I am back!! At last...what a crazy weekend...driving from Omaha to North Platte to Rapid City to Faith to Rochester to Home...something like 10,000 miles later (well, not quite!)...we are here. For those who heard me, I finally have most of my voice back, and thankfully, I had it yesterday when I needed it!!
Anyhow, I want you all to know that we WILL be proceeding with the idea of putting together a book about the Story of SR. We will have to lay the ground work for this over the next few posts and think about what we want that book to look like, represent, etc. We also need to think about how much text we want vs how much press stuff we want...since we have 14 years of that kind of stuff (newspapers, other articles, other pictures, etc)...boxed up and stored. So, be thinking on that.
For now, this post is simply to update you all about our AWESOME site in Faith, SD. We just had practice there and the group was doing awesome. Their in-between practices have been great, and everyone, of every age, simply rocked on the songs they have learned so far! Then, we worked on some of YMCA and the stuff for my new song (which is called If I Had You, so you have a title to associate with it!)...AND THEN, we talked about the blog...all before finally telling them that we have many, many sites working on helping them get drums. We also had ordered the 2 sets of drums provided by our Minneapolis members...and they were there for them, already set up...but everyone in Faith assumed the sets were Rapid City drums. It was such a great way to do it, and thanks to all in Rapid for helping pull the surprise off! So many hugs, tears, smiles, and great, wonderful SR family energy...because once again, the world had changed, in a great way! So, without asking (and Jennifer and Elizabeth, I hope it is OK to post your comments on here!)...these 2 emails go along with the kind things that Drew and Alex Vance commented on the last Steve-post...read those there, and read these here...and this is your post of the day...talk about how these things make YOU feel as part of SR and then talk about how you know people's lives will be FURTHER changed in Faith, because of the drums.
And, at the same time, all of you who are at a site working on this project for me...remember...due date is my birthday (Mar 4th) AND keep up hard work so we can order even more drums to help them out. If you have not learned of the entire Faith, SD story, I will be sharing it at your next practice with me.
Hey Steve-
I'm still in disbelief of our "surprise"!!! I'm so greatful for the support that the SR family has given us! And I thank YOU so much for your belief in our group!!! We all were very overwhelmed and humbled by your generosity. It's amazing how we wanted to start an SR site to, among other things, make a difference in other people's lives but I think that right now, SR is making the most difference in OUR lives. I don't know if you know how much it means to us to have almost the whole SR family helping us out. It's amazing and I shake my head almost in confusion every couple hours just thinking about it. I still can't fully put into words what this means to us. THANK YOU SOOOO VERY MUCH!
We decided to send the drums home with David and the Haines girls. David was actually jumping up and down with excitement. It was awesome. Lenae and Allison practice everyday, so they were an obvious choice. We will probably rotate them around. What a blessing! Boy, what will they think when we actually bring drums to a basketball game? LOL
Should I get the Minneapolis info from the SR database? Who is the Site coordinator? We are so thankful! Wow!
All I have to say is....Boy did you surprise us!!!!! Thank you again and again!
Til next time-
Jenn Stomprud
Hello,
How was the drive to Rochester? With my dad being a trucker he can drive threw out the entire night and then I crawl in the sleeper and take a nap.
Thank you so much for coming out to Faith. This is so important to me. On Sunday my grandma was upset with someone else and then was mad at my mom, sister and I for not being at home (we live 1 mile away from her and on the same ranch). She has kind of indicated a couple of times that she doesn't like it, but she just has no idea
Also thanks for helping us with everythig that we need to be an SR site. We wouldn't have been abled to do it.
Thanks again,
Elizabeth
I've wanted to be the first to be to comment on one thing and I am happy that it was this one
ReplyDeleteWhen Steve told us that we had a supprise I was very excited Jen espesially. When he was going to tell us I thought she was going to pull her hair out. Then he told us that his Birthday was March 4 I wasn't to excited. But then he also told us that those two new drums were ours everyone was very supprised. Everyone was teary eyed. even me. We are very thankful to everyone in Minneapolis.
I think we are going to test them out at the Girls Conference game this weekend. I cant wait and I hope we do YMCA.
Thanks again.
When Steve told us about this "project" at Farmington in December I was excited to come up with ideas on how to help out. I'm glad you guys have two sets already, that is so exciting! I think it is amazing how we can all pull together to help people in the group that we don't know and yet still be like a family!
ReplyDeleteThis brought tears to my eyes! I know that you guys are going to be great!
ReplyDeleteWOOT!
way to go minneapolis!! our site is workin as hard as they can on this! and since i work at a radio station i got SR on the air for central wisconsin to help donate and raise money! this is such an awsome project! this is what family is all about!!!!
ReplyDeletei hope everyone in Faith will love those drums, there are more on the way!!
and steve i would love to help on helping out with the book, i'm really good with literature and have some great skills for designs and etc.
Ben- Good job using your resources and getting SR on the air!
