Return to New Orleans

Monday night marked the first return of a major sporting event to the hurricane ravaged city of New Orleans. I watched with mixed emotions. On the one hand, it was a far cry from the scenes that are engrained in my mind from just a year ago:

People wading through water with babies in hand
People looting
Dead bodies floating in the water
Dead bodies covered with sheets
Descriptions of the breakdown of society and the horrible things that could be found in the Superdome and the Convention center
People on roofs crying for rescue
People vowing never to go back

The scene Monday was one of jubilation and triumph. Here tens of thousands of people celebrated a victory. The fact that in just over a year the city would be able to hold such an event seems impossible. All the destruction seems like a distant memory.

But then my thoughts turned to a much more somber note. So much energy, money, and time was spent getting a sporting facility ready to host a game while all reports seem to indicate that most of the poorest people still remain homeless. There are entire sections of New Orleans that have not been touched except to clear rubbish out of the roads for vehicles to get by. Why are so many people making this game the benchmark of the return to New Orleans while thousands (if not millions) have not even returned to their previous life? Have such people been ignored for the sake of a stupid game? Has restoring their lives and homes been put further down the list then recreation?

Some justify the effort being put on this event saying that the Saints represent a significant part of the economy. Up to a certain point I may concede the point. But clearly people have to come first. Don’t they?

So I watched the game and the people cheering and waving towels and wondered, “What would I think if was refuge from New Orleans watching from some distance place? Would I be delighted or disgusted? Energized or embarrassed?”

How about you?

New Video Camera

Carrie and I finally got a video camera to capture Elijah's funny and entertaining moments. So, I have posted two such events as an effort to see how transfer and quality go. So, here they are. Hope you enjoy.

Stained Glass Memories

Not knowing what God has planned for our families future, and knowing fully our own desires, Carrie wanted commemorate our time in East Tennessee. The opportunity came to do a stained glass window with a wonderfully talented woman, so we jumped at the chance. After 2-3 days of cutting glass, arranging pieces, soldering, etc., we have the masterpiece below. The picture does not do it justice as Carrie did an amazing job. I did very little.
It is a vision that we frequently see – the river flowing in front of the mountains as the sun shines down. God’s creation is especially beautiful here in East Tennessee. It will be tough to leave when the time comes.