Friday, February 23, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
Winterfest 2007 - a long one!
I don't remember when I have been so tired- or slept so hard after returning home from a trip. This past weekend, I chaperoned an event in Gatlinburg called Winterfest. Around 12,000 kids come together to spend a weekend worshipping God and learning to grow in their walk with Him. Overall, it was a great experience. I witnessed kids talking about baptism and sharing their desire to want to be closer to God. I watched God work. Jeff Walling spoke- he's always great. But for me, I enjoyed getting to be around some people from church that I don't get to spend much time with. I got to know some incredible and faithful ladies. What an example they are to me (more to come on that later). I thought the best way to summarize the weekend is to put it in outline form. Here goes....
I. 4:45 Thursday afternoon- depart the church parking lot and head to Gatlinburg. There were SIX vans of us caravanning down the interstate. We took over 50 people.
II. 9:45 - We finally leave Nashville. Yes, it took that long. We stopped to eat in Cool Springs. We made it all the way to I-40 when a stinking 18 wheeler kept two of our vans from getting over to exit. They had to turn around but finally caught back up with us. Off we go to Gatlinburg.
III. 2:30-3:00 am - Arrive in Gatlinburg. Our shalet was incredible. It was on the very top of a mountain. It had 8 bedrooms, 8 baths, a gameroom with a pool table and arcade, two hot tubs, full size kitchen with two of each appliance, plasma tvs, and a beautiful view. (At the time, I thought we were lucky to have gotten reservations there.) By the way, it slept 30- remember how many I said we brought? Sharing time in the bathroom was the biggest thing. It only took one cold shower to convince me to get up early enough to avoid the crowd.
IV. We got to sleep in Friday morning. We left the shalet around 11:30 to eat lunch and then go to Laserport. The kids rode go-carts, played putt-putt golf, and laser tag. Then, we went back to the shalet and got ready for the first session of Winterfest. Thank goodness, I bought a coat before we left. I had sold my only one on ebay a year or so ago because I usually don't wear a big coat. I thought I might need one in Gatlinburg and boy, was I right! We had to stand in line out in the cold to get good seats. I would have definitey gotten hypothermia had I not had my coat!
V. The Friday night and Saturday sessions were good. Watershed Worship did a great job of leading worship. The kids loved the singing. Again, Jeff Walling was great. He has an amazing talent of keeping the kids interested by being funny but yet keeping them challenged at the same time. The drama started Saturday night. We had just gotten down on our knees to praise God in song when all of a sudden we hear a voice over the loudspeaker, followed by a siren. The fire alarm had gone off. We tried to ignore it for a couple minutes, thinking someone had pulled the alarm. We then were told to go ahead and exit, to follow the proper precautions. We went outside and waited. In the meantime, the snow had started coming down consistently. We went back in about 20 or 30 minutes later and were told there had been some smoke on the second floor. All was taken care of, back to worship. I think Satan knew what a victory God had over him that night and he was working hard to keep that from happening.
We came out of Saturday night's session- it was still snowing. I started to get a little alarmed, thinking of the fact that our shalet was ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN. It didn't look like the snow was sticking on the streets at that point so I wasn't very worried. We went to dinner..It took forever to get food, regardless of where we went. By the time we came out, still snowing....HARD. I then noticed that it looked like it was beginning to stick to the roads. I was concerned.
On our way back to the shalet, snow was everywhere. The roads weren't totally covered, but were getting there. We slipped several times but thankfully, got back to the shalet safely. (Yes, I was terrified.) We had a great devotional. I think God is really working in their lives.
Another chaperone checked the weather on the computer. We found out Gatlinburg was under a snow advisory and we were expected to get 4-7 inches. Panic pretty much set in for me. We were supposed to be at worship by 7:00 Sunday morning. We knew that making it down the mountain was the problem. If we could do that, the main roads would be fine. Number one, I didn't think there was any way we would be able to make it down that early. Number two, I wanted to get home! Winterfest was great but my bed was calling my name.