ReplyDeleteOf course, you do, Ben the better-than-Piccaso-artist who hates dark blue. ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd man, I wish I could have been there to see that!! It would have been so fun to watch Steve yank them around for a while and then finally come out with it. Hey, btw, those drums are for you. Ha! I would have loved to see that.
Anyway, yeah. I love the book idea too! Steve, are you thinking about a collection of shorter stories written by a lot of different people within SR, or one more cohessive... narative of SR? I don't know quite what word I'm looking for... so I guess that works for now.
YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!! I can't believe what you all are doing for our site (Faith). I'm still can't believe it! I can't wait to meet you all and thank you in person! If only I could but into words the impact this has had and is going to continue to have on us! I can't even type this without tearing up! Special thanks and hugs to everyone in the Minneapolis site! You guys are unbelieveable!!! Ben- to think that you made a request for little Faith, SD on the radio in Wisconsin....WOW! THANK YOU!!! When I could put into words what I want to say, I'll write more!!!!THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think that Jen pretty much summed it up, but oh my gosh that was a huge surprise. I still can't believe that all of SR is doing this for us. I'm absolutely stunned. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
ReplyDeletefinally! i have someone who appreciates the fact that i'm better than picasso! thanks jovanna!
ReplyDeletei am really happy that allot of you guys all around are hellping Faith. by the way i am the sister of elizabeth. and i so happy that we got the drumes. oh and thank you, thank you, thank you Ben for putting Faith on the ari!
ReplyDelete;) No problem, Ben! I mean, I haven't seen any of your work, but you give off the distinct air of an up and coming genious artist. Just... don't go crazy and cut off your own ear. Was that Picasso, or someone else?
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome thing! I wish I could have seen the brightened faces as the people at the site received those drums! I am glad to be a part of this group and am glad to see other sites actually reaching out to other sites. It just goes to show that we help each other because we are just like a family. When one site is in need or just starting off, we all try to help out! That is just one of the many great things Sheltered Reality can and has done!
ReplyDeleteBen-Way to go with the radio broadcast. Quick thinking! Keep in touch.
Steve,
ReplyDeleteHow does one begin to put into words the feelings and emotions that accompany such a gift as you have given the Faith SR site?
When Drew and David first approached me about starting an SR site in Faith, SD, I truly was in disbelief that it could actually happen here in Faith. But due to their persistence and belief that it could happen, SR did become a reality here in the little town on the prairie.
Living where we do, we always have to be resourceful when it comes to making things happen here, so it didn't seem unusual to us to perform for our very first time at the Homecoming Football game using folding chairs and buckets. And because our community is "starved" for musical entertainment, it only seemed natural that we would continue to hone our drumming skills by practicing and performing at games on chairs and buckets.
When you told us about the mission of SR at our first meeting, you told us that SR wasn't about the drums, and we took you for your word. There was definitely something much larger happening here in our little town than just drums. It was the fact that we could believe in ourselves while building a sense of pride in our community. SR was forming bonds and friendships that would have never normally happened.
Here is an acrostic poem that explains my feelings better than anything else:
SHELTERED REALITY
Shelter from those things that try to defeat us.
Helping change the world one by one.
Energy that cannot be contained.
Living life to bring happiness to others.
Trying to always do your best.
Everlasting friendships.
Dreams realized.
Realizing that one person CAN make a difference.
Everyone has a gift to share.
A perfect place to be.
Life is all about choices.
I can’t imagine mine without SR.
Thank you for your generous gifts.
Your thoughtfulness will never be forgotten.
Thank you Steve, Jordan, MN site, and all of you that are making our dreams a reality!
Larinda
Wow...Thats awesome...That gave me the chills! I can just imagine all the emotions that were in the room at the time. I think I would have been soo excited that I would cry and jump around and im not sure what else. lol But it was like what we were discussing in an earlier blog that one act of kindness can completely change a persons day for the better. :)
ReplyDeleteLarinda- You gave me chills. that is awesome.wow. I just dont know what to say... wow. Sheltered Reality is amazing...I love it!
ReplyDeleteand that is the coolest acrostic poem I have ever read ever in my life. Thats awesome! :)
yes jovanna i'm better than picasso and not that crazy!
ReplyDeleteLarinda, Wow! I loved your acrostic poem. You describe SR so well, I could easily be convinced your site has been in existence from the very beginning. But through the generosity of others, see how quickly understanding comes about. THAT is the power of SR. Not slow incremental change but true transformational change.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great poem Larinda. When we did get the drums I was in disbeilf and for the rest of the day I kept hitting my head on the ceiling in the low places. It was god I think trying to nock sense into me. I also hope that we can help somebody or group of people and return the favor.
ReplyDeleteDrew, Larinda, Jenn, eLiZaBeTh, all of those things are so true. I was totally speechless when Steve revealed the surprise to us. I don't think the full effect of what this meant sunk in at first to me, but when it did, I can't describe the excitement and joy I felt at it, and how thankful I am to be a part of such a wonderful, caring group of people. I think it really shows what SR is about. Thank you, everyone, for changing our lives!
ReplyDeleteDavid, I am so glad to see you on here too! YAAY!
