16" See what Jesus did for YOU!!!

****************************************************************************
But this story has a wonderful end.....Jesus just didn't die for our sins.........He ROSE from the dead...to become the first fruits of the resurrection. The hope for us all to come..I Corinithians 15 reads..."But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that died. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ, shall all be made alive." (Verses 20-22). And also..I Corinthians 15: 3,4 "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."

Very simple....why do so many people make it so difficult?? They say....."There has to be MORE than to just accept that Jesus came to be our substitute...die on the cross...be buried...and rise from the dead. I have to do more, don't I?"..

"For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord SHALL BE SAVED!!!!!" Romans 10:13. And, friend..that WHOSOEVER is YOU!! Put your name in its place. Don't delay.......don't wait ANOTHER Christmas to miss that special Gift that God sent just to you.....He's been knocking and knocking for years at your heart's door...."Behold..I stand at the door and knock..if any man (or woman) hear my voice and open the door....I will come in to sup with him and he with me."..Rev. 3:20.

Get into the wonderful family of God. A family that will be there for you with the unfailing love of a Father who loves you beyond measure...

Christmas celebrations in the West today

2005-12-09T09:43:00.000-05:00

Christmas celebrations in the West today

From November onwards, it is impossible to forget that Christmas is coming. Coloured lights decorate many town centres and shops, along with shiny decorations, and artificial snow painted on shop windows.

In streets and shops, 'Christmas trees' (real or plastic evergreen 'conifer' trees) will also be decorated with lights and Christmas ornaments.

Shopping centres become busier as December approaches and often stay open till late.Shopping centre speaker systems systems will play Christmas 'carols' - the traditional Christmas Christian songs, and groups of people will often sing carols on the streets to raise money for charity. Most places of work will hold a short Christmas party about a week before Christmas. Although traditional Christmas foods may be eaten, drink (and plenty of it) means that little work will be done after the party!

By mid-December, most homes will also be decorated with Christmas trees, coloured lights and paper or plastic decorations around the rooms. These days, many more people also decorate garden trees or house walls with coloured electric lights, a habit which has long been popular in USA.

In many countries, most people post Christmas greeting cards to their friends and family, and these cards will be hung on the walls of their homes. In UK this year, the British Post Office expects to handle over 100 million cards EACH DAY, in the three weeks before Christmas.

Christmas cards

The custom of sending Christmas cards started in Britain in 1840 when the first 'Penny Post' public postal deliveries began. (Helped by the new railway system, the public postal service was the 19th century's communication revolution, just as email is for us today.) As printing methods improved, Christmas cards were produced in large numbers from about 1860. They became even more popular in Britain when a card could be posted in an unsealed envelope for one half-penny - half the price of an ordinary letter.

Traditionally, Christmas cards showed religious pictures - Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, or other parts of the Christmas story. Today, pictures are often jokes, winter pictures, Father Christmas, or romantic scenes of life in past times.

The old man with the sack

'Father Christmas' (or 'Santa Claus') has become the human face of Christmas. Pictures will be seen everywhere of the old man with long white beard, red coat, and bag of toys. Children are taught that he brings them presents the night before Christmas (or in some countries on December 6th - St. Nicholas' Day), and many children up to the age of 7 or 8 really believe this is true. In most countries, it is said that he lives near the North Pole, and arrives through the sky on a sledge (snow-cart) pulled by reindeer. He comes into houses down the chimney at midnight and places presents for the children in socks or bags by their beds or in front of the family Christmas tree.

In shops or at children's parties, someone will dress up as Father Christmas and give small presents to children, or ask them what gifts they want for Christmas. Christmas can be a time of magic and excitement for children.

Who was he?

Father Christmas is based on a real person, St. Nicholas, which explains his other name 'Santa Claus' which comes from the Dutch 'Sinterklaas'. Nicholas was a Christian leader from Myra (in modern-day Turkey) in the 4th century AD. He was very shy, and wanted to give money to poor people without them knowing about it. It is said that one day, he climbed the roof of a house and dropped a purse of money down the chimney. It landed in the stocking which a girl had put to dry by the fire! This may explain the belief that Father Christmas comes down the chimney and places gifts in children's stockings.

Boxing Day

In English-speaking countries, the day following Christmas Day is called 'Boxing Day'. This word comes from the custom which started in the Middle Ages around 800 years ago: churches would open their 'alms boxe' (boxes in which people had placed gifts of money) and distribute the contents to poor people in the neighbourhood on the day after Christmas. The tradition continues today - small gifts are often given to delivery workers such as postal staff and children who deliver newspapers

Encarta definition of Christmas

2005-12-09T09:21:00.000-05:00

Christ·mas [ kríssməss ] (plural Christ·mas·es)
noun
Definitions:

1. festival celebrating birth of Jesus Christ: a Christian festival marking the birth of Jesus Christ.December 25.
2. Christmas period: the period around December 25, or the Christian church season extending from December 24 to January 6
3. quarter day: in England, Wales, and Ireland, one of the four quarter days, falling on December 25

Christmas in Biloxi

2005-12-08T23:02:00.000-05:00

Well as many of you know I was to be leaving tomorrow for Biloxi Mississippi. There was a major mess up. The person who told me to be ready to go should never have told me I was going cause the Salvation Army's policy once you have gone to a particular mission you can not return to the same one.

As you know I was so excited about being able to go back. Well my heart was crushed and I am pretty devastated I can not go. However I know that nothing happens in Gods World without a reason. I am not sure at this time what the reason is but what I do know is he will reveal this to me in his time as well.

People and friends have been very generous in what they have given me for toys and gifts to send the Children in Biloxi. I have spoken to my contact within the Army and he will make arrangements for these gifts to get to Mississippi for me. Thank you all for your continued love and support.

Prayer request for now are as follows:

* people of Mississippi
* Major Rob Vincent and his family
* Coastwide Security---for the owners and their family
* for all the people affected by natural disasters Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, Rita, Wilma, earthquake in Pakistan, by man made disasters caused by war, and many others
* for those grieving the lost of love ones, grieving the lost of their homes and worldly belongings and many more
* for the relief workers and also the over seas missionaries
* For the Salvation Army as a whole
* for the kingdom of God

This list could go on and on

I do ask also for personal prayer that the Lord will guide me and direct me as to what he wants me to be doing. I ask that you pray for my strength, courage, wisdom, and endurance to wait and listen for his directions to me.

I have always said as one door closes another will open. I still believe that I just hope this door will be revealed to me sooner than later. I need a focus.

God Bless

Please keep coming back for more updates about everything.

DownHere junior band

2005-12-08T11:45:00.000-05:00

DownHere is going to get a run for their money as they say. HEHEHE

I guess there really is no competition, this band just has better looking members.

So I gave Jonah the guitar for his first birthday and Miles the keyboard for his first birthday.

Now since I was to be going to Biloxi Mississippi I wanted to deliver their Christmas gift before I left.

Now Miles is going to have a few weeks of band practice without his cousin but I am sure it really will not make much difference.

Apparently Sherri the whole band is going to be set up downstairs. HEHEHE just kidding.

I love it when you can give loud toys and then leave. HAHAHAHA I guess that is what aunts, uncles, and good friends just do. There where many giggles in the toy department at Walmart while I was buying these toys. Many others doing exactly as I was.

Any ways it sure was fun watching them play the instruments and I am sure it will do to create lots of good laughs at the Lavs household.

Happy Birthday Boys and a very Early Merry Christmas

Hurricane Relief Efforts--Needs You

2005-12-05T09:34:00.000-05:00

Today I am appealling to all those that read this website to click on the following. Please click on the picture tto the left and that will take you to an automatic secure site, where you can make your donation online.

If you scroll down my site you will see stats as of November 28th and this will help you see exactly where you dollars are being spent.

God Bless you all.

For You We Are Praying

2005-12-05T09:13:00.000-05:00

Paul Gives Thanks for Help Received

2005-12-05T09:03:00.000-05:00

Paul Gives Thanks for Help Received
10 At last you are concerned about me again. That makes me very happy. We belong to the Lord. I know that you have been concerned. But you had no chance to show it.
11 I'm not saying that because I need anything. I have learned to be content no matter what happens to me.

12 I know what it's like not to have what I need. I also know what it's like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens. I am content whether I am well fed or hungry. I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough.

13 I can do everything by the power of Christ. He gives me strength.
14 But it was good of you to share in my troubles.

15 And you believers at Philippi know what happened when I left Macedonia. Not one church helped me in the matter of giving and receiving. You were the only one that did. That was in the early days when you first heard the good news.

16 Even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help when I needed it. You did it again and again.
17 I'm not looking for a gift. I'm looking for what is best for you.

18 I have received my full pay, and even more than that. I have everything I need. That's because Epaphroditus brought me the gifts you sent. They are a sweet smelling offering. They are a gift that God accepts. He is pleased with it.
19 My God will meet all your needs. He will meet them in keeping with his wonderful riches that come to you because you belong to Christ Jesus.
20 Give glory to our God and Father for ever and ever.

Amen.

"Good Morning America" is partnering with the Salvation Army

2005-11-30T10:38:00.000-05:00

Sept. 21, 2005 "Good Morning America" is partnering with the Salvation Army and the Corporation for National and Community Service to adopt Robin Roberts' hometown of Pass Christian, Miss., which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Here are some facts on Pass Christian: Pass Christian sits on the Gulf of Mexico and is 15 miles west of Biloxi. Population is about 6,600. The median age is 41 years old. The median income is $40,743 (2000 Census). The median house value is $99,500 (2000 Census). About 65 percent of the population is white, 28 percent is black and 3 percent is Vietnamese. Founded in 1699, Pass Christian became a popular getaway for Louisian's elite, especially plantation owners. The town's beachfront is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its antebellum estates.

Sept. 21, 2005 — Robin Roberts' family traveled the world during her childhood because of her father's military career. When he retired, the family decided to move to the picturesque Gulf Coast town of Pass Christian, Miss., about 15 miles west of Biloxi.
The Roberts purchased their first home, and the family settled into quaint Southern living in the beachfront town of 6,600 people.
"'The Pass,' as it is called, is the kind of place everyone actually knows your name and takes care of one another," says Roberts. "We loved the tranquility of the coast and Southern charm."
Roberts frequently brought "Good Morning America" viewers along with her when she went home to visit her mom and the Pass house.
She also brought viewers along when she visited her high school in 1999 to mark her 20-year reunion.
"I thrived in this small town — honors, sports, even voted most likely to succeed," says Roberts, who graduated as the Pass Christian High School salutatorian in 1979.
The Pass Takes a Direct Hit
Three weeks ago, Pass Christian took a direct hit when Hurricane Katrina blasted the Gulf Coast. Nearly every structure in the elegant town — listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its trove of antebellum estates — was destroyed.
"Nothing prepared me for the total devastation I found when I returned. The familiar streets of my childhood — gone," says Roberts.
Even the high school was destroyed.
"I found the young girl I had met six years before who wore my basketball jersey," says Roberts. "Now she is a young woman dealing with the loss of her home. All we could do was console one another in disbelief."
A Hometown Changed
The Roberts family survived, but the town will never be the same.
"So many of our neighbors and friends [were] left homeless," she says. "Many died here, and there are still over 100 people missing from our small town."
Melrose Devenny, who is 84 years old, told Roberts, "It's almost like God wanted the world to end. It pretty — pretty darn near did."
Roberts and her sister took their 81-year-old mother, Lucimarian, back to the family's home for the first time.
"While we are heartbroken to see our home of 30 years destroyed, my mother, as always, held us up," says Roberts.
"Everything is not lost," Lucimarian told her daughters. "It's going to take some time to rebuild."
Like many of the towns and cities so battered by Katrina, there is a feeling of despondency, but it is mixed with hope.
The chief of police told Roberts that what is needed is a "new town."
But the townspeople have also been blown away by the generosity of their fellow Americans, and they are eager to rebuild.
Another local resident, a nurse named Kathleen Quinn, said, "We will not be erased. We will not be forgotten. And we will not be ignored."

