Colorado Mission - Day One and Two

Hi All!

We have had some difficulty with communications, but the first rule of mission is be flexible! So I'm up super late being flexible! :)

We have had an excellent journey thus far! It is a different trip than most of our kids thought it would be (all though I have been saying all a long it will be different!). We have do only a little "service" and a lot more exploration and adventure and encounter.


Monday we walked through part of the Garden of the Gods!

We didn't have nearly enough time to do all the garden but the youth got a feel for the monuments that they are to God's creative power.

After the garden we went to the 7 Falls where they climbed 224 stairs up the side of a mountain to see out over a scenic view and see the river spill through 7 falls. All the youth made it up the steps and the 1 mile hike - Marette and Toni both made it part way up the stairs before panic kicked in and we headed back to flat ground! The kids tell us it was beautiful and those that were scared were glad they did it!

We then had the opportunity to see fire works at the Air Force Academy with our very own Andrew Fuerst. That was cool! We also had dinner with him and the youth peppered him with questions! :) It was good to see him and the fire works were AMAZING!

Today was a day of hiking and service in the Pueblo Mountain Environmental Center. We took a morning hike to Devils Canyon

where we were forced to turn back from the rocky path by a HUGE swarm of yellow jackets. The hike was beautiful and we all made it! After lunch the youth worked to clear brush and trees in a fire forest projection project. The hauled wood and brush and sweated a lot!


Then we had the first of two stone soup dinners. The girls made dinner for us! It was AWESOME. For $63 they made poppy seed chicken, mashed potatoes, veggies and brownies for the whole team! It was delicious!

We have have had a little attitude issues, but as we got some rest this afternoon and some down time things have improved. The attitude is more about jockying for control and attention and all a part of living in community. We have had some very long days and very full days so that has made everyone a bit tired! Prayers for all of us as we live out community in its mess entirety.

Tomorrow is another long long day ... so I'm off to bed.