Home at Last

It seems like yesterday that we boarded the bus at 2:30 am and started our journey to the east coast. The trip is now over, and we carry with us memories and experiences that will last a life time.

It was my privilege to lead such fine students. Everything ran smoothly. The students sang better than ever.  I want to thank the parents, students, and FBC for making the tour to South Carolina such a great success.

Jeff

Amazing Day

We left Myrtle Beach at 8:15 am. As the students slepts the adults drove the vans to Charleston. After arriving in Charleston we took a harbor cruise and learned a lot about the history of Charleston. It was a beautiful day. We enjoyed a cool breeze from the boat for about an hour and a half. After the Harbor Cruise we traveled to FBC Charleston and then walked through the quiet streets of Charleston to a great restaurant called "Brents". After lunch we walked back to FBC. Stephen Distad, minister of music, gave us a brief history of FBC Charleston. he told us that it was the first FBC in the country, established in 1682, three years before the birth of J.S. Bach. The building was beautiful, surrounded by the tomb stones of former church members and pastors from the vast history of the church. Stephan led us in a hymn from the organ, and performed a solo piece as well. We then took over the choir loft and sang our anthems. We honored our senior's in the group in singing our final benediction, and praying over them.

We toured the streets of Charleston until our feet were worn out. The city is beautiful, and I believe the students really enjoyed their time there.

We quickly left for our hotel, cleaned up and went out for dinner. We squeezed in time for an hour of shopping at the outlet mall, and then a little ice cream.

After arriving back at the hotel we had our group time. This was a time filled with a lot of laughs and plenty of tears. This is the time when the students show their hearts and their love for each other. This was an awesome night! I know the kids made a lasting memory. The seniors challenged the under classroom to carry on the torch of leadership.

You certainly would be proud of the kids. I am.

We are coming home tomorrow!

Jeff

Great Concert at FBC Myrtle Beach

The Youth Choir performed a full concert tonight at FBC Myrtle Beach. The congregation repsonded wonderfully. After the concert we went with the FBC MB youth to the Fillin Station and had supper. After supper we went to an awesom putt putt place called "Atlanticus". It was this massive place with great views of the city and ocean.

We came back to the rooms late and had our group time together. We talked about students who have been outstanding servants on this tour. I also challenged the students to look for ways to serve each other for the remainder of the trip.

Tomorrow we leave the beach early and travel to Charleston. It will be a fun day. Check out my twitter for real time updates.

Your children are fantastic! Take Care and I will blog soon.

Jeff

One minute Update

We have had another awesome day. We sang in worship at the Ocean View Baptist Church today. The students did a wonderful job. After lunch we came back to the hotel and spent the afternoon on the beach fighting the waves and having fun. We are now on our way to FBC Myrtle Beach to sing concert.

Talk to you this evening.

Jeff

Big Day and Beach

We have had a wonderful day. We began our day with fantastice breakfast prepared by Callie, Jane, Larry and Daniel. We then sang for the sweetest senior adults at the Myrle Beach Estate Retirement home. We hung out with the residents and visited for quite sometime.

After lunch we walked ot of our hotel to the beach, where we played all afternoon. It was a beautiful day. We gathered for a pool side concert around 7:30 pm. It was fun to sing for folks around the pool, and for the people sitting on their hotel balconies. The audience was very receptive.

We traveled to Ci's Ci's pizza for dinner. The boys had an eating contest (Andrew, Jon, Matt) I thing the winner came in around 19 pieces (I'm so proud!)

We just finished the night with our devotionl and made plans for ministry tomorrow. Keep checking in and look for real time updates on Twitter. Thanks for your prayers! Talk to you soon.

Jeff

We are beat and ready for bed!

This has been the longest day I have ever experienced with the Youth Choir. It began at 1:15 am this morning when Larry Downey pick me up and the rest of the Elkins' to go down town. We then took a charter to Dallas and flew to Atlanta and then on to Charleston. We then grabbed three vans and a cargo van and pushed our way to Myrtle Beach. We just finished our choir meeting and now the kids are trying to unwind and go to sleep. Tomorrow wll be a day of singing and enjoying the beauty of the ocean.

I also wanted to menton that we had a great time sharing dinner in Charleston with one of our former Youth Choir members, Daniel Rader. It was great catching up, and we will spend more time with Daniel over the next few days.

Sleep is calling out to me.

Goodnight