Day 18 - HOME!

We have completed our tour and everybody has gone their separate ways.

These final two pictures were taken by Eric's mom and was the last thing we did together as a group.

We left a little late this morning because I forget my lunch! My billets brought it to me, which was so nice of them! It was fine, because all we had to do was drive back to Providence. We then took our last stop at Tim Horton's in Kenora and then headed for home. I showed a slideshow of the tour in the SUV. I put it together last night after organizing and compiling all the photos taken by Megan, Justin and Johnny.

We arrived back at Providence at around noon and then unloaded the U-Haul and the SUV. It was so great to be unloading for the last time.

We had one final group meeting, where we shared our highlights of the tour and prayed together one last time.

A fitting end to a fabulous tour!
Thanks be to God.


Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
-Psalm 103:1.

A few more pictures - Kenora!

Hey - Is that Bryce? (Megan's boyfriend!) He showed up at our last concert in Kenora! (Bryce is on the left)



Packing up and chatting after our last show.

Even more entertainment from The Oat Show!

Justin - Drinking through chips!

Day 17: Kenora, ON - May 8

(This picture is from Sudbury, ON - The Band during the show!)

So we are now in Kenora, Ontario. Just a few hours from home!
We performed the last show of the tour tonight.

It was a good show, and a fitting end to a fabulous tour. At one point during the performance Nate and Justin put their guitars to the side, picked up drum sticks and helped Johnny with a drum solo. It was really fun to watch.

I have found myself really enjoying the bands performance. I know most of the words and I have almost lost my voice singing into the music. The better they play, the better I run the powerpoint! It’s funny how that happens! But there are certain parts of their performance that I look forward to. I like it when: Nate and Justin jump in the air, Johnny performs a particularly good drum solo, Megan sings a piece in a particularly moving way and Eric finds a new way to describe where Megan is from. It’s hard for me to believe, but I am really going to miss my daily worship with Aslan’s Child.

Of course, it will be wonderful to be back home and sleeping in my own bed!

There was an extra special guest at our performance tonight – Bryce turned up, just before the end. The College Singers returned back from their tour a day before we did. So Bryce got in his car and drove out here to meet Megan and bring her home a day early. So we have already lost a member of the band, although she will be joining us at Providence when we are scheduled to be back – 11:30 tomorrow.

So there is not much more for me to say. We made it safely from Thunder Bay to Kenora. There was a bit of construction, but it wasn’t too bad. Nate drove today and was great, especially at backing the trailer up to the church in Kenora. Brad and I were sitting in the third row of seats today and played an “Oat Show” game. “Eric’s head is the backboard” but instead it turned into “Justin’s head is the backboard.” It was really fun and the whole SUV got involved by the end.

We are tired, but still getting along. I realized that in previous posts I never kept an update on Megan's voice. Megan's voice returned on Tuesday, so after taking Sunday off and no show in Monday in Ottawa, the band was back to normal. So the show in Sudbury and the one today in Kenora both highlighted the wonderful voice of Megan, once again.

It has been a great tour.

The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and peace at the last.
Amen

That’s it for now…

Day 16 - Thunder Bay, ON

So today was one of our longest driving days. Sudbury to Thunder Bay.

We started the drive this morning with the movie Juno. We hooked it into the speakers in the SUV. It was a good movie.

Eric drove this morning, and then at 2:30 switched with me and I drove the rest of the way.
We arrived in Thunder Bay at around 8pm. Then we went for supper at Boston Pizza. Justin ate an entire medium pizza - It was impressive.

It is really nice to be in a Hotel tonight. Lots of space, internet access and TV!

I don't feel like I have all that much to say except that we are safe and looking forward to being back home.

Highlights:
1 - Megan finishing her pizza before Justin (although Megan's was an individual size, while Justin's was a medium).
2 - Staying in a Hotel!

Quotes:
Megan ate an individual - Eric
Yeah, but I ate 3 people! - Justin

Here are a few more pictures from recent days:

More entertainment from The Oat Show!

