Date:	2005-09-15 21:15
Subject:	Katrina Love Stories
Security:	Public
Mood:	thankful

Hurricane Katrina has come and gone, leaving many with nothing but with memories. Even those of us not directly affected by Katrina's fury will forever have memories of her passage. Living in Louisiana I am acutely aware of the power of hurricanes but I never realized hurricanes had the power of love. Here are a couple of Katrina love stories.

Darrell Jones (35) and Darlene Bordes (33) were brought together in a unique way by Hurricane Katrina. They had known each other for about 5 years before the storm and had even dated occasionally. Like so many other people without options they rode out the storm in New Orleans and thought the worst was past. Then the levees burst and they sought shelter in higher ground at a school. For several days they waited for help but help didn't come. Darrell and a friend found a boat and began ferrying the others to the Interstate, walking beside the boat in water that was sometimes over their heads. On their last trip Darrell had to convince Darlene to get in the boat because she was terrified of the water. She stood only 4'9" and couldn't swim. Darrell refused to leave her and eventually led her to higher ground. After they got to safety Darlene expressed to Darrell that he was her hero, that he had saved her life and that she loved him. Darrell first told her not to play with his emotions but eventually expressed his love for her as well. After getting settled in the Pineville shelter he proposed to her and they are getting married this Saturday in the shelter with all the components of the wedding being provided by generous donors from around the community. They want their ceremony to give hope to the other shelter residents, to say that God can cause good to come out of evil.

Now for Katrina Love Story #2. Wallace T. Patterson, Jr (50) and Subrena Simon (35+/- ) were engaged to be married in New Orleans on November 27. They had secured the location for the reception, paid the deposit for their cake, invitations, etc and had begun the exciting work of planning their wedding. Subrena's husband had died 10 years ago, leaving her to raise their three children and her younger sister alone. Wallace came into her life about 3 years ago and provided a stability her little family so desperately needed. All that stability was lost in the flooded streets and they found themselves in the Pineville shelter, wondering what would happen next. When they heard about Darrell and Darlene's wedding they asked if they could join in and be married as well. Their reasoning? After this experience they've learned that you don't know if you have tomorrow. And their November 27th wedding in New Orleans is definitely no longer an option so why wait another day? They will be married in a double ceremony this Saturday along with Darrell & Darlene.

I'm so honored to have been asked to officiate in these ceremonies. I've gotten to know these couples, heard their stories, seen their sorrows and joys and have been impressed by their resiliency. I pray God's special blessings on their future lives together. I've also been incredibly proud of our community and the way they've responded. Everything we've needed has been freely given, loaned, donated or provided with no questions asked. Thank you, Pineville, for truly being a "city on a hill" that glorifies the Father in heaven.

Blessings,
Nathan