The chaperones had a meeting. We talked about the weather, what we should do, made a game plan, then prayed. Some of us were calm, some were freaked out (wonder who??), and some were somewhere in between the two. This is probably where God taught me the most over the entire weekend. The ladies stayed after our meeting and prayed again. We talked about God's power and His ability to do anything we asked. We prayed specifically for Him to melt the snow, give us the wisdom to make the right decisions about what to do, and basically just to allow us to travel down the mountain safely. We decided we weren't going to worry, but pray believing that He would answer us. Nothing was left for us to do but be at peace.
VI. Sunday morning, Mark and Jeremy got up at 5. The snow was everywhere, probably around four inches. The plan was for them to try to take one of the vans down the mountain. Obviously, if they had trouble or thought it wasn't possible, we were going to sleep in and then decide what to do. They decided to go ahead and give it a try. Praise God! They were able to make it down safely. They came back and decided we would load up and all try to make it down. Everyone got up and got ready quickly. We got in the vans around 6:15 to head down. I totally believed that God led them to this decision and I was a little nervous but at peace while traveling down the mountain. As soon as we reached bottom, I couldn't help but to cry while thinking about how awesome God is. We looked around and all the other roads were completely covered in snow. I don't know that anyone could have traveled on them. Ours was one of the only ones clear enough to travel. We didn't get the 5, 6, or 7 inches they predicted. We got four, max. That morning had God written all over it. I was reminded very clearly that God hears our prayers and that if we pray believing, BELIEVING, that He will answer us. I will never forget that experince.
VII. Worship was great. Winterfest came to a close around 8:30. We took off to eat breakfast and head home. Despite an alleged infestation of bugs in one van on the way home and a pretend vomit stop for the intern, we made it home safely....Praise God.
P.S. Plans for next year are to make reservations at a hotel...NOT ON A MOUNTAIN!
The view from our shalet - before the snow!
Sunday morning after the snow- on the bottom of the mountain!
Downtown Gatlinburg
Gena and me on the balcony
I. 4:45 Thursday afternoon- depart the church parking lot and head to Gatlinburg. There were SIX vans of us caravanning down the interstate. We took over 50 people.
II. 9:45 - We finally leave Nashville. Yes, it took that long. We stopped to eat in Cool Springs. We made it all the way to I-40 when a stinking 18 wheeler kept two of our vans from getting over to exit. They had to turn around but finally caught back up with us. Off we go to Gatlinburg.
III. 2:30-3:00 am - Arrive in Gatlinburg. Our shalet was incredible. It was on the very top of a mountain. It had 8 bedrooms, 8 baths, a gameroom with a pool table and arcade, two hot tubs, full size kitchen with two of each appliance, plasma tvs, and a beautiful view. (At the time, I thought we were lucky to have gotten reservations there.) By the way, it slept 30- remember how many I said we brought? Sharing time in the bathroom was the biggest thing. It only took one cold shower to convince me to get up early enough to avoid the crowd.
IV. We got to sleep in Friday morning. We left the shalet around 11:30 to eat lunch and then go to Laserport. The kids rode go-carts, played putt-putt golf, and laser tag. Then, we went back to the shalet and got ready for the first session of Winterfest. Thank goodness, I bought a coat before we left. I had sold my only one on ebay a year or so ago because I usually don't wear a big coat. I thought I might need one in Gatlinburg and boy, was I right! We had to stand in line out in the cold to get good seats. I would have definitey gotten hypothermia had I not had my coat!
V. The Friday night and Saturday sessions were good. Watershed Worship did a great job of leading worship. The kids loved the singing. Again, Jeff Walling was great. He has an amazing talent of keeping the kids interested by being funny but yet keeping them challenged at the same time. The drama started Saturday night. We had just gotten down on our knees to praise God in song when all of a sudden we hear a voice over the loudspeaker, followed by a siren. The fire alarm had gone off. We tried to ignore it for a couple minutes, thinking someone had pulled the alarm. We then were told to go ahead and exit, to follow the proper precautions. We went outside and waited. In the meantime, the snow had started coming down consistently. We went back in about 20 or 30 minutes later and were told there had been some smoke on the second floor. All was taken care of, back to worship. I think Satan knew what a victory God had over him that night and he was working hard to keep that from happening.
