CMS Spring Choir Concert

You all know I've been struggling with this whole moving thing.  I've also been struggling with whether or not to force Justice to transfer to his new neighborhood school.  He loves his current school.  Really loves it.  He is also doing very well academically, and given his anxiety and ADHD I hate to upset that balance.  But if I leave him in this school, it also means I have to drive him back and forth every day rather than just punt him to the bus stop.  That also means he stays in THIS school.  What's wrong with that, you might ask?  THIS school is in a rough neighborhood.  There is a tremendous amount of poverty in this city.  We just happen to live in this little historic district and don't see it every day.  But it's here, surrounding every street in my little slice of the city.  Don't read "danger" into that.  There is no danger at his school.  We have lived here since Shandi went to the same middle school Justice is attending, and there hasn't been anything above a few fist fights.  But I sure love the schools in this poor little city.  I love that the teachers can call my kid "baby" or "sweetheart" or "knucklehead" and even hug him or holler at him without fear of reprisal.  I love that several  teachers over the years have texted me during the school day to tell me something important.  I love that I can send baked-at-home treats to school.  I love that they still paddle kids and aren't afraid to whip that paddle out whenever it's necessary.  I love that there is no "keeping up with the Joneses" in this school because of the above mentioned poverty level.  I love that they still say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning and allow a moment of silence for personal prayer or reflection.  Another and very important reason I love this school is because it's very multi-cultural.  I think it's important that Justice is in a school that reflects his own ethnic background(s) and this one fits the bill.  You can see by the pictures that there is a good mix of students.  I also love that God is still allowed in the classrooms.  And not just "tolerated" in the classrooms, but welcome in them.    

At last night's choir concert, God was front and center.  The theme for last nights concert was "Courage".  Each song had a spoken intro that was written by the choir and pre-recorded and played before each song.  The kids explained in their own words what courage meant to them.  There was talk of death, sick family, divorce, love, and hope.  There was a candle lighting ceremony to commemorate family members that were no longer here on earth.  They sang a few christian rock songs and they sang a few gospel songs, too.

You guys know I love my church.  I do.  But we "got's no soul" in our music.  The Southern Baptists though, they "got's soul" in their music.  Feet stomping, hand clapping, singing "hallelujah Jesus!" from the rooftops kind of soul.  And most of the folks in this area are of the Southern Baptist variety.  And as our church worships humbly, reverently, and quietly, the Southern Baptists are shouting their praises to the heavens.

Last night was no exception.  In addition to the christian rock songs that the kids performed, they also performed two popular gospel numbers and were even accompanied by a group of gospel singers from the area.  It was seriously great.  The choir directer told the crowd that the singers were the sisters and nieces of the school's assistance principal.  (We also like to keep it in the family up in these parts, haha.)  Anyway, they were very uplifting.  The kids accompanied them with background vocals and they even had some "prayer dancers" do a "prayer dance" while they were singing.  To me, there is nothing more refreshing and spiritual than watching kids sing about their love for Jesus.  Whether it's reverently and quietly or doing it with a prayer dance, it's good to see Jesus in these kids.  All of them.  

  

The concert was mostly focused on the 8th graders and they did most of the solo singing since this is their last concert before shipping off to high school.  Justice did get a little solo though.  

I may or may not get better at this video thing.  Justice is right around the one minute mark.  

His voice is getting a little deeper.  It's not nearly as high as it was at the last concert.  I got a little lump in my throat when he started to sing.  Ugh.  He is trying to work on singing a little lower, but I'd still say puberty is imminent. 

I would be lying if I said I was excited to take Bo to this concert.  He doesn't sit still for more than five minutes without freaking out and acting like a fool.  Last night was no exception.

One minute after sitting down.

Two minutes.  Yep, it's starting to sink in.

Three minutes.

Four minutes.  Giant fit.

And at the five minute mark of "I gotta get this baby out of here", something miraculous happened.  He fell asleep, completely out of nowhere.  Praise Jesus.  Ha.  He took a good 30 minute nap and then behaved himself throughout the rest of the concert.  He does like music, and it was loud enough to keep his attention.

I sort of had to laugh after the concert was over, I had one of those "You know you're a Mormon when…" moments when Justice immediately started to help break down the equipment and chairs after the concert was over.  Ha!  We do like to clean up after ourselves at an event.

In two days the Honor Choir is off to St. Louis for a three day competition.  What a great experience that will be, and so much fun!