Cultivating Change in The Inner City of St Louis, Missouri with Love the Lou

Change comes with time, effort, love, and dedication.  Outside of our comfort zone, but within our own state there are people that are struggling, there is communities that are in distress, and there is families searching for change! 

Recently our family and a few of our friends had the opportunity to serve with Love the Lou in Saint Louis, Missouri.   Never had I had the opportunity to take my kids on a mission trip - and I wanted to be able to share with them the experience of serving and showing God’s love to others.

Love the Lou is a movement of restoration for the City of St Louis, Missouri – the mission works to restore, rebuild, and cultivate change within the inner city.  North City also known as the inner city of St. Louis is well known for gang violence, crime, street shootings - making life difficult for the families and children growing up and living within the community.

On our brief trip to serve with Love the Lou we spent time working in their Enright Community Gardens, learning about the Enright Avenue community, and visiting with the youth involved in their STL Lift program. 

The Enright Community Gardens are a unique project developed by Love the Lou – currently there are three gardens, each serving a different purpose for the community.

Garden One is filled with raised garden beds; families choose their garden, plant and maintain the garden throughout the growing season, and feed their family from the garden. 

Garden Two is more of a flower garden with a unique environment giving families a safe spot to enjoy an afternoon picnic, host a birthday party, or even come together for worship.  The garden includes picnic tables, a gazebo, a small library, and room for kids to play.

Garden Three is known as the Urban Farm – by far this was my kid’s favorite garden – the garden currently has a few raised beds and a chicken coop that houses five “city chickens”.  Families take turns caring and tending to the chickens; giving the caregiver family farm fresh eggs in return.

While we spent much of our day working in these unique gardens – we also spent most of our day serving beside the youth from the STL Lift program.  I must admit that the gardens were fun, but my husband and I’s hearts went to the young men and women in this program – they make a commitment to not become part of the inner city’s problem and instead work towards changing their own life as well as their community.  These are kids are close to the age of our own children, but have faced more challenges than we have as adults.  We knew we were there to serve them, but left knowing they impacted us more than we would ever impact them.

The Love the Lou mission began in 2009 by Lucas Rouggly with hope to find simple and practical ways to serve the city, from that hope sprung an organization that serves multitude of families and children in an area struggling to find hope.  

4 Ways You Can Love the Lou

• Pray for the community and those serving in the community.  
• Sponsor a STL | LIFT students with a monthly gift and prayer support for your student.  
• A one time or a monthly gift to the organization. 
• Subscribe to their newsletter to stay up to date with serve opportunities.   
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(Disclosure:  This article originally appeared in The Banner Press - please support our local paper by purchasing a copy or a months subscription.) 

FREE Parents Night Out at Missouri History Museum

One of my favorite museums in Missouri is hosting a Parents Night Out - The Missouri History

Photo Credit:  Missouri History Museum

Museum in St Louis, Missouri is hosting a special night in the History Clubhouse for Adults on Friday, July 11, 2014. The event will take place at the Missouri History Museum from at 6-9pm. 

History Clubhouse! Letʼs Build It! is a new family friendly exhibit where kids and adults alike can learn and play together, and you get an opportunity to share your thoughts on the exhibit! 

During Parents Night Out leave the kids at home and come explore, have fun, and let the museum know what you think for their future plans for this space!

Enjoy complimentary Anheuser-Busch products and Piccione pastries. Participate in the “quirky scavenger hut” and get a coupon to the Louisiana Purchase Gift Shop and a free hard hat.  Plus, to express their thanks for your History Clubhouse input, they invite you to view American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition for FREE!


For more information on this event and other exhibits or event at the Missouri History Museum in St Louis, Missouri please visit their website or contact them at (314) 746-4599

St Louis Science Center

These days as a single mom struggling on a small income I have realized how fun life can be without all the glitz and glam.  In December, for the little man's big number 5 birthday my gal pal and I loaded up the car and headed to St Louis to celebrate in a BIG, but affordable way!

The little man could tell no difference if I spent $5 on his day or $500 all he knew is he had fun and was loved.

The St Louis Science Center is open daily, many of the exhibits are FREE, but some do cost a small fee!  On our adventure scale of 1 to 10, D-man gives the St Louis Science Center a 12!  He LOVED his birthday surprise!

Happy Adventures!

Hey Mom, there are cars underneath us! 

I "Dig" This!

TORNADO

Building the St Louis Arch

Hey Look Mom, our Blog is on here!  

Travel Tuesday at the Missouri History Museum in St Louis MO

Today is Travel Tuesday…woot! Woot!  I have decided that I am going to share one place each Tuesday that the kiddos and I have found worth traveling to!

