Today was yet another busy day. It begun by the consumption of delicious donuts, followed by the hurry scurry of packing the car and saying a sad goodbye to our amazing hostess, Sandie. We miss her quite terribly and have promised to stay in touch.

After leaving, we drove to the local grocery store, Kroger’s, to buy groceries for three different flood victims who we were fortunate enough to meet. These were the people who received money our church sent for flood relief. We were especially touched by Everett, who showed us her home that has been stripped to the studs. She was very welcoming and a smile never left her face.

Our drive home was uneventful, filled only with sleepy and a bit slap-happy teenagers. The “adults” chugged Diet Cokes and kept going like our own Energizer Bunnies! They have been our troopers.

We really appreciate the prayers and love we have recieved!

Thank y’all!

Dani, Jennifer, Ashley, Carissa, Jennie and Jule

Today we got to see first hand the homes and places that were so greatly impacted by the Nashville flood. It was touching and awe inspiring as we witnessed how greatly help was needed, as well as how much has already been done for these wonderful people.

Because of weather issues at the camp we were supposed to be working at, we were lead into a change of plans. Instead, we delivered meals to 12 homes as our mission for today. It was amazingly moving to be able to touch these peoples’ lives in such simple ways.

We ate our own lunches in the car on the way to meet up with Calvary youth- Jule’s former congregation, as we glided across the cool and refreshing ice rink… not so gracefully for some. We were ambushed by little skaters who wanted nothing more than to be helped around the rink by some cool big kids! We were touched by the trust as they approached us, perfect strangers, and were attached to us the entire duration of our ice time.

We ended the evening with a wonderful meal at California Pizza Kitchen with one of Jule’s old friends, Libbie, and our wonderful hostess, Sandie. On the ride home we stopped for the signature ice cream of the south: Bluebelle- the equivalent of Breyers, so says Jule… but better.

Apples to Apples has become a staple in our nightly activities!

We continue to be thankful for your prayers and thoughts.

We love you all!

Dani, Jen, Ashley, Carissa, Jennie and Jule

Yup- we’re suth’n now!

Today, we mulched, mulched, and mulched!

Who knew there were so many parts to mulching?? We carried the mulch in wheelbarrels and turned it with pitchfork. We carefully maneuvred them around the resident zebra and turtle of the playground.

The smiles of the children watching us distribute God’s love to their beloved playground filled us with joy and knowledge that we were truly here to serve God.

After we finished our mulch pile, we went for a frozen treat at Bobbie’s Dairy Dip, where the slogan “we be dippin’!” is forever stuck in our heads, as we all elected to have our ice cream dipped in either chocolate or peanut butter- mmm, delicious!

Our day concluded with our discussion of highlights, lowpoints, how we see God in our daily mission, and a one word summary of the day. We all agreed that the way we most saw God today were in the children’s faces as they giggled and and waved at us from the windows of their classroom- even snapping a picture or two of our shiny (and not JUST with smiles) faces. (It was hot!!)

We are now turning in for a (hopefully) restful night at our wonderful hostess’ home! Ms Sandie is a wonderful lady who really over-feeds us, and shows us how blessed we are by sharing her home.

We love you all, and are so thankful for your ongoing prayers as we continue to fill our call to spread God’s love amongst those in Nashville.

Tomorrow is another day!

Love,

Dani, Jen, Carissa, Ashley, Jennie and Jule

We leave Sunday, July 11th after church- prayers please!

Hoping you are well and God smiles upon your week!

~COTC Youth~