SLU 101/Day 2 Adventures

by Lisa · Published July 11, 2023 · Updated July 14, 2023

Our registration and check in time at the Marriott for SLU is not until after 3:00, so we began with a late, lazy morning. I woke up a little after 6 as usual when I don’t set an alarm. Maybe one day I will be able to sleep later. I typically don’t eat breakfast even when on a trip, but due to boredom with all my girls asleep, I tried it out. They had REAL bacon!

Wake Up Call

I did wake the girls up to go get breakfast at 9:00, since they close breakfast at 9:30. I didn’t have pictures or knowledge of the boys. I did learn that James and Braxton got up super early to get in their daily running. Such dedicated athletes.

Panic Attack

This is the look of panic as the elevator reached the ground floor and Maddi realized she had forgotten to get her sister. Kaylee, however, wasn’t as concerned. Maddi quickly went back up to get her and all was well.

10:00 Lunch decisions

I’m sure there was a lot more discussed than lunch at this round table. However, lunch was definitely a topic of interest.

Captured In Flight

Everyone (kids + Andy) decided that getting back in the pool would be a great way to spend the morning. I was able to capture some interesting jumps as they made waves for some other young children in the pool. Andy was giving tips to James and Baxter on how to make the biggest waves possible. (sorry for the foot in all pictures)

Belly Flop Demo

The Toe Touch

Relocating

We were ready to check out by noon. We loaded up, headed to lunch then checked in at the Marriott. The girls had to get their “We’ve Been Here” pictures. The hotel where the conference was being held and where we would stay the rest of the week was just across the road.

Authentic Mexican

I would go back here any day, not just Taco Tuesday. I actually did order yummy Chorizo tacos. After the round table decided on Mexican this morning, Andy and I looked at the closest Mexican restaurants to our hotel and there were 2. Las Cazuelas got the vote, so we tried it out. They sent me in first to scout it out, and the only downside was that it was a little warm inside. The food more than made up for it. The staff was over the top friendly and accommodating as they rearranged the tables for us and welcomed us in to sit down.

Order then SHOP

The menu was written in Spanish and English, so no one had any difficulties ordering; well, other than trouble with making a decision on what to order. The pictures on the menu all looked yummy. After ordering, we could not resist browsing around the store.

Making Tortillas

I wasn’t sure what he was doing at first, but it was explained to me that they make their own tortilla shells, etc. used in the food they serve.

At Least She Tried

When we learned that they had flavored water with fresh fruit, we all got excited. Hannah obviously is not a guava fan. She did love her pineapple coconut though.

Not Happening, No way

And then you have this type. Not happening, no way, give me my regular soda. We may conform them to be adventurous eaters yet. Olivia told me later she preferred American Mexican better. AKA Mi Toro in our hometown.

Yummy Fresh Water with Fruit

Some of our group really enjoyed the refreshing water. Brooke and I had the guava water. Natalie had pineapple water. Hannah had pineapple/coconut. I’m sure there were NO germs spread as we all tasted each others. Braxton was proper in getting a little cup to sample in. The adults not so much so. We just popped the lid and took a sip.

Shopping (and explaining)

I enjoyed looking through the rest of the small grocery store at their spices, tortilla shells, pottery, etc. As we walked taking pictures, we discussed what these were and how they were used in cooking. There was a shopper picking up pumpkin seeds for his wife who was drawn into our discussion, because we don’t meet strangers.

Talk, Pray, Eat

As the students were eating chips and salsa, Brother Brad took some time to go over what they would experience at SLU and the expectations for behavior. As the food started arriving, he prayed over all of them before eating.

Huge Portions

Definitely not the same size portions and food we are accustomed to getting back home.

Ice Cream

They had soft serve as well as bars of ice cream. I had a mango bar and Andy had vanilla cream with raspberry. I think Branna had an Oreo bar. Kaylee tried the soft serve.

Making Friends

We spent 90 minutes at Las Cazuelas.The students were very well behaved but fun. I know we discussed why we were in Orlando with several people that came in to eat. This gave us the opportunity to share Jesus. Life is a mission field!!!

Parking Fun

I drove back to the hotel for the kids to unload luggage, find their rooms, and get settled in. Brother Brad instructed me to just go out, turn left, and get a ticket to park in that lot. Well………. the “People Mover” does not FIT under that ticket dispenser!!!! No worries. I made the loop, and one of the attendants instructed me to loop again and he would lift the yellow poles so I could park. Fifteen minutes later, we were all good.

Checking In Trials and Tribulations

The hotel had a group over the weekend that had late check out times. Since SLU wasn’t told that ahead of time, we were scrambling around getting/waiting on rooms. Our group just sort of claimed this small media room to gather in before getting our rooms and later for our after group session time.

Look closely at our room pictures because this is as clean as it will look all week. Brother Brad was the only one in our group that did not have a room when the first session started.

Not sure why Baxter sat under the table.

Session 1 Brent Crowe

Our 1st session began at 4:00 with Brent Crowe, Vice President of SLU. He is a captivating speaker and engages so well with the students. We welcomed the students, gave an overview of what to expect at this camp, and then he lead in a session on The Components of The Leadership Journey.

“See yourself though the lens of scripture and not the lens of culture.”

Excellence is from the latin word Excellentia meaning to rise above.

BE AN EAGLE!!!!!!!!