Click here to visit the Salvation Army. Don't forget to earmark your contribution from "Good Morning America/Pass Christian."

Thank You God

2005-11-30T10:33:00.000-05:00

Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.

USA SOUTHERN TERRITORY----GULF COAST & FLORIDA HURRICANE RELIEF

2005-11-30T10:19:00.000-05:00

FAST FACTS

Released November 28, 2005:

Published by Territorial Headquarters,
Community Relations & Development Department, Atlanta, Georgia

The Salvation Army responded immediately following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, serving the immediate needs of survivors by providing shelter, food, water, ice, cleaning supplies, baby supplies, and hygiene products. Over One Million have been served in at least 30 states. The following information represents the Southern Territory’s fifteen states and the District of Columbia.

* The Salvation Army has served 5,324,043 hot meals, 7,516,515 sandwiches, snacks & drinks.
* The Salvation Army has provided 178 Mobile Feeding Units (Canteens), 11 Field Kitchens, capable of producing 20,000 hot meals per day (each), (Incl. 8 Southern Baptist Kitchens.) in the many areas affected.
* The Salvation Army has distributed 157,957 Cleaning Kits. (Broom, bucket, mop & detergent) and 185,363 Food Boxes (groceries.)
* The Salvation Army has ministered through Pastoral Care to 238,134 individuals.
* The Salvation Army has registered and begun helping with 263,608 Social Services Cases.
* The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) has received over 61,000 inquiries and has found 25,5o8 survivors.
* Salvation Army officers, employees and volunteers have served a total of 751,062 hours.
* The Salvation Army has assisted a total of 1,368,603 individuals.

Photos telling Stories from Mississippi

2005-11-27T18:56:00.000-05:00

Halloween at Yankie Stadium

2005-11-27T18:51:00.000-05:00

Time Now Stands StillRecovery Is Stagnant In Post-Katrina Towns

2005-11-25T10:28:00.000-05:00

In Miss., Time Now Stands StillRecovery Is Stagnant In Post-Katrina Towns
By Michael PowellWashington Post Staff WriterFriday, November 25, 2005; A01
PASS CHRISTIAN, Miss. -- Three months ago, Katrina all but scoured this old beach town of 8,000 off the face of the Earth. To walk its streets today is to see acres of wreckage almost as untouched as the day the hurricane passed.
No new houses are framed out. No lots cleared. There is just devastation and a lingering stench and a tent city in which hundreds of residents huddle against the first chill of winter and wonder where they'll find the money to rebuild their lives.
Billy McDonald, the white-haired mayor whose house was reduced to a concrete slab by 55-foot-high waves, works out of a trailer. He doesn't expect the word "recovery" to roll off his lips for many months.
"Lots of folks don't have flood insurance; lots of folks don't have jobs; lots of folks don't have hope," McDonald said. "We're a hurting place."
This is the other land laid low by Katrina's fury. Like New Orleans to the west, hundreds of square miles of Mississippi coastland look little better than they did in early September, and many people here harbor anger that the federal government has fallen short and that the nation's attention has turned away. At least 200,000 Mississippians remain displaced, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency is short at least 13,000 trailers to house them.
Fifty thousand homeowners lack federal flood insurance and cannot rebuild. The casinos, which employed 17,000 people, won't begin to reopen until next year, and the unemployment rate has quadrupled, now topping 23 percent in the coastal counties.
Half a dozen towns, Pass Christian among them, are borrowing millions of dollars to pay bills, and some officials are talking about surrendering charters and becoming wards of the state.
"FEMA continues to be able to mess up a one-car funeral -- we don't begin to have enough money for major reconstruction," said Rep. Gene Taylor (D), who lost his own home in Bay St. Louis. "We're going to have a lot of defaults and bankruptcies.
"The federal response, from highways to housing to trailers, is completely unacceptable."
The personal shock of it all hasn't subsided. Locals say it's not uncommon to hear perfectly rational people talk of suicide.
Developers and casino companies and local politicians have begun to map out a rebuilding plan, but that stirs anxiety, too. In this poorest state in the nation, where nearly 22 percent of residents live in poverty and 40,000 homes lack adequate plumbing, thousands of Mississippians could find themselves unable to afford to return to the land of their birth.
The hurricane pushed tens of thousands of coastal residents north and west, spreading over four states. The longer it takes to rebuild houses and businesses, the more officials worry that the dispossessed, particularly the working class, may never return.
"The response of the federal government is bewildering and deplorable," said Bruce Katz, director of metropolitan policy at the Brookings Institution, who has written two studies of the Katrina response. "We know how to deliver quality affordable housing in the United States -- we just need the will and leadership to do it."
Public housing authorities along the Mississippi coast lost 2,000 apartments and suffered $155 million in damages. But the federal government, which expects to spend close to $2 billion on temporary trailers, has not offered a dime to rebuild public housing. A spokeswoman with the Department of Housing and Urban Development said the agency's budget could remain just as tight next year.
Roy Necaise, chief operating officer of a regional Mississippi housing authority, said: "We have no federal funds, absolutely none, to rebuild. There's absolutely nothing standing on the coast right now, and it's going to be a long time before we're able to bring folks home.
"Washington has totally let us down, and it's a disgrace."
The lack of federal flood insurance is an even greater problem. When 30-foot walls of water crashed into coastal towns, thousands who lived outside official flood zones lost their homes.
Ross Stanley, who rebuilds old boats, stands in alligator cowboy boots, jeans and reflector shades, cradling a Bud Light. He is hosing down his patio and a lawn chair, which are all that's left of his house. D'Iberville was a roiling lake for eight hours on Aug. 29, and Stanley says about three-quarters of his neighbors had no flood insurance.
"You figure it ain't happening to me," he said. "Well, time to cowboy up. That's all you can do because you sure as hell ain't rebuilding. It's like a nightmare you can't wake up from."
Gov. Haley Barbour (R) has asked FEMA to let Gulf Coast area residents buy flood insurance retroactively if they pay 10 years of premiums, or about $3,000. But FEMA lacks the money even to pay existing claims. It is waiting for Congress to appropriate more.
Two weeks ago, FEMA officials began releasing guidelines that will require most coastal houses to be built on stilts. That is perhaps advisable in a hurricane zone, but it will add tens of thousands of dollars per house to construction costs.
Not all the news is grim. Workers in Biloxi have carted away 1 million cubic yards of debris. They have stretched blue tarps over tens of thousands of damaged roofs. Every town along the Gulf Coast has an operating school -- the last one opened in Bay St. Louis on Nov. 6, albeit with only 100 of its original 300 students.
But this politically conservative state has a threadbare safety net. Two weeks ago, county officials lifted an informal moratorium on evictions. Tenants cannot claim rent breaks for water-damaged apartments. One can sit now in housing courts in Gulfport and Biloxi and watch judges order the evictions of hundreds of tenants, often with a speed that startles the tenants.
"There's a hanging judge mentality and, my God, it's going to create a social crisis," said John C. Jopling, a lawyer with the Mississippi Center for Justice, which represented a few tenants.
The mayor of Gulfport, Mississippi's second largest city, recently removed a tent city of contract workers from a golf course. And under pressure from developers, he balked at signing off on emergency trailer parks, even though the inhabitants would be displaced city residents. "It creates an environment people don't want to live around," Gulfport developer Don Hall told the Harrison County Board of Supervisors recently, according to news reports.
Katrina left behind a great swell of land speculation. Signs reading "Cash for Homes" and "We Pay Top $ for Waterfront Property" are ubiquitous, as are developers hanging around city planning offices. It's urban renewal by hurricane, clearing land for a new Mississippi of upscale condominium towers and parks and many casinos. The many working-class residents who live within view of the coast could be outward bound.
"It's possible you're going to see a demographic shift because a lot of people are going to like the opportunities," Robert Latham, executive director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, said on a recent tour of Gulfport. "We're going to clear a lot of land. . . . You're going to see such a great economic boom down here, you won't believe it."
Keith Burton is a longtime Biloxian, a certified dice dealer and editor of the much-read Gulf Coast News online service. With local officials concerned there are still bodies buried in homes and casino ships lying like beached whales along the highway, he advised slowing down a bit.
"Maybe this is a future boomtown -- it's super-prime land," he said of Biloxi. "But if that kind of rebirth happens, it will be on the backs of the lives of a lot of Biloxians. It's like talking bad about somebody at their funeral."
A Little Kingdom
There are twin devastations in Mississippi, and it would take Solomon to pick the worse of the two. There are the coastal cities and there are such places as tiny Pearlington, deep in the woods and marshlands along the Louisiana border. Here a 35-foot-high storm surge roared up the Pearl River.
The Rev. James O'Bryan fled hours before the storm, and afterward he asked a neighbor: How far can you get into town?
Until you get to St. Joseph's church, the neighbor replied.
"My heart danced," O'Bryan recalled. "I said, 'Well, that's far enough for me.' "
The neighbor shook his head. Father, he said, your church is sitting on top of three cars in the middle of the road.
Almost three months later, O'Bryan, 79, sits in a shaft of sunlight on the site of his former church, in a white wicker chair atop a four-foot-wide swatch of orange carpet. This is a self-reliant corner of the state, and his neighbors sawed and hauled debris -- one even shot a 12-foot alligator lolling in a living room. But the local school remains shredded, its roof a spaghetti of metal beams. Everyone lost cars and trucks, and there's no money for replacements. Many people sleep in tents or shacks that have been roughly thrown together.
The county's only supermarket is gone. Six shrimp boats still sit on the river bottom. There's a good bit of drug smuggling, but that isn't really a sustaining industry.
Two weeks ago, the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi informed O'Bryan that it won't rebuild the church.
"The bishop tells me we were insured for Camille [a 1969 hurricane] but not for Katrina," O'Bryan said. "I remember going for a walk just before the storm and saying to myself, 'Lord, you aren't going to take my little kingdom from me, are you?' I realized now that he was."
Point Cadet
Point Cadet was the soul of the steamy port city of Biloxi, a place where generations of blacks and whites grew up, joined by Yugoslav and Vietnamese immigrants. It was much beloved and nothing fancy, and it's gone.
On Fourth Street, a row of old wood houses still lies in the street like toppled dominoes. At night, no lights shine. Councilman Bill Stallworth, who represents a poor black neighborhood, points to the gleaming casino towers that edge Point Cadet on three sides. Developers, he said, already talk of the condo towers and green parks in between.
"Without some quick federal money, we're going to look up and see nothing but high-rises in a few years without everyone pressured out," Stallworth said. "If we lose these people who made this city, that would be a lowdown dirty shame."
The anxiety about what was lost and what might come exacts a psychological toll. Before Katrina, county officials said ambulances made about eight calls per month on mental health emergencies. In October, ambulances transported 167 people for psychiatric treatment, many suffering from post-traumatic stress and some talking of suicide.
Rosie Alexander, a woman around age 50 with a fast smile, grew up in Point Cadet and lives in a nearby apartment. She has a master's degree in nursing and worked in a casino. She's out of work, and this state pays the lowest unemployment premium in the nation. Her old casino sent a letter stating that if she's rehired, she must accept an entry-level wage.
Her home stinks of mold, and FEMA hasn't delivered a trailer. She rode out the hurricane in Biloxi and was stunned by what she saw. Bodies in drainage canals, children's dresses and dolls in trees, her best friend's house collapsed and destroyed, along with her friend.
She keeps trying to pack up her possessions. She wrote to Oprah Winfrey and asked for help, but she knows that's foolishness. In her darkest moments, she worries that bridges will be repaired and freight trains will rumble through Biloxi again -- and too many desperate people will seek their end on those tracks.
"I have nightmares, I have flashbacks." She shakes her head; she has talked for an hour with many tears. "I get so upset with all these rich people who say Biloxi will come back bigger and better. Not for us. No, no, no. Nobody I know is getting better."
© 2005 The Washington Post Company

Yankie Stadium

2005-11-24T14:03:00.000-05:00

More photos from Mississippi

2005-11-24T13:51:00.000-05:00

Slide presentation of my trip

2005-11-22T22:21:00.000-05:00

If you want to see an enlarged picture of a slide just double click on each picture and it will make it full screen. I do hope you enjoy what you see and Pray about what you read.

