Back to Real Life

The tour's over and the kids are gone. What an adjustment it's been to settle into a new area, adjust to the quiet of life without 16 of the best kids in the world, acquaint myself with my surroundings and look for a job. Job hunting. Everyone's favorite thing to do.

But it's time. And right now there are plenty of jobs to be had. Temporary design jobs, part time seasonal work, restaurants, grocery stores, they're everywhere. But the question I keep getting asked is this: what kind of job do I want? And that's the question that is hardest to answer. I want a job that will pay me... which is almost every job. I want a job with enough hours to pay my bills. Does anyone know of a graphic designer in Seattle who is hiring? No? I thought not.

How can it be August?

I don't know what happened. My last blog post happened a month ago, so where has the last month gone? It was a whirlwind of travel, travel, choir stuff, more travel, and... oh yeah, travel. Today, August 1st, we're on a 10-hour road trip north from Boise to Sandpoint, Idaho. Yes, Idaho. In the past I've only driven through Idaho on I-84 and I-90. There's a whole lot of open space between cities and towns. This year I've seen much more of the state – the fun downtown of Boise, the Sun Valley Ice Show, the top of a mountain, the start of a forest fire. That's been the last three weeks, and we've still got a week or two to go!

We're winding down the tour, and the question that has begun to form in the back of all of our heads is this: what are we going to do next? I plan to stay in the Seattle area, which means finding a job and a place to live. And did I mention I haven't hardly begun to look? I've got a portfolio to put together and a resumé to put together, and I haven't gotten past thinking about it. And there's been barely enough time for that!

The good news is, God has everything in control. I've had no time to think of these things (Hello, I'm on the road! Late nights and early mornings aren't great for getting stuff done outside of work!), so all I can do is trust that opportunities will arise, that the things which are out of my control will fall into place. As I write this I'm beginning to go into mini-panic mode which doesn't help things at all. After all, I'm stuck in the back of a van on a windy road in the Sawtooth Mountains, with limited internet access. Better to sleep then get carsick with worry over this whole thing. But I can start thinking. Look for my portfolio in the next month. It's gonna be here!

Beth

July 19 • Sun Valley, Idaho

I'm sitting in Starbucks while the children of Matsiko prepare for their next performance at Ketchum Town Square here in Idaho's Sun Valley. We arrived on Monday to mountain hiking and beautiful, sunny weather. This place is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, with hiking, biking, skiing, and paragliding around every corner. The town of Ketchum reminds me so much of Cannon Beach, drawing the same outdoorsy, laid back people, keeping out the chain stores (except Starbucks) in favor of small, local business.

The tour is going well, and we only have a few more weeks until we arrive back in Washington. Sun Valley, Boise, & Sandpoint, ID; Spokane & Cle Elum, WA and then, at last, Seattle!

A Brother's Wedding

My youngest brother Nate got married yesterday. Kate, Mark & I took a few days off from Matiko to come home early and celebrate. An outdoor wedding at 100° F kept everyone in the shade, but the hour-long ceremony was over before I knew it. Matsiko arrived in town to perform at the reception, which brought tears to my eyes... after 4 days I missed my kids!!! Everyone was invited and I had many quick hellos with people I've known forever. It is good to be home, great to welcome Abbie to the Ritta clan, and amazing to see friends gather for a great occasion. Below are some pictures of the wedding week. Enjoy.

"The Cities", June 23-24

The choir has arrived in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area of Minnesota. We've had a great few days swimming, hula hooping, roasting S'mores, and performing. The choir performed the National Anthem at the Lynx WNBA game on Saturday. The league was celebrating the 40th anniversary of Title 9, the law Richard Nixon signed which guaranteed funding for girls sports in public schools. As a high school athlete, I realize the significance of this law (not everyone on the team did) and I appreciate it for what it provides for girls all over this country. Sometimes women's rights can be taken too far, but I believe in this case the Title 9 is right on the money (see Tshirt below for actual wording).

Eirin Asked for Pictures...

My good friend Eirin asked for pictures to go with my blog posts ... Here you go!! These are from our week in St Louis, everything from The Magic House, City Museum, the Art Museum, a Cardinals game... we did it all!!

The Math Tutor

I have become the main math tutor on this tour. The choir kids range in age from 8 to 16, and are in grades 1 to 11. With two different countries represented (Liberia & Peru) we also have two different languages (English & Spanish) and two different styles of learning. I've been brushing up on my math skills for some time now, covering everything from Base 4, to dividing "backwards", to adding sets of numbers (as seen below), often with limited assistance from the book. But at least I speak & read both languages! And I've got a brother who is studying to be an Architectural Engineer. Just text him a picture of an "unsolvable" problem, and voila! He (almost always) gets it right!!

