2010 Mission Trip Day 2 (and another run with wildlife)

Casey and Caroline together again!

Monday was a great day for all of us.  It was our longest day of the week (2 performances in 2 different nursing homes then VBS at night).  All I can say is our kids are amazing!  At the nursing home they jumped right in helped set up, talked to residents, etc… The passion and energy they put into every song was really moving.  We had numerous residents come up and tell us how great they sounded and what a great group we had.  We had several residents say they have not heard a group of young people sound good.  Honestly, I did not think they could get any better sound wise but they keep raising that bar just a bit higher.  VBS last night was just as great.  With little to no instruction they jumped right in and did the opening rally, ran the classes and everything.  Everyone here has made us feel so welcomed it is as if we never left from last year.  It really nice back to sit back and watch the hand of God working with and through all of us. Monday night our kids met a bunch of kids that were here last year and several new kids. Yes, Casey Brooks did meet his beloved Caroline who has been waiting a whole year to see him again.  It is hard to put into words how great our kids are.  Morgan, Katelyn, Jordan, Casey, and Taylor are doing an amazing job of leading the opening and closing rally.  More on that tomorrow…

Here is where we are staying.

I had an idea yesterday to let each of the youth who were not here last year write a little about their experiences so far.  As the week goes on we will have different stories from each of the youth.  So here we go….

Taylor Meeks – The only ways I can describe mission trip so far is: long, exhausting, fun, and exhilarating. The nursing home trips have been exciting and the people we have met there are sweet & make me feel like we helped them out with something.  Vacation Bible School has seemed like a day full of setting up, running around, and teaching cute kids. J I like to see how different they all are, and seeing them having fun. I look forward to the rest of the week and seeing what it has in store.

Payton Meeks – So far Mission Trip has been awesome. At all the nursing homes I love seeing everyone dancing and clapping along. This trip has brought the youth closer together than before. I’ve enjoyed teaching all the little kids at VBS, I love how they all participate in the songs and dance around.  I’m really looking forward to the rest of the week.  J

Bryant Meeks – It’s been a lot of fun performing in the nursing homes and doing all the activities at VBS and helping out with the kids.

Tristen Martin – its been fun singing and teaching every day so far, I met a lot of new friends the kids at the church are a lot of fun to teach.

Hannah Tarkenton – I have had a lot of fun on mission trip so far; it has been exhausting, fun, long, and exciting. It has been fun teaching the kids at the church, but it also has been tiring.

Camyrn Garrett – So far I feel like I am really a youth group member, VBS Is awesome with the group of kids we have. I feel like I have made an impact so far we have been worn out but suck it up and keep on going. This has been an amazing mission trip so far I hope everyone can do this one-day.

Kendall Branham- This mission trip has brought everyone closer together in our youth group so much. We had tons of fun and it seems everyone is always laughing and smiling. I love how our songs and work is changing people and us and I think that’s what this mission trip is all about.  I love being with these people and even though I miss home there’s a part of me that never wants this to end.  <3

Our guys at work at VBS Monday night

On the running front:

I got in another 5 miles this morning.  Today the weather was much improved.  There was hardly any humidly and there was a nice breeze blowing.  I had hoped to get in 6 miles but I will take 5.  I was a bit slower today but I still got my miles in and felt really great about it.  The wildlife here continues to amaze me.  As I was walking out the road a white kitten came across a field to me meet.  Missing our furball at home, I decided to give her some lovin and move on.  I few yards later I saw two turtles and stopped to check them out.  Well, little kitty decided she had not had enough love.  I seriously thought she was going to follow me for the entire run.  However, the turtles were more amusing to her than me so she stayed with them.  I went back to the dock I went to yesterday and saw two blue crabs in the water.  One looked like it was eating something as its claws were quickly going to its mouth.  All I could think about was Sponge Bob.  While on the run the little crabs I mentioned yesterday were everywhere.  As I ran past most of them they would put their large claw over the face and slowly walk away.  Kind of like Jack used to do.  If he could not see us, he thought we could not see him.  One crab, however, raised up and me and flashed me both claws.  Apparently he wanted to pick a fight with me.  What the crab did not see was the bird right behind me waiting for me to move so it could swoop in for a crab breakfast.