Tour Scrapbook

Sunday, March 30

The Autrys and Hilliards began this week separated by the "Grapevine," the Interstate 5 pass over the mountains between Los Angeles and Bakersfield.

The Autrys were in Santa Clarita, about 40 miles north of Los Angeles. We went to Grace Baptist Church this morning. We had done their MOPS group last Thursday and after the MOPS group, I had seen them setting up for an orchestra. We have seen so many praise and worship oriented churches, and I miss band directing just enough that I was excited to hear them. The orchestra was VERY good as were the service and the children's programs. We almost didn't get to do the MOPS group, but I think it was on God's agenda so it worked out… finally!

The Hilliards had spent Saturday night on the north side of the pass in Bakersfield after our "Family Fun Night" there. They arrived back at the Valencia RV park Sunday afternoon. The winds finally calmed down and all the kids and most of the adults swam in the heated pool. The Autrys ate at a fun safari-themed restaurant in Valencia and continued shopping for a digital camera so Charles won't be the only one contributing photos to this section of our site. But we still hadn't found a camera…yet.

Monday, March 31

Valencia is home to Six Flags Magic Mountain and when you drive through on I-5, you can see the whole theme park. The mountain backdrop dwarfs the huge rollercoasters, but they have sixteen including one new one called "X" that adds a new dimension to rides. I'll let you check out the Six Flags website if you want to know more. But anyway, ever since we drove by in November, I have been hoping we would get a chance to go. Well, at the MOPS group last week, I asked a sweet lady what the local discounts to Magic Mountain were. She pulled a ½ price voucher out of her purse and WE WERE GOING! Well, just Charles, Alec, and me. The girls and kids weren't interested. So this morning, we were waiting at the gates when they opened and within one hour, we had ridden three rollercoasters. I wasn't sure how Alec (age 8) would do and his Mom REALLY wasn't sure, but she wasn't there and he did great. Seriously, "X" is a GREAT new ride with GREAT new design effects. I rode it first and wasn't sure if Alec would like it or not but when he came back to the station after his ride, he gave it a big grin and two thumbs up. Charles and I agreed that if he could ride that, he could ride anything and he did. For the next several hours we rode 'em all!

Later that day, we swam in the pool again… probably the best RV park pool since we left home. We met Lisa, Calie and Caitlin who live in Northern CA, but come down in Feb.-May because Calie, who is 13, auditions for roles in new TV shows. We have met lots of really nice people who live a life similar to ours. You might be surprised how many people call the road "home".

Tuesday, April 1

We swam again this morning (great pool, remember?) and tried to check out of the RV park by noon… well, by 2. We had a late lunch… all 10 of us at TGI Fridays, where Sharon & Laurie gave a cheerleading demo... on concrete. Ask them to show you sometime! Then Uncle Charles kept the kids while I mailed stuff (post offices take forever!) and the girls shopped at "Gifts from the Attic" and "Homegoods." They don't get time together (just the two of them) very often so the 45 minutes or an hour to shop was a real treat and we don't mind, really! We left later than we meant to, getting to First Baptist Church of La Crescenta after dark. Parking at some of the churches is pretty tight, especially on the foothills of these pretty mountains. It is also hard to get the buses level - even with the leveling system that Charles and Joe installed. However, I don't think we had been here 10 minutes when, well right after I shut off the engine, I looked at Sharon and said "we're home!" It is amazing where home can be!

Wednesday, April 2

We woke up this morning and got ready on our buses in the church parking lot, then walked across to work which today was at First Baptist of La Crescenta! I tell you, God really knew what He was doing when he got this living in the bus thing going. I think we would be late to every event if we had to fight traffic to get there! Thanks again to all who had a part in this incredible undertaking! I can't tell you how we enjoy meeting wonderful new people each time we come to a new church. After the program, the ladies are so eager to share with Laurie and Sharon how their words and songs spoke so clearly to their own life and experiences with children. We are thankful to God for giving us this message in words and music.

From a high last month of ten events in one two-week period, this is one of only two events this week. Things should slow down a bit… and it's a good thing. We couldn't have kept up that pace for long, but God does give the grace we need when we needed it and we have made it fine. Now with fewer events, we worry about finances, but are learning to trust God to provide.

We found out recently about a couple of cancellations during these last six weeks of our tour. We already felt our events were scheduled a bit thin so we made some more calls and it looks like we have scheduled another four events over the next six weeks. PRAISE THE LORD!

We were VERY excited today because the band was coming today. I mean THE band, my band… well, used to be mine. Anyway, the Whitesboro High School Band spring trip was to Los Angeles and we met up with them in Santa Monica this afternoon. It was great to see everyone. I tried HARD to visit with everyone, but wanted more time with each and every one of them. It is just not possible to squeeze a whole year into a long weekend. We went to Venice Beach and the wind was blowing SO hard… harder than we have seen the whole time we have been in California. That didn't stop some of them. They were out on the beach playing football, etc.

We joined them for dinner before the Hilliards headed back to their bus. The Autrys spent this one night with the band in their hotel… just trying to get as much good visiting time in as possible. It is great to see people from HOME!

Charles stayed at FBCLC to work on the buses and we all appreciate that. We have new lights over our captains chairs. Thanks, Charles!

Thursday, April 3

Sharon kept Davis and stayed and worked at the hotel today while I took the girls to Disneyland. What a fun time! My sister Nancy and our friend Stephanie joined us at Disneyland and kept the girls there for a few more hours while I went back to the hotel for a nap and some work.

Meanwhile, the Hilliards dropped by Dodger Stadium on the way to a tour of the Peterson Automotive Museum which included many cool and exotic cars. Just ask Alec!

Later that evening, we moved the buses to Thousand Oaks for our Friday morning MOPS program.

Friday, April 4

It was nice to have Nancy and Stephanie visiting for our group today. I continue to be amazed at how different these groups can be and yet they are the same. They are different in how they plan and organize and deal with logistics, but they all minister to moms and families and we are thankful that we can be a part of that. One mentor mom shared deeply with Sharon about how this message is so important for dads, too. We continue to pray about how to get the word out to more people! Please join us in that prayer!

We fought LA traffic more today than ever, taking HOURS to go sixty miles. We FINALLY checked into the Anaheim Resort RV park that night and were trying desperately to meet some band trip sponsors for dinner at Downtown Disney. We finally made it and spent several hours visiting with PEOPLE FROM HOME! Wow, what a blessing it was! Thanks Brannans, Mitchells, and Parishes! We enjoyed it!

Saturday, April 5

Today the band was scheduled to march at Disneyland. We found Whitesboro people near the castle and took a group photo while we awaited the announcement that the band was coming. "Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, Disneyland is proud to present in a special musical performance, the Whitesboro High School Band from Whitesboro, Texas." We were all so proud. Tears flowed. Memories were made. Tears flowed. Chests swelled. Tears flowed. People were entertained. Pride was in the air. The performance was wonderful and enjoyed by many. Sharon overheard someone say "It's all from "The Music Man"… that's Dad's favorite!" What a great job they did and I was SO proud and thankful to get to see it. Thanks to Jim Cude, the current band director at WHS for letting me hang around. I can't believe God blessed me by letting me get to see y'all on your spring trip! WOW!

Later, I hung around with some of the band students and rode "Soarin' Over California" one more time before joining them at their meeting location. I went back to their hotel one more time later that night to say goodbye. I guess that's it for my week… but what a week it was!

Pat