Monday, July 31, 2006

Day at Home

The show yesterday was good. Then after lunch, we drove to the airport and flew home last night. A guy named Daniel really encouraged us by saying how annointed and gifted Brock is with the new generation.

Today, we are rather tired, so we slept in a little and had breakfast in bed. Then, I went to the grocery store and purchased some fish for lunch and all of the food we need for our party tomorrow night. We are having one of our get togethers where people come over and we cook. I'm excited about it! This afternoon, I'll be baking for tomorrow night.

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Shows in South Carolina

We performed in SC last night. The show went great! Friday night, I didn't want to leave. It seems that two weeks off is long enough to get out of practice but short enough to not be ready to go. Also, we had to get up so early to catch an early flight out. Therefore, I was very tired. However, last night, when it came showtime, I was on my game. I really enjoy shows now. I would not have wanted to be anywhere else last night.

The show was wonderful. We laughed a lot together and the church that brought us in treated us fabulously. Several accepted Christ as their Savior. There was a group of girls in attendance whom I noticed from the back of the room. I had the feeling they were from a girls' home or something. I don't know why, but I did. A few of the girls were saved last night. I later found out that they were from a boot camp for behavior. They were from all over the country. I'm glad that the Lord touched their lives.

Friday, July 28, 2006

All Day Work

Yesterday, we brought our pick-up truck and big rig to town in order to clean out the trailer and set up the new equipment. When I called to see where Brock was, he said that he had picked up someone who had run out of gas and was taking him to the next station. This is not very unusual for Brock. He's such a good guy.

When we got all ready to set up our new lights, Brock asked me to get his toolbox. It was missing. Brock put it in one of our storage bays under the truck. It happened to be the storage bay that broke. Somehow, the toolbox fell out on the highway somewhere. I could tell that it frustrated Brock. That's the new toolbox that he got to replace his old one that was stolen last December.

However, we did make good progress. I worked on eliminating some cases by moving things around and such in order to make room for the new equipment. Brock, Stephy, and a couple of guys from our office worked on setting up the new lights and such. It was an all day job, but we accomplished what we wanted to accomplish. It felt good to be a little sweaty and dirty. Everybody needs that once in a while!

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Big Day

Today is a big day for us. We are trying to make a deal happen by the end of the day with this financial mess we are in. If something doesn't happen today, it's not going to happen. So, today is the last day. Pray for a miracle.

Also, we begin tour rehearsal today for Freedom Experience. We have new equipment, so we are going to learn how to set it all up. We wanted all day to do it. However, we only have 3 hours in the warehouse. Pray that it goes really well.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Catching Up

We are catching up on a lot of stuff this week. I went to physical therapy yesterday. We had meetings and went to the dentist. Today, Brock is going to get his haircut and we're going to do some filming for a DVD we're putting together. Tomorrow, it will be more meetings and setting up some new equipment.

Last night, we got home at around 6pm. It felt like a normal couple. We cooked dinner and ate on the patio. Then, we watched TV. The only thing is that I don't really like much on TV anymore. I'm out of the loop. Plus, I fall asleep if we watch TV at night. Last night was the first night in two months that we have stayed home like that with just the two of us.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Stop the Buzz!

Sunday night, I woke up in the middle of the night to hear a buzzing in our bedroom. It wasn't too loud and I was able to go back to sleep. However, when I woke yesterday morning, it seemed so loud! I searched around the room and decided it was in the wall. When I woke up Brock, he couldn't even really hear it.

My family teases that since I cannot smell much at all, that some of my other senses are keener. My hearing is one of them. I'll hear random ringing sometimes that nobody else can hear. I remember sitting in church one Sunday morning back in Texas and being totally distracted by a noise that none of the other students sitting with me could hear. Brock said it was probably someone's hearing aid.

Anyway, I was convinced that it was in the wall and we would never be able to get it out. I don't know what could have been in the wall because Brock said the pipes run under the floor. I was picturing me taking a sledge hammer to that wall to get rid of that noise! I had to go to another room in the house because it was bugging me so badly. Then, Brock brought my fun bag to me and said "Here's your ringing." One of my games was running out of batteries and making the slightest, annoying, high-pitched buzz. I'm so glad it wasn't in the wall!

Monday, July 24, 2006

The Last Week

Something has to happen by Thursday in order for this mess to go away. We have something in the works, but we've had several things in the works and none of them have panned out. This is our last hope. Pray for a miracle for us this week.

Especially pray for Brock. He is more stressed right now than I've ever seen him. Believe me, you would never know. He's still so funloving. However, he's the one who has been working on this problem every spare minute for a few months now. He needs a break. Either way, it will be over this week. Pray once more for a miracle.

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Spontaneous Hanging Out

Yesterday afternoon, we went to a party. It was fun! Brock won a gift certificate to Best Buy, so we then went there to pick out a cd.

Then, Brock went to dinner with a guy who is about to leave town for a couple of months. I went out to eat with some girls whose husbands were out of town on tour. We had fun.

