LYF at the NYG

I got up at 7 this morning and went on the shuttle to the convention center at 7:30. We realized once we got there we still had an hour to kill so we walked to McDonalds of course and got some breakfast, eating it as we walked back. The church service started at 9 and was pretty entertaining with all the music. After that we had until our first session at 12, so there were a lot of activities to do, but the lines were long so i mainly sat around. The session turned out to be long and depressing, and by the time we got out of it we realized the next session we wanted to go to was already full. So Shawn and Nick and I sat around until 3. Then I came back to the hotel for nap time until 6. After that we went to the mass event at 8 and the saw the Skit Guys at 10 which was really funny. Then we came back to the hotel and did nothing!

The first days in Orlando went fine, after the plane ride over, we spent the rest of the day swimming.  Saturday morning we spent the morning at Universal Studios, but ended up only riding one ride, though we did see the Simpson’s movie right after.  Saturday was also the begining of the actual nyg, we listened to a band and went to a dance in the afternoon.  Today, we started off with the whole group for the begining, then we broke off into smaller groups to go to different groups.  We finish off the day going to watch the “skit guys” perform. 

Today was fun.  We started off at Universal Studios: Island of Adventures which I must say is way better than Six Flags but still not quite at the same level as Cedar Point but I’m bias. The mass gathering tonight was amazing.  There were more people in one room than live in the city of Macomb.  It’s amazing and comforting to know that that many people are right there with you in what you believe, and not just people from Illinois or the mid-west but from places as far as California.  It was kind of like making 25,000 friends even though you don’t know anyone.  Thorns for my day would have to be the weather: hot, humid, and rainy afternoons (weather is never consistant here, is it?) but it could be worse! Roses: Having fun at Universal (ridng the Hulk), seeing the Simpon’s Movie, and ‘meeting’  25,000 members of my family in Christ.

My intent was to have all who wanted their meal money blog tonight but the computer had other ideas.  Look for more entries tomorrow. 

The First Mass Event was Great!  The Skit guys were really good so we’ll make sure we catch their show tomorrow night.  It’s amazing to be in one place with 35,000 other Christians.  Most people in our group were practicing their Stoic Lutheran during the Mass Event, but I’m sure the excitement will boil over soon.

 Tomorrow we start the tracks (Caitlin is our track).  That will mean going to sessions & experiencing things in the Live It! area.  Also, more walking…

Kristen

this didn’t save the first time so I’m am going to make this short! Unversial Orlando- Good       Simpsons’ Movie - regretable (had its moments, aka Spider Pig)      Yotuh Gathering Opening - amazing!        Well, that sums it up pretty nicely

 Ben

At Universal Studios

At the first night of NYG.

This is our view from our rooms at the DoubleTree. It’s outstanding.

Did I mention that there’s a very large pool here? Last night, the kids enjoyed a few hours in the pool to unwind. They also met other kids who are going to NYG. This afternoon, there’s a pool party, which the crew is REALLY looking forward to.

We’ve added a Moments and Quotes page today. We’ve already got some nuggets of comedy that we can’t forget.

Breakfast is at 8:00 and the Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios is at 9:00. The early rise isn’t pleasant but the day’s activities has the kids excited.

Garrick

We landed safely in Orlando around 4pm (EDT) & arrived at our hotel around 5:30. The flight was short & therefore good. Of course, my frame of reference is a little skewed. Any flight under 15hours has to be good! We ate at Friday’s where we all enjoyed some fried Mac & Cheese. A few of us, Ben in particular, really liked the bar-b-que sauce on the steaks. After supper there was swimming & sleeping. We did a bible study & decided on tomorrows activities. Now we’re approaching curfew & it’ll (finally) be time for bed.

Tomorrow we head to Universal’s Islands Of Adventures & then head back to the hotel for a pool party. The main Gathering event starts at 8pm followed by a dance. I hope to have the kids start journaling tomorrow. There wasn’t much today.

Kristen

Everyone has made it to the airport. We’re through security and we’re at the gate.

There are A TON of NYG’ers here from all over the area. It’s great to meet people who are going ahead of time.

More to come ….

This is where you’ll find the diary entries for Travis Zscheck during NYG 2007.