Happy Holidays from Sun 3!

Our team is enjoying a two week break in between spike projects. January 2nd, we'll be back on campus and gearing up for our second round departure to Crown King, AZ!

Reflecting in quantifiables…

The whole crew headed for a hike

One of the running jokes on our team is the constant search for quantifiable evidence that we're doing something worthwhile out here in Missouri. That information gets sent back to headquarters in weekly progress reports. Here are the quantifiables that stick out in my mind:

One of many...

1)      32 amazing sunrises and sunsets

2)      50 cups of tea/coffee at St. Louis Bread Co

3)      Dozens of slips and falls on the muddy trails

4)      Countless unaccountable bruises and scrapes

5)      25 brisk showers with many of my 8 legged friends

6)      2 sore hands

7)      2 tired feet

8)      1 worn out body

9)      A huge sense of accomplishment

10)   Gratitude from our sponsors and the community members whose lives we’ve impacted

11)   1000’s of laughs and smiles

12)   10 festive holiday sweaters

13)   9 friends that I can count on to love, support, and challenge me.

Removing a huge rock from our bench cut!

I know we’ve done a lot of good for the communities we’ve been involved with here in MO, but I think it should also be mentioned how much they’ve done for us. We’ve grown closer as a team and as individuals. Our next project round in Crown King, AZ will bring many new challenges and opportunities our way, but after this round, we can handle anything they throw at us!

-The Lynser

Working Out Them ISP's!

After a long week of clearing a few miles for a potential trail, Sun 3 headed into Downtown St. Louis to do some ISP’s (Independent Service Projects).  Saturday afternoon we attempted to work with the Salvation Army at a Canned Food Drive at one of the local movie theaters.  The turnout of volunteers was so overwhelming that we weren’t needed at the movie theater, so we headed over to the Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Center which is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility.   

Dancing in the kitchen with Miss Emma

Half of our team suited up and painted the hallways, while the other half helped clean the kitchen, stairways, and common rooms.   

The boys hard at work

They were extremely thankful and generous and even invited us all to stay and have dinner with them.  We had a great time working with Bryan and hearing his touching story about his own recovery.  Overall we all had a wonderful experience and met some really fun people.  

After the Harbor Light Center we checked into a hotel and headed out for the evening to Laclede’s Landing which is the historic riverfront area near the famous Gateway Arch to enjoy our night off.  At the end of the night we were all extremely grateful to have real beds and a break from our sleeping pads on the floor which we have been sleeping on every night for the past few weeks.  

Taking a breather

The next morning we woke up bright and early for another ISP at Jewish Family and Children’s Services to help out with their Hanukkah Hugs Program.  We were sorting (and playing with a few) toys for families who are clients of JF&CS Kornblum Food Pantry or their counseling services.  Again, we met a lot of great people and had a blast while helping out families in need.  

Bobo, enjoying the zoo

Before heading back to our humble abode in Greensfelder Park, we made a quick stop at Forest Park in the city of St. Louis to see the free Zoo.  It was pretty cold and many of the attractions and booths were closed, but it was still fun to get to see one small part of this amazing free space that is here for the people of St. Louis.  It was a hectic and tiring weekend, but in the end it was well worth the energy, the many memories and the new friends that we made during out adventures.  

 

-Carly