This one is from our day off in Toronto - Day 8!





This is an older one, from day 2 or 3! I think Megan won this one!

Day 15 - Sudbury, ON - May 6

Even Megan’s bear needs to wear a seatbelt!



An average driving day today, but we left late. Nate and Johnny’s hosts kept us waiting because their two vehicles wouldn’t start. So while we waited for them the rest of us played Frisbee.

We left Westport at around 10. The drive was pretty uneventful. Nate pretty much read an entire book, we all listened to some Vinyl Café podcasts and some comedy.

We arrived in Sudbury at around 4 and we set up for the show.

The show went well, but we are all tired.

We have a big driving day tomorrow. So please pray for us. We will be driving from Sudbury to Thunder Bay.

Highlights:
1 – Getting closer to home.
2 – Listening to the Vinyl Café.

Quotes:
I eat it some of it, most of it, but not all of it. - Justin

That's it for now...

Day 14 - Day Off in Ottawa, ON

It was a much needed and wonderful day off!

We began the day at the usual-ish time. We met at approximately 9:30 and headed for Ottawa minus the u-haul! We were able to leave the trailer in the parking lot of the church where we played on May 4th.

I drove today, which meant that I was not able to do my usual morning prayer myself, so I asked whether the others would be up for doing it out loud. Everyone was okay with this and so Nate took us through the office. I quite enjoyed this. There is something nice about hearing the office read aloud and Nate did a great job.

Once in Ottawa, I met my former cello professor (who now teaches at the UofOttawa) for lunch, while Johnny met up with his sister and the rest of the band went for lunch and then a tour of the Parliament buildings.

At around 3:00 Eric, Nate and I went to the war museum, while Megan, Justin and Brad went shopping (Johnny was still with his sister). We had a great supper at a small restaurant called “The Rotten Tomato” or something like that. It was really, really good.
And then we found our way back to our SUV and headed back to Westport.

Ottawa was the farthest east that we will be going on this tour, and so we have now officially begun heading back home! The next few days will be long driving days with two more shows squeezed in!

We all had a great time together today and I am looking forward to being back in my own bed. But I am also feeling sad that the tour is coming to a close. For the first few days of the tour I kept asking myself “What I am doing here?” Now I have a much better sense of my place with the group and the ways we interact, and I have surprised myself with how much I have enjoyed the trip. It is a good group and it will be good to end the trip, it shouldn’t be any longer, but a trip exactly like this will never happen again. There will be other trips and other tours, but this has been a unique experience. Thanks be to God.

Highlights:
1 – Rest and relaxations.
2 – No packing of the U-Haul – YEAH!
3 – A great Supper together.
4 – The War Museum and Parliament Buildings

Quotes:
She wasn’t gonna go, then I told her she’s gotta go, now she’s gonna go. – Johnny

That's it for now...

Pictures from Day 10 mini Golf!

I have been promising these pictures for awhile, so here are some highlights in picture format:

Day 13 - Westport, ON - May 4th

Today was our last two-gig day of the tour - Phew.

We all arrived at the first show very early. We were playing for a Baptist Church during their regular Sunday morning service. This was probably the most challenging show because there were very specific instructions and places for the band to play, including parts of communion.

I haven’t been to many communion services at non-Anglican services and this was an interesting experience for me. I am looking forward to being back in an Anglican service, but it was really nice to take communion.

I felt that the band adjusted quite well to the demands placed on them, although it was difficult for them to communicate with each other in the middle of the pieces.

We packed up fairly quickly and then went for lunch at a local pizza place. After this we headed out to Westport for an evening show. This marks the first time we are heading back west and are finally pointed towards home!

The drive went very quickly. Justin and I sat in the third row of seats and chatted about his family and life at Providence. It was a great conversation and I just keep learning more and more about the institution I have recently joined as a faculty member. This is all really helpful for me and gives me a great sense of the needs and opinions of the students.

