GET A HAIRCUT AND GET A REAL JOB

Where do I begin? OK. First off, thanks to everyone who's been praying for my family and friends. God is faithful!

Christen is alive! She was rescued during the hurricane and taken to a total stranger's house, where she has been staying without phone access. She couldn't have called us anyway, because she did not have anyone's phone number memorized. She had plugged them into the cell phone and all she had to do was enter the shortcut code or say our names. Not knowing anyone's phone number! There's a new hazard of modern living! I realized that I'm just as guilty; I only know two phone numbers of loved ones. I guess I need to memorize some more just in case I lose my phone during an emergency.

My apartment was gross - black mold and mildew. It took two days to box up my stuff and drive it up to my parents' house for storage. During that time the exposure to the toxins in the apartment made me ill - I'll spare you a list of symptoms. Man, I wish I had worn gloves and a mask. I thought I was smarter than that!

I'm shuffling between family member's houses until I can figure out what I'm doing. Steve is still serving in New Orleans, so his place is my eventual destination. Jenny is staying with my cousin in Hattiesburg since Southern Miss Hattiesburg classes started this week. They are redoing her apartment for her, but it will take a couple of weeks. My apartment complex released me from my lease since my place is unlivable. They said they were just glad I turned my keys in since most of the residents had left and not turned in their keys or told the manager if they were coming back or not.

Terry and Jo went down to Florida for a couple of weeks to get away from the mess and sort things out. Terry already is starting to sound normal again. I think we are all coming out of the shock we've been in. I got a haircut today and shaved. I was starting to look like Tom Hanks in that shipwreck movie. I guess getting a haircut is moving one step closer to finding a job (if that song is right). How much longer will I be living out of a suitcase?