September 23, 2011: Six years ago today, we had just finished gutting our first house during Katrina cleanup. Today, I sit less than 30 miles from that house in Slidell, LA.

As I landed in New Orleans this week, numerous memories ran through my mind.  Of that trip.  Of the people we helped. Of the people we couldn’t help. 

Then I thought about the people who didn’t go on the trip. Who stayed back at UIS because they didn’t want to miss classes that week. Or who had a professor who told them they really shouldn’t miss lecture.

How many of them remember anything that they learned in class that week?

And how long will the 16 of us remember what we experienced that week?

I love this picture. A bunch of young kids, most of which who’ve known each other for about 8 weeks.

Now…  we’re husbands. Wifes. Bridesmaids. Best men. Mothers. Fathers. Teachers. Missionaries. USMC. Dentist. And so much more.

What a life-changing trip.