Report of Mexico trip

Hola Family and Friends,
Here is my report from Mexico.
Our team of seven was divided into three classes. Each class was two hours a day Monday – Thursday. The hardest part for me was just learning Spanish. After the second week, my prayer request was simply the diligence to keep studying, even when tired. My motivation to keep learning came every Friday when we would go to the orphanage. The first time we drove to one about two hours away and stayed the weekend. The next two times, we went to one much closer and just stayed the afternoon. It was such a relief to leave the classroom, talk and play with kids, and practice Spanish. The kids didn't speak English so it helped me see very quickly the value of homework. We also attended church activities four nights a week and that soon became a sweet time of fellowship.

My biggest highlight was working the last week in the village. With only 300 people, our team was the most interesting thing for the whole week. Mornings we checked, installed, and picked up payments on water filters, afternoons we taught a children's program for 50 kids, and evenings we showed a kid's and an adult's movie on the basketball court. I enjoyed that time the most because we got to see the same people daily and start relationships. The last night though was really neat because I missed the movie time talking to these 3 guys around my age... in Spanish! They were asking all these questions about the US and we even got to talk about what they believed. It was the most I'd spoken in Spanish the whole trip. It truly was an answer to prayer for God to use my broken Spanish to be able to communicate.

At home God has already given me connections at a Hispanic church, that I've begun attending. My goals for continuing Spanish are: to attend the church at least once a week, keep in touch with friends from Chiapas on facebook, and continue my Spanish lessons with my tutor.
Thanks to you God has already opened another door. About two weeks before my trip, Global Encounters emailed me and said my support level was double what I needed for the trip including flights! So, they said I could go on another mission trip this summer and it would be completely paid for. After praying and talking with their director, I've decided to go to Ecuador with GE July 12 – August 3 this summer!
It is only through the grace of God and your generosity that this happened, so thank you very much. I won't be raising money for this trip since God has already taken care of that. But I will most likely send out prayer updates while I'm there and for sure when I get back. If you have any questions about my past or upcoming trip, please email or call me!

Sincerely,

Michaela

Michaela is in Chiapas

Michaela and Velda left for Wichita at 4:30AM to catch a 7AM flight with connections to Mexico on Saturday morning. It had snowed 3 inches in the night and the roads had not been cleared yet. They made it in time even though could only drive 40-60mph most of the way. After boarding the plan it sat being de-iced and checked until departing at 9:30AM. This delay caused her to miss her connecting flight from Atlanta to Mexico City. She was booked on the next available flight leaving 2 hours later. This caused her to miss her connecting flight from Mexico City to Chiapas. She was booked on the next available flight leaving 4 hours later. Michaela, while waiting in Atlanta for her flight to Mexico City, noticed that she was the only non-hispanic that she could see in the waiting area. Even more surprising was while navigating the Mexico City airport she found just one employee who could manage some english and that person only said 2 words to her in english. Possibly a foreshadowing of her 5 weeks to come. Anyway she made it. She is in San Cristobal de la Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. Population about 186,000. Elevation abut 7,000 feet above sea level. The city is surrounded by densely forested (jungle?) mountains. The weather will  have highs in the 70's-80's with the lows in the 40's. She is the only person on the team who has not been in a spanish speaking country in the past. She feels like she is in last place as far as how much spanish she can speak prior to coming but she knows how to work hard and we are confident that God will accomplish His purposes in her and her contribution to the team while there. She has more internet access than she originally thought so she said she is going to post pictures of where she is on facebook. Global Encounters has already posted a prayer page which you can see here.

Wow!

Many of you know that my oldest Michaela is going on a mission trip to Chiapas Mexico. She contacted many of you for support. We are happy to announce that she has received all that she needs. In fact Global Encounters informed her today that she has enough for her expenses as well as her flight and possibly some discretionary money. Michaela has so much that we are wanting those of you who are still considering supporting her financially to know that she has all that she needs. Any extra now that she raises will go to support the general expenses of the trip. This would benefit her indirectly in that it would benefit all who are going on the mission trip. Please consider this as you seek God's leading. Having said this I will also state that none of you are "off the hook". We are expecting all of you to pray for her as prepares and goes to disciple the nations. I attached a prayer card you  can print off and put in a prominent place to remind you to pray. Thank you.

Recovery Time

Here is another update to the blog done by Michaela since my parents are very busy for the time being.

