I have been blessed!!
It seems the Baptist group could not help me build my house, so I called someone I knew at the Lagniappe Presbyterian Church. Lagniappe Church has come here to assist people with rebuilding, etc. The person I called is the son of a woman I have known since childhood. He has come home to help in his hometown. What a wonderful thing!!
Well, week before last he called me and said there was a group coming in to begin framing up my house. I ordered the material, had it delivered. My neighbor, the one who drew my house plans and is a former contractor, and I marked all the walls on the slab for them. We used black marker and snapped the chalk tape.
It took most of the day Sunday, July 16 in some unbearable heat, but we got it done.
The next day the group came. They were from Maryland and Delaware. There was a man and his wife, and about 13 young people. They got to work right away, and, by Friday, July 21, they had all but four walls framed up and the house sheeted.
Let me tell you that these people were a true blessing to me. They worked in 103 degree heat index and never wavered. The picture included with this diary shows them as they were preparing to leave. My heartfelt thanks go out to them for what they have done for me. I am truly blessed.
This week another group has come from Pennsylvania. They are working on getting my roof done!! And they are just as much a blessing as the first group. I will include a picture of them as I write another diary of their progress.
For a month I have been sitting in this trailer, looking across the street at my slab, not knowing how I would get the house built. And. now, here I am one week and a half later, and my house is getting a roof on it already. Wow!! I am truly blessed!!
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Mary, thank God for your blessings and thank God for the great people who have are assisting you and others in the area. Your diary entries have been so eloquent and from-the-heart. Thank you!
Michael Roberts, The Woodlands, TX (Sent Jul 28, 2006 11:07:50 PM)
I'm telling you, there are some mighty good folks in the old U S of A. Mary, I'm happy for your progress. Keep with the updates.
Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Jul 29, 2006 10:39:00 PM)
I have been keeping up with all that you and others in Waveland and Bay St. Louis have been going through for the last 10 months or more. I'm so glad to read good news...hopeful news. God Bless you!
PS...we have had a 3 - 4 days over 35 degrees celcius here(I think that's mid nineties Farenheit) and I have no idea how you all deal with the constant high heat and humidity down there! I'm so amazed that they were building your house in 103 heat index.
Diane Rapske, Coquitlam, BC Canada (Sent Jul 29, 2006 10:42:06 PM)
I Wish all the homes could be build back ....we know how blessed you are to have these people come to help you rebuild your home...my sis was lucky she lives in Long Beach and I cry every time we go down that town is in bad shape too...I wish you alway the very best...E. Menk
Edna Menk Prattville, Al. (Sent Jul 30, 2006 12:17:43 AM)
So happy for you Mary, and Blessings to all who come down to the Gulf and help you folks. Seems to me that's the real story down there, wish all the groups would get more publicity.
Did see one tv segment about Biltmore Baptist Church out of Asheville/Arden North Carolina. Looked at their web site and they are sending project workers to Gulfport throughout the year. I know many others are continuing their support.
Rosemary, Sacramento CA (Sent Jul 31, 2006 3:10:10 PM)
Mary, Congratulations! I am so thrilled to hear some good news! We met a family on a mission trip to Mexico this spring, who told us about Lagniappe church. She had been down to help earlier in the spring. I was stunned...when she said she had gone to Bay St. Louis. I just started crying and said, "That's my home town. Thank you for going!" I live in a world where no one is really aware of what has happened...not really and it was so good and such a release to talk with someone who knew and understood. A group from our former church in Missouri had trouble volunteering in New Orleans and I steered them to work with Lagniappe this summer after group after group fell through. They went down in June. I particularly love the name Lagniappe and anyone from the area is really familiar with the meaning. Lagniappe...that little something extra, given out of generosity...13 or 14 donuts, five or 6 extra shrimp that push it well over a pound, but it's a gift. I always loved the lagniappe and found it delightful and surprising every single time. You never expected it and when it came, it was with a wink and a smile. What a wonderful way to create good will among neighbors and strangers! How even more meaningful that you are now receiving some lagniappe back! Some free grace...at no charge. I just keep praying that all the kindnesses done before, during, and after this storm will receive great rewards now and when we meet our maker. I agree with something T told me..."I believe that God is looking down and seeing what his people are doing here, and that he is really proud!" Me too. Me too! My heart is rejoicing for you!
