Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Experience of a Lifetime

Before I left for California on July 5th, I stayed up really late with my mom crying about all the worries I had for going on tour. I returned on August 18th, crying myself to sleep from the feeling of loneliness. I was home, where I should have felt really comfortable and happy and I felt so alone. I was used to always being surrounded by my tour members. Even when I slept, I was sharing a bed. I felt really sad when I got home. College was coming and volleyball tryouts were coming, and I felt like I was being forced to leave this great experience that I had just had and move on to the next thing. My mom helped me realize that I didn’t have to just cover up what I had just done. When a person comes back from a mission trip, they can’t just go back into reality. They have to ease themselves back in. Also, people here at home were waiting to hear about my experiences. Explaining my trip to them would keep it alive in me.

I left on this trip with a goal set in my mind. I wanted to become closer to God. My goal was to have a closer relationship by the end of tour. I had questions that I hoped to be answered while I was there. I didn’t realize it until the very last night, but everyone I met helped me to answer those questions. I still have questions and struggles with certain concepts as does everyone else in the world, but I feel like things were cleared up for me.

It was really neat going to so many different churches. So many were so different and it was neat to compare the different types, in which I might like to go to in the future. I also saw churches that I definitely would not want to go to. I met all sorts of different people from so many different places.

I’ve gone on weekend retreats and week-long mission trips before, but spending 6 weeks with and for God is completely different. In the beginning of tour we were told that we would be changed when we went home. In the last couple of days, I didn’t feel changed, but by the last night I was looking back on my relationship with God before tour and what it is now. After being with my family I felt a change and after interacting with people not on tour with us, I feel a difference. It’s a good difference.

Something that was a little different in this tour was that we were ending the 40th year celebration. There was a big concert at the end of tour at a very large church in Anaheim, CA (could fit about 2000-3000 people in sanctuary). All of the tours from the second half of the summer reunited for this last major concert. There was also the recording choir (the professional people that do recordings for the Continentals) and there were people from the first Continental tour. We spent the day rehearsing with the other groups and going through the transitions. The actual concert was amazing. All of the groups were on the stage singing together. There were fog machines going and different colored lights. There were cameras everywhere that focused in on our individual groups and faces and put them on big screens on either sides of the stage. I loved it. I felt so professional. It was at this concert that I realized that I go to concerts like this. Except this time I was on the other side. It was an awesome experience.

At our normal concerts, it was really neat to see people changed or touched by our program. I especially loved hearing soft “Amen”s after singing our ballads. You could hear people sniffling in the audience. It was really cool to be worked through by God in that way.

That is exactly what this trip was. God was working through us and through our talents to show the world his face. We were able to spread his love through example and spread his word through our songs. I watched people change on tour and saw a lot of people accept Christ into their lives while on the road. Every single audience member was so happy at the end of our concerts. It was very enlightening.

All in all, I am so happy I went on tour with the Continental Singers. I grew a lot in my faith and love knowing the fact that I was worked through to help others grow in their faith also. I would like to thank you all one last time for all of your support and love before leaving, and comments and prayers while I was away. You really made this experience of a lifetime happen for me and I am forever grateful. Thank you.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

days off

For the next two or three days I think I'll be staying in a hotel so I won't have access to a computer as far as I know. We have no concerts monday or tuesday and our concert sunday is during the morning church service. So we'll be having some days off. I have no idea what we're doing yet. :)

Saturday, August 9, 2008

To my host families:

The host family post is older. I keep editing it and adding more. To see it you have to go back to July 21 post (probably on another page) Don't forget to look for your name!!!!

A couple of cool things

just a couple cool God things that have happened:

A girl on our tour has been really tired and she has a solo. The past couple of nights she was kind of giving herself pep talks and stuff trying to get awake and stuff. Tonight she prayed about it and asked God for help. After the concert she told all of us how much better she felt during her solo. She said she had an epiphany that she's been just trying to feel better by herself, but once she asked God for help, she just felt so much better. So the moral of the story>>ask for God's help and he'll give you a hand. if you just try and do it by yourself you won't get half as far.

Another thing:

A couple days ago, all these weird doubts kept coming into my mind. I was so confused and really just didn't understand nor did I want them there, but for some reason they kept popping up. I was talking to a girl about it at a host home (same girl as above) and we prayed about it and the next day I was completely fine. God answered my prayers and took all those weird doubting thoughts away that had been bothering me earlier. God is awesome.

