Friday Night: Ben Speer's Stamps Baxter Final Performance. Everyone did a fantastic job! Those two weeks of instruction and encouragement made a tremendous difference in everybody, both in their musical abilities and their personalities. The choir sounded amazing ,and it was an honor to sing with Ben and Allison Speer. After the concert was over, everyone in the school was busy saying goodbye because many of them were leaving that night, and others very early in the morning. I sat back watching all this transpire, and was struck by a strange feeling. Having spent the last two weeks with all of these people, and in such a close proximity, it starts to create a bond. Staying up late with all of these like-minded and like-hearted people (even though Chase persistently reminded us, "Ok guys, its passed curfew, time for bed.") , they really begin to grow on you. Sitting there, I began to realize that these people were like my second family, and we were all leaving. It was a sad moment. I love all of you guys and gals, very much. That night, we all stayed up and sang and played and glorified God. It was a good way to end the "school year." I will miss you guys!
We packed up this morning, and began the drive to Louisiana. We went through Alabama, and Mississippi. I found both of the states very beautiful. It was an overcast day, with a few showers. We got to Louisianna, and interestingly enough, it was cooler than Tennessee. When we arrived in New Orleans, we noticed that despite it being such a big city in the downtown area, it was not at all crowded. There was a fair number of people on the streets, but the sidewalks were open. First sound we heard was obviously: A jazz quartet down a busy side street. Yes, we were in New Orleans! Tomorrow, we'll do a little sight seeing/exploring. For now, we're just relaxing in the motel, which is a converted coffee grinding warehouse. The walls are old brick, with the loose mortar. Very cool :) I'l ltake pictures for ya'll!
Goodnight :)
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Stamps Baxter School of Southern Gospel Music
Boy, am I tired... :)
We arrived at the school Sunday afternoon, after having stayed the night at a motel in Illinois. All they had left was a suite. Guess who got bumped up? us :D Ha ha, but it wasn't that big of a deal. It was a super 8. It was nice to lay down, but a Super 8 Suite, isn't all that sweet :) Anyways, we checked in and got our room keys and brought all of our stuff into the rooms from the car. We had a lot of things, so we had to make a few trips. The interesting thing about the dorm building, is it is kept at a nice... 60 degrees. (Or that's what I would say!) Outside, its a 101 degrees and very, VERY humid. Honestly, I was enjoying the hot. humidity as crazy as that sounds. The bad part was walking into the dorms from outside. Have you ever left a cup of ice on the table, and come back to find water on the outside? Yeah, its like that. Your clothes get so damp from all the condensation your body gets from changing 40 degrees in three seconds! On the plus side, the air is so dry your clothes are dry in a minute. So it balances out :)
Classes started the next day at 8, breakfast at 7. For breakfast: Biscuits and gravy, and sausage. Thank you Jesus ^_^ The work day is made up of theory classes, group singing , nightly concerts from professional Gospel groups/singers, and performance opportunity when groups from the school get to play. Oh, and 1 elective and vocal warm ups =p Ben Speer sang for us. That man has an amazing voice.
The mandatory part of the day ends at 9PM, and then the optional performance opportunity. The Second night, Dylan and I took a nice long walk to the vending machines across campus. Fireflies. Trees. Grass under our bare feet.Stars glowing over head. A full moon shining its pale lamplight through the branches.Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.
Next morning... We over slept >.> I missed the first 50 minutes of class. Dylan was getting ready, and after I left... fell back asleep. in his chair -__- Didn't wake up till lunch... But we were all on time the next day :) I'll tell you, this is a fantastic experience, to be able to just build relationships with people who share the same passion for music and the same passion for worshiping our Lord, Jesus Christ. Everyone here is very, very talented :) Well, I am tired and need to be off to bed :) I'll post again, don't worry!
