STEM '10 Week Two Day One

Should I write this from an Eastern time zone, or Mountain time? (I could even include Pacific, as we were there too)

We loaded and left the church this morning @ 4am MST.  Everybody was early, and we got out a bit early, which allowed us to get to the airport JUST ahead of the other church groups.  That put us first in line to board, and gave us a shorter time through security.  (Speaking of which, there were no security incidents!!) Our first leg had a stop and sit @ St Louis, and dropped us finally in Los Angeles. (My - Pastor Dave's - home town!).  We had just over a two hour(11:55a - 1:55p PST) layover for lunch and lounging. (plus some exploring out past security by some of our rookie guys - meaning a second trip through security and a little scolding from a youth pastor.

Still, we all got on in time and had a short jump to Salt Lake City.  After we pulled all our luggage, Jen and I (PD) went across the street to get the rental vans, leaving Andy to watch the troops. Over an hour later (rental companies are SO great to work with) we were loaded up and off to our hotel. (with the help of some fellow believers and their trucks and trailers)

Once rooms were divided up, and everyone got settled in. My sister and her husband (Traci and Darren Pautz) joined us to pick up Kate (they are doing the babysitting) and we all went out to the Old Spaghetti Factory. (good food, and lots of fun)

It is now about 11MST, so 1EST, and we are all in our rooms, with lights starting to go out. (lights out is midnight or sooner)

Tomorrow is the temple tour and lots of training.  Pray for open eyes!

STEM '10 parents info

If you need all the phone numbers and flight info, please email a request to
me: dburmanjr@firstbaptistelyria.org
or contact the office, they will have the information as well!

STEM '10 Week One Day Four

Our final day in Cleveland.
21 VBSers
3+ decisions
Great job by the team canvassing, and doing their assignments.
Great tear down, and we will be meeting @ 5:30am to load and leave for SLC!!

STEM '10 Week One Day Three

DAY 3.

This is when the newness has worn off a bit.  One thing we had going that WAS new was the lunch and Wednesday service. Our teens helped with kids, served food, fellowshipped, sang a song, and did a lot of setting up, cleaning up, and tearing down.

VBS had 21 kids.  It was a good number, and it included some pretty feisty children.  Overall, however, the quality of the Bible time, craft time, games, and verses is very good.  This team is working very hard and is doing a quality job.

Tomorrow will close out the first phase of our trip.  Pray for decisions and a TON of kids (we think we can handle it!