Back in CA

So we're back in California. Susanville. I woke up this morning at 4:43 for a 6 am call time. We drove for about 8-9 hours. I don't think I've slept so hard on the bus yet. I definately drooled more than ever. haha no joke.

Anyways, while we were still in OR, we got pulled over by a cop. I guess our bus doesn't have a license plate (which the Continentals thought was fine b/c its a newly purchased bus and they have a little sticker on the front which should be fine...in CA...and no one knew that little detail. I guess OR needs more than just a sticker) We were pulled over for at least a 1/2 hour. It was the excitment of the trip. So please pray for our safety and bus "issues". We should be fine now that we're back in CA.


To the family: I can't wait to see you on the 14th!

to elyse....

lol...oops. i completely forgot. I was waiting for the 21st to come around...i guess i was thinking it was june...? anyways sorry i missed your PARTY. maybe that's what I was thinking. oh my goodness.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Only 6 more shows... :(

Although we still have a week and a half left, many of our concerts didn't end up getting scheduled so we only have about 6 left... :( It's so weird how fast this tour is going by. I'm already thinking about next year. (I think they're going to Thailand or something...)

Lately on the bus we have been doing testimonies. We started a while ago, but we only got through about 3 people and we want to hear about everyone before the end of tour. I really like testimonies because it allows everyone to get to know eachother more. Some testimonies are a lot more traumatic than others, but everyone is so understanding and loving and welcoming. It's such a great group of people.

I talked a little bit about the invitation portion of our concert in a previous post. I mentioned how at this part we go out into the audience and pray with people. I've only gotten a chance to do this twice. Both times I was really nervous and not really sure what I was doing. Now that I really want to go pray with people and understand what to do, I haven't really had a chance. We have 4 groups that rotate so its all fair, but the difference in every concert is how many people raise their hands and if you are the closest distance to them to go pray with them. I guess I just haven't been lucky haha. But that's ok. I'm hoping that I'll get another chance before tour is over.

Today we were supposed to have an outdoor concert in a park which I was really excited about. But it started raining really hard and hailing and all sorts of bad stuff so we moved it back to the church. (Luckily we had like 4 extra hours. we somehow got there really early) It was pretty awesome cuz the stage was bigger than they have been.

Elyse, I miss you too! Tell Kasey I say hi back. See you soon! I was going to call you on your birthday and I was counting down the days and then before I knew it, it was August 4th...So happy be-lated birthday! I love you!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Back in the lower 48.

To answer Jen's questions:
Yes, Alaska was cold, but it was dusk at 10pm and stayed that way all night. I saw no igloos and no eskimos and no moose :( I saw glaciers, but we had no time to climb them. They look super cool though.

Our flight was great. We only had to pay about $125 in extra baggage which is really great. We could have easily spent over $500. God blessed us with the nicer airport people... Last night we stayed in a hotel and since we had no show, our director brought us to the movie theater and we saw the new Batman movie. It was a nice break. Today we had a show in Corvalis, OR. Tomorrow's show is at a boy on tour's home church. He's really excited.
The stage manager job isn't as hard and time consuming as some of the other jobs, but it definatly has its share of stressful moments. I'm in charge of counting all of the cords to make sure we have everything before we leave. Every once in a while someone will add cords without telling me and forget to count them themselves, so I am left to the decision of if they are our cords or not. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but it can be stressful. Another thing I'm in charge of is the duct tape. Continental Singers spends thousands of dollars on duct tape during the year for all of the tours that go out. They are trying to bring the price down and therefore want the tours to be a little more strict on how much duct tape they use. Our tour has lost a lot of duct tape and I have had to give announcements a couple of times on how we have to be careful with the duct tape. We started out with 24 rolls and we are left with about 8. For a while I was scared everyone was going to think I was like the duct tape nazi...haha but they all understand and we are doing much better when it comes to duct tape control. It's really neat to have a sort of leadership position on tour. I'm glad they asked me to do it.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Last day in Alaska.

