Extreme Homemaker: Joplin

"MOVE!" "THAT!" "BUS!!!"

Know that phrase?

If you've ever sat down and watched an episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition, than you've heard the ebullient host, Ty Pennington, scream those words through his ever-present megaphone, prior to a well-deserving family getting a home of their dreams.

Pretty cool stuff.

Even more cool is that my Hubby got an opportunity to be one of the lucky volunteers today, working on those dream homes.

Extreme Makeover has been in Joplin, Missouri this week...doing an unprecedented "Seven Homes in Seven Days" build for their upcoming 200th Anniversary episode. (Set to air probably in January or February)

On May 22nd of this year, Joplin was the scene of the most destructive tornado in U.S. history - a monster storm that killed over 160 people, leaving thousands of homes and businesses destroyed. I spent almost 3 weeks in Joplin immediately afterwards, with the American Red Cross, providing food and other supplies to the people affected.

A few months ago, both Hubby and I applied online at www.joinextreme.com/joplin to be selected as volunteers to work on the build...seven homes...in seven days...for seven different families.

What a once-in-a-lifetime experience that would be, we thought....

A couple of weeks ago, I found out that we had both been selected...Hubby had been chosen for the October 22nd shift from 2:00 - 8:00 pm...while I had been selected to build a house at a later date...in Maine.

WHAH??

Yup.

Maine. Or possibly Massachusetts.

Either way, it was a long way from Joplin, and a long way from Kansas City.

I'm not sure how that mix-up occurred, but oh, well. Probably best that I not be hammering out construction so soon after the gallbladder surgery....right? That's what I'm telling myself, anyway, as I worked through my disappointment at the mix-up.

So, Hubby set off today for his unique volunteer experience...and he called a bit ago, on his way home, bubbling with enthusiasm and excitement on all that he had been a part of today.

Very well organized, he said. Lots of volunteers - hundreds, if not thousands. From all over the country.

All seven houses are in a row...on the same block...but all with different themes.

And yes, he DID get to see Ty Pennington - several times, in fact - as Ty walked around the job site...but he never got to hear Ty screaming into the megaphone.

We can't wait to watch this episode and "meet" the families who'll be moving into these special homes...and knowing all of the love that went into them from all of the volunteers....

Now...if only I can get myself to Maine...or Massachusetts...and work on the house that I got selected for....

Right.

Peace.

A New Normal

I'd like to say my life returned to "normal" today, but I realize that I've been forever changed by my time spent in Joplin.

I baked a chocolate cake this morning, and I couldn't help but think of the people still staying in shelters or motels tonight, with their homes in ruins, and wondered when the next time they'll be able to bake a cake in their own oven.

I seriously considered baking a thousand chocolate cakes today and delivering them to the people of Joplin, just so they could have homemade chocolate cake tonight.

I took my car to the car wash this afternoon, and I thought about the 18,000 cars lost...with thousands of people still without any means of transportation.

I played a little bit more with my dog tonight, as I thought about the 500 pets still unclaimed after the storm...waiting to be reunited with their owners.

My oldest son is driving home tonight, and a tornado warning was issued in the area where he was driving...my anxiety shot through the roof, as I called him on his cell phone to reassure myself that he was okay....I guess this comes after seeing firsthand what a tornado can do.

I'm loving my family just that much more...I'm cuddling the pets just that much longer...and I'm going through my routine with a new appreciation for the blessings that God has given me in my life...knowing how much can change in the blink of an eye.

Peace.

Alive After 16 Days

And some good news from Joplin:

The woman in this photo lost her family home in the tornado on May 22, 2011.

She and her family returned to their home yesterday (June 7th) one last time to take a look at what used to be their house.

They heard a cat crying, and began digging like crazy.

The homeowner moved a board and wedged under it was her 13-year old cat, Lavern.

Alive after 16 days.

Doesn't her expression say it all?

Rejoice.

Joplin: Day 14 Last Day Thoughts

My last day in Joplin today, and my emotions are bittersweet.

I spent the last two days driving in an area near St. John's Hospital, doing what we call "Search & Feed." Drive slowly up and down the debris-laden streets, dodging branches, nails, and other unidentifiable objects, and seek out volunteers, workers, and residents who could benefit from a hot meal and ice-cold drink.

When people approach the Red Cross truck to get that hot meal and drink, it's not about the food. A lot of time is spent listening while they share their stories, of which most of them are very eager to share.


Me and my partner, Bob...

Each story is unique...a father tells me of his son taking shelter in a convenience store that ended up being on a Youtube video... a woman tells me of her cat being in the back yard during the tornado, and after being presumed dead, saunters up to their front door four hours after the storm...a young man tells of his harrowing ordeal of search-and-rescue immediately after the storm and what he was finding.

We listen...we empathize...and we assure them that we care. That they've not been forgotten. That it WILL get better, with time.



I'm heading home tomorrow. I'm bruised...sunburnt...exhausted...and hot. Although I'm happy to be heading home to see my family and my pets, part of me will be left behind in the streets of Joplin, worrying about "my people" and hoping they're doing okay.

My Joplin tornado experience ends tomorrow, but for the people here, their experience is going to last a lot longer...months, if not years, of recovery lie before them.

I implore anyone who's reading this to not forget the city of Joplin and it's people. Keep them in your prayers; consider coming here on a mission team; or consider making a donation to a charity of your choice that's doing work here.

It's the only way we can send a message that we care, and that they have not been forgotten.

Peace.

Joplin: Day 12 Celebrating Life

The human spirit is a resilient one...it can be kicked around, battered and pushed to its limits - but it takes a lot to break it. The human spirit also knows when its time to set aside the mourning and the grief and celebrate - at least for a little bit.

Not too far south of Joplin, I was fortunate enough to attend a cousin's wedding last night with my family.

For one night, at least, it was a blessing to be surrounded with the people I love, and celebrate the beginning of something new - a marriage between two young people who are committed to spending the rest of their lives together.

My own family made the drive down from Kansas City - about 2 1/2 hours - picked me up - and then drove the rest of the way to a small Missouri town called Nixa. There, we met up with extended family and friends to witness the marriage between my cousin, Tyler, and his beautiful bride, Kristen.

The simple, yet beautiful wedding was held outdoors, and it was a beautiful backdrop.


Kristen's mother walked her down the aisle, as Tyler looks on...


I may be prejudiced, but I think Kristen is one of the most beautiful brides EVER. :)


After the ceremony, we celebrated with food and dancing, and then watched as the happy couple cut the cake:


My 5-year old nephew, Robert, was celebrating as he ate his cheese in a rather unique way:


It was a wonderful evening, and as I felt a tiny twinge of guilt at one point as I thought about what the people of Joplin are going through, I quickly chased that thought away, knowing that we NEED to celebrate life.

LIFE wins.

Cheers to you, Tyler and Kristen!

May you have a long and happy life together!

Peace.

Joplin: Just the Facts

Wonder what the American Red Cross has done so far in Joplin, MO?

Here are some statistics, as of Friday evening:

Total number of ERV (Emergency Response Trucks) here: 19 (I've seen Ohio, South Carolina, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia - and numerous other states who are here)

Total meals served: 44,337 (and every one of them has been delicious, believe me!)

Total snacks served: 81,184 (I think I've eaten about 40,252 of these....)

Bulk clean-up & recovery items distributed: 27,831

Total people who've spent the night in a Red Cross shelter: 2,342

Total number of Red Cross workers/volunteers here: 555

Total number of bruises, scrapes and cuts on the Drama Queen's body: 14 (and rising - got a new one today on my middle finger. BANGED it into something and I've got a pretty good black & blue bump.)

Total number of hours before my family is here to see me on my day off: 4 (jumping up and down with excitement!)

Total number of days before I get to go home: Who knows?

Peace.

Joplin: Day 11 Paradise Found

A very long and very hot day in Joplin...

...after my work was done, I found a little bit of heaven:



Some people may say I'm a bit of a diva, but when it's all said and done, it doesn't really take much to make me happy.

An ICE-cold Diet Coke and a chocolate pie.

Life is good.

Peace.

Joplin: Day 10 A Bruised Banana

To date, the American Red Cross has served over 31,000 meals here in Joplin, and over 45,000 snacks.

I think I feel every one of those in my battered and bruised body.

Bruises that I obtain on disaster sites I like to call "souvenirs", and I have plenty of them on this trip...unfortunately, the number is growing by the day. Legs, arms, knees - even my elbow has a bruise. How does an elbow even get a bruise, anyway?

The last two nights have been very uncomfortable, as my Erythromelalgia has reared up, leaving me with burning hands while I try to sleep. It's so painful at night that I'm losing sleep, as I just can't get my hands to stop from hurting.

Erythromelalgia has triggers, and I seem to be hitting on a lot of them right now...caffeine (I'm sucking down diet soda for energy), sugar (lots of junk food here), excessive physical exercise (duh), and stress (double-duh.)

The work continues, however, and it's 6:15 am in the morning as I write this, getting ready to head out the door for another long, hot, physical day.

I have Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday off - and my family will be driving down to come pick me up for a family wedding that's in a small town about an hour from here. I'm SO looking forward to seeing Hubby and the kids, as well as my parents, siblings and cousins.

That brief visit should be enough to jump start the batteries and let me keep going.

I'm going to look like one sunburnt, bruised banana at the wedding - but hey. I think everyone will cut me some slack, right?!

Peace.

Joplin: Day 8 Kitchen Chronicles

When you become a volunteer for the American Red Cross, you get an opportunity to pick your specialty. We have many specialties that we do during a disaster: sheltering, feeding, damage assessment, staffing, and casework, among others.

You can pick one specialty - or you can multi-train, like I have. Multi-training allows you to have more of an opportunity to deploy during a disaster, if that's what you're looking for.

Here in Joplin, I'm classified as "Feeding." However, I've taken it a step further and many years ago, I became ERV-certified. An ERV is our Emergency Response Vehicle, and a volunteer must go through training on how to drive and operate an ERV.

I love ERV driving. I think it's my favorite activity to do.

Here in Joplin, we have ERV's from all over the country stationed at what is known as a "Kitchen."


Just some of the ERVs we have here in Joplin - with my truck, the Little Rock, AR truck, up front. Am I from Little Rock? No...but it just happens to be the truck I'm assigned to.

Our Kitchen is located at a small Baptist church in Joplin, where a group of Southern Baptist volunteers prepare two delicious hot meals a day.

A typical day in a Kitchen goes as follows:

The Baptists (always in bright yellow shirts) get up super-duper early and begin cooking the food...a meal usually consists of a main course (such as spaghetti), a vegetable (green beans are popular), and a dessert/fruit (pudding or peaches, usually).

The Kitchen is outside and under tents, and it's quite an operation to watch if you ever get an opportunity.

Once the food is cooked, it's placed in these large red containers called "cambros." Each ERV is assigned a number of meals to take on their vehicle...in my case, I'm loading up 125 meals, which could mean up to 6 cambros on my truck.


A stack of cambros waiting to be filled...with the Kitchen visible in the background. That guy in the Blue Hat is the head boss of the Baptist crew.

While the Baptists are cooking, the ERVs all assemble in the parking lot, where we line up and begin loading other supplies.


Rolling the ice across the parking lot to the ERV


My partner, Bob, bringing clean drink cambros to our ERV. We'll load this up with coffee.

Besides ice and water, we're all grabbing boxes of snacks, silverware, napkins, etc off of giant semi-trucks and loading the ERV's up. The semis may have cookies, potato chips, and other snacks - and each ERV crew grabs what they think they'll need for the day to distribute to the clients.

If we get done before the food is ready, we can grab a few minutes, sit on the back of our trucks, and shoot the breeze, like Gary and Walt are doing here:


Around 10:00 am, the head honcho of the Baptist group, known as the Blue Hat, will announce that we're ready to line up the ERVs and load the hot food. All ERV crews jump in their rigs and form a straight line so we can load - assembly-line style:


Each rig's food is on a pallet; the pallet is wheeled over to the back of the ERV and everyone jumps in to help, loading as quickly as possible:


Once you're loaded, you take off and go to your pre-arranged destination...it may be a zone in a neighborhood, where you cruise the streets and serve anyone and everyone you find...this is known as Mobile Feeding. Or - you may go to a location, such as Joplin High School, park in the parking lot, and serve from there. This is known as Fixed Feeding. Sometimes, an ERV will take food to a shelter or police station and leave the food behind - known as a "drop."

In Galveston, for Hurricane Ike, I did mobile feeding. Here in Joplin, I'm doing fixed feeding at Red Cross Headquarters.

Once lunch is served, all ERVs head back to the kitchen - throw away trash, clean out their rigs, and begin the process all over again, only THIS time, for dinner.

Long days. Physical work. In the sun on hot asphalt.

But many friendships formed and many stories told as we labor to serve others.

That, my dear readers, is what it's like to work on a disaster for the Red Cross - when you're an ERV crew assigned to feeding.

Not sure why I love it like I do, but I do. Something about being a truck driver - we're a little crazy, but we have big hearts.