The chemo and transplant went very well last week. The chemo was Tuesday and Wednesday and they gave my dad his stem cells Friday.
Well, that turned out to be the easy part. My dad has to go to the clinic once a day so they can check his vitals and do a little blood work. They also started giving him fluids since his body needs to flush out the chemo. He is very weak and doesn't have an appetite. He is eating ice chips but has no desire to swallow.
This morning my mom had to use a wheelchair to get him to the clinic as well as help him out of the shower since all his blood levels are very low. The doctor said to expect mouth sores and a fever soon. He also said the next five days will be the worst and then he will begin to take a turn for the better. My mom says "the ugly is about to get uglier and I'm already tired."
Thankfully both of them are resting well at night.
Please pray that God sustains both of them over the next few days & for Eddie's blood counts to recoup from the transfusion etc.
Please pray whenever you think of our family. It is the best way to help.

Great News!

We are not going home! The blood numbers have alligned and we start the process of harvesting stem cells tomorrow at 7AM. In addition, if the numbers had not aligned, we would still stay in KC. The doctor told me that even though things are going great and no procedure was being done lately that requires exceptional medical expertise, should something go awry I would want to be within 20 minutes of this clinic because this is all they do and they are available 24/7. KU has experienced a multitude of complications and are especially equipped for those contingencies. Knowing this, we are prepared and are hoping for more boring days to come and will appreciate them much more than before. Tomorrow we will report to collect stem cells. My blood will be checked to see if the stem cells have been kicked out of the bone marrow. If they are present in the blood, then they will start collecting right then. If not, then they will give me a drug that will loosen them and I wait a day and try again. It is amazing that I am excited over an unanswered prayer. God, as always, has the best plan. On the other hand, God says " . . . ye have not, because ye ask not". James 4:2b. So here is the next request. Let's pray that the stem cells are in the blood and enough of them are collected the first time if it is His will. If not, then we will rejoice in knowing He had an infinitely better plan. Thanks for praying.

Side Effects. The sequel

We left for Kansas City early Thursday morning for what was billed as a 3 hour appointment. This would be similar to a 3 hour tour for those of my generation. It started at 9AM and at 2PM the nurse announced "Now starts the 3 hour part". I should have been forewarned when all the proceedings leading up to the 3 hour part was putting fluids and anti-nausea medicine into by means of an IV. The 3 hour part was to give me chemotherapy that was, of course, more potent than my previous rounds (maybe they should have said "combined"). Another hint that evaded me of things to come was that they gave me a backpack with 2 pumps hooked to my PICC line. One was to continue to administer fluids as well as potassium (the potassium part will come into play later) while the other was to pump anti-nausea medicine on demand. They said to push the pump at the slightest hint of nausea. I used to think that I was a fairly intelligent person and could ascertain even some of the minutest subtleties but  I sure missed what was coming. I've decided to discuss the potassium now in my defense. When a person has diarrhea they will lose potassium. I don't think that is common knowledge. So we left the clinic at 6PM and ate supper at a salad bar. Wow, what a mistake. Anyway, one of my pumps starts beeping because it was malfunctioning. To those of you who follow my blog regularly this may sound familiar. If not click here. We were told at the clinic that if anything goes wrong to call the number on the side of the pump and they would talk us through the solution. We called the number and told them it said "Code 10". They said that it meant "motor failure" and that there was nothing they could do but we should call the clinic. The clinic asked which pump failed and I said the fluids one and they said that at least the anti-nausea one was still working and that was more important. So about midnight I felt an intense headache and thought "this is not nausea" so I didn't push the pump. I have a high tolerance for headaches so I didn't bother Velda from her sleep. About 3AM I couldn't take it any more so I awakened Velda to find out that we didn't bring pain relievers. To her defense we rarely have a need for them in our family. So we get in the van and go to get relief. At this point I feel nausea and press the pump for nausea. It beeps indicating that it is malfunctioning. We can't call the number on the side of the pump because Velda is driving and I am vomiting out of the passenger window. When we get home Velda calls the number because I am indisposed and the instructions given got the pump working but it did not stop my vomiting. The pump will not reset for 15 minutes so as not to overdose. Believe me I was watching the clock. Oh did I say that when we got back that the diarrhea started? My next appointment was for 1PM. So, if you count, this lasted for 10 hours. When we got to the clinic I could hardly sit for ejaculations coming from both ends. They finally got me settled at which point the attending nurse said "We just started using these new pumps and I don't think they are as good as the old ones". When we were finished I was feeling pretty good so we went to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art armed with a new pump. Absolutely incredible place! Part of the way through I felt nauseous and pressed the pump and it beeped indicating . . . We called the number and fortunately the nausea subsided without episode before they solved the problem. The clinic also gave me some pills as a backup and they are working just fine. Otherwise things are going as planned and my numbers are being evaluated as :"very good". Thanks for praying.

