It Was A Risk Worth Taking!

Last week Chelsea and I were coming out of 

the Christmas Tree Shoppes store 

when we were met by two Asian men.

They were smiling and issued an invitation

and tickets to an event scheduled for last evening.

The smiling men said it was a Christmas Cantata

produced and performed by a Korean 

Choir.  They assured us it would be well

worth our time.

There wasn't a lot of information about it

other than a large photo book with lots of 

writing in Korean....

which I pointed out that I couldn't read....lol.

I did notice that it was to be held in the smaller theater owned

by Sight and Sound and was fairly certain they wouldn't 

allow anything to happen there that wasn't at least safe.

Interestingly enough, I felt compelled to accept tickets 

for Warren, the moms and I.

Now, remember, the Moms were in Guatemala

at that time so I had no idea what they might

say about going.

But, knowing my Mother's love for other cultures

and especially the Korean people I thought she

would be interested for sure.

You see, when I was a teenager,

we taught Sunday School in a Korean church.

I remember those enthusiastic and smiling 

faces....so earnest in song and when listening to 

the lessons.

We knew of the talent that was possible.

I could only hope that this was something wonderful...

or at the very least tolerable.

Well, it was definitely worthwhile.

The choir rolled into Lancaster yesterday morning

with two semi trucks, several vans and cars....

their bus had broken down in Minnesota.

They set up stages and worked out lighting.

They tuned instruments and ran through their

program on a new stage.

Then we arrived.

We were greeted over and over again

and directed to our seats.

Right up front!

I would be thankful for this later.

Then the program began.

With some teen dancers.

It was cute.

We thought that we could sit through

an evening of aerobics on the stage.

The music was happy Christmas music.

But then came the first of five sets.

An orchestra and choir.

Now, before this had begun the emcee had 

let it be known that every sound we heard was 

live....no recordings of anything.

So...it only now occurred to me that this means 

the choir was singing for the dancers and that the 

orchestra was playing even then.

In our world of recorded music I just assumed

that they were dancing to "canned" music.

There is no way for me to explain to you 

the professionalism of this group.

It was beyond anything I have witnessed live.

The tones were perfect.

Absolutely perfect pitches, breath control and 

instrumental expertise.

I told Warren on the way home that I am not 

easily star struck to the point of wanting to meet 

someone...but I really wanted to shake the hand of the 

conductor.  WOW!!  The music genius there.

Oh.my.goodness!!

They shared the Christmas story in a way that was beautiful

and touching.  I couldn't help but notice that I had never 

seen an all Asian cast performing the Nativity before.

It was beautiful.

They sang songs of hope before and then celebration

after the Christ child was born.

Children of the group members performed

two very adorable dances.

Bringing smiles and laughs by their

antics and then loud applause

and giggles as some of them got caught by the

dropping curtain.  

Too precious!!

There was a very funny sketch about the joy 

of Christmas.

The talents of the group stretched beyond the music.

They can ACT!  

We were laughing so hard at their antics!

Oooh...there is the director.  My hero!

Isn't she sweet?

Made me think of my former music student, Abigail,

who also plays the cello.

We were a much different venue than this group is used

to.  They have sung in the Sydney Opera House and 

Madison Square Gardens.

This was apparently an exploratory event to set up 

for another visit next year.

Am I ever glad we were at the Christmas Tree Shoppes 

when we were.

I'm still trying to wipe the silly grin from my face that 

we were able to enjoy this amazing event.

The message of the gospel was crystal clear 

as they shared in song and then as a Korean Pastor 

from New York preached through an interpreter

to close the evening.

The Gracias Choir is a part of 

International Youth Fellowship.

I'm going to learn more about them....

If you happen to notice that they are coming to 

a city near you....

Please, please take my word for it 

and go.

We were their last stop this year.

But they plan to come back next year.

I can't wait!

They Went Up....And Then Came Down.....

The alarm went off at 4:50 AM.

That's just plain early...

not even bright yet
so I can't say Bright and Early.

I woke Chelsea and we got

ready to drive to Bird-in-Hand to meet

the Grandma's and the Hot Air Balloon Team.

This was the balloon preparing for its morning mission

as we arrived....the sun popping up behind it.

Can you believe they were able to smile

at this hour of the morning?

With the nerves and everything.

 This photo is right side up. 

It was one of the funniest moments of the day.

Turns out you don't climb into the basket.

You lay in the basket and then it sits up when it is ready.

To see the faces of the soon to be ballooners as they 

lay there was priceless.

No one was expecting this....

See the man just past my Mom?

He was terrified.

The whole time.

That would have been me.

He and his wife were celebrating 

their anniversary.

I think he is a gem.

Filling the balloon......

The Basket is now right side up!

Getting Georgia's attention for a photo

was tough.  She was really into what was

happening inside the balloon.

 And then they were off!

 

 

I had been told the town they thought they were 

headed for.....

but funny things can happen when you rise up

3,000 feet and the only control you have is 

up or down.

They missed their goal town by about five miles to the west.

I ran a quick errand and then headed for the expected 

destination.  I was confused when I didn't see the balloon

but kept driving in faith that I would find them soon.

