Friday, July 4, 2008
SonPower | Day 6
This will be my last post from our home-away-from-home, The Florida Hotel. This has been a great place to stay. If you're ever in the Orlando area, we would highly recommend it. The staff has been more than helpful and generous to us.
Today our group did something that they had never done before....participated in a professional recording session. We sang all of the songs that we have been working on this week (12 total). They will take what we sang and produce a CD of the SonPower group. There were over 800 students participating in this week of SonPower, not the mention the 700+ from last week. Each of our students will receive a copy of the CD after the project is completed.
After the recording sessions, we drove over to International Drive and saw the movie, WALL-E. It was a great movie, and everybody enjoyed getting to sit down for a change. There wasn't too much walking today; we had enough of that the past four days. The movie was followed by supper at Tony Roma's. We had some great hamburgers, ribs, and steaks for our last supper here in Orlando....what great food!
The SonPower event was concluded with a concert by Matthew West. Our students enjoyed getting to hear his testimony in song. If you listen to Christian radio, you will be familiar with several of his songs. A good time of fellowship and worship was had by all. We ended the night by watching a few fireworks from the comfort of our hotel room. It wouldn't be July 4th without firewords, would it?
I think that our students have had a great time this week. I know that they have learned a little music and formed some great relationships. The times of praise and worship have been refreshing to all of us. I hope that you will join us Sunday night as our students sing a couple of songs from this year's SonPower project.
We will be departing at about 8:00 am in the morning. We're hoping to be home by about 8:00 pm, at the latest. Please pray for us as we travel tomorrow, and thanks for your support of our students and our music ministry at Carterville. We'll see you tomorrow night.
~Kris
Today our group did something that they had never done before....participated in a professional recording session. We sang all of the songs that we have been working on this week (12 total). They will take what we sang and produce a CD of the SonPower group. There were over 800 students participating in this week of SonPower, not the mention the 700+ from last week. Each of our students will receive a copy of the CD after the project is completed.
After the recording sessions, we drove over to International Drive and saw the movie, WALL-E. It was a great movie, and everybody enjoyed getting to sit down for a change. There wasn't too much walking today; we had enough of that the past four days. The movie was followed by supper at Tony Roma's. We had some great hamburgers, ribs, and steaks for our last supper here in Orlando....what great food!
The SonPower event was concluded with a concert by Matthew West. Our students enjoyed getting to hear his testimony in song. If you listen to Christian radio, you will be familiar with several of his songs. A good time of fellowship and worship was had by all. We ended the night by watching a few fireworks from the comfort of our hotel room. It wouldn't be July 4th without firewords, would it?
I think that our students have had a great time this week. I know that they have learned a little music and formed some great relationships. The times of praise and worship have been refreshing to all of us. I hope that you will join us Sunday night as our students sing a couple of songs from this year's SonPower project.
We will be departing at about 8:00 am in the morning. We're hoping to be home by about 8:00 pm, at the latest. Please pray for us as we travel tomorrow, and thanks for your support of our students and our music ministry at Carterville. We'll see you tomorrow night.
~Kris
SonPower | Day 5
Good morning, once again. I don't know if you can believe it or not, but we have done so much that we are totally exhausted. Hence, the morning postings....it's just that at night the bed calls my name much louder than this laptop. Anyhow, yesterday was a fun day of rehearsal, praise, Bible study, fun in the sun, more rehearsal, and worship. We only have one more rehearsal this morning before they begin the big recording session.
The students have been led in song and word by James Tealy. He has brought some great, challenging messages to our students. We have been totally blessed to be here.
Yesterday's adventure at Universal Studios was fun, but we were a little bit slower than when we first got to Orlando. We rode some great rides and saw some incredible shows. The idea behind the Universal Studios is to create rides and shows related to the movies that they put out such as The Terminator, The Mummy, The Simpsons, Shrek, and Twister....just to name a few. There was so much to see and do.....and such little time to see and do it. It doesn't take much to get these kids....not to mention the adults.....in bed at night. (this is totally opposite from the first of the week).
We're still having fun, nontheless. We have another great day planned for today....although a little bit more relaxed. I can't believe that we're heading home tomorrow morning (Saturday). It seems as though we just got here. We'll see you all very soon.
~Kris
The students have been led in song and word by James Tealy. He has brought some great, challenging messages to our students. We have been totally blessed to be here.
Yesterday's adventure at Universal Studios was fun, but we were a little bit slower than when we first got to Orlando. We rode some great rides and saw some incredible shows. The idea behind the Universal Studios is to create rides and shows related to the movies that they put out such as The Terminator, The Mummy, The Simpsons, Shrek, and Twister....just to name a few. There was so much to see and do.....and such little time to see and do it. It doesn't take much to get these kids....not to mention the adults.....in bed at night. (this is totally opposite from the first of the week).
We're still having fun, nontheless. We have another great day planned for today....although a little bit more relaxed. I can't believe that we're heading home tomorrow morning (Saturday). It seems as though we just got here. We'll see you all very soon.
