HURRICANE GUSTOV SEPT. 2008

Well, into every life a little rain must fall. With Hurricane Gustov came lots of bad things: fear, darkness, heat, mosquitoes, hard work, and loss. But, God also brought us good things: survival, appreciation for a cool breeze, time together to talk, pray and read God's Word, and sharing what you do have with neighbors and family.

First the ugly...

Nanna and Paw Paw Mac's House:

Damage around town:

Our House:

But there were also good things:

Your momma letting you eat all the ice cream in the freezer out of the carton because it was going to melt anyway...

Your friend trying to cheer you up by highlighting your hair outside in the dark, because she knows you feel ugly.Your friends acting silly (Renee is sporting a lovely coon hunting headlight so she can see to highlight my hair!)

Your brother-in-law driving all the way from east Florida to help repair your mother's house because you are working 12 hours a day and are exhausted.

And...your pastor visiting you to make sure you are okay, reading the bible by candlelight with your mother-in-law and your children, successfully finding a generator and air conditioner so you can sleep with your entire family on the floor in one bedroom, gathering together in the cool of the evening with your neighbors and cooking together...everyone bringing what they have to offer, learning how to repair a leaking toilet by the light of a flashlight, taking a lukewarm bath by candlelight and thankful for a gas hot water heater, and understanding that God builds character in you during the hard times.

Christmas 2007

Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Richmond Virginia Summer 2007

Washington DC Summer 2007

Fun Stuff from this Summer

New Job!

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/ascension/9319627.html


New principal takes on test of bigger school

By SONYA KIMBRELLAscension staff writer Published: Aug 23, 2007
DUTCHTOWN — Mary McMahan always knew she wanted to teach, but she never imagined being a principal.
McMahan, 43, is already settled into her new office at Dutchtown Primary School where she stepped in to replace former principal Patricia Sanchez.
“I never thought about administration, but Ascension Parish School District offers so many opportunities for training and leadership,” she said.
That’s how McMahan found her way into administration.
She was assistant principal at G.W. Carver Primary School, where she taught fifth grade for several years before becoming assistant principal.
McMahan’s philosophy of being principal is that it’s her role to make sure teachers have what they need to teach.
McMahan sees herself as a team leader and thinks that Dutchtown Primary has a lot of strength and competency.
“It’s not just a job for me. It’s part of who I am,” she said.
She also wants to be accessible to the students.
“I make it a point that the children see my face every day. I don’t want them to fear going to the principal’s office,” she said.
That has its challenges, though. Dutchtown Primary has more than 1,000 students as of the first week of school. That’s twice as many students she saw at Carver.
She’s been taking home the school yearbook every night to try to learn the teachers.
Once she’s mastered that, she’ll continue trying to familiarize herself with the students and parents.
“I think by Christmas, I’ll know everybody,” she said.

First Trip in the New Camper: Flint Creek, Mississippi

Mom, Dad, and Shelly Bug went camping while GiGi and Nick were in Florida on their Youth Trip. We went with our friends and neighbors...Brad, Renee & Sydney. We went to Flint Creek, Mississippi. We had a great time!