Faith Lutheran Church in Junction City, Oregon.
I’m posting this from the quaintest little church, Faith Lutheran, in Junction City, OR. The old white chapel sits on green prairie land, surrounded by rolling mountains in the distance. With 11 pews flush to the wall on either side, the 33-member choir lights up the modest church. As our bus pulled up around 4:20, several apron-clad parish member greeted us with brilliant smiles and warm hearts.
The parish has been looking forward to Grand View’s arrival for many years. Junction City is home to a large Scandinavian population and several Grand View Alumni. A Danish parish member contacted Dr. Duffy last year, asking when Grand View could come to Oregon. Originally thinking there was no way it could happen, she coordinated with the Grand View advancement department and was able to make arrangements. Dr. Duffy said Junction City was the seed of this tour. I have a feeling tonight will be a packed house. Overflow seating is set up and locals are already showing up.
The students are rehearsing right now and show time is at 7:30 pm. In between the rehearsal and the concert, the parish is putting on a fabulous salmon supper. They are also hosting a Danish ebelskiver breakfast before we head to Medford.
The concert in Seattle went just as well as the night prior. It was the biggest audience yet, with a handful being Grand View Alumn. The Seattle stop was also a chance for a couple choir members to reconnect with family. Misty Noor’s mom, brother and sister were able to see her perform in a choir for the first time. Prior to seeing her brother and sister last year, they had been apart for five years. Misty (who was born in Seattle), Monica, Constance and I were able to soak up Seattle nightlife and stay at her mom’s place for the night.
“It was really an amazing experience. I didn’t think I’d get a chance to share my passions and school functions with them since I wasn’t raised with them,” Misty said.
The choir met at the church at 9 am this morning and spent an hour and a half at Pikes Place Market in downtown Seattle. The market, which sits on the pier, features stands of fresh fish, as well as vegetables, trinkets and other shops. It was neat to see the workings of an industry so far away from Iowa. The original Starbucks was also located near the market, along with Seattle’s Best and many other coffee houses.
Here are photos from the Pikes Place Market and downtown Seattle this morning:
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