Night, Ya'll :)
We arrived at the school Sunday afternoon, after having stayed the night at a motel in Illinois. All they had left was a suite. Guess who got bumped up? us :D Ha ha, but it wasn't that big of a deal. It was a super 8. It was nice to lay down, but a Super 8 Suite, isn't all that sweet :) Anyways, we checked in and got our room keys and brought all of our stuff into the rooms from the car. We had a lot of things, so we had to make a few trips. The interesting thing about the dorm building, is it is kept at a nice... 60 degrees. (Or that's what I would say!) Outside, its a 101 degrees and very, VERY humid. Honestly, I was enjoying the hot. humidity as crazy as that sounds. The bad part was walking into the dorms from outside. Have you ever left a cup of ice on the table, and come back to find water on the outside? Yeah, its like that. Your clothes get so damp from all the condensation your body gets from changing 40 degrees in three seconds! On the plus side, the air is so dry your clothes are dry in a minute. So it balances out :)
Classes started the next day at 8, breakfast at 7. For breakfast: Biscuits and gravy, and sausage. Thank you Jesus ^_^ The work day is made up of theory classes, group singing , nightly concerts from professional Gospel groups/singers, and performance opportunity when groups from the school get to play. Oh, and 1 elective and vocal warm ups =p Ben Speer sang for us. That man has an amazing voice.
The mandatory part of the day ends at 9PM, and then the optional performance opportunity. The Second night, Dylan and I took a nice long walk to the vending machines across campus. Fireflies. Trees. Grass under our bare feet.Stars glowing over head. A full moon shining its pale lamplight through the branches.Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.
Next morning... We over slept >.> I missed the first 50 minutes of class. Dylan was getting ready, and after I left... fell back asleep. in his chair -__- Didn't wake up till lunch... But we were all on time the next day :) I'll tell you, this is a fantastic experience, to be able to just build relationships with people who share the same passion for music and the same passion for worshiping our Lord, Jesus Christ. Everyone here is very, very talented :) Well, I am tired and need to be off to bed :) I'll post again, don't worry!
Night, Ya'll :)
Monday, July 4, 2011
Photos from Loveland
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| Slip and slide in the creek! |
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| War paint and mud balling! |
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| Float tubing on the lake! Paul and Dylan went first :) |
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| Wheres Dylan??? (See that big splash behind Paul?) |
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| Cody and I |
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| We had the longest run :) |
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| Dylan and his Auntie! |
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| What a face >.> |
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| Dylan and I both tried wake boarding :) |
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| This picture should actually be at the top :p |
Loveland, Colorado
Friday morning (3 am) we pulled up to Dylan's Aunt's house in Loveland, Colorado. We were greeted by his cousin, Cody, who showed us to our room. A big, 3 bed camper. It was extremely comfortable, actually :) We all slept very late, waking up around 12. There were breakfast burritos our by the creek, yum! Oh yes, there is a creek. One of the most amazing things about the house (Besides the wonderful hosts of course) is the back yard. There are a multitude of chickens, three geese, and two ducks, in addition to three beautiful dogs. There is a small creek running around the outer edge. Two bridges, and a small dock, finish the scene :) After breakfast, Paul went to the camper for a much needed (long) nap. Dylan, Cody and I changed into our trunks. Cody got out a large banner, and unrolled it on the grass, into the creek. We had our very own slip and slide! The water was cold, but refreshing. Eventually, we ended up throwing mud balls at each other. Which turned into war paint. Did I mention Cody was 24? Ha ha ha. It was a great time. Dinner rolled around, BBQ chicken, and Paul finally woke up :) Then, it was Farkle (or Zilch, for you Grandma) until three in the morning :)
The next day, we took the boat out on the lake for some amazing lake tubing! Paul and Dylan went first, and of course, Dylan was the first one in ;) after the two of them, Cody and I went and set the record for the longest run without wiping out :) We pulled up on shore, and spent a couple hours on the beach, skipping rocks. When we went out on the boat, all of us tried (but failed) knee boarding, and Dylan and I tried wake boarding, to no avail. We finished with a couple more rounds on the tube :) All of us got sunburned a good amount ^_^
The next day we did our laundry and watched some movies. The church we were going to go to wasn't there.? Apparently it was an un-updated website and the church had already closed. So we read our bibles :) Spaghetti for dinner, and more Farkle :) Paul won 5 rounds, Cody won 5, Dylan won 6, and I wan 4 :)
Monday morning: Pancakes and Sausage, and Packing :) Off to Colorado Springs for church camp!
