Since I cannot sleep...

We looked for beanies, but found these instead...

The backyard of Mr. Perkins's house before.  

The front of the house

The fabulous siding job, in progess

On the way to Memphis!

Hello fellow bloggers...

It's about 1:09 in the morning and I am having a difficult time sleeping.  Since I am off of facebook and no one is on aim, I figure I'll try to get a blog out about Memphis.  I apologize in advance for spelling and grammatical errors...

We left for Memphis Saturday morning at 9:00 AM and drove through GA to our stop in Birmingham, AL.  A church that Andy had connections with let us stay in their college house, ironically titled the "UCF House".  It was amazing.  Two stories-filled with couches to sleep on, a grand piano, a fireplace, pool tables, ping pong, prayer rooms, art studios, etc.  We were so thankful to have a place to stay free of charge, and it didn't hurt that the couch was more comfortable than my bed back here in the dorm.  

We got up and headed out for Memphis Sunday morning.  We got to SOS in the early evening.  It was a really awesome facility that was a former car dealership.  Then the week started.  Monday morning we woke up, had breakfast and were briefed on what type of construction we would be doing.  I think I'll finish up the trip with some highlights....it'll be easier than taking it day by day since we were there for quite some time.  

• My favorite part of the trip was bonding with our team.  A 14 hour van ride can do that to you...everyone got along really well and became a lot closer through the challenges and joys of the trip.  
• Our homeowner, Mr. Perkins, was another highlight.  He was a sweet, 72 year old man who has lived in Memphis his entire life and in his house for the past 23.  He was eager to help and often sat outside on his porch while we worked-telling us stories of when he was in the military and how he lost a finger.  I'm pretty sure he owned the neighborhood, as everyone that came by waved to him and asked him how he was doing. 
• The weather on the first two days was absolutely perfect for home-repair.  Mid-70's, sunny, with a light breeze.  The last two were a different story, though entertaining and a good challenge.  The last day in particular was tough...in the 20's, raining, and super windy.  Somehow we all survived without catching pneumonia or losing a finger to frostbite.  
• Learning construction...I can now put up siding on a house in no time.  That was one of our major projects, along with adding a room on the back of the house.  I was pretty successful with the siding and cut well with the saw, but putting up support for the roof was not my strength.  I was on the top step of a ladder trying to reach over a board that I couldn't see over with a super heavy nail-gun trying to angle it in so that the nail hit both boards.  Needless to say, it was an interesting experience.  
• Gibson's Doughnuts.  This place was heaven-sent.  Andy claims he was saved again at Gibson's.  It was a local doughnut shop that had doughnuts made on location.  After 11:00 PM you could get a dozen for $1.25.  We spent every night there except for one.  Fabulous. 
• Overcoming some fear.  I've always had a hard time with not judging people based on appearance, and the Lord opened my heart and eyes to see people the way He does while I was working in Orange Mound.  One of the staff at SOS brought a crack addict by our work site and allowed us to ask him any questions we had.  It was totally eye opening and my heart was broken for Melvin.  He sees, but does not understand.  Please pray that one day he'll get it in his heart, as well as his mind.  
• We visited "Big Dawg"'s house.  This guy was a crack addict for years and was heavily involved in violent gangs.  He was arrested and released in 2004.  He received salvation shortly after being released from jail.  His testimony is absolutely incredible.  He lives to serve others.  He's given away 4 stoves from his own apartment to people he has seen in need and is currently stove-less because of it.  He works at SOS now and spends most of his days reaching out to prostitutes and crack addicts that need the Lord just as he did a few short years ago.  Seeing how he sacrifices for the Lord and how he has a heart for the people was incredible.  
• We went to Arkansas.  It was right over the bridge so we just had to go.  For the 10 minutes I was there, it was not the least bit exciting.  I'm trying not to judge...I'm sure that there are more exciting things to be seen once you get a little further along.  Oh, and we drove through Mississippi which I had never been through before either.  Exciting stuff. 
• Every night, we had a debriefing session with our group from Wesley.  We talked about what frustrated us about the day, what was great, and what the Lord was speaking to us about...we worshiped together, and prayed for our homeowner.  It was a great time that really brought the team together.  
• On the second work day, we decided to have a competition of who could put up siding the fastest.  It was hilarious, and we got work done a whole lot quicker.
• We went shopping at Burlington Coat Factory to try and bulk up for the crazy weather on Thursday.  I walked out of there with bright pink tights and a ridiculous looking sweater that was on clearance.  The tights were the highlight, for sure.  Courtney got them as well, and we took great joy in putting them on with our shorts and knee high socks while walking around SOS...getting strange looks.  Good times...

I'm pretty sure I've gotten down some of my favorite parts of the trip.  It was a fantastic week where the Lord was glorified.  It was exciting because it was not like a trip where there was this incredible spiritual high that fizzled out once it was over.  Instead, I really feel like the Lord has changed my outlook on a lot of things that will have a lasting impact on my life.  

Thanks for your prayers!!  

Love you ladies,

Brit

PS...I did not get a lot of great pictures from the worksite, so once Courtney gets hers up, I will post some of the house at the end of the week.  :)