Day 30::June 6, 2010

Today church was busy with VBS excitement.  Saddle Ridge Ranch decor started popping up in various classrooms and locations throughout the campus.  After lunch I met up with one of my helpers and several amazing youth workers.  With their help we were able to decorate our room in no time!

For the evening service we had students share about their experiences in Louisiana this past week.  What an encouragement it was to see that although they expected to go and build tables and pull weeds; they experienced God in BIG ways.  I was so blessed by this whole trip... can't wait to go back again one day.

love,
-jb

Day 29::June 5, 2010

After resting and recouping from the past week, Doug and I got ready for a special 3 month anniversary date.  I can't believe it's been 3 months!  Sometimes it feels like we've been married for years and others it seems just like the other day we said, "I do."  We've done SO MUCH, in the last three months.  Just to give you an idea of our traveling...

-Jamaica (honeymoon)
-Guatemala (mission trip)
-Kentucky (conference)
-Nashville (for fun)
-South Carolina (wedding)
-Louisiana (mission trip)
-Georgia (various reasons, various times)

Today we celebrated 3 months at the Cheesecake Factory.  The Cheesecake Factory is a special place because it's where Doug asked my dad if he could date me.  He told him why he wanted to date me and that we felt like God was moving us in the direction of marriage.  It's also where we celebrated our one year anniversary as an engaged couple. 

I'm glad to be back home, with my wonderful husband.  I appreciate him more and more each day.  He did an amazing job putting together the mission trip last week and making sure that everything ran as smoothly as possible.  Like I said at our wedding- I used to think it was cheesy when other girls said they felt like the luckiest girl alive (when engaged or getting married).  But now I know I've got them all beat.  :)

Day 28::June 4, 2010

Student Life Mission Camp 2010

Today is our last day at camp.  It's amazing the things God did in the lives of our students.  He brought himself glory and honor through their decisions, praises and diligent work this week.  Here are a few pictures from our last Celebration time.  Go Silver Shock!!!

Day 27::June 3, 2010

Student Life Mission Camp 2010, Day 3
Louisiana Methodist Children's Home

Today, our last day, we finished working on the garden.  We piled up the weeds and collected the rest of the crops that we found.

After finishing up the mission work, Mrs. Tammy let us play in the maze.  The students divided up into four teams and had to run around and collect rubber balls.  The team with the most collected at the end won.

After all was said and done, we had a few students who wanted to purchase some salsa, made fresh by LMCH.  Mrs. Tammy was so kind and allowed each of our students to have a jar for free.

Believe it or not, the day isn't over yet!  After corporate worship time our group got to come together and have some wonderful discussion about the week.  After talking about the amazing things God did, we pulled out the aluminum foil, tape and duct tape.  You see, we were on the "Silver Shock" team all week and had to show our spirit during Friday's Celebration time.

It wouldn't be fair to not mention what Doug's group did all week.  Here are a few pictures from his camera taken at their work site.  They built picnic tables!

Day 26::June 2, 2010

Student Life Mission Camp 2010
Louisiana Methodist Children's Home

Today we worked on the garden some more!  Check out our progress.  Tomorrow all we'll have to do is clean things up and move on to the next project.

After working hard, Mrs. Tammy let the students feed apples to the horses.  During camp the horses are used for riding, therapy, etc.

Haha, I just LOVE this picture!  Totally candid.

This is Eli (the horse).  Eli is just 4 inches shy of making the Guinness Book of World Records.

Our awesome group of students

Day 25::June 1, 2010

Student Life Mission Camp, Day Two

Today we were assigned our mission sites and groups.  I took 14 of our students to the Louisiana Methodist Children's Home.  We had lunch under a pavilion and met Mrs. Tammy.  She told us all about the ministry of LMCH and how it impacted hundreds of children who come from emotionally, physically and sexually abused pasts.  These children may or may not know their parents.  They may also be in trouble at school, with the law, etc.  LMCH works to "overcome the abuse or neglect they experienced before coming and to set them on a path for a wholesome life, all under the umbrella of the love of God" (Pathways- LMCH newsletter).

Our main project for the week was gardening!  The students complained a lot about the heat and work but seemed to get over it when they thought about the reason why they were there.  They also worked on picking up sticks in a pasture used to make hay.

The garden "before"

Time to get to work!

On the way to pick up sticks

Check out that pile!  

Couldn't resist.

Day 24::May 31, 2010

Student Life Mission Trip, Day 1:

20 Students, 2 Leaders 
5:00AM   Leave for LA Tech.
1:30PM   Arrive

Between traveling over seven hours and today's activities, I was only able to get four pictures!  Looks like Alex and Mason are excited about our first corporate worship session.