We’re Home! – **UPDATED**

Ok…after about 3,000 miles, 8 nights away, more dreams come true than deserved, we are home!  What a great week!  I can’t even begin to tell you how honored and proud and humbled I am to have been used in this servant role of leading this trip.  I love this team, the teens and the chaperones alike.  God is so good.  GOD IS SO GOOD!  I can’t stop smiling at all the memories God has blessed me with this last week.  Thank you so much for all your comments, prayers, and more.  You truly helped make Road Trip what it became!  The team looked SO FORWARD everyday to hearing the blog comments.  Thank you thank you thank you!   We’ve been blessed by so many new friends out there.  What an amazing blessing.  I could keep going on and on, but I need to make a video for tomorrow, and go to sleep.  I love you all…so much.  See you tomorrow!

-Sherman

 

Last Blog Entries From the Team:

 

Day 8

Well, it’s here.  The last day of my last Road Trip. Road Trip 2011. And it’s bittersweet. Bitter because I will miss this group so much. Being without them is like being without air and it’s like I hadn’t even started breathing or living until I met them four years ago. But it’s sweet because I’m already making plans to get in contact with the Special Spaces in San Francisco and volunteering with them.
But, still, there will be a hole in my heart waiting to be filled when I’m not with this group. They are friends. They are family. They are a part of me as I am a part of them. We are one, and this could never be made any more clear as when we were on this trip.
I feel like I’m walking into this next chapter of my life with trembling hands and half a heart. My hands are trembling because I’m so scared going forth without them, and my heart is halved because I know that each of these people have a piece of it.
Now, in hopes of making this a little less ‘doom and gloom’, I’ll send our novel-comment author (Linda) a quote as well:

“We’re seniors. We’re leaving. But we’re not dying. I’m a phone call away.”
-David Atkeisson

With love,
Matthew Skinner

 

This has been such an incredible week – as usual!  I am always so blessed watching young people expand and stretch and grow in their confidence and faith.  Thank you God for allowing me to witness that growth.  I always keep an eye out for our newbies.  Road Trip can be so overwhelming for all of them, but I am proud to say that ALL of our newbies handled the trip really well.  Samammish (Samantha) handled the homeless shelter and walk well and reached out with the comfort of God on several occasions; Sierra witnessed to sooo many people through her excitement of serving God and others; Gracie puledl together some of those on the fringe and made them welcome; Jacob worked harder than most freshman boys ever do and with attitude to boot!  Kaylan was a real go-to guy on several occasions.

I watched a couple grow more comfortable with themselves spiritually and with the group and be really proud of their efforts.…Rachel and Anna…way to go girls!  Our seniors have all dealt with the “this is my last…” reality hitting in the face with grace.  They all spoke words of wisdom and shared from their hearts and I was blessed by how they have matured.  Our ‘behind the scenes’ worker bees have made us proud at every project.  The chaperones all feel this has been a great group of kids to work with.  We have gotten to be friends with the kids and haven’t had to put on a ‘parent hat’ to deal with anything.  Thanks LIGHT!

My amazement at watching Colby Burke grow, not only on this trip, but for several trips now is almost beyond words.  As with my own kids, there are times that I just shake my head and say “God, they are yours, help them to see you, ‘cuz I am not having much impact here”… Colby has been on of ‘my kids’ in that respect, but WOW has God worked in his heart this week.  Even cooler is the fact that Colby has heard God talking to him and has been listening!!  My heart swells and my eyes well up when I think about it.  I know that we will be seeing awesome things coming from him.

God, I thank you for allowing me this opportunity once again.  Thank you for keeping us safe, using us where you needed to make an impact on other.  May your kingdom grow significantly through the willingness of these kids to be you in the world.  May the fire they feel now keep growing after this trip and continue to reach out to others and warm them with your love.  Amen

Karen Bledsoe

 

I have to say, this is my favorite Road Trip so far.  Each one holds its own special memories, but this one proved different.  First, I was able to participate more in the hands on for each project.  Typically each trip for me is taking care of boo boos, tummy aches, blisters, headaches, burns…okay so I still did plenty of that.  But I helped lay sod, scrub kitchens, sew curtains and pillows, (which I have not done in 30 years), and more.  More importantly, I was blessed to sit back and watch your children grow.  They worked so hard, fellowshipped and socialized with not only their besties, but with everyone.  When differences arose, they handled it without chaperone interference.  They witnessed to total strangers, making a difference in those lives as well.  I tell the kids over and over again, never underestimate your influence on others.  Never.