~Kris
Thursday, July 3, 2008
SonPower | Day 4
Good moring everybody. We got back to the hotel late night, so I am writing you the morning after. Yesterday was so much fun! We started the day with sectional rehearsals for a couple of hours before having lunch at the food court and leaving for Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM Studios). When we got there it was soooo hot, but we were soooo glad to be there. The first thing we rode was The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror followed by the thrilling Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith. These two rides, by far, were the favorites of the group. We changed the pace a bit by riding The Great Movie Ride....we were entertained by riding through many of the great movies of all times.....Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Casa Blanca, Tarzan, and Aliens to name a few. While a storm was brewing in the sky we snuck inside for a behind the scenes look at Journey to Narnia: Prince Caspian. Hoping that the rain would hold off long enough for us to get to see Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, we got in line with a couple thousand other people for the last showing of the day....then the bottom fell out. Unfortunately, the show was cancelled due to the bad weather. =-( So we ate instead.
After we were sufficiently full, we walked over for a relaxing look at the Studio Backlot Tour. We were able to see how they shoot an action sequences in the movies, and then we got to board a tram for a drive through some of the old props and costume shops. Some of the neat things that we saw were: the motorbike from Indiana Jones, the airplane from ConAir, the hovercraft vehicle from Star Wars, and (most importantly) we got to see Herby the Love Bug.
We took some pictures at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids attraction, and then relaxed a while at the Muppet Vision 3-D Show. One last ride before starting all over again was Star Tours...a thrilling Star Wars fighter simulator that almost got the best of me....I was ready to get out of that thing! Anyway, the nausea lasted long enough for us to make it back around to Tower of Terror before it was time to watch the main event....Fantasmic!
Fantasmic! was fantastic!!! A nighttime spectacular with music, lasers, lights, dancing fountains and special effects, we were in for a treat. We were re-introduced to all the heroes and villans from many of the famous Disney movies. It was well worth staying at the park until 11:30.....pm.
I don't think they believed me when I told them that yesterday was going to be a late night, but they are feeling it now. I hope everybody is able to make it through rehearsal this morning. Boy, they sure are sounding good. We will be singing a couple of songs this Sunday night in worship, so I hope you will all be there.
Well, that's enough from me today. I'll get the pictues up in a few minutes. Have a great day.
~Kris
After we were sufficiently full, we walked over for a relaxing look at the Studio Backlot Tour. We were able to see how they shoot an action sequences in the movies, and then we got to board a tram for a drive through some of the old props and costume shops. Some of the neat things that we saw were: the motorbike from Indiana Jones, the airplane from ConAir, the hovercraft vehicle from Star Wars, and (most importantly) we got to see Herby the Love Bug.
We took some pictures at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids attraction, and then relaxed a while at the Muppet Vision 3-D Show. One last ride before starting all over again was Star Tours...a thrilling Star Wars fighter simulator that almost got the best of me....I was ready to get out of that thing! Anyway, the nausea lasted long enough for us to make it back around to Tower of Terror before it was time to watch the main event....Fantasmic!
Fantasmic! was fantastic!!! A nighttime spectacular with music, lasers, lights, dancing fountains and special effects, we were in for a treat. We were re-introduced to all the heroes and villans from many of the famous Disney movies. It was well worth staying at the park until 11:30.....pm.
I don't think they believed me when I told them that yesterday was going to be a late night, but they are feeling it now. I hope everybody is able to make it through rehearsal this morning. Boy, they sure are sounding good. We will be singing a couple of songs this Sunday night in worship, so I hope you will all be there.
Well, that's enough from me today. I'll get the pictues up in a few minutes. Have a great day.
~Kris
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
SonPower | Day 3
What a day....we're all pretty exhausted after such a fantastic day. We began the day in typical SonPower fashion with a rehearsal followed by some praise & Bible study. It was a great morning of worship!
After a quick bite to eat at the food court, we headed off to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Islands, it is an incredible theme park with some pretty incredible rides...like the Incredible Hulk. This green giant was by far everyone's favorite ride of the day...so much so that we rode it twice. Some other rides that made our A-List were: Spider Man, Dueling Dragons (the red one and the blue one), and Popeye & Bluto's Bilge Rat's Barge (it was so hot that we needed to cool off....and boy did all that water cool us off!) By the way, we were successful in converting non-roller-coaster-riders, Mitchell & Kent, into roller coaster junkies. Now they can't get enought! Guys, we're sorry to see come to this stage in your lives.
As you can see in the pictures, we were pretty tired when we left the park. However, our day was not over yet. We returned to the hotel to freshen up and have supper before one last rehearsal and evening worship. We were blessed by the music of 33 Miles during both of our worship services today....but tonight was their last time to be with us this year. They will be missed.
The choir is sounding great! I am so proud of our students for their participation and for their contribution to this group.
Tomorrow is going to be another great day of rehearsals and fun. Pray for us as we continue to prepare for Friday's recording session. Also, pray that the weather continues to be kind to us. We left Islands of Adventure just in time to miss a downpour.
We hope all is going well back home....we miss you all....the adventure continues tomorrow.