A Puzzlement

On April 14th we had 2 wonderful benefit dinners at my church. We are trying to solve a puzzle. Michaela played music out of a book which we haven't seen since. I will give the details and see what happens. She doesn't remember the title of the book. All songs are piano arrangements
Songs in the book:
As the Deer
Give Thanks
Shout to the Lord
More Precious than Silver
Lord I Lift Your Name on High
Shine Jesus Shine
El Shaddai
A Shield about Me

Sheet Music in the book:
In the Gap Theme Song (written my a co-intern when she was in OKC. This is big as far as sentimental points)
Chariots of Fire
Some obscure song on dark pages

Help us if you can. Thanks.

Mixed Bag

Today was my monthly checkup with my oncologist. Again most of the numbers are moving in the right direction. Another repeated theme is that the numbers are not going down fast enough. We didn't go into a lot of details today so I don't have specific numbers. A new development is that my calcium level has gone up. This is a complication because it interferes with the recovery of my kidneys. My kidney number did not fall this month but maintained. It needs to continue to fall as well. My doctor is considering giving me a drug that will take care of the calcium. The problem is that unless the kidney numbers are lower, this drug can have a detrimental effect on the kidneys. Let's see if you have been following this. My calcium level has risen. This has interfered with the recovery of my kidneys. A drug can lower the calcium level. This drug can have a detrimental effect on the kidneys when they are not functioning correctly. My kidneys are not functionally correctly. Anyone ever  here of the phrase "Catch 22"? It was quite an interesting conversation between the doctor and the nurse. I believe the plan is to watch the calcium level for now and, if need be, administer the drug at a potency that will effect the calcium level but not the kidneys. Otherwise, I continue to maintain my duties and activities in a relatively normal way. Please pray that on my journey to healing that I won't have to put another caustic chemical into my body and that Velda and I would have wisdom for the myriad of decisions that we face.

Spiritually. I am experiencing the abundant life in Christ as much now and in some respects greater than before the myeloma. God is faithful.

The Big Zero

Sunday morning I woke up to see my dad looking at me with concern. Then he said, "who are you"? I was so sleepy, I just kind of stared. Not the words you expect your father to greet you with. "I had a 19 year old daughter last night, but I don't know who you are". My dad was up to his old tricks again. Ever since we were little on our birthdays, he pretends that we are different people. What a great way to start my big day of turning 20.

I had just returned from CYIA so my mom told me we could have a relaxed day. In the evening, we had popcorn, pretzels, and sun tea. Mmmm! Then the door bell rang. There stood the Kroeker family. They sang to me and gave me KitKat chocolates.

After dinner Kelsey said she had another present for me. It was a surprise so I had to close my eyes while she went to the van. I love surprises, but I wasn't prepared for this. She placed something warm on my lap. Scroll down to see what they gave me. It was perfect! I love birthdays.

Fiesta of Faces

So there I was bouncing down the road for an hour in a fifteen passenger van. Why was I doing this you ask? I was beginning to wonder the same thing myself. For the past school year, I have helped teach the English as a Second Language class at our church. Our ESL group was invited to a International dinner in Manhattan. As we drove 3 students were speaking Mongolian, 2 students were speaking Japanese, and 2 more students were speaking Chinese. I was speaking nothing. At this point, I engaged the young man seated next to me in an English conversation. It was very intriguing to learn about China and his perspective on big cities, college and American football. I told him that I was always the shortest kid in my class. He told me in China I would be a mid-sized girl. Maybe I should move to China!

In the meantime, we had arrived in Manhattan. Once we entered, I immediately had an excitement surge. There were literally people from all over the world! As we put on our name tags, I had a devious thought. Instead of putting my name and country, I simply put my name. The students also became excited as they saw people from their country. There were people from over 40 countries at the dinner. As we ate, one student asked me, "Why didn't you get any fried chicken?" Who wants fried chicken when there's tofu and all the other delicious things on my plate that I could not identify?

