On Vox: I Thank You God.
At our final concert tonight, in the Philharmonic Hall in Timisoara, there were only about 40 people in attendance. Somehow, this didn't really affect us, at least not negatively. I don't know about everyone else, but I totally went for it. I sang my heart out like I'd never get to sing these songs again (mostly because I probably won't), and like there was no one else in the room to feel nervous or embarrassed around. I love that feeling, of being totally free to sing out and put every bit of energy I have left into it. Needless to say, I am basically OUT of energy, so I'm thankful that tomorrow is a totally free day, to just pack, relax and say goodbye to our host families. And speaking of thankfuless, I have really been blessed by one of our songs which I knew from both my years in Bel Canto prior to this trip. The text is taken straight from an e.e. cummings poem called I Thank You God, and there are a few lines I just love. The first is simple, but the music and the words together are just so beautiful and such a good reminder of the blessing that each day brings: "I thank you God for most this amazing day..." Then there is the line, "I who have died am alive again today." Just think about that for a moment. If you believe in Christ and follow him, and you've accepted him into your heart, then the old you has died and you are alive again, a new creation. I all too often neglect to recognize the magnitude of this change inside of me.... The part of the song that never fails to give me goosebumps is: "How should tasting, touching, hearing, seeing, breathing -- any human merely being -- doubt unimaginable you?" The music has such an urgency, and an immediacy that seems to say, "LISTEN UP! Look around at all the things you can experience, and all the WAYS you can experience life. How could you possibly help but thank God for all of it?"
So anyway...that was the very last song we sang, in our very last concert in Romania. It was pretty cool.
Tomorrow is a totally free day, so we will just pack, relax, read, write, walk around, spend time with our host families, and say goodbye to Romania, as we will meet back at the church at like 3 a.m. Wednesday morning to head to the airport. I'm ready. I'm sad, as always, to leave this place, but I'm ready to be back home.
Thanks again to everyone for your prayers and support!! I'm gonna try to get those pics up soon, and probably send out a brief follow-up letter (which I'll also post here) with the highlights of the trip.
Much love and appreciation for your continued prayers for safety and blessings!!!
-Tabitha
Originally posted on numaiharul.vox.com