We know everyone is awaiting updates... first we are safe!
Eight weeks to the day after our wedding we received notice that mandatory evacuation was occurring for Southern Louisiana and Mississippi. For an entire week we were watching the news and preparing to leave. The 'sit and wait' just about drove me around the bend!
The is no doubt organization was executed to perfection. On Saturday it was our turn to leave the city and head north. Thank God Pastor Elmer (our best man) and Ms Rita (photographer) graciously opened their home to us in Camden, Arkansas. Taking both our vehicles we headed out with our cooler full of frozen meats, suitcases and some camera / computer equipment from the church.
There is no way to convey the eerie feeling that hung over the city on Saturday. We noticed Friday that McDonald's, Subway etc were all closed by 6pm, gas stations were lined up and supplies in grocery store were at minimum. Saturday morning kids and I were taken back to see both store and house windows boarded up, no stores open of any kind, most gas stations out of gas by noon. The birds were gone, even the pesty ants had disappeared. Many locals took it in stride but the kids and I being new at this whole thing noticed even the smallest differences. Early Saturday morning all our neighbors were outside... up and down the street was constant chatter and people packing. In this heat, you seldom see your neighbors in the summer.
Once on the road it was a SLOW go... took us 1 1/4 hrs to go 3 miles but Mark assures me better than during Katrina. Panic set in when after 2 hours we'd made it almost to the NOLA airport and my car engine light came on. It was one of the hottest stinkin' days we've had down here, cars (new and old) were broke down along the road and not a dealership or gas station open. What else do you do? Call 1-800-DAD! Not only does he too have a Ford 500 but the dealerships in Canada were still open. They assured him it could be one of about 11 different problems, but most likely from the heat and idling or requires a tune up. Talk about relief! After 7 hrs on the road we'd gone the distance you would normally do in 2 hours and stopped for supper (first cut off that had restaurants open). After the car cooled off and we turned it back on, the warning had gone out. Today it is on it's way to the dealership for repair.
By Vicksburg, Mississippi it was midnight and neither one of us could see straight. There were no hotel rooms available anywhere in the state but we decided to try anyhow... first one was full but she'd heard about a hotel that was off the beaten path that had a few rooms still empty (people hadn't yet shown up). Thankfully we got one... although in normal times it would have been a $50-60/night room, we were glad to pay the $100. In the morning we headed out again, arriving in Camden, Arkansas around 2:30 pm Sunday.
Like many of you, all we could do is sit and wait, glued to the TV for updates. The blessing came when the storm took a last minute turn ... a few more miles and the west bank would be no more. The levees held so flooding was minimal.
News today is that Jefferson Parish is without electricity, the water is intact, hydro, traffic lights, signs and trees are all down because the power is out, there is no sewerage. This morning they were announcing "Tier 1" can return to the city (electrical workers, emergency clean up crews). Next will be "Tier 2" which are the gas station and grocery store owners. "Tier 3" will be any other businesses that can assist in the reopening of the city (Walmart... but not stores like pool supplies etc). Then they will announce when the general public can begin returning. We have no idea when this will be, Mark is suspecting it won't be until at least Thurs or Friday until we can return.
Although it has been quite the experience, we look forward to returning home. Many have asked why we would want to go back? Well, home is where you put your heart and our hearts are with Mark... Mark has been called by God to be in ministry at White Dove. It's as easy as that.
As far as why do so many people live in the NOLA area... well you need to thank your lucky stars they do! Do you know the NOLA ports are the 3rd biggest in North America and brings in ALL of North Americans supply of coffee. HELLO Canadians did you hear that? Where would Tim Horton's be without coffee?? lol Oh ya, now I hear the attitudes changing!! lol Seriously though majority of things bought in North America that say 'made in China' come via here as well... where would Walmart be without NOLA? Plus 40% of all gas and oil originate off the shores of Louisiana... thousands upon thousands of oil rigs. When there is this kind of industry, it's normal a city would be built.
Our concern, and it should be a concern for all in North America is the erosion of the wetlands... that can't not be fixed by the people of Louisiana alone... it is an environmental issue that affects everyone. With global warming the Gulf waters are in the mid-80's and make them a feeding ground for hurricanes. One thing we learned living in Canada is how to be leaders in making changes to our environment... being environmentally friendly. We pray the US catches on and learns from Canadians how to take care of this world God has blessed us with... not take it for granted.
Going through this has been a reality check. We have a loving family, a strong faith in God, incredible friends and the rest is just stuff... all replaceable or unnecessary.
Thank you for your prayers, emails and offers for help. We love you and are thankful we'll be able to return home in the near future.
Wow where does the time go? In a month is the wedding (if you haven’t RSVP yet, please do so as we will be doing food prep ourselves and need numbers).