Finally I spotted them way out in the distance

and took the most direct route I could think of.

Out into the country....

they flew over the home of 

our friends at Creekside Cottage,

I finally caught up with them over beautiful farmland

south of a small town called The Buck!

 Mom, Chelsea and Georgia

saw me and were waving.

One lady asked Mom, 

"Who are we waving at?"

Mom said, 

"That's my daughter."

So she waved too.

A quick peek at the beautiful farm where they landed.

 

Look!  They survived!

What a fun morning.

The pilot said it is very difficult to chase a hot air

balloon....I would have to agree.

But it was worth the effort and I think I enjoyed it 

every bit as much as the ones who rode.

Can you believe they could 

see all the way to the 

Bay and Philadelphia?

I thought Mom was teasing me

when she said that later.

But, no,

It was that clear today.

They picked a winner.

I'll steal some of Chelsea's photos

from the balloon for another post.

Hope you enjoy this day.

I Love Joseph!

My husband knows.
He is happy about it.



There was an employee premiere of Sight and Sound
Theater's newest show, Joseph. (Click on the links
to see more about
the theater and the show)

To know why this is so special you would have to
know that Sight and Sound employees and their families
live with each new show for at least three years before
the public gets to see a thing.

For the past three years when Warren and I would
escape for dinner together I would gladly listen
as Warren brainstormed ideas for technical effects
that were needed. Oh, how I love this!

Watching his creative brain at work.
That is a very good thing.

So, as the show unfolded last evening I nearly
burst with happiness for him as the most
challenging of projects worked perfectly
and looked simple.

While the show has a lot of technical
aspects the beauty of the sets takes
your breath away. Again, wishing we
could have taken pictures....

And beyond that...

It is the story!

So beautifully told and brought to life by
a cast that is talented beyond belief.

Joshua Keefer, who plays Joseph, is amazing.
I cannot say enough!
His voice is so pleasant to listen to.
No oversinging, or overacting.
He is so amazingly consistent in this
role. I realized when the show was
over that he had been on the stage for
most of the two hours that the show runs.

The men who play his brothers are also
very talented singers.
There are several group songs
that are so technically awesome that you
cannot believe they are in a play.

One song literally brought me to tears with its
beauty. I am not going to tell you which.
You'll have to see the show and then we'll
compare notes.

So, now all of you across the country.
Your assignment is to schedule your 2010
or 2011 vacation for Lancaster County, PA.
You must let me know if you are coming!

This is something that you really would enjoy!

With its setting in Egypt there were several
opportunities to bring out the camels.
Yes, real camels.

There are many animals in this drama.
There is humor in this drama.
In the most unexpected places
you find yourself in a full belly laugh.

I must stop.
Really.
But, I am in love!
With Joseph.
His story of God's Providential Care,
Forgiveness and Love.

I am smitten!

Understand that I have seen all of
Sight and Sound's shows since the
early 1990's. I am not speaking
lightly. This is an amazing show
that I cannot wait to see again!

If you want to see more...click here for a video of the writers and directors. Toward the end you get a sneak peek at some of the sets in process.


Now, for a bit more about our evening.

Our silly boys opted not to go last
evening. They said they would wait
and go later....

So we had two tickets to share.

Chelsea was able to invite two of her
very dear friends, Lindsay and Emily
Rabe....you know, of Creekside Cottage.
Their names are links that will take you
to each of their blogs. Their mother
writes beautifully at the
Creekside Cottage Blog.

They had just a bit of fun in the lobby.
Lindsay took these shots.







I also asked Lindsay to get a picture of the
hanging centerpiece in the lobby area.



I took this one of a gorgeous display.


I was tempted to take photos in the
restrooms as they are so pretty...
but the nerve escaped me.

Just driving up to this building is an
experience. Being inside is like stepping
into another world.

As we were headed to the car there was just
one more opportunity for pictures.

Aren't they precious?

Now, I had to get gas.
As I pumped the stinky
liquid into the van the
girls asked permission to
go and get pictures with
this....





The interesting thing about this was that
as they were playing around a worker at the store
came out and locked the door to the store.
We knew it wasn't closing time so we weren't
sure what was up...but we decided to go ahead
and leave.

After I got home I popped on to the internet
and found out that there had been two armed
robberies in that area while we had been at
the theater. Oh my. And there I was with these
girls, just playing.
Thank God, for His hand
of protection on us.

Finally, I want to share my very favorite photo
from the evening. You see, before showtime
we were permitted to take a behind the scenes
tour with Warren as our guide. This post is
so long already I'll just say that it killed
me to not take photos from the stage or shops.

BUT...in his office I took this one of him
and Chelsea. I love their expressions.



AND... I am tempted to steal that
picture back to go over the Entertainment
Center....It has been in our home, at our church
and now in his office.

Warren rescued it from the trash one day.
It has been with us ever since.

So anyway, enough about that...
suffice it to say that
last evening will go down in my
memory as a very bright spot.

Praying that God uses this drama
about a true man of God to reach and
encourage many around the world.

Maybe even YOU!!