~ Originally Posted September 21, 2011 at 10:55 AM
Lots of firsts yesterday. Stuck in the mud - toting musical equipment through a tented city, Grandparents and grandkids sharing the stage, singing Amazing Grace a cappella in the middle of a farmer's field. Yesterday, we had the opportunity to share our music at the International Plowing Match in Chute-a-Blondeau.
I am so thankful my husband has a penchant for arriving early (not my forte). We arrived at the IPM site more than 3 hours before we were to go on to the Lifestyles Theatre stage. But we faced many obstacles before getting there. First, we got behind the parade - we were told to try and go around (about 5 km detour). So we did - found what we thought was the right place (if we'd only gone a little further, we were probably right) - phoned to make arrangements for our equipment to be picked up and found we were in the "wrong" area. Had to retrace our tracks and try to enter a place where we didn't have passes. Quick prayers resulted in the police officer who was in charge at the checkpoint was a golfing partner of Alan's and he waved us through. Only for us to get stuck in the mud, just inside the entrance!! Another phone call - we are down to less than an hour before stage time - someone would come and get us. We waited, and then loaded up with equipment on our back, I headed towards the tented city with our kids, while Alan remained behind with the rest of the equipment.
Finally, we got everything to the tent. Got set up, had another panic with costumes missing (it was a "Days Gone By" theme) , and then we were on stage.
Dreams do come true. After singing for years with my family, we quit performing the year after Caileigh (our oldest) was born. For the first time in over 15 years, my Dad got up on stage with us and sang my absolute favourite of all his songs - an old Wilf Carter tune - Love Knot in my Lariat. Dad's hearing isn't the best and there have been times when he can't quite get the tune - but he did amazing - and boy, can he still yodel!! The kids had fun - it was a terrific joining of the theme "Days Gone By" with the present generation. Then my Mom joined us for our finale - Family Love. It was a very special time.
We still had a vehicle stuck in the mud, so Alan went back and waited patiently (try 1.5 hours) for a kind soul with a tractor to come and pull him out. We got everything back into the van and then went for a little tour of the 80 acre tented city.
We met up with new friends that we'd made two days before while celebrating the 175 anniversary of St. Luke's-Knox Presbyterian Church. From London, with Gospel Text Ministry, our friends hadn't been able to get over to see us - so they asked for an impromptu performance - thus Amazing Grace in the middle of a farmer's field. It was so great to sing His praises and have people stop to listen.
What started out as a struggle, ended on a "high note." God surely had His hand on us - with the trial of persevering in prayer. We spent a wonderful day with our family doing what we love best. Can't wait to see what more God has in store for us!