Jeremy took Annah to Greenville today to move the rest of her things out of her dorm room.  They were able to get most when he rushed down to get her in March, but there were still a few of the larger items, like her rug, microwave, rolling cart, mattress topper, etc. 

Once the university was able to set the protocol for COVID-19 move-out, she had to request an appointment. She didn't feel there was time last week during finals, so today was her assigned day.  She was given a 3 hour window between noon-3pm. Only one person was allowed to go with her on campus. Only one person per floor of the dorm could move out at a time. Traffic into and out of the dorm was one-way...up one flight of stairs (She lived on the 3rd floor.) and down another flight. Face masks were required to enter the building.

Annah's roommate Tori had moved out last week, and left this on her whiteboard along with a letter and a gift. Annah had to call her once she had emptied and cleaned the room to "check out," since Tori was also her R.A. 

She had to lock her room key and her mailbox key in the room, rather than turning them in to a Resident Director.  Jeremy said they didn't see anyone else in or out of the building while they were there. What an odd feeling. 

 Jeremy took Annah to Doc's house to turn in her choir folders and music, and she was able to visit with him (from 6 feet away).  Jeremy sent me this picture he took from the car, and I just cried. We love this man, and are so thankful Annah had daily influence and encouragement from him throughout this year.  He was one of the biggest reasons she went to GU, one of the biggest helps in getting her there, and he encouraged her even today. 

That was definitely the best last stop/encounter Annah could have had in leaving Greenville.

When she got home, she and Sylvia made room for all of the rest of her dorm room stuff, and she put up her little message board in their room.

First Year Done

My favorite part of Annah's workspace are the snacks that appear daily.  Nice choice on the Oreos for the last day, Ann.

She did it.  She finished, and she is so glad to be done with this school year.  Right now she has very few positive things to say or feel about it, but I pray that one day she will be able to look back and be so thankful for ever part of it. 

I am proud of her for continuing to try when she really did NOT want to. I am proud of her for enduring Music Theory 2, Audiation 2, and Class Piano 2 with essentially no instruction for the entire semester.  I am proud of her for completing a 6-credit Humanities: Philosophy of Religion course that was super intense. There was more learning about being a grown-up and dealing with the unfairness of life than we would've wished for her this year, but I can totally see God's hand in all of it.  Even though it feels like almost everything is uncertain for her right now, I cannot wait to see where the Lord takes her next!

Starting to Crack

For the 3rd month in a row, my Amazon Subscribe and Save order of toilet paper has been canceled. This is the least of my concerns. We have plenty of TP.

And we still have plenty of silly and SnapChat filter fun going on.

Annah was only required to record one of the pieces she's worked on this semester in her private lessons for her juries. She sang a Mozart aria that I didn't know, and I loved getting to accompany her.   We had a few challenges recording, as it was the first beautiful day we'd had in a while and all of our neighbors were outside mowing and the sound was picked up on the recording. When we finally found a few minute window where no one was mowing, and trucks weren't driving by our house constantly, we got this take...ignore my little screw-up at the end and Annah's hair getting in her eyes. We had fun making music together.

When she got home unexpectedly in March, Annah cleared a spot on the table in the den to set up her computer and work. Notice her phone in front of her computer...She and Ryan are FaceTiming while she works and he is playing video games at his house. 

She has had to push really hard (and needed several pep talks) to keep going. One more week!

I've really appreciated Jimmy Fallon's putting out "Tonight Show" videos from his home with his adorable family. And I really enjoyed this song, and maybe identified with some of the references a little too much.  Haha.

It does feel like we're "starting to crack" a little bit sometimes.

I emailed all my piano and voice students this week, and have loved hearing back from them how they are using their music and what they are doing during this difficulty.  One dad responded that he is playing music from different eras and genres for his kids each night!  So cool--a little "music history class" in their kitchen and they probably don't even realize they're learning!  That same dad said to me "I think this was God's way of reminding everyone what is truly important in this world." Yep, I think he's right.