I also have one personal Prayer Request at this time. I would ask that you pray if it is God's will for me to go back to Biloxi Mississippi that he opens the doors and paves the way for me to go. I feel I have so much to offer and especially being single with no kids or obligations to keep me here for Christmas I would love to go back and help serve Christmas to these people.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you have about the slides you are about to see.

2005-11-22T22:07:00.000-05:00

Sharing stories of loss in Biloxi

JULIANNA KERR, TIMES STAFF
Alexis Bennett , a Salvation Army volunteer, was in Mississippi from Oct. 27 to Nov. 9, helping with hurricane relief efforts.

By Julianna KerrTimes Staff(Nov 22, 2005)
Alexis Bennett has always wanted to help people and dreamed of working in a Third World country helping those less fortunate than herself.
Her dream came true recently, but in a different way.
On Oct. 27, Bennett, 44, left for Biloxi, Miss. She was selected as a volunteer to represent the Salvation Army and help those who were suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
"When Katrina hit, I immediately contacted people I know and said I'd like to go," Bennett said.
After a few sets of changed plans, it was settled and Bennett was headed to Mississippi.
"For me, I've come to believe even more so than I ever did, that if God wants you somewhere, he'll pave the way," she said.
Bennett was the only Cambridge resident on her eight-member volunteer team. Salvation Army paid for the flights and accommodation.
"When we went, we were told that our responsibilities would be volunteer, canteen worker or emotional/spiritual caregiver (ESC)," she said. "We were to assist wherever we could. We were there to listen to the stories, to give people an opportunity to vent, to cry; to give them some encouragement and to pray with them (if they wanted that)...whatever they needed."
Volunteers travelled on canteen trucks, with each truck carrying an ESC and canteen workers.
"As canteen workers, we served up the food and anything else we might have," Bennett said. "Cleaning kits, blankets, backpacks, stuffed animals and toys for kids... We had snacks - mostly chips, beef jerky, chocolate bars, cookies, cold drinks and water; whatever we happened to have."
The canteen workers also distributed hot meals.
"Then we talked to people and shared with them and things like that," Bennett said. "I personally felt blessed. We were sent around to different areas. I got to see the real devastation of it all."
Bennett said that although she knew the south was traditionally strong in faith, she still expected to hear people being angry at God and angry at the world.
"But because of their faith being so strong, we didn't see that," she said. "Everyone seemed to be very positive. Even though they're distraught, they've picked themselves up. There's a positive attitude among the devastation and their faith is still shining strong."
Bennett said that although the situation is still serious, progress is slowly being made. Garbage and debris are piled up everywhere, and there seems to be no rhyme or reason to which buildings withstood the storm and which ones went down.
"There are no words to describe it," she said. "You see it in the news, you see it everywhere. But until you're there, you can't even imagine. You don't see the rubble anymore. You see that person's life in front of you."
Bennett met people who were left with nothing, such as the woman whose photos were all lost. And the people who wondered how a boat ended up on their front lawn.
"I was really shocked to see how positive and up everybody was," she said. "I feel honoured. I feel it's a privilege to have been there. You sit and you look at the pictures or you remember someone's story and you wonder about them. You just want to go back. This is probably a lifetime's dream fulfilled."
Bennett said everyone was so grateful for help, and couldn't believe that people were coming from Canada to help them.
"You couldn't give me a million dollars to replace that experience," she said. "We can't forget those people out there because they need us."
Bennett will do a presentation and slide show about her experience on Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. during the Salvation Army's service. The event is open to the public.
The Salvation Army is located at 16 Shade St. To contact Bennett, e-mail her at alexisbennett@sympatico.ca.

Day 13 ---------- Last Day out in the Field

2005-11-09T08:40:00.000-05:00

Today is our last day here in Mississippi to help the people. Again there is another area which has been identified as a very high need area. I went to Waveland to a stationary location. When we pulled in to the parking lot that this canteen set up, people see us, and they come running. We served around 300 meals and we could have easily done another 100 to 200 meals. 1/2 of the people we feed on this canteen are the relief workers from the area and the other 1/2 is the people from the area who have lost everything.

I spent a lot of time talking with people hearing their stories. Today I have several stories to share cause I never want to forget them and want the world to know what people face here every day.

Story 1: A car pulls in with this lady and her son. I ask how they are doing and receive a polite response. I ask the young man if he is back to school and his mom jumps in about how he needs to learn to keep his mouth shut and stop causing their family more grief than what they already face each day. I sensed a lot of anger from the young man. I sense he really has no outlet to express his emotions around this disaster. So I just spent time talking to him. I asked him if he wanted a Canadian pencil, he said he would love one. I joked with him and suggested he used it to study hard and do what he needs to do cause if not this Canuck would come back to haunt him. He was where an arm band which I asked him about. He explained it was a basketball team from New Orleans. I gave him a backpack for school, a Hershey bar and a stuff animal. He hugged me and told me thanks for making him feel so special. He took off his bracelet and told me to remember him. I was touched because this man was around 10 years old and I just touched my heart cause he was so thoughtful for such a young man.

Story 2: A family of 3 pulls up with mom, dad and their 16 yr old son. I believe God drew me to this young man. He was around 6 feet tall. He was carrying what looked like a staff, and walked on his toes. I asked him if he need a book bag of his schoolbooks. He said he really could use one. I also gave him a candy bar and a stuffed animal. As we got talking his parents joined us and started telling a little about their story. This young Man David is in remission for 3 years now of bone cancer. This family has their Femma trailer and are so grateful, but what they just discovered is that David would never complain about anything but because of his cancer situation David needs to be in a bed where he can be fully stretched out and his bed is not situated conducive to his medical situation. They are going to talk to Femma to see what they can do about getting a bigger trailer to suit his needs better. David's mother is diabetic and has congestive heart failure. We had a prayer and shared the Lords word. This family is very well churched and belief in the Lord is very strong. David is being home schooled due to his health conditions.

Story 3: A lady Rose and her daughter Dianne came for a meal and Rose came over and talked with me. She shared a little of her story with me as well. He husband wanted to flee and so they went and stayed with his sister in another state. Rose thou wanted to come back to be with her children and she had some anger cause once before she put her husband before her children and as a result she lost a son. Her and this son still stay astrange from each other, she said never again. I picked up the sense her husband is loosing faith. We had a prayer and they head out to feed her grandchildren. What a wonderful lady, she reminded me so much of a couple of older women from my home league. She was such a pleasure to speak with.

Story 4: A young women comes up and she looks very distraught so I went over to offer my assistance. She was looking for the morgue as she just got word she needs to come and identify her biological mother. Another lady on the team said she would get the information for her, so I took her over where there are a few chairs and we sat and talked. Her biological mothers sister is the lady who raised her and she is being given a lot of grief from her about going to identify her. She said why bother; just let the State take care of it. The young women expressed about the on and off relationship she had between both mothers. She also shared that her biological father passed away a year ago and now her mother. She just feels she needs to do this. She loves her mother even though they had their differences. She begged me to come with them to help give her support to do this. I explained I am not allowed to leave my location but I would be there for a couple of hours if she wanted to come back and talk. I also explained someone would be here at this location every day if she wants to come back and talk. Her adopted mother got out her car and came over and yelled at her to get going. I explained I need a few more minutes. We prayed and then I came over to their vehicle and offered support to them all. I really felt for this young woman. I think her face will stay with me for a very long time.

Story 5: This man pulls up on his motorbike. Gets himself a meal and a drink and ask if he could sit down to eat it. I said sure and I sat with him. We shared a few comments back and forth and then the opportunity presented its self for me to ask him to share his story. Glen began by stating his mother called him and made him promise he would look after Jessica and her to young daughters, as their father is a Marine and off working. Glen's father also worked for the marines so he had PFD (personal floatation devices) he grabbed them, a few other things and headed to another friends home which made it through Camille so they thought this would be a safe place to be. Well as they kept moving higher and higher in this home, they suddenly heard a big bang and it was the roof being ripped off the house. Glen then had everyone put on the PFD's and tied everyone together with a phone line. He feared they were going to be sucked out of the house and he wanted them all to be together. He began to kick out the windows to keep the pressure on equal ground so they do not get sucked out. He then noticed a boat down the street so he went out one of the windows to get the boat in case they would need it. Glen cut his feet badly but decided not to tell anyone nor take his boots off so that no one would be worrying about him. When it was safe he took everyone back to their homes and everything was gone but their boat was still there. He got everyone on the boat until help came. Jessica's husband sent help to get them out and took them to another state. Glen stayed, cause he needed to find his dad. Glen took off his boots to examine his feet to see how bad they were. They were very bad, he now was getting a high fever and as he took off his boots his feet swelled to the size of watermelons. They were badly infected. He found some Listerine in the front of the boot that he used as a disinfect ion. He cut the heel pad off his one foot and poured the Listerine over his foot. He apparently passed out and was on the boat for 10 days when they found him. He was told the Listerine saved his life. Glen is a hero and yet very humble and just said he was doing what he was asked to do. We prayed with him and I felt very compelled to help him out the best I could so we got him a backpack to carry a few supplies on his bike.

This day will remain in my head forever. I had a hard time tonight cause I feel that there is no closure. I feel like I just connected with these people and now I have to go home. I wish I could stay. God is so very cool and blesses us all everyday. For the last 13 days he has Blessed me in more ways than I will ever be able to share.

Thank you Lord for this opportunity to serve for you.

2nd Last Day---Wind down

2005-11-08T07:15:00.000-05:00

They told us when we got here our first name should become Flexible Alexis, well that I have become. I have really enjoyed my time here and would really like to come back down for a while in December to help with Christmas.

Being flexible has allowed me to see many different areas which have been effected by Katrina. Today I got to go to a section called St. Martin. Wow is all I can say. Very little has been done in this area. It was our first time in their and the people were so happy to see us. They expressed a great need for us to be over their talking with them, allowing them to share their stories. Many just needed that friendly smile, hello how are you, we are coming back tomorrow, and we care let us know what we can do for you.

Most in this area lost every thing. Some have their Femma trailers but most do not. People here seem very down and like they were forgotton about. The pictures here tell again a thousand stories. When I put my presentation together this will make sense to all.

Pray for the people of St. Martin that they can see Hope, and hang on as we are now here and are going to do what we can for them.

Well time to get ready for our last day out on the trucks. It will be a sad time cause most of feel like we have just begun and now it is time to go home. We all know there is so much more we can be doing. Pray for our replacements and that they do get here soon.

till tonight

Mike & Canteen #15, stories

2005-11-07T22:31:00.000-05:00

Today I want to share these few shorts stories from one of our team members Mike from HOPE FORCE who went home to Maryland yesterday. After you read his stories I ask you to pray for him. I closing his email to a few of us on the team he stated the following:

"In closing, let me say that it was difficult to go home. I was sitting in church yesterday with no sense of closure. I was thinking of my crew on No. 15 and wanting to be with them as they drove through the neighborhoods. I am praying for whatever closure God wants me to have so He can help me see a bigger picture, and continue to use this experience for His glory."

