What Mr. President...? No I don't know what county I live in!

Oops...I guess it's been awhile since I've updated this thing. Sorry ya'll. Life has been so busy. To make a long story short...I was able to come home for a short bit... really the entire reason I came home was to go to the State Fair of Texas. No one knew I was coming and still some may not even have realized I was home. I did not get to visit everyone because the trip was so fast. It was fun to be random and spontaneous though. Those are my favorite kind of trips...the unplanned ones.
I flew back into Buffalo, NY and that is where I met up with the choir. It was the day they were crossing the border so once they made it across the border...the entire bus just picked me up at the airport. Once I got in the bus... Barb told me Terese was coming back early from her holiday so we can go to DC. I must have had a puzzled look on my face because she said.. "didn't I tell you about that?" But I think the expression on my face answered that question for her...because she proceeded to tell me that we are scheduled to sing at an International Summit where we will meet the President.


So that was really neat...the following Monday we drove from upstate NY to DC. We don't generally have trips that are that long... but the kids liked ridding in the bus when the sun went down and of course eating McDonalds. So we arrived and my two roommates Erin and Rachel...happened to be driving through DC the exact time we were doing sound check for the event. They were able to meet the kids and hang out just for a bit...I was so excited that some of my friends finally got to meet my choir.


The next day to add to the excitement was the actual performance and afterward a picture with President Bush. That man has at least 16 body guards. We were all taken to a back room and put into position to wait on the President. Four police officers came in and left…I guess to start the car. A few minutes later 8 police officers with big bullet proof vest and large black bags walked in and following them was President Bush and behind President Bush were 8 men in suits and ear pieces. The President came and greeted the children and talked a bit then took a few pictures with us. After the pictures he chatted with us again. He asked were the children were from and then Auntie Susan told him that Stacie and I were from Texas. Now my dad had told me if I get to talk with the President to make sure I tell him I’m from Iredel because he would know where that’s from. So President Bush asked me “where in Texas?” Being the obedient person I am I told him “Iredel…DeSoto” Oh goodness are these places even close to each other….um…no! Anyways…Iredel seemed to ring a bell so he asked me, “What county is that in?” Oopss… I told him… “You know if you hadn’t of asked I could have told you but I can’t think of it right now. It’s on the tip of my head.” I told him it was 50 miles from his ranch…he then asked, “What direction?” Did I know…no I did not…I stuck out my arm and pointed and said “that direction.” Then I said “it’s by Hico, Stephenville, in that area.” He said, “Okay you are west of us.” I said “sure” The he finished by saying, “that’s good country I can’t wait to get back there.” It was really neat just to be able to talk with the President for a little while.

Our last place to stay in New York was Rifton, NY at a place I would equate to a Amish Community; except they had electricity and cars, but they lived in community and no one carried there own money. They shared everything and I know to us that sounds a bit weird and awkward. But I have to say I really enjoyed staying with them. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Plus everyone had their own responsibilities and chores they took care of. The kids after half a day of school then did crafts. Not the take a paper plate and draw a cute smiley face on it craft...no no... crafts like basket weaving or other crafts that can really be used. The boys learned how to farm. It was just a really neat atmosphere...I wish we could have stayed longer.

We are now in Virgina and making our way to North Carolina where we will have a bit of a break and maybe some downtime.

One Year

It's already been over a year since this crazy road trip began...is that not amazing! I think so...

Over the last few weeks we've done some pretty neat things. We took the kids to see Niagra falls. That was a lot of fun. We went on a boat ride, Maid of the Mist, it took us right up to the falls. I'm not going to lie I was a little nervous...when there is water hurling down at who knows what rate over these massive falls and some guys voice on the intercom on the boat telling you the water is 180 ft. deep please do not get to close to the edge...it's not an easy feeling but it was a lot of fun.
After Niagra we headed to Toronto. Being in Toronto was a busy time for us. The kids sang at an event called OneXOne...it's a non-profit organization that helps countries around the world. Something like that. We arrived in Toronto and stayed at the fairmont hotel...I saw Sawyer from LOST when I was walking through the Lobby. We arrived at the venue and walked the red carpet. Once by ourselves and the kids sang a song, again with Matt Damon and then the last time with John Legend and Wycliff Jean. If you are like me you are probably wondering who John Legend and Wycliff Jean are....they are apparently really popular R&B singers. The kids sang with a 14 year old girl her name is Nikki Yonofsky...she was amazing...the kids also sang with a group called the Canadian Tenors...they were also amazing. Probably my favorite people from that evening. They really seemed to enjoy the time they spent with the kids...they were a lot of fun. We of course overwhelmed everyone in the swimming area...when we all walked in with 26 children in tow...we cleared the area out really fast...which was fun for all of us. The chlorine in that pool was so high...my vision was blurry the rest of the day.