We came out of Saturday night's session- it was still snowing. I started to get a little alarmed, thinking of the fact that our shalet was ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN. It didn't look like the snow was sticking on the streets at that point so I wasn't very worried. We went to dinner..It took forever to get food, regardless of where we went. By the time we came out, still snowing....HARD. I then noticed that it looked like it was beginning to stick to the roads. I was concerned.
On our way back to the shalet, snow was everywhere. The roads weren't totally covered, but were getting there. We slipped several times but thankfully, got back to the shalet safely. (Yes, I was terrified.) We had a great devotional. I think God is really working in their lives.
Another chaperone checked the weather on the computer. We found out Gatlinburg was under a snow advisory and we were expected to get 4-7 inches. Panic pretty much set in for me. We were supposed to be at worship by 7:00 Sunday morning. We knew that making it down the mountain was the problem. If we could do that, the main roads would be fine. Number one, I didn't think there was any way we would be able to make it down that early. Number two, I wanted to get home! Winterfest was great but my bed was calling my name.
The chaperones had a meeting. We talked about the weather, what we should do, made a game plan, then prayed. Some of us were calm, some were freaked out (wonder who??), and some were somewhere in between the two. This is probably where God taught me the most over the entire weekend. The ladies stayed after our meeting and prayed again. We talked about God's power and His ability to do anything we asked. We prayed specifically for Him to melt the snow, give us the wisdom to make the right decisions about what to do, and basically just to allow us to travel down the mountain safely. We decided we weren't going to worry, but pray believing that He would answer us. Nothing was left for us to do but be at peace.
VI. Sunday morning, Mark and Jeremy got up at 5. The snow was everywhere, probably around four inches. The plan was for them to try to take one of the vans down the mountain. Obviously, if they had trouble or thought it wasn't possible, we were going to sleep in and then decide what to do. They decided to go ahead and give it a try. Praise God! They were able to make it down safely. They came back and decided we would load up and all try to make it down. Everyone got up and got ready quickly. We got in the vans around 6:15 to head down. I totally believed that God led them to this decision and I was a little nervous but at peace while traveling down the mountain. As soon as we reached bottom, I couldn't help but to cry while thinking about how awesome God is. We looked around and all the other roads were completely covered in snow. I don't know that anyone could have traveled on them. Ours was one of the only ones clear enough to travel. We didn't get the 5, 6, or 7 inches they predicted. We got four, max. That morning had God written all over it. I was reminded very clearly that God hears our prayers and that if we pray believing, BELIEVING, that He will answer us. I will never forget that experince.
VII. Worship was great. Winterfest came to a close around 8:30. We took off to eat breakfast and head home. Despite an alleged infestation of bugs in one van on the way home and a pretend vomit stop for the intern, we made it home safely....Praise God.
P.S. Plans for next year are to make reservations at a hotel...NOT ON A MOUNTAIN!
The view from our shalet - before the snow!
Sunday morning after the snow- on the bottom of the mountain!
Downtown Gatlinburg
Gena and me on the balcony
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Road trip to Nashville!
Bridgett and I left around 2:00 yesterday afternoon heading up to Nashville to celebrate Amy Stroup's CD release. We went straight to Rocketown and got there early enough to hang out with Crystal and meet lots of really cool people. We decided not to tell Amy we were coming and surprise her once we got there. The look on her face was priceless! She had no idea. She put on a great concert and showcased lots of songs from the new CD "Chasing Greenlights." We thoroughly enjoyed the concert....as we sold merchandise! It was so much fun swiping those credit cards!!! :)
For those that aren't familiar with Amy, let me tell you a little about her. You see, I've known Amy since she was in the fifth grade and wore those little coke bottle glasses. Even then, her personality was awesome and her wit was very obviously developing. She's such a fun person to be around and has always chased her dream of sharing Jesus through her music. Her voice is amazing. It's so pure and natural. (Visit her myspace page and listen or download her songs from itunes!) What makes this story more interesting is that a very close friend of mine from college who many of you reading know (Crystal W.) met Amy while living in Nashville. Being the marketing/business-minded person she is, Crystal decided to educate herself on the music business and help Amy promote her stuff. Let's just say, the rest is history. Pass the word everyone! Her music will bless you, I promise!
