Teri's Faith,Family, Friends,Fun & the "Few"

Bayou Segnette State Park Trip Report Aug 8-11,2008

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:21:11 GMT

Bayou Segnette State Park

7777 Westbank Expressway,

Westwego, LA 70094

504-736-7140 or 888-677-2296 toll free

Email: bayousegnette@crt.state.la.us

http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/ibyusegne.aspx

Date of trip: August 9-11, 2008

Camp Site: Number 81

Dino’s Score is 35 of 55 points for items important to us.

Pictures located at:

http://usmarinemama.spaces.live.com/photos/cns!87AB16D5179E5E4F!7629/

(Sorry, I hit my monthly quota again – I’ll post the rest in Sept)

August 8, 2008

When we first got “Dino” we got it home and looked at each other in near panic wondering how on earth we were ever going to figure out and remember EVERYTHING that was involved in our new toy! It was really mind boggling and truth to tell quite alarming! But in the nearly one year (crazy how time flies) that we’ve been the proud owners, we have handled everything quite effectively. Then just when you get over-confident…you realize that you were seconds away from pulling out with the electric power cord still connected to the house! Eeeesh!! Thank God (and I do mean that) Charlie went back to get his gloves for it was then that he realized we were still on “shore power”. I do believe that was the palest I have seen him in a long while!

Over the heart stopping moment we headed out only to discover fifteen minutes down the road that the fishing gear was still at home. There is a reason for everything – right?? We headed back home to pick up what was forgotten and at 4Pm we were “on the road again”. I know you remember me talking about how it is a well documented fact that if the Ferguson’s go somewhere, rain and stormy weather WILL be involved. The day we left town Houma received approximately 4” of rain! Strange thing was that although we traveled only an hour away, there was no rain at our destination. Thank you Lord!!

We checked in a 5PM and it was a breeze – very efficient and believe it or not, our reservation was right there where it was supposed to be – no MIA on this one – I do believe it was a first! We knew where the site was having driven through 2 weeks prior so we went straight there and began set up. We had ANOTHER hot water episode, but we learned another lesson of what not to do – I have to think we have covered all the bases now and should have “no” problems in the future???

We all, including Tar Baby, were anxious to check out the area so we headed out for the closest board-walk which by choice was right next to our site. We headed down the board-walk only to discover that we had picked the shortest one on the campground and it led – are you ready for this – directly to a vegetation filled marsh. Now, if you have never experienced mosquitoes in south Louisiana you may not know that they have a tendency to multiply into huge colonies of marauding bands of bird size (okay, so I exaggerate) blood suckers and their colonies are clustered in and around – marshes!! Hmmm, glad we brought the mosquito fighting gear.

Even with the trepidation I felt knowing that the swarms would envelope us in the evening I had to admit that the area was truly beautiful. From what I can tell the Cataouatche Canal feeds the area with enough water to sustain plant, aquatic, and sea bird life. Probably reptiles as well, but I just don’t care to think about the snakes – ostrich theory, if I don’t see them, they don’t see me. But truly, the sounds coming out of that area were amazing, the grunt of the herons, the bullfrogs croaks, the sweet song of birds, crickets – really really awesome!

We left the viewing platform to tour the rest of the campground. We chose the next boardwalk which was indeed quite long AND busy. My goodness, the birds, the plants, amazingingly interesting banana spiders. If you are arachnophobic do NOT look too closely at the plant-life in Bayou Segnette State Park. These spiders look like they would devour you for supper and spit out the tough parts, but they really are harmless; except that is for the person who has a heart attack over the experience! A bit further down the board-walk and Tar Baby obviously caught the scent of something. We spotted the short shortly in the form of baby raccoons passing under the board-walk. We have baby raccoons that visit our back yard however the mama never brings them until they are growing in size. These babies were tiny – unfortunately I didn’t react quick enough to snap a picture – you’ll just have to trust me on my word that they were absolutely adorable!

We soon headed back to camp for I wanted to have supper cooked before sundown; I had a couple of rib-eyes marinating and I wanted to cook them to perfection! I’ve burned a burger or two in my day, but I consider it sacrilegious to burn a steak! I cooked the steaks to a perfect medium rare, then settled in to wait for what I knew would be a spectacular sunset…and it was!! The only problem I had was trying to find an unobstructed view! I finally climbed the ladder up to the top of Dino and voila!!! There was the view I wanted!

We enjoyed the fire, the sounds and a really nice north wind (highly unusual for Louisiana in August) while oohing and aahing over the star filled sky, the abundant fire-flies and the sparkling “eyes” in the tree-line. And I am not kidding about that – we obviously were not alone, I am just grateful that the ‘critters’ didn’t seem to mind sharing their home with us! We retired a bit early for we were both tired after our full day. A note to all you ladies out there who might be a bit forgetful like me. Should you ever discover that you’ve left the bottoms to your PJ’s at home…simply commandeer an extra pair of your husbands boxers, they are amazingly comfy to sleep in!

