The Amazin' Grace Race!

The youth group at our church runs a mock version of the Amazing Race on several consecutive Wednesday nights at the end of each summer. Last night was the grand finale. Over the course of the last three weeks, the Jr. High girls' team and I have come in last or second-to-last place each time...BUT WE'VE HAD FUN!!! The staff does a fantastic job of putting together the clues and challenges. Just to give you an idea, we've had to: wash a car, eat a watermelon, balance atop giant spools, blow up balloons, melt ice, complete a picture scavenger hunt, shop at Albertsons, build a fort, toss frisbees into a small target, locate historic buildings, etc. Each evening ended with a testimony and/or devotional about God's amazing grace. (Get the play on words?!)

Even though we may not have been at the top of the pack, the girls and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and learned a lot about each other. For example: These girls can rock out! Emily L. likes to go first and read the directions later. Quinn knows a lot of the back roads around town and where all the drug-busts happen. Gabi and Kierstin can ham it up in front of the camera. And Emily D. and I DON'T LIKE TO RUN!!! Thanks for all the laughs, ladies.

The girls are ready to puke after running around with tummies full of pizza and warm black cherry soda:

A team snap-shot at the base of the Meridian water tower:
A bunch of posers at the post office: