Can we say WHIRLWIND!!

Whew!!

SALAMANCA, SPAIN!!

I know, I know... I'm a bit behind...

but we haven't had the best luck with wi-fi lately!

...so here's a pretty in-depth blog (picture wise) about the events over the last 3-4 days 'cuz its 3am right now...

As you all know...this journey has been 

1. OFF THE CHAIN!!!

2. TIRESOME, YET GREAT!!

& 

3. MURDER ON MY NECK AND BACK, BUT LOVELY!!!

These bus rides are SERIOUS!!

I am soooo sore and quite stiff if I might add...but each show is even MORE invigorating than the last...

 The Infamous Dontavius Boatwright and Jonnie Sannders <3 them!!

Sing Y'all!!

 Christmas here is unlike anywhere else I have experienced...so beautiful!!

Spain has the best wine...

Merry Christmas!!

We are soooo tired....but this is sooo worth it!!

Shol is cold over here...

until next time...

5 Shows In!! Sooo Rad!!

Its been rough!! We are tired and hungry but the shows have gotten progressively better!!

Me & Leity!!

This is a true experience y'all! Tonite's show was very invigorating! We are in need of aBREAK and praise be to God, we have a free day tomorrow...maybe I can get some Christmas shopping done for friends and family done...

(and more REST!!! IM SLEEPIN' IN TOMORROW!!)

Since we're on the road, we're either flying or riding on the bus to our various destinations and its so "Real World Spain" over here, minus the mega drama...

Adri & I are havin a blast and are really enjoying this time

away from the hustle & bustle of everyday life.

Its been nice to get out and see the world instead of being busy about other things...This country truly is beautiful but even more so, because we are busy about the tour...I cant help but to wonder how things have changed....

THEY HAVEN'T!

We are STILL busy but now about something else. I've been wondering if I've fallen into more business and haven't been able to appreciate God's goodness. Its more than this opportunity that amazes me, but the beauty in all God's creation, and how everything has its purpose.

...the rocks, mountains, oceans...the rain,

...or our voices and our being here. I'm quite active in the shows; from dancing to singing, to solo's. Im blessed to be apart of this! Yet if I had to say what my purpose was to be here, I believe it has a lot more to do than just singing. My soul needed restoration, and through the songs we sing, I've received healing in my heart. It has become more and more evident that this is a ministry for me...my calling.

Anywho...until later!

The Show Must Go On!!

We've had our 3rd show in Spain now, and they keep getting better!!

(that's me in the front!! :)

We've literally had a half of a day off...everything elase has been filled with rehearsals and meetings...not to mention performances!!

Tonight was officially our third show! Im so excited because this has truly become a "tour" now. We've done two shows in Catalonia, Spain at the Palau de la Musica, and one at Zaragoza, Spain. Tomorrow morning we head to Bilbao, Spain on an early flight.

This has been remarkable! Im soooo tired yet sooo amped and I'm going on pure adrenaline right about now!

None-the-less, it has been invigorating all of the way.

1st Show!!

Downtown Barcelona...

Fast-paced but lovely still...

We had two guest Choir Members Lena and Emma from Berkley School of Music (Barcelona). An honor for us all, they were so pleasant and were really great singers!! They helped me practice my spanish too...

the four of us became joined at the hip...very fun girls!

Behind the scenes getting ready, show starts in 10!!

Ahhhh, what can say about this country...

They do things RIGHT over here! They have something called Siesta, which is a "holiday" or break from work in the middle of the day so that they can all go home and have dinner with their family...its amazing! I only wish I could leave in the early afternoon through the evening just to go home and eat and fellowship with family...

as you can see the streets are extremely bare and the majority of all the shops and restaurants are closed. We had a hard time finding dinner today because of it. We had to be at sound check/rehearsal at 7 and stores and shope were closed from 3-6:30 pm and then they reopened...

This is just a small portion of the New Family I've adopted!!

These are a greatly talented group of people...

I enjoyed my walk down in the village streets of Barcelona...found a really cool mom & pop bakery that made an awesome veggie quiche! really great food!

The Palau de Musica

Tonight's show was amazing!! I am so blessed to be apart this amazing show!!

First of all the venue is simply AMAZING!

Just look at the pix...

A young lady named Meagan McNeal (Check her out!! www.meaganmcneal.com) started out the show with her rendition of Nina Simone's:

"If He Changed My Name". PHENOMENAL!

I did an expressive free thought dance to it and it was fabulous...( I prayed before we started and asked the Holy Spirit to give me the movements and he delivered...)

the show rolled from there!

The House was packed and I mean it!! Not a seat in the house!!

The acoustics were great and the people sooo receptive.

It was almost like they knew every song, or at least most of them...

I felt so comfortable up there on that stage, Man it was such an overwhelming feeling to get such radiating love and energy from the people...

Until next time...

Nite from Espania!!

JB

Viva La Espania!!

We Made It!!!

I must admit,

this was not the best plane ride I've had (Delta is not a good idea for long international flights!!!) However, I'm just grateful to have made it!!

While flying over the Atlantic, the plane DROPPED 300ft in a air pocket!!!

Never in my LIFE!! It was quite frightening, felt sorta like a movie!! I remember praying...

"Lord, please protect Jonataan...help him to always know that I love him...forgive me of my sins, give me courage to face this if this is your plan."

Praise God, Jeremiah 29:11 had NEW meaning to me indeed!!!

Needless to say, we had a ruff landing but the air in Spain is crisp and cool!! The bus was waiting to take us to our hotel...Hotel Mikado.

Very nice and quaint. I was sooo tired coming in, I began typing this earlier and so fell asleep on my mac. (no pix of that, too embarrassing!)

We had rehearsal which went rather well, and had dinner like a family here. There's a lot of talented singers and I'm so blessed to be amongst them all!

More to come here a few more pix of Adri & I and a little we took downtown.

Bless...Keep me in ur prayers!

GIEL

Children Love Music!

The average child can remember the words to the most complicated of songs if it has a nice rythym.

How much more than to take some of their lessons and put it to music. Its even more fun when you explain the hard topics such as fractions in math and reading comprehension .

I have found that when students are able to rock out to the lesson of the day, the retain more and comprehend more. Best of all, the have fun doing so.

-Ms. Joi-

Elementary School Teacher

Try This:

The next lesson you have, implement this. Even though you're not musical teacher...rhythym is only half the battle. Gather a few small instruments. Be mindful, its only a hands-on-activity (don't get expensive or over priced you instruments.)

What You'll Need

• Small tambourine (as many as you like, at least 5)

• Any kind of drumsticks, clavas, (as many as you like) and/or you can encourage the kids to use their hands on the tables.

• A full List of Adjectives (describing words)

What You'll Do

• after listing as many age/grade-appropriate adjectives, place them in rhyming catogories if possible.
• Allow kids to make a simple beat counting 1-2-3-4