August 9, 2008

Never one to sleep late I woke up at 5:30AM. After dressing and “harnessing” Tar Baby, we headed out for our morning walk. Oh my goodness, I have concluded that God made this area with His spoiled daughter (me) in mind! I am amazed I didn’t end up with whiplash as much as my head was snapping this way and that! I saw more birds and animals in a one hour walk than I have seen in a whole day elsewhere – and that is NOT an exaggeration! Egrets, herons, hawks, yellow warblers, cardinals, mocking birds, blue jays, chickadee’s downy wood-peckers, rabbits, squirrels and on and on and on!! Truly Bayou Segenette is a nature lovers heaven!!

I cooked an awesome bacon and egg breakfast which we ate outside on the picnic table while sipping our coffee. It was just one of those blue sky days when you just KNOW everything is right in your world! I know I should do it all the time, but times like this absolutely compel me to take full stock and gratefully count all the blessings God has put in my life!

We decided that our bikes and the perfectly laid out roads were indeed crying out for our attention so we gladly answered. We rode down to the boat landing where we watched the boats coming in and out. I love to people watch, but it’s even better when those people are in boats in the water! Such an assortment to see at Bayou Segnette – quite impressive. I kept hearing Otis Redding crooning “Sitting on the dock of the bay, wasting time…” Trust me, there was NO waste involved – we devoured EVERY minute of the pleasure!!

As we left the boat launch to return to our site we opted to ride through the private pool area. There is a huge wave pool in the public portion of the park, however there is also a pool open only for over-night and group campers. Unfortunately there was apparently a large “party” that day for the pool was chock a block full – to the point where I completely changed my mind about swimming! It was a pretty little area however and I do look forward to being able to swim there one day in the future. I was quite perturbed however by the really rotten attitudes I encountered just a few moments later. As we rode on the trails leaving the pool area there was a group of six females headed towards the pool. The path was narrow but certainly wide enough for people AND a single bike to pass, provided of course, the six would NOT walk side by side monopolizing the entire width! It rankled my nerves a bit and though I certainly would not have attempted to hurt anyone I was also determined to wait until the last minute to give up my “rightful” portion of the road. At the last moment one of the women moved behind the group thus allowing us room to pass. I appreciate that she did move however it was just so wrong for them to act as though the road was 100 percent theirs. Other than the nasty taste left in my mouth for such rude behavior there were no lasting effects from this show of defiant better than thou attitude.

Back at the campsite, quite exhausted I might add, we settled into our recliners to catch our breaths AND rest our back-sides (I can vouch for the need for mine)! As we lay there watching the clouds and the sky we were blessed with a soaring performance by a falcon, WOW! The sun was bearing down on us and the humidity that had been chased away the day before by the cool front was now working its way back with a vengeance. We have to watch Charlie’s breathing, for his lungs just don’t cope well on high ozone days nor on days when the air is too still and heavy with humidity. He became uncomfortable so we decided to rest a bit in the AC; Charlie napped and I watched a PBS special on the worlds oceans. Quite interesting if I might say so.

Up for the nap and feeling ever so much better we decided to take another bike ride. This time we went up over the levee to the road where the campground cabins are located. Sadly the cabins have still not been put back into use following Hurricane Katrina. Katrina really devastated the state park, not only the wind but the water from the storm surge as well. Hopefully the cabins will be repaired and offered in the future for they are so nice with large screened porches and fishing piers sitting right on the water front. That loss was in a way our gain that day for with the road closed off to normal traffic we had the perfect bike riding area all to ourselves. There is some construction equipment back there but all was still when we were riding. There WAS one lone worker who nearly gave me a coronary as he popped up from behind the flood gate.

We stopped at one point to walk to the waters edge – always checking out fishing spots you know! It was really quite scenic so I set the camera up to take an auto pic of the two of us with the water in the background. Ya’ll all know my paranoia over alligators…imagine my surprise when as I later reviewed the pictures, right there behind us (safely in the water) was, yep you guessed it – an ALLIGATOR!! See!! I TOLD you they were out to get me!

As we were stopped a man and lady came by walking two enormous beautiful dogs. We spoke briefly as I complimented their beauty and inquired into their breed. Mutts was the reply – they had rescued the dogs, presumably after Katrina, as so many were. The new owners obviously cared for them for not only were they just beautiful, but VERY well behaved as well!

