So I am just going to send out a warning in the beginning-- this could be a long post (not that my others haven't been!) Plus this may be my only post until Thanksgiving- my computer cord is fried so my laptop is dead. Luckily the hotel we are at now has a computer for guest use, but its super slow and the keyboard is really sticky (so another warning- there could be more mistakes than normal!)
Now that that is out of the way, I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to read my blog! I am so blessed by the people in my life! I know that I have people all across the country that love me and care for me! And I care for and love all of you too! I am so blessed!
So the last time I wrote I shared about my technology fiasco. Well since that day we have been pretty busy. Last Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday we had double school days. Most of the days we had to drive 30 min. to an hour in between our shows as well. Other than that first morning, all the shows went well, but man we were tired afterwards. At the end of each day we had to drive 2-3 hours as well in order to get to our next location. Now, there are several teams that have had much crazier schedules than we have but this was our first time of having this much. I am grateful to have busier days, but we did not feel like doing anything once we got to our hotels!
All of the shows were in different places in Northeastern Kansas. Thursday morning was one of the earliest shows we have had. The show started at 7:40a.m. which meant that we arrived at our school a little before 6a.m. Now really that is only 20 minutes earlier than several shows that we have had before, but its felt SOOO much earlier! I got a good laugh that morning though. As we were setting up a police officer walked into the gym and said to me "So I'm guessing that white van next to the curb is yours? I got a call about it and was looking in it and stuff." I guess one of the bus drivers called the cops because there was a mysterious van parked outside of the middle school at 6a.m. As I was walking to park it in an actual parking spot I asked the cop if he was normally at the school in the morning or if he was specifically called because of our van.... he was specifically called for our van! We drive a white creeper van as we call them. During training we had heard stories about things like this happening so it was bound to happen sometime right? At least people are watching out for the students. As I was walking to the van I just kept laughing! It made my morning!
Then the next day, Friday, our morning shows got started early which meant that we were packed up and on the road early. We were literally in the middle of nowhere so there weren't any restaurants that we could go to in order to waste some time. We decided to simply drive to the school. We ended up getting there about 2 1/2 hours early. Several times we already get to our schools early, making sure we have enough time in case a problem arises or whatever, but this time it was just too early for us to want to go in. We didn't want to burden the school by going in, but there wasn't anywhere else to go. So we parked and just read and hung out in the van. Five minutes before we were planning on going in to setup, an older gentleman came to my window and asked if he could help us with anything. I smiled and said that we were just wasting time but we were there to set up their assembly. Someone within the school had seen us pull in and mentioned that we were just sitting there. I mean it totally makes sense if you see a creepy van with people just sitting inside of it in a school parking lot to question what was going on. Its just funny that it happened two days in a row! Dorina and I are really intimidating I know! :)
That afternoon school was really nice though. We had some students help us setup. They were a hoot! It was a group of all upperclassman guys who were just glad to be out of class, but at least they were helpful at the same time! By the time we were done setting up, Dorina and I had a little over an hour to wait until the first show. Honestly it was hard for me to be patient because after our presentation we were headed to spend the weekend with some of my friends near and at Barclay! I just wanted to get there! I just kept reminding myself that we were there for the students and all went went.
As we were waiting we met the principal of the school. He was a sweet man but definitely seemed a little scattered. About 30 minutes before the first show he asked us if we had eaten lunch. We said no and he was like "Why didn't you say anything?!?!?!" We said we were used to it and he was like "You don't get used to that! I'll go see what we have left!" It was very kind of him and of the school. Right after we ate he sat down with us and told us about his family and stuff. I love the personal interactions! After our two show he, along with some students, helped us tear down. It was one of our faster tear downs; I was grateful because we were headed to Barclay! The time had finally arrived for us to drive there!
My weekend was amazing and so refreshing. God knew exactly what and who I needed. I felt kinda bad for Dorina because there were so many people that I wanted to see and talk with and I didn't want her to be bored. We both have experienced this with each others friends! Friday night we stayed in Pratt, KS which is about 20 minutes away from Barclay. God's timing is amazing and I know it wasn't a coincidence because this weekend, the only weekend that would work to drive through this way, was also the weekend of Judgement House. Judgement House is a walk through reality drama (not a haunted house!) that touches on hard, real life situations that people face and it ends with talking about the realities of Heaven and Hell. Since the first year they did it, 3 years ago, I have helped in one way or another. The first two years I acted and then last year they flew me out there from Oregon to lead worship. I was bummed that I wouldn't be back this year, but I was! When I got there Friday I ended up seeing a good friend, also one of the leaders of the production. I ended up having the ability to be an extra in one of the scenes a few times, I went through the actual drama, and then I just walked around and saw lots of people. It was wonderful!
Friday evening and Saturday morning were spent in amazing fellowship with my friend Pam! Saturday morning we stayed in our pj's until 1:30p.m. We just talked, laughed, and relaxed. It was so nice and rejuvenating! After getting ready for the day, Dorina and I then drove out to Barclay! I saw so many people that I love! When we first got there I went and spent time with my former roommate Elisa and her husband. We talked, walked to the coffee shop, and walked around Haviland. Simply talking with people is so energizing for me, especially people like Elisa and Cyle!
Afterwards I went over to Becca's house, my roommate before Elisa. I am so blessed by her friendship and how God has molded that! That evening one of our friends was playing at the local coffee shop so we went to go listen to him. I hadn't seen him in either a year or two. He was also the leader of a missions trip that Becca and I went on in 2007 to New Orleans. It was great because there were 5 of us there that night from that trip. We just sat and reminisced and laughed! Its amazing to see how God is still working in us through that trip.
Sunday was incredible but it felt very scattered because I was able to see so many people. I was able to go to church, eat lunch at the college, and I had a wonderful friend drive in from Wichita (about 2 hrs) to come spend some time with me as well! It was busy but at the same time very refreshing! After spending some more time with Cyle and Elisa I went back to Becca's house for dinner. We had such a good/lazy but meaningful evening! Becca, her husband Darin, and I ended up playing the game Sorry. Halfway through I was laughing so hard that I had tears rolling down my face and my stomach hurt! I have missed days like that. Who would have thought that a simple game like Sorry would bring such a reaction.
Monday, unfortunately the day we had to leave, I woke up early to make breakfast for Becca and say goodbye before she left for work. Despite the waking up early part, it was awesome being able to actually make food again (you don't get to do that in hotels often!). Granted it was simple, but it was still fun! The rest of the morning I spent talking with more people. I went and saw the former president of the school as well as one of my pastors from Ohio who had since moved out to Barclay. I also attended Spiritual Formation, one of my favorite classes. Its funny that I graduated but I still sit in class when I visit! I was still taught through it so therefore it was a good thing for me to do! Before heading back to the van and leaving, I talked with a professor about the Masters Program that Barclay is starting this coming fall. Who knows?!?!
I know I basically just went through my schedule for the last week or so, but it was such a good week. It was really hard to leave Barclay, but at the same time I was so refreshed. Not only was I refreshed because of getting to be around people that know me, but I also felt spiritually awakened! I left renewed and I am so grateful. God knew what I needed last weekend and he definitely provided!
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