Today's Blog by: Kelsey Saake & Krista Derouin:
Hello Friends, Family, Cousins, Neighbors, Lovers, Peers, People of God, Dear and Wonderful People of San Diego,
This is Kelsey and Krista (Hi Mom!) here to fill you in on our latest adventures in the blazing hot land of Phoenix, Arizona! Taking up where the boys left off, steak and cheesy potato night was a definite success, our tummies cried out for triple and quadruple helpings but in 50 years our hearts will thank us for restraining ourselves. After consuming as much as humanly possible (please don’t comment if the BLC youth ministry comes back looking a little ummm… shall we say “bigger” than before) we went for an evening stroll to start off our night of worship. Jonathon is all about switching things up this year, so we re-baptized each other in the fountain. Some of us were up for full on dunking (yes it’s that hot at night) but the mood was a little more somber. Our walk then took us back into our place of worship, which was beautifully lit by candles and worship was even more extraordinary than usual. Some call it Cry Night, others Gnarly Night and still others call it Wednesday. But whatever you choose to call it, it was truly an amazing opportunity to share and experience God. And who would have ever guessed we would find Him in a place as hot as hell.
After a night of very little sleep we awoke to a less than welcome rendition of Zipp-a-dee-doo-da and shortly after were shipped out to our final day of work. Krista and I had been working at a construction site where we spent way too much time working on The Dreaded Wall. You may be asking what is this “Dreaded Wall”? Well, let us set the scene for you: its 115 degrees, zero shade, sweat dripping down your back, chisel in hand, pounding away at six-foot monster of a wall, hoping to prepare it to be painted. Now, you must be asking yourself “How did they survive and complete this horrid task?” The answer lies in our creative minds and devotion to Jonathan, to whom we wrote beautiful songs. Not wanting to deprive you we’ve written one out for you below: (to be sung to the tune of You Belong with Me by Taylor Swift)
We’re in Phoenix, it’s a hundred and nine degrees
We’re goin’ off about how there’s just no breeze
But you’ll never understand it like we do
Poundin’ on a wall that just won’t go away
Yellin’ screamin’ but there’s nothin’ we can say
And you’re in the kitchen just eating
You’re in flip flops, We’re in sneakers
You’re just hangin’ out, talkin’ to the leaders
Worried “bout the day when you’ll wake up and find
That your whole ministry has left you all behind
Can’t you see that we’re the ones about to pass out
Been here all day long about to crap out
So why can’t you seeee Phoenix isn’t meant for meeee?
But luckily today we got to work with the rest of the gang, finishing up the garden, which we are quite proud of, seeing as the supervisors had told us it was enough work for 80 people to do in 4 days and we are just 45 but we, in the words of Gilly (a supervisor) “got ‘er done”! Our gratitude of not having to spend any time at the wall was only topped by the gratitude of the project managers, who presented us with a beautiful plaque and a touching speech.
We returned home, Christian rap blaring from the speakers (don’t even ask, it’s that awesome) for lunch and yet another surprise! In the vein of trying new things this afternoon’s activity was a Choose Your Own Adventure! Our choices were: going to the mall, going back to Jonathan’s parents for pool party part two, or hanging out for an epic game of Wiffle ball. Krista and I gladly chose to return the Garman household. We’d just like to take a minute to thank them for opening their home to us, not just once but twice, those brave souls, bless their hearts. Oh, and a shout out to Sophie (their lovely puppy) “We love you!” The festivities were a smashing success. We greatly enjoyed a (not so competitive) diving contest even though Anna kicked our butts. Mary and Dennis were our (not so impartial) judges, giving us scores with the very official looking Uno cards. My personal record was two 8’s but I had to call it quits when I tried a back flip and ended up with a back flop.
We returned home to blessedly wonderful (and much needed) showers and are writing this entry in great anticipation of Pasta Night. If you have not heard of this wonderful event imagine countless varieties of pastas and sauces and expanding waistlines (we already put on our loosest clothing). We still don’t know what fun surprises lay ahead of us tomorrow but we’re confident we’ll have the time of our lives!
In closing we’d like to ask all you back home to keep our fearless leaders and the Garmans in your prayers. And we pray that our work will touch the lives of all those who enjoy the gardens and homes.
Hugs and Kisses,
Krista and Kelsey =D
