It is now well into February and almost six months has passed since our area was hit and devestated by Hurricane Katrina.

I’ve really struggled with this post. I’ve thought about not posting and changed my mind. Then I would change my mind again. Joshua keeps asking me when I’m going to post it and I’ve put it off for some time. But I decided to post now.

I generally like to keep my blog rather upbeat. I’m a happy person. Even when things are tough and difficult. I generally try to keep out of the depths of despair….and I like for my blog to reflect that.

Not that I want anyone to think I have it all together or that my life is free of problems. Far from it….I just rather like to focus on the positive.

So that’s why I’ve struggled with this post.

The last week of January I finally went to the beach. For the first time since the storm. (I went to a concert in a park on the beach the Saturday night before Katrina hit early Monday morning.)

Not driving along the beach is a bit weird. Many things we like to do are (were) on the beach…..the mall, my favorite resturaunt, several festivals and concerts would take place there….we would go often. So not going for almost six months is a bit weird. I don’t know if I’ve ever in my life gone that long without driving along the beach.

So we went. Joshua had been several times since people were allowed to but I had no reason to since most of the things I used to go to the beach for were no longer there.

So I must admit to it being a bit upsetting. I didn’t actually cry….I had done that already and am long past that. We are rebuilding…and most people are doing much better. It was just a bit overwhelming….

So, here are some pictures of what it still looks like around here. (I hid the pictures because there are tons….so it may take awhile to load…especially if you are using dial-up).

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…or the Gulf Coast of the United States

otherwise known as home. For me and many others.

I haven’t posted on Katrina in awhile. I didn’t want to become a bore. It seemed that is all I talked about for awhile. Of course, it was rather consuming for awhile!

And things have settled down for a bit. For me at least. Life is somewhat back to normal, if that is possible. There are so many things that will never be the same, or at least will take awhile to become what it was….

Christmas decorations have been going up for some time now. Many places decorate for Christmas as soon as the Halloween decoration have been tucked away, and by the time Thanksgivng arrives the Christmas season is full force upon us! Christmas carols being played and icicle lights strung from every home…

One thing that I am having trouble getting used to is how ugly everything is this year. Mississippi has had a bad reputaion for some reason. I don’t think people realized what a beautiful place it truly is.

I grew up with honeysuckle and winding creeks, gravel roads and fences lining fields of hay, ponds and barns…..

I moved to the Gulf Coast with a large strech of beach lined with Victorian homes and live oaks….

I’m quite tired of hurricane debris lining the roads (although it’s better, it’s still there). I’m tired of blue roofs (tarps). I’m tired of my beautiful town being half fallen down….and every thing on the water being completly gone (well, I don’t miss the casinos…but they will be reopening soon…)

But, besides all this, I’m seeing some wonderful things. Schools from all over the country have sent gifts, supplies, and all manner of things to students in my school. This is happening at all the schools in this area….

Jami (another Gulf Coast blogger) commented on my blog earlier about the way people are reaching out to us here on the coast:

How great that your church has opened its doors to many of the churches that lost their buildings. It sure seems like a different spirit down here this Christmas. It is amazing though, the love and outpouring of others to those less fortunate.

And she’s blogging about some of the things going on….(which incidently, made her daughter somewhat famous!)

I blogged about how a church in Jackson, MS ministered to churches here on the coast…

What I failed to mention is that this church also passed out gift cards to hundreds of people who were affected by Katrina. They also presented their program at Buckaneer State Park, in Waveland, MS, where many people will be celebrating Christmas from inside their tent. Yes, there are still families living in tents. And many, many more living in other temporary shelters….FEMA trailers, with other family members….

Christmas will not be the same for many.

The good thing about being a Christian is that Christmas means so much more than being able (or unable) to buy the coolest toy for your eight year old. Christmas is about so much more for us….

Christmas…the day we celebrate Jesus Christ, coming to Earth, of his own will, to sacrifice his life, for our lives….

Really, the important thing isn’t about gifts, or homes for that matter….

…but then, I know that’s easy to say as I type at the computer from my warm, comfortable house (which lost a few shingles) …

So I suppose what I am asking is for you to remember in prayer the many lives that have been affected by what has happened down here. Remember the families who will not be trimming trees, stuffing stockings, or nestling children safe in their bed, as visions of sugarplums dance in their heads….

And pray for them…..please.

And although Joshua already beat me to this quote, I want to share it as well. A woman who lost everything the owned down to the concrete slab her house was own (including baby books and pictures) gave a testimony during our Christmas program on Sunday… What she has to say is this:

The name of Jesus Christ will always be greater than the name of Katrina.