A few days with the fam...

The last two weeks found me crossing hundreds of miles from Tremont, IL to Chicago, to Atlanta to Salt Lake City, to Idaho, to Eastern Oregon, to Portland, to Medford, to San Francisco, to Vegas, to Memphis, to (hopefully) Louisville, KY (if this plane ever gets here). I have enjoyed a whirlwind vacation visiting many friends and family. In Tremont I was able to spent two quality days with Maria (a dear college friend), walking in the cornfields and enjoying small town life. In Chicago I wandered from favorite coffee shop to favorite restaurant to favorite hang out places with Rachel and Heather (more friends from college). What a nice treat to just walk around Chicago and enjoy it with friends without worrying about homework or getting back to school. In Boise, Idaho I got to see my great grandmother and grandpa who I haven't seen in several years. My family met me there and we embarked on a long roadtrip. After meeting all my dad's cousins and other random family members and seeing all the places my dad remembers from growing up in Meridian/Boise area we headed to the little town of McCall where I got to have breakfast with Ralene..another dear friend from school. There I had the biggest pancake and cinnamon roll I have ever seen in my life. I wanted to spend some of my vacation sitting on a dock by a lake and I got my wish in McCall (for about 40 min). It was nice while it lasted. We headed from McCall to Joseph, Oregon where we have dreamed of backpacking for years. None of us are really in shape to backpack right now but we went on a short hike to get a magnificent view of Wallowa Lake. There we stayed with friends and got to explore the small town where people still leave their doors unlocked and trust each other. From there we headed to Portland briefly and saw several friends.....you know who you are and it was SO GREAT to see you! On the way home we stopped and I got to see Josh (my big little brother) at Camp Tadmore where he is working for the summer. I can't believe they can get him to wake up at 6 every morning and clean toilets until lunch. Unbelievable! On to Medford for 3 days where I caught up with friends and family and enjoyed sharing stories and pictures with my church and all the people who have been so supportive. My wonderful sister woke up at 3:30 this morning to take me to the airport and I have been on three flights and am waiting for the fourth..to get me to Louisville, KY to meet up with my team who I miss so much! I better wrap this up before the internet times out....Ang

Help Stop the Sex Slave Trade

Dear Friends,

Perhaps you are aware of the horrendous business of the sex slave trade in countries such as Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Thousand of young girls are being forced into prostitution and sold for their bodies. I have long had a burden for these girs and lifted them up in prayer, but have not had a way to directly be involved. This week I was talking to my dear friend Maria and found out her friend's cousin is doing something about this. She has written beautiful songs and made a cd to help raise money to stop this sex trade. I have purchased this cd and am very moved. I would like to encourage you to check out the website (http://www.canyouhearus.org/), read the stories behind the songs, buy the cd, and most importantly spread the word to your friends, families, and co-workers. This is something we can do to help. 100% of the proceeds from sales of the cd go to organizations like Shared Hope International and International Justice Mission. Please spread the word...we can do something to stop this.

A brief update from Tennessee...

The internet has been sparce lately. My apologies for the lack of posts. So much has happened that I would love to share too! The past few weeks have been a blast. I have fallen even more in love with Tennessee than I was before. We spent three days in Franklin right around the corner from New Hope Academy, where I taught last year. I so enjoyed being able to show the kids were I taught and walking around downtown made me so happy.

We recently took the kids to the Memphis Zoo, which they LOVED...and so did I :) I've been to a lot of zoos in my life, but I really really enjoyed this one. My favorite quote was when Gilbert asked the lady that was working in the reptile are how they feed the giant python. She replied, "We just open the door and throw in the pig." PIG?!! I wish you could have seen Gilbert's face. I was pretty shocked too.

This week my friend Mark, who is teaching up in Canada, did a fundraiser with his class. After hearing about the African Children's Choir all year, one of his 4th graders decided to put together a fundraiser. The kids did a drive in movie and sold snacks at the school. The whole class called me during the fundraiser to say hello and they passed the phone around and talked to 5 of my girls. I haven't heard the final number, but when they called they had raised almost $500 and the principal had said he would match what they raised. All the money is going toward helping to build a school for my kids to go to when they go back home to Uganda. I am so excited to see how far reaching the impact of these kids and this program is. It truly blesses my heart to know that a group of kids in rural Canada loves my kids and is raising money so they can go to school.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support that allow this ministry to go on and change lives, one child at a time. We wouldn't be here without you!

A day in the Life

I made a few notes in my journal the other day about my daily activities and I find them quite humerous actually. I thought I would share with you what a somewhat "typical" Saturday looks for me:

8:30am: wake up, get the boys up, work out on the eliptical machine in my host's basement while the boys get ready

9:00 -breakfast, shower, play with the boys

11:00-arrive at church and leave for next destination

11:15- riding on the bus listening to Gilbert sing 'Walkin on Sunshine' on one ear, while Jackson sings 'Old MacDonald' in the other ear. Lydia is writing a letter and asking me how to spell things like pot roast and violet. Hanny is sitting next to me asing how to spell his siblings names. How should I know?! Mo has his face plaster to the window, looking over my left shoulder for FedEx trucks.

