Day 4

And the chaos begins. Literally day 4 is always a hard one, but in a different way. Today Chris Ueland (Zion), Karen Garthus (Holt/Newfolden), and myself went to register the kids and get their backpacks while a bus guide took the kids around New Orleans discussing some very interesting, but thought provoking items for them to think about. After their morning and mine, we met in Jackson Square to do some shopping. Chaos.

They were dropped off and the mayhem began. There was a brief meltdown until we found our path again. We were all tired and hot. This added to the pot. Some gumbo or jumbo was a stirrin. Many felt a little confused by the tour and perhaps it pushed the proverbial envelop. I can become a target when that happens, which is fine, I have been there and done that and know what to do. We got them moving and they did some shopping in the square. We met back at the hotel to get ready for mass worship in the evening.

We opted to get a cab to the dome that night as everyone was exhausted and crabby. With my wheelchair, I can get 10 of us in right away. The kids think it is cool that I get them places even if it is unintentional. Right now we are using what we can. My group headed to the main floor as soon as we got in and 10 of us guarded seats with our lives! We might have had an altercation if anyone had tried to get our seats. FINALLY our group made their way to the floor where we worshiped, praised, and bonded with Christ and on another. I had tears. You should see them. They do the conga line. They do the actions to the songs. They sway together. They listen. They sigh. They grow. The seeds that were planted are growing and they are more beautiful than any that I have ever seen.

Devos that night were awesome. God is here. Christ is here. We debriefed about the Katrina tour and talked about mass gathering. They were in a very cool place that night and it was another pearl for our string.

Love, Peace, Prayers--Jesus, Justice, and Jazz,
Sheila

July 24, 2009 7:20 AM

Day 3

WOW . . . day 3 seemed so long ago as we are now a bit away from that. It is hard to keep you posted when there is so much going on, and suffice to say, at the end of the day we are all simply happy and totally exhausted. I haven't even had the energy to boot the computer up. Sorry moms and dads.

Day 3 found us trekking to Memphis, TN where on our search for Christ the King on our journey we found the King of Rock and Roll instead. Well not literally found him, but did see some remnants of life that affected a different facet of history. Many of you kids did not realize who Elvis was so this was a cool thing to watch them connect the dots to a part of historical past. Most of them had a good time and learned something in the process.

After a couple of hours, you guessed it, we were off again for New Orleans. We chilled in the bus as we needed to make it here for Operation Dixiland. We hoped that we would make it in time to check into the hotel and spiff up for a little riverboat ride, a good meal, and some fellowship. Make it we did and your kids were not only acting like young adults, they looked beautiful and handsome. The were surprised and very thankful for this facet of Louisana culture. There were some wonderful memories that were added to our string of pearls that night.

It was late by the time we made it back and then it was time for devos. We have devotions every night and this is tough. It is the thing that most would like to throw away at the end of the day, but it is the thing that we need to continue the faith connection.

Devos that night had us discussing the signs that God and Christ Jesus are with us on this journey and there were many. This is something for all of us to think about when we look at the signs around us. How do we know that God is really there? Do we? Where?

Peace, Jesus, Justice, and certainly Jazz,
Sheila

July 24, 2009 7:09 AM

Live from New Orleans

Dear followers of Jesus from the Northwestern Minnesota Synod...

 

It's great to be in New Orleans for the ELCA National Youth Gathering....and I look forward to running into some--many?--of you who are here in the Big Easy these days.

 

Just two quick items ...

 

1.  I'll be staffing the Vocation and Education kiosk in the Interaction Center this afternoon from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.   Stop by and say Hi!

 

2.  I've decided to try my hand at some "live blogging" from the Gathering, as I'm able....so if you'd like to check out my "take" on each day, go to http://larrywohlrabe.blogspot.com/ and look for "Blogging from the Big Easy."

 

These days will go by like greased lightning, so enjoy every minute of your time at this Gathering.