~Kris
After a quick bite to eat at the food court, we headed off to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Islands, it is an incredible theme park with some pretty incredible rides...like the Incredible Hulk. This green giant was by far everyone's favorite ride of the day...so much so that we rode it twice. Some other rides that made our A-List were: Spider Man, Dueling Dragons (the red one and the blue one), and Popeye & Bluto's Bilge Rat's Barge (it was so hot that we needed to cool off....and boy did all that water cool us off!) By the way, we were successful in converting non-roller-coaster-riders, Mitchell & Kent, into roller coaster junkies. Now they can't get enought! Guys, we're sorry to see come to this stage in your lives.
As you can see in the pictures, we were pretty tired when we left the park. However, our day was not over yet. We returned to the hotel to freshen up and have supper before one last rehearsal and evening worship. We were blessed by the music of 33 Miles during both of our worship services today....but tonight was their last time to be with us this year. They will be missed.
The choir is sounding great! I am so proud of our students for their participation and for their contribution to this group.
Tomorrow is going to be another great day of rehearsals and fun. Pray for us as we continue to prepare for Friday's recording session. Also, pray that the weather continues to be kind to us. We left Islands of Adventure just in time to miss a downpour.
We hope all is going well back home....we miss you all....the adventure continues tomorrow.
~Kris
Monday, June 30, 2008
SonPower | Day 1 & 2
Sorry that I didn't get to give an update last night, but I refuse to pay for internet access at a hotel. So here's what's been going on since we left yesterday....
Thank you, Lord, for the rain yesterday...but did it have to be so much? We left the church just before 1:00 yesterday afternoon, and it did not stop raining until after we got to Tallahassee last evening. We had a great supper at Steak & Shake...a new experience for some of our students. After we checked in at the hotel, several of us headed out to the pool for a dip before we went to bed. Because of all the rain, the water was very cold, to say the least. We had a great time!
This morning we had a relaxed morning before leaving for Orlando. We left the hotel about 9:15 in search for the golden arches...to no avail. We were out of Tallahassee about 45 minutes before we finally found a place to stop and eat. We were scared we weren't going to find something before they stopped serving breakfast....but we made it.
After lunch at Subway, we checked into our new home for the next five days, The Florida Hotel. One of the great things about The Florida Hotel is that it is conveniently connected to a HUGE mall. We made good use of some free time by doing a little shopping before supper. We ate together in the food court before our first rehearsal. Following the rehearsal, everyone enjoyed a concert by 33 Miles. Zach, Morgan, and Lindsay got to hang out with the band after the concert was over. They were all smiles!
It's getting quite late, so I will sign off for now. I will try to have you another update tomorrow night. Thanks for your prayers. Sleep tight!
Thank you, Lord, for the rain yesterday...but did it have to be so much? We left the church just before 1:00 yesterday afternoon, and it did not stop raining until after we got to Tallahassee last evening. We had a great supper at Steak & Shake...a new experience for some of our students. After we checked in at the hotel, several of us headed out to the pool for a dip before we went to bed. Because of all the rain, the water was very cold, to say the least. We had a great time!
This morning we had a relaxed morning before leaving for Orlando. We left the hotel about 9:15 in search for the golden arches...to no avail. We were out of Tallahassee about 45 minutes before we finally found a place to stop and eat. We were scared we weren't going to find something before they stopped serving breakfast....but we made it.
After lunch at Subway, we checked into our new home for the next five days, The Florida Hotel. One of the great things about The Florida Hotel is that it is conveniently connected to a HUGE mall. We made good use of some free time by doing a little shopping before supper. We ate together in the food court before our first rehearsal. Following the rehearsal, everyone enjoyed a concert by 33 Miles. Zach, Morgan, and Lindsay got to hang out with the band after the concert was over. They were all smiles!
It's getting quite late, so I will sign off for now. I will try to have you another update tomorrow night. Thanks for your prayers. Sleep tight!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser
Here are some of the pictures from the Father's Day pancake breakfast. Thanks so much to those who cooked, cleaned, and decorated. Also, thanks to those who came early and ate with us. We had a great time of food and fellowship as we honored our dad's on Father's Day.
Four More Days
The blog is just about complete. Be sure to tell your family and friends where to find us on the web. Just in case they forget, I have placed a link on the CBC website on the Music & Worship page. I'll try to get some pictures from the Pancake Breakfast posted this afternoon. By the way, Universal Studios tickets came in this morning...we're set to go! See ya tonight.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Five Days and Counting
There are only five more days until we are set out on a grand adventure. I cannot wait to get on the road. Several of you have been by the office to turn in balances that you owe...Thanks! Also, a couple of you have not turned in your orange release forms. Please bring those to me tomorrow night at supper.
Parents, I am almost certain that we will have internet access in our hotel rooms, so we will try to keep you updated on how things go throughout the week. Check back often for updates and new pictures. Also, please feel free to leave any comments that you like.
That's about all for now. I will try to give another update as our departure date gets closer.
~Kris
Parents, I am almost certain that we will have internet access in our hotel rooms, so we will try to keep you updated on how things go throughout the week. Check back often for updates and new pictures. Also, please feel free to leave any comments that you like.
That's about all for now. I will try to give another update as our departure date gets closer.
~Kris
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