Megan and Justin discovered an interesting connection today. Megan had been speaking with her dad the previous night. Her dad had been traveling in BC and decided to go to a Provience College Singers concert in Abbotsford, BC. The Singers are currently on a Tour in western Canada. Megan’s dad arrived at the show a little early and began talking to a lady who was sitting near him. She then asked him if the band that Megan was in also had a member whose last name was “Neufeld.” Turns out, this lady was Justin’s Grandma! So Megan’s Dad, who lives in rural Manitoba and Justin’s Grandmother, who lives in Abbotsford, BC met at a Providence College Singers concert in BC! The Mennonite and Providence College world can be so small at times!

The other interesting connection is that we are meeting people who know Tim Perry, another faculty member at Providence. There is a family living in Westport who used to live in the same place tat Tim used to live. So Tim, if you are reading this, they say “Hi”. (I’ll give you their names when I return to Prov!)



By the evening voices and people were pretty tired. The band decided to do the lighter pieces mostly for Eric’s voice. Megan still isn’t able to sing. The show went well and the audience asked the band to play longer. They played two more pieces and then everyone was completely exhausted. All in all it was an exhausting day and everyone is happy for the day off tomorrow!

We are all being billeted at wonderful homes, where we will all be for two nights!

Highlights:
1 – Lunch at the pizza place
2 – Wonderful relaxing places to stay

That’s it for now…

Day 12 - Ottawa, ON

Today we are in Ottawa. This is pretty much as far East as we will be going.

We only have a week left to go, and only four more shows. Two tomorrow, one on Tuesday and one on Thursday.
And around those shows there is a whole lot of driving!

I don't have a lot to say about today. We had a wonderful brunch at the Church in Scarbourough, where we were hosted. And then we got into the SUV a drove. During the drive today those of us in the back two rows of seats watched Spinal Tap. I had never seen it before and it was fitting mockumetory for the tour (because it is about an English band "Spinal Tap" on tour in the USA). Justin and Johnny have been quoting parts of it all the time, and I decided that I should just watch it! It was funny and it sure made the time fly.

We arrived two hours early and so the guys played frisbee in the park, next to the church, while Megan chatted on her cell phone and I walked around and then returned to the SUV and read for a bit.

The church gave us a nice supper of chicken, potato wedges and salad with ice cream for dessert - yum!
We had some great conversations around the supper table today. We talked about gender roles and relationship issues. It was really interesting and funny at times. But it was also honest and I think we all learnt a lot from the conversation.

After Supper, we set up our stuff in the church and then were brought to our hosts houses.

It was a fairly relaxing day and I was happy to have a nice and relaxing evening.

Highlights:
1 - A Great Brunch
2 - Watching Spinal Tap
3 - Having a slow and relaxing evening

That's it for now...

Day 11 – Scarbourough, Ontario – May 2

Rain, rain and more rain.

Today, I think the rain just about sums it all up. After the high from the concert yesterday and the beautiful (although slightly chilly) weather that we have been having, we were all it a bit of a giddy slump. There was tons of laughter today, but also times of exhaustion.

We took our time today driving from Roblin back to Toronto. We sat at a Tim Horton’s for an hour or so before we started driving.

We’ve been taking quiet times in the SUV these days. We normally take about 30 minutes. I have enjoyed this space, even though we are seven in a small space, it gives us all some breathing room.

I have taken advantage of this time to do an Anglican Morning Prayer office. I often look forward to the three readings (Old Testament, New Testament and Gospel) and the familiarity of the Anglican Liturgy. We have not yet played at an Anglican church, and I know that we won’t be! Yet even without the Anglican liturgy, I have still been blessed by the worship that Aslan’s Child has led. There are so many different angles and sides of the Christian tradition and I am reminded of this daily.

For some reason I have had the following part of the Anglican Eucharistic Liturgy in my head all day:

Glory to God,
whose power working in us
can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to Him from generation to generation,
in the church, and in Christ Jesus,
forevermore,
Amen.

