Wednesday, 7/22

Hello back home!

Barb and Mona got up early today to go register the gang.  Little did they know that they would be carrying 16 extra large (no skinny Bibles here) Bibles, 16 backpacks, 16 guidebooks, and 16 t-shirts back to the hotel 20 mins away.

The youth got to sleep in and have a "free" morning before the festivities began.  We met with the chaperones for a short meeting at 12 to review plans for the day.  We the walked Decatur/Touloose to meet up with the Grey Line Super City Tour (not the highlight of our day =p).  After the tour we went to meet Jimmy Buffet at Margaritaville for dinner.  There we were allowed to sit at a bar to swing on the tire swings provided.  After dinner we hiked about 2 miles to the Super Dome.  Our first big night!!

We sat 5 rows from the top.  Not fun for some of us (Barb and Mona especially) but nothing for the others.  The bands and speakers were awesome with great stories and fun entertainment.  After the Dome we went to the Hilton Riverside for a night full of partying.  The Meridiths took Piper back to bed as it was way past all of their bed times.  Mona and Barb waited for us at Drago's.  We got back to the hotel around 11 for final devotions and bed following.  A great first day for the Gathering.

(See pictures)

http://www.dropshots.com/Soccerluvr408#date/2009-07-23/16:52:28

Tuesday July 21st

Hi everybody.

At 11:30am we met at trinity to drive in a caravan of Ricky in the church van, Hunt's truck with the luggage, Warner's car, Kreiger's van, and Mona in the red a caboose.  We arrived at BWI with time for Mona to get lost, Chris to be searched in security twice, and the rest to comfortably eating lunch.  The plane took off at 3:35 as we headed off to Birmingham, Alabama through a lot of turbulence.  Not too much fun for Christen who was on her first flight (Tyler's too).  On this flight we met another group from Jefferson, MD.  On our connection flight to New Orleans, we met another group from Phoenix, AZ.  We arrived NO in the waiting arms of ELCA Gathering support staff who directed us to the shuttles which took us to our hotel.  We were also welcomed by a jazz band in the airport as Piper danced.  

We checked into the Montelone hotel and went off to dinner at Ralph and Kacoos.  Great food, great time, and a great nights sleep.  

(See photos)

      

Monday 7/20

Good evening TLC!
We're still home and just got back from a delicious pot-luck, and glad to have seen you if you were there. If you weren't there where were you? You missed a great friendly supper! As we pack last minute, we're so excited for the spiritual growth yet to come. Also, we the youth would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the support you've given us and the opportunity you have given us to explore our faiths among fellow Christians in Louisiana. We will miss home dearly but we'll keep you updated when more exciting events occur. Keep us in your prayers as we travel tomorrow. With love and gratitude, the TLC JJJ participants.
P.S. Check out the link below. It's the ELCA information
page for JJJ; view our schedule, information,
and background. Exciting stuff!!!
http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Ministry/Youth-Ministry/Youth-Gathering.aspx