Another person said to me, "God has a plan in everything, and I pray we can use this time of a slower pace of life to really evaluate where we are in life and how we are using our time in service to Him!"  Ohh yes, and did I need to hear that!!!

During this past week I have been able to connect/reconnect with friends I haven't made time for in a while.  One morning my friend Kim called me after she sent me and Jeremy a text to check in and I told her I was having a rough morning.  We talked for probably 45 minutes, and I bet we haven't talked on the phone in years!  She was such a comfort to me!

One day, Pastor Todd issued a Facebook challenge to our church to reach out to 10 people, and I did that.  I delivered a couple of the bags I crocheted last week to friends and was able to visit--from 6 feet away--with Jenna and Will (and Martin) for a while.  They are such cheerful people, and Jesus' light just shines out of them...such a refreshing joy to just talk with them for a little bit!

I also texted dear friends that are far away that I haven't caught up with in too long, and had sweet conversations with Lori and Cora.  Ohhh, that does a heart good!

Friday evening I received a really difficult message from a friend and I have been extremely upset and emotional about it all weekend.  I decided to fast my phone for the weekend, and it has helped not to have it in my hand as much as usual.  

Saturday morning, the girls and I started an online women's small group with several women from church.  We will be studying this book, and I am really excited about it!

For the first couple weeks, we are just chatting and praying together, since we need time for our books to arrive.  It was so wonderful to see the faces of some of our closest sisters in Christ on the zoom meeting yesterday, and to hear about what the past weeks have been like for them, and to pray for one another and feel encouraged!  Every person is experiencing the situation differently, but we can all appreciate and support one another through it.  Such peace and comfort in that!  I am so grateful to have the time to be part of this group and study, as it occurs during a time when I would usually be teaching and unable to participate.  Thank you for that, God!  

We have loved our PoC online worship service each Sunday morning.  Sundays have been crazy busy for us for the past I-don't-know-how-many years! It is so refreshing to get up and come to the living room and worship at home, then have lunch and spend the day relaxing together.  A beautiful sabbath, really.  I know it is still a lot of work for those on the church staff, the worship team that is rehearsing and playing, and especially the technical staff.  They are doing a great job, and it is so meaningful and wonderful for our congregation.

Annah recorded this for her recital at school.  We've all enjoyed hearing her learn this very difficult piece these past few weeks!

Today was a gorgeous day here, and we all got at least a little time in the sunshine. Jeremy spent a lot of yesterday outside removing a stump in the yard, and starting to fashion a fire pit in the corner of our yard at Annah's request.  Today, he and Sylvia threw a little nerf football back and forth for quite a while, and Sylvia spent time skateboarding, of course. Sometimes it would be nice to have a bigger yard, but I am thankful for the little spot we have.

Annah stood on Sylvia's skateboard and has pretty good balance.  I got on for about 7 seconds and found it pretty scary, haha.

This evening, I noticed these flowers by the garage looked so pretty in the sun.

This afternoon, in his daily COVID19 public address to the state, our governor officially announced that Illinois schools will remain closed and classes online for the rest of the school year.  While we assumed this was coming, the fact that it was put off and we were given false hope for the last several weeks made it more difficult to take.

We have a wonderful new superintendent this year, and he sent out a voice message and this letter to our entire district:

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It is difficult to process all of this.  For me personally, only minor inconveniences:

 *I am not able to work as a substitute teacher. I was supposed to cover a maternity leave teaching HS and JH health from 4/24 through the end of the school year, but now that classes are online the teacher will cover it during her leave (God bless her, with a new baby!)  

*I was also hired in January as the Theatre Club Sponsor for the high school, which includes directing the annual Variety Show...which is now a "no-go."

*I don't know whether or not to even bother planning to direct a fall play.

For Caeden, I think he feels that he will have opportunities to do all the things later, since he is a freshman.  But, he is struggling with focusing on his school work online.  And he really, really misses his friends.  He is thankful for Zoom classes, Fortnite with his boys, and SnapChat to keep him in touch with some people besides the ones in our house! 

