The month of Thanksgiving

November is the month of Thanksgiving. As a YAV, I have so many things for which to be thankful.

My Home Life. I grew up in a neighborhood where it’s safe to walk along the street at night. There was always had food on the table. Good food. I got to go to Chuck E Cheese for spring break in elementary school. New Disney movie just came out? You bet I got to see it. I never had to use public transit as a child; then getting a car once I had my driver’s license. I had a loving church family that led me on mission trips all over the US. I had a great public education, attending some of the best public schools in Kentucky. I am so blessed and thankful for all of my childhood.

My Friends. There are some people in my life that are always there for me. I can call them and say, “I’ve had a bad day. Can you talk?” They walk away from what they’re doing and listen. I have friends who are willing to pick me up from the airport, cook food for me, sit and watch Titanic when my knee gives out on me again, make corny videos with me, learn new things with me, just sit and be, call me out when I’ve done something wrong, sing songs at the top of their lungs, watch tv shows, and make my life so fulfilling. It’s these people that make my life so joyous now and I’m thankful.

My Parents.  Cindi and Greg Kupar are the best parents I’ve ever had (yes they’re the only parents I’ve ever had). They are always taking care of me when I’m in trouble, hurt, or sick, but also insuring I grow up to be the best person I can be, challenging me to do new things. They taught me so many life skills that I utilize today, instilled (what I think to be) good morals, and never left me to fend for myself. If I need anything, they’re there to help.

My Faith Community. Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church is my home. Nothing compares. There are people who supported me through my childhood, college, and now in my years in of service. I’m so blessed to have a group of people who are there for me. It really means a lot. I’m so thankful.

There are so many things in this life to be thankful for. I’m thankful I can take a hot shower. I’m thankful I can have hot coffee in the morning. I’m thankful to be able to eat Raising Cane’s. I’m thankful for my guitar. I’m thankful to have a bed to sleep in every night. I’m thankful for college basketball. I’m thankful for jackets. I’m thankful for sunglasses. I’m thankful for the internet. I’m thankful for cheese. I’m thankful for chocolate, alarm clocks, the sun, cars, my housemates, sweatpants, and birthdays.

I’m most thankful to be put on this earth in a time and place where I’m free to explore my faith, without war, without famine, without extreme grief. I’m thankful I can glorify God in my actions, daily life, and hopefully the rest of my life.

Thank you thank you thank you.

-John

November 4, 2014

Life in New Orleans is awesome! There are so many cool opportunities here that are so unique to the area. Last month us YAVs got the opportunity to go out on the bayou and see first-hand how the wetlands are disappearing. The bayous are widening and land is being lost. I don't feel that I can fully inform you, but here are some striking facts to know:
- In Louisiana, a football field of land goes under water every 48 minutes. (HOLY CANOLI)
- The saltwater intrusion has visible effects such as "ghost" trees and dolphins in the bayou (pics below)
- Two million people will be directly affected by the disappearing wetlands

Bayou with boats on it.

Left to Right: Bennett, Hannah, Katherine, Colleen, John, Vincent, Jennifer

Dolphins in the bayou

Cypress ("Ghost") Trees dying from saltwater intrusion

It's a problem. Love the earth. You don't know what effect your actions can have on future generations. If you'd like to sign up for the disappearing wetlands newsletter to learn more, go to facebook.com/disappearingcoast and click the "Newsletter Sign-Up" on the left hand side under the About section.

On a different note, the YAVs have 4 beds in a community garden near our house. Throughout the year we are to maintain them as they serve as an excellent way to acquire fresh produce in our house. We had a work day a few weeks ago. Here are some pictures:

Katherine planting.

Neighborhood kids (& Vinnie) painting a bed.

Hannah painting a sign.

 

The signs I painted.

Other things that have happened outside of my work site placements:
- Oktoberfest. It was amazing. Polka dancing FTW.
- Helped unload ~4000 pumpkins for a pumpkin patch that supports a homeless ministry
- Rock N' Bowl. They have a band in the bowling alley. How sweet is that?
- Preseason Pelicans Game. Anthony Davis & Darius Miller!
- Presbytery meeting.

Left to Right: Bennett, Vinnie, Hannah, John, Katherine

Vinnie and me at the Pelicans game!

Life here has been pretty busy. In the summer at the Carrollton Avenue Church of Christ (where I work for the after school program), they have a camp for a few weeks. This past summer it attracted about 60 neighborhood kids. Once a month throughout the year we invite any kids that attended camp the previous summer to come for a camp reunion. During this time we normally share a meal, have a quick lesson, and do some fun activity. For the October camp reunion, the coach of the De La Salle High School basketball team came to give kids a quick basketball clinic. The kids loved it.
Here's their group huddle at the end:

Life in New Orleans is going well. I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to be here. I really couldn't be here without your support. Thank you all.

-John