Six kids, a dog, 4 duffle bags, backpacks, sleeping bags, and pillows were piled into the van this morning at the lovely hour of 6:15am. Abbey, Marley, Payton, and Ethan are off on their first Testify youth choir tour to Ohio!
After everyone arrived, Susan gathered everyone in the church for some “pumping up” time…devotion and prayer, plus a couple of songs (well, they ARE a choir…)
Even after nagging…I mean reminding them about the main things they needed, someone still forgot her pillow. Here she is happy that her weary momma drove back home to get it for her.
After making sure I got hugs from all, they boarded the bus and we waited to wave goodbye. The littles entertained themselves by lovin’ on their friend, Jackson.
I won’t lie, I got a little choked up and teary after walking back to the van. It’s hard to let your kids go THAT far away without you for 6 days/5 nights. I’ll be praying a lot :) I know they are in good hands, both physically (all the chaperons and counselors are fabulous) and spiritually…God is ALL over this tour, and I can’t wait to hear how He moves in the hearts of these kids and in the people they encounter.
June 19th, 2012 at 5:29 pm
My prayers were started way before today for this trip. In fact I have people at my church praying for the safety of all of those going on the tour. My prayer is that all of them will have a great and Godly time and that God will send a host of guardian angels to watch over all of them and bring them home safely.
You were a very good Mom to go back home to get a pillow for Abbey….. especially that early in the morning. I can understand all the kids going that early, but why Jack????
Praying for you too that this week will be a week for you to “catch up” some and to spend some extra time with the littles.
June 21st, 2012 at 8:38 pm
Gotta admit, they do look sleepy….especially Abbey & Payton, but I’m sure they came “alive” soon after the bus left. What a great Mom you are to go all the way back home to get Abbey’s pillow…I’m SURE she appreciated that!!
I copied the list of the towns in Ohio for their concert schedule. I got out our large Atlas and it looks like they’re scattered all over Ohio!
I’m sure that I would have done the very same thing….got choked up and teary eyed, even though you know they’re in “good hands” and that they’re going to have a wonderful time. Tomorrow is Friday already, and they’ll be back home on Sunday!! We’ve been saying prayers each day for their safety. We’re extremely proud of all 4 of our grandkids for spending a good part of their summer to testify in such a special way…and making very special memories.