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HAPPY NEW
YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2010!!!!!!!!!!
It is 4:30 am as I start to send this
update. We are heading out at 5 to be part of 2 million
people who line Colorado Blvd to watch the Rose Bowl
parade. Last night I asked part of the group to share their
thoughts about the trip. Following are their thoughts:
(Thank you to Jennette Morrison for typing the responses
last night) More will be shared later. Grab a comfortable
chair, a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy……………
From Bert Onken:
The teamwork accomplished by so many people from varied
backgrounds to complete a task.
The thrill of meeting Robert “Bobby” and Leland, astronauts
from the recent space shuttle. They were invited to ride on
the Ronald McDonald float. Visiting with Craig, supervisor
for the Alhambra float, about his Jewish faith.
From Amy Woodman:
It is so hard to put this experience into words. When I was
first asked to go on the trip I was excited, but as the time
got closer I thought about the new “challenges” that I would
face. I am normally the person that takes the leader
position, so being just a helper always helps me step back.
Ultimately, I believe it helps me to become a better leader.
The task of silver leafing was hard, but once I finished I
felt very proud. I make center-pieces so when it came to
putting on the flowers I was really excited. I was working
on the non-camera side of the Lutheran Hour Float, so when
the lady in charge pulled me over to work on the camera side
I was so glad, proud, and excited to help. My “awe” or “wow”
moment for the trip was on the drive to work on the floats.
The first couple days I was looking at the roads and
scenery, but I was not really looking. Today (the third day)
we were driving down and as I was looking out I could see
the reminder of God’s love all around me. Amongst the Palm
trees and mountain view I saw the tops of churches raising
up. The crosses at the top were holding their own against
all of the other sights. Everywhere I looked there he was,
the symbol of his love and I just thought that it was
awesome to see. I felt blessed to know about Him and His
love. If you decide to come on this trip I am sure you will
have your own “awe” moment. May the Lord bless you on your
journeys and adventures.
From Craig Carrick:
1. I was amazed at the main structure of the floats and the
tooling used to build them
2. The large number of people that were sitting on the
streets the 31st of December marking their spot
for the parade.
3. The people that worked on the floats worked very well
together.
4. The McDonald float was having a problem with getting
their float completed in time. Since our group worked so
well that we were asked to help with the final steps to get
their float done in time.
5. The interesting people that we met from all parts of the
country.
From Bev Bremer:
It was amazing to see the cooperation between our team
members and also between the Phoenix workers when the
tension was high after one float had a major setback. There
is competition between the organizations that sponsor the
floats, but when one experiences a problem, they all pitch
in to help. It was an extreme privilege to work with the
florists designing the bouquets and be a small part of this
event that is known world wide.
From Jennette Morrison:
The IOWAY 2010 Petal Pusher trip has been a very fun,
rewarding, and reflective time away from “normal” life. I
have enjoyed pushing petals for Christ for three different
floats. It is neat to be put into a situation where there’s
something needed to be done and everyone is ready and
willing to jump in and serve! And serve by prepping
different flowers, gluing individual petals, and poking
vialed roses in floats has been our immediate call this
week—along with witnessing to people we meet about what
we’re doing and who we are serving! So just like I’ve seen a
community of volunteers come together and be willing to
serve I pray I may remember to continue serving wherever God
takes me next.
Other highlights on the trip have been the times when the
team has bonded in sweet fellowship with one another. It has
been such a joy getting to know the people of this team, and
being able to come home with new-found brothers and sisters
in Christ. I especially LOVED devouring my last meal of 2009
at INnOUT Burger with the team. I’m pretty sure team members
enjoyed that but Ellie may say something different.
J
Looking forward to the rest of the days left to serve God’s
people here in California.
From Gerald Larson:
It was a very enjoyable and interesting thing to do,
especially for an old farmer! I didn’t think I would
probably enjoy it, but I actually did. Glad that I had the
chance to experience this with a wonderful group of
Christian people—However I believe one time is enough for
me!!
From Kathy Scott:
Racing against the clock to wrap up our three days of
“pushing” petals by helping the McDonald’s float overcome
panic to completion was a highlight. Even though we were
running out of certain colors and had to take out some to
smooth out the design we managed to do a great job. Our
sweatshirts were a very public way to start conversations to
strangers on the streets.
Working on Alhambra’s float on the first day was a great
introduction to the process. The Lutheran Hour float on the
second day was very inspiring—the creativity was awesome.
Working on the McDonald’s float today felt good as we were
“rescuing” them as they were so far behind. The most amazing
part of this whole process is the camaraderie—all working
towards a common goal. Another amazing aspect was the many
generations of same family coming from all over the country
to work on floats.