Much thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Ortega, for being such a welcoming presence and taking such good care of us :)
The next day, we took the boat out on the lake for some amazing lake tubing! Paul and Dylan went first, and of course, Dylan was the first one in ;) after the two of them, Cody and I went and set the record for the longest run without wiping out :) We pulled up on shore, and spent a couple hours on the beach, skipping rocks. When we went out on the boat, all of us tried (but failed) knee boarding, and Dylan and I tried wake boarding, to no avail. We finished with a couple more rounds on the tube :) All of us got sunburned a good amount ^_^
The next day we did our laundry and watched some movies. The church we were going to go to wasn't there.? Apparently it was an un-updated website and the church had already closed. So we read our bibles :) Spaghetti for dinner, and more Farkle :) Paul won 5 rounds, Cody won 5, Dylan won 6, and I wan 4 :)
Monday morning: Pancakes and Sausage, and Packing :) Off to Colorado Springs for church camp!
Much thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Ortega, for being such a welcoming presence and taking such good care of us :)
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Wyoming
We woke up from the KOA camp in Livingstone, Montana, right by the state line to Wyoming :) For those of you that don't know, the majority of Yellowstone national park is in Wyoming, beginning almost right at the border. We were surprised, driving through a small town, to discover not only that we were suddenly in Wyoming, but suddenly at the entrance of Yellowstone :)
First sight in Yellowstone: Elks on the lawn of the post office. Awesome :) Our destination was Ole' Faithful, but we saw a lot on our way there. There were so many hot springs, and beautiful lakes, and rivers that followed along the highway. We saw herds of buffalo (By the way, did I mention Dylan and I had Buffalo burgers in Montana?) and greenery, all around :) We went and saw the historic geyser ,and I'll be sure to post the video when I can :) Afterwords, the Holy Travlin' Trio got out their instruments and jammed out by the geyser. It made people smile, and that made us smile. we would hope we bring some joy to peoples' days. We closed our set with The Battle Hymn of the Republic. At the last verse, we heard from behind us, two loud and boisterous voices. Behind us was the sweetest elderly couple singing proudly of their God, and they joined us for the final chorus. They were thrilled to have heard us play that, and we were blessed to hear these voices proclaiming their love for the Lord, Jesus Christ. We left Yellowstone with happy hearts.
From there, we drove through the Tetons, and that was a truly magnificent sight :) From the Tetons, we made our way to Colorado :)
First sight in Yellowstone: Elks on the lawn of the post office. Awesome :) Our destination was Ole' Faithful, but we saw a lot on our way there. There were so many hot springs, and beautiful lakes, and rivers that followed along the highway. We saw herds of buffalo (By the way, did I mention Dylan and I had Buffalo burgers in Montana?) and greenery, all around :) We went and saw the historic geyser ,and I'll be sure to post the video when I can :) Afterwords, the Holy Travlin' Trio got out their instruments and jammed out by the geyser. It made people smile, and that made us smile. we would hope we bring some joy to peoples' days. We closed our set with The Battle Hymn of the Republic. At the last verse, we heard from behind us, two loud and boisterous voices. Behind us was the sweetest elderly couple singing proudly of their God, and they joined us for the final chorus. They were thrilled to have heard us play that, and we were blessed to hear these voices proclaiming their love for the Lord, Jesus Christ. We left Yellowstone with happy hearts.
From there, we drove through the Tetons, and that was a truly magnificent sight :) From the Tetons, we made our way to Colorado :)
Montana: God's Country
Glacier National Park was spectacular. At the entrance to, we bought our Park Pass, which will serve us well the next couple weeks, allowing us to get into all the other state parks we have planned, for free :) We'd bought our Montana fishing licenses, and on our way into the mountains searched for a fishing net, to no avail! We found out there had been a massive avalanche up the road, and only 16 miles of the road were open ahead. Right at where the road was closed, we found a camping spot. We payed our $20 fee, and set up camp, which consisted of: A tent. Ha ha ha! We unpacked our poles, and walked to a trail head that would take us to Avalanche Lake. Only a 2 mile hike :D Up hill -__-
We could have fished in the river which was right next to our campsite, but the melting glaciers had raised it to a raging rapids! So we set off on the hike, in high spirits :) The trail paralleled the river up to its source. After about a mile, we were EXHAUSTED. We were thinking about turning back. All we had brought were our poles and tackle: no water! Paul walked up the trail a-ways while Dylan and I rested. He called up from the crest of the next hill that he'd found a spring. When we met him where he was, we couldn't see it, but we could hear it. We followed the sound. 50 feet or so down the hill to the side of the trail was a glacier water spring. We sat there, and we drank the water from the stream. And it is strange but true, it was the sweetest water we had ever tasted. We said a prayer there asking for the physical strength to finish our hike, and carried on.