11:30-nap on the bus

12:30-Starbucks pit stop for aunties and uncles (where we get our happy juice as the kids say)

12:45-Listen to TobyMac and send up a prayer thanking God for where I'm at and the amazing life He has given me.

1pm-Bathroom stop for the kids (and me!). 10 minutes of sunshine while the kids do flips in the grass and throw paper airplanes.

1:45pm-The children spontaneously break into song-singing Worthy is the Lamb.

2:15-Arrive at church in Nolansville, TN-children play outside, chaperones set up concert, church people volunteer to wash the bus-whistling while they work!

5:30pm-bird poops on my head-luckily I was wearing Patrick's ballcap!

5:45-Pizza with host families

6:30-Dippin Dots and dance party :)

7:30-showers at host home

8:00pm-sing Bless Yaweh and How Great Thou Art and pray with girls before bed.

8:15-chat with hosts

9:00-Watch Slumdog Millionaire

11:30-Bed. zzzz.......

Of course every day is different, but this was a good day :)

Back in Franklin!

Some days I just marvel at God's goodness and the way he works things out. Today I couldn't help but thank him over and over again for the most marvelous day imaginable. For months I have been looking forward to coming back to Franklin, Tennessee. A year ago when I finished my student teaching here I left New Hope Academy with tears in my eyes hoping and praying that God would bring me back. Now here I am! Many of my students, parents, and teachers from the school came to our concert last night and it was such a blessing to share my children with them and show them what I have been doing. Today, God blessed me with a car to drive and I was able to meet up with many former students, teachers, and parents from New Hope. Thanks to those who came out to see me!!! I so enjoyed catching up with everyone, sharing stories, and laughing together. I'll always feel at home here.

After a great afternoon with friends I was able to take Laura and Patrick to see The Grand ol' Opry and the Opryland Hotel. We had a blast and I so enjoyed sharing with my new dear friends this place that became so special to me last year.

A sweet story from tonight: My friend Mark has been teaching up in northern Canada this year. He has shared with his 4th and 5th graders all about the African Children's Choir and they have made a project this year to learn all about Africa and how they can help. Denna, one of the girls from the class, has written up a proposal and the class is now having a drive-in movie fundraiser next month to earn money to help with the building of the new African Children's Choir Primary School. I just got off the phone with Denna...she called all the way from a remote area in Canada to ask me all kinds of questions about my kids and what I am doing with the choir. This little 9 year old is so curious and is learning so much about helping people she doesn't even know. I am so excited to see kids all over the world being touched by the choir and recognizing how they can help children in other parts of the world who are less fortunate. God is at work! This is a public school and most of the students don't even know Jesus. It's amazing to see how God works! Thank you for being a part of this ministry. It is more far reaching than you can ever know.

Because it is 11:28pm and I haven't blogged in awhile...

11:28 pm...I could go to bed...or I could blog. Hmmm. Well I'm not tired so let me just give you a glimpse at the last few days :) Firstly, I must just say that I am SOOOOOOO excited to be back in Tennessee!!! A year ago I was living near Nashville, teaching at New Hope Academy and loving my life. Then I applied for the African Children's Choir and life took an exciting turn. After all the places I have traveled and all the people I have met along the way I still love it here in Tennessee and I miss the poeple here. Every church we have been to here has been wonderful. The landscape is beautiful and I just feel happy to be here. In two days we head to Brentwood where I get to see so many familiar faces and I can hardly wait! Who knows what God has in store for my future...but I kinda hope he brings me back here.

Tonight I had an apartment to myself with three of my girls and we had a BLAST. After eating dinner and going for a pleasant walk we did a little role playing. The girls colored pictures for me..the first was a bouquet of flowers which I am supposed to use for my wedding, then some shoes...a dress..and finally a picture of my prince charming. After all the wedding talk we decided to put on a wedding of our own. I pulled up some wedding march music on my computer, got out my shawl and we took turns playing the bride, prince, and pastor. Of course I got it all on video and it's hilarious. I hope you get to see it someday :) What wedding would be complete without a little beat boxing at the end? Ours that is...Rachel, our host is an R&B singer and she taught the girls how to beat box last night so they have been practicing. I laid aside any shyness tonight and broke out into my best (and first) attempt at beat boxing ever. The girls thought it was absolutly hilarious. Of course we got video of that too. There is no denying it now. I tucked them in and we spent some time in prayer. Now I sit listening to the thunder and rain outside, counting my blessings and thanking the Lord for a great day. I love going to bed feeling happy, content, and blessed. Signing off for now....Angela