God bless,

Larry

 

Pr. Larry Wohlrabe
Bishop, Northwestern Minnesota Synod ELCA
Concordia College
Officed at the Riverside Center

310 14th Avenue South

Moorhead, MN  56562

Office phone 218.299.3019
Fax 218.299.3363
Cell phone 218.329.6665
Email:   wohlrabe@cord.edu
Synod Website:   www.nwmnsynod.org
Personal Blog:  http://larrywohlrabe.blogspot.com/

"This is a big old ship, Bill. She creaks, she rolls, and at times she makes you want to throw up. But she gets where she's going. Always has, always will, until the end of time. With or without you."  On the church, in J.F. Powers, Wheat That Springeth Green

 

Day 2

This morning literally went smooth as silk. The Best Western in Madison started breakfast early so we could be on the road by 6:00 a.m. Not an easy feat to get all of us ready by that time. The kids were packed and we boarded and moved on time. We let them sleep in the morning and then stopped for lunch. There are many signs that we are no longer in Minnesota.

Lunch found us in St. Louis and were able to see the Arch from the road. We went to a fast food sea food place for lunch and could have sweet tea and fried okra . . . if we wanted. People there knew we were not "all from here." It is so interesting to see all of the kids interact with local people.

Afternoon found us occupied with bus fun. Now for those of you who do not know it, bus fun, well, is a real groaner at first for the kids. However, it is important and a necessary part of the bonding process. And I am in charge, so bus fun it was. They made their way around the bus, met some new people, and learned some things about people they already knew. It is cool to watch the progression. Then we had a bus surfing contest. That was a hoot and we got some good pictures which I will try and post. Matt Lindquist, Whitney Balmer, and Zach Pederson took the prize and got some cool stuff as a reward.

Tonight we had a great supper at the Redbirds game which was fun. We were the "Peter Pan Peanut Butter Group of the Night" and got peanut butter and our pictures up on the jumbo tron. It was cool. There are a lot of laughs and a lot of fun things taking place. The adults are bonding too. We are quickly becoming a cohesive group.

Tonight devos were brief as it is late. In fact I am 14 minutes into tomorrow before I get this posted. They were tired and I did some more planting. We are looking for "signs" that we are on the right path. How do we know?

God's Peace<><
Jesus, Justice, and Jazz!
Sheila

July 20, 2009 10:15 PM

Day 1

Day 1:
We are a day late getting up the day one itinerary and the scoop for the day. Last night found us getting in a little late and we just did not have the time to post anything.

We took off from Redeemer at around 8:00 and made our way out to Black River where 61 of us and some parents shared in a contemporary worship service where we were sent off with congregational blessings and even some goodies for the road. This fueled our fires and jump started the faith journey that we are now on as a group.

We made our way to EGF where we met up with Chris Leach and his group. Things went smoothly and we were on our way. The kids slept much of the day and I rode in the supplementary vehicle to prop up the broken leg which was not cooperating in the hustle and bustle.

We allowed the kids the day to just chill on the bus and then stopped for supper. We finally made our way into Madison Wisconsin where they were so helpful and accomodating. It is always interesting to see the responses from people when 119 youth bomb into a facility. Almost always people expect the worst, but the kids were absolutely AMAZING . . . parents you should be proud. One man said that he had never seen a more respectful group and he stays there about 10 days a month!

We had evening devotions with our individual groups. Zion split off. Holt/Newfolden split off. EGF split off. We went our own way. I talked with the kids about the image of God. I ran across a journal log that I wrote on my faith journey which said "if you cannot see God in all . . . you cannot see God at all." This is a challenge for all of us as we all have those in our lives who we struggle to find God in people who stress and challenge us. This was a planting point . . . we will see what grows. God's peace.
Jesus, Justice, and Jazz<><
Sheila

July 20, 2009 10:05 PM

National Youth Trip

Youth needed to blog about the Gathering!
If you or someone you know might be interested in blogging from the ELCA Youth Gathering for The Lutheran magazine, please contact: elizabeth.hunter@thelutheran.org. The Lutheran needs youth to blog from the ELCA Youth Gathering for The Lutheran magazine. Your blogs may be crafted into a final story for The Lutheran's September issue. Please say if you are willing to blog about one of the following areas: Jesus, Justice, Jazz, Health & Wellness, Literacy, Housing, or Wealth & Poverty. (For balance, we especially need youth who are male & youth who live west of the Mississippi.)