3 more venues

Missions Organization Venue (Billy Graham Library) All day long it seemed like we would be in for rain and possibly thunderstorms at this venue.  All day long I received cancellations due to illness or scheduling conflicts, too. I tried to not stress about it, but to pray for clear skies and a good turnout from the kids signed up to sing. My prayers were answered.  As I drove out of SC into NC to meet my husband at his work so we could go to the BGL together as a family, the rain ceased. It did not start raining again until we crossed the border again into SC to go home.  Our group gathered behind the library to go over everything before singing. Every one was there by 6:10 --there wasn't as much as traffic because of the threat of rain--so we used the time to practice some of the less-sung carols. We had about 25 singers--they sounded great. I even left my comfort zone and 'fake' directed the kids in their warm up. I think that was more for my confidence than for theirs, because they warmed up their voices just by going through a few carols.  We gathered at the music tent at 7 and 8 to sing for 30 minutes. Even though there weren't a lot of visitors that evening to the BGL, I think everyone who heard the carolers were impressed and blessed by their music. Our contact, Elizabeth, remarked at how gifted the group was; she was impressed that everyone was homeschooled. She also mentioned their good manners and behavior.  As I listened to the group sing, I was reminded of my impressions when hearing them sing at a CYC concert; you could see how much fun they were having, how 'in-tune' they were with each other, the camaraderie and respect they show each other. About half way through the 2nd set, one of the front row guys got the hiccups. Every once in a while it was picked up on the mikes. He took out his water bottle (crackle, crackle on the mike) and took a few swallows, then continued to sing. The singing continued throughout--there were just a few glances around and some smiling facing as the kids heard the mike picking up the small sounds. At one point, I noticed one of the girls missing from the singing faces. I saw her brother turn and look down, then look up and continue singing. Eventually she stood again in the back row and sang. I wasn't too concerned because I felt that her brother would have helped her if she had fainted or been dizzy because he was right next to her.  I was right about him helping. She had a nosebleed, and sat down on the riser. One of the singers handed her a couple of tissues (a guy--these guys are just awesome!). Then her brother took out his pocket knife, pulled his t-shirt out from under his dress shirt, and cut off a square of fabric to hand to her! All this was going on while they sang carols! All I can say is: these kids are just awesome! I love hearing the full sound they have when they are a large group. I love the servant-leader traits they exhibit toward one another and toward those they come in contact. I love the desire they have to do their best and to bless others. Missions Organization Venue As a chaperone to both of these venues on the same day, I must confess that this was a low point day for me. I was very tired the day before, not feeling great, so starting the day early for the SIM venue (we had to be there by 8) was not my greatest desire. Then, upon arriving, finding out that we actually weren't on the SIM calendar did not reduce my weariness. But God knows what will bless and encourage, and He used our unscheduled presence to bless the employees of both SIM USA AND SIM International. He worked it all out for us and the kids came away thinking it was one of the better venues of the season! They were able to carol throughout the office building, surprising the employees after their morning prayer time, after a meeting, as they stopped to listen between phone calls, etc.  Our contact at SIM prayed with us before we caroled; she was excited about springing our 'surprise' caroling on her fellow employees. She called SIM International and arranged for us sing for them, too (a few miles away in SC). The people there served us hot tea and hot chocolate and cookies. They were so appreciative of our caroling.  I learned too, that I wasn't the only one tired; many of our singers had been to the midnight premiere of The Hobbit! I could hardly believe the level of commitment these teens have to Dickens: they were singing at an early morning venue after having only a few hours of sleep, and they were happy to serve and minister even with a glitch in the planning. I think that is what makes working with this group of young people so richly satisfying and edifying: their resiliency, their energy, the underlying love they have for what they are doing and why they are doing it.    Senior Living (Nursing Home) Venue Ok--this venue was hard--there's no way around it. We didn't really have enough singers; it was a mid-afternoon venue; my family who were involved were tired and a bit grouchy; and at the end of it, we saw on the news that young children were killed that morning in their school classroom. Usually when we're done a venue, we leave on a high note (pardon the pun), but not after seeing the TV as we passed the reception room. One of our sopranos (we only had 2) was late in coming so we had to start without her. We had only one male voice--a bass--who did an amazing job singing his part. We asked the listening residents to join in with the carols, and that seemed to help our singers get into the mood of singing. We actually had a fair amount of men listening to us (that is somewhat unusual for nursing home event) and they were singing with us, too. I thought that was a sweet providence since our male voice was all alone.  We were asked to sing for the alzheimer's unit down the hall. Some of those residents also sang along. There were smiles on their faces so we knew we were blessing them with our carols.  I know the Lord uses these experiences to remind us that singing for Dickens isn't about us and what we get out of it. Serving isn't really serving if it's done only when we want to do it, or when we give only what we want to give when we want to give it, without a thought for how the Lord would use us.