After dinner we had the Roll call of the Nations where each country was acknowledged. One Taiwanese boy purposely stood up when they called Vietnam, but no one other than our table could tell the difference. Then, we had the fashion show when people who had worn their traditional clothing would parade across the stage. The clothing was beautiful. At the end, a young man from China gave his testimony of how he came to Christ here in America. He was brave to do so and hopefully convicted others.

Once again on the way home, I heard three different languages around me, but it was okay this time. I loved seeing all the different people groups together. My one disappointment is that only one person came up and asked: Where are you from?

Tutor Trivia

Over the past three semesters in college, I have had a very interesting variety of tutors. Each one has a particular personality about them that makes them unique. Here are some examples.

My first tutor had a grade book that averaged out my grade that he sent me each week. He also highlighted a particular character quality to ponder on and a story to teach a lesson. He must have had time on his hands to think things out.

My second tutor was a lady who had a major part in writing the course I was taking. That made me nervous. She also sent specific instructions to override the original course instructions. Once I asked a question about the insights from a word study and she sent me back a five page answer! It took me two days to get up the courage to read it. However, it actually helped me a more than I thought.

My current tutor likes details as well. He asked me to send him a biography telling him my background. One of the questions was: what does your house look like? He also sent me a picture of his house. I decided not to send a picture because His looks a lot better!

Another current tutor that I have, I don't know well at all. He sent me a biography of himself. My dad now refers to him as " the one word tutor." I sent him my biography and got an email that said one word: thanks. I am actually glad He isn't very detailed because my other tutors sure are!

Often, my tutors make me chuckle which keeps school fun. They each have their strengths and they help polish my character. Now I wonder what they think of me when they get my emails...

The Choice

This morning, I was sitting considering the options for the future. My associate's degree in Child and Youth Character Development is almost done. This spring I will finish all my class work and then will move on to an internship. Since, I have several options for this internship it is hard deciding which one. It seemed logical to get advice from wise people in my life and then go with my instinctive choice. After all, the culture tells me to follow my heart.

However, the passage I came across this morning counsels otherwise. While considering my choices, I thought of Jer. 17:9: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" God seemed to be striking out the choice of relying on my instincts.

Then, it occurred to me that I had never read the passage around this well known verse. I soon found the first verse had some very strong language. "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord" (Jer. 17:5). Whoa, there goes my second option of relying on other's advice! It was if God was saying to me, that people will fail me. Listening to others is important, but God showed me another choice.

"7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit" (Jer. 17:7-8).

The last verse in the passage reminded me why trusting the Lord supersedes all other choices. "O Lord, the hope of Israel... the fountain of living waters" (Jer. 17:13). God is the ever living water that plants the tree of our lives. When we anchor ourselves in Him as by a river, then it will not matter when trials of heat come because His strength keeps us from despair. Our leaf will remain green. Through Him, we can continue to yield fruit. Why use a substitute when He is a living hope.

These are a few of my favorite things...

I love preparing for Christmas, but this year, I did not start preparing my heart until the week before. On December 18th all of a sudden, it dawned on me that Christmas was in one week. Here are some things that we did in that week that helped me prepare. First, we went and caroled with the (Mark) Kroekers and the Beckmans. We were very zealous carolers and sang our favorite Christmas songs in the car. One elderly bachelor said, "your singing and this pumpkin bread is Christmas to me." His gratefulness blessed me as well. Then, we went caroling again on the 21st with our home school choir.At one nursing home a lady began singing along. I love caroling and would love to do it all year round.

Now for the really different activity. Mrs. (Lyle) Kroeker invited my mom and I to go to a Christmas service at her home church. It's a little Swedish church in New Gottland. However, the catch was it started at 6 am on Christmas morning! Although it was early my curiosity got the better of me. We had to leave at 5:15 am because the church was a half hour away. When we arrived, I was amazed how chipper people could be in the morning. I personally, didn't talk much. We sang hymns, heard the Christmas story and a short sermon on the name Immanuel. Then, the choir sang an old Swedish carol in Swedish. I enjoyed listening to them. Now, most of you know that I don't get up that early without some compensation. After the service, we had breakfast in the fellowship hall. I had four different kinds of cinnamon rolls and some delicious minty hot chocolate. Because of our visit, we are now declared half swede. The service helped me start Christmas with the proper attitude.

