DENVER | MISSION TRIP

After Evynn's party, I worked a few days, went on my girls trip, worked, then immediately went on a mission trip to Denver with Cody and some of our youth students. it was busy busy but very fun and a great experience!

We left on a Tuesday and made the long 9 hour track to Denver, Co. We were partnering with the DOOR ministry. The Door sets groups of people up to volunteer at agencies that benefit homeless people in the Denver area. We stayed at a downtown Mennonite church along with 2 other churches-one from Kansas and one from Canada!

the view outside the church we stayed at!

The first day, the girls and I volunteered at "Earthlinks"-an organization that has a community garden that people can work at, and a workshop where homeless people can come learn how to make jewelry, soaps, lotions, etc. and sell them to make an income. I loved the idea behind the business and even overcame my fear of bees  while standing in the midst of them all ;) Our job was to make the sidewalk in their green house-which involved laying brick, cutting edging, measuring, leveling, etc.

After our volunteering, we took a bus back to near the church then walked about a block. it was so neat to see all the murals on buildings! When we got back Cody played some football with the canadians, lol, and everyone relaxed for a minute. That night we attended a block party for the Living Stone church plant!

the next day the girls volunteered at the food bank, preparing shipments and the boys cleaned a house for emotionally damaged families. That evening the whole program took a hike to Mt. Falcon to enjoy the beautiful views! After the hike we all enjoyed pizza (as big as my face!) and ice cream ;)

the next day was our "fun day" so we first met with the Living Stone Church again to discuss church and what church planting means. Then our group headed to Breckinridge, CO. It is gorgeous and my favorite mountain town to date!

Unfortunately, it was POURING rain the whole day. Everyone did one ride on the roller coaster at the adventure park then lots of (dry) gondola rides. We walked around the downtown for a bit, then went out to eat before heading back to downtown denver.

The next day we were the first group awake and out the door for the longggg ride home ;) 

overall, it was a fast but wonderful week of learning how to love and serve the poor and everyone. Also, due to a big culture shift for our small town west texas folks, we had lots of conversations about just who Jesus is and how important it is to have a relationship with Him!

#hillcountryhoorah

I have THE best friends from college! Some of us came to Tech knowing each other from hometowns, some pot lucked roommates, etc. but by sophomore year we had a solid and big group of wonderful girls who loved each other, pushed each other to the Lord, and could have a wonderful time anywhere we went. We all eventually graduated, some got married, most moved, and now we're even having babies! It's crazy how much has changed in a quick few years since college. All the tears. I hope we can all get together sometime, this year only  a few of us could. life is just so so busy!

Starting last year the group decided to make an annual tradition of a girls trip. The first trip was last august to Austin, Tx. I had a 2 week old baby so obviously I couldn't go but this year I could! I hesitated a lot about actually making the plunge to go-I have a husband that I hate leaving, this would be the first time I was ever leaving my baby, I was still breastfeeding, I needed to take off work, and right after returning we were leaving for a mission trip-the excuses were endless but I decided to go! Luckily my husband and my mom encouraged me like crazy to go and enjoy myself. 

So, the last weekend of August, Kiva and I headed towards Kerrville. We met at Kate's late grandmother's adorable hill country cabin. Claire and Morgan met us there shortly later and we knew belinda would meet us for dinner.  We started to get ready for dinner, which is always so fun with a group of girls!

I wanted to bring matching something to the weekend so I decided on cups, but the only ones I found at target were leftover for 4th of july, so that's what we did ;)

(lol at me and morgans face swap in the car)

also note the passionate hug in the background

We ate at mamacita's(?) in kerrville which is always so delicious and takes me back to weekend breaks when I worked at Camp Waldemar!

After dinner we went to the nearest HEB to get stuff to cook at home the rest of the weekend to save money. Belinda works at HEB corporate so we had to embrace the celebrity on our hands ;)

The next morning we made muffins, breakfast casserole and had fruit for breakfast then sat on the porch and drank coffee and talked for hours. After eating lunch, we changed and went down from the house into the pond for a swim. I've swam in lakes, ponds, rivers in my lifetime but I'm still not a fan of anything touching me and morgan definitely is not. It was pretty hilarious seeing us all out there!

after swimming we sat on the porch and played bean boozeled which is hilarious if you're willing to try disgusting flavors. Morgan, Kiva, and I played most rounds but got the other girls to participate too ;)

after jelly bean crazy-ness we all got ready for dinner/pictures and made homemade mini-pizzas

^the day morning we ate breakfast and loaded up for the rest of the way home!