Tomorrow morning, we are meeting at the church at 5:30 am. We are coming back to the lower 48. Alaska was really fun and we met a lot of awesome people. I can't believe our tour has only 2 weeks left! I'm having such a great time and have learned a lot from my fellow tour members and hosts. It really is a great experience and I don't want it to end!

My tour has basically been sick since we left LA. Someone catches one thing and then it spreads and then once everyone starts to feel better something new comes along. So please keep us in your prayers. Another thing to pray for: Our flight tomorrow, that the airlines don't charge us too much for our extra equipment and for safe travels. For safety also with our vans (and when we get back to WA, our bus. Today we were really lucky. The van I was riding in had some wheel trouble. I guess whatever was holding the wheel on fell off and there was only one screw keeping it attached. Thank you God we were all right.

Thanks again for all your comments. I love reading them! :)

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

hey hey hey

mom, today i checked my facebook for the first time...tell my friends i love them :) and miss them a whole heck of a lot.

i saw my roommate!!! she said that she would take care of the fridge and something else and that i should get the tv. i wrote her back and gave her my e-mail so it would be easier for you to check. that is all :) love you

ps I almost cried today from the beautiful mountains. my pictures don't do it justice. at all. it's amazing. my host family here is awesome. we stayed with them for 2 nights. tomorrow we leave for someplace far away (i forget the name) but it's about 7 hours away not including stops for lunch, bathroom, gas, ect. I need to get some sleep. good night.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

I'M IN ALASKA!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey everyone! So guess what?!?! I'm finally in Alaska! It's so beautiful and I have a lot of scenery pictures. Our flight came in at about 11:22 am Alaska time. We didn't arrive at the church until about 10:00 pm. We have 3 vans (12 passenger) and we got lost a lot so it took us a while to get here. Our first Alaskan concert is tonight so I will update you later on how it went. :)

Penni, I'm very excited for your son and the decisions he's making. It's so amazing how young he is and how into it he is...I never would have really understood so much at his age. God is awesome.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Washington!!!

So tonight I am staying in Yakima, WA. There are 8 girls staying in this house and we're having a lot of fun.

I thought I'd tell you all about the actual show we are doing. We start out with the musical "The Dreamer". It is the story of Joseph, written by Cam Floria, the president of Continentals. It's a 48 minute show that is kind of like Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, but not... After that, we leave and come back in another outfit (black pants and pink shirt) and we sing 6 more songs. In between songs we have different things like an "invitation" which is an invitation to accept Jesus as your savior for the first time or as a rededication. We have a presentation for "Compassion" which is a child sponsor organization. Then we have an offering which is mainly being used to get us to Alaska right now. (we originally needed to raise $3500 as a tour and we are getting pretty close.) That's about it. It's fun!

People are telling me to get off the pc now so I must go. But until then, I will miss you all a whole heck of a lot.

monday i'll be in alaska.

ps mom and dad, our Kent concert was canceled for another concert in kent...so i don't know how I'm gonna get the package (could you call the church???)

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Long drive ahead!

So I think tomorrow, We're off to Idaho. I think it's like a 6-8 hour drive. I'm excited. That means a lot of sleepy time!

yes mom, my garment bag was the right type. but the zipper broke. If you could send me a new one, that would be GREAT! and a watch would be nice...and maybe some more black socks because I don't know where all of mine went. haha love yooouuu!

The bus is probably out of the early 80's. It says "Continentals" really big on the side and the seats recline really far. we have to turn off the air conditioning when we go up big hills so that we will have enough energy to get to the top and then coast down and possibly miss a stop sign because the breaks don't work and then the cops pull us over our giant bus full of missionaries and yell at us. Don't worry, we got the breaks fixed. It was kind of a comical situation...but it does get very hot going up the mountains.

So I forget to tell you...our first concert...we have this thing called counseling and it's the part of the concert where people can actually accept Christ into their lives for the first time or rededicate their lives to him. At that time, a group of us go out into the audience and pray for the people with their hands up. The first concert, I was one of the "counselors" and I had the opportunity to pray for a girl about my age that wanted to rededicate her life to Christ. It was a neat experiance to be on that side. Usually I'm the one at the concert being touched by the music. And this time it was someone else whom God touched so much through us, that she wanted to rededicate her life. It was really cool.

Peace Out! I'll update again soon.

