Journey Youth Group Detroit Mission 2011

Walmart, McDonalds-Headed to St. Francis Cabrini! (Mitch's Pix)

2011-07-09T15:03:00.000-07:00

Jen's Shrine Pix #2

2011-07-09T14:52:00.000-07:00

Jen's Shrine Pix

2011-07-09T14:46:00.000-07:00

Shrine Pix by Mitch

2011-07-09T14:41:00.000-07:00

Travel Day Pix by Mitch #2

2011-07-09T14:38:00.000-07:00

Travel Day Pix by Mitch

2011-07-09T14:32:00.000-07:00

2011-07-09T14:29:00.000-07:00

2011-07-09T14:24:00.000-07:00

2011-07-09T14:15:00.000-07:00

Sunday @ Shrine of St. Teresa Little Flower, (Martin's Camera #4)

2011-07-09T14:09:00.000-07:00

Sunday @ Shrine of St. Teresa Little Flower, (Martin's Camera #2)

2011-07-09T13:49:00.000-07:00

Sunday @ Shrine of St. Teresa Little Flower, (Martin's Camera #1)

2011-07-09T13:44:00.000-07:00

2011-07-03T14:07:00.000-07:00

2011-07-03T13:46:00.000-07:00

2011-07-03T13:39:00.000-07:00

2011-07-03T13:26:00.000-07:00

2011-07-03T13:21:00.000-07:00

no internet at the school. everyone doing good. will work out a blog plan tomo

2011-06-26T21:16:00.001-07:00

Travel Day Pictures

2011-06-25T20:47:00.000-07:00

Hey, Olivia! Did you remember your photo id? :-)

Did Dylan really just say that he didn't have his ticket for the return flight? Seriously? Thank you to the very nice man at the Southwest Desk who showed complete mercy and re-issued our paper tickets. :-)

On our way to pick up the three vans. What an awesome group!! Still smiling after being up since 2:30am for most of them!

Spreading the welcoming mission of St. Barbara Parish to the pools in Detroit!

Saturday, June 25

2011-06-25T19:18:00.000-07:00

What an amazing day. Can I just start by telling you all how amazing the youth are that are on the mission this year. Everyone is getting along so well, has been so kind and good mannered to everyone we have encountered. The weather is beautiful. Around 80 and not too humid. We arrived to Embassy Suites around dinner time and went over to a Big Boys Burgers. It was delicious. Burgers, Fish, Chicken and pasta! The waitresses gave us four of their calendars to share with our kids. Of course they made a stellar impression.

Tomorrow, we are up at 8 (5am Seattle time) to head for breakfast here in the hotel lobby. Check out is a 11, so we'll do that and then head to mass at the National Shrine of Theresa, Little Flower. A contemporary mass is at 12:30. After that we are heading to Target or "Meyers" to get a supply of Gatorade and Protein Bars for the week. The folks at Young Neighbors told me nobody has ever starved while with them.... But one can never be too careful with other people's children. Then off to our big adventure.

Today while we were renting the vans we told the folks there about how hard each of the kids worked to raise money for this trip. The manager was so impressed that our kids would work that hard to come to their city she shook all of their hands. Not only that, her brother works for Fox News and she took my contact information and is telling him about us. She said that he likes to do stories on "good" things. So we'll see what happens if they come out to do an interview and meet up with us. I'll let you know what happens.

The most amazing thing happened today. It made it clear to me that we are not here for just something big!! Mitch brought a beach ball and blew it up. The teens started playing water polo type game. And the next thing you know is the whole pool is filled with young people of all ages playing together this impromptu game. It was beautiful. God is in everything, in everyone, every where. Today I am grateful that I can witness it in such a quiet but profound way.

Each day I said I would write a special note to Grace. Last night when she was headed out to my mom's she asked why I was the "mom" who had to go.... Well I told her that when God calls, you just do it and soon she will be old enough to come with. So, my dearest Grace-- I love you with all my heart. You would be so proud of the kids. They loved that you specially selected their hand sanitizers. They are totally enjoying the goody sacks. I found the note you left in my case. It made me cry. I miss you and I can't wait to tell you about what a beautiful place Detroit is. I sat with Cricket the whole trip. He sleeps with his mouth open and snores, not as loud as Clay, but, well, you know. Give daddy a big love for me and make sure he doesn't beat up the dog too bad. Give Mittens a big kiss too. Tonight I'll be praying and looking at the stars thinking of you. When you see the star you'll know which one is for you. I love you, my best girl. Have a good day tomorrow and get Daddy to take you to mass to light a candle for us. -- Mom

Getting Ready

2011-06-24T09:36:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, Saturday, we leave Maple Valley at 3:15 am! Fr. David is meeting us for our send off. We are super excited and have an amazing group of young people going. I thought going to Detroit would be less cumbersome than Tijuana. Turns out the only difference is no passports and not worrying so much what we can buy off the streets, whether it be the food, water or ... (Which is actually a really big deal!)

Say prayers for us often. I hope that I can plug into the Internet at the school to update pictures and give tidbits of the day.

Peace & Joy,

Jen

2011-06-14T17:52:00.000-07:00