Spending a few days in one place was a blessing as well.  We were able to connect on a deeper level with those we served.  We were a light to them, they were a light to us.  Special Spaces has lit a fire for me.   Due to their television exposure, there have been many requests for new chapters across the nation.  One such chapter is about to open in the DFW area.  I am very excited and hope to involve the members of our church in a long term relationship.  Holly and Ginger, you’re at the top of my list!!!!

We are currently on the bus on our way to the Nashville airport, our last day of Road Trip, which is bittersweet.  The selfish side of me is ready to get into my own bed, a shower every day, a frig full of food, air conditioning…all those things so many of the people we served do not have.  Serving others is my passion.  I’m ready for this bus to bypass the airport and continue on our journey to meet more people, to make a difference for so many more who still need us.  But it’s time to go home.  To be with our families who need us as well.  Opportunity to serve is everywhere and God will lead us to our next project at home.  He has a plan for us all, which begins with loving others with the service of our hands and feet .  Jeremiah 29:11.

I thank God for allowing me to spend this week with so many amazing people.  Your teens, my teen, the adult chaperones which I’ve dubbed the A-Team, and all of the wonderful people who have given their lives full time to their cause.

Thank you Lord.

Darry Watson

 

Day 8

We’ve successfully finished the hard part of Road Trip; however, I (Christian) think the hardest part will be saying goodbye to it.

–Christian

To say that that this trip has been amazing is an understatement. This Trip will always be special to me as my last Road Trip as a students because who knows in a few years I maybe a chaperone. I will be boarding the plane soon and Christian will proudly not shut up the whole plane ride, so I may have to borrow earplugs from Joy.  See you all soon.

-Derrick Jones

In Birmingham

So, we’re here in Birmingham. About 20 minute layover and we blast off again! I rode by Samantha Michaels because it was her first time to fly. I held her hand through a lot of the flight. Did you know that Sam has super human strength when we go through bumpy clouds? My fingers are just now gaining feeling again! See you in a couple of hours! I love you all!

Boarding!

We’re on the plane!

At the Hotel…

Showers.  Pool.  Beds.  Clean smelling teens.  Can I just say…HOTELS ARE A TRUE BLESSING FROM GOD!  I slept like a rock last night.  We had a great devotional last night.  The final devo of the week is always a powerful one.  God is truly smiling on this group.  The lives that were touched in the name of Jesus are countless!   Not even including our own!  Right now, the team is eating breakfast at the hotel and they are full and happy!  We are about to load up to head to Nashville to catch our plane home.  We are on Southwest Flight 3602 that is scheduled to arrive at 6:35pm.  PLEASE come out to see us!  Please keep on commenting on the blog.  The team LOVES hearing from you!  I love you all!  I’ll try to blog later!

-Sherman

Luggage Pile

What Time Is It?

What time is it? What time is it? When will they all get back??? 6:35pm at Love Field. Southwest Flight #3602. PLEASE COME OUT TO SEE US!!!!!

Still in Knoxville…and Lovin’ Every Minute of It!

Good afternoon from a hot and muggy Knoxville, TN!  I didn’t finish my posts last night until around 1:30am.  I was so tired!  I fell asleep while I was typing the blog entries!  At one point I dozed off for a short moment, but long enough so when I woke back up, my screen was full of “S’s” running across my screen where my finger stopped when I dozed off! 

This week has been an amazing one.  The teens once again, outperformed themselves.  As I type this, we are way ahead of schedule on this project, working our way to an early completion.  That’s okay, because if we do finish up early, then we head to our…are you ready for this???  OUR HOTEL!!!  Yes!  That’s right!  No more church floors for this group!  And yes…that also means a REAL shower!  We haven’t seen a shower since Monday night!  Wow!  Now who of you wants to go on Road Trip?  Haha!  That truly is a part of the nature of Road Trip.  Because we stay on church floors, or travel overnight, daily showers are not guaranteed.  Baby wipes and sinks go a long way in personal hygiene though!

Today, we are serving the Joy of Music.  This is the first and only time this week that I will reveal a part of the trip to you before the kids do.  Frank Graffeo is this Director of the school, and grew up in Richardson!  He wants me to give a shout out to all his Texas friends, new and old!  Julie Carter (Director of Music Education) and Frank have been my contact and are WONDERFUL hosts!  You HAVE to go to their website and check it out (www.joyofmusicschool.org)!  We’re featured on it!