Here are a few pictures from last night. I always love an excuse to take photos.
P.S. A friend of Amy's named Charlie sang a few songs before she came out last night. He is very good and a really nice guy. Check out his myspace too!
For those that aren't familiar with Amy, let me tell you a little about her. You see, I've known Amy since she was in the fifth grade and wore those little coke bottle glasses. Even then, her personality was awesome and her wit was very obviously developing. She's such a fun person to be around and has always chased her dream of sharing Jesus through her music. Her voice is amazing. It's so pure and natural. (Visit her myspace page and listen or download her songs from itunes!) What makes this story more interesting is that a very close friend of mine from college who many of you reading know (Crystal W.) met Amy while living in Nashville. Being the marketing/business-minded person she is, Crystal decided to educate herself on the music business and help Amy promote her stuff. Let's just say, the rest is history. Pass the word everyone! Her music will bless you, I promise!
Here are a few pictures from last night. I always love an excuse to take photos.
P.S. A friend of Amy's named Charlie sang a few songs before she came out last night. He is very good and a really nice guy. Check out his myspace too!
Monday, February 05, 2007
I am truly, truly blessed!
Acting silly with Cort
About to blow out the candles!
Princess Marah was so polite, thanking everyone after opening each present!
Carter (3), Camden (4), and Caley (almost 2)
Joshua and Camden were dressed as superheros for the party.
Cort and I went to Huntsville this weekend to celebrate Marah's 2nd birthday. We saw all the kids and got to spend time with Paige, Rodney, Brooke, Thomas, Ben, and Anna. Every single minute meant so much to me. I can name lots of things in my life that I wish were different and that I would change. But, I thank God every day for blessing me so richly with the most wonderful family there is. That's one thing that I think about constantly. I don't tell them enough how much I love them and what comfort I find in them being a part of my life. So, blogging world (and the precious people I am speaking of that are hopefully reading)- I am blessed!
Many of you know the Morrows' and ask me lots how they're doing. I encourage them all to start blogs. Paige is in hibernation-I'm still trying to bring her back! Thomas has hopped on the train. Visit the Busby blog to keep up to date on what's going on in their lives. Ben and Anna's website is expiring soon, if it hasn't already. I know their spare time is fading quickly but if they get a chance, I'm encouraging them to begin a blog as well. Up to date pics of the triplets will be coming soon on my blog so check back.
Enjoy the pictures!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
I like hats backwards, but most definitely this one!
This will stop eventually-maybe. I read graycharles.com to keep me posted on all the Taylor news. I'm still working on getting backstage passes. If I can't meet him then I'll be okay with that. I have to know I tried my best though! :) Enjoy the video. It's sooooo cute!
Friday, January 26, 2007
When??
When am I going to get over this obsession? I keep waiting for it to happen but it's just not. I'm trying my best to get backstage passes or tickets to a meet and greet for the concert in March. Does anyone have any idea how to get those? I hear about musicians doing meet and greets and I've always wondered how you get to be a part of that. HELP! In the meantime, I'm going to continue my job as a faithful Soul Patroler. Is this picture not the cutest???On a different note-does anyone notice the time of this post? I had to go to a workshop today and was pleasantly surprised when we were told we would be done at 10:30!!! So, I've started my weekend early.
Hope you have a good one!!!
P.S. Does anyone know why in the world blogger won't put spaces between paragraphs? This gets on my nerves really bad!
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