Back From Biloxi

Photo #1-It's even a McSpadden! I was re-inspired...

Photo #2-Sheer force of water. Wow.

Photo #3-How many of us can fit in one little bunk?

Photo #4-Black Widder!

Photo #5-A job well done.

Photo #6-Best. Game. Ever.

Photo #7-Don't cut me!

Photo #8-We could use a shower about now...

Photo #9-Cut 3 times and still too short was NOT our motto.

I'm freshly back from Biloxi, and my sumary of the trip? It was great! What a growing experience for me as a leader! Yeah, that was one spot I really needed growing in. The company was splendid, the weather was... well... Hot! The work was fulfilling and the fellowship uplifting. I increased my number of friends, and there's no regrets there. My fellow team members were Dan, Aubrie, Elaine, Dena Marie, Keren, Randy, Rob, and Pastor John. Oh! and the dulcimer playing guy, Steve was still there, playing his dulcimer... Sweet! It was great being back in Biloxi, seeing Patty again, fixing up houses and talking with the locals. They each have a story, every one of them, and what they need is someone to listen to them, to feel with them, to cry with them, to hug them. We all had to be that someone.

The experience is almost too much to put into words. The best way to know is to go yourself. Believe me when I say they still need people to help clean up, to help rebuild, to show God's love.

Thank you God, for making me, eyes and nose, hands and feet. Ears to hear, lips to speak, and a heart that beats for you...

Awww, isn't it cute? Those little animals are so adorable! They are supposed to be Milo and Otis, the curious cat and the pug-nosed pup. I don't know what wrong with me. I can't stop singing stupid songs! And Phantom of the Opera tunes with different words. Same story for Wicked songs. And don't tell me it's because I'm in love, because I'm not. I'm just truely deep down inside happy and joyful inside! I've got the joy (aubrie) joy joy down in my heart! Wher? Down in my heart! Where? Down in my heart! Down in my heart to stay! And I'm so happy, so very happy, I've got the love of Jesus in my heart!

I have felt very worry and care-free in the past two days, even though I'm up to my eyeballs in mock ups and presentation folders at work. It's a very good feeling. Maybe it's because I found out that Dad's CT scan came back clear. Maybe it's because I cast all my cares upon God. Maybe it's the exhileration of summer. Maybe it's all of the above. Whatever it is, I like it.

I bought my very own, left-handed dulcimer almost two weeks ago in Shipshewana. It's so cool! I can play it, and I'm learning it. and I'm very excited about it! I also bought the Pride & Prejudice piano music, and I'm learning those songs too. Being back at the piano after years of sporadic playing is very nice. Especially when I'm playing songs that sound just like the ones from the movie! And not just any movie; one of my favorites! I'm becoming musical again. I wish I could take my dulcimer to Biloxi when I go again next week, but I don't think there will be enough room in the van, and the heat and humidity down there could hurt it. Anyway, I might be too tired to play it. I'll be happy to look forward to playing them when I come back.

That's right, you read correctly. I'm going back to Biloxi next week with a group from church. It's going to be killer fun! (Not that we'll be killing anything, on the contrary, we will be rebuilding!) I'll tell you all about it when I come back.

It's 10:00 pm now, and I didn't make my lunch yet, so I'd better get to skipping! Peanut butter, apples and craisins, here I come! No matter what anyone says, that is the BEST lunch in the whole wide world. Mmmmm Mm.

Lest I forget:
Lizzie's favorite CD of the week: shuffle all 712 songs on my iPod.
Lizzie's favorite movie of the week: Pirates of the Caribbean.
Lizzie's favorite book of the week: I'm starting Black, by Ted Dekker. It's pretty cool!
Lizzie's favorite instrument of the week: tie between piano and mountain dulcimer.
Lizzie's favorite list of favorite things: Lizzie's list :)

And last but not least, a quote from Tyndale's first (but not last) design summer intern, Miss Missy:
Quote #8 from volume #1
"How can I put this to you? Mmmmm. Well, I didn't sign on to be an intern to scan or do anything that's boring. It's my summer vacation after all! Gee... it's like a prison in here!

And I can't resist one more... wait... two more!
Quote #3 from volume #1
"Well, I don't think the warehouse will be hard work. When I was a little girl I rode horses on our estate and I'd have to clean up messes... we have people for that sort of thing now..."

Quote #3 from volume #2
"Whatcha mean I have to keep redoing it until I get it right? I'll be here forever!"