We Made It!

We have safely arrived in Michigan and we are settled into our resting place as we mark the half-way point of our journey to the north. We pulled into the church parking lot here in Lansing about about 6:45 PM. The travel was uneventful, safe, and everyone seemed to have a good time.

Our van odometer claims that we have come 381 miles. The gas tanks appeared to have a different way of measuring the distance - $284 to fill the three vehicles in preparation for the 300 miles to the Soo yet to be driven (68.4 gallons at $4.15 per gallon)! We may have some budget adjusting to do - or we may not get past Fort Wayne on the way home!

The kids are great and of course, very excited. We were warmly welcomed here with hot meal and gracious hospitality. There was some miscommunication between the host pastor and his musicians however, so we ended up not being able to hear their band. But some folks and few youth were on hand to play games with us. They have the game Dance Dance Dance Revolution which a number of our youth attempted. Basketball, poker (I have been assured no money changed hands!), a movie as well as quiet corners to talk in provided our entertainment for the evening.

Our schedule tonight included worship at 11:00 PM (we talked about Luke 10 and the sending of the seventy-two by Jesus to go ahead of him and prepare the way for his coming) and then lights out at midnight. I am in another room catching up on today's paper work and filing this report for you, then off to bed for me as well. Traveling with 10 middle school age girls is more tiring than I thought! They sing and talk and giggle and make faces at passing cars (evening trying to write notes and put them on the windows for "cute boys" to read!).

We will be up a little earlier than originally planned. It turns out we need to allow an extra hour this time of year for all of the traffic heading to the U.P. The wait at the toll bridge can get a bit long - so we will leave at 9:00 am (we will start waking the kids at 7). We still expect to be in Sault Ste Marie by 4:30 PM.

Each day at least one of the youth will post to the blog. It will be good for you to see the trip through someone elses eyes besides the pastor's! It is getting late, and a good night sleep this early in the week is essential. We will post more tomorrow (or should I say later today?).

Good night from Lansing...