Okay, this is really cool. Today, at our Fellowship, we had our annual Purim celebration...complete with 24 girls dressed as Esther (Belle was one of those...Moo was "the burning bush" LOL), the reading of the book of Esther, and lots of fun and food. But we also had a visit from soldiers in the IDF (Israeli Defense Force), who are touring the United States on a mission of goodwill and for the purpose of sharing stories that you don't often hear about from the mainstream media coverage of what is happening over in Israel. It was a great time.
Vita is a Christian who turned away from a prosperous career in Manhattan when she felt the call to go to work for Stand With Us, an organization who wants to share the truth about Israel in the midst of her battle to justify not only her right to defend herself, but her very existance.
Orit is a religious Jewish Israeli woman who serves on the frontline as a medic.
Drew is a firecracker of a woman, originally from
Scottsdale, Arizona, who gave up her dream of becoming a cantor in order
to serve her Jewish homeland and "make a difference".
Both girls spoke with Orit after her and Drew's presentations.
Earlier in the night, there was time for posing in costume.
Moo and her friend Abigail tied for first in the costume contest 13-19 category. That blur to the right is Miss Becky, who did a great job as emcee.
Moo with sweet friends, Lydia and Abigail.
Okay...the coolest part--our congregational leader unexpectedly brought the girls up to the front at the end of the service to, in his words, "give a gift" to the ladies of the IDF. He asked them to sing Ose Shalom, a beautiful song in Hebrew very well known to the Jewish people. The words translated are: May He who makes peace in His heights, make peace for us and all Israel, and let us say Amen.
Here is just a small video snippet:
The ladies were quite blessed, and we all were just thrilled at the chance to bless those who have given their time and lives to serve the people and land of Israel. Truly, a high point in our lives.
The NCC performed at the First United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro this past Sunday, February 17, 2013. They rolled out the music they received in early January.
This was also the first time that the honor choristers received public
acknowledgement, and performed in a small ensemble during the song "And
This Shall Be for Music".
I am determined that Moo's homeschool biology class that she is taking for early high school credit this year is a full and complete Biology experience. No holds barred. So, I hopped online and ordered a sheep's brain, heart & kidney; a cow eyeball, and a fetal pig (I ordered the 7-10 inch piggy, since the 10-13 inch piggy seemed a bit big and Babe-like.)
In preparation for our future dissections, I again hopped online and watched a sheep brain dissection. Then, as is the case with YouTube viewing, I quickly found myself watching a different yet related video: human gastrointestinal dissection (hey, I have an appointment with my gastroenterologist later today, so now we have something to chat about besides my upcoming colonoscopy.)
Anyway, I thought the different reactions that the girls had while watching was telling. Moo spent her time
grimacing and asking "Is that right?? That can't be right." (seems she was struggling with the ethical dilemma of cutting up dead people); while Ellie was riveted and
watching interestedly while eating a tablespoon of coconut oil.
For his 48th birthday, the girls and I brought Steve out to an Irish pub in Nashville called McNamara's. It is known for good food and great live Irish music, so I thought in light of the fact that I couldn't bring my Scottish husband out to a Scottish pub (though there is one in Knoxville called "The Reel & Jig"), this was the next best thing.
Modeling with the menu. LOL
Giving the thumbs up on her shepherd's pie.
One of the many candid shots that I am known for taking.
I like this picture because it shows Steve as an admiring Daddy looking at his youngest daughter across the table.
Being somewhat new to the whole Nashville arts scene, when the girls were given the chance to sing again at the Schermerhorn at the Nashville Ballet Ball, I wasn't quite sure what it was all about. Here is what I nabbed from local press releases:
Ballet Ball is Nashville Ballet’s most elegant annual fundraiser,
bringing together over 400 of the city’s most prominent philanthropists
and patrons of the arts for an elaborate black-tie affair. At $500 per
ticket, the evening includes a glamorous cocktail hour, a gourmet seated
dinner and an exclusive gala performance by Nashville Ballet
accompanied by special guest music artists Holly Williams and Matthew Perryman Jones. Ball guests then take the floor and dance the night away to music from The Pat Patrick Band.
After recent collaborations with Ben Folds and The Civil Wars, Nashville
Ballet will partner with Williams and Jones to create original
performances that combine music and dance from Nashville Ballet company
dancers. Williams’ performance will be an exclusive, one-time-only
opportunity at Ballet Ball, while Jones’ performance will be a preview
of his larger collaboration with Nashville Ballet to debut February 15,
2013, at TPAC as part of its winter contemporary series, Attitude.
It was a very long day and late night, but it was amazing!
We left the house at about 3:00 to arrive at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center by 3:30pm. We left the venue at 10:45pm.
Dress rehearsal at 6pm. Performance time? 10:00 pm.
Waiting in place to rehearse.
The chorister's view from the stage.
During the many hours of waiting, there was lots of opportunity for rehearsal. This is Dr. Bridges working with the honor choristers for a special spring ensemble.
The man in the tuxedo is Kyle Hankins, NCC's accompanist, brilliant pianist and resident clown. Love him.
Just hanging out.
I took this picture to playfully illustrate two concerns we have with our younger daughter: her fascination with technology, and, well...let the reader discern the other concern. :)
Mr. Josh working with the kids on the O Fortuna! words. The NCC was given 4 days notice to receive, learn and polish this part of the piece, which like the rest of Carmina Burana, is in Latin. Not surprisingly, with the help of the directors, they were up to the task.
Time for the performance. The choristers wait to enter the venue as Holly Williams performs.
While not a fan of ballet, bawdy medieval Latin poetry set to music nor even the mixture of the two...even I still thought it was really cool. :)
Here is a compilation video which is about 11 minutes of rehearsal, dress rehearsal and final performance:
