really getting things done

So we're just finishing up our second week with Habitat for Humanity Bay-Waveland and I am really loving being here and the work we're doing. The beach makes for some really beautiful sunsets and blue-sky days and the weather has been in the low 70's pretty much consistently. This little town is incredibly welcoming and warm and I love just walking around and being a part of it.

Habitat requires what they call sweat-equity hours (they have to work a certain number of hours on Habitat worksites before they can move into their house) from their homeowners so they're often working right alongside us. It's really rewarding to see the joy and gratitude on their faces and knowing that they've probably waited so long to have their own home like this and that it's so meaningful to them that Habitat makes it so affordable. The homeowner whose house we worked on yesterday (and last Friday), Julie, has had treats for the volunteers every day this week and cried out of gratitude yesterday during her house dedication and blessing. I feel so honored to be able to share in such an important and life-changing experience in these people's lives.

Tropical Storm Ida came though on Monday but it wasn't all that exciting. We had to have all of our stuff packed up on Sunday night just in case the storm would be bad enough that we would have to evacuate, but it was just rain and and a lot of wind, so we got to stay put. I hope you all weren't too worried about me down here on the coast. All is certainly well.


I'm headed to a fish fry this afternoon that benefits the Habitat affiliate I'm working with and then tomorrow my team's hanging out at the affiliate's model green home for the Hancock County Parade of Homes. Habitat entered the house in a green building competition and it's a really beautiful, really energy-efficient house. Again, it was so cool to be a part of getting this house ready. You can check out a promotional video about it at:

http://www.habitatbaywaveland.org/Green_GreenBlueHouse.html

I'll try and put up some pictures soon, too!


I'll be home in two weeks for Thanksgiving, so if you'll be in the Philadelphia area, let me know! Until then, let me know what's going on in your lives! I miss you!