Full to Overflowing

Before we get to the vacation post, I thought it would be good to tell you about a big event in my summer: Camp Good News. First of all the director told me I would have four girls. The first day we counselors sat around in the foyer waiting for our girls. By the time of the first assembly, I only had three girls. It rather puzzled me. Mrs. Regier, the director's wife, told me the girl didn't show up and they didn't know why. I was a little disappointed. However, my three girls kept me busy enough. The, that same night, Mrs. Regier told me there was a girl on the waiting list who would be joining my group around midnight. I was so excited to meet her and she was just as excited to be at camp! That was my first highlight. I'll give you just a few more.

One morning, one of my girls turns to me thoughtfully and asks, "Miss Michaela, does your brain ever turn off?" After a quick counsel with Miss Mandy, we decided that your brain stays on 24/7(later in the week though, I wondered)

Every year, we have a talent night on Wednesday. I taught my girls a song and they loved it so much, they wanted to practice it every spare moment. We had so much fun!

On Thursday night, we have a special service to allow children to consecrate their lives to the Lord. Last year, I was so discouraged because so few children decided to do it. This year when they gave the invitation, at least thirty children from 2nd graders to 8th graders responded! I talked to one of my girls and asked her why she walked up. She said, "I have been doing things my way but now I want God to have His way." She was so confident and sincere. God was really working that night!

On the last day, I made a card for each of my girls, encouraging them to continue walking with the Lord. When they received them, I was so blessed to see the smiles on their faces. One girl said, it was the best gift she'd ever received.

It was a great week, so here are some pictures.

Tether ball is the national camp sport.
One of the five staff named Mr. Josh, waiting for lunch with his group.
The 3rd graders last day of Bible Lesson got a little crazy.
We all dressed up for Consecration night.
We made thank you notes on Friday.

Working Backwards

As I mentioned before, there are many things for our family that are quite habitual. One of my least favorite is giving away kittens. Our cat had four adorable little kittens this April. I found them a week after birth in our neighbors window well. You would think that at such an early exposure to people we would be able to carry them over our shoulders by their tails. Instead, they cower in fear when I approach and run when kids want to play with them. Nevertheless, we have to give them away or else they will multiply quite rapidly. Our friends the Fahrentholds brought six of their kittens to our house in a cage to give away. They were not quite as cute as ours but we put out the "Free Kitttens"sign for them. All their kittens were gone by nightfall. The next day I put two of ours in a cage with the hopes of giving them away. They started yowling and running crazily around. I ignored them, figuring they would get over it. Three hours later I return from baby sitting to find them still meowing and walking around. Why couldn't they just curl up and go to sleep like the Fahrenthold's kittens? I let them go. It is so exciting when a lady comes and takes two of them! Then a couple comes by and takes another one after I get my hand all clawed up by the terrified kitten. After a good day's work, I sit down to a good supper. Then, the door bell rings. The couple have decided to return the kitten and she's all wrapped in a blanket. Was the blanket to keep the kitten warm or their hands safe? Very suspicious. Yesterday, the ominous bell rings again to show a lady holding another kitten. This one had cried all weekend so she was returning it. In conclusion, after a lot of hard work, we now have three out of four kittens back. This is infuriating! Anyway, does anyone want a kitten?

It's the most wonderful time of the year

Now that I'm back from CYIA, it is time to enjoy my favorite season of the year: summer! There are several reason I love summer. First of all, it is a wonderful break from school.

Second, we get to garden as a family. Being out in the garden watering, weeding, sweating and picking is a satisfying experience. That tomato soup, sweet potato pie, and fresh corn on the cob tastes different when it's yours. As I instructed my younger sister,"Everything tastes better when you've sweated for it." She was doubtful.

Last but not least are the fun trips we go on as a family. We don't go places every year but they are always memorable. They can include driving over three states, riding in helicoptors(don't ask), visiting family and going to conferences.

Summer here we come!

