My Amazing Mother...

A couple of weeks ago, Alex and I headed back to Wisconsin, where I grew up, to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday. I must say that my mom is not only my best friend, but an amazing woman who loves Jesus, cares for others, gives of herself, and loves her family. We love her too! This mother of mine has endured life well...having lived through divorce, remarraige, step-mothering five new children, and the death of her husband, she is strong and full of faith. I love that my mother has not allowed adversity or challenges in life slow her down, instead she oozes love! My mom not only volunteers at our local hospital and church but she is also a Red Cross volunteer. She helped with disaster relief after Katrina and the flooding near Madison, WI, and after Ike hit she was deployed again for almost three weeks to help those who have lost so much. She drives the ERV, the truc that delivers the food...GO MOM! Here is an update about the typical life of a relief volunteer! Hi All: I am in Sulphur, LA staying at the Maplewood Baptist Church. The Southern Baptists also have the kitchen set up here and they are preparing all our meals for delivery right there. We were on the early entrance to this area and see many people in need. Many have had their entire homes flooded. One area is just now being opened for damage assessment. I stay extremely busy making two meal runs per day. We get up at 6am, staff meeting at 8am, get our assignments and stock our ERV for delivery. Around 10:30am we drive up to pick up our cambros(large containers) full of food. For example, yesterday noon meal consisted of pulled pork, green beans, and fruit cocktail. Evening meal was ravioli, green beans, and pears. At first we were only serving MRE meals (heater meals that don't require a stove). We served over 1000 of those at our site alone. No water to dispense at this time - hard to come by. Our normal load of meals is about 500-600 meals per mealtime. We go out for our evening run about 4:30 and arrive back around 7pm. Then we have to off load cambros, etc., clean the cambros and ERV and attend another staff briefing at 8pm. Then showers in a portable shower trailer and finally rest. Lights out at 10pm. There you have it. The life at this time on the Red Cross deployment. I am scheduled to be out until the 28th of Sept. We expect to be here another few days and then move out to another area. My ERV partner at this time is Leo from Albuquerke (sp?). Working good so far. Well, we had a moment this morning for me to get onto a computer at the local library so I am sending this to you all with my good wishes. I am tired already but remain in high spirits. God is so good! Love you all, Bonnie We love you mom and we are so proud of you!!