On to the nature walk – WOW WOW WOW – what else can I say. I do not know when this was put in, but it is truly an amazing walk. The path varies between gravel, boardwalk, dirt and just enough “mud” thrown in to keep it interesting. It is so very scenic as it winds along side the canal – just gorgeous! The first boardwalk rest area was where I actually SAW, live and in person, an alligator – it was a small one, but menacing none the less. Of course, after that I was “on guard” for I was convinced that the entire direct AND extended family was hidden in the bush just waiting for me because I AM after all THE number one target of all alligators! HA! Actually, I was nervous just for a bit, then I returned to the land of ooohs and aaaahs as we continued on our journey.

One down side, we did have to stop several times for Charlie to “catch his breath” and rest a bit. I made a mental note then which I DID follow up on when we returned home, to schedule him an appointment with his pulmonary specialists. I KNOW without a doubt that God takes care of us, but I also know that He uses doctors to do some of His earthly work!

As we neared the end of the nature trail we came across a large family “fishing” off the last boardwalk. Not wanting to just barge on through we stopped briefly and asked if they were catching anything. An adorable little boy about 4-5 years informed us proudly that they were catching crabs. He was a cutie! We asked the older young man if we could pass behind them and he kind of panicky nodded yes and shook no - simultaneously …okay then! That was when I realized that the little boy was probably the only English speaker in the group. I felt bad because I have been in their situation – just reversed languages when we were in Mexico.

We passed several more family members on our way to the end of the trail, which incidentally ended at the boat launch. As we stopped to rest the “State Federal Enforcement Agent” pulled up in their awesome boat. Excuse me, not a boat, Boston Whaler, fully equipped with two 250HP Mercury’s. Nice looking rig! They offered us a bit of entertainment as we watched their efforts. As the agent drove the boat onto the trailer, the power of the boat actually pushed that huge truck forward and up! The other agent quickly shifted the truck into four-wheel drive and this time they were successful. Until that is, they tried to move the truck forward, the wheels simply spun gaining no ground. Obviously equipped with a sense of humor the agent still in the boat hollered out – “Hey you need me to give you some help?” I guess you “hadda be there” to fully enjoy the story, but trust me, it was funny to watch!

We headed back to camp where I cooked burgers and hot dogs. We sat by the fire as long as we could but finally gave up when the mosquitoes were threatening to carry us bodily away! After a full day of walking and riding, that shower was a gift from Heaven and I do NOT exaggerate!

August 11, 2008

OMGosh! I slept later – ALL the way to 6:00AM!! That is quite a fete for me, just goes to show how tired I was form the previous day. Knowing now how to “get to the sunrise”, Tar Baby and I set out intended to go over the levee, through the flood gate and down to the canal. On the way we saw another inhabitant of Bayou Segnette, an armadillo digging in the earth. By now Tar Baby had seen so many rabbits, she didn’t even flinch over the “shelled football with a tail”! The sunrise was magnificent, all packaged up in ribbons of pink and blue clouds; hand delivered to me from my Lord, heaped up and overflowing with promises for a beautiful day! I accepted it with gratitude and grace as any Princess of a King would!!

On our return toward camp I spotted a yellow crowned night heron in on of the marshy canals. It blended in so perfectly that only a slight movement caught my eye and I was finally able to discern the creature before it took flight. Be sure to look at the picture I was able to snap – it certainly was a site!

One of our campground neighbors informed me that the day prior he had spotted the largest red –headed woodpecker he had ever seen in the same area. I need to remember next time we go to watch that area carefully! As we walked down the boardwalk it seemed the entire world was hushed then suddenly an explosive sound! Tar Baby and I both jumped and I am sure her little heart was beating just as hard as mine was slamming within my chest. What was it? Civilization invading nature – that’s what it was! A VERY loud air-horn was the culprit, I guess it was just so sudden and compared with the stillness, quite jarring!

Back at the camp site we relaxed in our easy chairs – do you notice a pattern yet? We watched fascinated as always at the little wren who took a dust bath by our board-walk. The wrens do the same thing at home, but there they bath in the charcoal dust which I dump from the barbeque pit. As we lazed around watching nature and enjoying the coolness of the early morning a man rode by on his bike. He pointed to our little Tar Baby and said “Fat boy needs a walk – eh?” How cruel!! Poor Tar Baby has been suffering from low self esteem since! Just kidding – she is quite proud of her girth! But seriously, she really is not that over-weight. As a pug she is naturally wide in the back. And no, I’m not just making excuses!

Being so excited about the gem we found in Bayou Segnette we decided to make a survey of the camp sites for our NEXT visit. We loved our location except we decided next time we wanted to be a bit removed from the marsh (due to the mosquitoes) AND we wanted a site with more shade. In 081 we had very young trees that will one day become towering shelters but for now they just barely support the birds. On our survey trip we located the last board-walk of the park. It was by far the longest within the park, though it by no means compared to the segmented board-walks of the nature trail. It was very nice and scenic, but apparently more narrow, for both Charlie and I had a bit of trouble keeping our balance. We toured the park taking pictures of our site choices and have made reservations since our return.