We also took the children to the Canadian Parliment...that was pretty neat as well. It was quite impressive...that was in Ottawa, ON. While we were there we got the kids to stand in front of the parliment building so we could take a group shot. But apperantly everyone else wanted a group shot with our kids as well. People would just come hand their camera to their friend and stand behind the kids. It was crazy we really had to wait a few minutes for all these random people to leave and stop taking photos so we could take our own group photo...is that not nuts!
A quick story: the other day Terese was leading devotions and the story talked about mopeing around. She asked the children do you know what it means to mope? Faulanta raised her hand and stood up and said "Yes, Auntie it is when you have that stick with the white stuff and the end and you clean/mop the floor" We all had a laugh at the cuteness of that. We have such great children.

We have now done over 200 concerts and have another 2 coming up tomorrow...on the road again..

Assurance!

It’s true! We are just a couple of weeks shy of the one year mark! Boy! How time flies. This time last year I had just arrived home from Uganda and was busy tying up lose ends and home; preparing for my departure with this amazing group. What an amazing adventure it has been and continues to be.


In the course of the last year we have…not even the last year let us start in February when the choir was in Port McNeil, Vancouver Island. Since that concert in Port McNeil we have driven through, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, dipped down into Maine driving through Vermont, and come back through New Brunswick and are currently in Nova Scotia. On August 8th we were in North Sydney, Nova Scotia; this is as Far East as we could go. On that day we had officially traveled from the Far West of Canada to the Far East a spanse of 2970 miles. That is not all the traveling we did however for in each province we zigzagged and covered the distance of 10,996 miles and that is just since February! During these travels thus far we have put on 181 concerts and we still have 55 or so to go!

It is an amazing feeling and indescribable comfort to know you are where you are suppose to be. Last week I had the opportunity to go down and sit by a river with a friend. We sat there and just listened to the water as it rushed over the stones beneath. After a few minutes of sitting and thinking she asked me, “what are you thinking about?” My response, which was exactly what I was thinking about was, “I wonder how many people have said or can say, ‘they don’t want to miss a moment of their life.’ They wake up with a since of purpose and not wanting to miss anything that the day has in store. Even if things are not always perfect they know they are where they are suppose to be and can not think of anything better to be doing in life. Because that is where I am.” Indeed friends and family that is where I am.


Sometimes I have thought to myself how can I have such a peace and joy. I live in a bus with 8 other adults and 26 children; I am a nomad. Tour is not always the easiest life, but I have found it incredibly rewarding. As I have had these thoughts of how can I have such peace and joy in the midst of sometimes being incredibly exhausted, I came across this line in a book written by John Piper. “Therefore, this man of INDESTRUCTIBLE JOY was ‘a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.’” (Isaiah 53:3) I am not saying I have had much sorrow or grief while on tour…quite the contrary but there are those times of growing and being stretched. When I first read this it seemed to be an oxymoron; indestructible joy and grief. Then I realized the since of joy and peace that I have is not based on my circumstances or surroundings. The since of joy and peace that I have is firmly based in the Lord and the assurance I have in Him and where He has me at this time in my life. It reminds me of when Ester was told in Ester 4:14 “ For if you keep silent at this time relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” If I had not joined choir 30 this tour would have still gone on as planned but my life would not be the same. All the things the Lord has taught me while on tour and the way He has stretched me and made me grow would not have ever happened. The Lord has placed me on this tour at this time ‘for such a time as this.’ What an amazing feeling! What an Amazing Lord!


Now I would also like to tell you some things we have done over the past month or so. We stayed in Gananoque, ON. The house I stayed in was right on the beach! The girls and I got to ride sea doos and go fishing. (I just had a nice little chat with my Papa on the phone; just thought you all would want to know that). The rod and reels we fished with were open face rods and I am normally no good with them. But I wanted to have one good cast...so I threw it out there and I'll be if a Pike did not jump on the end of that line! (I'm trying to write in a Texas accent) It was the biggest dad gum fish I had ever caught! Lots of fun! After the fishing adventure we traveled down into Maine. I had my first lobster! We went to a 'resteraunt' right on the coast...the boats where tied to the dock we were eating on. Sarah, who was the detail person at this church, took some of us out for lobster. She took me around back and we ordered a medium lobster. They pulled Mr. Lobster from the tank and sat him on the scale. The next thing I knew Mr. Lobster was Mr. Red, dead and on the plate in front of me! It was an interesting experience...can't say lobster is my favorite but I had fun trying it. At this same church there was a family who raised shetlin ponies. So they brough two of their full grown ones and a 2 month old out for the kids to see. All the kids got to go for a ride in a wagon pulled by the horses. They also were able to take the baby for a walk. The baby shetlin was as big as them...he would run and then the children would run while holding on to the rope that was leading the horse; thus they would just go in circles and I would laugh.