It's been about a week since we arrived in NOLA… seems we’ve been here months. For those of you who don’t know, we’d let our house deal drop and decided to move into Mark’s little house. BUT, God had other plans for us. Just before coming to Canada to get us, an amazing deal was struck with the homeowners and Mark surprised us by moving the kids and I straight into our new house!!! We LOVE it. The house is perfectly designed and the neighbors seem great – yesterday we were blessed with a kitchen sink full of fresh shrimp, which Mark spent the evening cleaning.
Rachel, Luke and I are adjusting to the south. Obviously the heat is a shock to our systems. When living in Canada I always commented how slow people move in the south… I confess and apologize… we too are moving much slower than in our past. Dang, it’s hot!!!! Our next eye opener was cockroaches, IN THE HOUSE. Up ‘til movin’ here I ain’t never seen no cockroaches (see I’m learnin’ to talk like yall too!!!). In our minds, cockroaches belonged in dirty nasty homes or apartment buildings with high numbers of immigrants. Not sure Mark will ever hear the end of our cockroach horror!!! Lol But our mighty warrior was quick to arrive with a barrier spray and surrounded the house – now we count the DEAD roaches OUTSIDE with pleasure. (note from Mark: It was ONE roach! But she made me stay in the office until I brought out a roach carcass!)
For the little I’ve ventured out, I’m beginning to find my way around although still struggling with the ‘wacky left turns’. Majority of the intersections in our area have no left turns so you go down the street a block until you find a u-turn location in the blvd and proceed back to the intersection and turn right (this is the legal way to turn left). Talk about traffic jams!! And the US banking system is sadly lacking compared to the Canadian. At this point I’m happy dealing in cash only and skipping the debit / credit card scene.
Accents are often still an issue especially for Rach and I. We find ourselves saying pardon a lot when the person is speaking quickly. Gradually we’re getting use to the different sayings… we say ‘kitty-corner’; N’Orlanders say ‘kaddy- corner’.
Prices of produce and lack of variety still floor me. Broccoli, apples, Kraft peanut butter, Golden Italian salad dressing and summer sausage are the main foods we’ll miss eating (either due to cost or availability). Staples like large boxes of cereal, peanut butter etc is available only at Sam’s Club while we’re use to buying at all grocery stores.
One of our other HUGE adjustments is NO recycling. For several days we just couldn’t get it through Luke’s head that we don’t separate our garbage down here. He was willing to stock pile and drive it north so it doesn’t fill the landfill sites (sure the northerners would welcome all NOLA recycling!!! Lol). Anyhow he says this world is a gift from God and we need to take care of it… see Pastor Brad, he WAS listening!!
On a positive note, we are very happy here. Miss everyone back home but life is great here. We’re enjoying the much slower pace and the incredible love Mark showers upon us. Kids are happy and I’m making new friends who are calling to volunteer their services either with the house or the wedding or just for a visit (thank you so much for making me feel welcome, especially Elvia – you are a gem!) … now if only we could find a plumber!!! Lol Water was off for months in the house and once turned on, we have one leak after another. Needless to say, Mark has been kept busy between plumbing, roaches and helping kids clean the pool.
Since everyone keeps asking about wedding gift ideas, I will step WAY out of my comfort zone and give some ideas… this is ONLY because I would rather buy something useful for people than dream up something on my own. As many of you know, we had to drastically reduce our belongings to fit on the 16’ trailer (yes, Ezra we did reduce!!! Lol). Since many of our ‘big’ things were sold or given away, we need to replace them. It’s been suggested we request Visa gift certificates in order to ‘pool’ them together to buy things like:
A new stove (house came with one, but it’s old and testing my cooking skills by burning things on the bottom before cooking top)
A freezer since I’m adamant about cooking healthy meals and usually cook one day for the entire month (and yes, I will be holding classes to teach those who want to learn this concept – it’s easy once you learn).
Bbq… grill… pit (still don’t have the proper southern name for that concept)
Furniture for our covered patio
Chairs for our table that sits 12!!! Can’t wait to fill it with yall.
Since we have all the basics, we’d be extremely thankful for any contribution towards these purchases. Ok, I got past that topic and yes it was extremely uncomfortable from my end.
We’ve also come up with a few other things for our house (mostly kids suggestions) …
Kids said now that they too are Americans, we need a flag! There is a hook thing on the front porch for one and soon we’ll get to trimming the bushes so there is room to show we’re proud to be an American!
Pool toys for teenagers – noodles, volleyball, floating raft type things etc.
The parents would like a life ring for the safety of all who use our pool. Also we’ve been buying pool chemicals etc at the store in the plaza by TJ Max and they do have gift certificates.
Once again, a huge thank you to our Canadian packers and those who showed their support by attending the moving / shower; to Elvia … will never forget the day we pulled up to balloons and signs welcoming us home! And Ezra for helping us unload that trailer in what must be record time.
