Only 9 days in?

My tour director told us that we were only 9 days in, 4 of which were spent training, yet it felt like we'd been doing things for decades. Not in a bad sense but it just feels like we've done and been through so much already.

Yesterday we went to the Atlanta Braves game courtesy of Tim Hudson. Though the kids didn't quite understand the game of baseball they had an awesome time dancing, hooting and hollering. Many other memorable moments included doing the tomahawk chop, starting a wave that went around the stadium 3 times, watching the kids crack up at the kiss cam, getting on TV and eating Varsity chili dogs and chili burgers before the game started.

This week has been filled of running errands before our tour really starts to take off come this week. Flu shots and dentist appointments aplenty.

It has been my first stay at a host home and they are great people. It is crazy to think that within the next 3 months i'll be in the different homes of 35+ families.

I must say briefly though that in the midst of being a parent staying in a host home and making sure kids are sticking to our Daraja code, things can get tough. Whoever said parenting wasn't easy was not lying. So as a prayer request, i'd appreciate some prayer for wisdom in difficult situations and for me to find the appropriate words to use at those times that are strong but also loving and full of grace.

Too tired to put up pictures but much love to you all.

One down... thirty-six to go...

The Daraja Children's Choir rocked the house at the Youth Specialties LA conference. These kids have an incredible ability to lead people in worship! Oh how I wish you could all get the chance to watch them perform and meet them! Check this little clip out...

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=141485677871 (And for the record, that incredible singing voice you hear is not part of the track but amazing vocals from our choir director!)

We'll be flying back to Atlanta tomorrow morning but, this first concert on the west coast seemed to peak a lot of interest so there is the possibility that next year a choir will tour the west coast! (And possibly Sunset Church? :))

Side note, I hope this doesn't sound like me begging cause it's not. But I just wanted to say I love getting to chat with you all and because i'm usually on the east coast, timing is different so we may not get the chance very often even though I love hearing from you guys. So, I think I enabled it so anyone can leave comments so feel free to leave them because I really do enjoy hearing from you all and it's nice to know i'm not just writing in a blog no one checks, haha. Much love.

They're here!

Our team and the kids landed safely in LA! Let the adventure officially begin!

I'm coming back Cali!

Meet the kids at LAX tomorrow morning!

(Okay okay, we didn't actually have to bring this luggage to LA... but nifty ain't it?!)

Thank goodness God's in control...

So much to share with you all but so tired... so i'm gonna keep it short and sweet.

Monday was travel day. And it involved a bit more travelling because not only was I on a 5 hour flight, but it was then followed up by an 8 hour drive, which was supposed to only be a 2 hour drive.

Why you ask? Because of this... (sorry it is not so clear)

What you see in this picture is water inching closer and closer to the road. Yep, that's right. It was a monsoon, flash flood and thunder storm filled day of which my teammates who live in Atlanta said they'd never seen the likes of in their lives.

We spent Tuesday preparing ourselves, as much as we could, for what the tour would be like. I quickly learned that our preparation could only be to a certain extent just because there are so many things that'll be outside of our control while on tour. And of course to relax during the break, we did the typical thing of practice our cupid shuffles, cotton eyed joes, waltzes, rumbas and swings. Worked up a sweat!

Now we're all just training to do the roles that we have while on tour and getting things together as best we can before we head out to LA Friday to meet the kids and to get ready for our first concert there on Sunday.

Check out the joy on CJ Palmer's face as he and I counted out, folded and bagged over 500 cards.

Just for the record, I'm hoping to blog at least a couple times a week, but we'll see how things are as the tour picks up. I'll promise to blog at least once a week though.

Things i'd appreciate your prayer in:

- Letting God hold the reins. There's so much I wish I had control over but just won't during this tour and I know that I need to understand that I can't, but He can. Pray for me that I get this and begin to really trust Him.

- Personal time with God. To make sure I am constantly setting aside time in my day to spend in His Word, listening to Him and talking with Him. You can even check up on me with this. :)

Much love.

What I have to look forward to...