Mo's FedEx Moment

I believe I have mentioned before about Mo's obsession with FedEx. I don't remember when or how it started. All I know is that he can spot them from a mile away and always yells "FedEx!" when he sees one. He has been keeping count of how many he sees for a long time. For a long time I have wanted to find a chance to get a picture of Mo with a FedEx truck. Today...by a miracle orchesrated by God's hand the most incredible thing happened. We decided to stop at CVS pharmacy on the way home so I could pick up a few things. For some reason we went to the one by the house and not the one by the church. Mo came in with me to hold the basket while I shopped. As I was checking out I didn't notice a FedEx man walk in behind me to deliver a package. As I'm wrapping up my transaction I turn around to see Mo chatting it up with the FedEx guy. He turns to look at me and asks if he can show Mo his truck. Seriously! I was shocked. Faster than I can say yes, Mo has hopped up in the back of the truck and the man is showing him all the packages and explaining his job and how he delivers the packages. The man could have had no idea he was making a dream come true as he posed for some pictures with Mo. I tried to explain to him how much Mo loves FedEx and that he's from Africa. He was was so wonderfully kind. Mo has been on cloud nine all night. He's walked around non-stop saying, "this is such a blessing to me. This is the best day of my life!" Never in my life did I expect that seeing the inside of a FedEx truck would make my day, but you better believe I was just as excited as Mo because I know how much it meant to him. Wow...sometimes you have to stop and enjoy the small things in life.

Transition

After several days without email access, I am enjoying a leisurly day off at Panera Bread, catching up on emails and such. I have to say Panera has become one of my favorite hang out places. Cinnamon crisp bagels, hazelnut coffee, chicken frontega sandwiches, free wi-fi? What more could a girl ask for? :) I will happily eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner here any day!

Transition is probably the word that would describe these past few weeks most accurately. Steve left for vacation, Lindsey came back, Andrew went home for good, Lindsey became tour leader, I took over concert speeches again, and tomorrow we go from Georgia to Tennessee! I can't wait to get back. I only spent three months there, but in some way it feels a bit like going "home." It's a familiar place full of people I love and miss. Not only are all the adults going through many changes, but the kids, in addition to experiencing changes with their aunties and uncles, are growing up and going through many changes of their own. The boys are beginning to talk about growing beards and a few are very concerned by the fact that they are growing hair on their legs and toes! Even after explaining how normal that is they insist on plucking it and asking the aunties if they can shave it. Haha. 22 pre-adolescents on the road makes for some pretty interesting conversation sometimes. I'm sure there is much more to come!

Thank you so much for your prayers as we continue to serve the Lord and these children through many transitions. The team is doing well. Lindsey makes a great tour leader and we look forward to what God will do in the near future in and through us. Please continue to pray for wisdom, health, safety, energy, and God's provision for my financial needs. In faith we live and move and breathe!

My favorite magic show

Iv'e never been THAT impressed with magic shows that I have seen over the years. Maybe I sat in awe as a kid at the "amazing" tricks that were performed before my eyes, but I certainly have no recollection of it. It's true that sometimes it doesn't matter you are doing, but rather who you are with. This past week a wonderful host from a church here in Georgia invited a Christian magician to come in and do a show for the kids one evening. I had to smile when he showed up with his magaicians garb, his big beard, and a parrot on his shoulders. I was actually pretty impressed with the guy...and of the course the kids were in awe. Some of them weren't too sure what to think. When he threatened to turn Uncle Steve into a frog Lillian burst into tears and had to leave the room. I eventually coaxed her back and I think she enjoyed the rest of the show. I was glad he began the show by explaining that he is a Christian and what he does is not actually magic, but just tricks. He produced a chinchilla from a box, and a rabbit from a hat. He brought a parrot out of a pan and turned our beloved Uncle Steve...not in to a frog..but into a super hero..of sorts...Chicken Nugget Man to be exact! The kids LOVE chicken nuggets, so of course they burst out laughing. I have to say it was my favorite magic show ever....

CHANGE

I have thrived on change for as long as I can remember. One more reason why I viewed this position with the African Children's Choir as a perfect fit. CHANGE and FLEXIBILITY has certainly been key words for me these past 9 months. I still enjoy the change of scenery and all the things that make life interesting, but I do now recognize and value the importance of staying put sometimes and resting. It's amazing how much can change in one month, one week, one day, one hour, and one moment. I'm constantly reminded that God holds us in the palm of His hand and the blink of His eye things can change. I'm reminded of the verse that tells us that we can't know what is going to happen tomorrow so we musn't assume we will. God brings people to a place for a season of their lives and then he moves them on. Sometimes I'm grateful for this and sometimes it is so hard to say goodbye. Friday we are saying goodbye to Andrew, our tour leader (and friend) of the last 9 months. He has been a great spiritual leader, challenger, and friend on our team. God blessed us with his leadership and we appreciate Him so much. It's sad to say goodbye, but we know that God has called him elsewhere at this point. With Andrew gone Lindsey will be filling in as tour leader and I will be taking over speeches in the concert and media spots again (for at least awhile). Pray for our management team as they seek the Lord's guidance in making a decision about a new leader for our choir. Pray also for the kids and the team as we adapt to the upcoming changes. There are a lot of role changes and we need each others support.