I have always loved the line “whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.” The idea that we cannot even conceive of the power of Christ, or the result of Christ within us, blows my mind. It is awesome, scary, exciting, mind boggling and comforting, all mixed together! Thanks be to God!

At lunch we met up with some past Providence students and went for lunch with them at Cora’s. It was fun and the food was excellent! After that we sat in SUV with our laptops trying to take advantage of a wireless signal that was not very reliable. We then stopped at a Long and McQuades where we all tried out different amps and instruments. I even tried an “electric cello” with Justin helping me to work the bass amp. It was fun.

This evening the band played during the opening evening of a weekend workshop. There was a local worship band that opened for them, and then they played before and after a speaker who spoke for approximately thirty minutes. The band (our band – Aslan’s child) finished the evening off with the song “Jesus Paid it All”. It was really appropriate and quite moving.

It really was a great evening and I really enjoyed the speaker. He spoke about Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the things we can learn from her and try to emulate. It is a weekend for youth, but people of all ages were there.

The band played well tonight, even though they felt a little off. Their performances are really quite polished and even when things go slightly wrong they are calm and able to cover so smoothly. Both Eric and Megan are feeling the toll on their voices after 12 shows in 11 days! But they are both handling it well, with the support of the band. Thankfully, tomorrow we only have to drive (there is no show…phew).

Highlights:
1 – A nice leisurely morning
2 – Stopping at Long and McQuades
3 – The speaker tonight and his message
4 – Good, hearty laughter

That’s it for now…

The Oat Show - Video from the "Road"

As I mentioned in a previous post, Johnny and Justin have been creating episodes of a show they call "ESPN 8, The Oat Show." These are quite funny. I have a really good internet connection and a bit of time at the moment, so I have decided to post a few more of these for your enjoyment!

That's it for now...

Day 10 - Roblin, ON - MAY 1

We had a wonderful day today even though, or maybe because we had a late and complicated start.
It all started with me, because my hosts needed to leave early and so I was dropped off at 8:30am at the house where Nate, Johnny, Justin and Eric were staying. I had already eaten and so I knit while the guys ate pancakes and sausages. It looked really good and so I snuck a few sausages!

Once the guys were well-fed we loaded our suitcases and headed for the church to pack the U-Haul. Once the U-Haul was packed we drove to where Megan was staying and picked her up. Finally, we got lost on our way to Brad’s house in Stouffville, but we were only a few blocks away and finally found our way to his home!

After this we had a few hours to kill and so we played 37 holes of mini-golf. It was really fun with MANY holes-in-one. It took a long time, we played from 11:30 to 3:00. I will post pictures, once I get them from Johnny and Justin.

The show went really, really well today. It was probably the best one yet. There were approximately 120 youth there. The band didn't want to stop playing and so they jammed a bit at the end. There was great energy all around.

Highlights:
1 - Mini-golf in Stouffville
2 - The show tonight.

Pictures from the show:



That's it for now...

Day 9 - Bradford, ON - April 30

So, today has been another two-gig day. Phew.

We are all getting pretty tired, but way more efficient. The U-haul gets loaded very quickly these days.

The first gig in the morning was at a school in Lindsay. It was a bit of a rush to get set up partly because I think we were slow after our day off.

At around 11:30 the band began playing for the kids who were from kindergarten to grade 8. Eric did a great job getting the students to clap and stamp the beat, and they really seemed to enjoy it!

We had a nice lunch provided by the school and then after loading up the van we made our way back to Bradford. (We are staying in Bradford for two nights! All except Brad, who stayed at home with his parents!)

In the afternoon we had some free time at Bradford Baptist Church before we started setting up. So I spent a lot of time loading pictures to this blog and checking my email, while the guys played a form of hockey with the tiny hockey sticks they got from the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The church provided a wonderful supper of tacos and banana bread and tarts for dessert! It was really good and it really was no surprise that Justin, or Chief, went back for fourths!

The worship service this evening was very good. A good number of youth were there and they band was able to rock!

