For the first time in recent memory, the vehicles carrying our youth mission trip will be heading north on the expressway - and that will mean a considerable change in the weather. Last year it was Birmingham, AL - with daily temperatures in the 90's and night time lows in the 70's! This year, the highest forecast temperature is 74 degrees - with lows in the 40's each night! That will impact how we pack, needing to dress in layers. Days are likely to begin and end in long sleeves and sweatshirts, switching to tee shirts and shorts during the working hours. This will make for a unique challenge for our packing, as we are limited to one piece of luggage, plus our sleeping bags and air mattresses.

Brenda and Layne Dixon along with Bruce will drive north to Indy today to pick up our 15 passenger rental van. By taking the church van and renting this large van, we only need three vehicles instead of four and thus we make the trip a little "greener" by reducing our carbon foot print! Gas at $4.15 a gallon is over our budget - but our congregation has been very generous and we anticipate enough funds to make it to the Soo and back! Thank you First Christian Church members and friends!

I need to pack - more later!