Today’s Travel Tuesday Destination is The Missouri History Museum in St Louis MO.  I know blah right this is a museum full of history, nope that is a negative!  I was blown away with the Missouri History Museum when I visited! 

While the Missouri History Museum is loaded with Missouri History, Missouri information, and well all the good stuff about Missouri.  The museum is also loaded with fun for kids; we found the museum to be very interactive, colorful, and fun for our whole family.

D could not get enough of the audio tour, while I am not sure he remembers anything the they told him, he sure looked mighty cute standing there so intrigued by the presentation. 

Lesse being that she is a bit older and could put together pieces of Missouri History with stuff she had learned in school.  Lesse recognized the exhibits on the St Louis Cardinals, loved learning about how houses use to look, and I caught here intrigued by the exhibit on the Great Fire of 1849. 

For me, of course I loved the exhibit on the 1904 World’s Fair, but my favorite part was that my kids had the opportunity to touch, learn, and feel at home in the Missouri History Museum.  

These are the things that I wish I would have known a long time ago about the Missouri History Museum.

• Admission to the museum is FREE…that is right parents, a majority of the museum is free to visit.  A few special exhibits do cost, and you can find more information here.   
• Plan PLENTY of TIME…I was a fail at this and thought we would only spend an hour at the Missouri History Museum.  Shortly after I arrived at the museum, I realized my kiddos could spend hours and was mad that we were leaving so soon. 
• The downstairs of the museum is geared more towards a little older crowd than, my gang, but the upstairs watch out as it is full of FUN FUN FUN! 
• The Missouri History Museum has been active in the St Louis community since 1866….doesn’t that mean they are part of history and experts at presenting history!
• You can DINE at the museum!  Okay, so had I been thinking researching, and knowledgeable prior to our visit I would have planned to arrive at the museum mid morning monkey’d around for a while then grabbed a lunch break  at Bixby's inside the museum then off to discovery some more Missouri History!

The Missouri History Museum is located in the Forest Park Area of St Louis Mo, near the St Louis Zoo. 

Have an Adventurous Day! 

~Becky 

Part of the Audio Tour

A camera exhibit that catches you by suprise

Kids area with Puzzles

what would you look like 100 years ago

Punching the Time Clock

A Day at the City Museum in St Louis, MO

Okay just be honest parents, I find the City Museum in St Louis, MO to be the most exhausting place around, but that is what makes it P-E-R-F-E-C-T! 

The City Museum is one giant educational energy-burning museum of stuff!  I know that is vague description, but there is not much other way to describe it!  Ball pits, giant slides, aquariums, and a jungle gym that seems to go on forever.  My 9 year old describes it as a junk yard that is made into  a playground and really she is about right.   

The City Museum truly is a must stop in St Louis, Mo in fact I think we have visited a few times and each time it just as fun!  Here is the catch, however, the museum is a blast, but there are things I advise every parent that is visiting for the first time.

• Where good climbing shoes and loose fit clothing, you might as well get ready for your workout.
• Dress in odd colors and remember what your child is wearing, on our recent visit I forgot to do this and it was a nightmare for me!  There are lots of kids, lots of small spaces, and trying to keep up with short people can be a nightmare. 
• Take as little of stuff as possible, they do have a bag and coat check, I usually carry a backpack, but honestly even it can be a pain.  Pack lightly the tunnels are small.    
• Eat well before you go, in my own opinion they probably could train special forces in these tunnels….yes you will become exhausted.  There is concession stands in the museum, so sneak a few extra dollars for snack time. 
• The museum is handicap and stroller accessible, but there are so many places that are hard maneuver please keep that in mind. 
• Allow enough time to do everything; it seems my kids spend hours in “skate park room” and then only seconds running through the Natural History section.  Allow yourself and the kiddos plenty of time to do what they want and do it twice. 
• There is a Tot-land for the little guys, but don't be surprised if your toddler finds this place overwhelming....heck I am OLD and I find it overwhelming!  
• Remember this building is 600,000 square-foot, I guess I cannot stress enough how large it is, just be prepared.  However, that 600,000 is loaded with FUN.

The City Museum is located 701 North 15^th Street in St Louis, MO…please note that the parking and the main entrance is located on 16^th street.  Please visit here for museum hours, and admission prices.  

Have an Adventurous Day!  

~Becky 

More Photos:  

Related articles

• St. Louis County Library Presents Artist and City Museum Co-Founder Gail Soliwoda Cassilly
• The City Of Saint Louis
• Museums Offering Free Admission This Saturday
• Historic Saint Charles Missouri

Disclosure:  Our visit to the City Museum was compensated, however all thoughts & opinions are my own!  

