Hurricane Sandy Update & Relief Efforts

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

James 2:14-17

What a mentally chaotic week its been.  I still find it hard to believe a week ago we woke up to the truth of what Sandy brought to our region.  Its still hard to wrap my mind around what happened. I live in an area that was virtually untouched but the crazy part is only 8 miles away there were entire communities punched and knocked out by Hurricane Sandy.  It still doesn't seem real.  

The worst hit part of Manhattan was downtown, East Village, Lower East Side and Tribecca.  The East Village has a lot of housing projects and low income families.  The church I attend and work for has a parish down in that area lead by Guy Wasko.  Guy was one of a handful of pastors who initiated one of the largest drop zones in Manhattan.  Over 3 days they served 1000s of people with hot food, groceries, blankets, and more.  Hundreds of people from the community and outside of downtown poured in to help serve those who lost their homes or at best were living without power and heat.

I served at this location for two days, sorting through food and helping people get what they needed.  

Although Manhattan was hit pretty hard, it wasn't the worst hit, by far.  Staten Island and the Jersey Shore had the worst of it.  Entire communities lost their homes, their businesses and even their lives.  The death toll for Sandy is as high as 110 people and is expected to keep climbing.  

I've been proud of my city and the surrounding cities as people have helped those without power and homes get the things they need.  I've loved watching those who were in the middle of it all who came out to volunteer.   

One my favorite acts of love is from the marathoners who came out to Staten Island to help serve this community.  Although many people were disappointed in the cancelation of the marathon, it was necessary and important to this city that resources not be spent on runners but on those who were devastated.  For those marathoners who took the cancelation in stride and helped serve instead, I am proud of you!

The restoration and clean up efforts are still not over.   It will take months and even years to get some communities back to something that resembles order.  If you'd like to help there are many ways.  I am listing just a couple below.

Kristina @ Big Apple Mami is selling Ad space.  100% of the procedes go to hurricane relief

My church has also started a relief fund to help serve those in the communities around us.  These funds will provide food & shelter to thousands.  I vouch 100% for this organization. 

Please keep New York and New Jersey in your prayers as they begin to rebuild their communities!

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
James 2:14-17

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Labor Day Link Up - Weekend In Pictures

 This weekend was chalked full of fun moments.

I spent Thursday evening through Saturday afternoon at a Leadership Retreat for the church I attend/work for.  We went to Trout Lake in the Poconos.  It was on a lake.  It was absolutely breath taking.  

These were from our first night!  They were taken from the lawn just outside our cabin. 

After our first session on Thursday night we made s'mores!  They were delicious. 

The next morning, after not getting much sleep, I decided to get up to see what the sunrise situation was. Boy, was I glad I did.  These were taken Friday morning around 6:15am.  The mist that was coming off of the lake was stunning.  Was so glad I brought my camera.

They had a rock climbing wall with a zip line.  So we tried that out. I was all for it, no nervousness until I was about 4 feet up the wall and realized I had to go all the way up on my own strength and balance.  About half way up my legs started shaking so badly I was afraid I'd fall just because of the shaking.  I made it up. The zip line was a piece of cake after the wall.

After that we took the canoes out onto the water.  Needless to say my arms were worn out the next day. These are pictures of my roommate/bestie.

 I just thought I'd throw this in. Its two of my most favorite people!

These were taken the next morning.  I woke up hoping for a repeat of the mist but it wasn't there. Still the morning was stunning and I was happy I woke up for it!

The retreat was amazing.  It was full of blessed moments and sweet revelations for myself and my church!  I am so thankful for the weekend far outside of the beauty we saw.  

On the way back we stopped by Sonic, a treat I don't get often as there are none in the city.

We had to leave the retreat a couple of hours early to get our service ready.  Of the 6 parishes ours meets on Saturday nights at 5pm.  We got back just in time to change and get to the church to set up.  The service was beautiful and God was definitely moving!  On top of many rich blessings, we got the opportunity to worship with Rickey, a friend of ours who was involved in an accident 5 months ago. Rickey wasn't supposed to live, much less walk or even talk.  God has brought so much healing in his life. It was such a blessing to see him this weekend. 

