Day 9 -- Lineville, Al. to Forsyth, Ga. via Alexander City, Al.

It's really here......the final day of Choir Tour 2008.

We have experienced so much together in these past 8 days: sickness & health, laughter & tears. We've learned more about old friends and made new friends. We have seen, felt, and experienced all God had for us on this trip, and we will never be the same.

Finally got all the group together for a shot at Lineville.

J.T. isn't sure all this will fit.

Some get to the church on time.......and wait on the others!

Our bus boys are seriously underpaid!!!

We gathered for our last morning devotion.

Glenn looks out over his chicks.

Laughter is always a part of this group.

I'm so glad God can use 'cracked pots' too!!

J.T. always made folks feel welcome & right at home.

The crowd at Alex City enjoyed talking with our youth.

Rachel found the only baby in the whole place.

Our Pre-service gang was a hit wherever we went.

Glenn & Linda making a few adjustments to the program.

Chipper always enjoyed the concerts!

Our youth enjoyed talking with the kids.

There were enough little ones to go around.

Glenn............feeling the power!!

Our final concert.......Alexander City, Al

The audience loved it........even the kids.

Afterward, they fed us lunch.

Chipper was the only one still long enough at the pool to have his picture taken!

Ms. Linda's final money duty!!!! (she said, "Whew!!")

The officers passed out awards on the way home.

Chipper & his........Dad?!?!?

Day 8: Harriman, TN to Lineville, AL

Day 8: Awareness Day
We woke this morning to a beautiful sunrise in Harriman, TN. Some of us were in host homes on Watts Bar Lake and saw the sun rise over the lake. We all met back at the church for our Love's Appeal devotional time led by Darrell, then began our drive to Ruby Falls in Chattanooga, TN.
We had a picnic lunch there, then loaded up the bus and headed South towards Lineville, AL, for our evening concert at Lineville Baptist Church. This is the church where Glenn served as a music minister before he came to us. He didn't seem too nervous about "going home." All the Greggs have been looking forward to this reunion with old friends.
The concert was beautiful. And, the kids are going to have some great stories from their host homes here. This is the day that the youth really began to be aware of all that they have learned.

Emily played the prelude tonight and made her Daddy proud!

J.T. plays one of Glenn's favorites -All Day Long!



Some of Glenn's former youth choir members joined our choir for the Benediction.

Day 7 -- Harrisburg, Va to Harriman, Tn

A good breakfast at Eastern Mennonite University and good devotional time will help us through this day with 2 concerts.

By this time on tour......suitcases are getting harder to close!!

We traveled just down the road & unloaded at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community.

Talking with the residents before the concert.

We have great youth!!

Lance made sure everyone felt welcome.

The Pre-service gang waits patiently behind Ms. Linda

The sopranos are ready to begin!

Glenn waiting patiently for the choir to realize he wants to begin!

Kimberly and Denise taking a moment!

The residents loved the concert.

Mary Kate takes a breather.

Looks like it's contagious!!!

Glenn................Karaoke?!?!?!?!

We finally arrived at South Harriman Baptist Church.

Friends were glad to see us!!

Fellowship with friends!

We always have a devotional warm-up before the concert.

The altos give it their all!

The choir is in top form tonight!

Miles & Rachel concentrating on their music.

The high bells are fun!

Handbells are always a favorite of the audience.

After an early breakfast and our Examen prayer time led by Josh, we gave a concert for a full house of the residents at the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community. The residents seemed to enjoy the music and appreciated the youth being there.
Back on the bus after the concert, everyone sang Happy Birthday to Hannah and settled in for the long drive to Harriman, TN. Darrell led our quiet time. We stopped for lunch at an Arbys/Dairy Queen at 2:30ish, and finally arrived in Harriman around 6:15 p.m. for our 6:45 concert. Whew!

Glenn was happy to display his fine youth choir for his former choir director and his seminary friend, Sam, who now serves at South Harriman Baptist Church. We also met Diane's brother, who so graciously does our choir tour shirts for us.

Day 6 -- NYC to Harrisburg, Va via Allentown, Pa.

Everyone anxiously waiting for a chance to see or meet someone famous at NBC Studios.


Exhaustion has set in. We woke early this morning for a swift stroll to NBC Studios to see the Today Show filming. Some of our crew actually got a little face time on the show. Several of us also shook hands with Today Show host Matt Lauer and Meteorologist Al Roker. It was both thrilling and tiring. We had to stand in the fenced enclosure for nearly three hours after waking at 5 a.m. and hiking several blocks there. The security guards wouldn’t let anyone sit down.
After that, we had a couple of hours free time to divide into groups and find brunch. Food options are varied and numerous in NYC. We finally loaded the bus and headed South towards Allentown, PA, and the Lehigh Valley Hospital. It took about two hours to get there, which allowed for a little naptime before the concert. The adults were grateful. Lehigh is the primary critical care hospital in this area and they were very gracious to our choir. We set up the risers in an open area between a Starbucks kiosk and the doorway to the diagnostics area. There was nowhere for anyone to sit, but this area got lots of walk bys, who lingered through the concert. We were invited for pizza and ice cream in the hospital cafeteria. That was a great treat since we knew we had another 4 hours on the road and would have a lupper, or late supper in Harrisburg, VA.
The drive to Harrisburg didn't feel so long because the scenery through the Shenandoah Valley was beautiful, a reminder of our Creator. We also had our quiet time, and watched a thought-provoking movie called “The Ultimate Gift.” We found a great buffet for lupper and everyone crashed tonight from exhaustion.



That Chipper is one well-traveled duck!


Wow, we watched Al do a live weather update.


Glenn helped everyone warm up at NBC in case the camera pointed our way.


The youth watch the Cry Baby Musical dance routine being filmed Rockefeller Center is in the background.


Back at the hotel, everyone is waiting for the bus.



Denise and Kimberly must've shopped until they dropped.