This morning we were on breakfast television but thankfully it was not live so we did not have to be there at 7! We got to sleep in till 8 and arrive at 10 or so. And that's about it for now!

Tour Life part 2

It's been a month since I arrived back home to tour! I really do have two homes...one is stationary in Texas...the other is a giant bus that travels across North America. Being home increased my passion and love for tour all the more.


Being home for holiday was great...but I realized how much I miss these kids and love tour life. I can't think of anything better to be doing in life that what I'm doing right now. Maybe a week after I was back, we sang at a church that planned a soccer game for us with a local city team. Someone donated uniforms, the real deal uniforms to all our kids plus all the chaperones. Shirts, shorts, socks, the whole sha-bang. Our boys plus Enid played against the team while the rest of the kids cheered. It was so much fun. Our kids had never played as a full team together before...but they really stepped up to the challange and tied the city team 3 to 3. It was a lot of fun!


About a week ago we had a week off at camp. It was great! The weather was finally hot enough where I could wear shorts and tank tops! I even got a little tan...that's right tan not burn!!! (Read it and weep Cass...;) ) We went canoeing, swimming in the lake, played soccer against the camp counselors. Which again the boys and Enid tied 6 to 6! We were at camp for two very important dates June 30 - July 5. The two dates being July 1st which is Canada day and July 4th which is of course independence day. Jacob asked me what the difference between the two were. I explained that Canada day is to celebrate the day Canada was recognized as a country. Then I explained that Independence Day was to celebrate America receiving it's Independance after a war. He asked something along the lines of why did Canada not have a war. I explained the Canadians don't like to fight! Jacob asked...why don't Canadian's like to fight...I told him to go ask Uncle Vic...whose from Alberta. Uncle Vic had a little laugh and then sent him back to me with some sarcastic remark that escapes my head right now! For the Canada celebration we had a firecracker show...I would not call it a firework show because they were not big at all. It was a bunch of bottle rockets and roman candles stuck in the ground...but the kids loved it and I at least got in some fireworks for the holiday!


Now we are in Brantford, ON. Just moving right along...I'm enjoying tour life even more now being back on tour after holiday. I have decided to spend more time with the kids and host families before ever getting on the internet and it has really payed off! I've enjoyed all the more the time I have with the kids and have really met some neat people in the host families.

The Holiday!

Oh where to begin...where to begin....? I'm back on tour in Canada now...One month ago today I was in the air an hour shy of landing at the DFW airport...can you believe it's been a month. It feels like yesterday that my vacation began.


Mom's party went smashingly...(I really just wanted to use that word)...the party was amazing! Everyone came...friends as far back as elementary and jr. high. Joi and Alex showed up early to decorate and Bonnie and I picked up some extra decorations ourselves...Mom walked in and did not realize the party was for her until she saw all her friends she grew up with in the room. She then threw her purse on the box that I was hidding in and went around and hugged every person in the room. After things calmed down, she was shown the video I had made. (I made a video while on tour and used a few of the kids to sing happy birthday and tell her I was sorry I could not be there but that I had sent a gift and Aunt Joi would give it to her) She turned and Kyndell and Alex lifted the box and out I jumped with a dozen roses my dad had bought...she was so suprised!!! (There are videos of this on my picture site... www.picasaweb.google.com/amandareed84) She had to touch my face to make sure I was really standing in front of her...it was great!!! I am so thankful everyone was able to make it!


Day 3 was spend the day with my niece day!!! She has grown so much and is so cute! She is a chunk...she turned one while I was home. That was great to be able to be there for my Mom's 50th and my niece's 1st! I took her everywhere with me...we went and spent time with Kelli and her two kids that evening!


Day 4 was Ranch day with the girls...two of my favorite days of the year. (We try to go twice a year) Bonnie, Cassie, Estes, Erin, Rachel and Myself all loaded up in my truck and headed for the Ranch. Dad of course went down there ahead of time and cooked for us like he always does...it's always fun to have my dad there with us! We rode 4-wheelers, went fishing...Erin, Estes (i think) and Cassie all caught a little something...Cassie's being the smallest of all...;) Made our traditional Iredel run...however to all of our dismay the gas station we always go to was closed...it's such an old gas station I don't think the pumps go up to $4.00. So we had to drive around to find Dublin DP and ice cream...no place had good Dublin DP like the Iredel gas station however. Of course we played a game of darts as well...


I pretty much stayed busy the rest of the time I was home...parties, graduations, catching up with people and spending time with family... a lot of time with my niece!

I was suppose to leave Monday June 9th however there were storms in Texas...my flight was delayed and I got to spend an extra night in Dallas. Mom and I met Cassie and Nathan and went to see Kung Fu Panda...to take advantage of the extra night. I thought the movie was funny.

