Redskins/Patriots Highlight 'End of Summer' Youth Trip

August 28-29, 2009. Blaze members and families headed north to FedEx Field this week and saw the visiting New England Patriots edge out the Washington Redskins, 27-24, in the final minute of the game. The threat of thunderstorms had loomed over the whole trip but never really materialized and game time conditions were cool and comfortable.

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Our former pastor, Celeste Health, graciously allowed us to stay at her church, Mt. Vernon UMC, in Alexandria and even joined us for the game. On Saturday morning we ate breakfast at McDonalds and took the Metrorail to visit the Smithsonian museums along the Washington Mall. Breaking into groups, some went to the National Archives and saw the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, another group saw the Hope Diamond and other exhibits at the Museum of Natural History and others went to the Air and Space Museum and tried out the flight simulators and later made it to the Washington Monument. Prior to leaving for home we had one last lunch together at a great Greek restaurant called Primo's which we had dined at on a previous youth trip.

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The Washington outing was a good way to closeout the summer and our young people seem to have really enjoyed the events and activities of the weekend. On a personal note, I have to say the parents and chaperons that drove and supervised our youth on this trip deserve most of the credit for our trips success and I sincerely appreciate all of their help and realize how tired they all must have been from the trip. I hope you guys will volunteer again next year and I promise no more seats at sporting events that require FAA clearances. God is good, all the time.