Hi Everyone,
Last Saturday, we traveled to Lehighton, Pennsylvania. We played pool, foosball, and cards with youth in the youth room at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church before and after a family night program. Sunday, we did an offering song and anthem for two worship service; but otherwise, we just enjoyed the services. Between the services, we did an hour of sing-alongs for Sunday school. There was quite an age variety for Sunday school, which made it very interesting for us, but we had a lot of fun.
During the second service, we had to leave to get to Dubois, Pennsylvania. At Christ Lutheran Church, we did a 30 minute music opening for a group of junior students before Catechism class. Then, we went to host homes.
Monday, for our day off, we came into town and stayed at the Pastor's house. Lindsay, Sonja, and I went to the movie Twilight and then we all went to the mall for a short time. Tuesday, we did a few songs with preschoolers. They were really fun and energetic.
Tuesday, we left Dubois for Massillon, OH, where the NFL Hall of Fame is. No, I didn't go there and we were told by the pastor that football isn't as big of deal as it used to be there because their team isn't very good. Massillon was a last minute booking for us, so we didn't have any programming. Instead, we got to hang out at their church. They fed us some pizza and talked to us for awhile before we had some one-on-ones and played ping pong, scrabble, and cornhole (like bean bag toss). Wednesday morning, we ate breakfast with a few people from the church.
Wednesday, we traveled on to Pickerington, Ohio, where Luke is from. We went to his parents, Tim and Linda. Once again, they have proved to be amazing hosts. We cooked them an amazing chicken or shrimp pesto/alfredo rice dish. It was really good, but I can't say I helped much with the meal as I was feeling rather sick. We shared the meal with Luke's family including his parents, twin sister Anna, brother John and his wife Val and baby Madeline. We all enjoyed taking our turn holding the baby; she is so cute!
Thursday, we enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving at Luke's house. In the morning I watched Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. Luke, Sonja, Prosper, Anna, and Tim all went for a four mile run--and they have medals and wine to prove it. Our meal was amazing! We all shared what we were thankful for. I was especially thankful for my home a way from home, since it was my first Thanksgiving away from home. In the afternoon, Luke and his family fell asleep watching football, while the rest of us went on walks, watched TV, and took naps. It was a relaxing afternoon. Some of Linda's family came over to eat dessert, which was pumpkin and apple pies and brownies. After they left I enjoyed watching Friends (which I've been deprived of so long) with Prosper in the basement.
Friday, the team all completed a survey to see how we thought team life was going. Soon, we will be discussing our results. Hopefully, it will help us become a more effective team. According to the survey, the main categories of an effective team are excellent communication, solid relationships, effective processes, accepted leadership, appropriate roles, and common purpose. Friday, afternoon, Linda took the girls to the movie The Secret Life of Bees, which is a great movie that I highly recommend--but I warn you may cry, even though I didn't (all the other women did).
Today, Saturday, we will be doing some team work before doing some songs for a worship service tonight. Sunday, we do some music at three worship services at Epiphany Lutheran Church, where Luke's dad is a pastor. Sunday after church, we head to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where I will get to see my awesome college friend Elizabeth.
Thanks for keeping up with me.
Peace,
Tiffany
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Finally, more pics!
Hi Everyone,
Finally, here are some more pictures. Sorry it took me so long; but our computer has been slow lately. Most of these are around Halloween. The first two pictures are when Luke, Prosper, and I were helping with a Halloween Trick or Trunk event. I was behind the blanket putting candy on the clothespins, while kids were waiting to "catch a fish." Later, the Pastor came and helped and brought some stuffed animals for us to give away. Most of the time, we had trouble keeping the stuffed animals on the fishing line; so, we decided to opt for flying fish--meaning flying stuffed animals. It was really fun for us and the kids.

We were asked to go to a school to lead some songs and teach the kids some drums. Luke was great a leading drum sessions.
This is where we did are electric set-up program, complete with lights. We felt like rock stars. Don't worry, the feelings didn't stick.
Finally, here are some more pictures. Sorry it took me so long; but our computer has been slow lately. Most of these are around Halloween. The first two pictures are when Luke, Prosper, and I were helping with a Halloween Trick or Trunk event. I was behind the blanket putting candy on the clothespins, while kids were waiting to "catch a fish." Later, the Pastor came and helped and brought some stuffed animals for us to give away. Most of the time, we had trouble keeping the stuffed animals on the fishing line; so, we decided to opt for flying fish--meaning flying stuffed animals. It was really fun for us and the kids.

We were asked to go to a school to lead some songs and teach the kids some drums. Luke was great a leading drum sessions.