Tuesday I woke up around 5 am to began my trek back to Canada...borded a plane for St. Paul/Minneapolis around 8. Around 1 I borded another plane for Thunder Bay Ontario...this plane looked like someone had taken two fans and placed one on each wing...I made it safe and sound though. I actually like the smaller plane better than the big one...boy am I backwards or what?

Marci our choir manager, who was visiting our team for the week, picked me up at the airport and brought me back to the church where the kids were. They were in the middle of testing so I did not want to disturb them. I tried to go in the back door...there was no good back door. Peter saw me through the window and yelled "Auntie Amanda!!!!" That was it for testing, I walked through the door and 25 children jumped on me at once! 25 because the 26th Jerome was doing flips under the table! I was greeted with hugs and laughter as well as many many stories... "Auntie looke at our new summer clothes." "Auntie I behaved so well while you were gone" "Auntie have you seen my new summer shoes?" "Auntie today is Harriet's b-day" Auntie this Auntie that it was so fast paced... Then the question came. I got sun burned while I was home...shocker right?...so my skin was still peeling when I came back to tour... "Auntie what is wrong with you skin?" "Auntie you have a lot of dots on your face." (referring to all my freckles) "Auntie was your mom suprised?" "Auntie how is your niece?" It was a great day...because then after I arrived all the staff went out for a staff night out...where we went to eat and went bowling. We even 5 pinned bowled...it's a Canadian thing...the bowling ball is smaller and does not have any holes...and there are only 5 pins...hence the name!

Now I'm back into the groove of things...settling back in...it is great to be back and it was great to be home...I enjoyed every minute of it!!!

Piapot...where in the world is that?!?!

I will tell you where Piapot is my friend...it is close to the end of the world in Saskatchewan, Canada. We drove from Saskatoon, SK to Consul, SK on Tuesday. Piapot is close to the end of the world, Consul is at the end of the world. We had to stop and use the restroom...the first place we stopped was what looked to be an out house...I did the recon work; to find it was an old water pump shed. On down the road we went till we came to Piapot. We drove around there was about 20 houses and that is being generous...we could stop no where else but the towns maintanence hall. Uncle Vic went in and aksed if they knew a place we could take 26 children to the bathroom. The man told him "there is one pot in this town and it's here" So off all of us came to make our pit stop in Piapot. They did say they actually had two but that one was real dirty...so the boys braved that and went there. It was quite an adventure... Then it was on to Consul, SK.


Consul, SK...is smaller than Iredell, TX for those of you who have heard of Iredell. Consul is less than 100 people in fact in town there are 67 people. You can stand in main street and yell for someone and they will come running. It was a lot of fun. Barb, Terese and I decided to go for a little walk from the church to the ice cream shop...(it took two minutes). We walked in and they said "well here they are right now" I did not know these people at all but they sure knew who we were and they bought us ice cream...I did not mind that at all. The people who ran the ice cream shop ran about everything else in town as well. I'm not joking...it's the type of town where the police chief is the fire chief, mayor, pastor and town council all in one. It was a lot of fun though. They were really nice people.

A week ago we were in Edmonton, AB. Edmonton is home to the worlds largest mall...it has an indoor theme park (whith decent rides I must add) many stores, an aquarium type place, a seal show, and the largest indoor water park in the world. We had our staff night out here and we also took the kids last Thursday!!! They got to ride roller coasters for the first time in thier lives...it was a lot of fun. Some of the kids opted for a more tame ride but most chose the roller coaster and for a small child it was a pretty decent roller coaster, let me not lie. I went with three girls, one screamed throughout the entire ride...I don't don't think she took a breath...one screamed through most of the ride and the other did not make a peep but it looked like her eyes were about to pop out of her head...they all loved it!!!

After the roller coaster we went to the water park. I was quite impressed by the water park...it had many slides like Wet'n Wild does. It even had bungee jumping as well...I thought about jumping...but don't worry mom I didn't...we did not have enough time! Most the kids stayed in the wave pool...but a few of us went down the slides. One of the slides we went down made even me a bit nerveous. We would slide straight down hit a bump and fly there were three or four of those bumps....it was a lot of fun...

Oh yes I have a funny story to share with you... For most of our concert we have people come who are from different countries in Africa. I love it, most the times they whistle and clap and keep the concert jumping while the westerners just sit in the seats...not all westerners but most. Anyways we had a concert last Sunday night...and there was a group from Tanzania (that's for you Bonnie Bonnie) sitting behind us. At the beginning of the concerts in the middle of one of our songs this siren noise begins to go off...I grabbed Barbs leg and looked at her like are we going to get up and start making our way to the exit door...I thought it was the fire alarm. Then the noise died down and stopped and I realized it was the lady sitting a few rows behind me...I began to laugh...so hard...I think I might have cried...it was so loud.