Highlights:
1 – Watching the students in kindergarten swinging their legs and stamping to the beat!
2 – The guys really enjoyed playing miniature hockey.
3 – Tacos and Banana Bread.

Quotes:
I have a practical question, are we playing Stonehenge tomorrow? – Justin, in an English Accent (Quoting from Spinal tap)

That's it for now...

Day 8 - Toronto, Ontario - Day OFF (April 29th)

Today after driving for a few hours, we took a well-deserved day off.

We spent from around 1:00pm to 6:00pm in Toronto. I spent some time with my sister-in-law and then mostly sat in coffee shops emailing, blogging, ichatting, getting the news via the internet and drinking tea – YUM. The guys went to the Hockey hall of fame and took a LONG walk to a music store (Megan and I stopped at waited for them at a starbucks!)

For supper we returned to the road and stopped at a Kelsey’s for supper.

All in all the day was good and brought lots of good memories.

I have led many canoe trips in my life, and I often found that at around day 7 things start getting into a real routine. There is a calming sense that this is how we are going to live for awhile and it settles the group. There is a shared routine that is uniquely ours. This feeling is okay, or better yet, it is really good. The group starts to feel comfortable together and each day brings situations and experiences that are both new and not new. Even though we are in a new location every day, there are expected reactions and relations, and this brings opportunities for deeper and more meaningful interactions.

This is where we are on the tour right now. We are starting to really enjoy each other and recognize each other’s gifts. We are also trying to find ways to strengthen the group and the service that we are providing to those whom we meet.

During my morning prayer today, I was struck by the following:

So that they should set their hope in God,
And not forget the works of God,
But keep his commandments
--Psalm 78:7

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
--James 1:5-8

Highlights:
1 - Tea, Tea and more tea!
2 – Johnny and Justin and their new episodes of “The Oat Show.”
3 – Eating out for supper!
4 – Meeting Brad’s mom! (She really is shorter than Brad!)

Day 8 Quotes:
You have a bendy straw? (Eric says to Johnny while he hasn’t noticed that he has a bendy straw upside down in his own drink)

Lady sitting on curb: Did you just try to kick that bird?
Johnny: YUP

Bell Canada Guy: How’d you like to win $5000.
Eric: If it was 6 I’d go for it.
Johnny: Not from you.

This escalator is temporarily stairs – sorry for the convenience – Eric (Quoting Mitch)

Day 7 - Sauble Beach

An average driving day today - 6 hours.
We left around 9:30am and then mostly drove the whole day. Karen drove today.
We stopped for Brad, who had a phone job interview at 11:15 – YEAH Brad!
While Brad was interviewed, we all played Frisbee (While Megan talked to “B” on the phone)

We took a second break at a Starbucks that we stumbled upon in a small town? Yeah! Tea with Soy milk, good coffee and hot chocolate!

We arrived in Sauble Beach at approximately 4:15ish.

We had a great supper – Lasagna, Cesar Salad and Garlic Bread. Then Fruit and Cookies for desert.

For the Concert in the evening there was a good turnout. There were probably 70ish people there! 80-90 % youth.

The reception was great – although there were some old timers who left at the beginning who were not happy with the loudness of the music. But the youth really seemed to like it!

Highlights:
1 – Hearing about pranks that happen dorm at Providence!
2 – Playing Frisbee by the side of the road
3 – Stopping at Starbucks for a good cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
4 – Finally making it back to civilization. (We are finally feeling like there are more people and bigger cities around!

Quotes of the day:
My body is hot, but my hands are cold - Karen
(Responding to Karen) Yeah, my body is HOT – Brad

Hey Eric, why you so crazy? – Johnny
Aaaiihheeeeggggggggggggggggah – Johnny (8:27am)
It hurts… - Johnny

That’s it for now…

Day 6 – Espanola, ON

Today was a two-gig day – Very tiring…

We began in Richards Landing at the B & B and followed the Paster to his church in Sault Sainte Marie. (The Paster was the same person who hosted us at the B & B).
The congregation was very small, but very welcoming. There were 22 people at the church, not including us.
After the service they took us out for lunch at a Chinese Food restaurant. It was really nice and really good!

