Preparing for the Trip: The Weather

This morning we received a message from Lil at the Presbytery office
letting us know what the weather is going to be like while we're down in
Gulfport:

Hello everyone,

Hope you have wonderful experiences in Gulfport, Ms.
Robert sent me the 10-Day Forecast and asked me to tell you to dress warm.
Check out the 10 day forecast below.

Peace,
Lil

Forecast for Gulfport, MS
10-Day Forecast
Today: Showers 70°/59°
Sat Jan 13: Mostly Cloudy 71°/57°
Sun Jan 14: Cloudy 71°/60°
Mon Jan 15: T-Showers 63°/43°
Tue Jan 16: Showers 48°/33°
Wed Jan 17: Mostly Cloudy 51°/29°
Thu Jan 18: Mostly Cloudy 54°/41°
Fri Jan 19: Mostly Cloudy 57°/43°
Sat Jan 20: Showers 60°/45°
Sun Jan 21: Scattered Showers 61°/50°

In reading Lil's message and looking at the weather forecast, I couldn't help thinking I hope it doesn't rain. We'll get soaked. Even a light rain would be no fun.

(Can I even imagine a hurricane?)

Can You Help Us Test Our Blog?

As we've mentioned in these days before the trip, we're going to check out some features of this blog before we depart for Mississippi.

Can you help us see if everything is up and running smoothly?

Here's what you can do:

Post a comment.

Let us know what you think of this site and what you'd like to see here. During our mission, you'll be able to communicate with the folks who contribute here and post your own thoughts. We'd like it to be a two-way street....er...a two-way blog.

If you've never commented to a blog before, its easy.

1. Click on the word 'Comments' at the bottom of each post.
   
   
2. Leave your comment.
   
   
3. Verify in the characters you see in the picture.
   This is to make sure you're a real human being, not a nasty spam-generating computer, since computers can't understand the letters in the distorted picture
   
   
4. Choose an identity.
   You don't need a Google account and you can post anonymously. Just click the 'Anonymous' button. If you already have a Google or other account, you can feel free to use that.
   
   
5. Click 'Publish Your Comment'.
   

That's all there is to it.

Thanks!

Preparations for The Katrina Mission Trip

Well, we're busy making preparations for the trip. Those of us who are travelling to Gulfport received this message from Arabella Meadows-Rogers in our e-mailboxes today, letting us know just how soon our work will begin:

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Dear Friends,

This is your last reminder... the days are getting close!

• We will meet at Laguardia (AirTran) at 10:30 Saturday January 13 for a flight to Gulfport, MS. Please make sure to have your ID, and if you signed up to be a driver, proof of car insurance.
  
  
• We will be staying and working at:
  Handsboro Presbyterian Church
  1304 East Pass Road,
  Gulfport, MS 39507
  
  Handsboro is the oldest Presbyterian church on the coast. There are washers and dryers on the premises; cots or bunk beds with airmattresses, wireless internet available. We will be renting cars and vans to get us around. Note: showers are outside. It's 70 degrees there today, so cold is not an issue but shoes and bathrobes might be!!
  
  
• We are arranging a trip into New Orleans.
  
  
• Orientation will be shortly after we arrive on Saturday night. IF we are late, or if dinner takes longer than we expect, orientation may take place Sunday morning.
  
  
• T-shirts will be handed out at the airport.
  
  
• We are invited (encouraged) to attend worship on Sunday morning at Handsboro.

We have not received any emergency contact information, however there will probably be 22 cellphones between us! (if you have an extra power strip, bring it!) The office here will have all our information.

See you Saturday!

Rev. Arabella Meadows-Rogers
Executive Presbyter
New York City Presbytery

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So, our Saturday departure date is fast approaching.....