The sites

I spent my labor day doing nothing productive and feeling guilty for it. The only thing that I did get accomplished was repairing a flat tire (the third one in a month--thank you to the streets of new orleans) and writing this post. While I was waiting on my car to get repaired, I walked around downtown and captured a few things along the way.

Notice the frightened animals at the bottom of the poster. I'm not sure what this is supposed to mean.

Found this sign on the side of an abandoned building. It makes me sick knowing this is true; pray for the police in this city as they fight to lower the number of homicides.

Just one of many abandoned buildings in this city.

Last but not least...a random light house in the middle of the city. It is up for lease if anyone is interested.

Ann and Casey this is for you:

New Orleans by Numbers

Check out this list of numbers relating to the recovery of New Orleans 4 years after Hurricane Katrina. For the full list visit CNN.com.


76.4 %- Population: More than three-quarters of New Orleans population is back, according to post office numbers showing who gets mail. In the greater New Orleans metro area, 90% of the population is back, getting mail.


6.8%- Unemployment: Engineering and construction work rebuilding Louisiana after storms has cushioned unemployment. Nation's rate is 9.4%.


1 in 167- Foreclosures: New Orleans ranks 119th on a list of cities with most foreclosures. In hardest-hit Las Vegas, one in every 13 homes is in foreclosure.


-15%- Tourism: Cash-strapped tourists and companies worldwide have cut travel to the Big Easy. City hotel bookings related to conventions and meetings are down 15% from 2008.

65,888- The number of unoccupied residences in March 2009, nearly equal to those in Detroit. Indeed, the New Orleans landscape is dotted by weed-filled lots and molding houses.


1- Murder: The city's murder rate, adjusted for population, topped all cities nationwide last year.


-17 %- Violent crime dropped in New Orleans in 2008. The city has done better than even a nationwide decline in crime the last two years.


2 Poverty: Louisiana ranks No. 2 in the nation for people living in poverty, trailing only Mississippi, despite billions in post-Katrina recovery dollars.

To do list: Buy Pepper Spray

Sunday I decided to take a walk in the neighborhood because I am a few blocks from the Mississippi River where there is an overpass and I wanted to see what kind of view there was. I passed several people sitting on their porches and riding bikes. Everyone was friendly by smiling and saying hello. Then I passed a guy detailing his car; he also smiled and said hello so I did the same. Then he commented on what a pretty smile I had and asked if there was any reason for it. I responded by saying I guess it is just this nice weather and enjoying a little walk.

He made small talk asking me if I was from around here (yes, i just moved for grad school), are you married (no, i don't think I'm ready for marriage at this point in my life), so you're just looking for friends (yes)---still thinking nothing of our conversation other than a friendly chat. I commented on the car he was working on saying "that's a nice ride"; he didn't miss a beat in replying "so when can I ride you? (me: nervous laugh) what your boyfriend wouldn't like that?". I was so shocked by the comment that I replied "No, have a nice day" and quickly walked away while getting out my cell phone to call mom on my walk back home.

Augh! Living in New Orleans is emotionally exhausting because you are constantly faced with the brokenness of the world everywhere you go.
Pray for me and this city.

Friends!

I have been feeling really lonely lately but God provided me with some encouragement today. I went to my church's prayer group this morning in the hopes of having time to fellowship and bond with people at the church. It was nice to spend time with this small group and be encouraged by their prayers for the church and its members.
After the service I saw several people that I wasn't expecting. Three friends from Lagniappe ended up visiting and I got to talk with them briefly. While I was talking to them I saw Mary Owen, a friend from Auburn, walk by. She is here for the week to volunteer with a group from her church in Augusta Georgia! It is nice to have someone in town who I know and can call up to go have coffee with me.
Thank you God for providing friends when I was feeling lonely!

Enjoying the down time

I'm trying to enjoy my leisurely life before classes and work start back Monday. Today I woke up, read a little, browsed the internet, worked out, showered, napped, and cooked. Basically a whole lot of nothing.
It was a great day but I long to be around people at the end of the day. Even if I have been with people all day long I still desire to be around a few friends in the afternoon. I don't know what it is but I can be fine all day long by myself then dinner time hits and I feel lonely. Not to worry--night classes start soon so that shouldn't be a problem.
Anyways, thought I would show off my creations. I made my momma's chicken pot pie but tried to make it healthier by not having as much crust. I also made Anita's banana bread--my favorite breakfast food.

God is great! Life is good!

A whole new world

SO...today I ventured to the local social security office to order a copy of my card because my previous one seems to have gotten lost during the move. Going downtown is always an adventure for me. First, I can't parallel park (without getting pissed off or scratching someone's car) and second, I have no sense of direction in this crazy, curvy city. I finally made it to the office (after trying several other buildings first) and got my number in line.

It was a small room that was crowded and smelled of B.O. and it was filled with many interesting characters. As entertaining as the whole experience was, it was sad to see many of these individuals who you could tell were homeless or struggling to get by. Everyday I get in my car and pass numbers of homeless individuals. I want so much to help but I have no idea where to start and keep having to remind myself that Jesus already saved the world--it's not my job.

This will show you how naive and small town minded I am... I was getting off of my exit right by the superdome and saw 50-100 people scattered about in the parking lot under the bridge. My mind immediately thought "Wow, I can't believe people are camping out for the Saints game". I went home and told my roommate and she gave me this look like "alright". It wasn't until later that week when I drove by and saw the same thing that I realized these people were homeless and trying to get out of the rain.

Please pray for this city and its people. Pray also that God will show me my role in ministering to the many needy individuals here.

"We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield." -Psalm 33:20 (NIV)