We decided that one more ride to the boat launch was in order so after completing our “survey” we headed over to that area. As we were “sitting on the dock of the bayou” a young woman and her two sons walked up with their fishing gear. We said good morning and I enquired as to whether they fish there often. She laughed and said, “we don’t have any idea what we are doing”. She got lots of points for her delightful laugh and her total honesty! She carried an awesome back-pack chair that opened up into a chair complete with a roof – be sure to look at the pictures. I loved the way she had such a visible close relationship with her boys and they VERY obviously respected her.

Check out time at Bayou Segnette is 1PM so at 12 we reluctantly left the launch to go back and start breaking camp. Just as we neared the end of the launch drive I saw several “cat-sized” black creatures crossing the road some distance ahead. I pedaled hard to get within eyesight and was able to discern that it was a mama nutria rat and several babies. They raced across the road and headed up the levee. When they reached the flood wall the mama and two babies scrambled across but one little one was having difficulty. Finally the mama reached down and grabbing it by the nape of the neck gave it some assistance across. Now, I am not a fan of nutria rats, they are an invasive species and truthfully, just the name is a put-off, but…the universal display of motherly love surely brought a tear to my eye and even Charlie was mesmerized watching them.

We decided to ride through the “Groupie” Area (Group Camping, for those of you not familiar with our term). It was on that road that I was AGAIN “haunted” by the resident red-tailed hawk! The first day we toured Bayou Segnette that hawk swooped down as we passed and has continued to do so each time. I have though, as of yet (yet being the operative word) not managed to get its picture, but as Arnold would say “I’ll be back”!

Today was Sunday, nearly two full days since we’d arrived and the FIRST time we saw a snake (Thank you Lord!). It was on the side of the road by the bush and just visible enough to make its presence known. If I HAD to see one, I’m glad it was just as we would be leaving!

We started breaking camp at 12:15 and at 1:15 we pulled away from the dump site having completed everything. WOW, we are getting faster and faster, which is great because now we know how much longer we can delay that “always sad” departure!

We always depart campgrounds with so much regret for having to leave these sites of natural beauty created ‘just for us’ as a gift by God. But we always find consolation that another day, another time, another place, our great adventure is…

To be continued~

Bayou Segnette State Park - Aug 9-11, 2008

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:19:22 GMT

Dino’s Campground Score-Board

Bayou Segnette State Park

7777 Westbank Expressway,

Westwego, LA 70094

504-736-7140 or 888-677-2296 toll free

Email: bayousegnette@crt.state.la.us

http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/ibyusegne.aspx

Date of trip: August 9-11, 2008

Camp Site: Number 81

A Activities Accessibility ATV Area Attractions

Ativities – oh yeah! Swimming, fishing, bike riding, hiking, bird & critter watching!

Accessibility – the easiest one yet! Close to home, easy off the highway, awesome sites

Area Attractions – all kinds close by – see http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/ibyusegne.aspx

B Bath House Bike Riding Beach

Bath House – Immaculate, spacious, well equipped

Bike Riding – fantastic – you can ride for MILES without problems

C Cleanliness Cable Check In Cabins Church

Cleanliness – very well maintained, both as far as trash and vegetation

Cable – Awesome reception by satellite

Check In – Smooth, quick and easy

D Decoration Dock

Dock – boat launch with a floating dock

E Environment

Environment – very natural, accommodates humans while protecting nature

F Food Fires

Food – concessions in the public park area – soft drinks only within the campground

Fires – allowed – each site equipped with fire ring

G Game Room Golf Carts

Golf Carts – Allowed, but I didn’t see any other than the park workers

H Horses Hook-Ups Holiday Events

Hook-Ups – 30/50amp, water – very clean set up

I Internet

Internet - WIFI

J Jam Outs (Live Music)

K Kids Programs Age 3-9

L Laundry Lighting

Laundry – very large clean laundry areas – no charge for use

Lighting – roads are dark at night (good thing in my opinion) – buildings well lit

M Military Honor Museum Membership Discounts

Membership – Golden Age / Access Passports

N Nature Noise Level(Low)

Nature – abundant! More than we have seen anywhere

Noise Level – Very quiet for the most part.

