The Big Easy

Last weekend, Ryan and I headed to the French Quater in New Orleans. Ryan's parents came up from Columbia to watch the boys for us. This summer we'll be taking our teenagers to the French Quarter for our Samaria Project, which is our out-of-state mission trip. We always like to preview an area before we go (if possible) to get a feel of the area and to meet the church. We'll be working with Vieux Carre Baptist Church this summer. We met Greg, the pastor, and his family, along with some other church members. Ryan and I walked around the French Quarter on Saturday and brainstormed different ideas of things we could do with the teenagers to serve the community, and to ultimately share Christ with them. We came up with some ideas that I think will be good:) It was a great weekend, personally, to get away for a few days, even though I missed Josiah and Aedan a bunch! We really liked the French Quarter. It kind of reminded us of a mix between Charleston and Key West, maybe....who knows, maybe we haven't been enough places! I'm looking forward to this summer, and going back:)

Ryan in front of the Mississppi sign at the Welcome Center. It was our first time in Mississippi.

Ryan and I went out to eat our first night in New Orleans. It was the first time I'd had in about 4 years!!! It was soooooooo yummy!

More of New Orleans:

My mom is so cool, that they have a restaurant named after her in the French Quarter!

gotta take a picture of the street sign:)

This is the cutest and prettiest little house I saw in the French Quarter. It is just around the block from the church.

more pretty little houses

My beautiful mask that I bought while in New Orleans. Unfortunately, I left it at the church by accident. Oh, well...it was only about $4.00, and at least I have a picture with it on.

Taken from the park in the square (Jackson Square).

Statue of Andrew Jackson

Ryan and I in the square.

more of New Orleans

We are at the Moon Wok for lunch one day. Yummy, yummy shrimp fried rice!

Here is the sign of the church we'll be working with.

Picture taken of Jackson Square from accross the street.

Picture taken close to the square.

Night time on Bourbon Street. This was on Sunday night...you could actually walk down it. Friday and especially Saturday nights were MUCH more crowded! The first Mardi Gras parade was on Saturday night so there were more people out that night.

Ryan and I our last night out to eat.

We walked so much around the Quarter, that my feet were aching at times...I know it sounds weak, but we seriously did do a lot of walking. Here's a super husband rubbing and massaging my feet (with a smile)!