Who would have known?!?! Ahead of us on the trail was a Grizzly mama bear and her two cubs. The without a doubt commanded that trail. There was a large group headed down, and a large group headed up the trail. Both waited very, VERY patiently for them to go back into the hills. A beautiful sight to see... from afar! We finished our hike to the lake.
What. A. Glorious. Sight. The lake was sheltered in a valley between two towering snowy peaks. 5 waterfalls lead from the glaciers, to the wide lake, a cascade of untouched, pure, crystal-clear water. On the far side of the lake, amongst the vividly green pines, snow covered the ground right to the shoreline.
The shore closest to the end of the trail was largely populated, so Paul, Dylan and I made our way to the far side. As we walked, we asked fellow fisherman if they had caught anything, and what sort of bait they were using. None of them had caught anything. We stopped at a secluded spot, and baited up our hooks with night crawlers. Time passed, and no bites, but sitting there with the cool wind blowing across us with the beautiful view, we didn't mind. Paul was the first one to catch a fish, a Cut-throat Trout; a beautifully colored fish with orange-red streaks running under the gills. Soon after, Dylan caught one, and released it. I caught one on a worm, but it got away ;) After a while, we were no longer getting any nibbles, the fish weren't interested in the worms. So, we switched to salmon eggs. As soon as I cast out, a bite, and I landed a fish. The trend continued. As soon as one of us would cast out, we would get another fish. In total, we ended up keeping 12 Cut-throat for dinner, and each of us caught many more and released them.
We put the fish in Dylan's backpack (don't worry, he volunteered) and turned towards the trail. As soon as we did, we heard shouting from across the lake. "Bear, bear!" Just in time, they had warned us that there was a bear directly in front of us above the trail. Here we are with a backpack full of trout, with a bear above us on the trail! We decided to follow the shore for a while, and then got back on the trail. Needless to say, it was a nerve-wracking hike back to camp with a backpack full of fish and rumors of bears! When we arrived back at camp, we all worked at cleaning and gutting the fish. A messy job ;) At our campsite, we worked at building a fire. It was a bit disappointing, the large logs were wet from an earlier rain, so the fire was kept up by numerous kindling runs by me :) We grilled our fish over the fire, using salt and pepper packets, and sauce packets from Burger King. Believe me, it was good :) I recommend the honey mustard! We also cooked some Pork-and-Beans, and green beans :) Twas a good meal! After that, we spent an hour cleaning the campsite (have to keep those grizzly bears away) and went to bed. In the morning, we packed up, and headed out for Wyoming :)
As a closing note, I'd just like to say: What a beautiful state! after the mountains, we drove through the rolling grasslands. Perfect for a future cattle ranch ;) We stopped in a small town a couple hundred miles out of Wyoming. We found a one pump self serve gas station, and we had to to go next door to a (closed) bar to pay. The owner was very nice :) Stayed the night in a KOA camp, and the next day, we were in Wyoming :)
We could have fished in the river which was right next to our campsite, but the melting glaciers had raised it to a raging rapids! So we set off on the hike, in high spirits :) The trail paralleled the river up to its source. After about a mile, we were EXHAUSTED. We were thinking about turning back. All we had brought were our poles and tackle: no water! Paul walked up the trail a-ways while Dylan and I rested. He called up from the crest of the next hill that he'd found a spring. When we met him where he was, we couldn't see it, but we could hear it. We followed the sound. 50 feet or so down the hill to the side of the trail was a glacier water spring. We sat there, and we drank the water from the stream. And it is strange but true, it was the sweetest water we had ever tasted. We said a prayer there asking for the physical strength to finish our hike, and carried on.
Who would have known?!?! Ahead of us on the trail was a Grizzly mama bear and her two cubs. The without a doubt commanded that trail. There was a large group headed down, and a large group headed up the trail. Both waited very, VERY patiently for them to go back into the hills. A beautiful sight to see... from afar! We finished our hike to the lake.
What. A. Glorious. Sight. The lake was sheltered in a valley between two towering snowy peaks. 5 waterfalls lead from the glaciers, to the wide lake, a cascade of untouched, pure, crystal-clear water. On the far side of the lake, amongst the vividly green pines, snow covered the ground right to the shoreline.
