Heading north

After a great week at Beth-El, the team packed up Thursday morning and began the trip north. Months ago when the team was planning for the trip, there were two options for the special activity we could do in the Tampa area - a trip to Busch Gardens or a day at the beach. The majority of the team voted to go to Busch Gardens, knowing that the cost would come out of their pockets. And so that is what we did after departing Beth-El early on Thursday.

(Photo: The theme of Busch Gardens Tampa is "Africa," so there were plenty of cool animals to see throughout the day) We were there when the gates opened, so the youth and adults had 6.5 hours to explore and experience the park! The typical daily storm blew through the area, causing a two hour break on most rides, but that didn't damped the fun. The youth and adults still had a fun day of rides, food, and the occasional indoor show.

(Photo: The adult leaders enjoy an indoor 4-D show while the rides were closed due to weather) Once back in our vehicles at 4:30pm, the team headed northeast for a night in Green Cove Springs. First Presbyterian Church would be hosting us for the night and we were warmly welcomed by Elizabeth Smith's friends from seminary, Rev. Mark Hults and his wife Lynn and their girls Hayden and Emerson.

(Photo: Highlights from our stop in Green Cove Springs, FL) I mean, come on...who doesn't love adorable posters and homemade snacks to munch on before bedtime? The Hults family joined us for dinner at Mellow Mushroom and we all rolled back to the church happy and full. Staying at FPC Green Cove Springs was a true treat! We enjoyed one more night sleeping on the floor, true church lock-in style! Friday morning brought another early departure, this time with Roanoke as our destination! Before departing the team enjoyed a great breakfast provided by the church and read the last day of their prayer cards from elders or staff members of Second Pres.

(Photo: Each morning the prayer envelopes were laid out for the youth and adults to read during breakfast) The rest of the day was full of travel, with stops here and there for bathroom and food breaks. By mid-afternoon Friday the whole team was prepared to push on through, which we did. A quick stop close to Boones Mill allowed us to clean out the vehicles while also filling the vehicles with gas and our bodies with one last sugar rush, compliments of Dairy Queen.

(Photo: Packing up on the final morning) About an hour before our scheduled arrival team, the energetic, yet tired bunch pulled into the church parking lots and said their good-byes before parting ways. What an incredible week it was!! Reflections from each of the youth will be posted in the next week or two! Please check back so you can hear more about the week from the youth! We are blessed to be so supported by the congregation. Thank you for all your love and support while we traveled!