Friday, June 22

The time with Matsiko has been flying. In three days Mark & I will head back to Nebraska to prepare for my brother's wedding which takes place a week from today. In one week my little brother Nate – the 4-year-old kid who used to crawl in bed with me back when I was in high school – will be a married man. I'm having a bit of trouble wrapping my mind around it, although with all things Matsiko I haven't really had to think about it much. If it doesn't sink in at the wedding, I'm sure it will once we get done with tour in September.

Late nights in Atlanta, Georgia

The deep south. This year Matsiko World Orphan Choir made their first trip to Atlanta, and I get to be a part of that. We have come face to face with the beauty, family values, and hospitality which make up my expectations of the Deep South. Atlanta is a beautiful city, situated amid hills, forests, and old plantations. Daily we drive past Peachtree Industrial Road. Every time I picture Scarlett O'Hara walking along Peachtree Lane (??) in <i>Gone With the Wind</i>. I've heard so much about the South in my lifetime, even attending college in NW Arkansas, but this is my first actual visit to the southern corner of the United States.

The Matsiko kids are loving our stay here. After 2 weeks sleeping all together on the floors of churches it is nice to take a break from each other and stay with host families once again. I love my team, but I greatly value my time "alone" when it's just me, my girls, and our host families. My girls and I have had a pool party, two evenings filled with movie-watching, and more food than we can handle, and we've loved every minute of it. And there are still 2 nights left!

Tomorrow morning we head out early for 2 performances at a summer camp & the Centennial Olympic Park. Lunch will follow at a delicious pizza place, and the afternoon should once again end early. And then on Wednesday, our last day in Atlanta, we will be having a "Lake Day" followed by dinner in downtown Atlanta with all of the host families. I've only heard murmurings, but it sounds like it's going to be spectactular.

Thursday morning we leave for Nashville, Tennessee, another place to which I have never been, and from there back to the midwest. I think we all have begun the countdown until the end. Not that any of us want to say goodbye to the kids, but 9 months on the road is a very. long. time. Please pray for wisdom and guidance as we slowly begin preparations for the end of the tour. Some people will be going back for a second tour, some will be going back to old jobs or finding new ones. We will eventually separate our paths, but until that day, pray also for safety and understanding on this long, long journey. I think all of us are ready for a week-long nap.

On the Homeward Trail

It's been a crazy 6 months with Matsiko World Orphan Choir. We've been through Oregon, California, New Mexico and Arizona, and spent the last 2 weeks in Texas. Today, we're on the road from small town Hemphill to the big city that is Dallas. Along the way we've met tons of great people, had lots of wonderful laughs, hit a few rough spots, and then laughed some more. We've grown close to our team of 13 orphaned and at-risk children from Liberia & Peru, as well as to the staff that represent 5 different countries and cultures. From cold winter of the Pacific Northwest, to sunny (but not quite warm) southern California, to the 100-degree dessert around Phoenix, to the amazingly warm Gulf of Mexico and the rolling tree-covered hills of east Texas... we've been everywhere. There have been tearful goodbyes and joyous hellos as we move from place to place, from family to family. And most of all, we have seen the hand of God at work. The choir has performed in all kinds of churches, schools, and community events, and met people from all walks of life. Prejudices have fallen as we've seen inside the lives of rich and poor, from staying in a tiny 1-bedroom apartment converted from a storage space to a sprawling mansion with pool, in-ground trampoline and putting green. We have met people from every walk of life and from all corners of the world as we have made our way slowly around the country.

And now we're on the homeward trail. Each day that passes brings us one day closer to the end. Occasionally the kids begin to talk about this, but no one wants to face the reality that in less than 4 months we will be saying goodbye to these people who have become family to us. Sofia, the absolute definition of "not a morning person" who is always seeking to be different. Jennifer, the girl with the voice of a 30-year old professional singer. Jessica, the sweet one, but the one you've probably got to watch the most. Zulmira, the crazy one. Ruth, the full-energy dancer. Alvina, the youngest and sweetest. Sarah, the one who has declared she's a "Big Woman." Alonso, the energetic, super-athletic, absent-minded one. Julio, the quiet one who is always picking on someone just for the attention. Prince, the oldest and leader of the team. William, the drummer and the one who remembers everyone's name. Ezekiel, the good kid that just wants to play. Each has his or her own place in our hearts, and in the hearts of those we have met along the way. The kids have not forgotten a single face, and they will always remember this year's amazing tour through the United States.