Peace.

Joplin: Day 7 Talking Bunnies

I'm almost 49 years old...I've never seen a tornado strip bark off the trees like this one did....


Sometimes, when everything is lost, it's the little things that can make a huge difference.

In my case, I haven't lost anything...and yet, being away from my family, sleeping in a dorm, (and I use the word "sleeping" loosely), getting little rest and pushing my body to its physical limits, I yearn for things that bring me comfort.

My partner and I took five minutes out of our hectic schedule today and stopped at a gas/convenience store, where I purchased a 12-pack of Diet Dr. Pepper and two small bags of peanut butter M&M's.

I am happy. I finally have things that bring me comfort, and I am at peace with the world.

We're noticing small improvements today in Joplin as we scurry from here to there...Power lines are being re-strung; debris is getting pushed further back from the streets, and to our huge relief and joy, the traffic has decreased 10-fold.

Although the national spotlight has moved on from Joplin, as it tends to do in our ever-changing, fast-paced world, the work of the American Red Cross and other relief organizations continues.

We're delivering almost 3,000 meals each day to the residents and workers and volunteers alike...lunch, and then dinner....We could probably deliver more if we had more Red Cross volunteers here with us, but considering that there have been dozens of storms and flooding across the country, our reserves are stretched pretty thin. Because of this, we're pushed even more to do what we can to help.

Police departments from almost every city and county in Missouri are still here...I should know, as they're all staying in the same dorm as I am, and I have to say, I've never felt so safe and secure in my life. It's to the point where I don't lock my dorm room at all anymore - and it's nice to come home and see the presence of over 100 cop cars sitting in your "front yard."

My fellow Red Cross volunteers and I have three restaurants that we "rotate" through each evening for dinner. Many restaurants were destroyed, so the pickings are slim. Our choices are a steakhouse, Mexican or Italian. Last night, it was Logan's Roadhouse, and at one point during dinner, our weary waitress said, "Wow...will you look at that???!"

She points to the waiting area, which is...empty. She continues, "This is the first time it's not been packed since the tornado. I may actually get home before 2:00 in the morning." And she smiles in relief.

As we were driving through a heavily-damaged neighborhood today, we saw a bunny rabbit hopping along. In my "normal" world, a rabbit wouldn't get much attention from me. But here...it was a sign of life. And hope. And it was a sign of wonder..."How the heck did that rabbit survive an F5 tornado?" I said, in disbelief...

If only bunnies could talk.

Peace.

Joplin: Day 6 A World Redefined

Sleep eludes me last night.

Perhaps it was all of the frustration I was carrying around yesterday...the sense of loss...the sense of helplessness...the sense of powerlessness.

This tornado, if nothing else, has shown me that we - as people - are not as in control as we would like to think....

It has shown me that life is fleeting...and that your goals, your dreams, your plans - can change in the course of a few minutes.

Boom.

Your reality is now this: Before the tornado. After the tornado. Forevermore, your life will be defined by one moment on a Sunday afternoon when Mother Nature unleashed her fury and showed who really is in control.


A neighborhood playground...

As I drive through the streets of Joplin, I can only reflect on these things...passing mountains of splintered trees, sheet metal, smashed cars, and unrecognizable items pushed to the sides to allow cars to get through.

As I see the people of Joplin working in their shattered houses and yards, trying to recover anything that remains of "Before the tornado," my heart reaches out to them.

I want to reach through my window and tell them, "It's going to be okay."

But will it?

I'd like to think so.

I know the people here are strong. I know they have a fighting spirit. And I know they will get through this - not today, not tomorrow, not next week - perhaps not even next year - but eventually, life will return to a semblance of normalcy.

My days are long, hard and physical. I miss my family. I miss the familiarity of my world. I'm working as hard as I can in my Red Cross truck, delivering much-needed supplies to the people here to keep the recovery process flowing.


Just a few of our trucks at Red Cross Headquarters, awaiting instructions

If I feel the need to complain, all I have to do is look out my truck window, and I think to myself, "I'm sure the people of Joplin miss the familiarity of their world, too. Before the tornado."

So suck it up, Drama Queen.

There's work to be done.

Peace.

*Again, I will not be posting any photos of individual houses that were destroyed/damaged in Joplin out of respect for the people who lived there...I will only be posting photos of public buildings or businesses...I hope everyone understands.....

Joplin: Day 5 A Visit From the President

The last several days have been...frustrating.