PS I really like getting the comments! You guys are awesome. JCAse, you make me laugh every time. :)

Monday, July 21, 2008

Host Homes

Thank you to everyone who has hosted me. You've all been great and without you our ministry would not be possible. Please keep in touch and feel free to comment on any postings.

Thank you to:
The Anderson family (Riverside) -Thanks for putting up with us for 2 nights. :) I had a lot of fun and have a new appreciation for frozen yogurt!
Bev (Fresno, CA) -Your "eggs goldenrod" was delicious!
Becky and Steve (Nevada) -Your house is beautiful and I really enjoyed talking with you and hope to see a herd of wild horses tomorrow morning!
Pennie Carroll-I really enjoyed talking to you. Thank you so much for hosting us! It wasn't my black sock that was left, but I'm sure it was left special to you as a going away present. haha Thanks again!
O'Grady family-I had a really great time talking with you. Thank you.
Weber family-Thank you for the delicious breakfast and a wonderful night. I really liked your robotic fish pond :)
Peggy and Darrell-Thank you for taking in all 8 of us girls. We had a lot of fun!
Mark and Charlotte Hooper (AK) - Thank you so much for taking us in for 2 nights! It was really great meeting you and talking with you. All the girls say hi.
Whisenhant family (AK) - Canoeing was AWESOME! I'm so happy we got to do that in Alaska nonetheless. Thank you.
Grandpa Jack and Grandma Joyce (AK)- Alex and I had a wonderful time visiting with you. Thank you for the special hot choc. treat before bed and the delicious breakfast in the morning. You guys are a really cute couple. :)
Hannah Pennell (AK)- Thank you so much for insisting on hosting Selah and I. You guys were so much fun and it was especially cool to be hanging out with hosts our age. I don't regret staying up until 1:30. lol We had an awesome time.
Cleon and Joyce Glaze- I loved visiting with you and learning about the FBI. :) The scones in the morning were delicious! I'll make sure to e-mail you and get the recipe!
Curt and Edie Komning (John Day, OR)- Elliotte and I had a great time at your home. All of your paintings are very beautiful. I'm a little jealous of your talent... :)
Mary- Thank you for taking all 10 of us girls. We had a wonderful time! You're house is beautiful.
Anna and Dave Stewart (Sacramento, CA) - It was so great to spend my night off at your house. I really enjoyed talking with you and learned a lot from our conversations. Thank you also for the DELICIOUS food! :)
Maggie and family- Natisha and I had a great time at your house. It was neat being in a house where the Continentals was literally a part of your lives. Thanks for the huge lunch! :)

Nevada

Hi everyone! You all make me so happy to see 12 comments!!! Right now I'm sitting at my host home's computer in Nevada. They have an awesome house overlooking everything you could imagine. It's so beautiful here. Yesterday, we left Fresno, CA on our bus and drove about 5 hours to South Lake Tahoe. We had a night off (because there was nothing booked) and went out to dinner and then went swimming in the lake. It was soooo beautiful. Last night we had to stay in a hotel because of some confusion with a church and then this morning, we performed at the 11 am service. After that we drove to Nevada (about a 1 1/2 hour drive) Our bus is very old so it is very slow going up hills. And there are a lot of them. It was my first time driving through the mountains and it was really cool. I took lots of pictures.

We had a really good show tonight. The past 2 were full of technical difficulties so tonight's success was definately a blessing. Did I mention to you guys that I'm the stage manager for our tour. That means they picked me to be in charge of setting up and breaking down and things like that. It's a pretty big job and is kind of fun when people have to ask me for things to do. :)

I'm learning a lot about all the different people on my tour and I really love them all so much. I never realized how much having christian friends can make an impact on you. Everyone is truly in love with God and their ability to share stories has brought everyone together even more. I've already been taught so much and have been impacted by the people I've met.

I just wanted to say again how happy I am to be here and that I can't imagine being anywhere else at this moment. A cool thing that happened yesterday: we drove past a herd of buffalo...yes buffalo. I think only the Seeds of Hope people can truly understand this. It was kind of like God telling me this is where I'm suppose to be. I'm missing the South Dakota trip this year and yet I still saw my buffalo that I thought I would have only been able to see in SD. That might be a little far fetched but it was cool for me.

