ALMOST!!!

Departure day is almost here! The magic hour is 7:00 a.m. on Friday morning!

The group had its final "pre-trip" meeting last night. The excitement level continues to build. On a scale of 1 to 10, it is sitting comfortably at 106! This group is ready ... I just hope that Memphis and Mobile ... and all points in between are ready for them!

Last night the group wrote its "Group Covenant". After a time of scripture reading and reflection in the sanctuary, the group brainstormed ideas about how it would live and act during the days ahead. The brainstorms were condensed into a poster that will be hung in our group common space during the days ahead, so that we will be reminded of our commitments. (It just dawned on me -- after the Mission Manual has just been printed -- that I should have put this in the Manual. Old age is catching up with me)

We took the Covenant into the sanctuary and laid it on the communion table. We stood around it and read it, after which, each group member signed it, and took one of the glass stones that had been laid upon the table. The glass stone was to signify a hope, dream, or prayer. One by one the stones were placed in the baptismal bowl with each prayer being spoken aloud.

We are ready -- ALMOST. In less than twenty-four hours. we will be somewhere between Ankeny and Memphis.

Our team is -- Youth: Holly, Sarah, Breanna, Michaela, Katie, Hannah, Addy, Dakota, Alestair, Cory, Connor H., Connor M., Conner S., Nathan, and Fuller; Adults -- Marian, Tom, Chris, Martha, and Rick. Light a few candles; say a few prayers! Mobile: here we come.