Missouri Botanical Garden Lantern Festival

This weekend (August 19th 2012) will be your last chance to catch the Missouri Botanical Garden Lantern Festival:  Art by Day, Magic by Night.  As of August 16, the evening shows is sold out, but you can still enjoy the magnificent art during the day.  Below are a few shots from our recent visit to the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Lantern Festival.  

Have an Adventurous Day! 

~Becky 

Our visit to the Missouri Botanical Gardens was sponsored by MOBOT, but all thoughts, statements, and photos are mine. 

Summer Hotel Deals in St. Louis MO

So I recently shared with you all my nightmare headache with Priceline.com and my attempt to save money that caused more stress than it did savings.  While the whole situation caused me stress, it was not enough stress to force me to give up my love for travel; it just forces me to look for new ways of saving money on travel. 

Today I am going to introduce you a few sweet family friendly hotel deals for the summer in St Louis, Mo. 

 

Holiday Inn St. Louis South

Holiday Inn St. Louis South is just minutes from the downtown area, but still gets you out of the hustle and bustle of the downtown…from a Momma’s perspective, that is a score.  The hotel’s amenities include an INDOOR and OUTDOOR pool…yes that is all caps for a reason, that is a must when you are traveling with little monsters like mine.  While I seldom travel with our dog Wheeler (because he as big as both kids put together) it is good to know that pets are welcome at this facility.  The Fitness Center, some of you may recall on my trip to Oklahoma I praised and raved the Holiday Inn in Downtown Tulsa for having a wonderful Fitness Center…well I will praise and rave this Holiday Inn also for having an Fitness Center…that is always at the top of my list.  FREE high speed wireless internet, some of you may say don’t all hotels have this…the answer is NO, I have been charged as much as $15 a night, just to be able to log on to the WiFi…OUCH, especially when have to have it for work.  On-site restaurant, I know those on-site restaurants can be a bit more pricey than the fast food joint down the street, but they are on-site meaning you do NOT have to get in the car and leave the building to grab a bite to eat…one more perk when you are traveling with monsters like mine! 

 Holiday Inn St. Louis South’s summer deals include:

      

• Book Early & Save rates- discount ranges from 15-20% off, requires a full deposit with a full cancellation penalty

• Special Offer- discount ranges from 5-10% off, requires a one-night non-refundable deposit

• Summer Promotional- this rate changes depending on the exact dates and does not require any deposit or cancel penalty.  It is subject to availability.

 

Hampton Inn & Suites St. Louis/South I-55

My love for this Hampton Inn begins with it being 100% non-smoking…sorry folks, my little man has a bit of an allergy, and it never fails we get a step to close and our eyes look awful…so Thank You Hampton Inn for being smoke free.  They also earn my seal of approval for having on-site a Fitness Room and pool…hey you have to wear those little ones out before bedtime.  They also have several kid-friendly amenities including children’s activities, children’s video rental, family hotel packages, and those extra things you are always struggling to pack (high chairs, cribs) well they have them on hand…just ask guest services.  Now to set this place over the top…guess what you get Breakfast on House.  Yep enjoy a free hot breakfast before you start your busy day in St Louis, MO.  Oh, and don’t forget the FREE parking..I know this is always mind boggling, but many hotels do charge for parking, but this hotel has free parking.   

Hampton Inn & Suites Summer Deals include:  

• Book Now and Save 15% with The Great Getaway - Don't settle for any getaway - make your next escape The Great Getaway. Save 15% when you book a stay at participating Hampton® hotels by July 23, 2012 for stays through September 30, 2012.

  Tips to getting Hotel Deals
Above is just two money saving deals for St Louis, MO, but if those two hotels are not in your radar here is some tips on saving money on hotels.

• Book Early

• Check Cancellation Policy- many hotels offer full refund if booked direct and cancelled before certain time.

• Check the hotel's website for packages and coupons

• Call the hotel direct, ask if they offer cooperate discounts...many offer employee and affiliate discounts.

• Look for hotels who offer attraction discounts..many offer an attraction package that will save you money on your visit.

• Look for Points Programs...especially if you travel frequently. 

• All else fails- I have had good experience with Expedia.com and Hotwire.com.  

Have a Happy Summer Adventure!

~Becky  

 Becky is the Missouri Traveling Mom, her blog site is Adventures Among Us. She not only shares a unique passion for traveling with her family, but traveling in Missouri. For more of Becky’s adventures find her on facebook Adventures Among Us, or follow her on Twitter @BeckyAdventure.

 

Missouri History Museum, St Louis MO