Sunday, the last day of Tehillah 2022.
As I think back over rehearsals, tour, and recording, I am grateful for the opportunity to sing with a talented group of singers like those in the Tehillah Ensemble. However, I am even more grateful for the opportunity to surround myself with people who desire to sing to the glory of God and give their entire lives completely to Him.
The whole experience of Tehillah this year was wrapped up by a final concert at the Anabaptist Discipleship Center in Elnora, Indiana, on Sunday afternoon.
Many of us attended Truth and Grace Mennonite Church for the morning service, where Coryna Bucher made a scrumptious noon meal for us. After filling our stomachs, we disbursed to do whatever we pleased, naturally for the wiser ones among us that meant nap time. We then gathered again that afternoon and prepared for our last concert. We were glad to be back in the space we had practiced in, for we all enjoyed the good acoustics and aid in being able to hear each other.
The program went well, and afterwards Kendrick and Marie hosted all of us in their home for a lively after party, which included sharing embarrassing stories, as well as the stories behind how different Tehillah members became part of Tehillah.
We were privileged to have our bus driver, Joe, and his wife, Jean, back with us for the evening. We are grateful to them for their sacrifice for us, and we all enjoyed having them along on tour.
As we all head back to our respective places in life, Tehillah 2022 is over, but our focus, our aim in singing remains the same in life. Our lifestyles should be about praising God, and Tehillah was simply another outlet we could do that in together.
Of course, there are many memories to look back on. Like when a certain member fell into a window well, and soon after two others backed into her vehicle; thankfully neither human nor vehicle suffered much. Or all of the snarky comments, nicknames, theological discussions, kazoo quartets, football throwing, volleyball, stories from Dave, and Jess’s infamous Tehillah eye patch. These and more added to what was a very good week and a half. Most importantly, however, was the privilege of singing for our amazing God, Who redeems us, guides us, blesses us, and ultimately leads us to His eternal home.
– Written by Amy Byler