 Monday was truly a day of rest. We decided to see a movie, "The Odd Life of Timothy Green." It was adorable. I definitely recommend it for people of all ages!

Afterwards, we were planning on lounging in the park but due to an overcast and windy day we ended up changing our plans.  My roommate's heart was broken.

 Instead we stopped by one of our favorite diners on the Upper West Side!  

An ice cream truck was outside our building so we decided to stop by since fun in the sun wasn't in the cards for today.

Speaking of cards... Then we came home where I beat my roommate at cribage twice :)  This was my last hand of the first game! Its a 24point hand.  Fairly rare!  For me at least

The rest of the day was relaxing.  I made a homemade pasta and sauce while my roommate cleaned.  

I am sad to see this lovely weekend end!  All weekends should be like this!

What did you do this weekend?  I'd love to hear!

Link up below to your Labor Day Post.

If you didn't get a chance, stop by the 3 days of Giveaways

Labor Day Giveaway Day 1
Labor Day Giveaway Day 2
Labor Day Giveaway Day 3

Have a great week!

Highs & Lows - My Week

This week has had its ups and downs.  

The great thing about it all is the the highs far out weighed the lows!

LOWS

I recieved 10+ mosquito bites while I slept.  Its true.

I've had trouble sleeping which slowly eroded my good attitude!  My brain would suddenly decide in the middle of the night that it wanted to work and be fairly high functioning... especially on nights I had to go into work the next day.

I found out my grandma is in the hospital and it doesn't look good. My poor mom has had to make some tough decisions. 

BUT

Through my lows I have been encouraged, loved and valued in ways I never expected

I'm excited about my trip home next week to see my parents and possibly say goodbye to my grandma. Not excited about that part but glad I had already planned this trip should that be the case and glad I will be able to give my sweet mom lots of hugs and hand holds!

HIGHS

I won a really large giveaway from The Foley Fam. It included $300 worth of prizes including ad space, gift cards and other tanglable items.  God knows I needed every bit of it!  I've been anxious and excited to grow my blog in concept and in readers. This is and will help that in so many ways! 

With this win, I've ganed some great new friends! You should check them out! You won't regret it!

 

I co-hosted a Meet & Tweet Twitter Hop with Laura Hernandez at Our Reflection and these lovely ladies. 

Amanda from Royal Daughter Designs

Cassie from Live.Laugh.L0ve.

Kendall from Songbirds and Buttons

Emma from Point Me at Lost Islands

Sarah from All Things Blogs

Through it I gained 20 new GFC followers and 60+ new twitter followers.  I've already started dialoguing with many of them. They are all so helpful and encouraging in my effort to grow my tiny little blog.

Lastly, I had a dinner with these lovely folks.  The leaders of my church.  These people are the definition of grace, wisdom, authenticity!  I can't imagine life without these beautiful people.  

TGC WASHINGTON HEIGHTS

This week, even though had its moments, has made me excited about what's next.  

Stay Tuned! 

I can tell I will have more HIGHs and some lows!  All of which show me a little more about living life to its fullest.

Family Meeting

Picture Curtesy of Kristen Whalen

For those who have been in the church for awhile,  I hope this has been your experience. I am very aware of the fact that this is not normal as it hasn't always been normal for me. But these days its very normal.

A friend of mine who attends my church was admitted to the hospital this week for some anxiety and mental health related issues.  Its something they have dealt with most of their life but they realized that they wanted a break from it.

This person has family close by but I get the impression they aren't close and probably has some baggage there.  That's just my assumption!  But he says his church is his family, we are his family.  We say that to each other lots but it wasn't until this week that I truly understood it.

As soon as he was taken to the ER, people from our church were there! I think at one point there was 15 of us.  People have been there pretty much around the clock. Even if we can't see him, we're waiting in the waiting room in case he needs us.

