DAY 1 in VANCOUVER

Day-1 in Vancouver, Washington: The sun was barely shining over the Southern California Sierras when we took to the skies and journeyed more than one thousand miles north to Portland. After arriving in Oregon we drove across the river to Vancouver, Washington, and checked into the Staybridge Suites. Just across the street was Elmer's restaurant and most of us enjoyed a nice lunch together there. A little later in the afternoon, we sang in the hotel lobby to the grateful hotel staff and other guests. The fire was crackling in the fireplace and the hotel was warm and inviting as we headed checked our maps and headed for the Vancouver Adventist Church. There we registered, picked up the festival schedule and additional music and ate supper. We had some PBJ's with delicious Washington apples plus some steaming hot vegetable soup. But the day wasn't over, in fact it had just began. As we entered the new church sanctuary we were quiet, struck by the beautiful and spacious worship hall. As soon as we all gathered on the risers we began our rehearsal with the grand old songs of the church like Majesty and Glory, Deep River, We Have This Hope, and many others. The sanctuary echoed with the delicate sounds of organs, pianos, chimes, drums and later with the Festival Orchestra. It's raining outside and we just made it back to the hotel to get some needed sleep. We'll be up early tomorrow for a big day at the chorus festival in the afternoon and evening and in the morning worship service with our own His Voice. One of our esteemed singers whispered hoarsely as he fell asleep, "I have a numb brain and a sore throat but it doesn't get any better than this!" (Double click on pictures to see them larger)