The band played really well, although in a style they are not used to, a little more like bluegrass! But it went very well.
Johnny only had two drums and a shaker!



After the service in the morning, Megan's magnetic bear was stuck to the side of the SUV!



The second gig at Calvary Baptist Church was for a younger crowd. So the band turned up the volume. This gig went really well. There were approx. 50 people there and a whole mix of ages. We sold out of our CD’s! and they were asking us to sign the CD covers as well as other things!

The band was again asked to do an encore!

Day 6 Highlights:
1 – Chinese food for lunch
2 – Selling out of CD’s.

Day 6 Quotes:
I broke my car twice in the past year, but different cars - Brad

That's it for now...

Day 5 - Richard's Landing, Ontario

We had a long early morning drive. We left Timmins at approximately 6am, although the guys were late.

We drove 6 hours along a racetrack-like road through the wilderness. Brad drove the whole way and had to avoid partially washed-out roads, fallen trees and wildlife.

The band played at Spring Folly, a youth retreat happening in a town called Desbarats.
It was a great gig because the band could play loud!
Johnny broke four drum sticks, Nate just about lost his guitar while spinning it, and the teens were jumping all over!

Nate was so exhausted that he took a nap on his cab.



After the gig we stayed for supper and then headed down the road to a bed and breakfast.
It is beautiful here. We have a beautiful view of Lake Huron and we were able to watch the Montreal - Philadelphia hockey game.

We are all doing well and are looking forward to a good sleep.

Day 5 Highlights:
We saw three Moose today.
We are staying at a wonderful Bread and Breakfast in Richard's Landing, ON.
Johnny and Justin cuddled while watching Spinal Tap in the squishy third row of the SUV.
Karen finally finished all her grading with a little help from Brad and Justin.

That's it for now...

Day 4 Timmins, ON - 2

Today was a fabulous day.

We met at the church at approx. 9am. The concert was in the evening and so we spent the morning shopping and doing errands. I bought an alarm clock, some batteries, allergy medicine and finally found a place where I could buy a tea with soy milk! (We found a great coffee shop in downtown Timmins!) Nate bought some pants, Johnny a shirt and I'm not sure about the others.

In the afternoon, some of the ladies from First United Church arranged for us to go on a tour of an open pit gold mine. This was incredible! The company uses these HUGE dump truck to carry the rocks that will be separated from the gold. These trucks have wheels that are at least twice my height (I am 6'7") and each wheel costs $20,000. I was somewhat terrified It was stupendous. The current pit is huge and in order to build the pit the company moved a road and part of a lake! THEY ACTUALLY MOVED A LAKE! (and cottages as well according to my host!) These mines have a huge environmental consequence, but at the same time there is a clear plan to fill the mine and replace the top layer so that it can be returned as close as possible to the original land. The destruction and mining operations were beautiful and cool even in this incredible movement of rock and soil.

Below are some pictures! We all had to wear blue hard hats, even while we were driving in the bus.





The concert tonight was also incredible. The band played really well and they even played an encore! We sold six CD's!
Our hosts have been really good and we have had some wonderful meals.

All in all it was a really good day. We will be getting up early tomorrow to be on the road by 6am! So, good night!


Day 4 Highlights
Wearing blue hard hats and visiting the mine was definitely a highlight!
Drinking Earl Grey tea with Soy Milk was a highlight for me!
Johnny fell down half a flight of stairs, but was fine - so I'm not sure if this was a highlight or a relief that he is ok.
Johnny got a haircut.
Johnny also had his head caught in a power window - a little scary, but also funny - once we knew he was fine!

Quote of the day: "Is that Gold too?" - Nate

That's it for now...

Day 3 Timmins, ON - The Home of Shania Twain

Today was a long driving day.