Sylvia, on the other hand is missing out on a lot.  This most recent announcement was the straw that really broke the camel's back for her.  She has felt like she couldn't grieve things she's missing out on because she's not a senior, but today she did break down and cry, finally.  

She has (or will) missed out or can't move forward on:

*Performing in Guys and Dolls

*Going to Sectionals with the WYSE team

*Spring concert for choir, vocal jazz, band

*Being part of the induction ceremony for National Honor Society

*Junior Prom and AfterProm

*A chance to perform in the variety show

*Going on college visits

*Taking the SAT and ACT

*Walking as Honor Guard for commencement

*Going back to Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp this summer (closed for the year)

*And possibly the most devastating is that she won't get to perform the Haydn cello concerto as the featured Howard Rye soloist competition winner with the Bloomington Normal Youth Symphony this spring.  It is a really big deal, and we are all really sad for her and pray she will be able to compete again next year. 

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Although the announcement today doesn't change anything specific for Jeremy or Annah, they are both dealing with loss too.

It has been really hard for Jeremy to remain at home.  Not that he doesn't like being at home, but in his job, he thrives on the social interaction with others.  He was explaining to the kids the other day that it's not that he loves the content of his job, but it's the relationships and interactions with others that makes it enjoyable for him.

He also feels that way about going to the gym.  It is his sanctuary! He has cleaned the old weight benches in the basement and is using those every morning, but not having the social interaction at the gym is difficult for him.

Poor dear Annah is just really struggling to get through her coursework online.  Her theology and philosophy honors course is difficult and very time consuming for her. Music is not really something that works online. 

She is working with SIUe on her transfer for the fall and has an advising appointment to schedule classes next week.  However, she is really worried that the university will have to remain online even in the fall and it won't be worth it for her. Then when she thinks about that, she worries that music will be cut from schools for the near and foreseeable future, and getting a degree in music education would be fruitless.  She is very overwhelmed on a constant basis right now, and I am praying hard for her.

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Dealing with so many unknowns right now is so difficult.  Everyone is facing challenges.  People are getting angry.  Some are angry at the government.  Some are angry at the media.  Some are angry at protestors who are angry at the government. 

I am not angry. I am overwhelmed at times.  But I know there is only one person who holds the real truth. So I will look to Him.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.

 No one can come to the Father except through me. 

- John 14:6 NLT

Happy Monday!  I went to make poached eggs for breakfast this morning, and put the pan with water in it to boil and stepped away from the stove to wait.  When I stepped back toward it, I realized I turned on the wrong burner.  Feels like a Monday!

Took Caeden out driving today.  He wanted to practice backing up, so we went up and down the driveway a few times on the way out.  

After an extra week off after Spring Break (or "Spring Break extension") last week, Annah started online classes "at" Greenville today.  She has a 6-credit humanities course for the honors program that is philosophy/theology this semester. There is a lot of work required, and she is seeing that there will be even more since they can't really run out of class time and will be required to complete all the work no matter how long it takes.  

This is pretty much our view most of the time now...hanging in the living room, laundry baskets of clothes no one volunteers to fold, blankets and pillows all over, Sylvia hitting herself in the head with an empty wrapping paper tube...okay that part's not constant.

Rapid Change due to COVID-19

This morning, all 5 of us woke up at home.  Annah drove all 3 kids to the Benton's house for breakfast, then Sylvia and Caeden went to school.  Annah and Allison then went back to the church in Bloomington to join the choir for the rest of their tour.  They spent part of the day in Springfield, visited some historic Lincoln sites, went to the mall and Annah got 2 more piercings in one ear, they ate lunch and got back on the bus to head back to GU campus for the night.  Tomorrow they were scheduled to sing in the beautiful basilica in St. Louis, then have their end-of-tour concert back on campus Sunday before starting classes back up on Monday.  

When the choir bus was about an hour from campus, the students received an email from the school that their spring break would be extended another week and classes would be going online for the rest of the semester.  Their situation was a little different, since they were bound for campus already, but other students were told not to come back to campus until after April 6 to get their things.  

