Dear youth and parents,
 
I am currently at about 30,000 feet above the Gulf of Mexico on my way to my last Army Reserve event for a while.  The Army has put together a special Yellow Ribbon reunion/reintegration event for the soldiers and families from the units whose members were killed in the Fort Hood shootings, and because of the nature of the event 12 additional chaplains have been assigned to provide extra support.  I will be spending each day in a small group that includes several military families who will be guided by counselors through the process of returning to life together after a long (and difficult) deployment.  It's not the typical trip to Orlando, and I really don't know exactly what will unfold in the small group sessions and conversations with families afterward, and your prayers are appreciated for everyone involved in this event.  I will return on Monday night, and (full disclosure) hope to decompress by visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter during a block of free time we've been given on Sunday afternoon/evening.  If you need a wand from Ollivander's, let me know.

There is a LOT for youth and parents in this week's e-news, including some great opportunities for service.  Read on for details on how you can volunteer with Prom Dreams, a city-wide MLK Day of Service, and on our Intergenerational Mission Pilgrimage to New Orleans over Spring Break.

Grace and Peace,
Russ

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