T and I were offered more than once during his career to go to Louisiana and we always said a very definite NO!! The thought of the very humid Summers, huge insects and unstable weather during hurricane season were often our deciding factors. T had done training in Louisiana before and said he loved the huge oak trees draped in moss but that was never enough to peak my interest. There was one factor we never considered in our decision making and that was the people. I feel in our just over three weeks of being in the state we experienced Southern Hospitality at its best. The people at the camp were genuinely kind and loving towards us. Most of the camp staff joined us for devotionals and worship time every morning and we all prayed together for those who concerned us and each other. We don’t expect to be fed, but we were served delicious food more than once a week. We were there to serve them but the camp staff wanted to serve us. The local church, the camp was affiliated with warmly welcomed us as well as the other RV volunteers whom were present the month of March. Everyone was addressed as Maam or Sir and I found myself near the end of our time there wanting to do the same. It was so refreshing and honestly a politeness and respect our society as a whole has forgotten. The people we met seemed to have a quietness to them, a peace that I found I wanted to be more a part of as my anxiety has been through the roof again lately.
On the weekends if we weren’t with our wonderful group we were out doing our own exploring. The gulf coast beckoned one day and we drove down to walk on the beach, collect some shells and hunt out alligators at the local wildlife areas. Near the end of our time T and I got to take a trip to the oldest town in Louisiana named Natchitoches where the movie Steel Magnolias was filmed. T and I walked the historic district, tried the famous meat pie while taking in a lake view and then took a just over an hour boat tour to learn some local history. It was fun being tourists for the day. To say that Louisiana was a surprise would be an understatement and definitely a state I would like to visit again to explore more of its history and culture.
Just over a week ago we headed back to the SOWER office and are set up for the first time under a cover which has been good to take care of maintenance and be sheltered from the crazy weather that can often pass through this part of the country. Both T and I are taking care of Drs appointments with me having much bloodwork done on Tuesday and T getting a steroid shot in his lower back yesterday. He seems to be moving around pretty well today. I just hope he doesn’t over do it because he is feeling better. If you know you know! lol Whilst at the office we have also been entertaining the idea of buying an improved lot within the Christian community beside the office. We have looked at three different homes so far with the hope to look at one more before the weekend. Each lot has a RV cover and a small cottage type building that houses a one bedroom, one bath layout. Its hard to compare each one for price etc because they are each so different. T and I are thinking over and contemplating our options. We also drove through many local neighborhoods looking at other real estate that is available. For T and I it can be discouraging at times, because the price of a home/ land has gone up so much. It sometimes feels like we will never have a home again.
Please continue to pray for us as we navigate this season of change in our lives. Also we have several prayer requests for members of our family and friends. Please lift up my Dad K who should be getting scheduled for a procedure soon, our brother in law who is recovering in rehab after a stroke, our DIL and her pregnancy, my younger son and his wife with the legal issues with their house and a friend and their family in regards to a young boy J who the legal system gave back to his Dad but had been a part of their family. Situation with Dad is not good.
Thanks so much friends and family. Love to each of you as always- Lou
