Renewal

One of the chaperones on my team always says that red is the colour of death, that's why the leaves on the trees turn red and fall off. But, I've decided it means something better. It means renewal. Being on the West coast, I've gotten to see the colours of fall in a much more vibrant way than I think I ever remember seeing. The red, gold, orange and brown all mixed together creates so much beauty. I was thinking about how needed it is for those leaves to change colour and fall to the ground. The tree would not survive if it wasn't able to go through the renewal process. It goes dormant through the winter and then when spring arrives, it begins the process of regrowth.

I've had a rough few days, but I think I'm just going through a bit of winter. My mind needs to go through a process of renewal. Watching the leaves change colour and prepare for regrowth has reminded me that I can never just think that I have reached the place God wants me to be. There will always be areas that need to be renewed, improved. Fall is my favourite time of year and being here in Oregon has certainly solidified that for me. I want my life to be as beautiful in the renewal process as creation is. I know that in these next few months, I'm going to grow and change more than I ever thought possible. God is reworking my heart to be prepared for those new lessons he's going to teach when my heart is ready for the growth.

Endings and Beginnings

It is strange to me to know what an end will be like when the I am really just at the beginning. Choir 32 is getting ready to wrap up their tour and soon the chaperones will be heading to their homes and the children will be returning to Africa. As I read their blogs and look at their pictures, I think about my brief time with them and I know that I was forever changed just from being a part of their lives for those 2 weeks. I think about how it must feel to be preparing to say good bye after over a year of touring as a family. And I realize that before I know it, my turn will come.

Tonight we are sleeping in a gym...everyone together in one big room. This is our first big sleepover. Amidst all the chaos and craziness of getting everyone showered and ready for bed, I realized that these opportunities are not going to be around forever and that I need to make the most of it. As I sit here writing, all my children are sleeping soundly in their sleeping bags, and soon the rest of the chaperones and I will join them. Before they went to bed, I got 23 hugs and when they wake up in the morning, I will get 23 more. I am reminding myself not to take those for granted, because in just a few months time, the reality of those hugs around my waist will only be a memory.

I have become....

...a mom.

And here is why.

In one day, I pulled out of my purse a frog toy, three training bras, and love notes from my kiddos. I am the proud "parent" of 23 children. I share them with 7 other adults from 4 different countries. AND I wouldn't trade this experience for anything.

Oy vey :)

Choir 35 Family

I am thankful for...

1) A family that is so supportive
2) New friends who understand what this new life is about
3) Children who love unconditionally
4) Host families that give of their time to house us
5) A niece who sends me text messages
6) Pumpkin pie
7) Skype dates with far away friends
8) Blackberry Messenger
9) Leaves that are turning colour
10) Wi Fi
11) A home on wheels
12) Days off
13) Moments of revelation
14) Pandora Radio
15) Chai tea

My new favourite conversation

On the way to our host's home in Marysville, I was sitting beside Reagan in the car. He takes my hand and turns to look at me. And he says, "Auntie, we need to talk." First of all, that's funny. So serious. Then he says, "Before you came to tour, we stayed six nights, four nights, five nights...then you came to tour and we stay one night, one night, one night. Auntie, I am going to send you back to Canada and I'm going to be tour leader. If I need you, I will call the number on my bracelet." Bahahahahaha! So I tell him, "If I go back to Canada, I won't have the phone." Then he says, "Then I will phone Auntie Marci and she will call you. Uncle Vic will take you to the border in the bus." Ah, he cracks me up.

Then today he told me he changed his mind because we will be having a three night stay. I guess he loves me after all!

A trip to the Dentist

I am amazed at all the ways God brings blessings. BIG Blessings! We were able to take all the children to the dentist - all 23 of them and the 2 African Chaperones. It was so great. Dr. Mills did everything - he cleaned their teeth, did fillings and extractions and even did a root canal. He donated all his time. The children have been having trouble with their teeth, so it was really great to get them into the dentist. We couldn't have asked for better timing. It is the beginning of tour so we are now set to go. I don't think some of them would have lasted much longer with the pain in their teeth.

The children were such troopers. Some of them were really scared, but they still sat in the chair and had their teeth cleaned. It was strange to see how much they trust us. A couple of the children asked to have us sit with them while they had the work done on their teeth, but most of them seemed to know that we were doing this for their good and they went in with no problems. I'm so proud of them!

On the Road...Finally!

It's been a busy two weeks and I think I'm finally getting the hang of this thing called tour. Life on the bus is going to be interesting, but I think I'm going to really enjoy it. I am getting to know our children and the other chaperones and I'm realizing that this year is going to be about relationships. It doesn't matter how much paperwork I need to get done or the detail calls that need to be made - if the relationships fall, then so will all those other things.

It has been wonderful to be back with the children. I am so glad to finally be back into the thick of things. I truly enjoyed my time in BC, but I'm glad to feel like I'm being productive and that I actually have a goal to work toward. I arrived with the choir on September 1 and we've been going full steam ahead since then. I had a wonderful time in Monroe, which was my first host church. My host family was amazing. They were so warm and inviting and they blessed me so much. I was blessed to use their vehicle for the week which made things so much easier as we were without our bus. Alesha and I were able to run errands and not feel like we were imposing on someone. I did get lost :) But thankfully Robin was able to guide me back to my host home - an hour and a half after I left the church after the concert...oops!

Since Monroe, we've been to Seattle, Wenatchee, Moses Lake, Hayden Lake and we're currently in Spokane. We'll be here for a few days. I have had great host family stays and I'm enjoying seeing the children interact with the American families that we stay with. I am proud of the way they have been adapting and when I stop to think about it, they are doing an amazing job. My children are only 7-10 years old and they are doing things that I would have never thought possible. They are very adaptable and willing to try new things (well, most of them!). We have been overwhelming blessed by the churches we have stayed with. They give so much to the children and the chaperones. We just had a church donate 23 Children's Devotional Bibles and the children were so excited. We also have had people donate toothpaste, toothbrushes, water, lotion, books and many clothing items. I am always amazed when we ask for things on our wish list, how quickly we have been blessed in receiving them.

On Labour Day Monday, my host took me and the 2 girls I had for the stay to the Seattle Aquarium. It was so much fun. Amy and her 3 girls also joined us. It was a blast to watch them as they discovered all the creatures of the sea. They enjoyed it so much.

Now that we are in Spokane, I get to spend some time with Marci, my choir manager. She is going to be moving on from the ACC, but I'm so thankful that we were able to have this time before we make the big switch to David. She is an amazing woman with a huge heart for Africa. I love her and have learned so much from her in the short time that we have been friends.

We are still praying for Mel and Vic's Visas to be granted. They are the last link to our team being complete. I can't wait for them to join us. I am being stretched in ways I never thought possible and joke that our team is so flexible we are practically contortionists! We are learning to adapt to every possible situation and it is amazing how much you can actually give when you don't have any other options.

I am grateful that God's strength and grace continue to be poured out. There is no other way we could do this. Even when I am tired, God's strength is there to carry me through. Such an amazing blessing.