He states "I wanted to quickly relate a few stories to you before they slip from my memory. Perhaps you can somehow use them later."

Story 1: I saw a mother standing in line for drinks with her 2 kids in tow. Having 2 kids of my own I felt an overwhelming compassion for this woman and wanted to help her. So, I took her some drinks so she would’t have to wait. Her response stunned me. She said, “Thanks but no thanks. I’m trying to teach my children to stand in line.” I was blown away at how despite her circumstances; she was using her situation as a teachable moment. I had no category for this kind of response in my own mind before going to Biloxi.

Story 2: When Deborah came to our canteen truck, she eyes were red and swollen, and her body frail looking like it had been fighting sickness for some time. She was already a grandmother and didn’t look older than 35. We talked with her and she told us that she was sick from the mold and mildew in her house. She invited us in so we could see it and also talk with her mother. Both women appeared depressed and broken. We informed them about the local clinics and service centers nearby where they could get help. We also talked about God’s love for them. We were glad when they gratefully received the Bibles we offered. I prayed with Deborah before leaving that God would reveal Himself to her everyday through someone or something. I prayed for her to have hope. Afterwards, I gave her a long, hard hug like I really truly loved her as a sister in Christ. She hugged me back hard and began to cry. For a brief moment, our souls seemed locked together clutching to God’s provision. I’ll never forget it.

Story 3: Regina and her husband are both around 80 years old and have been married to each other for more than 50 years. They lived in the same house since 1955. Today, everything they owned, including their cars and all the little things they had collected over the years that represented so many memories, is gone. They now live in a small room in one of their children’s homes. Two months ago they had a nice house, no mortgage, and no car payments. But, because they didn’t have flood insurance, the only compensation they received from their insurance company was $8,000 for roof damage. They are too old to take on a new mortgage, and Regina cries every night because all she wants to do is “go home”. We prayed with Regina and her husband for God’s provision and love to meet all their needs.

Story 4: Many people we encountered are still in various forms of denial. One woman whose house was very severely damaged seemed most concerned about the bushes in her front yard because they always flowered this time of year. She wanted them to flower so badly, but they were dying because of all the saltwater from the hurricane. We gave her a Bible and told her that we’d pray for her. We continued to see her husband in the days that followed as we drove through their neighborhood and we always inquired about his wife. He said that she does a little better each day, but that she continues to worry heavily over the bushes. Also, Gloria and Howard’s house was lifted off its foundation and slammed into their neighbor’s house about 500 feet away. Everything they owned, including the equipment for their lawn care business, was either gone or destroyed. Howard also has back problems and is unable to work. We gave Gloria a Bible and asked if she would like us to pray for her. She said yes. When we asked her what she particularly wanted us to pray for, she said that her biggest fear right now was getting the bird flu. She worries about it day and night.

Story 5: We first saw Mona Stockstill, now a widow, crying in her front yard, picking through the debris of what used to be her home. She had lost all her photo albums, and all her other meaningful possessions that were attached to the memories of her kids’ weddings, etc. We fed her, gave her a Bible, and prayed for her. We didn’t see Mona again until a few days later. We asked her where she had been? She said that she had been too depressed to come out of her FEMA trailer and get our food. She said that the cold dark nights are always hard for her. We hugged her, prayed for her again, and told her that from now on, we’re bringing the food to her door and knocking hard until she answers.

Story 6: Nelly is 78 years old and had helped the Salvation Army for more than 50 years. She had spent most of her life in service to others. Now, she lives in a FEMA trailer and her house is damaged beyond repair. We took special care of Nelly and made her trailer a stopping point each day so we could pray and have a nice conversation with her. However, one day Nelly’s son answered the door and said that someone had found Nelly collapsed on the floor of her trailer. She was rushed to the hospital. We were crushed. That night, we went to the hospital to see Nelly, pray for her, and tell her that we loved her. She was so glad to see us.

2005-11-06T17:18:00.000-05:00

Today I recieved the following email; That I thought I would share with you all.

Subject: Re: Your album has been shared!>Date: Sun, 6 Nov 2005 08:34:39 -0500>>Alexis>I never realized that there was as much devastation as there >obviously is down there. How are the people holding up down there >when they have lost everything but their lives, and some even that. >We continue to pray both for you and your work down there, and >those affected by the storms.>God bless>Gary

Here is how I responded to that email.

Gary it is the most awesome experience in my life time. The people are doing what they need to do to survive. Each person has their stories and then, each house, street, business, car, tree, animal and so forth. Each thing is beautiful in Gods world and even amongst all this devistation they find beauty. Last evening coming out of the resturant I stopped and spoke to a women who was obviously holding a premature baby in her arms. I asked her when the baby was born, she said Ella was born the day Hurricane Rita hit. Now Hurricane Rita hit around 2 weeks after Katrina. Now when I asked her when the baby was due she said Ella real expected date was for the end of November beginning of December.

So you see out of tragedy good things has risen. Our Lord is so much bigger and greater than we can ever imagine and for the past 12, 13 days he keeps revieling this to me and our team.

Today our 2nd last day I had the opportunity to talk to a lady who through all the devestation around her she was able to talk and dream of beauty that would come from the rubble around her home. Her home is slated to be bull dozed later this week or early next week. She comes from her daughters daily to go through the rubble to see what she can or wants to try and save. She shared with me how last year she wanted to build a rock garden and to build a small wall around it but could not afford to do this. Well today she was gathering up salvagable bricks from her home to build the wall and garden. She said once they bulldoze that was the first thing she was coming home to do. Sohe needs to see beauty their on her land. So even though her home of 30 yrs was gone, she could see Hope through her faith and building her garden would be the beginning of beaty to return.

If in God we tust and have Faith, then through all things we can and will see beauty.

Day 8 & 9

2005-11-06T07:18:00.000-05:00

So for 2 days I was in bed sick with the flu. It really has been travelling through our team. I felt much better for day 10 so I went out on a truck. I will blog more on this later. Today I am going to try and get to see someone from one of the medical teams as I think I have a touch of strep.

Ok got to run for now will blog tonight when I get back from Day 10 and Day 11.

Have a great day and remember us all in prayer.

God Bless

PS: I sure do miss Sunday dinners.

Day 7 --- People Helping People

2005-11-03T14:31:00.000-05:00

Today Henry my driver of the canteen I ride started to train his replacement. Miss Delores. Very nice lady from Virginia.

Today Brian was in seeing a doctor but one of his mother’s workers got meals for his mom, his sister and him. People helping people. I have been noticing that everywhere I go. Everyone out there is willing to help each other, families coming together to help each other, neighbours coming to help each others, then Salvation Army, Southern Baptist, the Amish, HOPE Force, Camp Hope--Calvary Church, City Team Missions, Red Cross, Army, Air force, & FEMMA. I am sure there are many more we have missed we need to add. Hundreds and Thousand coming from all over to help fellow people with whatever we can do for them.

Today a met a lady named Leona who has a heart condition who’s house moved 12 ft off the foundation. She finds it very hard to come to her house. Femma gave her a small trailer, which she has at her daughters because of her heart condition. You could see how broken she is, I offered a hug and she just broke down, she was so afraid for her daughter to see her tears. She has a 1 yr old grandson who is acting out and showing fear since the storm. The tornado apparently went through her house because her bedroom blew up. She says it literally looks like a bomb went off in her house. She lives in the bayous near Cody & his dad. Pray for them.

Delta & Tillman are a Cancun senior couple that was told there house could be fixed up. They were given $5000 dollars for renovations. That probably will not even do their roof. They have fabulous family there helping them out. Great people. Their children want them to come and stay with them but they will not leave because of the looters. They said there are many looters in the area.

Audrey and Buddy stayed on the roof of their home. Audrey said they were praying as they saw the tornados coming up the street. She said it was going all around them. She really felt they were not going to make it through this. They lost 5 dogs in the storm. She has them buried all around their property. All there statues were gone but there was one left it was Jesus she feels God looked out for them. They have been working very hard to get things back to normal. What will normal be for these people.

We met a man who said he also stayed on top of his roof then he and his brother decided to leave. They got into a 12-foot boat with their dogs. He said one of the dogs jumped over board so he went over looking for him to save him. He said in their area the water was around 30 feet deep.

I meet a few single men that I am sure could use a treatment centre of alcohol, but until they admit they have a problem I cannot help him out at all.

One of the members of our team was down for 3 days with flu. There are 4 others on our team who are trying hard to fight something off. My throat is very raw and I have a fever. I decided I would not be and asset to my team today and asked to return to my room for some rest and TLC so I can be well tomorrow.

God Bless

2005-11-01T23:51:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is 1/2 way for us. It is so important for all of too continue to pray for compassion, strength, endurances, & wisdom for the team and all those coming and going. Our bodies and our minds are starting to tire but after each day we replenish our bellies, get a good nights sleep ready to go again the next day. For most of us we awake by 6 and return after 8pm, then we have emails, blogs, phone calls & laundry to complete before turning in for the night. Thus making for a very long day.

Now today was a day most of Gulfport/Biloxi were praying and hoping for. It rained & the general consensus was that they still feel like they need more but little at a time is better. The reasons most were hoping for rain was to wash the salt off the trees, grass, & vegetation as the salt is starting to kill things off. Then this creates another problem. Forest fires are starting already.

Also in most areas the children were starting back to school. However it is going to take time before they all get back. They estimate all should be back into school before the end of the year. The children are excited to be back with their friends, however the older ones feel they should stay home and help with the rebuilding. Some are choosing that.

On our run today for some reason we found a lot were not home. I feel that was because people who could were taking advantage of the wet to go and do errands instead of doing outside work at their homes. And since children were going back to school they were scarce as well. We did how ever still do 125 meals. We also where able to get to areas we do not always get to regularly.

Every time you drive down your run you see something different, your heart feels something different and you hear another story and then another. Each time you hear these stories you wonder how they could ever go through this and some keep getting kicked over and over and over again. The thing you heard or saw the day before is still in your mind and you hope for the opportunity to minister to them again and they are not there. So you worry a little as to where they are and if they are ok. However a few more feet down the road is another story waiting to be told or shared.

The thing that most sticks in my mind from yesterday is Kim and her story how she goes home after we all have left the area for the day, gets into her bathtub, closes her door, and cries for the next few hours. The other story the sticks in my mind are Guy and his wife Rose who cried with me as they showed me what was left of their lives. What they had lost, and how the thing they most like to get back is their pictures. I am praying for water restoration to their photographs.

Today I received 2 new stories. Henry has been telling me for 2 days now about Brian. During the storm a tree came down and hit Brian in the head. He has had at least one surgery and is waiting for another one. He has had many test, and many more to come. He has Great Spirit and says God was not ready for him and he feels blessed by this. I see his community and family coming together to help fix up his place. It is a pleasure to finally meet him today. What a great positive friendly man. He is so very grateful for what we do.

As you do your runs you cannot help but get attached to a few special people who stick out in your mind. There are those who you would love to give them the world and make it all better for them, however you know that this is just not a reality.

