Seattle, WA - March 7-16, 2025 (Spring Break)

 Today we started are morning at beautiful Savior church  After that we went to dicks burger drive in for lunch. And went to the museum of flight. Next we went back to Illume had a dinner to clase off are time here and had spotlight 

 Today, we started the morning by doing sanding and staining again and was able to finish the boards up. Next, we set up the area for Open Mic Night.  After our break, we came back and helped Illume host their Open Mic Night and even had two of our on students performing.

 Today we had such a great day we had a free day for Friday we got to go explore Seattle! We got to walk around the Pike Place Market, see the gum wall and the waterfront and the "original" Starbucks, and get coffee from Anchorhead Coffee. We walked to the the Space Needle to look at it and got to go to the Museum of Pop Culture. To close, we got to go to Mr. Weddle's parents' house for some delicious dinner and dessert. 

 We don't have a photo form this morning, but we got up semi-early to go to St. Paul Church of Christ's homeless breakfast to eat and talk with people whom are homeless and learn about there life and learn about how God is speaking to us. This was insightful into building relationships as a part of outreach and ministry! The next thing we did was help out back at Illume in the basement by sanding wood and staining it so they can reuse the wood for the church. After lunch we went out again to help promote the open mic night coming up on Saturday to hopefully have more people come. After the open night promote we went right back to sanding and staining the wood. We also got to go on a walk to Ravenna Park  during our free time. Add bonus! This is a picture of the Illume church we are helping at a staying at.    We where blessed that the sky was clear to see the mountains and a great view of Seattle for the rooftop.

    This morning, we went to Calvary Lutheran Church and help set up for there Toddler and Mother playdate. We also helped pack books for a building project and pick up branches on the around the property to clean up from a major wind storm. Mr. Weddle also talked about his high school memories at that church; we also met a former librarian he used to know!  We don't have a picture of lunch, but we went and got lunch at the Crossroads, an authentic food court, with pastor Eric Neumann. After that, we came back to Illume and wrapped up the candle making from yesterday.  To end the night, we went to the University Village Outlet Mall to hang out walk around explore and eat ice cream. Our hosts also served a fantastic baked potato bar! Here are also some beautiful and random pictures from the car ride to Calvary. 

   In the morning, we made little paper cups to hold cholocate coins for the kids at the elementary school next door for St. Patrick’s day next week. Illume focuses on the idea of community, and one of the best ways we can do that is through local connections such as the elementary school.  Shortly after, we made home made candle for new members who come to the Illume's church! They are scented with lavender and bergamot and were quite fun to make!   After this, we made and gave snacks after school to the kids at the elementary school right across for the church. To close the day out (not pictured), we went to the Chapel on the Ave to join Illume’s partnered campus ministry to participate in a Bible Study.  Additionally not pictured is the fantastic brunch Illume made for us today — bacon, eggs, pancakes, and fruit!

    Today was a great first day for the mission trip crew in Seattle! We started off the morning by going to Spotlight at Tri-Court Apartments, which is Illume's church service. Afterward, we worked around the church by shoveling dirt to help with drainage around the building, and we helped to promote the community Open Mic Night that the church will be hosting on Saturday night. To close work, we spent time edging the lawns, laying bark, and cleaning up our workspace. Our little bonus was celebrating Pastor Reeder's dad's birthday! It was a fantastic first step into Illume's ministry.