Dear dance family,

This morning I woke up, after eight beautiful hours of heavy slumber, and had absolutely no idea where I was. For a crazy, glorious moment I thought I might be back in my bed at Confolens, with all of you sleeping down the hall (or not sleeping), Astrid and Antoine consulting about the days' schedule outside, and strains of the Argentine band playing outside my window. I imagined that Didier was hovering somewhere nearby with his American flag baseball cap and camera close at hand, Eva smiling indulgently at him as he cracked his constant jokes. I thought for a minute that I needed to run down and knock on everyone's doors to make sure they won't miss breakfast before rehearsal. I saw the laundry slung over the banisters in the hall, the Kinder bar wrappers overflowing the garbage sacks come, and kids in blankets and cuddle piles on the floor. And in spite of my warm cozy bed, my kids asleep next to me, and my beautifully clean floor at home, I missed you all terribly.

Writing is how I process my emotions, so bear with me. My favorite memories are:

-Seeing our bus driver DIDIER again! 

-Playing scripture search and name that movie quote on the bus to Lyon

-Dancing so hard that we broke the floor in Pont d'Agres

-being with our "family" in Rodez (Anais, Marilyne, Didier, Alain, Nanou, Charline, and the wonderful Lycee Monteuil)

-making our hosts (Corinne!) cry in Montbazens when we sang "You are my sunshine" to them to thank them for their hospitality

-teaching the other teams (Czech Republic!) partner tag and watching the smiles and laughter as you played with people from all over the world

-"swimming" at the Pont du Gard

- the Les Mis reenactment!!!

-meeting Miranda :-) (Olivia you are so funny!)

-walking down the street in Confolens singing the armies of Helaman and having the guy (mark) stick his head out of a window and start singing along!

-watching you all step it up in Confolens after realizing the standard we had to set there

- Dancing in the rain during country night at Confolens

-When our Cajarc and Rodez groupies blocked the bus when we were trying to leave

-The emotional closing night of Rodez and the magical opening night of Confolens

- being with our dance family every day

Thank you all for meeting and exceeding our hopes and expectations for tour this year. I am so impressed with the quality of the young people on this trip. You were reading your scriptures, writing in your journals, and praying every day. You danced your hearts out, with joy in your hearts and love in your eyes, in challenging circumstances and grew so much as people. We are so very proud of you and love you all.

Love,
Mindy and Gary