This is where we did are electric set-up program, complete with lights. We felt like rock stars. Don't worry, the feelings didn't stick.Peace,
Tiffany
P.S. Look at the next few blogs to see pictures of birthday, DC, and NYC!
Pics of my birthday[s] (it seemed to last forever!)
Hi Everyone,
Here are some pictures of my birthday celebrations. Being sung to at a school chapel, having two cookie cakes, and having a chocolate cake. I felt really blessed.
Here are some pictures of my birthday celebrations. Being sung to at a school chapel, having two cookie cakes, and having a chocolate cake. I felt really blessed.
Pics of NYC!
Hi Everyone,
Here are some more fun pictures of Cross Fire. I hope you enjoy the pics of NYC!
This is the New York City skyline.
This is the United Nations builiding.

Here are some more fun pictures of Cross Fire. I hope you enjoy the pics of NYC!
This is the New York City skyline.This is the United Nations builiding.


We stopped at Ground Zero, where the Twin Towers were. The sign said "Dedicated to those who fell and to those who carry on" and "May we never forget."
Monday, November 24, 2008
Pics of Mar-lou Ridge, DC, and New Jersey
Hi Everyone,
The beautiful nature shots below were taken at Mar-lou Ridge, a camp in Maryland. What a view!!

On a day off, we went to Washington D.C. I was our tour guide. This is me at the Capitol, where they are getting ready for Obama's inauguration address.
The beautiful nature shots below were taken at Mar-lou Ridge, a camp in Maryland. What a view!!

On a day off, we went to Washington D.C. I was our tour guide. This is me at the Capitol, where they are getting ready for Obama's inauguration address.Saturday, November 22, 2008
VA, NJ, NY, and NYC
Hello Everyone,
At Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Arlington, Virginia, we ate supper Tuesday night and then went to our host homes. Luke and I enjoyed some a game of UNO with the host kids--it was a long game (we played that you had to draw until you could play), but it was fun. Sadly, I lost, but only because Luke was helping the kid I was playing. On Wednesday morning, we did a chapel for elementary kids.
Wednesday, we drove past DC, to get to Verona, New Jersey, a suburb of New York City. I learned that New Jersey is basically made up of suburbs of New York City and suburbs of Philadelphia. New Jersey is also the most densely packed state. In Verona, we went to Lindsay's church, Calvary Lutheran Church. We stopped at Lindsay's house for awhile and met her siblings. After setting up, we went out for Chinese with 15 or youth from the church. We had a family program which ended with the church presenting Lindsay with a $1000 check. She was very surprised and happy.
Thursday, we relaxed for awhile at our host home. We had an amazing host. Thursday afternoon, we drove past NYC to Yonkers, New York. We went to Sunrise Senior Living, a nursing home. We did a family night program in the nursing home chapel for members of the pastor's congregation. After our program, we worked on learning French. Our progress on French has been slow, but hopefully we will pick it up easily when we go to Africa. Eventually, we hope to do almost all of our program in French. Now, we are working on translating our songs and learning them in French.
Friday morning, we played for some residents at the nursing home that we are staying with. After that, the pastor led a small service of songs, Scripture, and Communion. Since that was our only programming for the day, we went to New York City for the day. It was my first time in NYC. The pastor drove us around for awhile before dropping us off. He took us by Yankee Stadium, many of the neat looking bridges, the UN, the Statue of Liberty (way off in the distance), Trump Tower, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and Wall Street. We got out for awhile at Ground Zero--where the Twin Towers were. Now, there are a few signs and they are building the Freedom Tower. The signs said "Dedicated to those who fell and to those who carry on" and "May we never forget." They were with reliefs of fire fighters and police officers. There was a poster with pictures of all of the NYC firefighters that helped after the attacks. We got back in the pastor's van again before the pastor dropped us off near Grand Central Station. From there, we walked to Rockefeller Center. We saw the Christmas tree, the ice skating rink, and NBC headquarters. After that, we walked north to go to Central Park. We walked around the park for awhile. It was a pretty cold (30s) day; we were outside walking for most of it. From Central Park, we walked south to Time Square. We ate supper at an Irish Pub, where I had a really good shepherd's pie. Next, we went to Grand Central Station and took the subway up to the Bronx, where we got on a bus back to Yonkers. Overall, I really enjoyed our trip to NYC, but I wish I could have seen more and wish the weather would have been nicer.
Today, Saturday, we our heading to Lehighton, Pennsylvania.