After loading the U-Haul, we began driving in Murillo, Ontario at 9am and arrived in Timmins at approx. 7pm.
Eric began and ended the drive today, while I (Karen) took a four hour shift in the middle.

The road from Thunder Bay to Wawa was great and beautiful. However, the road from Wawa to Timmins was rough in places.

We arrived in Timmins with very hungry bellies and were welcomed with a wonderful meal.

Tomorrow we will be spending the day touring around Timmins. We are hoping to take a tour of a GOLD mine and are debating seeing some Shania Twain landmarks...I'll let you know tomorrow. The show isn't until the evening, so we won't start setting up until after all our sightseeing!

Highlights from day 3:
We played a bit if a road game today where we each told a story that was true or false - we all heard some amazing stories!
We saw a wolf crossing the road and LOTS of ducks.
We also saw tree after tree after tree. It was a long road.

Forgotten Highlights from day 2:
Johnny began hosting his own show "ESPN 8 - The Oat show" on Justin's camera, highlighting made-up sports in the SUV. The first was a sport that involved bouncing garbage off the back of Eric's head. The second was a form of frisbee in the third row of seats and the final involved keeping Megan out of the car (while we were stopped for lunch). They were all highly entertaining. The first is posted below!

That's it for now...

Day 1 and 2 Stratton, Emo and Murillo

So far, the band has played three times in two days. They have done a great job.

The band has a great dynamic and I am impressed with the ways they work together, especially in the set-ups and take-downs.





This is all new to me and I am trying to take it all in!!!

Nate and I had a great conversation about some readings today and I thought I would place them here for others to ponder:

For from the greatness and beauty of created things
comes a corresponding perception of their Creator.

Yet these people are little to be blamed,
for perhaps they go astray
while seeking God and desiring to find him.

For while they live among his works, they keep searching,
and they trust in what they see, because the things that are seen are beautiful.

Yet again, not even they are to be excused;

for if they had the power to know so much
that they could investigate the world,
how did they fail to find sooner the Lord of these things?
- Wisdom of Solomon 13:5-9

"No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. They pay attention to how you listen; for those who have more, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away."
-Luke 8:16-18


Also, as the band was playing tonight in Murillo, a banner was hanging behind them and it read:
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
-Psalm 19:14


A few highlights...
Day 1
We met Nate's dog (and roommates) in Warroad, Minnesota.
We ate great curly fries at a restaurant in Emo, ON.
We spent 2 hours in the US picking up Nate and shortening our drive from Otterburne, MB and Stratton, ON.
Johnny rolled out of the restaurant in Emo, ON.

Day 2
At lunch while the guys were playing frisbee, Eric missed and the frisbee hit his forehead.
Eric Broke a string on his guitar and knocked down his mic. But he handled it all very smoothly!
We missed a turn, but managed to find our way anyways.



That's it for now...

An Adventure?

Okay - so I am officially a roadie.

Yesterday I began an 18-day tour with a band called Aslan's Child.
I have been trained as a classical musician and I teach Music Theory, Composition, Cello and other classes at Providence College, where I am a member of the Faculty. I have never been in a band like this, although I have been on many tours, but mostly with classical ensembles!

There are six members of the band - who are all students, or newly graduated students.

It has been a tradition for Providence to send out four tours every year to different parts of North American (and they sometimes go overseas!).

I am a new faculty member (I started in August 2007) and last November I had this brilliant idea that I should get an idea about the touring, as it is somewhat associated with the Music department. I want to know how I can better support this ensemble and Providence as a whole. When the students audition for the ensemble, the understanding is that they will go on tour, they cannot opt out.

Well, in the last few weeks, as the term was careening to a close and I was loosing my head trying to keep up with grading, final exams, graduation preparations and other things, I was wondering if my brilliant idea was actually even a good idea. I was tired and ready to start my summer projects, but here I am and I am glad the be here on tour.

It is the second day of tour and myself and the band are in Murillo, Ontario (just west of Thunder Bay).

I am hoping I can keep you up-to-date on our whereabouts and the adventures that we are having.