Tuesday, January 17

Where has the month of January gone? We have been in Bend, Oregon for most of this month with 2-3 performances scheduled every day. Today, at last I had my break, my much longed for "day off" – Luciana was sick in the night, and I volunteered to stay home with her, and in the process get some work done on my computer. I spent most of the morning working while Luciana slept, then helped her start a movie this afternoon, then took a nap myself for an hour. And now... well, I'm ready to go back. She still has some stomach pain, but hasn't vomited since 4:30 this morning, and she kept down all the food she ate today. Pray for her health. I'm afraid that if the pain in her abdomen doesn't go away we may be taking her in for appendicitis. It's weird, she's not vomiting, she doesn't have a fever, and she's not tired, but her stomach hurts as much now as it did this morning when she got up... and much less than when she was writhing in pain on the floor trying to fend off the vomit. Any doctors out there know a possible prognosis?

We are currently in Prineville, a town of 9,000 in the western foothills of the Cascades. They've predicted 11 inches of snow tonight, and a major storm in the mountain passes – which is exactly where we are heading Thursday on our way to Portland. We'll be in Portland for a week beginning Thursday night, then head down to southern Oregon, and we'll be in Northern California before the month is out. The way time flies around here that's not much time at all.

I'm greatly looking forward to the day we reach the heat of Southern California and I can shed my winter clothes until the year is through. The kids are looking forward to reaching warmer weather, as well.

Tomorrow morning we perform in a school at 9:45am and at our host church at 6:45pm, leaving the afternoon free... I hope we can finally start school! Everything's crazy around here, and much more involved than I ever could have imagined. But I love it all, and I love the crazy leaders and choir kids that I am blessed to spend my days with. Three months ago I was bored beyond belief and looking for a change, a way to get involved. Well, I've found it. I may never get any work done, but I love every minute of it!!

Wednesday, January 4

We're on our way!

Early Monday morning we met up for the final time in Washington. It was the day after New Year's Day, and let me tell you, it seems like it was a week ago already! Our 3-van caravan headed south down I-5 with plans to arrive in Bend, Oregon in the late afternoon. I would say mid-afternoon, but we were scheduled to be here for dinner between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m., and it gets dark around here way before that time.

This was our first day of long travel, and we did relatively well getting everyone in and out of single-restroom gas stations at our various stops. We slipped and slid over the base of Mt Hood as we made our way into the high desert that is central Oregon.

It's beautiful here - mountains tower to the west while barren, rolling hills surround us. For our first week on the road we are all staying at a Catholic camp about 30 minutes outside of Bend. Comfortable beds, beautifully paved & graded walking paths, and the magnificence of creation surround us at this spiritual retreat. And did I mention the sun? How I've missed seeing it in the last month. We've been given the run of the campground, even providing our own breakfast, which is a nice change. As long as we have eggs of some sort, everyone is happy.

As I said earlier, by the end of Tuesday I felt I had been here a week already - and we had only been on the road two days. And this isn't in a bad way. We are constantly changing schedule, adjusting plans, slowing down, speeding up, as we get our bearings and really start to work with the people on this team. There are no others around us anymore. There is no going home at the end of the day. There is only the tour, the choir, the team, and the lessons that God will teach us along the way. There are kinks - there will always be kinks. There is also a bet that I will marry one of the guys on the tour before the year is through. Did I mention we've only been here since Monday? Oh, the adventure!!

The sunrise yesterday morning as I was on my way to breakfast. I've missed the sun.

Sunday, January 1

What a tour it's been... And we haven't even left Washington!! Tomorrow is our day of reckoning as we hit the ground at 8a.m., destination Oregon. The trailer is packed and organized. Everyone should have a suitcase full of clean clothes, there will be no turning back. Our first stop is Bend, OR where we'll be performing and recording for two weeks. Yes, recording. Someone has made their recording studio available to us free of charge, and the whole team will be working together to produce a great CD. The new year has arrived and the fun is about to begin. In other news, we had our final performances in Washington this morning, and with the pastor's promotion we saw 19 kids receive the gift of sponsorship. All of the choir kids have sponsors already, so this was sponsorship for children who haven't yet been given that gift. If the sponsors stick with the Program, these children will receive food, clothing and an education all the way through the university level. We have definitely been blessed by our week here in Enumclaw, WA.

Tuesday December 27

Enumclaw, Washington. It's our final week in Washington and, after a week of rest and relaxation, we're gearing up for the final sprint. This time next week we'll be holed up in Bend, Oregon off on the road trip that will span 9 months. The kids are hard at work prepping to record a CD, and the leaders have begun packing and planning. The less we have to leave behind, the less we will need to mail later. 3 vans, 1 trailer and a camper. Our home for the next 9 months. 8 Liberians, 7 Peruvians, an Argentinian, a Welshman and 13 Americans. Our family. This is gonna be one crazy trip.