To mom & dad, I'm going to try and call you tomorrow, but you might be working...just an fyi I swam in lake tahoe with my beautiful zebra striped watch on and it ceases to work. and my garment bag ripped. so i am without a watch and sharing a garment bag for the time being. The care package you sent me is awesome and i've been carrying it around with all of my stuffcuz there's so much food, I don't know what to do with it all. I already ate all of the fig neutons...haha
mommy, i really like what you sewed into my pants because whenever I see it I think of you. :)
ps stop using my blog to update on other things. silly goose. my blog. :)


does anyone have any questions they want to ask? miss you all!

pps mom, tomorrow morning I plan to jump rope. We've been fed extremely well and I've probably gained a few!
ppps Jcase, I've actually showed a couple people the pelvic jazz square. they haven't quite mastered it yet. and elyse, everyone really likes the "squeeze the ketchup" move.

pppps i thought we were going to idaho tomorrow but actually we're going to winnemucca...wherever the heck that is.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Mission

The Congregational Church of East Hampton Connecticut has a lot to be proud of. Mission.

This morning members, includiing 4 adults and 12 teens are waking in the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota. (From 1980 to 2000, the counties that make up Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota comprised the poorest of our nation's 3,143 counties.)
Throughout the week these volunteers, will participate in various work projects across the Reservation, helping to rebuild relationships, homes, and lives. Today, after breakfast they will go to Wounded Knee Cemetery for a time of reflection, communion, and prayer. Lord be with this group as they bring your good news of love and hope into a world of pain and suffering.

This morning Jillian wakes in the home of a host family. Her day will be busy. The Continental Singers will be performing at an 11 am service at the First Baptist Church in South Lake Tahoe. After, they will travel to Gardnerville, NV for a 6:30 pm performance at High Sierra Fellowship. We’re anxiously awaiting any news from Jillian and recall frequently that “no news is good news”. The tour itinerary shows that so far they have had 3 performances; 1 in Riverside and 2 in Fresno CA. Lord keep Jillian safe as she journeys into the homes and lives of strangers.

Posted by Nancy and Lance

Monday, July 14, 2008

at the hotel...

HI everyone! I miss you all so much! I'm having so much fun and can't believe I'm actually here. I don't have much time to right anything because i'm at the hotel and there's a lot of people in line for the computer. But I just wanted to tell you all how grateful I am for your love and support. Everything just feels so right being here and I couldn't wish to be anywhere else in the world right now.

Talk to you soon!

~Jill

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Rehearsal Camp Day 7

1:00 AM and the phone rang....it was Jill....yahoo!

All is VERY WELL...This is day 7 of 10 days of Rehearsal Camp, then they take the tour on the road.... they are working hard on the performance, about 12 hours/day, they even focus on their music duing lunch. "No time to be homesick"

There are 10 boys and 15 girls in her group. The group has amazing talent. They were allowed to try out for 1 solo, she sang "When I Survey", the song she sang on Children's Sunday. They practice at a huge church with many buildings. The other Continental groups are also rehearsing at same place but will be touring seperate from the Frontline Continentals. She said she's enjoying the religious conversations.

Jill is anxious to write in this blog and was happy to hear that people are checking in. Once on the road, she hopes to get access to a host family computer.

Posted by mom and dad

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Rehearsal Camp Day 3

Jillian has left a phone message, 5:30 am (PST)
"Pactice is hard. Trying out for solos today.
Long day planned, won't be back in room till 9:30 pm"

posted by mom

Saturday, July 5, 2008

New Beginnings

Jillian just phoned and she has safely landed in LAX. She sounded very excited and asked us to update the blog until she got computer access.

At the airport she met other groups that are also beginning their tour today. The groups included Jillian's group: Front Line Continentals (age 16-28), as well as the Young Continentals (12-16) and a Worship Band (age 16-28). Jillian said she was being bused to Oxnard CA where they would be staying during the 10 day rehearsal camp. (Actual rehersals are at a Baptist Church in Ventura CA). She also said everyone that she's met so far "are great".

FYI....we asked Wes what to title the blog post and he suggested "New Beginnings". I was really surprised at his response because little did he know that the concert program is titled, NEW BEGINNINGS, which is year-long continuing celebration of the Continentals 40th anniversary!