From Kathryn Sprecher:
Our sending cloth had boxes on it. We were told by Ellie
that the week would provide opportunity for us to work
“outside of the box.” So far we have worked on the floats
which provided many opportunities to work with many people
and opened up a variety of conversations. The real new “box”
though has been to meet Gerald and Kim and their unique
street ministry. They have shared about their work and have
prepared us for the experience lying ahead of us as we serve
a meal on Skid Row and the opportunities to be out of our
box/comfort zone in being Christ’s hands.
From Mary Rowley:
My
favorite part of working on the floats was when I got the
privilege of climbing on top of the Lutheran Hour float. I
was putting greenery and flowers around the crosses, and I
reached out and touched the middle cross a few times. I felt
as though I was decorating for Jesus, not just a parade.
When I left the float, I placed a last flower at the foot of
the cross. It was a very humbling experience. It really made
me realize that this trip is about God, not a parade.
From Terry Rowley:
This experience has been incredible. The flowers and floats
are beautiful. The crews that work on the floats have been
very nice and great ot work with. I will go back home and
appreciate this parade and the time that goes into it. It
was also great to meet people from all over the country and
hear their stories. God’s beauty is everywhere on the
floats.
From Barb Leffingwell:
Working on the floats for the Rose Bowl parade was the most
unusual experience of my life. The Iowa people that went on
this trip were all people I did not know (except for one
couple). The people around me were so open to newcomers and
so calming to me that I never felt like a stranger with any
of them It felt like family even as we were trapped several
times on the freeways in LA.
The volunteers in our group who drove the vans were
fantastic—never panicing in any of the stressful situations
they were put into. Of course the flowers were beautiful and
the experience was astounding. We are all tired beyond
belief but this is a sweet, sweet feeling that can only be
because our Lord is close in this endeavor.
From Mardelle:
This is my second trip working on floats I have now learned
10 different jobs that needs to be done as part of putting
the floats together. It is fantastic to see them go from
painted chicken wire and foam to covered totally with
botanical product.
The last day we were privileged to be asked to come in early
to start on a float that was way behind deadline. One of the
blessings of coming from an Iowa workforce.
Tomorrow we go to Skid Row to feed the people living there.
It is scary, but isn’t that what going into the world is
too.
From Ann Carrick:
The first part of the week has been very special, a great
time to witness with so many people all wearing the
sweatshirts that have Jesus’ name on them. So, when they
stop to ask it is easy to share the story of the float and
the reason why we are here to help decorate. We also had the
privilege to meet missionaries that serve on Skid Row. They
have a love for the Lord that is very easy for them to give
testimony to others. Also, I had the privilege to present
them with friends that were raised from our women’s guild
because of the summer IOWAY connection and how they touched
her. Kimberly was certainly overwhelmed with the gift.
From Cheryl Larson:
Being a Petal Pusher has been an awesome experience! To be
able to see just how the floats are finished with fresh
flowers—many, many of them—is unbelievable. Our group
becomes a real witness with all of us having our “petal
pusher” sweatshirts. We are proud to tell that we have the
only Christian float in the parade. Being with new friends
in Christ is such a joy. Our mission to Skid Row will be a
real experience also—not such a joyful one, but hopefully we
can affect some souls as we witness to His love.
From Dale Bruns:
I was surprised at the total number of workers there. The
total number of flowers on each float. The design of the
frame work and the engines used I was impressed with the
Skid Row philosophy of the missionaries. It was interesting
to meet many new people. It was a special treat to meet two
astronauts that gave their talents to be a part of the
Ronald McDonald House. The Lutheran Float was a joy to work
on.
From Nancy Bruns:
Our trip has been an amazing experience! We have met many
wonderful people. Today we got to talk to two astronauts and
hear about their experiences in space. The astronauts were
just as eager to hear about our experience building the
floats and our mission here in LA. I was able to share “a
cross in my pocket” with an astronaut.
Helping building the floats is a dream come true for me. The
flowers are gorgeous and to see all the planning that has
taken place during the year to make the floats become a
reality. Our float crew chiefs have been great and made our
work a fantastic experience. They were very willing to share
from their life experience. Our first crew chief on the City
of Alhambra is a 6th grade teacher in “real
life.” He chose his 13 year old to be his assistant crew
chief. His daughter said she has been helping with the Rose
Bowl floats since she was born
Today I was able to help one of the florists with a large
bouquet on the float. She said she had sold scrap iron part
for cars in her real life and now she is doing what she
loves to do—working for a florist.
I had an opportunity to witness to two young men in the
grocery store and share a cross in my pocket with them. I’m
looking forward to our ministry on Skid Row.
HAPPY 2010!!!!!!!!!!! Off to the parade!!!!!!!!!!! Ellie
Menz |
