I'm not going to even mention that I've not written anything on this Blog in months--I'm not even going to try to make up for time lost, or words not spoken. Let's just begin a new page.
Sometimes God pulls a fast one and draws us out where we wouldn't otherwise go--know what I mean? He places people and events in your life to bless you in so many ways, you are totally blown away and think, "I did NOT expect or deserve any of this".
That has been my "scenario"--let me explain.
On September 3, at around 7:15 that (Wednesday) evening, as my Hubby and I were basking in the warm sunshine on our back screened-in deck, the phone rang. "Probably a telemarketer" was the look we gave each other, and stared at the phone. Hubby, at the last minute, decided to answer and it was "the" call that forever changed my life as I knew it!!
The previous Saturday, (Aug. 30) I had, under great pressure from that (loving) husband of mine, auditioned for a singing competition called, "Gospel's Dynamic Duets". Just let me tell you that I am NOT a competitor--never have been. I like to enjoy life as it is--just let me stay in my box where I"m comfortable and content--you know that place?
Anyway, I (kicking and screaming) agreed to go to this audition, all the way listening to that old devil tell me, "This is not for you, so don't expect anything". And that quite often works if I let it--the old devil knows me, but doesn't have as much power over me as the migthy God I serve--Amen!
So, with this picture in your head now, I walked into a hotel in Halifax, telling my Hubby I would (honestly) do my best, sing my heart out and that would be that, right? We, after all, had a mini holiday planned right afterward and would be staying in a B&B in Lunenburg (that was the "carrot" that Arend dangled in front of my nose--sneaky but it worked).
The judges gave me favourable comments, and told me they would be in touch with me, probably via e-mail. Secretly, I checked my in-box for the next few days and nothing new or starling appeared so the enenmy had apparently won this round. I shrugged it off ( in front of Arend that is) and said, 'Life goes on after auditions"--no big deal."
But, God had a plan, and that September 3rd phone call proved that. Oh, yeah, who was on the phone, you ask? It was one of the producers of GDD, telling me I had the opportunity to go to Ontario (Lake Simcoe) and be part of "Camp" week along with the other people who had auditioned at the 3 major cities across Canada and had made it to the next round!!! I also need to tell you right here that as I was hearing this from the reciever glued to my ear, I was thinking, "Is this a mistake--maybe he's called the wrong number?" But he did have my name right. I calmly told him "Thank-you for calling--Yes, I will come to Camp week, yes, I understand I will have the opportunity to audition (again) to make the top 20, and yes, I will see you in a couple of weeks".
I hung up the phone, shook my head and walked into the kitchen to tell Arend the details, more or less asking him if I had done the right thing by agreeing to go to Ontario. Well, if you've gotten anything from the past Blog posts, you know that husband of mine is my "Dreamer" of dreams for me and never gives up on encouraging me every day to sing and write. I tend to not take him seriously (at least some of the time) but on this occasion he responded in true "Arend" style. "YES"!!!!!!! That was his confirmatin I had indeed "done the right thing".
There were appointments to be made, phone calls, arrangements for our cat to be cared for, shopping (for me) and chores to be completed around our property if we were going to be away for a while.
On Sunday morning (September 20th) at 6:40 AM, we pulled out of our driveway and pointed our van in a westerly direction, with the final destination being Jackson's Point on beautiful Lake Simcoe, about an hour north of Toronto. And as they say, the rest is now history. I will tell you more about our adventure in the next post--I must get to work now--lots to do around this big ole house. Besides, I need for you to drop by again, now that I've gotten back in the writing mode. Pray that I will continue to tap these keys.
Until the next time, Blessings to you and "Yours',
Barb