I have the cutest little boy on my run by the name of Cody; he is so cute you could just gobble him up. He wears the most adorable coveralls and the nicest decomposition you could ever ask for. Yesterday I gave him a Canadian pencil and his eyes lit up. He was going to dress up as spider man. I noticed he could use a pair of boots. So this morning I went and found a couple I thought might fit him. Good thing cause when I arrived today at his house he was running around in flip-flops and mud about 2 or 3 inches thick. Now for most kids that dirty in mud it would be ok cause you just rinse them off with a hose and into a bath they would go. I think we are in day 60 something since Katrina hit and they still have no running water. They are using bottled water to bath with. This little boy is being raised by his father as his mother left shortly after he was born. He does not know his mom.

Cody and his father Patrick have had one bad experience after another. Femma lost their application, and then when they finally got that straightened out and arranged for his trailer to be delivered it arrived with a broken frame. The cell phone they were given will not work, the pump that he had delivered was damaged upon delivery and had to be returned. Today 2 of the transformers in their area blew up and so they were without power. Patrick and Cody have many other stories like this that I still do not know all of them but it makes you very grateful for what you have and makes you wonder how they keep on going.

Patrick said they have each other and God and they believe God will provide for them and he keeps sending them special little extra like we deliver to them. Patrick had not been in touch with his family in Alabama in day’s cause of the phone not working so I gave him a 120-minute phone card. When I asked Cody if there was anyone special he wanted to call and speak to he said his poppa. I asked where his poppa was and he pointed up to heaven. He said he died and he misses him and needs him. When I asked him if he wanted to call his grandma he said yes, but he was quick to tell me she is still in the bar. So I gave him his own 30 min phone card to call his grandma, his face lit up again. It just about broke my heart. I asked if needed anything tomorrow he asked for socks for his boots and some clean clothes.

God is Good. We were told that we are always on call 24/7 while we are down here. I have found on several occasions I have had to do ministry work after hours. You just do not know where the Good Lord will use us. Tonight as we were settling in for the night Nicole & I heard something that felt we both needed to go and do ministry work. We helped to reassure some people and to build trust and faith. We put a plan in action and will help to follow it through. Please pray for the young women from Florida.

God Bless and Good night

Day 5 Photos

2005-11-01T06:47:00.000-05:00

So once again to recieve these photo's just click on the link

Day 5: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=afjsqzuf.7aji7ge7&Uy=-lxybow&Ux=1

A Picture tells a Thousand Words

2005-10-31T22:02:00.000-05:00

So today I am not going to say much other than I want to say God is so good. He is providing so much for these people down here. What I hear all day long is the gratitude for what we are doing, a positive attitude and that needs are slowly being met.

As I prayed with Kim today she asked me to pray that her needs to be contined to be met and that her wants will become a bonus. Her husband is in Kuwait and he wants her to pack up and go there. Sh is scared and wants prayers around her decisions. When I talk to her about how impressed I was at how positive they all seem she said to me honey its after you all go away for the night that it hits us. Everynight I get into my bath, turn the music on and cry for hours. She said many of her friends do the same thing. They do what they have to do by light but when the night hits that is when they get to reflexed and thats when it hits and many share tears then.

Another lady again asked me to pray for her needs to be met and that she will be able to get her photos restored.

Many asked for hugs and a listening ear. The destruction is more than you can ever imagine so look at these pictures I am sharing and imagine what it must be like the person attached to that house, car, boat, property.

Please look at each one of these links.

1) Day 1 to 4: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=afjsqzuf.5cp9hldb&Uy=-gqx4nr&Ux=1

2) Day 4: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=afjsqzuf.b6q8i30v&Uy=kc9710&Ux=1

3) Day 5: will be posted tomorrow

Good night all

Alexis

Day 4 --- Frenchy Cantina

2005-10-31T06:39:00.000-05:00

Well folks like I said before the lady who drives my Canteen is from Montreal named our canteen the Frenchy Cantina.

Today we had a very full canteen, with stocks for our location. I made a wish list from the day before of reqquest from the people at our locaation. So once we arrived at our location I became very busy sorting and labelling boxes for the families who was coming today to pick up there request. All showed up but gentleman.

There were two young women who came to the canteen on Saturday who where the first to our location today. They are so grateful for all we do that they offered to help us today. This was a God send cause we were very busy after church. Although our numbers were down from the day before it just seemed that everyone showed up at the same time.

Today seemed like it was an emotional day for the people visiting today. Not many would open up and share but for those who did well their stories were very interestng.

The two youg girls I mentioned earlier lost everything and on top of that someone showed up at their campsite and stole all their stuff. Angela asked up to pray for her health and better shelter till they can get a job and make enough money to move into some type of shelter.

Another couple talk to me about being on disability and the cut backs and lack of help by the government down here. The things that they are most concerned about is their medications and medical supplies they need to replace since the storm. Ed & Rose would like prayers for these needs to be met.

Ok today we need to be downstairs a little earlier so I will finish this up later on http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=afjsqzuf.5cp9hldb&x=1&y=-gqx4nr

Day 4----Operation Biloxi

2005-10-30T21:48:00.000-05:00

Today I am a little sun burn so I am going to turn in early but for most of you I just sent you a link to go and see a photo album of my pictures thus far. Will write in the morning.

Day 3 Bad Boys Bad Boys...What ya going to do?

2005-10-30T07:48:00.000-05:00

Today I was teamed up with a canteen and sent out into the field. Now the lady that was driving our touch was a member of our team from Montreal so she named our canteen "The Frenchy Cantina". She is really a fun lady with an excellent sense of humour.

So we loaded up our truck and head out for the day. First order of business was to get gassed up, then to head over to our location. Once we were over at our location we needed to set up for the day.

As soon as we pulled into our location people start coming. Today we served 375 meals, I personally handed out around 100 Bibles and another pamphlet we have to give out. I prayer with several people, gave out lots of hugs, took a list of request for things to try to bring out tomorrow.

I think I saw and spoke to around 500 or so people. The sense that I received from most people is they are so grateful we are here; they are so positive and just are moving ahead to make the best out of a bad situation. I gave out lots of hugs and was able to counsel those who just needed a listening ear. It was a very fulfilling day.

Their was one young man who is going to break a lot of hearts when he gets older but he was so over joyed by the friendly smiles, the hugs and so forth, that he started to cry. He turned to his mommy and said mom that lady is nicer than my teacher, can she teach me. I just stood their laughing with his mom. This family you could tell were having a very hard time come and asking for help. He turned to his mother as they were getting snacks and so forth and said she told me to take more than one, but I feel like I must not be greedy and save things for others. It was the end of the day and we were trying to get rid of what we had so I said you are not greedy if you take what I give you and share with your brother and friends. He said Thank you mame, gave me a big hug and began to cry.

Towards the end of our day there was some action in our parking lot, it was like watching an episode of Bad Boys. It was real cool to watch. The ending of this episode was no one was arrested.

We packed up the truck and headed back towards headquarters. Maria took us site seeing and told us some of the stories as we went along. Lots of pictures were taken. On all homes there is an X but on them. In the top part of the X is the date the house was inspected, in the left side of the X is which team inspected the house, in the bottom part of the X is number of deaths, and in the right part of the X is the number of dead animals. If you see DOA it means dead on arrival.

It was heart wrenching but at the same time it helps to show you the truth of what you see on TV. The thing I saw that got me most was a house where the telephone pole split it in half and a wheel chair lying there. I hope to get the pictures up here or somewhere later today.

After a full day on the canteens the pastoral team was asked to do a second job for the day and that was to go to Yankee stadium and help out at the Halloween party we had for the children. It was really fun to see all the children. My two favourite costumes was the little baby dressed as I dream of Genie and a little boy as Thomas the train.

We handed out toys, books, school bags and it was really special to see them all tricker and treating. The city of Biloxi had the Scooby doo movie for them to watch playing out in the field. Hotdogs and Pepsi for all. It was a very rewarding.
Ok I really need to go now if I want to be showered and ready for work today.

Day 2 @ Command Central

2005-10-28T22:39:00.000-04:00

Today I worked at command central. Well this would be like coming to any Salvation Army social service department and applying for assistance. The doors open at 8:00am close at 12-noon reopen at 1pm and closes at 5pm.

It is very organized here. People all come in one by one, take a number, and take a seat. My job was to gather each group up for there appointment times. We schedule around 100 per hour. So you can see we were see a lot of people.

I would ask each person if they had a Femma number and a ticket. I would then give them an application form; send them to the seats to fill out the application form. I would then call ten numbers up at a time to send them to a person would register them for their appointment. They would then be directed to another area to wait for their number to be called where they would see a case manager who would determine their needs and issue what we could for them.

Afterwards I was to put a Bible and a pamphlet back on each seat with a pen to start all over again for the next hour segment.

After each person has seen a caseworker they may come back to see me for supplies for their children. We had books, toys, bibles, baby formula, food, diapers bottles and clothing. I would also talk to the people, see how they are doing, pray with them if needed and just basically supply pastoral care if needed.

I did a lot of listening, I prayed with one person and I handed out a lot of children things. It was a great day.

So far we have had many stories. I hear a story today of a man who made it through all this and happy to still be alive after all he is only 100 years old to celebrate is 101 year birthday this April. God Bless him.

I heard of a lady today who gave birth to a woman during the storm. All is well and doing fantastic.

Everywhere you went people were always sharing their gratitude we are here. They were just pleased to see us.

I heard of a man who was passed out by alcohol and rode out the storm in his boat and when he woke up he was shocked to see what he saw. He apparently was glad to have been passed out cause he said if he had been sober there was a good chance he would have panicked and would have drowned.

The command centre was at Biloxi Yankee Stadium and this property was deemed to use the money from the McDonalds heritance to build a treatment facility just before Katrina hit.

There was a medical clinic set up here, Femma tent, Southern Baptist tent that are responsible for doing all our cooking for us. At another end were tents where people are living for now.

We all had a long but fulfilling exhausting day. We were rewarded by a fabulous buffet at the Imperial Casino. It was fabulous food.

Well it is time now to kick back rub some rub some A535 on our bones to release what ailed us. Good nights sleep for another full day tomorrow.

But first some interesting stats for you to read

Decision for Christ: 122
Pastoral Care: 53,371
Total meals Thursday: 3,188
Total snacks: 7,196
Total meals to date: 585,790
Daily Average Meals: 10451
Total Persons Served: 958,613
Day # 56

Each morning we do devotionals and today as Major Byron lead them he asked us to pray for and he prayed with us for Strength, courage, wisdom, endurance and compassion. To also keep the following triangle in mind as you pray, spiritual, physical, and emotional. Please do that for us if you are reading this blog.

God Bless the people here, the many other organization here, and us to serve the Lords people. God Bless the people of Gulf Port, Biloxi, and all the areas affected by Katrina.

Till tomorrow, good night.

Arrival to Biloxi--Day 1

2005-10-27T22:31:00.000-04:00

Well you can stop pinching me cause we are here. We arrived in Biloxi at 3:30 today and we were met by Salvation Army personnel, who took us of quickly to headquarters. As we were flying over the area we could see what we though were blue roofs but as we got closer we realized it was blue tarps on the roofs of houses.

The young man who was responsible to get us to headquarters told us that around 30% of the houses for Gulfport & Biloxi were lost and of the remainders 70% were badly damaged.

We figured the drive was around 35 minutes from the airport to the headquarters. While we were driving along the highway, which would be comparable to the 401, we saw debris along the roadside. We saw fridges, stoves, and TV’s couches, transport trucks ripped in half and so forth. We saw all kinds of garbage and uprooted trees all over. More than you can ever image it to be. So try to image 35 minutes driving down the 401 and seeing that down both sides as far as you can see in all four directions.

Now as we enter the town area of Biloxi driving down the streets you see houses ripped in half, obstructing the road, plants flattened and debris all over the place. We saw tents pitched on properties where we are told people are waiting for Fema to deliver them the trailer homes.