Two or three of his friends, who have experience navigating the system have been his advocates, making sure he asks the right questions and that he's getting the right kind of help.  They are coordinating visitors, information, etc.  They emailed today saying they are having a "family meeting" tomorrow with the doctor to talk about treatment and next steps.  I loved that these 2-3 people who are not his flesh and blood are part of the "family meeting." They know him better then his own family and are fighting for him as a family should.  Its just such a beautiful picture of what Christ intended the church to be.  This is what being a part of a Christian Community should be like.  We should be like family.  The people we call on when life is overwhelming and unbearable.  The people we can feel safe with when things aren't good.  The people we know won't judge or condemn but will love and provide! This is what I hope the rest of the world would see Christians as!  This is what I pray the Church will become in the eyes of the rest of the world. A place of hope, acceptance, love.  

Miracles

I haven't posted much in the last week.  In fact, it has much to do with my last post about my friend Rickey.  I was devastated by what he and his family were going through. To know Rickey is to know one of the sweetest, most creative, most hospitable, kind hearted, genuine men you can EVER know. I am not saying this out of sadness due to his accident. Had you asked me about Rickey the day before his accident, I would have told you the same. I have never met anyone quite like him or his wife.  They are truly amazing people.  I have learned so much about grace and peace from him over the last 7 months of working with him.  When I heard about his accident, all I could do was sit there in silence.  Things like that don't happen to men like him... to women like his wife.  OK, yes they do. They happen all the time... but in the moment, i couldn't believe that was true.

Pray for Rickey

Please be praying for my friend and co-worker, Rickey Kraemer. He was in a motorcycle accident yesterday in Nashville.  He has been unconscious since the accident.


"His vital signs are good and his brain is functioning. However he is unconscious and was running a high fever which has since gone down. From the scans doctors have done, Rickey has swelling in key areas that affect consciousness. The doctors have given him medication to decrease swelling and expect that it may take 24-48 hours to gain more insight into the extent of his injury. Family members and close friends are arriving at the hospital this morning. We ask everyone to continue praying for Rickey, Caitlyn (his wife), and the whole family in this very difficult time." 


To get official updates visit: Trinitygracechurch.com/rickey


Thanks everyone for praying.




UPDATE: Caitlyn’s family has now created a Caring Bridge site where you can get current information on his status as the family updates from the hospital. To register, please visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rickeykraemer and sign up by setting up a quick login with email and password to read the latest.

Run The Island

I am training for a half marathon. Its the 3rd year my roommate and I have decided to run the 13.1 World Vision Half in Queens.  This year, our church has also decided to run.  We have probably 100 people from all 5 parishes running.  We are actually competing with each other for who can raise the most money.  If you are interested, visit our TEAM PAGE.  I still have over $500 to raise.

Cheesy moment #1

This will be a short post but just wanted to say HI!  I am finding myself lately feeling an overwhelming gratitude for the blessings in my life.

I have two families. I have my blood family and my church family.  Each one is so super special to me.  My biological family has been such a blessing in my life.  They have done so much so that i can have so much.  Their love is unconditional and so encouraging. When i look at friends who don't have that, I become even more grateful for what I do have.  Without them, I would not be who I am and I am thankful to them for that.

I also have a church family who in many aspects is the same as my biological family.  They are encouraging, loving, challenging sisters and brothers, mothers and fathers.  The steps I took this year was made easier because of their wisdom and love in my life.

I have so many other blessings that i am thankful for and today I am overflowing with gratitude!  God has been so good to show me his character and love.  What I don't have, I see today, as God's promises and will on my life. I choose to trust in his plan.

Kirkwood Camp is the Place that I wanna Be

This weekend, the church I attend and now work for, had its Fall Leadership Retreat that i was finally going to get to attend.  It is at Kirkwood Camp in the Poconos.

My roommate, and a friend (and her cute baby) drove down Thursday night.

We got a chance to see an amazing sunset!  I felt like we were driving into a vortex of pretty!!  (This picture courtesy of Ashley Wilson since i was driving. They recommend not taking pictures and driving...)