In our culture, we are so accustomed to getting what we want...now. Immediate gratification has become the norm, and so when things aren't done quickly enough, frustration and annoyance can quickly set in.



Here in Joplin, the shock of the tornado has worn off, and a bit of frustration has set in.

Just trying to navigate the crowded streets of Joplin is an extremely frustrating experience. As someone said today, "Half of the residents of Joplin either lost their cars or their jobs...so you know it's not THEM who are driving on these roads...so who the heck are all of these people?"



Today was made worse by a visit from the President of the United States himself...Being that I have to drive right by where he was scheduled to speak, we had to stop for Secret Service checkpoints, which was interesting, to say the least. Can't say that I'd ever seen a Secret Service dude in real life, but now I have. And they're kinda' scary-looking, actually. Perhaps that's done on purpose.

Numerous roads were then "locked down" in anticipation of the President's visit, which made an already-horrible traffic situation just that much worse - it quickly became a nightmare.

I've been working at Red Cross headquarters the last two days, and we couldn't leave for awhile, as the Presidential motorcade would be driving right by. Although it was (somewhat) exciting to see a Presidential motorcade in person, it was frustrating to be trapped. I don't like being trapped - I don't like being told that I can't just jump in my truck and hit the road.



The people of Joplin have been amazing and so appreciative of the support that has been shown. When I get frustrated or cranky or tired, all it takes is to hear one person's story and my spirit is uplifted.

Tonight, I came back to my room - extremely frustrated and cranky. I'm talking, "on the ledge" cranky.

I'm tired...both physically and emotionally. I'm a little sick...probably due to not eating well and not sleeping well. I'm hot (it was almost 90 degrees today); I'm sweaty; and I'm dirty. Disasters sites aren't exactly pristine.

I sat down to read e-mail and check for comments on my blog, and there were 2 comments posted on my last entry, both expressing appreciation for sharing the stories of Joplin.

And one of the bloggers, Melanie, had lost her brother in the tornado.

I sat here and just bawled my eyes out. Sobbed for a full five-minutes...for Melanie, as well as for all of the families who lost loved ones from last Sunday's storm.

And then I mentally kicked myself for getting frustrated, and told myself, "Snap out of it. Think of these families...think of what frustrations they're going to be dealing with for the next day...the next week...heck, the next few years...as they attempt to slowly rebuild their lives."

My spirit has been restored.

Thank you, Melanie...for sharing the story of your brother. I'm reaching through the Bloggersphere and sending you hugs.

And hugs to the people of Joplin.

Peace.

*Please note that I will not post photos of people's houses - for sensitivity to them and their families. I am only posting photos of public buildings or street scenes from afar. I hope everyone understands.

Joplin: Day 3 Random Notes

Takin' it to the streets of Joplin...

Random notes about Joplin:

The city has been under a boil order now since the tornado. This means that in restaurants, you will not be able to order anything from a soda fountain. At Wendy's today, the employees were pouring us Diet Coke from a 2-liter bottle from the grocery store. Restaurants pass out bottled water - or no water at all...drink choices are limited, based on what canned pop they have. Speaking of Wendy's, I managed to sneak in a few minutes today and grab a Frosty...and it never tasted so good.

Storms keep rolling through here, which is wreaking havoc with the rescue operation...lightning was all around us, and we'd have to suspend operations until the storms passed. I have a poncho, but the wind was blowing so hard, the rain was coming up from the bottom of my poncho. I kinda', sorta', look like a drowned rat.

Okay. Forget kinda', sorta'. I really DO look like a drowned rat. Disasters are not a place for wanna-be beauty queens.

While waiting out the storms, I amused myself by witnessing two fellow Red Cross volunteers do an inadvertent Abbott and Costello comedy act - set to the tune of "Who's On First?" Only, in their case, it was, "Where's Our Car?" They were being totally serious, but I was busting a gut on the inside - and when they finally DID find the missing car, I laughed so hard, I cried. When you don't have TV, you have to make do with the simple amusements in life.

I am amazed (and I shouldn't be) by the outpouring of generosity and support I've seen here...It's brought me to tears to see the cars, trucks, utility workers, vans, etc from all over the country, rolling in to help.



Today, hundreds of cars slowly crept down the street in front of our Aid Station (as traffic is moving very slow - no stop lights, and LOTS of cars makes for slow-going), and they would roll down their windows and yell, "Thank you, Red Cross!" I felt so humbled - and wishing we could do even more than what we have.