Laurie, CO (Sent Aug 1, 2006 1:27:43 AM)
Mary! How exciting to read this latest news!! God bless all of those who are still coming down to help!!! I am thrilled for you!! FINALLY - almost a year later - you are seeing a new home 'rising from the ruin'!!! I could just cry tears of happiness for you!
Cher. Indiana (Sent Aug 1, 2006 4:07:56 PM)
Mary,I am amazed at how people come together in such a crises. I am happy for you and hope there will be continued progress for you and other in your home town.
Mike, Pheonix, AZ (Sent Aug 2, 2006 11:36:53 AM)
Mary, God Bless you and all the others affected by Katrina. You all have a God -given strength that is to be admired.
Irene Wright, Tarpon Springs Florida (Sent Aug 2, 2006 7:14:58 PM)
you would have been truly blessed if that monster storm had not have wrecked your home in the 1'st place....But this is close enough...Bless those volunteers....when you give it will come back to you
andy,ms (Sent Aug 3, 2006 8:06:57 AM)
Mary, best of luck. Lagniappe is an awesome organization. I volunteered with them for five days during the fourth of July week. All of the interns, volunteers, and coordinators there are such wonderful people.
Adam Haydt, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Sent Aug 4, 2006 4:44:41 PM)
Mary--congratulations! You truly have been blessed!
Hope you enjoy your new home for many long, happy, and healthy years. God bless you and good luck!
Olivia Elizabeth Burdon, Peoria, Ill. (Sent Aug 5, 2006 12:34:43 PM)
when does the sheetrock start? keep us up to date!...our hearts are with ya
andy,ms (Sent Aug 9, 2006 9:13:21 AM)
Mary - congratulations!! I know how happy you are - my house in Waveland had t he sheetrock finished and I have never been happier in my life to paint!! I actually told my contractor that I was going to take my time and paint those walls, because it is literally something I have dreamed of several times over the last few months - the moment I would have walls to paint!! It's awesome and I am so happy to are getting to have that wonderful experience of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel! The volunteers ARE what has made all the difference for us here in the Bay/Waveland area.
Laurie - before I reached your comment, I was going to repeat what I said about God looking down and being proud - so glad you said it!!
Hopefully, when all the media comes for the "one year anniversary" coverage, they will focus on what is responsible for really rebuilding us and that is the volunteers!! Hopefully, if someone from MSNBC actually reads these posts, they will do a special on the volunteers!! Again, thanks to all of you who continue to come and help - it will come back to you ten fold!
T.Ryan (BSL) (Sent Aug 14, 2006 9:39:03 PM)
Every little step is a giant leap towards recovery. How special each day must be for you. It has been a long time coming. Enjoy!
Andrea, Lafayette, Louisiana (Sent Aug 15, 2006 4:43:11 PM)
Mary, It's been a few weeks and I was thinking tonight about all of you there. Just wondering how things are progressing with your new home at this point. God bless you!
Cher, Indiana (Sent Aug 18, 2006 10:28:00 PM)
Mary, this is such exciting news!!! My family and I are going to make our third trip to Mississippi over Thanksgiving with our church! I can't wait to BUILD!!! My son and I first went with a small group from our church last Thanksgiving and the devastation we found was beyond words…in every direction…everywhere you looked! It’s going to be great to see rebuilding! We continue to keep you all in our prayers! I have never met such strong people!!!! Keep up the faith!
Janice, Colorado Springs, Colorado (Sent Aug 22, 2006 12:05:22 PM)
Mary, What a terrific story of humankind and recovery!
Although I live in Southern California, I am a Bay native, and that is truly my home.
Lagniappe's pastor is the son of a high school classmate of mine, making this experience even more meaningful.
Best to all, from one of the State Street Cuevas's.
Irv Cuevas/Seal Beach, CA
Irv Cuevas, Seal Beach, CA (Sent Aug 25, 2006 12:59:11 AM)
Mary, isn't God good........All the time!!!!
Corey & Nelly- New Orleans,La (Sent Aug 26, 2006 12:48:03 AM)
Mary,
The shingles look great! I was not able to get by to meet you and to see the work first-hand, but my wife
Pat actually was part of the crew nailing down the shingles. I was across town drywalling Olga White's house. God bless you!
Gregg Moore, Mt. Airy, MD (Sent Aug 28, 2006 2:44:33 PM)
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