Mission: Kansas City

July 18-22

This was a trip I won’t soon forget…. We decided to plan our own, closer to home, mission trip this year.  We made plans to stay in an elementary school, and when we got there found out there was no air conditioning.  It was the hottest trip ever.  Even hotter than Falls Creek because there was never a break in the hotness! 

Most of the great things we did, were a little overshadowed because of the sleeping in sweat…. But in the end we realized how many people we helped and it made it worth it.  Something else that was different was that we had Zack and Hollie’s new youth group with us too.  It was great to get some time with our friends that we miss so much!

I felt so bad for Nate… He never stopped.  When we would finish our jobs for the day he would have to work on something at the school where we were staying.  Did I mention the lights didn’t go off at night?  I was worried about him not taking breaks most of the time, but I was also super proud of the leader he is.  I couldn’t be more blessed to call him mine.

We went out for some bar-b-que… Helped sort through donations and moldy bread… Nate and the guys worked in an old church, new sound… Painted and did yard work for a Coffee Shop… Spread mulch for some schools… And made baskets for ladies coming out of human trafficking.  The verses that started to come to life for us through this trip were Matthew 25:34-40:

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Because in the end, that’s what we did.  We put others first and worked our tails off.  It was a learning experience for all of us.

And, of course, we went to a Royals game.  Kaufman ended up being one of Nate’s favorite stadiums.

We also took a night, and went downtown to their Union Station.  We have the best group we have ever had and it was so fun!  I love these girls so much!

Ten Year Anniversary Trip to Boston

September 23-26, 2015

Nate and I decided that every five years we would take a trip together… no matter how broke we are.  So this year was our big 10th anniversary!  We decided to go up north and check out Boston.  We love seeing historic places, good pizza, and Fenway… and scored super cheap plane tickets, so why not?

The first day we took a hop on- hop off tour so we could get to know the area.  We’ve learned that these are a great way to get some good information.  We took the whole tour and took in the sites… and ate the best pizza we’ve ever had… and I heart cannoli… and ended the day figuring our their “subway” system and going to Fenway for a Red Sox game!  We got to see Ortiz hit his 502nd homerun of the season and sit right next to “the green monster” like ten feet from the left fielder.  It was crazy… I felt like I was in the game.  And singing Sweet Caroline was pretty awesome.  It was a stadium we will always remember for sure.

        

The second day, we walked the entire “Freedom Trail.”  Which was only supposed to take a couple hours, and literally took us all day.  We followed the app on my phone and saw: Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Park St Church, Granary Burying Ground, King’s Chapel, Benjamin Franklin Statue, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Boston Massacre Site, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, USS Constitution, and the Bunker Hill Monument.

We ate at the oldest restaurant in the US.  It wasn’t anything special but the atmosphere was cool.  We also stopped by Mike’s Pastry both days ;) and Modern Pastry too… but the people weren’t too nice there.  Actually, nobody was nice.  If you’re ever in Boston looking for help… with directions, places to eat, or bleeding on the side of the road… don’t count on it.

 

   

    

We got the subway system down and took it back to the airport for $1.50 instead of the $40 taxi ride when we got there.  It was a great place to visit and there are still a ton of things to see… but I felt like we totally conquered everything on the must see.

The best part was being with my Nate and celebrating our marriage together.  He makes me the best version of myself and loves me unconditionally.  I don’t know what I would do without him.  Already looking forward to our next trip in 5 years.  I know that time keeps moving faster so it will be here before we know it.