The Joy of Music is a school of music that has a mission statement that states “to provide a quality music education to disadvantaged and at risk children.”  And I have to be honest with you all…this place is AMAZING!  It truly warms your heart and brings a smile to your face.  The school is teaching at any given time upwards 400 students!  They teach them here at the school and also at the Boys and Girls Clubs!  Isn’t that awesome?  I am so proud that we are associated with this place!

I also want to give a HUGE shout out to David Aldridge, our bus driver.  David is so much than our bus driver.  He has truly become a part of the team…the family.  Oh, don’t get me wrong, this guy has got some attitude!  He talks back, and causes problems quite regularly!  Haha!  Seriously, David has been a true gift from God.  He is so capable and skilled in what he does.  I thank God for David.

Below are a few pictures and blogs for you to enjoy.  I miss you all so much.  We’re having the greatest time, but I think we’re all ready to be home as well.  Keep us in your prayers, and just a word of warning…watch out.  This group has changed.  We’ve angered the enemy.  But, God is bigger, He is stronger, He is eternal.  We win!

-Sherman

At Brookhaven Camp

At the Arch

At the Cards Game

At The Love Kitchen

Sierra After Dinner Last Night

The Feet of Christ

Well…after some rebuking and chastising by my loving pastor, I decided to revise my comments of late last night.  First,  there is nothing like being able to chaperone trip with teenagers that really don’t need to be chaperoned.  I really think that if there were some way for them to do it on their own, they could.  It’s awesome to be associated with such great people!

Yesterday we came together as a team in a way that has rarely happened on the trips I have previously been on.  We had a lot to do, and a short time to do it in, but there was no complaining, no loafing, and just a lot of hard work.

RoadTrip is a very important event for me, and having to miss a year last year nearly killed me.  To know the trip and to know exactly where the team was, and to also know that relationships and friendships were being built and extended was really tough.  I know it’s hard for some people (Teresa, I love you!) to understand how important this trip is, but it is.  A lot of people don’t think they can handle the sleeping on church floors (only twice this year), or all the McDonald’s food (only twice this year), or all the really hard work (it’s really not that bad when God is right there with you).  One of Sherman’s taglines for the first RoadTrip I went on was “You are that strong” and that is the case every year.  It amazes me every year at what this team can accomplish, or rather, what God can accomplish through this, when we submit and get out of his way!
I love every one of you on this trip, and look forward to spending another exciting week with most of you next year on RoadTrip ’12.   – Skip Waisner

I’m really sure that everything I would say has already been said, from the amazingness of our kids (although that one cannot be restated often enough to do it justice), to the joy of chaperoning with people that I love AND enjoy, to the hospitality of the agencies we’ve served, to the challenging projects those same agencies presented us and the list goes on and on of the great impact of this trip.  But, once again, one thing jumps out and grabs my attention.  It’s happened most road trips I’ve been on though not all.  It’s also part of the amazingness of the kids.  I think about most high school students I’ve known over the years, and I’ve known a lot through retail management, the attitudes our kids exhibit while on this trip is truly outstanding (because I’m overusing amazing).  To work after poor sleep, in stifiliing heat, while hungry and being told what to do by people you don’t know, all while maintaining an attitude of wanting to do whatever is needed to help the project and the team is something you just don’t find, almost ever.  So often when I talk to people who haven’t been I come back to those things and can only find one explanation…God sustains us in ways that we’re not used to.  Why?  Maybe because we’re pushed into a place where putting our faith in God, trusting Him to sustain us, then relying on it when we watch Him do it over and over is a cornerstone.  I’m thankful to Him and praise Him for showing the kids…and me too…again…just what He can do when we let Him.  To the team, I want to say I love each and every one of you very much.  It’s a joy to work and serve with you this way.  Even though I don’t have any of my kids on the trip this year, I feel like you continue to let me into your lives in ways that are unusual for kids your age.  Thanks for loving me.  – Grandpa  (Mark Bradley)

Day 5 & 6 Blogs

I would write more, but my I can’t keep my eyes open.  I love you all!  See you Sunday.

