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Summer 2012-Caravan

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Mark and I had the opportunity go on Caravan this summer as leaders.  This was something I've always pictured myself doing at some point in my life.  Mark came home from Big House one night in December and was very enthused about Caravan.  He mentioned that he kind of wanted to go as a staff.  By kind of, he meant he really wanted to.  If you know my husband, you would understand why I was a little surprised by his desire to go- especially to New York! My small group girls at Chaos could also go on Caravan for the first time, and after seeing their enthusiasm for the trip, I knew I had to find a way to go.  I didn't want to miss out on the experiences I knew they would have on the trip!

Long story short- I had an 8 week rigorous course this summer.  The last week of the class was Caravan.  Through a process of going through various professor's and getting OK's.  By mid January I had permission from my to-be professor that I could miss the last week of class if I had all of my final paperwork finished before I left.  It took a lot of work, but it was so worth it!  

I could describe how much fun I had seeing the Big City for the second time- seeing the Statue of Liberty, going to the Top of the Rock, seeing the Ground Zero Memorial, etc., but what I truly remember and cherish most about the trip was having the opportunity to see and be a part of so many high school students making steps closer to Christ.  

As a teacher, it is so exciting to see students learn something new and make great progress with a skill.  As a Christian and a mentor, there are few things greater than seeing young people experience God in unreal ways and come together as one body of Christ.  

Mark and I had so much fun getting to know so many different high school students on the trip, building new relationships and fostering old relationships.  We both truly feel called to disciple high school students and what an awesome week it was doing that.  Having led nine girls in a small group the past three years, I knew that I wanted to be a part of their surreal experience on Caravan- because I know how hard it is to put that into words when returning home.  It was just as much fun going on Caravan as a staff as it was a student in high school and God is still working in great ways on that trip.  Needless to say, we hope we can do another year.   Below are some pictures from the various days in the city- we had tons of fun.

Before we went on the Beast (big picture)- the boat ride out to the Statute of Liberty! We got soaked!!
I love the picture of Kaytlyn and me with the Statue of Liberty- she was my roomie for the week- best roomie I could of asked for! Loved spending the week with her! 
 Below are pictures from the Freedom Tower! Neat experience! Love the girls I got to spend time with!


You may notice there are no pictures of Mark and me.  Yes, this was our vacation for the year, and yes we did not spend a whole lot of time together. But still, we came away from this trip renewed and restored and on fire for Christ and ministering to high school students! Below is about the only picture we have together from the trip- the last night in the city!!

Mark  and his City Group boys- they had fun together :)



This last pic is a picture of all the siblings on the trip- Mark and I both happened to have a sibling on the trip... we are BLESSED! 

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