Zondag...17 Mei

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and todeay and forever." Hebrews 13v8

Sunday was a wonderful day. Waking up bright and early after a very long night and horribly long concert wasn't so fun, but the day, it was wondeful.

The Concert Choir drove to Franeker to participate in worship with a congregation there. They served us coffee...twice. Once before the service and then afterwards. They then served a large Sunday dinner, incluing raw salmon and herring, both of which I did NOT eat. We drove through the lovely Fryslan country side, stopping for a brief moment in Sneek, and then arriving in Joure for a late afternoon concert. Dr. Kornelis' family roots are in Joure, so this concert was especially meaningful to him. We sang in the church where his grandparents were baptized, and more than 10 distant relatives came to meet him and listen to the choir. We were served coffee again between rehearsal and performance...mmm gotta love the coffee. I was finishing my cup when John Witte, our tour guide, walked in to the room and said...Ällison, you have family here?"Again I was surprised. But after looking through the doorway I immediately knew who it was. One of my Pake's brothers was standing there. Omke Age and Tante Griet came to hear me sing, along with their son Jan. They gave me hugs and kisses, Tante Griet was so so so happy to see and meet me! She had even brought me a present. A candle holder, and along with it she said, "Every time you light this candle, you think of us." The funny thing is. Neither she nor Omke Age speak any English. So cousin Jan had to translate all their Friesian for me. While we were talking, the lady hosting the concert came up to me and said, Ällison you have more family here!" When in fact it wasn't family, but my Beppe's life long friend Wiepe and her husband...they were holding a paper. An email I had sent to my dad, who had printed it out and sent it to my Pake, who then wrote all the people in Fryslan who he thought should know his granddaughter was coming. Wow. So I had FIVE people come listen to our concert in Joure. It was special...thank you Pake and Beppe!
Pake, this note is for you....Omke Age says you failed at this one thing in particular....not teaching me how to speak Friesian! But I also pulled out the pictures of Jessica, Madeline, Adrienne, and I; and he says he sees why you are so proud of your grandchildren :)
The concert in Joure was another beautiful performance. Dr. K started crying while we were finishing with Praise to the Lord, and whenever he starts crying...it's impossible for me not to cry. So cry we did. I then had to say goodbye to Omke Age and Tante Griet, who had been playing Friesian bingo in the foyer. Apparently Amy Mensonides' Pake is the nephew of my Pake? The English/Friesian translation got kind of confusing. Anyways. Omke Age left the church to walk around outside while waiting for his wife to quit talking....such a Wesselius thing to do. AND another thing I noticed. I now understand why people are sometimes intimidated by Wesselius men. They have the sternest stare ever! I watched Omke Age and Cousin Jan during the concert (they were conviently located right behind Dr. K's head), and while Tante Griet was smiling and beaming away....Omke Age and Jan sat so grim and deadpan. It was really quite amusing.