Peace,
Tiffany
At Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Arlington, Virginia, we ate supper Tuesday night and then went to our host homes. Luke and I enjoyed some a game of UNO with the host kids--it was a long game (we played that you had to draw until you could play), but it was fun. Sadly, I lost, but only because Luke was helping the kid I was playing. On Wednesday morning, we did a chapel for elementary kids.
Wednesday, we drove past DC, to get to Verona, New Jersey, a suburb of New York City. I learned that New Jersey is basically made up of suburbs of New York City and suburbs of Philadelphia. New Jersey is also the most densely packed state. In Verona, we went to Lindsay's church, Calvary Lutheran Church. We stopped at Lindsay's house for awhile and met her siblings. After setting up, we went out for Chinese with 15 or youth from the church. We had a family program which ended with the church presenting Lindsay with a $1000 check. She was very surprised and happy.
Thursday, we relaxed for awhile at our host home. We had an amazing host. Thursday afternoon, we drove past NYC to Yonkers, New York. We went to Sunrise Senior Living, a nursing home. We did a family night program in the nursing home chapel for members of the pastor's congregation. After our program, we worked on learning French. Our progress on French has been slow, but hopefully we will pick it up easily when we go to Africa. Eventually, we hope to do almost all of our program in French. Now, we are working on translating our songs and learning them in French.
Friday morning, we played for some residents at the nursing home that we are staying with. After that, the pastor led a small service of songs, Scripture, and Communion. Since that was our only programming for the day, we went to New York City for the day. It was my first time in NYC. The pastor drove us around for awhile before dropping us off. He took us by Yankee Stadium, many of the neat looking bridges, the UN, the Statue of Liberty (way off in the distance), Trump Tower, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and Wall Street. We got out for awhile at Ground Zero--where the Twin Towers were. Now, there are a few signs and they are building the Freedom Tower. The signs said "Dedicated to those who fell and to those who carry on" and "May we never forget." They were with reliefs of fire fighters and police officers. There was a poster with pictures of all of the NYC firefighters that helped after the attacks. We got back in the pastor's van again before the pastor dropped us off near Grand Central Station. From there, we walked to Rockefeller Center. We saw the Christmas tree, the ice skating rink, and NBC headquarters. After that, we walked north to go to Central Park. We walked around the park for awhile. It was a pretty cold (30s) day; we were outside walking for most of it. From Central Park, we walked south to Time Square. We ate supper at an Irish Pub, where I had a really good shepherd's pie. Next, we went to Grand Central Station and took the subway up to the Bronx, where we got on a bus back to Yonkers. Overall, I really enjoyed our trip to NYC, but I wish I could have seen more and wish the weather would have been nicer.
Today, Saturday, we our heading to Lehighton, Pennsylvania.
Peace,
Tiffany
Monday, November 17, 2008
WV, MD, VA, and DC
Hello Everyone,
Thursday, we left North Carolina for West Virginia. It was a rainy day, and we had a long drive. When I we came to the van, I was met my team were showed me the birthday cake that they made for me. They sang "Happy Birthday" to me. When got to Hurricane, West Virginia, we were early; so, we went out for dessert. Lucky for me it was my birthday, so I got a free dessert and was sung to once again. When we got the church, we got our mail. I was overjoyed to see many cards for my birthday as well as some delicious cookies (thanks mom!!). Thursday evening, the pastor took us out to Pizza Hut.
Friday morning, we had the fun opportunity to help out at a food pantry. We helped arrange stuff on the shelves, helped pack carts people who came for food, and helped people put stuff in their cars. I really enjoyed being there; it was a nice change from our usual programming. Friday night, we had a family night program. It went okay, but it was tough to have a program after not having one for awhile. After the program, we got to enjoy a large cookie cake that they got me for my birthday.
Saturday, we left West Virginia for Mar Lou Ridge, a camp Maryland. We joined six confirmation kids and two adults. We played some songs for them and then enjoyed socializing with them through conversation and games.
Sunday morning, we led most of the Sunday service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hagerstown, MD. The congregation was used to having two services, one traditional and one contemporary, but the pastor decided to have one service when we were there with the theme of unity--which fits well with our theme of one. Luke give a sermon about unity, which was much needed.
Sunday afternoon, we got to Alexandria, Virginia, which is a suburb of D.C. While in Alexandria, we stayed at St. John's Lutheran Church, where DJ (a person who was on a YE team last year) goes to church. It has been nice hanging out with DJ since he helped us at training.
Monday, we slept in and then went to Washington D.C. for our day off. It was a chilly and cloudy day, but I really enjoyed it. We did quite a bit of walking and saw the Capital, the White House, the First Dog!, Washington Monument, WW II Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and Jefferson Monument. Because it was my fourth time to D.C., I was the team's tour guide, which I really enjoyed!!