O Owners (On Site)

Owners – It is a State Park so no owners, but host does live there

P Playground Patriotic Propane Pets Pool

Playgrounds – several on campground, clean & good repair – many more in public area

Patriotic – flags

Pets – allowed on leash

Pool – Private pool for overnight guest / Wave pool open to public

Q Quality Overall

Quality – Extremely High

R Roads Restaurants

Roads – all paved in very good condition

S Souveniers Site Set-up Stores Supplies(RV)

Site Set Up – all back in sites – well set up and very spacious

T Tent Area Trails Themes

Tents – intermingled with RV’s

Trails – several trails, boardwalk, paved, gravel, earthen

U Utilities

Utilities – water supply is very clean, pressure is good; power voltage is 120 strong

V Views (Scenic)

Views – awesome! Marsh viewing platform, trails, nature trail, levee

W Wildlife Waterways

Wildlife – abundant; squirrels, raccoons, possums, nutria rat, alligator, bobcat, coyote, armadillo, amazing variety of birds both song and sea

X X-tra’s (Anything not previously mentioned)

X-tra’s – I am so VERY impressed at the parks recovery from Katrina – REALLY good job

Y Youth Programs (Ages 10-15)

Z Zoo’s (Petting or Nearby)

Zoo – Audubon is right across the river

Dino’s Score is 35 of 55 points for items important to us.

SOAP 08-20-2008 Once Saved Always Saved? NOT! Try Whining!

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:36:10 GMT

Ezekiel 18:23-25 23 "Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.24 However, if righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to live? No, of course not! All their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins.25 "Yet you say, 'The Lord isn't doing what's right!' Listen to me, O people of Israel. Am I the one not doing what's right, or is it you?

Oh isn’t this passage just ripe for discussion!!!

First off – I would have to say that Ezekiel’s message pretty much does away with the popular “Once Saved – Always Saved” theory. That was such an easy theory to live by – yep, make a declaration one time, then do as you please cuz you have been saved!! NOT! Entering Heaven is not based upon words spoken once, or a baptism undergone. Admittance into the presence of God is based upon belief in Jesus Christ AND following the way of life He laid down.

Secondly – as children we whined if our siblings received any type of favoritism. I do believe I am correct in saying that we do the same thing with Father God! “But God, look at what THAT sinner did – how can you forgive them?” “But God, look at what I did, I did so much good for others – I didn’t really hurt anyone with that sin no one knew about – did I?” “How come my sin outweighs the good I did” It’s not right Lord!!

And God says – is it me or is it you not doing right?

Ouch!

Dog Funnies

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:53:56 GMT

It was the end of the day when I parked my police van in front of the station. As I gathered my equipment, my K-9 partner, Jake, was barking, and I saw a little boy staring in at me. 'Is that a dog you got back there?' he asked.
'It sure is,' I replied.
Puzzled, the boy looked at me and then towards the back of the van. Finally he said, 'What'd he do?'

============================================================================================

I have no idea how they do this:
TYPE IN a command and see what happens... Sit, roll over, down, stand, sing, dance, shake, fetch, play dead etc. And.......it's also very cute if you type in a command that's not recognized...!!
Make sure you type in 'Kiss' too, but do it last.
Click here: I Do Dog Tricks

SOAP - Idle Thoughts that become Idols

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:32:42 GMT

Ezekiel 14: 7 I, the LORD, will answer all those, both Israelites and foreigners, who reject me and set up idols in their hearts and so fall into sin, and who then come to a prophet asking for my advice.

Set up idols in their hearts and SO fall into sin – hmmm…As a man thinks, so he is?? LONG before we actually sin, we ponder the thought in our hearts. We toss it around and consider it, play out scenarios, tempting ourselves with the thought. In doing so, the thought of the sin becomes and idol and in turn takes the Lords rightful number 1 spot in our hearts. Then, just to make matters worse, we try to justify the thought and action by discussing it with our “advisors”, someone we HOPE will apply that “white-wash” we discussed yesterday. Catch those thoughts before they become idols and before the idol becomes the sin.

SOAP 08-18-2008 Whitewash, Mortar and Poor construction

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:45:57 GMT

Ezekiel 13:10-12 "This will happen because these evil prophets deceive my people by saying, 'All is peaceful' when there is no peace at all! It's as if the people have built a flimsy wall, and these prophets are trying to reinforce it by covering it with whitewash!11 Tell these whitewashers that their wall will soon fall down. A heavy rainstorm will undermine it; great hailstones and mighty winds will knock it down.12 And when the wall falls, the people will cry out, 'What happened to your whitewash?'

The above translation is from the New Living Translation and uses the term “whitewash”. The King James Version uses the term “untempered mortar”. .

