Monday, March 9, 2009

Getting Ready to Leave

When an endeavor such as this trip is embraced, rarely do those embracing it realize the magnitude of the task. After months of planning, weeks of anticipation, days of working, and hours of rehearsing it is almost time to leave.

The reality of the journey hit us hard when I sent out an e-mail this weekend to the choir and those traveling with us that the time between our departure from Eau Claire and our arrival in Cape Town, South Africa is 33 hours. While this seems like a tremendous number, the amount of time invested by everyone to get to this point is much greater. The women have spent hours of time learning and memorizing (or almost memorizing on a couple of things) music, raising money, making preparations, and now packing. I'm proud of them. Their efforts are about to be rewarded. Our buses leave Eau Claire on Thursday morning at 4 AM. And we're off!!

(Dr. Rieck)

33 comments:

  1. Bon Voyage!! If anyone sees Cheryl and Manda Olson, tell them someone in Texas loves them and wishes we were with them! Look forward to reading the blog. Mom and Jess

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  2. The time is almost here Amy Becht dear. I am so happy for you and so very proud of you , love Gramz God Bless and have a great time

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  3. Thanks for putting this blog together. This should be fun watching the comments and following your progress.

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  4. Wishing all of you a wonderful and safe trip. Samantha Willems you are about to see another one of your dreams become a reality. Enjoy EVERY moment of this adventure. You've worked hard for this and we are extremely proud of you. Have fun! Love you. Mom & Dad

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  5. Safe travels and best wishes!!! As I remember the words to the beginning of the song we sand to the statesmen before they left I believe it said "Take pictures of everything you want to remember, write down the names of the friends you meet a long the way, stay up late to write down all the places that took your breath away on this trip... of a lifetime!" Enjoy each moment! Not everyone gets to go on two woco trips... unless your name is Sarah Chiodo French ;)

    God Bless... Special note to Kirsten, I'm so proud of you and so excited for what you're going to experience! :) Love, Amy O

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  6. Wishing you a fantastic time. Enjoy yourself on this wonderful adventure. You have worked very hard and I am proud of you Jahlieh Rae!
    Love, Aunt Patti

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  7. WoCo!

    You have no idea how badly I wish I was with you crazy girls in South Africa! Have so much fun, take TONS of pictures, and make lots of memories :) i love you all and will be thinking of you!

    <3 kalah halek

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  8. UW-EC WoCo:

    You are women with diamonds on the soles of your shoes!

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  9. Haley and Katie, we love you to the moon... and back. And that's very, very far. ;)

    Goodnight hugs and kisses,
    Mom, Connor, Logan, & Haydn too

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  10. Nikki,
    We are so anxious to hear about your reaction when you stepped on South African soil! Which of the two choices did you do? ;)

    Love you tons,
    Mom and Dad

    p.s. Don't forget to journal every night, trust me, you'll forget.

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  11. Someone please give my wife a hug for me.
    I love you Aimee.
    Be safe girls, and have a blast!!

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  12. Hi Emily M-
    You should be landing on your last plane just about now--I think... Hope you had a good flight! We've been thinking about you all day (well, yesterday & today) and mainly I wanted to remind you about finding me a weird souvenier. :)

    Lindsay

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  13. Another Emily M - You've all arrived safely:)!! Remember as you're drinking it all in, that at that moment in time,the South African people are in their day to day life activity. You are there being part of that, but for you it's an unforgettable bunch of days. Look, listen and absorb - & journal, journal, journal!! Pictures too!
    We love you - Mom & Dad

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  14. Manda and Cheryl
    We thought about you this noon. Can't imagine how you felt when you stepped onto African soil! Jeanne (above) is right, Journal, journal, journal!! Can hardly wait to hear from you!! love, gram and gramp

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  15. Molly,
    This is an opportunity of a life time, asorb it all and journal. You ladies have work very hard for this, enjoy and take lots of pics.
    Love Mom :)

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  16. Kate,
    You've worked and planned and waited...Is it wonderful? I'm so proud of you and wish you many new experiences.
    Enjoy!
    Mom & Pappa G

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  17. Haley and Katie ~

    We are thinking about you and prayin' for your exciting experience and safe travels!

    Love ~
    Dad (Mark)

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  18. Samantha W - Hope you had a great flight(s) and that you got some sleep on the plane. It's now time for fun, fun, fun! Keep a journal (like many others have said) so we can live this trip thru you and I can't wait to hear your stories. Remember how you felt when you first saw S. Africa and don't forget that feeling. Love you!! Mom and Dad

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  19. Amy B. you are now in Africa yeh oh now the fun and excitement really begins. love you Gramz

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  20. HG ~
    Take tons of pictures for a photo journal and Facebook albums!

    DB

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  21. It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
    There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
    I bless the rains down in Africa, I passed some rains down in Africa
    I bless the rains down in Africa, I passed some rains down in Africa
    I bless the rains down in Africa
    Gonna take some time to do the things we never had



    Song Lyrics Africa by Toto

    Miss You Lola Hope your haveing Fun
    Dad & Mom

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  22. Hey guys. You are now on your first day in a new land. Enjoy yourselves and be safe. Kia and I are still talking and oh my gosh having a bit of fun

    Love Dad :)

    PS: Scout is pregnet

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  23. Hey There,

    Does anyone know if/when they are going to update this blog with current information about their trip, locations, events, etc?

    Mark

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  24. Hi Nick,memaw and I are so happy you can do this. Can't wait to read your comments.Hope I'm doin this blog thing right.Love ya, Memaw & Granpe

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  25. I love you girls! You are my sisters and I wish that I could have been right by your side for this amazing adventure you've all embarked upon!

    Have a trip of a lifetime, as Amy O said, and don't forget....

    "For each child thats born, a morning star rises and sings to the universe, who we are!"

    Show the world who you girls are with open hearts and beautiful sound, carpe diem!

    ~Tammie (Dilds)

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  26. Enjoy South Africa. We are looking forward to your updates.
    Grandma & Grandpa Ebner -- Dave & Teresa Too

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  27. Alicia! We are so excited for you, and can't wait to hear about your trip. Someone, please update this BLOG! We are thinking of you and all of your friends! Have a blast. Connie and all the Lindblom's

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  28. For Melissa,
    We all think that you are safely there, no news is good news?????
    We know it was tons of work getting ready to go so now is your time to soak it all in. Enjoy your surroundings, relax your soul, become the culture, breathe the air, obsorb the experience and filter the sand with your toes.
    I view the world like a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.
    What chapter are you on???? This is your forth continent, not many get that lucky in a whole lifetime.
    Remember to photograph it all, food, bugs, friends, heritage, buildings, everything!!
    Can't wait to talk to you again.
    Mom and Dad and Jacob
    p.s. missed you at the concert last night, it was awesome!!

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  29. Teresa and all of the other women on this great expedition. We hope that you are having a great time, and letting some other part of the world see what wonderful people we have in the US. You are our ambassodors so to speak in song, spirit and understanding in a foreign land.
    Mom and I are praying for you Teresa and for the rest of your group.
    Be safe and enjoy. We are looking forward to seeing your pictures and hearing from you when you get back,
    Love, Dad and Mom (aka Kevin and Mary)

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  32. Dr. Rieck and WOCO:

    I think back fondly on the memories you've given me. Thank you!
    Enjoy your time in South Africa and greet everyone you meet with your warm hearts.

    "...sing to the universe who[you]are..."

    Congratulations!
    Amanda Hill

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