January 15, 2015

Day -1
(I'm saying negative one because well, technically our adventure begins in the morning)

"I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy."
-Khalil Gibran

I have been looking forward to this trip since before I was even accepted into the Bonner program and before I even knew this trip had existed. That statement may not make a whole lot of sense...but it's true.

See, I remember watching the news when Hurricane Katrina hit. I remember staring in disbelief at my television screen as they broadcasted the tragedy that was unfolding in the once beautiful city of New Orleans. I remember my little nine-year-old eyes widening at the heartbreaking videos shown on the screen. I remember asking my parents a lot of questions about what was going on. Most of all, I remember how badly I wanted to be able to help all of the people who we're suffering, and I remember being so distraught that I couldn't directly do anything.

Here I am now, ten years later, fulfilling what I set my little heart to when I was a child. I'm finally traveling to New Orleans (or what I thought to just be "the city where people give out pretty beads" when I was little). I cannot be more grateful for this amazing opportunity, and I cannot wait to be able to help people who are still facing many hardships from the storm ten years later.

I think the moment that I truly began anticipating this trip was at the completion of a mission trip that I went on two years ago to Appalachia. While there, I helped build a community center for the children of Dunlow, West Virginia. I was amazed by the fact that I, Caitlyn McNair, was somehow able to learn how to install window frames, caulk windows, put up walls, and use some pretty intense power tools (all in just one week!). As soon as I got home, I couldn't wait for my next chance to travel to an area and be the helping hand that they so desperately need. I had no idea at the time that New Orleans would be my next stop, or that I would be given the opportunity for a mission trip during my freshman year, but I am so thankful that I am being given this chance.

I'm not so worried about the drive there, simply because if I could do thirteen hours in a little mini van to West Virginia with one of my high school teachers driving and blasting Gospel music and show-tunes, then well..I can get through any long road trip (especially since I'm fully equipped with headphones and lots to read). I'm very excited to explore all of New Orleans and I do not plan on wasting a single moment there. Not to mention how eager I am to see what type of work we will be doing and to meet the people we will be working with and who we will be helping.

Let the adventure begin!