I cannot believe this is my last tour! I have had such an amazing time. I must say that crossing the border into Canada was pretty awesome. The border patrol guy just asked to see everyone’s faces and asked us if we had any weapons and we were good to go! What good luck! In Guelph our host home mommies and daddies were really nice! My host home went to a bonfire at another family’s house. It felt like we were with family, we were laughing and comparing how we all say “out and about”, “sorry” and “mom/mum”. When we went on to Montreal we had the chance to sing in the Notre Dame Cathedral. It was amazing and so powerful. A woman with a porcelain hippo came up and asked if she could set it in front of us as we sang. She then told us that it was the ashes of her friend and there were 8 women other women at the Cathedral mourning her. Everyone was so touched that she wanted us to sing for her friend. Her story was so incredible, and we were all close to tears. The whole experience was so powerful. Back in the U.S. we headed to Vermont and after to Rochester, New York. In Rochester we sang at Lutheran Church of Our Saviour. There were only about twenty people there, but we could all see in their faces how much they enjoyed it. We have had these reactions before, but the comments that I got from two of the members really touched me. One man came up to me and said, “The moment your choir started singing I just fell in love with all of you”. Then he blew us a kiss, smiled, and walked off. Then a woman came up, and she said, “Listening to all of you sing has renewed my faith in the young people of this world”. I was so moved by that comment. So many adults don’t like teenagers because they think we are all rude and obnoxious. Hearing her tell us that amazed us. I knew that people enjoyed listening to us, but knowing that it renewed her faith in young people just made me feel I had an even bigger purpose. I now know that not only does our music bring smiles to people’s faces, but also it also completely changes people and gives them a new perspective on religion and faith. I used to be a little embarrassed singing in front of people, but now I love it! This tour has changed me so much. Hearing and seeing all the people’s reactions gives me the best feeling ever. There are no words to describe that feeling. I love singing for people now! It is so much fun, and I have even started to ask Mrs. P to sing solos. I sing them with Rachel Druek, but it is still amazing! Now we are driving to Ohio and I cannot wait until our concert. Tour ends tonight, but I am never going to forget it. It has been full of long bus rides and some stressful moments, but I have been changed into a more confident and happy singer! My last night on my last tour will be extremely bittersweet, but I’m going to go home tomorrow with new memories and experiences that I will never forget. I might be done with Eagles Wings, but I will never be done with OSLC. It is my second family and I love you all! Tour has been incredible, even though as I’m writing this I feel like I could pass out! The homecoming concert tomorrow is going to be so much fun and I cannot wait to sing for everyone! Peace, love and God bless!

Rachel Harvey