The Return of the Blog

Hello everyone! Long time no post. The Creers are back for the summer. Saturday I had a wonderful birthday by turning 19 and ending CYIA. My mom always makes homemade croissants for my birthday. We both knew that could not happen while at camp. Then, the last day, my birthday, I went to help the cook serve food. She had made homemade croissants for lunch! I was shocked! It was a wonderful birthday present from God. For the first two weeks in June I was on staff at CYIA. It was an old and new experience at the same time. This was my fifth year attending but my first as staff. I saw old friends and learned new lessons. One major highlight is that there were 69 students which is a record and around 70 children came to Christ that last week. God used them in a mighty way. For those of you who are still faithful readers here are some pictures of the experience.

When the director speaks, we listen.
Miss Mary the missionary
Inviting children to 5- day clubs brings you into interesting situations.
A little help, please?

You want me to eat that!

Saying the pledge.
Ruth Matlack and the director's son Landon Myers. Didn't he say something about not spoiling his son?(whoops)
The official staff table which is usually full of sticky notes.
There is nothing so satisfactory as a sticker.
Chelsey Horkman, our camp missionary to Burkina Faso, explains a game.

Well what are you waiting for, that's all folks.

This morning I was thinking on many things. The day ahead, my dreams in the night, and what on earth to wear today. But the thing that moved me to post was my last thought before getting ready for the day. Because my father is a music teacher I have been exposed to a wide variety of songs throughout my life. The one that stuck in my mind this morning is one of my favorites. It's a fun spiritual but more than that the chorus has a powerful message:

Who will be a witness for my Lord?

I will be a witness for my Lord.

I always thought of witness as something you do. People will witness to their neighbors, family, friends etc. In my recent readings for my Perspectives course I found this quote by Steven C. Hawthorne: "A witness is what you are far more than it is something you do. God arranges for His servants to display what they declare. By public testimony in the face of hostility, ordinary people accomplish far more than merely affirming the truth of Christ." Now I have another verse to add to the line:

How will I be a witness for my Lord?

Are you Hungry?

Lately I've been noticing that this is a time in my life when something amazing is happening. For the past month God has been giving me spiritual food like crazy. For instance, for graduation I received a Christian devotional called "Streams in the Desert." The first Sunday of January I started it and was determined to go through the whole year with it. Well in church our pastor ends his sermon with the verse Isaiah 35:6 which last words are streams in the desert. So apparently God wants to use this verse and the devotional in my life.

Also reading Amazing Grace about William Wilberforce has been amazing. He was incredible. But not only do I get to learn about him but also about other Godly characters who were his friends. I really like the determinedly tenacious Granville Sharp. He was an accomplished musician, Christian, and lawyer and often signed his name G#. This guy could play two flutes at once!

Then for my Christian online college "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" is recommended. This book is packed with 12 essential disciplines that all Christians should practice along with practical examples and steps of how to implement them. Also my goal is to finish the biography of Hudson Taylor sometime this year. He particularly struck me with how much he would sacrifice for the advancement of God's kingdom. At one point in China he was only living on $10 a month! Also while in London he only ate twice a day and literally only bread and water.

One Christian man said if he were stranded on a desert island with only one book of the Bible to read he would want Romans. That's the book I started this morning in prayertime. Last but not least my Mom and I are starting the Perspectives class which is an intensive 15 week course about world missions and how Christians should be acting about them. My old partner in crime Ethan Greene will be attending this class with us as well and will be riding with us. With all this feeding of my spirit it will be exciting to see how God will use me to teach the lessons I'm learning and what growth will occur. Am I hungry? Oh yeah!

Sound

What do you look forward to at Christmas? I love seeing the lights, reindeer, santa claus, snowmen, christmas trees...etc. I also love hearing the sounds of snow falling, bells ringing and of course Christmas Carols. We went caroling with our home school choir. There were about 37 of us including six alumni. We went to three nursing homes and one home. Throughout the evening we saw people's faces light up to hear our singing including the nurses. One nurse went running after Michelle Dennis to make sure she was okay after getting her wisdom teeth out. The people didn't really care what carols we sang just that we were there was great for them. Once I was walking with the Newcomer girls and we got separated from the group. Nara started up with "The First Noel" and we all joined in for the first verse and the chorus. On the start of the second verse I mainly hummed and put in a word or two. As Nara began the third verse Jenna said, "the end." Not many of us knew all five verses. Several times the back group of carolers got confused and started singing a different song than the front group. We eventually figured it out. I don't think anybody minded much. Knowing my personality does anyone have any guesses of my favorite Christmas Carol? Have a very Merry Merry Merry Christmas!