(They wrote this last night, but I'm just getting it posted today. It describes Wednesday, not Thursday).

Garren says: “I can relate today’s work  at the Havens to my PapPap Jack because he has Alzheimers and he would probably be in a middle or advanced stage of it and a lot of Alzheimers patients that I saw today had a lot of similar behaviors to him. Love to Mom and Dad.”

Patrick says: “Hi Mom and everyone else.” And Mama Succi I love you too.

James says to Mom and Dad: “Hi and I have not had any serious injuries there is no need to worry. I know you are reading this after the mission trip but here you can still read it I still love you!”

Jason says (with a British accent): “Dear Mom and Dad, I’ve been having a very good time lately. They pulled a couple of pranks on me that were funny but I did not like. We pranked the girls by stealing their pillows and sending them on hunt for them. Dear Takara, I hope you’ve been having a great time lately because I’m going to torture you when I get home. Love, Jason.”

William says: “Hi Mom and Pongo and Matthew. I miss you um I wish you could have come and seen the big strike of lightning that just hit outside. And I wish you could have seen the um the clothes I wore in the fashion show at the clothing bank. Dad thinks you would have liked it and dressed up in crazy girls clothes! It’s hard sleeping and it’s very cold in the rooms I wish I had Pongo on my lap to keep me warm. I miss you. Please respond! See you soon.”

Robert says: “Is it Friday yet? Like Scout Camp, I’ll be sad when it’s over.”

I am so proud of this group! We had an amazing day of work and play today. They are really getting to know each other and understand how to operate as a group. We are MACHINES with sorting and organizing canned goods!

Yesterday it was at a grassroots Community Outreach center where they hand out about 200 bags of food twice a week to the homeless and poor in the area. We came up with great assembly lines for stuffing bags there and replinishing supplies to each station. The corn person (Lindsay) would yell "CORN" and Lori or I would be in the back storage area, hear it, and get a case of corn out to them saying "GOT YOUR CORN HERE!" Same went for carrots (Adara), beans and soup (William), Tomatoes (Kendyl), etc.

Today we sorted cans at a huge food warehouse known as Loaves and Fishes. This is the kind of place where major food drive food is received - like the Postal Workers Food Drive (I left a few cans out for the mail carrier in May, did you?). It was extremely organized. We unloaded large bins (picture a pallett squared) and put the cans into smaller bins (recycling bin size) that would be distributed to smaller food banks around the city (at churches, etc.). Cans were flying everywhere! You should have seen the hard work. It was awesome.

This afternoon we visited an assisted living residence for Alzheimers patients. Again, the group was amazing. Nobody showed fear in having one on one conversations with the residents who enjoyed having some kids around. Some of us sang. Some of us made puppets that the staff will use in storytelling. Lots of our kids told stories of their grandparents who have Alzheimers or some form of dementia. They are great, compassionate, sensitive, and outgoing kids. I am touched by their fearlessness and concern for the spirit of all people.

The truly beautiful day ended with a massive game of Capture the Flag at Freedom Park. We played with the youth from Palms Presbyterian. All kinds of awesomeess going on here.

Love to Lakewood!

Katie

Hi Parents and friends!

I am reading your comments to our kids to them. They love hearing from you. So, let 'em fly!

Love,

Katie

We worked at a clothing bank this afternoon sorting and hanging clothes. The youth found some awesome (and you really have no idea how AWESOME I mean) outfits to model for our fashion show at the end of the work day. I will post some photos tomorrow when I have a little more time.

For now, rest. Phew.