Wishing we could wave a magic wand and make everything better. Wishing all the debris would be removed in one scoop - and houses would mysteriously re-appear where piles of unrecognizable wood and metal are now heaped. It reinforces the notion that sometimes, when you've lost everything, a simple act of kindness - such as a bottle of water, or a hot meal - can mean everything.

Did I mention the traffic? Oh, I did already? Well, I'll mention it again - because it's crazy. People have driven in, and they mean well, but it can be very frustrating for the search-and-rescue crews and other first responders who can't get where they need to be because of the thousands of cars on the street.



Speaking of first responders, the local law enforcement guys here are wonderful. They have to be a bit shell-shocked themselves, and yet they've all been so responsive and helpful. We're still hearing ambulance sirens and police sirens at all hours - it's almost become background noise.

One last note, and then I'm headed to bed early tonight. On the wall in the bathroom of the boys' dorm where I'm staying, there is a sign that says, "Please clean up after yourselves after using the bathroom. And please do not pee on the walls."

Really?

I'm just sayin' that you will never find that posted in a girl's bathroom.

And that's all I'm sayin' about that.

Peace.

Joplin: Day 2 China? Seriously?

I can now mark off "Be interviewed by a television crew from China" from my Bucket List.

Oh, wait. Didn't have that one on there.

Too bad, because today, Dear Friends, it happened.

We'll get to that later.

Day #2 is supposed to begin at 6:30 a.m. for me when I have scheduled my alarm to ring. But, due to strange dorm noises and no heat in my room, I wake up at 5:30 a.m. Yay for me.

Bob and I head over to St. John's Hospital, to set up an Emergency Aid Station. This is a stationed site where we will distribute items to be used to assist in the disaster.


St. John's - Ground Zero for the tornado...

We have water, gloves, rakes, tarps, snacks, diapers, personal care items, coolers - and my favorite, Famous Amos cookies. Which, when I told people that I had baked them myself, they were more than eager to sample them.


We parked in this Vet Clinic's lot...they were so hospitable to us, as they cleaned out their building. We kept them stocked up in Famous Amos cookies...


Another view of my corner...

Along the way, I'm able to take some photos of some of the damage that Joplin has experienced, and it is truly heartbreaking.


St. John's Hospital in the background...this was our "corner" where our station was...





The day is spent passing out our items, and I kid you not when I say that we probably saw 50,000 cars go down our street today. The Command Center for Search and Rescue was at the end of our block - near St. John's - and I saw cars from almost every state in the Union go by, all determined to help.



I saw church groups, contractors, ambulance crews, cops, highway patrolmen, K9 crews, insurance adjustors, recovery teams, government officials, and residents...and lots and lots of volunteers, all here to help.

It was bumper-to-bumper traffic from 8:00 a.m. until we left at 5:00 p.m...cars creeping along at maybe 5 mph, at the most.

EVERY SINGLE CAR got something from me - even if they didn't want my "stuff", they'd get a smile, a wave, a "thank-you" for showing up to help - or a thumbs-up. Joplin is in MY state, and I wanted to thank EVERYONE for coming to Missouri to help out.

Along the way, there was lots and lots of media and film crews, including this crew who came all the way from China to do a story. Wild, huh?! I did my best to convey some good-old-fashioned Midwest hospitality - sending kudos all the way to China.


They not only interviewed me, they taught me how to say "Thank you" in Chinese. But I've already forgot. Oops.

Another thing that struck me was how people were trying to give ME stuff. Hey, I'm trying to give THEM stuff - and they're bringing me Domino's Pizza, or water, or BBQ ribs, or pulled pork sandwiches. We ate well today - as I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings - but man. Good thing I lifted 3 pallets of water, so I can burn off some calories.

Because that's the other thing we did all day. Lift. Carry. Move our inventory. Load more inventory (we had to call 3 times for a semi-truck to bring us more stuff - which had to be quickly moved from their truck to ours. Fun, I'm telling you.)

Every muscle in my body is killing me. My face is sunburnt and wind-burned. My lips are chapped. And I have a few more cuts and bruises that I didn't have when this day started. And I'm tired.

But.

Look at the pay-out. I felt the love today from 50,000 people in Joplin.

When it's said and done, I feel good. And I have hope for the people here.

I'm back in my room at 10:15 p.m. Such is the day of a Volunteer. Long. Busy. Crazy. Hectic.

But oh-so-gratifying.

Peace.