Work Day 1

Happy Birthday ALEXANDRA!! We went to our first assignment today and painted a LOT! There was also a surprise birthday cake for dessert after we enjoyed some delicious homemade gumbo! We learned a lot working today, but we will save that for the Sunday when we share about our experiences:)

Beautiful ending to our arrival...

We took a scenic tour on the first night in Louisiana and captured this gorgeous picture of the sunset. Funny story-- The first person we talked to in Louisiana after meeting our mission station manager we asked for directions to a restaurant. We were all fully expecting a southern accent... but were surprised with a British accent:)

Memorial Park Tours

We had our orientation with the Station Manager, Renee and learned about what our week will be like. Afterwards, we were excited to try some authentic Cajun food, so we ate at Steamboat Bill's. Across the highway was THE lake with several memorials along the boardwalk. We got out and took advantage of the beauty and to be able to stretch our legs. The boys are standing in front of a new helicopter that was only recently dedicated in memory of the Vietnam War-- very cool! The ladies posed in front of a giant tank that was close by. We had a great time on the first night getting settled into our dorm-like rooms by the church and playing games in the activity room.

Uh-oh!

Just kidding! The light post was definitely already like this, but hey-- what a photo op!!!

We woke up from the church in Fort Smith, AR, showered and got back on the road bright and early! We stopped in Shreveport, LA for lunch-- some of us ate Whataburger for the first time, and others of us went with the safe choice of Subway. We still had a couple of more hours, with lots of rain, seeing a wicked wreck on the highway and more Nursery's on one road than in all of Missouri... at least it seemed like it. We arrived in Lake Charles, LA around 4:45pm to the First Christian Church and was greeted by the Station Manager, Renee.

The Looooong Ride

This is what we looked like part of the way during the drive down. Nick looks super comfortable:)

The Boys. Enough said. :)

Fort Smith, AR

Here is the youth's group shot in the "Activity Room" of the church we are staying the night in. We left at exactly 3:00pm this afternoon and made great time arriving in Fort Smith around 7:15. We had dinner and then came over and got a tour of the church of the First Christian Church of Fort Smith. It is a gorgeous place with a very hospitable host. I will admit that I have been very nervous the last few days, but it seems that everything is falling into place and working out amazingly! We will continue to update with pictures and posts as we are able this week.