Nancy and Lance (mom & dad)

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

HOW TO LEAVE A COMMENT:

If you would like to comment on a post, it is very easy. Go to the bottom of the latest post or whichever one you would like to comment on. It will say "0 comments" or a different number depending on who has commented. Click on that. On the right hand side of the page will be a box that says "Leave your comment". Type your comment there. Under the comment box, it says "choose an identity". If you click on "name/url" then you can type your name in (ignore url). Last, but not least, click the orange rectangle that says "Publish Post".

I look forward to hearing from you!

Fundraising Complete!

I am officially done fundraising and I still can't believe thel $5000 was raised. It's all because of every one of you and it's just amazing that we pulled it off. :)

I leave this Saturday at 4am with a 6am flight. I'm so excited!!! I should arrive in Los Angeles at about 11am (Pacific Time).
And this is when I will begin to take the final steps of the journey we started together in November.

It's amazing how all of this started. I just applied to Continental Singers after hearing positive remarks from a cousin who also was a part of its ministry. The first step was wondering if I'd even get in. It started out as just being a traveling choral group which toured around singing the type of music I liked and spreading beliefs that I shared. Through all of the fundraising stages and learning what the Continental Singers actually are, as a ministry, I have learned an incredible amount about myself, God, my faith, my family, and my church community and I haven't even gone on the trip yet. If I had left for this trip right when I signed up, I only could have imagined I was spiritually ready for it. At first everyone's generous contributions were supporting me to go on a mission trip of musical ministry. Now I realize that you were giving your money to God, and sending me to do his work. I have a much deeper understanding now than I did in the beginning and it would not be so without your help. God Bless You All.

Be with me on the last leg of the journey to spread the love and word of God.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Tour Schedule

This is my tour schedule for this summer. For specifics, go to www.continentalsingers.com
Go to concert locations, type in Tour A, Frontline Continentals, and check upcoming concerts. This will show exact churches, addresses, ect.


5-Jul S Fly to Los Angeles
5-14Jul M Rehearsal Camp
15-Jul T Riverside CA
16-Jul W Riverside CA
17-Jul TH Las Vegas NV
18-Jul F Modesto CA
19-Jul S South Lake Tahoe, CA
20-Jul SU South Lake Tahoe, CA
20-Jul SU Sparks NV
21-Jul M Winnemucca NV
22-Jul T Meridian ID
23-Jul W Walla Walla WA
24-Jul TH Spokane WA
25-Jul F Yakima WA
26-Jul S Kent WA
27-Jul SU Kent WA
27-Jul SU Stanwood WA
28-Jul M Fly to Alaska
29-Jul T Cooper Center AK
30-Jul W Fairbanks AK
31-Jul TH Sutton AK
1-Aug F Willow AK
2-Aug S Eagle River AK
3-Aug SU Wasilla AK
3-Aug SU Anchorage AK
4-Aug M Fly to Seattle
5-Aug T Corvallis OR
6-Aug W John Day OR
7-Aug TH Lakeview OR
8-Aug F Susanville CA
9-Aug S Folsom CA
10-Aug SU Sacramento CA
10-Aug SU Vacaville CA
11-Aug M Salinas CA
12-Aug T Santa Maria CA
13-Aug W Camarillo CA
14-Aug TH Chino Hills CA
15-Aug F Anaheim CA
16-Aug S Anaheim CA
17-Aug SU Southern CA
17-Aug SU Long Beach CA
18-Aug M Fly Home

Monday, May 19, 2008

Almost there!

$5000 was a lot to raise and I'm so happy and kind of surprised that I even made it this far. Everyone has really come together to help me with the financial portion of this trip and I'm so happy to have such a large group of friends and supporters.

Todays balance leaves $1744 left to raise. Although that seem like a lot, it feels like a breath of fresh air after everything else. However, I do only have about a month to raise it. It's definately crunch time!

Thank you again to everyone! We're so close I can almost taste it! :)

Sunday, April 20, 2008

In the beginning - Fundraising

It started in November. First I made Christmas swags and then picture frame ornaments. I was in the Harford Courant and we just had a Mother's Day Tea Party. Everything has been an amazing success and I am blessed with all the support I have gotten from family, friends, and complete strangers.

Special Thanks to:
**Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey for hooking me up with Melissa from the Hartford Courant. I've gotten tremendous support as a result of that one newspaper article.
**Diane Nielsen for donating an unimaginable amount of time to making desserts and buying tea and telling us how to make a tea party actually work. The tea party worked out perfectly and you are the reason for its success.
** Carly DeCoursey, Elyse Dolde, and Megan Morariu for helping me put together an audition tape. (And of course for all your support) Without you guys I wouldn't even be going on my trip this summer. I'm so lucky to have you as friends. love you gals!
**Cindy Shirshac for helping out at the tea party. Thank you for all your help and for bringing the tea pots and table cloths and for your kitchen help.
**Cindy Abraham for helping us set up for the tea party the day before and for your angel and cloth and pretty boxes.
**Michelle Berkenstock for washing all of the dishes after the tea party.
**My cousins Kelsey and Elliot Phillips for giving up 10% of their allowances and McDonald's treats to sponsor me.
**Grandpa Bohn for all of his enthusiasm, love, and generous support which has helped complete my fundraising goal.
**Aunt Patti for helping us make the x-mas swags. (and your donation of ribbon) You made it a lot of fun!
**Aunt Chris for selling my ornaments at the hospital and for helping to make the paper flowers for the tea party. Everyone loved the flowers. I had a lot of fun making them with you.
**Nancy Dolde and Jill Walker for washing dishes for the tea party, for your support, for the nice words about me to the Continental Singers, and just all your help in general. Nancy>thanks for helping with the swags. Jill>thanks for helping make tea party invitations.
**The music committee for giving me half the proceeds from the tag sale. This was an unexpected help that brought me a very long way. Thank you so much.
**Wes and Claire. Thanks for not complaining too much and helping me with fundraisers. You guys are the best siblings EVER!!! I love you more than the sun. :) and Claire, thanks for all your hard work at and before the tea party.
**Mom and Dad...obviously... :) thanks for the constant support and for telling me I sing pretty. I'm lucky to have parents like you. I love you.


To everyone who sponsored me: Thank you SO much! This trip would not be possible without your support. I am forever grateful.

Linda Tinney
Karen Evertson
Lorraine Barlow
Edeline Pasterner
Cindy Pasternak
Mary Decoursey
Cyndi & Maryanne Shirshac
Carol Hofflich
Amy & Emily Hackett
Susan Hosig
Joanne & Megan Morariu
Terry & Allison Brogan
Nancy & Jen Casey
Lynn & Allyse Szkoda
Sherrie & Taylor Muncy
Doris Crouch (Nanny)
Betty Jane & Nicole Cole
Mary-Margaret & Megan Wrinkle
Aunt Jackie
Carol & John Westcote
Jean & Ed Loveland
Janet Mc Govern
Jill Walker
Jackie Hooper-Hage
Nancy & Elyse Dolde
Wendy Parker
Cindy & Hollin Abraham
Melissa & Mrs. Wyskiel
Leslie Slofia
Arlene Johnson
Nancy Dolde
Burke's
Csere's
Barton's
Marie Curtis
Cindy Moriarty
Priscilla Cale
Norwood's
Hammond's
Mary Rose
Jaimie Melakowski
Audrey Blackwell
Stackowitz's
Morariu's
Peggy Hiel
Laine Kingo
Pam Costa
June Foran
Jennifer Berkenstock
Harazim's
Mrs. Sprague
Jackie Lagana
Mrs. Stabach
Mrs. Psoter
Mrs. Ubaldini
Ms. Grassi
Ms. Derbacher
Baine's
Mrs. Robinson
Eileen Loprinze
Isabelle Esteves
Beverly Temelini
Mrs. Witnowski
Mrs. Pugliese
Beverly Shaw
Diane Nielsen
Ruth Rafus
Billie Gerky
Tom Rizzo
Annie Stupik
Ralph and Sheila Cedar
Mrs. Gallman
Marsdens'
Lonsdales'
Justine Lavoie
Jean Raad
Lorraine Liswell
Jan Grover
Warren and Gloria Bohn
Balletto Family
Daley Family
Cindy Shirshac
Mclellan family
Phillips family
Tuttle family
Rinaldo family
Grandma and Grandpa Bohn


Thanks again to everyone! God Bless.