-Sherman

 

DAY 5

We had a great day today!!! As well as being a revealing one. Almost everybody found something to say in our time together in the Boys’ room at Fellowship Church in Knoxville Tennessee. We went to Love Kitchen, where Something took place that I will not be telling what it was. We got to go to see the people from Special Spaces. We cleaned out the warehouse there and sang for the people at Love Kitchen. All in all, today was a great day.   - Jacob Michie

Day 6

Today was such an amazing day! Working with Special Spaces again was such a blessing. Everyone contributed more to today’s project more than they think. For me, doing a makeover on that playroom for the kids at Family Promise of Knoxville was the best project I have ever done. Colby said something tonight that really opened my heart. He said “We didn’t work out there today. That was God and His Son.” I have been so incredibly blessed. This trip has made me a different person because of this team and their ability to be the true hands and feet of God.    - Josie Pritchard(:

Words will never be able to describe all the wonderful things that have happened this past week, but I will do what I can.  This trip has been nothing short of amazing, and I can’t wait for the things we still have in store these next few days! Being able to see everything that we have done is such an awesome experience, and something I will NEVER forget. We have been blessed with some amazing chaperones, and I think in turn, the chaperones have been blessed with some pretty awesome teens. Thinking back on this week, I can’t even remember what day we did what, but who cares, we know in our hearts that we did work for people and God has TRULY been smiling on us. I can’t even begin to thank all of the people who have prayed for this trip and who are STILL praying for this trip as we are “out there.” All of the continuous blog comments, prayers, and everything else made possible for this trip are appreciated more than our mouths will ever be able to proclaim. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, we will never forget everything that you have done for us. Well, as for now, it’s time to get packed up for tomorrow and lay our heads down to sleep the night away. But before I go, I want to leave everyone with one thing… “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” –Philippians 4:13. Always keep this in your heart and you will be set for LIFE. My love to everyone, and I miss you all. See you soon, and don’t forget to thank God for the MANY things that he has blessed us with. (Hannah is awesome. #RoadTripFact)

In HIS love –    Brittney Waisner

P.S. This is your shout out that you’ve been waiting for all week Sydney! I love you!! J

Day 6

Great Day…’nough said. –  Skip Waisner

Day 4 Blogs

I’m sorry that I haven’t gotten these up sooner.  It’s been rather hectic around here!

-Sherman

 

 

DAY 4

Fghtukio; (that was Emily A.).  Today the team got on a train and headed to Chicago!!! Woop! It was great! We got off of zeh train (goofy teen lingo) and we finally got to use that dedicated $10 by getting into groups and gathering the money together and using it for a good cause. What was the cause you ask? Well, it was whatever the group decided. My group’s first attempt was at a clinic. We weren’t able to give the money away that day, we decided to try and give the receptionist money for dinner, but she wouldn’t accept it, so we asked the other receptionist (and the funny part about this is we think that she thought that Mark was asking her on a date) but she said no as well. They then directed nus to a homeless shelter but we wouldn’t have enough time to get there, so we decided instead to give our $70 to the people who made our yummy lunches  (which was at Epic Burger, yeah I know right? EPIC BURGER). It has been an amazing trip, and the cool part is, they say it’s gonna get even better! I am so very excited to see the ways God works through me and the entire Road Trip team the rest of this week!

I love and miss you Mommy, Daddy, both of my Sissy’s and my two best friends Ryan and Kasandra!

And of course I miss all my buddies in The Colony. God bless everyone!     – Savannah Pierce

Day four started on a train and it will end on a train. We woke up at 5am and departed our new friend Patrick for the train. We got to Chicago two hours late, but that’s okay. Our mission today was to finally eat lunch and then give our dedicated $10 to someone who deserved it. My group consisted of myself, Derrick, Sierra, Devyn, Bill, and Darry. We went to lunch at Luke’s and it was delicious. The building we found consisted of many different offices. At first we went to a Firemen Retirement Mutual Aid, but they were closed. Next we went to an agency that went to schools and talked about gun control and safety and a bunch of stuff like that. The ladies were really sweet and were so thankful when we handed them $60 dollars cash. We talked for a while, but then we had to leave.  My group gave them my address and hopefully we get a thank you card and their info when we get home J. We had some time left and we walked around some. (This is the year of walking and trains by the way).  The most memorable things I saw was the Willis tower, which used to be the John Hancock tower and the bridge where The Dark Knight was filmed!!! It was amazingly awesome! God has really worked in some amazing ways and this week isn’t even over yet. I’ve made new friends and have gotten some pretty funny #RoadTripFacts. My heart has been touched and I am so excited to see how God works through me the rest of the week. I miss all my family and cannot wait to see all of y’all and my friends! Oh and shout out to Brittney!! Woo!

God Bless, and with all my love,   - Hannah WIllis

Hey Y’all, hope all of you are doing great. I miss you guys dearly, especially Alan, Sara, and the cat. It has been a long day for us Road Trippers. I feel bad; I wasn’t exactly being the best I could be or should have been.  That did change after I slept on the train ride to Chicago. It was beautiful there by the way. I would tell you about what we did in Chicago but that would take a while. Anyway, we are now on ANOTHER train ride(I am not very excited). It is about 10:04(EDT) here and now and I am sitting in my seat looking at the night. It has been a very long while since I have seen lightning bugs. There are a lot of them out here. Well, I will be signing off so I can get some sleep now. Oh, here is my shout out for the day: “Hey to all my friends from band whom may be following, Jonathan, Sara and Alan, the church, our friends at Brookhaven especially Okie, and everyone I may have forgotten.

