A Short Life in the SW

So, it was short lived, but what an experience it was, being in San Francisco!!

It all started with a concert on this past Tuesday night! We were in Danville, IL (mapquest it or something ... it's not that big, so I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't know where it was) and did a concert in a church there! The kids did a great job! But, the night did not end normally! You see, on a typical night, we go home with Host Families (or Billets as some call them), but this night, we all jumped onto the bus after our concert and began to drive. We drove to a Hotel in Indianapolis, IN which was about 1.5 hours away, plus a time zone change (not in our favour)!!! So, getting to bed at 12pm only to wake up to a wakeup call at 3:15 was not the best start to the week, but oh well!

3:45am, we're pulling out to the Indianapolis Airport for our 6am flight (the 2 hours are needed to get 22 kids and 6 adults through check-in and security)!! Oh the logistics!

We arrived in San Fran with little difficulty and basically slept for the rest of the day!

Thursday at noon, we were picked up at the hotel on our fancy shmancy coach!!

We arrived at the venue in San Francisco (Concourse Exhibition Center) at around 12:15, only to meet with Josh Groban's Music Supervision team at 12:30. They came to our green room but decided that they wanted a piano. So, the only options were to go to the mainstage (where they were having technical difficulties) or to Josh Groban's greenroom! So, to Josh's room we go! The man starts to play the accompaniment for the song but quickly realizes that the kids need a reference for Josh Groban's part in order for them to sing properly! Our Music Supervisor, Laura, quickly says, "Hey Andrew ... wanna jump in?" So, there I am, standing in Josh Groban's Greenroom, Singing HIS part of HIS song beside HIS Music Supervisor ... meanwhile, the WHOLE time, I'm staring at the door DREADING that Josh was going to walk around the corner and hear me!! haha, Praise the Lord, he didn't! Looking back on it, all I can really do is laugh!

The song we were singing with Josh Groban was none other but his famous single, "You Raise Me Up." This song has a lot of mixed emotions for me personally because back in the summer of grade 12, a friend of mine, Sean Abel, passed away in a car accident! At his funeral, I sang that solo with the Medway Sr. Choir ... it was probably one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life! Up until this year, that song has only had those memories attached to it! However, to see these kids sing that song with such a passion and joy for the life that they HAVE ... it's just incredible!

They then rehearsed with Josh on the mainstage at around 3 and they did a GREAT job!

In fact, the rest of the day was filled with rehearsals with Josh and with Nikki Yanofsky. The oneXone Gala went GREAT! The kids sang SO well and were quite the little professionals!! Big, beautiful smiles and all!!

Matt Damon also made an appearance with our kids! He, along with Josh loved them and were so good to them!!

So, generally, it was a great night, but it was quick! Before we realized where we were and what we were doing, we were getting back onto another plane to fly back home!! We're back in Evansville, IN for a few days and had a couple apperances today at St. Paul United Church of Christ. Needless to say, it's kinda difficult to get back into the "normal tour life" again! That will come, I'm sure!

Oh by the way, does anyone else find it disturbing that Burger King can pop out 26 burgers in less than 5 minutes?!? Or, is that just me??

Leia Mais…

Josh Groban and the ACC

Well, for those who have been sort of following our travels over the last while, it may come as a surprise to you that I'm sitting in a hotel room in Downtown San Francisco! The choir and 6 of us chaperones were flown down to sing at a BIG Gala, put on by oneXone (onexone.org)! It really is incredible to think of all the efforts being made to stop poverty in Africa ... to help out a continent in need! Yes, unfortunately it has become a "fad" to help Africa ... but fad or not, both awareness and money are being raised!! Who can complain about that!

Tomorrow, the kids will be singing along side Josh Groban, singing his well known, 'You Raise Me Up'! They'll also be performing with an upcoming artist named Nikki Yanofsky! Matt Damon is MCing the event and other names like Carlos Santana and Brad Pitt are apparently going to be kicking around! Needless to say, there's a little bit of pressure on the whole "Professionalism" aspect of things, but our kids will be able to handle it!! They're all really excited to sing with "Uncle Josh!"

I'll take some pics backstage and on the red carpet and post some of them up here! I'll also give an update as to how everything went! As you can tell, it has been a while since my last post, but now that you know where we're at, I'm sure you can understand why I haven't really had a whole lot of time to focus on writing on my blog!! We're thinking / hoping that life will become more 'regular' upon arrival back in Indiannapolis on Saturday morning! We shall see ...