The shore closest to the end of the trail was largely populated, so Paul, Dylan and I made our way to the far side. As we walked, we asked fellow fisherman if they had caught anything, and what sort of bait they were using. None of them had caught anything. We stopped at a secluded spot, and baited up our hooks with night crawlers. Time passed, and no bites, but sitting there with the cool wind blowing across us with the beautiful view, we didn't mind. Paul was the first one to catch a fish, a Cut-throat Trout; a beautifully colored fish with orange-red streaks running under the gills. Soon after, Dylan caught one, and released it. I caught one on a worm, but it got away ;) After a while, we were no longer getting any nibbles, the fish weren't interested in the worms. So, we switched to salmon eggs. As soon as I cast out, a bite, and I landed a fish. The trend continued. As soon as one of us would cast out, we would get another fish. In total, we ended up keeping 12 Cut-throat for dinner, and each of us caught many more and released them.
We put the fish in Dylan's backpack (don't worry, he volunteered) and turned towards the trail. As soon as we did, we heard shouting from across the lake. "Bear, bear!" Just in time, they had warned us that there was a bear directly in front of us above the trail. Here we are with a backpack full of trout, with a bear above us on the trail! We decided to follow the shore for a while, and then got back on the trail. Needless to say, it was a nerve-wracking hike back to camp with a backpack full of fish and rumors of bears! When we arrived back at camp, we all worked at cleaning and gutting the fish. A messy job ;) At our campsite, we worked at building a fire. It was a bit disappointing, the large logs were wet from an earlier rain, so the fire was kept up by numerous kindling runs by me :) We grilled our fish over the fire, using salt and pepper packets, and sauce packets from Burger King. Believe me, it was good :) I recommend the honey mustard! We also cooked some Pork-and-Beans, and green beans :) Twas a good meal! After that, we spent an hour cleaning the campsite (have to keep those grizzly bears away) and went to bed. In the morning, we packed up, and headed out for Wyoming :)
As a closing note, I'd just like to say: What a beautiful state! after the mountains, we drove through the rolling grasslands. Perfect for a future cattle ranch ;) We stopped in a small town a couple hundred miles out of Wyoming. We found a one pump self serve gas station, and we had to to go next door to a (closed) bar to pay. The owner was very nice :) Stayed the night in a KOA camp, and the next day, we were in Wyoming :)
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Hello Everyone, from Montana!
It is the morning of the third day :) We are in Kalispell, Montana, about 30 miles from our next stop in Glacier National Park. On Sunday, we left from Whittier and drove up to Barstow, and from there we headed into Nevada. Our first day was mainly driving. We stopped a few miles outside of Wells, Nevada at about 1am so Paul could get some rest. Dylan and I got out of the car, and laid down on the turn off staring up at the stars. It was spectacular. Its amazing to think of the enormity of our universe, and the amazingness of our God. I only wish that my camera could have captured it.
The next day, we drove into Idaho. We stopped in Shoshone at the Manhattan Cafe for breakfast. Good 'ole biscuits and gravy! It was another full day of driving. We went up through the Sawtooth Mountains, and we were all impressed upon by the beauty of the snow covered hills. Through the winding mountain roads, we finally arrived in Montana. Upon crossing the state line, Dylan looked at the tree covered hills and said, "I'm thirteen hundred miles from home, and I jsut found my new one." Last night, we stopped and got a motel so we could get a good nights rest, for todays drive into Glacier, and setting up camp. I hope to post again soon! But we will have to see about the wifi connections up there :)
One last thing... I Forgot the cord to my camera! So im sorry, but pictures will have to wait until next week :) Thank you all for your prayers! God Bless you :D -The Holy Travlin' Trio
The next day, we drove into Idaho. We stopped in Shoshone at the Manhattan Cafe for breakfast. Good 'ole biscuits and gravy! It was another full day of driving. We went up through the Sawtooth Mountains, and we were all impressed upon by the beauty of the snow covered hills. Through the winding mountain roads, we finally arrived in Montana. Upon crossing the state line, Dylan looked at the tree covered hills and said, "I'm thirteen hundred miles from home, and I jsut found my new one." Last night, we stopped and got a motel so we could get a good nights rest, for todays drive into Glacier, and setting up camp. I hope to post again soon! But we will have to see about the wifi connections up there :)
One last thing... I Forgot the cord to my camera! So im sorry, but pictures will have to wait until next week :) Thank you all for your prayers! God Bless you :D -The Holy Travlin' Trio
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