Annah FaceTimed us (Jeremy was working from home, as it was announced yesterday afternoon he will be doing for at least the next few weeks) and we could hear Doc answering questions for the students after having just talked with campus administrators.  Although, Annah was in tears last night about not wanting to return to campus to finish the rest of the semester, she now said she was in a bit of shock to learn she wouldn't be.

Jeremy grabbed some trash bags and a couple suitcases and went down to meet Annah on campus right away.  The choir was met by campus security and debriefed.  They checked to see if any of them had any symptoms of the virus--none did.  They allowed them to ask any questions they had, and took the students' advice to make a video for the rest of the student body answering these questions.  The choir was able to come together and cry through The Lord Bless You and Keep You before saying goodbye as their minds whirled with the thoughts of all the moments they've shared and those they are now sacrificing.  They were blessed to have hugs and tears together today.

Annah FaceTimed me again as she and Jeremy packed up her things from her dorm room. 

She said she was overwhelmed by so many emotions, as anyone would expect.  She was so fortunate to have her daddy there for a little comic relief and a strong arm to carry almost all her things down the 3 flights of stairs to the Prius.  They couldn't fit everything, so at some point we will have to go back to campus.

Over the course of the day, Disney World has closed, so Sylvia and Caeden will not be going on their band/choir trip to perform there over spring break. More places are closing and more sporting events and concerts and performances and gatherings of large groups of people are being canceled by the minute today.  Sylvia is dreading the musical being canceled.  But everyone is beginning to sacrifice and stay home in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

Jeremy and Annah stopped to eat and to get gas in Greenville before heading home, and were home by 9:30--less than 15 hours from when Annah left home this morning.  That is a lot to change and emotion to fit into one day, and a lot of stuff to fit in a Prius!

I know it will be challenging in many ways to have all 5 of us at home and working through emotions of all that is lost in these days.  However, I will choose to be grateful to have my family together!

I am so thankful we have Jesus to walk us through the challenges of life!

Greenville University Choir Concert in Bloomington

It is very interesting to write this blog post, more than a week after this event took place, looking back through the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic.  Awareness of the virus was beginning to spread while the GU choir was on tour, visiting public places, churches, and staying in homes around Illinois, and Indiana, including Chicago and Indianapolis, but we didn't know that this concert in Bloomington would be the last of their tour, the last of their school year, and Annah's last ever with the choir.  So grateful for these moments and this evening!!!

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The GU choir's concert was at the Benton family's church in Bloomington this evening, and Joyce planned their dinner.  She invited our whole family, but Caeden and Sylvia had musical rehearsal, and Jeremy was throwing a pizza party for the junior high wrestling team in place of their last practice before IESA State, which was canceled yesterday by the hosting university because of the pandemic. I really enjoyed visiting with Annah, Ryan, Allison, Ashley, Bree, JiWon, and Abi during supper.  There was a lot of love and laughter being shared.

I loved the choir's song to thank the host church for their dinner.

After eating, the choir changed into their concert attire and did a little rehearsing in the sanctuary. The Cornerstone Christian High School Concert Choir joined them for a few pieces.

Lexie, the GU Choir president, conducting Holy, Holy, Holy

Professor Park is not only the choir's accompanist, but teaches class piano, and this semester is Annah's Music Theory/Aural Skills 2 professor.  She is very sweet and funny.

As the choir gathered in singing, their love for one another was so beautiful.

At times this school year, with the difficulties of the Music Education degree program being cut, Annah has wondered if she chose the wrong school.  These people and relationships are why God put her at Greenville this year.  They have encouraged and supported her and undoubtedly will be lifelong friends!

These songs and shared moments of making music are forming a beautiful part of Annah's life experience.

Bree was Annah's R.A. first semester, and the first person we met on move-in day last August. 

Andrea lives on the same hall as Annah, and they have been such good emotional support for one another! 