Tomorrow, we travel to the nearby city of Arlington, Virginia. On Wednesday, we head further north to New Jersey. Thursday, we head to Younkers, NY. We are hoping that we get to go to NYC, but we don't know for sure yet.
Thanks for reading my blog!
Peace,
Tiffany
Thursday, we left North Carolina for West Virginia. It was a rainy day, and we had a long drive. When I we came to the van, I was met my team were showed me the birthday cake that they made for me. They sang "Happy Birthday" to me. When got to Hurricane, West Virginia, we were early; so, we went out for dessert. Lucky for me it was my birthday, so I got a free dessert and was sung to once again. When we got the church, we got our mail. I was overjoyed to see many cards for my birthday as well as some delicious cookies (thanks mom!!). Thursday evening, the pastor took us out to Pizza Hut.
Friday morning, we had the fun opportunity to help out at a food pantry. We helped arrange stuff on the shelves, helped pack carts people who came for food, and helped people put stuff in their cars. I really enjoyed being there; it was a nice change from our usual programming. Friday night, we had a family night program. It went okay, but it was tough to have a program after not having one for awhile. After the program, we got to enjoy a large cookie cake that they got me for my birthday.
Saturday, we left West Virginia for Mar Lou Ridge, a camp Maryland. We joined six confirmation kids and two adults. We played some songs for them and then enjoyed socializing with them through conversation and games.
Sunday morning, we led most of the Sunday service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hagerstown, MD. The congregation was used to having two services, one traditional and one contemporary, but the pastor decided to have one service when we were there with the theme of unity--which fits well with our theme of one. Luke give a sermon about unity, which was much needed.
Sunday afternoon, we got to Alexandria, Virginia, which is a suburb of D.C. While in Alexandria, we stayed at St. John's Lutheran Church, where DJ (a person who was on a YE team last year) goes to church. It has been nice hanging out with DJ since he helped us at training.
Monday, we slept in and then went to Washington D.C. for our day off. It was a chilly and cloudy day, but I really enjoyed it. We did quite a bit of walking and saw the Capital, the White House, the First Dog!, Washington Monument, WW II Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and Jefferson Monument. Because it was my fourth time to D.C., I was the team's tour guide, which I really enjoyed!!
Tomorrow, we travel to the nearby city of Arlington, Virginia. On Wednesday, we head further north to New Jersey. Thursday, we head to Younkers, NY. We are hoping that we get to go to NYC, but we don't know for sure yet.
Thanks for reading my blog!
Peace,
Tiffany
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
More in the Carolinas
Hello Everyone,
On election day, we traveled to Salisbury, North Carolina to Christ United Methodist Church. We had wonderful hosts there. I really enjoyed talking to my hosts about where we had traveled. I stayed up to late Tuesday waiting for election results. Thankfully, we didn't start until 9:30 Wednesday morning. Wednesday morning, we went to a nursing home to perform before doing some team stuff. The nursing home was great; we especially enjoyed the man who made Adrienne some balloon love birds and a balloon dog. After some relaxing time,we did a family night program, which was different from our normal program because it was 45 minutes instead of 1 hour and 15 minutes. As the Program Coordinator, I was responsible for cutting our program down to 45 minutes like the church wanted; it was difficult, but I did it. The congregation was great and was really interested in what we were doing, so we stayed and talk to people for quite awhile there. We didn't find out where we were going Thursday until Wednesday night. Unfortunately, we weren't booked at a church; but instead, we got to go back to stay with Lindsay's aunt in Raleigh, NC.
After finally learning that where we would going, on Thursday, we traveled to Raleigh. Thursday, we just drove and then relaxed. We enjoyed watching movies, having 1x1s (meeting with teammates individually), learning French, being outside, sleeping in, and cooking. It was strange to not have any programming. Relaxing at Lindsay's aunt's house was a nice change of pace.
Saturday, we drove south again to South Carolina to Messiah Lutheran Church in Mauldin. We didn't having any programming Saturday night, but we enjoyed relational ministry with our host homes. Our host family was having a football party, so we were surprised with many people when we came. We enjoyed interacting with people, but it was a bit overwhelming because we were exhausted from the drive. Sunday morning, we did a few songs for worship. For the most part, we got to worship with their praise band leading.