Monday, December 19

7:20 a.m., waiting in the church parking lot, 2 sleeping Peruvians by my side. It's going to be a busy day with 3 performances at two different schools. But after today we'll be done performing for 2 weeks. Tonight we head an hour east of the city to our Christmas retreat. Not so sure I can call it vacation as the kids will be working hard most of the time. But we'll all be together. Merry Christmas!!

Monday, December 12

It's been one of those days. The kind of day that's good but not great, that's full of miscommunication and misunderstanding but not about anything that I can put my finger on. A few frustrations have been brought to my attention and a few of my own frustrations have come out. What can I say? This is a team of people and children who are still in that "get to know you" phase. Sure, we've been together for awhile now but attitudes, personalities, and... well, people... have started to emerge. Fights break out between the kids. Arguments happen between the adults. Three (primary) cultures. Three ways of life. Almost 30 people. Coming together everyday from 9:00 to 5:00. Of course there is going to be miscommunication. We may be learning to love each other, but we're still only human.

For example, today was Alexis' 3rd birthday. Today she decided she didn't want to be 3 and proceeded growl and grumble at everyone most of the day. But she's still 3. We still love her. And so we sang to her and celebrated with her in the midst of her grouchiness. So also with the tour. We may get frustrated. We may want to leave, it's not going to be easy. But we're learning to love the kids. We're learning to appreciate each other. Day by day. Just one step at a time.

Thursday, December 8

We've got another late morning today, and I finally have a chance to sit down and write.

Yesterday morning I was out the door before 6:30 a.m. and on my way to a middle school about 30 minutes from where I've been staying. If you've ever driven around Seattle you know that it's a sprawling city with huge suburbs and lots of commuter traffic. You can easily drive for an hour or two before you ever reach the city center. Needless to say, we've only been to the city once.

The kids performed at a middle school yesterday morning, one with over 1,000 students. I imagine it was a little overwhelming for the Matsiko kids at first, but they soon got into it and did not mind in the least. The students completely got into the performance, waving their hands, clapping, and even giving a standing ovation... and then a <i>stomping</i> ovation at the end. The Matsiko kids were treated like celebrities for the first time signing arms and T-shirts with permanent marker. Everyone wanted to see them, talk to them, hug them. They never wanted to leave!!

Of course, leave we did, but I'm sure the Matsiko kids are already anticipating their next school event. We all stuck around the school through lunch so we could sell some of our merchandise – jewelry, bags, hats and decorations from Uganda, Liberia, India and Peru. The students (especially the girls) loved it!!

It's 9:40 Monday night and I'm already in bed. There's no such thing as a relaxing weekend anymore, not with the Matsiko World Orphans Choir in town. Yesterday was an overwhelming success, with a lesson in spiritual-ness thrown in for good measure. No mention of Christ in that church, although there was a quote from Buddha hanging on the wall. Today was a bit more relaxed as we rehearsed in a new church--one with a nursery just right for Emily and Alexis!!--with a late start and the kids practicing Christmas songs all day. Tomorrow will be more of the same although we may be hoping to start school... which reminds me, I'm in charge of school for the Liberians and I have no idea where their books are.

The First Few Days

We made it to Seattle in record time – considering there were 3 kids under 3. My brother-in-law was not willing to stop for anything, and after leaving Nebraska around noon on Monday we arrived in Seattle just before 8:00 Tuesday night. And I thought it would take us three days...

I'm currently staying with Brad & Rhonda, and the Mark & Kate et al are sleeping in their camper in the driveway. It's been nice to be close to help Kate with the kids in the mornings. It's been an adventure so far. 

The choir kids arrived just over a week ago, and their first concert was 1 week later. 6 kids from Peru and 7 kids from Liberia make up the whole of the Matsiko World Orphans Choir this year. While the Liberian's native language is English, the Peruanos have it a bit harder. A few of them speak some English, but they've been learning pretty quickly.

Alexis loves to see "her kids," although at the end of an over-tired day after the concert on Friday night she kept complaining of "too much dancing." It was pretty cute.

It's Sunday morning and we're in the process of loading up the vans once again. We've got 2 concerts today at Spiritualist (New Age) churches closer to Seattle (we're about 1 hr outside of the city). It'll definitely be an interesting day. It's been a pretty tiring week for everyone, although with no concert yesterday and an early night everyone should be a little more rested.

The big adventure for the day: the choir kids are changing host families and as of this morning there is no place lined up for them to go. If nothing else, they'll stay with Windham's, the family behind this organization. With only 13 kids there should be plenty of space - apparently the entire choir from the first tour slept at Windham's a few times, and that time there were a lot more kids. 

Somewhere in westwrn Nebraska... in the bumpy backseat of the Matsiko van. I've been listening to sermons by Bob Thune, pastor of Coram Deo church in Omaha. Does it count as listening when I slept through an entire sermon? Emily's yelling her ABCs and i assume the other two kids are sleeping.