"Lamb of God" 2013

"Lamb of God" choir, orchestra and soloists

This past weekend was one of the most amazing experiences of my life!  I had the opportunity to conduct Rob Gardner's Easter oratorio "Lamb of God".  Many miracles occurred....seemingly "small" things all came together to bring about powerful and magnificent performances with standing room only! 

George Dyer (Thomas)

The soloists were INCREDIBLE!  We were so blessed to be able to have George Dyer come and sing the part of "Thomas".  It was an absolute thrill to hear his beautiful tenor voice "effortlessly" sing all the notes with such clarity, expression and passion.  Also new this year was Suzanne Hansen, who sings professionally in Idaho.  The beautiful Laurel Armstrong also joined us this year singing the role of "Mary Magdalene".  My wonderful sis-in-law, Jessica, came from Boston to sing the role of "Martha".  My good friend, "Bob Magil" from the Oratorio Society of MN came and sang the role of "Judas".  Returning this year was my college voice professor, Dr. Clif Ware singing the role of "Pilate" and the amazing Gabriel Preisser as "Peter" (who made me weep!  Try reading music through tears!  Yikes!). My friends Laura, Chuck, Brent ("F.A."), Becca, Elary did a TREMENDOUS job as well!  Such passion and expression....amazing!

Thomas, John and Peter rehearsing

 The weekend began with a soloist appreciation dinner on Friday night.  How do you thank so many people for all their sacrifices?!!  We know we can't repay them but we wanted to show as much of our gratitude as possible.  Barb was amazing and cooked most of the yummy dinner and my super awesome sister-in-law Niki made her famous rolls (thank you sooooo much, Niki!)....they were DELICIOUS...and then my friends at Baker's Square made pies!  :)  It was really fun getting to know the soloists better....all were so very kind and super funny!  Lots of good laughs!  My favorite part of the evening was listening to "Peter, John and Thomas" sing their trio.  HEAVEN.  I couldn't believe I was in the same room with these talented and gracious men!  :)  Totally star-struck. 

Crazy soloists

The next day, we had an early rehearsal way down in Lakeville from 9-noon.  Tough waking up after a late night! I fell asleep on our chair talking to Jess and Matt.  Matt had to wake me up to tell me to go to bed.  Saturday morning was our first rehearsal with George so I was excited to hear it all together...and it was STUNNING.  The power of everyone's testimonies and love for the Savior....no words....just amazing. 

Most of us went to Perkins for lunch and then over to Susan Quick's house to hang out, play games and relax.  Some of the men got a mean game of scrabble going while others passed out on the couch! 

Sleepy Singers :)

GEORGE DYER sleeping on Susan's couch!!! 

Dr. Clif Ware (Pilate)

Tim Almen, our amazing recording/sound engineer

Rehearsal in Lakeville

Gabriel Preisser (Peter)

Bob Magil (Judas)

Soloists and directors

George Dyer and Jess

Choir's entrance

Allianz gives $25,000 to DSAMN! Happy World Down Syndrome Day!

I've been so excited to post this great news and wanted to do it TODAY, 3/21 to celebrate (3 stands for "trisomy" and 21 stands for "21 chromosomes")!  As you know, we are so proud of our daughter, Ellie who has Down syndrome.  She has been a miraculous blessing in our home.  She shows us an infinite amount of LOVE (and stubbornness!).  She makes us laugh out loud all the time and sometimes cry out loud too!  :)  She is beautiful, funny, smart, loves music and giving hugs - We are BEYOND BLESSED that we get to be her parents.

The good news: The company where Matt works holds an annual "vote for your favorite charity/foundation" day.  We are super excited because the employees voted for the Down Syndrome Association of MN meaning that DSAMN receives $25,000 this year!  This is the THIRD time in the last few years DSAMN has "won" at Allianz!!!  I would like to share what Matt wrote to his collegues at Allianz asking for their vote this year:

Allianz Friends:

We're already near the end of the window to vote for our favorite charities!  If you have already voted - thank you!  If not, please consider voting for the Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota.  The deadline to vote is this Thursday, January 31st.  