Thanks for your continued prayers and support!!
I'll write again within a few days (after tomorrow night)

Leia Mais…

Grown Men Pointing Fingers!!

Yes, 2 posts in one night ... don't get your hopes up, this is not usual!

But I've got a little bit of a rant to go on here for a second ...

You know what makes me sick? American Politics! I went out to the kitchen tonight to have some dessert with the host family that I am staying with and as a Stanley, it takes a lot to not enjoy my food ... but something happened that made me sick!

The TV was on, along with millions of other television sets across the USA I'm sure, to Fox ... airing none other but the Presidential Debate!! Now, I am the first to willingly admit that I am in NO position to have a stance on this whole thing ... but I don't care! Yes, I'm an uninformed Canadian who hasn't the slightest clue the history of American Politics, but again ... not caring!

Can somebody tell me HOW can two grown men who in the big picture should technically be fighting for the same thing can be so opposed to each other, looking rediculous on International TV pointing fingers and playingthe blaming game?!?!?

It just made me realize what kind of a world we live in!! I'm not going to go off on American Politics beyond what I just said, cause I'd likely get myself into trouble, but, I am free to speak about the state of our world, right?!

How did we become so selfish? How did we get to the point where "I am always right and no one else's opinion matters?" How do we as humans claim that our pathetic understanding of life is the one and only!! How often do I personally catch myself thinking that I'm right, no questions!? It's certainly something that I can apply to leadership!! If anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask for it and God will give it to all without finding fault (James 1). Our source of understanding comes from God ... and ONLY God! Then who are WE to claim our 'humanistic' understanding as superior to our neighbours??

... man, we need help! We can't make it on our own! We need something much bigger than us ... than our own minds!! We need God! This world is in need of a reality check!

Well, now that I don't feel like puking anymore, I can get back to work! ... just some thoughts!

Leia Mais…

Goodbye Chi-town ... soon!

It won't be long now until we start heading away from the GCA (does that stand for Greater Chicago Area ... can you tell I'm Ontarian?). We've been to 10 different venues already, which is certainly hard to believe, and we're about to hit an insane end to this week! Tomorrow we're in South Holland, IL ... Thursday we're singing at Moody Bible Institute, Friday we're singing twice at Wheaton Academy and then Saturday we're making an 8 hour trek up to Wisconsin so we can sing at two different venues on Sunday!! These kids are working real hard, but a calm is coming! In this case, it looks to be a calm AFTER the storm!

For those looking for an update on things back home, well, things are kinda complicated these days! Dad was actually home for a little bit! He was eating (somewhat) and walking around (somewhat), but he finds himself in the hospital again. They were going to operate on him on Monday but decided it to be unnecessary because what they thought was wrong was no longer showing up on scans! The surgeon is just shrugging his shoulders saying, "I don't know!" We're kinda at a place of finding that balance between "We wish someone could find a solution" and "Maybe God has already caused the solution!" There is really nothing that I can do, but it's still hard to not be there!! I believe that God has brought the busyness at an opportune time, causing me to not just sit and dwell on the negative, but keeping me distracted! Not forgetting what is going on, but still not letting it take over my life!!

Thank you to all who have been praying! I'm starting to get used to this whole "leading" thing! Ya, I've been in leadership for many years, but I've never felt this responsibility before! Things are starting to look familiar and the mass chaos is starting to calm a little bit, even as the schedule intensifies!!

Some exciting news is coming ... keep posted! I'll fill ya in soon!

Leia Mais…

Life Continues

So, already, one and a half weeks into tour, there have been ups and downs but generally, this has been an incredible experience! Tonight's concert was a great! I was able to stand at the back and just watch these kids sing and dance with such a pure joy ... it was a much needed refresher for me!

I'm actually at a hotel in Gurnee, IL right now. A nice suburb of Chi-town with a Starbucks!! Praise the Lord! The best part, tomorrow is my day off for the week! I get to hang out with a good friend of mine from Briercrest!! yay for Sarah being in the Chi-town area while the choir is here!