We are coming nearer and nearer the head quarters. I had no idea what I was expecting but I saw canteen after canteen after canteen. We lined up to get checked in. We recieved our assignments, our t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats & our idea. Now for most of we are long into our 12th or more hour today and very little to eat. We then were rushed off to our hotel. All checked in we ordered some pizza for our team. We ate together and now all head off to our rooms to settle down for a good nights snooze in order to be prepared for 1st day in the field.

We are to be downstairs ready to go by 7:15 and we will then return to headquarters for devotionals, breakfast and then out into the field. We have an idea what we will be doing but more on this tomorrow.

Good Night & God Bless
LoveAlexis

Day 1 of 14 in Rotation #8

2005-10-27T00:03:00.000-04:00

Well is it is 12:04 am and my ride arrives here at 4:45 to take me to Hamilton. I should be in bed rest or trying to get some shut eye but I am so afraid I will sleep through my alarm.

Most of today will be spent in traveling. Like I said I go to Hamilton then I am off to St. Catherines to meet the rest of the team and then off to Buffalo to catch our 9:40 flight. We fly to Detroit, then to Memphis, and then Gulfport Texas. It is not bad enough we land 3 times but we have to change planes at each landing. Oh well all part of the adventure.

We should be landing in Gulfport/Biloxi around 4:00 pm. At this point we have been told we can leave our sleeping bags at home that they have made other sleeping arrangements but I have no idea what this will be until we get there.

I am so full of all kinds of emotions and feelings of the next two weeks that I can hardly wait for Glen to pick me to take me to Hamilton.

Fear is I think a common feeling when it comes to the unknown, but I think also from that can bring excitement of getting there and jumping in to do what is needed of me. I feel like someone should pinch me because I can hardly believe I am finally getting to do something I have always dreamed about doing. I have such compassion to help others in need, especially those in tragic situations.

One of my weakest spot is children, my heart breaks when I seem them in tragic situations, I just want to take them in my arms, give them great big hugs, and assure them they are not alone. Let them know God loves them and will see them though. So it is my prayer I will have this opportunity while I am there.

Our God is so awesome & I know he will Bless all of us on the rotation abundantly as we go to Biloxi to help in what ever way we can. We have been asked to take lots of pictures when we can, and to keep a log of stories to share when we come home by many of our friends, & family. I will try my best to do that for those who may be interest.

God Bless and will talk to all as soon as I can.

Rotation #8 going to Biloxi

2005-10-26T08:30:00.000-04:00

Major Gordon Armstrong--St. Catherines
Nicole Thwaites-----St. Catherines
Major Byron Jacobs----Hamilton
Larry Ritchie--------St. Catherines
Tamara Henry------St. Catherines
Maria Menger-------Candiac Quebec
Shirley & Jim Sauve----Thorold
Major Lillian Spence----Grimsby
Alexis Bennett------Cambridge

So here are the names on Rotation #8. I thought maybe if people had names you could pray for the individuals by name instead of team members.

It looks like we all will meet in Buffalo and fly out together. This will help me immensely as I was already worried about flying by myself from Toronto.

Ok as I know more details I will keep on posting.

Alexis

Weather forcast for Biloxi

2005-10-26T07:38:00.000-04:00

WED OCT 26 THU OCT 27 FRI OCT 28 SAT OCT 29 SUN OCT 30

HIGH
21°C(69°F) 23°C(73°F) 23°C(73°F) 23°C(73°F) 23°C(73°F)

LOW
7°C(44°F) 8°C(46°F) 8°C(46°F) 10°C(50°F) 10°C(50°F)

CONDITION
Sunny Sunny Variable cloudiness Sunny Sunny

P.O.P.
0% 0% 20% 20% 10%

Preparation for Deployment to the States

2005-10-25T20:56:00.000-04:00

Well here it is Tuesday evening two nights before I leave as a Disaster team worker. It was confirmed today that I will be definitely flying out on Thursday. Now plans of changed a little since my first announcement of being accepted to go to help. Originally I was asked if I would be interested in going to Texas to help out. Well that need has changed and I am now part of rotation #8 from Ontario going to Gulfport/Biloxi Mississippi. I will be gone for 14 days and am expected to be on a (12) twelve day work force.

Now this is a pretty exciting time for me, and also with that excitement comes fear of the unknown. I am sure each day will be filled with many challenges and experiences that will change my life for ever. God is asking me to step up to the plate and this is what I will do. I know that the power of prayer is so powerful so I ask that for the next 14 days you keep me and the other 9 members of my team in your prayers.

I ask that you pray for the strength, courage we will need to face each day. For the wisdom and knowledge of what to say or do. As we are exposed to things we may have heard of and seen on television often that we are able to handle it and carry on with the work we are there for. As we will be exposed to many illnesses, maybe diseases that we are protected from them. For safety, unity for Gods will. I am sure you can think of much more to pray for us about as well.

If you are interested in a list of the rest of my team members please feel free to ask Joan for it as she has a copy.

So today was the beginning of a very busy next few days. Today I had to receive for needles, Hep A & B, Tetanus, and the flu shot. I had to go out and buy steel toed shoes or boots & I also had to buy a sleeping bag just in case they can not put us up in a hotel. I was talking to one of the Majors who are going with us on this trip and he says they may be putting an article in our local papers about me heading out since I am the only member from our area going. Most of our team is from the St. Catherine. So he feels our community needs to know someone is going to represent the Army. So you can watch to see if there is anything in the local media.

So now all I need to do is finish packing, do some more organizing of my travel arrangements, get to the airport and see you all in two weeks.

God Bless you all and I look forward from hearing from you all.

Alexis

As One Door Closes Another Will Open---Hurricane Relief Work

2005-10-23T20:45:00.000-04:00

Today as the other 17 members of my family and me woke up; we awoke with much anticipation of how the day would end. You see as I mentioned in my last blog out family were to leave on a Caribbean Cruise. We were to fly into Fort Lauderdale, sail to Key West, Cozumel, Belize, and back to Key West. Our cruise was redirected and now we are to sail the Bahamas, just as exciting.

The major worries are we able to fly into Ft. Lauderdale or what our options since the direction of Hurricane Wilma & Omega are so uncertain. As of 12:30, 3:30 everything is a go and our travel agent worked hard to get us rooms in Ft. Lauderdale since the ship was now due to sail Tuesday instead of Monday.

All the children are so excited about this fabulous trip that they have been talking about it for months. The whole family planned to go to Toronto this evening stay at a hotel and fly in the morning.

Well today at around 4:00 pm the news of the cruise has been cancelled and Ships sailing from Port Everglades posted the following update.
UPDATED - Enchantment of the Seas - The Tuesday, October 25, sailing of Enchantment of the Seas - originally scheduled to depart on Monday, October 24 - is now cancelled. The ship will now be used to bring humanitarian relief supplies to the victims of Hurricane Wilma in Mexico. Enchantment of the seas will resume its normal sailings on Saturday, October 28, departing from Port Everglades.
So as this door was slamming shut for this week, the family has decided we would try to rebook for a Christmas Cruise or an Easter Cruise. So to unpack or not unpack? HUMMMMMMM what shall we do.

This question was quickly answered for me. You see I have always had on my heart for as far back as I can remember that I would like to go to a 3rd world country and help with rebuilding from disasters or to help build schools, hospitals and teach. Just to do what ever was needed from me.

Since I joined the Salvation Army almost 4 yrs ago and even more recently from when Tsunami hit it has even been heavier on my heart. I found myself left with the question of what can I do to help and how can I help. I found myself putting my name on a list of volunteers who were willing and ready to go and help. Now up to now there has not been a need for my help other than thru prayer. Today around 3:15 before we knew our cruise was cancelled I received a call from my contact with in the Salvation Army asking me if I could go to Texas as early as this Wednesday if a team is sent. I said no because we were still planning on going on our cruise.

While at 4:00pm when we were told that the trip was cancelled and we would have to rebook I started calling back my contact. As of 6:30 this evening it is confirmed I am on the list of people who will be heading out this Wednesday to help with the hurricane relief work.

So you see if you believe that all things happen for a reason and that as one door closes another one will open well then in his time it will. I have said all along if it is his will well then it will happen. Now I have been told to wait for the email or call tomorrow to tell me yes or no if we are going and what the next steps will be.

God is awesome and I am so grateful that this is looking like it will happen. I am so glad to be being called to do work for him. Our God is a powerful wonderful God who I love getting to know more and more each day. I am looking forward to this new, exciting, challenging, wonderful God experience that is about to happen. I know it will be another life changing experience for me.

Please pray for me and the team I am on and keep coming back to see my reports from Texas. I will take my laptop with me and hopefully have the opportunity to update you all on this experience as often as I can. I will get lots of pictures and will be looking forward to receiving your comments of support and encouragement. Please feel to email me often, will love to hear from you all.

God Bless

Milestones

2005-10-18T20:56:00.000-04:00

Wow it has been a while since my last post. So much has gone on. We had a few family Birthdays in September, the anniversary of a friends passing, Thanksgiving & my Parents 50th wedding anniversary.

Wedding Anniversaries can become part of our Legacy and Heritage. What do I mean by that well...? My grandparents were married October 6th 1928 so that would be if they were still alive 77 yrs, my parents celebrated October 15th 50 years of marriage and this July coming my oldest brother will be celebrating his 25th, my younger sister is coming up to around 15 yrs, and my youngest brother is coming up to around 12 or 13 yrs. So you see in our family when we take wedding vows it was forever. Not like today where you are married today and divorced tomorrow.

Marriage was not made for divorce in the old days it was made for two people to live and care for each other through sickness and through health, through good and bad times, and through all the trials and tribulations. You rode out what ever storms hit and you worked them out together. You got old together. Thus far there has not been any divorce in our side of the family, in fact if you add up all the marriages there has been 180 years of marriages. What a great thing.

That is almost 200 years of family memories, stories and of parents, children, grand children, and great grandchildren. We are now into the fifth generation of Bennett’s. What a clan we are. Today there are 18 members of this immediate family. Our family will carry on for at least one more generation as there are 7 boys to carry on the name. It awes mw to think of that. I just spent the last month putting together a photo album of the last 50 years of this family.

This album is a family history book to be carried down from generation to generation. It is a book to continue with the next marriages to come forth and their children. It is my hope that this book is the beginning of the tracking of this Great Family.

So I look at this marriage as a milestone in the days and lives of the James H Bennett Clan of Cambridge. This book tracks the last fifty years and it is my hope to track back the previous fifty as well, so that this generation can know where it all started from.

So here is a toast for the celebration of 50 years together and a milestone in our lives. Love you Mom & Dad.

"the little things"

2005-09-27T12:26:00.000-04:00

Wow a friend of mine just wrote a blog on “the small things”. Her post has motivated me in this blog posting.

She wrote about a mutual friend of ours who passed away a few years ago. She talked about how our friend’s husband shared at the funeral. How he talked about how her life was about the little things. He talked about how all the little things made lives better and how precious the little things can be.

How true it is. The very first day I met this women she spoke to me with her soft voice words which touched me in a very large way that changed my life forever and will never be forgotten. It was the "little thing" she said that made all the difference in the world to me.

It is the small kind smiles, words, and touch through hugs that can make all the difference in the world. I may not always feel like smiling or sharing a kind word but I do it any ways because I know how those small warm fuzzies make me feel and so I try to give them back. These little things could save someone’s life that day; it has helped save mine on many occasions.

It is the thank you, the hello's, the unexpected phone calls, cards, that make the difference. When a person comes to mind and I am thinking about them, how they are or how things are going, I try to stop and call them. That might be the little thing they need for that day.

