Coon Rapids Letter
Well, last concert has been sung, and tears have been shed. Now it's
time for just FUN!
We got to sleep in a bit because our meeting time was 9:00. Probably a
good thing, especially for the house of 13 choristers + the people who
actually live there! Can you believe it??? Lunches for 13 and smiling
faces greeted us at the bus when we pulled up to their curb (see photo
of almost half the choir!). It really is something all the help we have
encountered on our tours. We couldn't do it without our fantastic
hosts.
Taking off from Moorhead/Fargo, we headed on the road, watched movies,
took a potty break and then had a wonderful, wonderful stop in
Collegeville at St. John's University. Almost makes me want to go back
to college!
We had beautiful weather, had a nice picnic lunch in the sun outside the
student union and took a walk along the quadrangle campus - absolutely
gorgeous setting. We waited for a special private tour of the Abbey
Church. Brother Paul was an amazing guide, explaining in such a common
sense way about the significance of many of the points of interest in
the church that had been designed in the 1950's. Beautiful stained
glass, floating altar, and every detail had a meaning associated.
Brother Paul even had all of us sit in the monks' seating section - ask
your kids about the little luxurious amenities the brothers have in
their almost cubicle-like worship spots. Topping off the great stop,
the kids sang Ave Maria - what a rendition and the beauty of the church
was breathtaking. Very special, indeed. We are grateful for Brother
Paul and Grandparents Joe and Jill (Molly & Tim's). Special treat,
indeed.
Back onto the bus and into Twin Cities area where we headed over to the
Space Aliens restaurant in Blaine, MN. I think some of the movies we
watched on the bus had characters that looked familiar like those at
Space Aliens! Was a fun family restaurant ala Chuck E Cheese, but
different motif!
Next stop was Coon Rapids United Methodist Church. We were met at the
door by Pastor Mark, a very special guy who stepped up to the plate
within the last two weeks and offered us the use of their sanctuary, and
in addition, quite a few of the audience members belong to CRUMC.
Our final concert of the tour was so nice. The kids held their
composure even through No Time and With One Voice, but after Lord Bless
You and Keep You, dry eyes were hard to find amongst the rows. It was
Amanda's last performance, and everyone was well aware of it! Parting
with our seniors is so hard!!! Plus, all the concert tour energy
adrenaline and all the fun they have sleeping at homestays, riding the
bus, eating our picnics, prepping for concerts - now what will we do all
summer????
Between CRUMC and Prospect Park UMC, and some of the friends and family
members of choristers, we were able to find a place for those precious
singers to lay their heads. My Laura and Bill took 9 to have a slumber
party tonight. We left them with the camp fire in the back yard and
s'mores on the way. I'm sure all the other homestays are going just as
well. We'll meet up with them in the morning.
Til next time,
Sue