Whether you use the term whitewash or un-tempered mortar, both are based upon building your life upon a false foundation. The “whitewash” is used to cover up a flimsy wall much the same way todays “evil prophets” try to “whitewash” their beliefs many of which are NOT based upon the teachings of God nor Christ. All is well in the world they say, God has changed, He will not send to Hell someone that He has created. All religions are good, anyone can get into Heaven. Don’t worry, if you don’t “follow the rules” now, you’ll have time – no need to take away from your fun life (read sinful life) now. Do these words sound like something you have been told? The lies are covered in whitewash and the wall will fall and people will be shocked for they are trusting those “in charge”. Redemption and salvation are a one man construction site, not a group tour. Be sure that the building materials of your life and faith are not un-tempered nor whitewashed.

New Orleans Saints 27 Houston 31

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:03:37 GMT

Okay - so it's pre-season!!

Houston 31

New Orleans 27

1 and 1 on the season!

glitter-graphics.com
glitter-graphics.com

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal proclaims "Day of Pray Over Students"

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:45:29 GMT

Proclamation by Governor Bobby Jindal

WHEREAS, Louisiana students are facing extreme challenges such as peer pressure to abuse drugs and alcohol, negative influences in the media, school violence and gang activites , and low self esteem; and

WHEREAS, the students of Louisiana are indeed our state's single greatest resource and in the coming years will assume leadership positions in this state and responsibility for the advancement of our society; and

WHEREAS, it is incumbent upon us as parents, corporate and community leaders to do everything within our power to protect the students of Louisiana and help them develop the qualities of character, essential for their future family and leadership roles; and

WHEREAS, August 18, 2008 has been set aside as a Day of Prayer Over Students, and Louisianians are encouraged to pray for God's protection, guidance and peace, and for opportunities and blessings of the students of Louisiana; and

WHEREAS, that prayer be offered for our schools, teachers and administrators for God's wisdom and knowledge as they impart to the students of our state the great lessons of life and morality, and the education that each student deserves.

NOW,THEREFORE I, Bobby Jindal, Governor of the State of Louisiana, do hereby proclaim August 18, 2008 as DAY OF PRAYER OVER STUDENTS DAY in the State of Louisiana

SOAP 08-15-2008 Think before you Speak

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:39:21 GMT

Ezekiel 3:10-11 Then he added, "Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself.11 Then go to your people in exile and say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says!' Do this whether they listen to you or not."

I must admit that I have at times found myself rushed for time and on those days I must fight the tendency to jump in with empty words on my daily entry. It is so easy to get side-tracked with the voice of the world and my own thoughts rather than listening for the thoughts of the Holy Spirit. I am glad that today I was reminded to let all His words sink deep into my own heart before I share with others, before I go to those that have been “exiled”. What a powerful thing words can be - they can cure or they can kill, they can build up or they can tear down, they can teach or block. Learn as I go! What an awesome God I serve that He places His Spirit within me always teaching me and those that read this, whether they listen or not! Have a great week-end!

MSOAG pipeline students wrap up seven-month course

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:32:21 GMT

Story and Photos by Lance Cpl. Richard Blumenstein

http://www.marsoc.usmc.mil/news/AdFX.htm (to see pic's)

