Friday, August 3, 2007

I'm Back!!

Hey everyone I'm back. I just got back tonight from Wisconsin. 12 students from our youth group went along with 3 leaders on a mission trip. It was amazing...that pretty much sums in up. But I know everyone will want to hear like all the details so I'll fill you in.

Ok, so we stayed at Crossroads Church in Madison, Wisconson along with 5 groups from other churches. There was a total of about 80 people. We were divided up into 6 teams with a mix of kids and leaders from different churches. It was awesome to meet new people and we ended up becoming great friends with all our group members and many more kids. So here's a typical schedule of what would happen during the day...

7:00 wake up
7:30 breakfast
8:15 quiet time with small groups
8:45 assembly for daily assignments
9:00 off to work sites
12:00 lunch break
12:30 back on the job
3:45 - 5:45 shower time
6:00 dinner
6:30 free time
7:30 - 9:00 worship and teaching time
9:15 small groups
9:45 hang out
11:00 bed time

So as you can see we were always very busy. The opportunity to serve was great and the members of our group made it fun. Here's a list of the projects we did...

Community Gardens- we picked 1,500 pounds of veggies which went directly to an outreach service
Middleton Outreach- we sorted clothes at a shelter
Holy Wisdom Monastery- we spreed ed mulch on a trail in the woods and cleaned inside
Second Harvest- we packaged food to be sent to shelters
Salvation Army- we cleaned, organized, and played with little kids there

Not only was serving an amazing part of the experience but the teaching time (service) was too. Rich, the speaker, was an absolute amazing guy. I could relate to all of his messages and he really made me think. Hearing his messages really brought me closer to God and made my week. I am so thankful that he was there. I can't even begin to explain how great he was. By the end of the service practically half of the people were always crying because he was so amazing and the stories he told were touching and incredible. Other than that we just hung out with all the awesome friends we met, played volleyball, pool, etc. We were all so sad we had to leave today. It was so so hard to say goodbye to everyone again as we are toally hoping to stay in touch and see them again next year. Anyway, our youth leader is goin to send us all disks with the pictures on them so until then I'll just post a couple we took last night of all our friends. We were running around dnapping pics of them all...pretty fun. So I'm just trying to catch up on everything...all the comments and blogs!

17 comments:

Ashley said...

Sounds amazing. Glad you had fun and learned a lot too while serving God there! :)

Holly said...

It sounds like an awesome trip. I've always wanted to go on a mission trip. Looks like you had a great time.

Gracie said...

Sounds like you had an amzing time! You also sounded very busy! Bet you were glad to see your family though! Love the pics.

LaLa said...

Welcome back..we missed you and I know your family did : ) Glad you had a good time and spent time serving God in a meaningful way.

Elise said...

That is so great!!! I love hearing about kids your age giving back but it sounds like you all were blessed too! I so wish our church had in country mission trips like that for our younger teens. The high school kids just got back from Mexico last week for a mission trip but my girls will have to wait another three years for their turn. Glad your back though:) Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Mr.Brian said...

Welcome home,again.Land sakes girl you have been on the go almost all summer now.I hope you get to stay home and enjoy the rest of the summer and spend time with the little ones.
I am sure mama is wanting you around too,you know she does not like her little cubs being away.
Sounds like a great time.Glad you enjoyed it so much.
I really like hearing you were up at 7:00 a.m. each day!!LOLOLOLNow that you let the cat out of the bag Simba may try sending the cubs in earlier in the morning to wake you. :).At least after she reads this she may!!!!

Beckyb said...

You have been busy girl!! Good for you - it sounds like a wonderful trip and one where you were used for God.

Shirley said...

It is so awesome at your age to be able to travel so much. Glad to hear you had a great time. I was missing your posts on my blog..
Enjoy the rest of your summer!!

Meghna said...

Dear Sister2two,
I just read your blog and it sounds really interesting !!! Keep up this great work !
I am sure you too would like to see my kids blog "Delve Into The Mind Of A Budding Blogger " at:
http://meghnaspages.blogspot.com/

Do visit and post your comment !!

Lauren said...

Sounds like you had an amazing time. I know I went on a missions trip last summer and it truly changed my life.

Nikki said...

So glad you had such a wonderful time serving, getting closer to God, AND making new friends! The pictures were great and it sounded like an incredible trip.
Welcome back.
(see you next weekend!)

3 Peanuts said...

Emmie,

Sounds like a great opportunity. You are an amazing young woman!

Kim

Robin said...

OMgosh.. camp looks like loads of fun. I even saw an ohio state buckeye shirt mixed in there (yeah)

Love your blog!

Kim said...

Welcome back sweetie! Missed your blog and your sweet comments :) I'm glad you had fun at camp!

Mommy Spice said...

I think every person should experience a mission trip. We took one to England when I was 19. We went into high schools and did skits and told our testimonies. It was awesome!!

Gwen Oatsvall said...

can't wait to hear more ... email me ... missed ya ...

Meghna said...

Hi Lauren,
thanks for visiting my blog. It surely feels great to interact with people from other countries. I'll surely be checking your video blog shortly. Keep in touch!