We "Shore" Did Have Fun Today!

Posing like Rocky

This morning we woke up with a little more bounce in our step, knowing it was finally time to head to our fun day destination-- Atlantic City, New Jersey. We were treated to McDonald's for breakfast and had a little extra time to get ready. Before leaving, we had a Morning Glow devotion and received seashells which we wrote messages on and planned to toss into the ocean. We then boarded our charter bus and headed to the Philadelphia Art Museum to visit the steps where Rocky was filmed. Although some had never seen the movie, we took a lot of pictures with our Rocky poses and had fun posing with the statues and views around the museum. 


The next destination was the University of Pennsylvania (U Penn), located in Philadelphia. James Black, a member of our youth group, will be attending the Wharton School of Business in the fall. A lot of us found ourselves pretty jealous, and the bookstore may have won over a few FUMC college applicants. After shopping for a little bit and checking out a few views, we got in the bus for our trip to Atlantic City.

Throwing our seashells-with messages of love-
into the Atlantic

The bus ride gave many of us time to grab a nap.  As we came over the bridge leading into Atlantic City, we could see Trump Towers, Caesar's Palace and many other casinos, restaurants and of course, the ocean! We found a spot on the beach and headed off for a few hours of shopping, swimming, football, Can Jam, and/or just relaxing.  We then walked as a group to White House Submarines--a restaurant famous for Cheesesteak.  We quickly learned that you don't call them PHILLY cheesesteaks when you are at the JERSEY shore!  With full bellies, we boarded the charter bus for another nap opportunity.

Female Counselors of the Year

We love TOMS!

Our nightly devotions challenged us as groups to create our own non-profit group.  We had to come up with an idea and then name it.  We had fun with this activity and realized that all we needed to make it come true was the willingness to do it.  One person who did just that, was TOMS creator, Blake Mycoskie.  He had a dream to have people buy one pair of shoes and he would give one away to someone who needs shoes.  His book, Start Something That Matters tells how he went about fulfilling his dream.


Becky encouraged us to do the same.  Then, she proceeded to tell us a story...Becky told about her journey through her mother's illness and death this year.  She spoke of how her Mother is the one who taught her how to love.  Before her Mother's death, she told Becky that the money she would leave her was for Becky to use for herself, but that she should do something for someone else as well.  Becky considered giving some money to the Boys and Girls Club which is so close to her heart, but then she realized that the group that means the most to her is the youth group at FUMC.  She also told us that her Mom loved shoes--that she had left about 30 pairs of espadrille type shoes.  This inspired Becky to throw a TOMS "Style Your Sole" party-- a gathering for people to decorate TOMS together and send in pictures that could end up on the website. 


Becky purchased a pair of shoes for every member of our group! This also means that TOMS will give 45 pairs of shoes to people in need!  Becky said our party was really a "Style your SOUL" party.

Styling our Soles and our Souls

After many tears, we joyfully got to work on decorating our new white TOMS.  Some of used quotes from this and previous mission trips, some just created an expression of their personalities.  We had a great time just sitting together, talking and either decorating or waiting for an idea to come to us.


We would like to thank Becky and Irene "Mamaw" Blanton for sharing their love of Christ and their love of shoes! 

Becks and Cat carrying on Mamaw's Dream