It is about making others feel how you want to be treated, with kindness, love, understanding and compassion. So since I have experienced so much of this, I try to give it back as much as possible. When in someone’s heart or mind they feel like the world is a terrible place or just down, these little things may make all the difference in the world to them. It may help restore their Faith, it has mine.

It is all the small things, which add up to be the big things. Sometimes we have no idea how the small things we do can effect a person forever, or for the moment. I think of times where I was so down, hurt and desperately hoping someone would call and the phone rang, or a kind letter came in the mail or via email, or I would be out and I would run into someone and we would stop and chat for a while. Some of those times have made all the difference in the world to me.

Some of the other “little things” would be have you ever stopped to look at life through the eyes of a little child. The walk down your front side walk that takes you second could take a ½ hour with a child. You see we may have to stop and smell the flowers, answer questions about the flowers. Then we might see a bug, which we would need to pick up, look at it, count his legs, wings, eyes, stripes, you know what I mean. Then we would have to set it free. Now we can carry on and move a little further down the side walk till something else of curiosity appears and we start all over. It is those little things that are so awesome and I also cherish.
I do not have children of my own but I see this through my nephews and my niece, I see it through my friend’s children and grandchildren.

I remember when I became a Christian a few years ago having a discussion with a really good friend about “the little things” she was looking for the lightning bolt and I was enjoying the small things. I explained to her that she has to look at the day to day “little things” and eventually they will add up to be the big thing. Today in my life there are no coincidences there are God incidences. I take all the “little things” and add them up to make the big thing. Because I was able to see these my Faith grew rapidly and today when tough times come because I know God is in my life and loves me those times are far shorter lived and further and further apart. God knew I needed to see him all around me so he showed me via the “little things” so I could believe in the “big thing” HIM.

So I dedicate this to that special lady who has taught so many about "the little things" and to all that provide me the “little things” day to day in my life. I also give thanks to God for putting those people and things in my life, and I give thank for God, for being in my life.

So as they say in life don’t sweat the big stuff, look for the little things.

Here Today----Gone Tomorrow

2005-09-20T11:36:00.000-04:00

I was just doing a search for the famous saying "Here today, Gone tomorrow" and could not find the originating source of this saying.

What does this mean to me? Well it has many different meanings. The first thing that comes to mind is from a poem we read in AA at most meetings. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Yesterday is gone forever, tomorrow is not yet here and Today is really all we ever have. We may have the memories of yesterday but it is over and so we do not need to continue to live in it. Well tomorrow is not here so it might be nice to set goals for tomorrow, or dream of what we would like it to be, but again it is not here yet so we can not live in it until it gets here. So we can only live in the here and now of Today. What a wonderful gift.

So if we only have today we must live it to the fullest, enjoy it for what it is as if it is our last. We not have any regrets.

The next thing that comes to mind is Tsunami, Katrina, Rita, Ground Zero, 911, Flight 111, and many other disasters. Most people who experienced any of these probably woke up in the morning thinking this day was going to be the same as another day. Well it wasn't.

I am sure like myself most people think disaster can't happen to me or affect me. Well it can and does. A few years ago I had a terrible fall and smashed my knee to smithereens, broke my ankle on both sides and broke my wrist. At the time they told me I would never walk again. I also suffer with depression. So with this double whammy I sure felt I had lots to feel sorry about. How ever I fought had and today I can walk, and physically can do almost everything I use to do before the accident.

So why am I talking about this, well all this seems like peanuts to me in comparison to all the victims and families effected by the above mentioned disasters and many other ones. I still have a roof over my head, I have food, I have family, I have friends, and I have not lost any of my materialistic things. Wow my troubles when put like this are so very minuet to the hundreds and thousands of people who have lost so much.

I need to be more grateful for what the Lord is providing me and not take it for granite because he has proven several times that it can be taken away very rapidly. I need to be reminded often that my problems are nothing compared to others.

We do see how we can have it all today and tomorrow it can all be gone. He shows me that I need to keep all my affairs here on earth in order at all times and I need to be living for him daily. The Lord has provided me with many talents and skills and I need to develop them for the good of his Kingdom. I need to be listening to him and obeying him in order to Glorify him.

What a gift he is showing me. He reveals more to me each day as he feels I am ready. He is preparing me for the time that I am Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. We just never know when that will happen, are you ready? I am not sure I am ready but I am working towards being ready. Are you working towards being ready?

I am rereading right now with my small group bible study at my church the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. I am hoping that this will help me more to be ready? I believe this book will help me to discover What on Earth am I Here for. It will help me to look at 5 purposes, and move me into deeper thoughts about what I need to be doing. I am so excited about this.

I keep telling people I am not perfect and some days I make loads of mistakes as a Christian. I do not always live the way I think I am suppose to but It is my hope that each day I am here I will strive more and more to be like Him. I can't live in yesterday but I can learn from yesterday, and I can not live in tomorrow but I sure can prepare for tomorrow. So that is my goal right now. Are you preparing for Tomorrow and learning from yesterday?

So in conclusion Yesterday is gone, Tomorrow in not yet born, so Today is all we really have. Live it to the fullest as it is your last day.

HERE TODAY-----------------------GONE TOMORROW

How thought provoking these 4 words can be. What do they mean to you?

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)---Human Form of Mad Cow Disease

2005-08-19T11:41:00.000-04:00

So many would wonder why I am writing about this disease. Well my cousin Canon John Erb just passed away a few weeks ago from this disease. For a true diagnosis of this disease, it can only be made by an autopsy and thus we are waiting for those results which can take up to 8 weeks. So right now we can not say for sure if he had the human form of mad cow or not but what we do know is he had CJD.

To help you understand the disease more I have included some information for you to read and a link or two to read more about the disease and about my cousin.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disease of unknown cause. Patients are usually aged between 50 and 75 and typical clinical features include a rapidly progressive dementia associated, myoclonus and a characteristic electroencephalographic pattern. Neuropathological examination reveals cortical spongiform change, hence the term `spongiform encephalopathy'.

What is Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) ? Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare, degenerative, invariably fatal brain disorder. Typically, onset of symptoms occurs at about age 60... There are three major categories of CJD: sporadic CJD, hereditary CJD, and acquired CJD. There is currently no single diagnostic test for CJD. The first concern is to rule out treatable forms of dementia such as encephalitis or chronic meningitis. The only way to confirm a diagnosis of CJD is by brain biopsy or autopsy. In a brain biopsy, a neurosurgeon removes a small piece of tissue from the patient's brain so that is can be examined by a neurologist. Because a correct diagnosis of CJD does not help the patient, a brain biopsy is discouraged unless it is need to rule out a treatable disorder. While CJD can be transmitted to other people, the risk of this happening is extremely small.

Is there any treatment?There is no treatment that can cure or control CJD.

What is the prognosis?About 90 percent of patients die within 1 year. In the early stages of disease, patients may have failing memory, behavioral changes, lack of coordination and visual disturbances. As the illness progresses, mental deterioration becomes pronounced and involuntary movements, blindness, weakness of extremities, and coma may occur.

This is such an awful disease for anyone to get but especially for my Cousin John. John was the most vibrant man I have ever known. John had away about him that you always knew his presence when you where at a gathering that he was at. He had away about him that each and every time he met you he made you feel like you were the most important person on the face of this earth. And after he built you up he would move on to the next person.

In the history of the Erb family John known as The Erb is one of the youngest to pass away most of them live well into their 90's. He was also known as The Big Guy, and that place where The Big Guy touched us all has left a huge void in many peoples lives and hearts. We will all miss him dearly. I will miss his big hugs, laughter, smile and kind words. John has had a very special place in my life and heart. John was not only our cousin, he was our friend, and he was one of my mentors. John may not be here physically with us but he will live on in our hearts for ever

As you read the links I provided which talks about my cousin you can see how devastating this disease is and was on our family. For such a vibrant, lively, enthusiastic person to be robed of his body movement, to go blind, to loose his mind and then lastly to his death. The only thing about this devastating disease that we are all so grateful for is that it did not linger on in each stage that it took John quickly.

So John I miss you, I loved you and I plan on seeing you some day so till then....

Time out in God's Country--My Cottage--How it Helps my Depression

2005-06-22T23:14:00.000-04:00

Well last week many of my friends who know me know I took off to my cottage for a time out.

Many of my friends also know I suffer from depression. I have been in another one of my depressions for a few weeks now. Like many I do not do well with stress nor do I do well with worry and that couples with low self feelings cause me to go into a tail spin.

One thing that I have been coming to see as a new pattern for me over the past few years since I became a Christian is that my depressions are becoming shorter lived and further apart. Now this is really a good thing for me. What would I contribute this to the fact that I have faith, trust that when I ask for help from God he is there for me and he will see me through. I mentioned to my best friend upon my arrival home I feel about 40% better than before I left so this is a good start.

When I am at my cottage I am reminded of his wonders and what he can create. I smell, good clean air, no pollution, I see clear blue water, and again no pollution, I see the most beautiful sunsets in the world, I birds sing to me every morning to get me up. I feel so peaceful and serene when I am there. I wish at times I could live in a place like that all year round.

There is no traffic, no rushing around, and life is just a far slower pace than in the city. Now do not get me wrong, I would miss the city tremendously and all my friends, but the minute I see the water on the drive up I start to relax and I seem to get a calmness in and around me that I can not explain. So I am speaking with God these days to ask him how can I get this here in the city and keep it all year round.

God is so amazing that I know he may never completely heal me from my depressions but he is helping to make them far more manageable and I am so grateful for that. With His help and the help of a really good psychiatrist I seem to be managing the best I have in years. He never gives us to much to handle we just get so lost in the time that we allow it to over take us and become to much for us to handle.

Joyce Myers is who I am reading right now and she sure has some really good stuff. I will write on this a little later. For those who get depressed from time to time or suffer like I do, please trust in God and ask him to help you get through it and he will. God will do for others as he is doing for me.

Hopefully after this weekend some more of my stresses will be over and I can really consentrate on feeling better. I just have to keep turning it over to him and beleive my faith in him will bring me to the other side soon.

Alexis

Fighting Cancer: Keeping it consistant

2005-06-20T22:35:00.000-04:00

This is a blog that a friend of mine posted in regards to the Relay for Life I thought you might find this of interest to read. I agree with her thoughts totally and thus this is the reason for me sending you this email.

She has made very valid points.

So we are anxious to see how others feel on this topic. I would also like to gather a small poll to send the Cancer Society on this topic please watch for next post to take part in the poll. Thanks

Lex

Friday, June 10, 2005

I participated in the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life back in the Spring of 2001. I remember being put off by the fact that I saw people there smoking - Hello? We're trying to put an end to cancer here? I'm participating in the event again this year - I joined last minute (the event is tonight), so I thought I'd check out their website to get a feel for things.

I found this on the FAQ: Why is there no smoking at the Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life events? Smoking is strictly prohibited at all Relay For Life events. There is a correlation between the use of tobacco and cancer. Tobacco use causes about 45,000 deaths in Canada each year. The Canadian Cancer Society wants to set a positive example in the area of tobacco control by prohibiting the use of tobacco at events. Smokers are welcome to participate, but they are asked to respect the smoke-free environment. Excellent! Very good call! This is the kind of action the Cancer Society should be taking at their fundraising events to promote a healthy, cancer preventative type of lifestyle.

The other "beef" that I had with the event was that M&M Meats was a sponsor, and provided a char-broiled meaty BBQ for all of the participants. It was very much appreciated I'm sure, but consider that consumption of red meat increases one's risk for colorectal cancer - is a beef-burger BBQ really the most appropriate fare for a cure-for-cancer fundraising event? They didn't even have a veggie burger option - I brown-bagged it.

