It's been nearly two weeks since I returned home from New Orleans. I've been incredibly busy with Red Cross and cheerleading, but in the midst of it all I was blessed with the opportunity to publish an article about my service trip in the Tacoma News Tribune.
Reminiscing over the events that occurred in New Orleans brought to mind several joyful memories, as well as some harsh realizations. For instance, the story about the home owner's daughter who gave birth to twin boys - just think, those newborn twins have to be raised in a 300 sq. ft. living space until the rest of their house is complete. That's not okay. It's not okay for anyone to be subjected to such living conditions.
But the one thing people need to understand is that Shirts Across America does not build houses for people who never had a home. Shirts Across America rebuilds homes that were destroyed during the hurricane. The objective of organizations like Shirts Across America is not to give people what they never had, rather, to fix what is rightfully theirs.
So at the end of my trip I can honestly say that I have a deeper appreciation for everything in my life; I smile more often, and I have yet to complain about doing the dishes. Part of this is because there's nothing at home that compares to the physical exhaustion of the work that I did in New Orleans, but part of this is because I finally understand how blessed I am.
I never have and never will have to live in poverty like too many people in this world do. I'll never have to worry about having a roof over my head, or witness my life get washed away by a hurricane. God has been too good to me so it is my responsibility to reach out to those who face exceptional hardships.
I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to help rebuild the city of New Orleans.
If you've been inspired enough by my blog to help make a difference in New Orleans, then please visit one of the following websites:
www.shirtsacrossamerica.com
www.stbernardproject.org
Thank you for following me on my journey in New Orleans. And hopefully you, too, will find peace by participating in some area of service. God bless.
-Lizzie
"If you want happiness for an hour -- take a nap. If you want happiness for a day -- go fishing. If you want happiness for a month -- get married. If you want happiness for a year -- inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime -- help somebody."
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