Rescue Atlanta - Wrapping it all up

It suddenly occured to me that I never did a last post for our trip to Atlanta. Between being busy and tired it totally slipped my mind. let's see if I can remember most of what happened Saturday and Sunday...

Saturday was our free day - we slept in a bit and then cleaned the church. Afterwards we went to Atlantic Station and hung out all afternoon. Saw Up (SO SAD!!!!) and ate some fantastic Thai food.

Sunday it was up and at 'em - had a very early start. I was fortunate enough to be able to help Amy and some others in the colthes closet. What an experience. But I really enjoyed it. Some of our kids got to ride the buses to go pick up people for church. That is always a very fun ride. After a few hours of work it was time for church. (I was actually able to sqeeze in an alignment with some pain specialists before church started - they donate their time on Sunday mornings - I was a new person...) We had an amazing speaker and great praise and worship - all in all a great morning.

Afterwards we got on the van (we literally ran to it) and headed home. Just in time for youth service - which turned out to be incredible. We were tired and some stayed home but there was just a sweet presence of God in our sanctuary - in The Right Place.

Anyways, glad to be home but glad to have been a part of something great.

Finish Strong.

Rescue Atlanta - Friday

As I'm sitting on my bunk typing this it is hard for me to believe that today was the last day of ministry that we had today. It is also hard for me to believe that I am still awake. Different people go on missions trips for different reasons - we came to work and work we did. And we didn't stop working today. We did get to sleep in an extra 45 minutes today which was a plus - and boy did we need it.

We started the day out getting ready for our first block party here at the church. We had snow cones and popcorn and big inflatables as well as a full blown power jam. We bused in about 60-75 kids and just had a blast.

While all that was going on Carrie, Ashley, and Candy were in the clothes closet sorting out a TON of clothes.

After that it was dinner and then immediately over to Carver Homes for another block party and a power jam. This time we had so many kids - over 150! Praise God for a great turnout!

After that it was time for some fun. We headed downtown to Centennial Park to play in the fountain.

Well, that was all for today. Tomorrow is a free day - we are going to the zoo and then a movie! And I get to wear makeup and feel like a girl again (and smell like one too)!

Rescue Atlanta - Thursday

Happy Birthday to me...happy birthaday to me! What a great way to spend my birthday! Today our team got to go downtown to do some witnessing/street ministry. It was awesome. Our kids did a great job inviting everyone to the revival service tonight too.

Service tonight was great too. We had a really powerful altar service where we were able to pray with the people.

After service we put up chairs and brought out some tables so that we could feed everyone.

After all that was over Ashley, Candy and I rode on the bus to take some of the homeless people back to where we picked them up. I got to sit next to an adorable little 5 year old. We made lots of funny faces and he told me I was his girlfriend. I was good with all of that until I realized we were dropping him back off at one of the parks downtown with his mother. And they are homeless. I couldn't believe that he was going to be sleeping somewhere on the streets tonight. It just broke my heart and after they left the bus I just broke down and cried in one of the bus seats. Thankfully him and his mother are regulars here at RA so at least Mel and Teresa are in their lives so I feel confident this child has a good chance. Just a day in the life for the people up here I guess.

Please pray for strength for our teams. A few kids from the Columbus church have started throwing up but we are believing that we will have health. Long, hard day tomorrow but we are ready!

Now for sleep...

Rescue Atlanta - Wednesday

All is well here in Atlanta. Finished out a great day yesterday by feeding the homeless.

We had a great time and we were able to pray for some people too as well as feed them. Today was pretty much of the same. Up/breakfast/prayer/devotions/leader meeting. Then we had the normal Wednesday morning Bible study. There were probably about 50 or 60 poor/homeless people at the church being fed by the word.

We left early to get ready for the first of 3 Power Jams for the day. After a massive downpour we finally got started and pretty much went ALL DAY LONG!

But we had such a great time today! The kids were so awesome and precious. I really feel like the work that we have done so far this week is really going to pay off in the next few months for this minstry.

Alright - now for some video!

Rescue Atlanta - Days 1 and 2

Well, we made it to Atlanta. It has been an intersting couple of days for us. Monday was ok - just a travel day. We stayed in Macon for a while to eat. After getting to Atlanta we found out the teams we are on then we went to "Spy out the Land."

After that it was on to the Varsity for a gut bomb - uh, I mean chili dogs and an orange freeze.

This morning we were up at 6:30 for breakfast/prayer/devotions/praise and worship/and a leader meeting. That was all before 10:30. Then we loaded up and went to the Capital Building for a worship rally.

It was awesome. The weather was fantastically cool and breezy. And we did our thing on the steps of the courthouse. You wanna talk about freedom - there is nothing like praising God right in the middle of the city.

After this we went over to one of the poorer neighborhoods near the church - Rebel Valley. We canvassed the area for kids for one of the Power Jams we are doing in the area tomorrow. It was a lot of fun - some of the kids in the area helped us out and we got to hang out with them some. I found out David Sellers has a heightened fear of dogs but he has no problem getting candy from perfect strangers houses. :) Then it rained and we got really wet.

Now we are waiting on dinner after which we are going out to help feed the homeless tonight. Really praying for an opportunity to be able to speak into some peoples lives. The kids are doing great - we are working them hard. They should be exhausted by lights out tonight.

A few of my favorite things

I left a little piece of my heart at the beach...

80 percent chance of rain? Not on my watch...

Well, the youngest was up again at 7 this morning. Doesn't she understand anything about vacations? I did make her go and wake up Grandma though - that's what they get.

We were out of the house early and on the beach at 9:30 this morning. It was supposed to rain badly so we thought we'd go early and at least get some ocean time in. Needless to say it was a gorgeous day. Both the girls had a blast running in the water and jumping over waves (don't worry Jonathan - I got lots of pictures and videos). I only got slightly burned on my back. Woo-hoo. After a couple of hours we bribed them off the beach with promises of hotdogs and frozen lemonades. (Worked like a charm too - and anyone who says that is bad parenting obviously has no children)

I think I'm going to force (yeah right) them into the pool for a couple more hours this afternoon so they can get good and tired. Then it will be an early bedtime for them and some shopping at Bass Pro (I hope) for me and my mom. Keeping my fingers crossed, anyways...

Ahhh, summer...

Hello summer. I have waited so long for you...

Today has been a very quiet and uneventful day. Which is exactly what I have been needing. The girls were up at 7:15. Ate breakfast and immediatly went into the pool. Swam for a bit, then we walked about 4 blocks to the neighborhood playground. Played for a long time. Walked back to the house, ate lunch then swam again for about 2 more hours. And now? Now, the kiddies are asleep. The first nap so far this week. Hopefully they will continue on through the week and on into the summer. That may be asking for too much.

Not too sure what's on tap for tomorrow - beach I think. Wish I had some pictures to post - unfortunately I forgot my camera cable. So lots of pics and videos to come next week.

The last day is of school is feeling like the end of childhood

Ice cream party at school

So this last day of school crap is for the birds. I am very excited and happy to have my Zoe back for the summer but now that Kindergarten is over I am starting to realize that she really is growing up and there is nothing I can do to stop it. She also had the best teacher. Ever. Seriously, no complaints at all (which I think is rare). So long Kindergarten. It's been a fun ride the past 9 1/2 months. I guess we'll go through all this again when Jessi moves up. I hope the school will be ready for that.

Dance like nobody's watching

The best part of the wedding for the girls was the dancing as you can tell...for me the best part was getting all my "kids" together for a group photo.

the old 'faith gang'