I miss each and every one of you. All my love and God bless,  - Rachel Bledsoe

Hello from “out there”.  We have had a lot of fun this week. And we have worked! Some days the work has been literally hard (laying sod and painting in Tyler) and other days it has been emotionally hard (eating breakfast and walking “The Trail” in St Louis). I know you have a feel for what we have done from all the other posts.  But let me say that today’s project rates as possibly my favorite Road Trip project EVER.

Let me share about the kids. The kids have been awesome this week. They get along great. They work well together. And even though they don’t like or aren’t comfortable with all of our activities (yet another train ride or being very close to the Guests in St Louis), they have not complained. They are being awesome troopers. After walking seemingly everywhere, my feet hurt. I know the kids feet hurt too. But they haven’t even complained about that. Due to the long lines at the Metro station, we even walked back to the church after the Cardinal’s baseball game. It was maybe a mile. But it was uphill and it was after a long day of walking. Then after getting to the church we ventured out again on “The Trail”.  We walked by where the homeless sleep, and to a couple of the places where homeless receive services. It was also July 4^th, so we watched fireworks while standing in the street during the walk. (There were lots of people in the street and all traffic was stopped, also watching the fireworks.) Patrick was an awesome host, and helped us understand that some choose homelessness as a lifestyle, and others are homeless due to circumstances. The kids were understandably scared, nervous and very unsure of the walk. Some of the chaperones were understandably scared, nervous and very unsure of the walk. J But we all survived. And I think we all have a little better appreciation for the homeless population.

The kids have played Apples to Apples, poker (betting was with mints not money), gin rummy, and of course every train ride has had at least one magic game. There has been lots of laughing, talking, gaming and general fun! There has also been some very hard work. They have been so great to spend the week with. I’m glad Sherman allowed me to chaperone!

Shout out to Alan, Sara, Mom and Dad!   - Wes Bledsoe

Today was…busy!

Today, everyone worked.  Often on Road Trips, the chaperones work a project, but not at the level that the teens do, because there may not be enough work to go around, or maybe we need to support the teens in a project.   Today (and yesterday for that matter) were not like that at all.

We worked with an organization called Special Spaces here in Knoxville, TN.  They do makeovers on rooms in a house for children in life threatening situations, usually do to illnesses.  Today we worked a room for a very special situation.  I will share more about that on Sunday…so be there!  LOL!

But I am so proud of the team.  Everyone, and I mean everyone, worked…hard.  It was a very very long day.  Every square inch of that house was cleaned, the yard got a complete makeover as well, curtains and pillows were made…and this was in addition to what we were primarily there for.  It was nothing short of amazing!

Yesterday we worked with Special Spaces as well, but cleaned a large warehouse and box truck out and reorganized all their supplies and tools.   We also visiting a soup kitchen for the homeless, which again, I will tell you on Sunday.

This has been an amazing trip of success and victory that I can’t wait to tell you about.  Victory after victory has happened, and it’s all glory and honor to God!

I have loved every minute of this trip, but I am also ready to be home.  I’m ready for MY bed!  I can wait to see all of you and tell you this story!  I love you all!  Coming are some of the team’s blogs!

-Sherman

Union Station, Chicago, IL

Making Pillows in Knoxville, TN

Room BEFORE The Light…

Room AFTER The Light…

To the Breakfast Crew at Larry’s

I hope you guys have been following this crazy trip.  It’s about to get crazier…a lot crazier!  I’d like to say again that Larry just needs to break down and provide WiFi in his restaurant for things just like this!  I do think he honestly is afraid that none of us would leave!

Seriously guys, I want to say thank you again for your financial support and your thoughts and prayers for this trip.  I am very excited and thankful the way it’s coming together for the entire team, but especially the teens.

I want to give you a special invite to services this Sunday and hear the story of this trip first hand from the students.  I think you will thoroughly enjoy it.  Donuts and coffee are at 10am, and service is at 10:30am.  Please come because it would mean a lot to the teens, and to me.

God bless you all, and hope to see you Sunday, and if not, I’ll see you back at Larry’s for breakfast next week.

Here’s an extra picture for yall!

-Sherman

 

 

At the Cardinal’s Game