Training to train: MSOAG pipeline students wrap up seven-month course Story and Photos by Lance Cpl. Richard Blumenstein MARINE CORPS AUXILIARY LANDING FIELD, BOGUE, N.C. (Aug 1, 2008) – “Onslovia.” Say it out loud and it sounds like a remote third-world country, but for people local to the area of Eastern North Carolina, it only takes a few minutes to realize the fictional country’s name is derived from Onslow County. The fictional country has its own language, named “Onslovan.” The language was formed from a list of 15 key phrases in Arabic and a random hodgepodge of syllables spouted off by role players acting as “Onslovians.” Needless to say, this notional nation and its people served as the perfect setting for Marine Special Operations Advisor Course pipeline students going through their final exercise at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field, Bogue, N.C. July 29, to Aug 1. The four-day field exercise concluded the seven-month MSOAC for pipeline students with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command’s Marine Special Operations Advisor Group. The course gave the evaluators a chance to grade the future operators’ abilities to train foreign militaries, according to Maj. Dov Kawamoto, exercise coordinator, Standards and Training, MSOAG. “The main focus is cross-cultural communication,” Kawamoto said. “We are here to train and teach people. This is a learning laboratory where the Marines are evaluated in all their areas.” The pipeline students divided into teams and paired off with groups of “Onslovians” in the training. The students taught them a course curriculum encompassing an array of military fundamentals. During the MSOAC, several weeks are spent in what is called the subject matter expert track. Each member of the team receives specialized training in one of several key areas, including intelligence, communications, logistics/demolitions and medical. But as prepared as the pipeline students may have been for the final exercise, it was soon reinforced to them that training the “Onslovians” is not as simple as giving a group of Marines a class. MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – An “Onslovian” troop looks down at his AK-47 assault rifle after properly cleaning and assembling it at K Range-211, here July 30. Weapons handling is one of the military fundamentals pipeline students taught the role players as part of a course curriculum during the Marine Special Operations Advisor Course final exercise. From the moment the future operators stepped foot in the fictional country, they encountered many of the challenges that go with training a non-English speaking foreign military. The students had to teach the “Onslovian” troops by speaking through a translator, a contracted actor playing the part of a local civilian, and often had to modify their teaching techniques by using body language and objects. “Something that may seem simple to you may seem complicated to them, and you just have to be patient with them,” one pipeline student said. Aside from the language barrier, the Marines had to adjust to the “Onslovian culture.” Sometimes, they had to eat strange foods and deal with moral dilemmas caused by cultural differences. “(The students) have to employ influence techniques,” Kawamoto said. “They want to do the right thing without offending the host nation.” Many of the evaluators served as key role players to grade how well the Marines built rapport with the “Onslovians.” Those evaluators were staff noncommissioned officers and officers who have served as advisors. In one scenario, a role player offered the Marines an unusual type of candy. How the Marines reacted to the role players’ generosity affected the role players’ attitude toward them, as well as their grade in the course. The majority of the “Onslovians” consisted of Marine volunteers still enrolled in their respective military occupational specialty schools at Marine Corps Air Stations Cherry Point N.C. and New River N.C., and Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools at Camp Johnson. According to Kawamoto, less experienced Marines were used as the bulk of the role players so the evaluators could better gauge how well the pipeline students trained the mock foreign military. At the end of the training, each Marine received a score on their performance and received feedback in areas needing improvement, as well as areas where the students did well. The Marines who graduated from the course will move on to join companies in MSOAG. There, they will be tasked with foreign internal defense missions to train foreign militaries and help build lasting bonds between the United States and nations around the globe. MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – “Onslovian” troops conduct dry fire drills with AK-47 assault rifles as part of the Marine Special Operations Advisor Course final exercise at the K Range-211, here July 30. The four-day field exercise concluded the seven-month MSOAC for pipeline students with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command’s Marine Special Operations Advisor Group. The majority of the “Onslovians” consisted of Marines still enrolled in their military occupational specialty schools at Marine Corps Air Stations Cherry Point N.C. and New River N.C., and Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools at Camp Johnson. MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – A pipeline student with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command’s Marine Special Operations Advisor Group teaches a role player techniques to improve his accuracy during the Marine Special Operations Advisor Course final exercise at the K Range-211, here July 30. MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – “Onslovian” troops watch as Marine Special Operations Advisor Course pipeline students teach weapons handling during their final exercise at the K Range-211, here, July 30. The four-day field exercise concluded the seven-month MSOAC for pipeline students with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command’s Marine Special Operations Advisor Group. The majority of the “Onslovians” consisted of Marines still enrolled in their military occupational specialty schools at Marine Corps Air Stations Cherry Point N.C. and New River N.C., and Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools at Camp Johnson.

THANGS I LARNED WILE LIVIN IN LUSIANA

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:48:12 GMT

Intended to be read "all in fun"!! I really DO love my life in Louisiana!!

THANGS I LARNED WILE LIVIN IN LUSIANA

1. Possums sleep in the middle of the road with their feet in the air

2. There are 5,000 types of snakes and 4,998 live in LOUISIANA .

3. There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000 live in LOUISIANA plus a couple no one's seen before.

4. If it grows, it sticks; if it crawls, it bites.

5. Onced and twiced are words.

6. It is not a shopping cart; it is a buggy.

7. Fire ants consider your flesh as a picnic

8. People actually grow and eat okra.

9. Fix & into is one word: FIXINTO

10. There is no such thing as "lunch". There is only dinner and then there is supper.

11. Ice tea is appropriate for all meals and you start drinking it when you're two. We do like a little tea with our sugar!

12. Backards and forwards means "I know everything about you."

13. Jeet? is actually a phrase meaning "Did you eat?"

14. You don't have to wear a watch because it doesn't matter what time it is. You work until you're done or it's too dark to see.

15. You don't PUSH buttons, you MASH them.

YOU KNOW YOUR FROM LOUISIANA IF:

1. You measure distance in minutes.

2. You've ever had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.

3. You use "fix" as a verb. Example: "I'm fixing to go to the store "

4. All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable, grain, insect or animal.

5. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.