ReplyDeleteTo all in Faith...thank you from all of your SR family for such kind words. You have truly captured all of our hearts...well...because you are YOU. Feel blessed because you have blessed all of us. Not only because you do have some special circumstances (which just reminds everyone in SR...there is nothing we cannot do to change the world when we remember to actually WORK TOGETHER)...but your special circumstances are only a small part of how you bless us. You truly bless us because you have TRULY lived the Steps of Success...you have Taken A Chance to bring SR into your lives, you have Never Given Up to make this happen, David and Drew especially did Whatever It Takes to MAKE SURE that Michelle had us come back last summer...and you show all of us what it truly means to Believe in God guiding you and Yourselves in terms of getting it done.
From all us...we will live the Be A Friend step with you...because you truly are friends.
Hope that all made sense...it is late, I am wiped out, and probably should NOT be blogging without sleep. WOOT! If it did not make enough sense, I will fix it tomorrow.
Adios and goodnight to all!!
Well, it DOES make sense, but kind of rambled didn't it. I am too tired to think straight tonight, so that means enough thinking...right?? HA.
ReplyDeleteWell, one more...why on earth does it say I posted these comments at 1029 and 1030pm? What time zone is my BLOG in...it is 1230am here...goodness!
ReplyDeleteKELLI! Figure that one out for me :)
Thank you for putting into words what I couldn't communicate, Larinda! Insightful and talented, you are!!!! You made me cry, again! LOL! Imagine that! Steve and everyone- we are just soooo blessed to be apart of this FAMILY! I would have never guessed 3 years ago, when my family moved out here from Montana to ranch, that that wasn't all the LORD had in store for us! Moving to SD, was a hard transition for me. Feeling isolated, lonely and depressed, were just a few of the emotions that had resulted from our 1st year out here. When your drive way is 3 miles long and the nearest grocery store is 45 miles away, it's very easy to feel isolated! I may still be isolated but, boy, I don't feel alone anymore! Becoming a part of Sheltered Reality has restore purpose and passion to me when it had faded. Becoming a part of SR has helped me to build new friendships, ones that I believe, will last. Becoming a part of SR has made me a part of something so much bigger than I. Becoming a part of SR has shown me that no matter how small you feel, you can still make a big difference. Even from out in "the middle of nowhere" the world can be changed for the better. And sometimes, I think it's better to do it one heart, one life, one family, one community at a time. After all, the world is made up of lots of "ones". And in all of this, the glory will be to God!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJenn and Larinda-
ReplyDeleteYou guys brought tears to my eyes! Good job, that means you're eloquent!
Your stories made me think about something:
It still blows my mind when I see the people in SR and how they all care about each other. It's incredible. There's some kind of magic in SR. It pulls us together in a way that other things can't.
This comment is for all ioof the Faith members :) congratulations on getting your drums!!! and Jenn, you will never ever feel isolated ecer again now that you are in SR...trust me thats how i felt a couple months ago and SR will always be there if you need tham even if they live all the way in ohio, were here for you (mentally :))
ReplyDeleteColleen,
ReplyDeleteI am VERY happy to read your comments here :) YAAAY!
Jordan told the Faith story last night at the show. I hadn't heard it in that context before. Like Jordan said we are really like a family, there to help each other out and take care of each other, even though many of us haven't met before.
ReplyDeleteSteve-I have no idea why it is giving weird times. Sometimes they just do that and you can't do anything about it. Maybe your computer was just trying to tell you that you really should have been commenting at that time instead of 12:30!!! :)
like i said befor that i am so happy that the SR family is helping the small town of Faith. and i hope that i can see u all at mount roushmor
ReplyDeleteWow, if only the entire world was like SR. Then everything would be perfect.
ReplyDeleteI do look forward to seeing you at mount rushmore and I plan on going unless something changes. Then I will be able to tell eveyone thank you in person. Hope to see you there
ReplyDeleteDrew-Can't wait to meet you! :) I WILL be there. I guess I was the first person on the list...at least that is what Mary's response was to my site coordinator. I'm just a tad bit excited ;)
ReplyDeleteSteve- thank you...sometimes i spend too much time on here :)
ReplyDeleteEllen- cant wait to meet you and everyone else in Faith :)
Elizabeth- I KNOW!! it would be amazing :)
Drew- i hope i make it too :) and if i do cant wait to meet you too :)
I hope I can meet all of you! My parents say I can go to MTR if I am ready to drive on the freeway by then. Considering I almost drove off the entrance ramp tonight (yeah, I know. BAD SONJA) that might be tricky. But I'll do whatever it takes, even learning to merge onto the freeway. The trick will be convincing my parents I am ready before all the slots fill up or right before April.
ReplyDeletei also want to thank the family in person too. well that is all for todat.
ReplyDeletebybybybybyby
words could not describe the emotion in the room at the time. you could see everyone's eyes tear up. at the same time. smiles on everyone's face. it was one of the thoes moment that you long for.. i am so happy to be apart of helping them. every single one of them is amazing. cant wait to see all of you next time. your friend from the RC site. :)
ReplyDelete