We met Marissa and her family in November of 2018 when she and Annah happened to be auditioning at GU on the same day.  We visited with them at Olivet when the girls both sang in the district 3 ILMEA choir that same November, and February of 2019 when the girls were competing and interviewing for the President's Day Scholarship.  Marissa is in most of Annah's classes and has become such a dear friend to her.

Annah has LOVED getting to share college and more music experiences with Allison!

After rehearsing, the choir had a short break before the concert.

Annah sat on Ryan's lap for a moment, and Allison and Ashley thought it was a great idea!

I tried to record much of the concert, but didn't want to be too distracting with my camera and tripod. Some trouble focusing at times, but hopefully the sound comes across.  It was a beautiful concert, and so special for Allison and Annah to sing at home. 

We were so blessed by friends who came to the concert to see and hear Annah's choir.  Grandma Sandi was there, Tracie and Tom with the girls and Miles, Ridgeview friends Tyler and Adam, and the girls' first violin teacher that we haven't seen in years--Ruthie and 3 of her kids!  

It was a beautiful evening, and such a moving concert.  The choir really poured out the love of Jesus all over everyone in the audience.  Everyone was moved.  So, SO blessed.

GU Choir Tour

Annah is on tour with the Greenville University Choir during her entire spring break.  They started with a concert Friday night in Edwardsville, then did 3 in Indiana, back to Illinois, including a day in Chicago, concerts in Geneva and Rockford, then they headed our way.

I love this photo of Annah singing with the choir that they used on their social media this week.

When the choir was in Geneva, they were napping in a church in the afternoon, and all of a sudden Annah found Addie waking her and Allison up! What a nice surprise! Addie had musical rehearsal in Aurora that evening, so couldn't attend their concert, but she came to visit them and watch their rehearsal in the afternoon.  They were so thrilled to get to see her!

The choir has been staying with host families from the churches they're singing at, other than the night they stayed in a hotel in Indianapolis. They are working hard to stay healthy, and are enjoying their time traveling and singing!

Visiting Annah at Greenville

It was wonderful to have some time at Greenville U with Annah this afternoon and evening.  I was able to observe GU Choir rehearsal.  Many students were sick and either not even present for rehearsal or sitting out and not singing...flu season!  But they sounded beautiful with those that were there!  Dr. Wilson did dismiss them extremely early because there were so many gone, and he was also not feeling well.

I love this piece, and I also love the featured violinist!

Chamber Singers rehearse right after choir, and Doc asked them to sing one piece since I was there, and he then dismissed them from rehearsal as well.  They're going on choir tour soon, and he really wants and needs everyone well for that intense week of travel and singing!

Just beautiful!

After rehearsals ended early, Annah and I went to the library so she could print some music for her audition accompanist tomorrow at SIUe.  Then we went to the Dining Commons and had dinner--fettuccine alfredo, her favorite!

After dinner, we went back to Annah's room.  Tori was in class, so Annah and I just talked and talked for a few hours.  Then she finished a paper on Aristotle and packed her things for the next 2 days.  

It makes me sad how torn up Annah feels here at Greenville. She loves the place and the people God has put in her life there through choir and classes and her dorm. But, she feels so unimportant because the university cut her degree program and the professors she needs to help her get her degree.   Dr. Wilson is doing all he can to give her opportunities through choir since her goal is to be a choir director one day.  She really wants to remain under his instruction and continue to learn from him, but she is already not getting the other music education that she needs since those professors have been let go.  Her emotions are rough, and finishing the semester will not be easy.  But, we feel she is learning other important life lessons through the trials right now.  It is difficult, but she is really looking forward to choir tour!

We stayed for Vespers, the student-led chapel service, at 9:30 tonight, and it was so wonderful.  The Pursuit worship team was great, and the 2 students who spoke about gender as related to our worth in Christ did an amazing job tackling a difficult topic through scripture.  It was beautiful and uplifting!

We got on the road after Vespers and arrived at our hotel in Edwardsville about 11:30.  

It was a blessed day.  I'm so thankful for this time with Annah.