Roadtrip 2010: Part 3, St. Louis

Needless to say, the rest of the drive that first day from Nashville to St. Louis was both difficult and good all at once. I remember sleeping and waking up and feeling exhausted. Not exhausted from driving, but literally exhausted from all that this past summer was. A summer of much difficulty, questions, and lack of community. I cried and was whiny - oh well. The rest of the drive also included a stop at Walmart for dinner where we decided to eat deli style chicken and sliced cheese roll-ups. Hold on, don't let me confuse you, there was nothing else. There was the deli sliced chicken and the cheese and we rolled them up together. Yeahhhh... don't judge.

We got to St. Louis pretty late and arrived at our friend Lainey's house - scratch that - MANSION. When the three of us drove up to her house MANSION (after driving through her gigantic neighborhood that took 15 minutes to get to her house after the entrance sign) and then walked in we kind of looked at each other as if to say Where are we?! This is gigantic. People really live here! I think we were giggling with excitement.

The Lord spoiled us. We shared a giant downstairs bedroom with a bed so big the three of us shared it and never even knew the other two were there. It was crazy (and only the beginning of the mansions!)

The next day we got up in time for everyone to drop me off for my visit at Covenant Theological Seminary. I went on a campus tour, talked with a graduate of the counseling program, and someone in financial aid (who had graduated from Furman!) It was wonderful. I think if I were to go there I would be challenged in every way - academically (it's very brainsy and the most booksy of the three I visited!), spiritually, communally, etc. I really think I would learn to think in a completely different way. I loved it. When I was talking with the woman who just graduated, the biggest thing that stood out to me was her description of the community there and how it completely changed her life. She even said she never knew beforehand that community so rich and alive could exist. In random St. Louis, MO it seems God has used this place to deeply affect people's relationships with one another. She said it was the best community she'd ever had... I know that feeling. It was a sweet reminder (and one of MANY that would come) that God's community is everywhere and that it is a huge part of His heart. It was even comforting to know that were I to go to Covenant, community would be very near and dear to the heart of my time there. It would be impossible to hide.

But, I don't know that I could live in St. Louis, MO.

Yes, there are plenty of free things to do (which is a major plus when you're in grad school I'm told) but it was hot. freaking hot. I don't even remember being that hot when I lived in New Orleans. And it just doesn't feel like a place I'm drawn too much.

The rest of the afternoon we explored the arch, a park with giant lilly pads, had some ice cream, and lethargically passed out on the couch after a day of walking around in the blazes. Damn it was hot. It seems like we barely even talked because we were all just so stinkin sweaty. Ok, enough about the heat - some pictures!

Caption: Thank God for this random arch in the middle of St. Louis that provides the only bit of shade around from this sweltering heat.
I'm hot.
Oh, I'm tired.
I'm hot.
I'm thirsty.
My clothes are sticking too me.
Where are we again?

That evening we enjoyed dinner with Lainey's family and watched a movie (in the house MOVIE THEATER complete with giant screen, personal seating, surround sound, dim lighting, and blankets for all!) called 180 degrees south made by the founder of Patagonia. Check out the trailer here! Best quote of the movie, "Adventure really starts when everything goes wrong."

Even though we all fell asleep during it (need to see it again!)... it was the perfect way to start out the adventure! Needless to say, we were excited for what was to come.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Next up: On the road through Kansas