Sunday afternoon, we ate lunch a nice park in Mauldin before going to Simpsonville, South Carolina, which is not far from Mauldin. We slept at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Simpsonville. We all had our own air mattresses. It was a change from being in host homes, but wasn't too bad. Monday morning, we woke up to the church alarm going off. Prosper had opened up the door because he heard somebody knocking, but unfortunately, the alarm mysteriously was turned on. Thankfully, the guys eventually got the alarm off (after shooing the girls away). Monday, wasn't as much of a day off as I might have hoped...the alarm was only the beginning. I got the bad news from my mom that my brother was in the hospital. Now, he is home again.
Tuesday, we did a preschool program at Immanuel before heading back north to St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Hickory, North Carolina. Once we got to Hickory, we did a sound check and then went to our host homes. It was a nice change to be able to spend an evening with our host homes. Usually, we have evening programs, so we don't get to spend much time with host homes. At my host home in Hickory, the kids were full of energy and fun to play with, but they were also very draining.
Wednesday, we did a chapel for a large (over 200) group of students from preschool to 8th grade at the school. They were a fun group of kids. They sang "Happy Birthday" to me and few kids. We hung out in their youth house for awhile and rehearsed in the afternoon. Wednesday, I came home to a wonderful meal! My host home decided to make me steak and baked potatoes for my birthday. We also had an amazing cookie cake with frosting to celebrate. It was really nice to have so many birthday thoughts about me before it was even my birthday!
Thursday, my birthday, we head to Hurricane, West Virginia.
Peace,
Tiffany
On election day, we traveled to Salisbury, North Carolina to Christ United Methodist Church. We had wonderful hosts there. I really enjoyed talking to my hosts about where we had traveled. I stayed up to late Tuesday waiting for election results. Thankfully, we didn't start until 9:30 Wednesday morning. Wednesday morning, we went to a nursing home to perform before doing some team stuff. The nursing home was great; we especially enjoyed the man who made Adrienne some balloon love birds and a balloon dog. After some relaxing time,we did a family night program, which was different from our normal program because it was 45 minutes instead of 1 hour and 15 minutes. As the Program Coordinator, I was responsible for cutting our program down to 45 minutes like the church wanted; it was difficult, but I did it. The congregation was great and was really interested in what we were doing, so we stayed and talk to people for quite awhile there. We didn't find out where we were going Thursday until Wednesday night. Unfortunately, we weren't booked at a church; but instead, we got to go back to stay with Lindsay's aunt in Raleigh, NC.
After finally learning that where we would going, on Thursday, we traveled to Raleigh. Thursday, we just drove and then relaxed. We enjoyed watching movies, having 1x1s (meeting with teammates individually), learning French, being outside, sleeping in, and cooking. It was strange to not have any programming. Relaxing at Lindsay's aunt's house was a nice change of pace.
Saturday, we drove south again to South Carolina to Messiah Lutheran Church in Mauldin. We didn't having any programming Saturday night, but we enjoyed relational ministry with our host homes. Our host family was having a football party, so we were surprised with many people when we came. We enjoyed interacting with people, but it was a bit overwhelming because we were exhausted from the drive. Sunday morning, we did a few songs for worship. For the most part, we got to worship with their praise band leading.
Sunday afternoon, we ate lunch a nice park in Mauldin before going to Simpsonville, South Carolina, which is not far from Mauldin. We slept at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Simpsonville. We all had our own air mattresses. It was a change from being in host homes, but wasn't too bad. Monday morning, we woke up to the church alarm going off. Prosper had opened up the door because he heard somebody knocking, but unfortunately, the alarm mysteriously was turned on. Thankfully, the guys eventually got the alarm off (after shooing the girls away). Monday, wasn't as much of a day off as I might have hoped...the alarm was only the beginning. I got the bad news from my mom that my brother was in the hospital. Now, he is home again.
Tuesday, we did a preschool program at Immanuel before heading back north to St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Hickory, North Carolina. Once we got to Hickory, we did a sound check and then went to our host homes. It was a nice change to be able to spend an evening with our host homes. Usually, we have evening programs, so we don't get to spend much time with host homes. At my host home in Hickory, the kids were full of energy and fun to play with, but they were also very draining.
Wednesday, we did a chapel for a large (over 200) group of students from preschool to 8th grade at the school. They were a fun group of kids. They sang "Happy Birthday" to me and few kids. We hung out in their youth house for awhile and rehearsed in the afternoon. Wednesday, I came home to a wonderful meal! My host home decided to make me steak and baked potatoes for my birthday. We also had an amazing cookie cake with frosting to celebrate. It was really nice to have so many birthday thoughts about me before it was even my birthday!
Thursday, my birthday, we head to Hurricane, West Virginia.
Peace,
Tiffany
Friday, November 7, 2008
Pics of Savannah!
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