Taken from the Health Canada: It's Your Health website:

Risk Factors For Colorectal Cancer

Age: the older you are, the more likely you are to develop CRC. Most of those diagnosed are 70 years or older.

Heredity: you are more likely to get CRC if someone in your family, especially your immediate family, has been diagnosed with it.

Diet: a diet high in red meat and low in fruits and vegetables may increase your risk.

Weight: obesity and a lack of physical activity increase the risk.
Alcohol consumption: alcohol, especially beer, may increase your risk. Lower rates of CRC have been found in those who drink no alcohol.

Smoking: smoking also increases your risk.

So, there is no smoking at the Relay for Life, no consumption of alcohol permitted, it's a "Relay" therefore they are advocating an active lifestyle, this is all good. They can't help us with our age or heredity. So why do they goof up so profoundly on the diet portion?

Why can't they provide fresh fruit and salads, and veggie burgers in addition to (if not completely instead of) the bbq'd meat?

I suppose this is something only a vegetarian or person restricting red meat in their diet might notice, so I don't really expect all to agree. Am I being hyper-critical?

Does anyone else think that BBQ'd red meat is somewhat out of place at such an event?

Food for thought...

My Father JHB!

2005-06-20T21:37:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was Fathers day. It is a day that some card company probably created to help sales of cards and gifts, but for fun I will Google that to see for sure.

The history of Father's Day goes like, in 1909, Spokane, Washington, Sonora Smart Dodd was listening to a Mother's Day sermon. The lecture inspired her to have a special day dedicated to her father, William Jackson Smart, who had brought her up and her siblings single-handedly after their mother died. She could realize the greatness of her father and wanted to let him know how deeply she was touched by his sacrifices, courage, selflessness and love. She held the first Father's Day celebration on 19th of June 1910, on the birthday of her father. The idea soon caught on and in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day on the petition sent to him by Dodd on the acceptance of fatherhood. In 1926, a National Father's Day Committee was formed in New York City. However, it was thirty years later that a Joint Resolution of Congress gave recognition to Father's Day. Another 16 years passed before President Richard Nixon established the third Sunday of June as a permanent national observance day of Father's Day in 1972 in the honor of all good fathers that contribute as much to the family as a mother, in their own ways. Even before Dodd came into the picture, Dr. Robert Webb of West Virginia is believed to have conducted the first Father's Day service in 1908 at the Central Church of Fairmont. However, it was the colossal efforts of Dodd, the devoted daughter of the Civil War veteran who refused to remarry for the sake of his six children and took upon himself all the duties, love and care of a mother, that eventually led it to a national observance.

Ok so my thoughts were once again proven wrong. It does however does not surprise me that it took almost 70 years to have the third Sunday of June as a permanent national observance day of Father's Day. That’s government for us.

Well it has only taken me 30 years of my life to understand in my heart that Fathers and Mothers are something we need to cherish for each second we have them, for we never know when they will be taken from us or us from them. That each day they are alive should be their day. We should always be showing them how much we appreciate "their sacrifices, courage, selflessness and love" they give us daily.

What does F . A . T . H . E . R . S . mean:

F Faithful.
A Always there.
T Trustworthy.
H Honoring.
E Ever-loving.
R Righteous.
S Supportive.

I sure was not the golden child. I sure challenged my parents, family and many others to the limits.

I can say today that I have made my amends with my parents and we have a pretty good relationship. We are Faithful to each other toady in ways I never thought I was capable of and my parents are Faithful towards me. We believe in each other and can see how each other have grown and changed. They are Always there for me as I am for them. There was a time they did not tust me nor did I trust them. Today there is total Trust between us. I know and believe we Honour each other for who we are, for both are strengths and weaknesses. That does not mean that life between us is always a bed full of Roses but we talk and work it out. Before the lines of communications were not open, today they are. Parents are to have unconditional Love for their children and today I see the Ever-Loving love they have for me and I cherish it and try the best I can to give it back to them 10 fold. Righteous, I had to look the definition up for this.
1 : acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin
2 a : morally right or justifiable
b : arising from an outraged sense of justice or morality
3 slang : GENUINE, GOOD synonym see MORAL.

So as far as Righteous I would have to say that both my parents are Genuine, Good and have excellent Morals. If I could only develop totally what they have then I would be a Great person like them.

And finally Supportive, well no individual could ask for a more supportive set of parents than I have. They are there for me in every way possible. I have had my share of rough times and they are always there for me. Sometimes there can be a lot of grief and sorrow before some mutual resolution that works for all can arise but in the end my parents are always there and try to the best of their ability to understand my illness. Since it is one you can not see physically it sometimes very trying and difficult for us all, but as a family we get through it.

So for Fathers Day this year I took my card to my father privately away from the rest of my family, thanked him for being my father, hugged him to show him how much I love him and I also verbalized to him how much I love him and appreciate his love and support to me. I shared a few tears, and went to a lovely brunch we as a family had to honour him as our Father.

JHB, Genius, Dad may not be my biological dad but he choice me, he has provide me with all the above mentioned abundantly and so to I Say to yo DAD a Job Well Done. I love you and am very Proud to have you as my Father. HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

Relay for Life

2005-06-12T23:05:00.000-04:00

Relay for Life

3 years ago I came out to my first Relay for Life. It is an event that touches many people’s hearts and lives. Relay For Life is the Canadian Cancer Society’s unique, hope-filled community event. What makes it so special? At Relay For Life, you will:

· Celebrate the Survivors' Victory Lap.
· Be inspired by the Luminary Ceremony.
· As part of your team, take turns walking, running or strolling around a track in a non-competitive relay.
· Stay up all night – and feel great about it.
· Give 12 hours to the fight against cancer – and it could add years to the lives of others.
· Relax and have fun off the track in the tent village.
· Learn about cancer issues and how to reduce your risk of the disease.

I was touched by the survivors lap and the Luminary Ceremony especially when they sang and played the song Amazing Grace. There is a silence that files the air around you as you pray and reflect over your love ones who have been touched by cancer and either won or loose the battle.

2 yrs ago I was unable to attend because of an accident I had but last year I was there to be apart of the event and again only as a spectator. However when I left their, I spoke to my friends, friends daughter and decided I wanted to put together a team for this year.

I was a little slow at getting things together but was able to get a team together and plan for the event. Some of the people on my team have been involved in this for a few yrs and had lots of ideas and input. The other half including myself were involved for the first time.

So first off we had to come up with a team name. DRIVE OUT CANCER. Then we had to decide on how to decorate our campsite and what we wanted to do as far as team outfits. Then we had to come up with some fundraising ideas. Then it is the cancer society’s rules that each person on the team is to be responsible to raise $100, and to sell 2 Luminaries. I am very proud that everyone on my team met that requirement and more. Over all I think our team raised almost $5000, and sold 35 or 40 luminaries. We raised around $150 in the selling of raffle tickets. A job well done.

The most moving part of the evening for me was the support from my family and friends. Several friends whom had never been to this event came out to support me and my team along with supporting my father and a family friend whom are survivors and did the victory lap. My father has certainly had his rough times with his battle of cancer but as of this year he is a fifteen (15) year survivor. Our family friend who also walked the survivors lap is a three (3) year survivor. Personally I have lost relatives and friends to this disease. My mothers parents died of cancer, my uncle is dieing from this disease, my aunt died from this disease, a very dear friend of mine passed away just over a year ago from this disease, 2 of my friends who came out to this event both have lost their husbands to this disease, I have a friend who 3 year old son died from this disease and the list could go on for ever. One of the girls on my team is a survivor of the disease, another lady on my team and her 3 daughters who were also on my team lost their husband and father to this disease.
So we all have our own personal reason why we were here taking part of this great event. Our theme was DRIVE OUT CANCER, and for me this is personal I want to help find the cure before I get this disease or any more of my family get this disease.

What break's my heart watching the survivor’s line up for the victory lap are the young children. This year I must of spotted at least a ½ dozen to a dozen young people walking wearing the blue survivors t-shirt.

As the evening events progressed there were bands playing and then they had open mike where people could sing, dance, tell a joke, a story, or just share what ever they wanted to. Well one of the first was a young girl I would say under 7 years of age sang a song she wrote in memory of her grandmother who lost the battle. Then their was a father who wrote a song about HOPE in memory of his daughter who passed away only a few months ago. If you have never been a part of it you must plan on it for next year it truly is an event you need and should be a part of.

In closing I want to say thank you to all our sponsors who donated things to our team in support of this event, to all those who pledge us monies, and Mostly a huge THANK YOU to all my TEAM MEMBERS, my family and friend for supporting me through this event.

Dad thank you for walking the victory lap and I am so glad you have beaten this disease & I could walk with you. To all our love ones, friends, husbands, fathers, mothers, grandparents, siblings, children, co-workers who have passed away from this disease, you are missed but not forgotten. You will live on in our hearts forever.

Cancer affects all of us in one way or another at some point in our lives so let’s all keep fighting the battle and lets DRIVE OUT CANCER

Doing things Differently

2005-06-04T07:28:00.000-04:00

Well first off to start this Blog I need to say something to a very Special little man in my life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JONAH

So over the past few days or maybe even year I sometimes have moments where I wish I could do things differently. Do you ever have those days? Well the thing most I wish I could do differently is that I had been serious in finding the right person for me, getting married and having a family.

I have watched my brothers and sisters all have children, I am now watching some of my friend’s children becoming parents themselves and thus my friends becoming grandparents and I feel like there is something missing in my life.

If I had done what was the norm I would have been married, had children and now be enjoying grandchildren.

I am now at the age where if this is going to happen, the only way for it to happen is for me to marry a man with children or to adopt. Well lots of single people have been known to adopt but I am not in the financial position to be able to adopt. Because of medical problems even if I decided I wanted to attempt to be a parent it would never work because I just do not have the parts.

So how can I fill that missing part in my heart? Well I surround myself with my niece & nephews, with my friend’s children & grandchildren. I share in their lives and enjoy the pleasure I can from them. My nick name from my niece and nephews for almost 20 yrs this August has been Ant Lex. So now to all those who choose to call me that I allow them to.

I guest there is one advantage to not being a parent and that is pretty well from the time they are conceived until they grow up and move out of the house you have a full time job and commitment to them. If you are not a parent you can enjoy them for the time you are with them and at the end of the day or when you have had enough you can go home or send them home. Who am I trying to kid, I miss all the craziness and activity around my house and sometimes finding myself dreaming about what it would have been like if I had done things differently.

I guess I could get real stuck here if I wanted to but instead I have learned to embrace the time I do get to spend with the special and so treasured children in my life. I really am Blessed by the children I have in my life and am grateful that they love me unconditionally. That they know me for who I am today. So technically I may never be a real mom but I have 8 nieces and nephews, whom I love and adore and they love me right back. I also have 2 adopted pals at the church who are very special boys to me, and right now I have many friends with grandchildren that I adore. I get to spend time with 2 of those grandchildren most Sunday's and I love the special times I spend there playing with them, holding them, sharing with their laughter and silliness.

So am I deprived of motherhood--yes, but the good Lord does provide what he knows we need and he has surrounded me with children.

Would I really do things differently, maybe but in this situation I have come to accept it and enjoy what I do have.

To all the parents who allow me to share in their children’s lives, Thank you. To all the children whom allow me to be in their live I am so grateful and Blessed, Thank you. To all the grandparents who allow me to share in their pleasures of being a grandparent, Thank you.

Finally to God who knows what is best for me and what I can handle Thank you for Blessing me with the children in my lives.