In a Lincoln State of Mind

My first Ivy Tech Community College Alternative Spring Break trip has begun... We planned, with the help of a former IUSB Student, Luis Hernandez, a project with Appalachian Service Project. It was an adventure as a new staff member navigating the red tape of a new institution and trying to plan a good trip for the students. This morning (3/9/13) we left South Bend, IN with eight students and our Service Learning Intern en route to Johnson City, TN. It is my first time going to that site so we are all a little nervous, all excited, and all wondering what this trip will have in store for us.

Ivy Tech ASB 2013

We made great time and arrived at our sight seeing in Hodgenville, KY, the birthplace of Lincoln. Luis planned the trip for us, and it could have been any better in terms of getting in a good mind set for a week of service. I think our stop put us in a Lincoln State of Mind... Lincoln was a normal guy, who achieved great things through hard work, commitment and dedication to doing what he believed. He didn't come from much, and he didn't claim to be more than he was in life.

"I happen, temporarily, to occupy the White House. I am a living witness
that any of your children may come here as my father's child has. 

Despite the enormous monument built on the site of his birth, you can see his humble beginning. It was in a remote area, and you can imagine how hard growing up there would have been 200 years ago. His quotes and speeches really hit the spot about helping others.

We hiked, we learned, we were humbled. 

Tonight we walked through Lebanon, KY and toured a cute little town, enjoyed some southern hospitality and got to know each other. Someone tried Crawfish for the first time, we had catfish, we were waited on by the 11 year old son of our waitress and took pictures with a bear... yeah it was a good day.

I hope our groups unity lasts all week as I am sure like before our experience will be personally challenging. We won't face nearly the challenges that Lincoln did, but I hope we attack them with the same resolve and dedication. Thank you Honest Abe, it was an honor to learn from you today, and thanks for putting us in a...
Lincoln State of Mind.