6. You know what a "DAWG" is.

7. You carry jumper cables in your car...for your OWN car.

8. You only own five spices: Tony's (Chachere?), salt, pepper, Tabasco and ketchup.

9. The local papers cover national and international news on on e page but require 6 pages for local gossip and sports.

10. You think that the first day of deer season is a national holiday.

11. You find 100 degrees Fahrenheit "a little warm".

12. You know all four seasons: Deer Season, Duck Season, Crawfish Season, Summer.

13. You know whether another LOUISIANIAN is from, north or south as soon as they start talking (speaking).

14. Going to Wal-mart is a favorite past time known as ?goin' Wal-martin?or ?off to Wally World?

15. You describe the first cool snap (below 70 degrees) as good gumbo weather.

16. A carbonated soft drink isn't a soda, cola or pop...it's a Coke, regardless of brand or flavor.
Example: "What kinda coke you want?"

17. Fried catfish is the other white meat..

18. We don't need no stinking driver's ed.....if our mama says we can drive, we can drive.

19. You understand these jokes and forward them to your friends from LOUISIANA (and those who just wish they were). Not EVERYONE can be a LOUISIANIAN, it's an art form and a gift from God

SOAP 08-14-2008 Bel Marduk, Babylon, Fallen Then and Now

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:42:35 GMT

Jeremiah 51:44 And I will punish Bel, the god of Babylon, and make him vomit up all he has eaten. The nations will no longer come and worship him. The wall of Babylon has fallen!

This entry in Jeremiah is written not only concerning the original fall of Babylon, it is also a prophecy of things still to come, in the days prior to Jesus’s future return to earth.

“Babylon” is a place of separation. In the past – a place where God’s people were exiled, now, it is a place where we separate ourselves from God. Babylon is a reflection of all things wrong and false. Even “Bel” was a False “false god”. That was not a mis-type, Bel Marduk was originally a lesser god, but when Babylon became the rich and famous centerpoint of Mesopotania, then their god was elevated to the highest god. How is that for a basis of “godliness”. But when you think about it, the idea is not that far off. Don’t we as a nation, as a world still “elevate little gods” into big gods that are worshipped? And don’t those little gods end up the point of separation between us and the one true God?? In the future end days those “little gods” will fall just as the original Babylon fell. Falling is one thing, but what about the “vomiting up” part? I have a tendency to believe that “product” would be rejected from all sides, wanted by neither the “little god” or the one True God. Eeesh, I want no part of being the vomit that is spewed from a little god and I’d be willing to bet you don’t either.

SOAP 08-13-2008 Sin, Regrets, Restoration

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:42:17 GMT

Jeremiah 31: 18-19 I have heard Israel* saying,'You disciplined me severely, like a calf that needs training for the yoke. Turn me again to you and restore me, for you alone are the LORD my God. I turned away from God, but then I was sorry.
I kicked myself for my stupidity! I was thoroughly ashamed of all I did in my younger days.'

Don’t we all have regrets for something in our pasts?? Things we had fun with at the time, but now want to kick ourselves for the shameful stupidity?? But, are not those the very same things that can give us empathy for some among us? We always have the choice to understand where the sinner is and lead them hand in hand from the boggy mire to that place of restoration with our Lord; or we can put our nose in the air, turning from the stench of their sin and leave them to flounder. Oh my, this is one of those times that WWJD would come in real handy! Who amongst us has not sinned? Who has not felt the firm hand of God’s reprimand. Did we not turn to Him, for His restoration? Did we do that on our own or did someone along the way attend to us just enough to turn our face from sin to salvation?

DOWN SOUTH SECURITY SYSTEM

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:18:53 GMT

 1) Go to a second-hand store; buy a pair of men's used size 14-16 Cowboy boots.

 2) Place them on your front porch, along with a copy of Guns & Ammo Magazine.

 3) Put a few giant dog dishes next to the boots and magazine.

 4) Leave a note on your door that reads:

 Hey Bubba, Big Jim, Duke and Slim:

 I went for more ammunition. Back in an hour. Don't mess with the pit bulls - they attacked the mailman this morning and messed

 him up real bad. I don't think Killer took part in it, but it was hard to tell from  all the blood. Any way, I locked all 4 of 'em in the

 house. Better wait outside.

 Cooter

SOAP 08-12-2008 Struggles Disruptions Plans & Hope

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:43:13 GMT

Jeremiah 29:4-6 This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem:5 "Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce.6 Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away!7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare."

11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.12 In those days when you pray, I will listen.13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

Consider the situation the “exiles” found themselves in…they were captured, kidnapped if you will, with God’s permission and hauled off to a foreign land. Then told by God to settle in, live the life you’ve been dealt, but don’t worry, I have good plans for you. Okay, our Lord is sovereign, He is in control, but Lord – for SEVENTY YEARS???

Ouch!! And we whine when we must change jobs or jobs, or move to a new home or even evacuate temporarily for a storm!! It had to have been difficult for those people to accept their fates; difficult bordering on impossible. I pray that I can be open and accepting of Gods will in my life, good plans with hope, not disaster in my future. Provided of course, I pray, listen and seek Him wholeheartedly!