Our daughter Ellie is now 4 years old and is doing great.  She LOVES music and going places.  Over the past year, she has started to say several words and the other night, she ate her whole dinner by herself with a fork!  On the other hand, just yesterday she locked my wife Erin and our other daughter Rachel out of the house and missed her music class.

Ellie brings us great joy just like your kids, nieces and nephews bring to you.  Erin and I are passionate about helping her reach her potential and feel fortunate that there are resources available to help children like Ellie with Down Syndrome.  The Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota is one such important resource.  They provided great comfort to Erin and I as we were just learning about what life would be like raising a child with special needs.  Their programs educate teachers, families, doctors and therapists to help make the world a better place for these children who in turn make the world a better place for the rest of us.

If you haven't voted already, please consider voting for the Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota as one of Allianz Life's employee elected charities.  

Thank you!
Matthew Gray

We are so grateful to Allianz for their generous contribution and for the DSAMN and the wonderful people and resources it has provided us.  The thing I love most about what the association teaches about special needs is that we are "more alike than different".  Thank you DSAMN for all you do!!!!

Hawaii 2013 Days 1 & 2

Hawaii 2013 Days 1 & 2

Leaving the frozen tundra!

Our friends, Cindy and Manuel, gave us a ride to/from the airport.  We didn't get much rest the night before we left because Matt had just returned that evening from a week long trip and I was recovering from a week of being ALONE and from a bit of stress due to an upcoming choir concert so I couldn't pack until late Friday/early Sat.  We were all so happy to be leaving the cold.  This picture of Ellie makes me laugh because it's how I looked and felt....."get me outta here!".    

Ellie looks how I felt - "Mr. Sun, please shine down on me!"

 Not much rest on the plane.  Ellie was a trooper but Rachel wasn't a big fan of the plane ride from LA to Hawaii.  Matt and I traded her back and forth trying to keep her calm.  Yikes! 

We arrived in Hawaii around 11 PM and got to our hotel around 12 or 1 AM.  We had reserved a "premium ocean view room" and got stuffed back in a corner of the hotel where we had to sort of lean off the balcony a little to see the ocean!  :)  Matt called the front desk right away (he doesn't like complaining and always tries to be really nice) but they weren't very accommodating.  When we woke up in the morning, we saw a lovely construction area with the ocean off to the far left.  Premium ocean view?  It's a long story, but we were finally able to get a better room on Tuesday.  See the before and after pics and let me know why you think the "before" pic could be a "premium ocean view" room....seems obvious to us....

Premium Ocean View Room BEFORE

Premium Ocean View Room AFTER

We went to church that morning and then spent the rest of the day on the beach soaking in the much needed sun after a long MN winter.  Words cannot express the joy that filled my soul when I felt the warmth of the sun!!!  No exaggeration....this girl needs sun!!!  :)

View of Molokini - a great place to snorkel (we saw an eel and lots of turtles)

Matt, the hot lifeguard :)

Rachel and Ellie LOVED playing in the sand/water

Yummy sand!

Smiley girl!

Rachel doesn't look happy but she really did LOVE it!

I love this picture....Ellie kept hugging me over and over.  HEAVEN!

The happy Gray Family at Makena Beach

Love this!

We ate dinner at the resort...the first of FOUR disappointing dining experiences there....My sweet husband wanted to keep giving the place a chance to redeem itself while I tried to talk him out of it but, alas, I failed and after the fourth time, Matt finally said something like, "What was I thinking?!!!"  :)

This dessert was pretty good.  We both though the cream on the side looked like a pineapple. 

Ahhh, the palm trees waving in the warm night air....

This is the very first cup of water Ellie has drank in her ENTIRE life!!!  It was a momentous occasion so we took a picture of it!  She normally refuses water or spits it out so we have to give her watered-down apple juice.  We always joke that Hawaii heals everything....it's true though!  Ellie had a cold and it was gone when we left!  :)

Hawaii 2013 Pictures...coming soon

We just got back from another AMAZING trip to Hawaii!  It was so much fun!  More pics coming.

Rachel's first Christmas