Tour Blog — Day 14

Tears. Tears are the name of the game on Day 14. Remember how I said we can generally predict how tour’s emotional flow is going to go? Well, we are full on into the tears part. The part that’s bittersweet for all of us, but especially poignant, I think, when you’re 16. A 16-year-old’s emotional life is already topsy-turvy — now add the anticipation and fatigue that have piled up. Imagine giving a busload of teenagers ten Benadryl chased by five cups of coffee, and that’s kind of what it’s like.

Last night on the risers at the Huron, SD Salvation Army (I’m writing this the morning of Day 15 – sorry, it wasn’t happening last night), it was obvious to the entire group that this was the last performance on the road. Many of the singers, for whom this was likely their final performance on the road with New G, were particularly struck. So to many of them, the performance seemed to slow down, and everything just meant a little more. We have all talked a lot about being present this tour. You could tell the singers were trying to hold on a little bit longer, savor the moment a little more. They were taking in the mountain view, realizing this may be the last time they saw it.

But, of course, we have the perspective of a few more years, and we realize that, while we all agree New G is special, it’s hardly the end of meaning. This morning we had another tear-jerker when Bemo broke out our closing tour worship. During the communion we always do at the final worship service, Bemo mentioned how the disciples must have felt as Jesus walked them through the symbols, having no idea people would still be celebrating it 2000 years later. They must have been shocked at the notion that Jesus was saying he had to die for them. But I think about when Jesus actually did die. They must have thought it was the end of meaning. But it wasn’t.

So for many of our singers who are leaving us this year, and for those who’ll be back but who, because of their youth, see two weeks as a giant, impactful portion of their lives, it really is the beginning of meaning. Their journeys are just beginning, and New G is really a way of consecrating those journeys. It’s a send-off and a lesson in the working out of faith that I hope lasts a lifetime.

Hey Joseph, SCUBA!!!! This is Gwen and Garrison’s momentary takeover. We just wanted to say we feel so incredibly blessed to call this our lives and these people our second family. There truly is no place like New G and nothing more rewarding than being a part of a group like this. From the perspectives of two 17 year olds in this generation, we fully agree with Joseph when he said that teenagers’ emotions can be very tumultuous, especially on tour. However, we can also say with full confidence that New G and the singers and sponsors involved are just some of the many things that make this all so fulfilling and worth it. Ok, Gwen and Garrison OUT!

Dopey kids…

We’re rolling back home right now, somewhere in random South Dakota, and we just got on I-29. We can’t wait to see you guys and party hardy in the Missouri Theater!