I'm really fighting for time to keep playing my guitar! I wouldn't be able to go a long period of time without playing that thing anyways, but man, sometimes I'm just itching to play it and I don't have the time ... there's a lot of paperwork / phoning / etc to be doing! But as I said, I have to fight for that time because playing my guitar is my release! I've never felt the responsibility for a team that I'm leading as much as I do now! I'm sure it's partially becuase there at 22 children and 9 other adults under my leadership 24/7 ... or what sometimes seems like 25 / 8!! My phone is always on and I dread the phone ringing after office hours ...

Thanks for your continued prayers! Your support means so much for me!

I'll be in touch soon!

Leia Mais…

Africa Pics

If you have me on Facebook, keep an eye out for a full Africa Album ... it's in the works!

Leia Mais…

Well, let's try this again ...

Well, I said goodbye to everyone at home once, but this morning / last night was another chance for me to say goodbye for a little while. In faith, I know that God is so much greater than my father's health situation and there will not be any thought of me getting home until next Spring for a couple of weeks for a break. Please keep praying for my dad and his health!

So, the farm boy finds himself in another airport. I might have to start claiming that I know what I'm doing. Nah, who am I kidding? And don't worry, I've only got 2.5 hours between now and when I fly out so I don't have time to get too far. But, even if I DID have time, I'm in Detroit ... what is there to do in Detroit except to fly out of it? Sorry to those who are closely tied to the place ... it's a very, ummm, nice place. :)

I guess I meet up with the little guys (and team) once again today. I felt kinda bad because back when I left them in Chicago, I didn't really get a chance to say goodbye to most of them. They were told that I was the "Tour Leader" the day before ... and the next day they're not able to find me for a whole week. THAT'S gotta do something to a little mind. But at the same time, as soon as they see me, all will be forgotten and I'll be back to being "Uncle Andrew" once again. I must say, I'm pretty excited about that one.

Alright, I will be sure to post again real soon, but until then, take care! Feel free to e-mail anytime too! I can't promise an immediate reply, but I'll at least try to get back sometime. (awestanley@gmail.com)

Leia Mais…

Back in the West

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for the team, for our travel and our transition into the West. We're back in the West now. We're just not all in the same place at this particular moment. Here's the scoop ...

It has been in the works for a while, but the organization has been trying to get me home. While in Africa, my father was going through quite a lot. His surgery did go well ... initially ... however, it has been a long recovery. In fact, he's still in the hospital 5 weeks later. And so, needless to say, it was hard for me to be focused on my responsibilities of leadership with everything going on back at home. God was good and provided all of the strength that I needed to do what I had to do, but my boss (Marci) provided a way for me to get home as soon as possible. It is so incredible to know that I work for an organization that cares about ME and my family, and I'm not just a project to accomplish a company's goals. It is confirmation that I am where I need to be! Praise God for the people I work with!

The kids / rest of the team are at a camp in Indianna right now, spending some more time in training, rehearsals and just getting used to American life. Their first concert is actually this coming Sunday!

I'll be around home until Monday and then I'll be flying back to Chicago to meet up with the choir to continue on in the tour.

Thanks for your prayers! Please continue to pray for the group at the camp and for my fam / dad's health.

Leia Mais…

A little slower for now ...

So, remember that time I said that I was in Uganda? Well, I'm still there. It has been an incredible experience.

Remember that time I said that I would keep this updated regularly? Well, I still plan on doing that too. But, refer to the first question for a second and you'll realize why it is that I haven't posted anything in a while. I'm in Uganda.

Things are busy and internet is scarce ... BUT, once I get back to America in Mid-September, you'll be posted like you've never been posted before. What that means, I haven't a clue. But, thanks for checking in!

Continue praying! My team arrives on Monday -- Praise God!!

Also, for those of you who didn't know, a number of months ago my father was diagnosed with cancer. To make a long story short (not to limit the Praise to God, but due to time), he went in for surgery on Friday and the first phase of treatment had done what it intended to do (shrink the tumor), they cut it out and checked around and found no further growths / cancerous spots!! PRAISE GOD!!! Honestly, I feel such a burden lifted off of my shoulders now! I feel as though I'll be able to lead my team with an energy, passion and a deeper knowledge of God's power and soverignty!! "He works ALL things out for the good of those who trust Him."

Thank you for your prayers! And Let's give credit where credit is deserved! Thank God for this!

Have yourselves a great few weeks and don't forget ... come back Mid-September! Stay in touch,
Andrew

Leia Mais…

That Big City -- London, England

Just so ya know, I'm talking about Heathrow in London, England in the below post.

Leia Mais…