After listening to some music in our friends' car, we headed out to the Cocoa Tree. They are doing concerts there on Saturday nights. It was so fun just to hang out.

I asked one of our friends what she had planned for next weekend. She said that she doesn't plan that far in advance. From now on, that's what I'm going to do. The only thing we had planned for yesterday was the party. Everything else was spontaneous. I like spontaneous hanging out!

Friday, July 21, 2006

A Day in Nashville

We had a great day in Nashville yesterday. We started it off at the famous Pancake Pantry. Then, we drove around music row.

Even though we had record heat here, we were able to see waterfalls and all kinds of vegetation. We went to the Opryland Hotel. This hotel has a conservatory and gardens all throughout it, but it's inside. You feel like you're outside because of the tall ceilings made of glass. It was perfect on such a hot day.

Then, we saw Superman Returns at the Imax theater in 3-D. That's the only way to see Superman. He was flying out into the audience and stuff!

We ate at a restaurant called Boscos and then ended up at the Cocoa Tree. It was a fun time!

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Being Hostess

My mom is the best hostess in the world. She takes care of everyone and makes sure they feel comfortable. Sometimes, when we have people over or I'm taking care of people on the road, I hear my mom in me. "I'll fix you a bag of cookies to take with you," or "you sound tired. Why don't you take a nap?"

Last night, when we had my uncle and aunt over for dinner, I realized that I have a long way to go before I'm like my mom. She wasn't asking them if they wanted tea. She was just fixing it for them and bringing a glass to them. "Just in time," my uncle replied. I don't know if I'll ever be able to know exactly what people want and when they want it like my mom does, but I'm going to try.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

My Parents Visit

My parents are in town from Texas. They are spending the week with us. It's been great! We went on the Natchez Trace yesterday and hiked to a couple of waterfalls. Then, we ate at Jay Alexanders' and the Cocoa Tree. We showed them our church and health food store.

This morning, we went out to eat breakfast. Today, we plan to play cards and hang out until my aunt and uncle get in from Atlanta. Then, Brock is going to grill for us and I'm going to make peach cobbler. Yummy!

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Wedding

We went to a wedding last night. Who has a wedding on Monday night you ask??? People that go on tour on the weekends. The guy that got married is from Canada and the bride is from Australia yet they got married here. Crazy huh?

In one portion of the ceremony, they passed their rings around and people prayed over them. The groom has traveled with Audio Adrenaline for several years now. When the rings were passed over in our direction, Mark Stewart grabbed the rings and Brock and I and some of the AudioA guys placed our hands over Mark's as he prayed. It was a cool moment.

Monday, July 17, 2006

My In-Laws

Read Sara's post on her blog about the 2 percenters www.sarahorn.com/blog/. It's very encouraging.

I want to write about some other 2 percenters...my in-laws. My mother and father-in-law gave up a lucrative career back in the '80's to go to seminary and become a minister. They have been ministering ever since. I say "they" because they work as a team. My father-in-law is now pastor of a church in a small town in Louisiana.

Last year, their city got hit by Hurricane Rita. Since Rita wasn't as big of news as Katrina, some people didn't get any help from the state or government.

My in-laws invested in one of the houses that we invested in. They were also taken advantage of by the builder. They stand to lose alot of money.

Please pray for these two. They have given their lives to the Lord and they just feel like they are being beaten up from opposition. Pray that they would get some relief and feel comfort and peace like no other time. These two have sacrificed so much without much praise for it.

I want to personally thank you for what you've done. I look at Michawn and her wonderful heart toward missions. Brian is a great youth pastor with a connection like no other with students. Brock is touching people all over the world. These are only a few lives that you have influenced who are influencing others all over. You don't realize how many people you impact along the hilly path of ministry life. It has its ups and downs, but I know one thing...you are going to have the biggest mansion on the block in heaven for all that you've done!

Saturday, July 15, 2006

A Lady's Vision

After our show yesterday, a lady came up to Brock and nervously said, "I told the Lord that I wouldn't disobey Him anymore, and the next time I had a vision, I'd tell the person. So, I'm going to tell you." Brock got my attention to hear the lady's vision.

She said that when Brock was onstage, he looked like a chieftain. He had all of his armor on with "pelts" on his back. She said that the Lord told her that Brock was facing a giant right now. He said that there were many more giants to come but the Lord would be there to fight with him.

I don't know how I feel about this. It's encouraging and discouraging all at the same time. I'm glad the Lord let us know that He is by our side and that there is more to come. We were wondering if there is anyway to stop all of this opposition. Apparently, there isn't unless we stop what we are doing for the Lord which is not an option for us. I guess we are in for a ride our entire lives.

Tell me what you think about it...I'm still trying to process it.

Friday, July 14, 2006

Please Pray for Us

Before you read this, read Brock's blog to know exactly what is going on...brockgill.com/blog.

We are being attacked spiritually right now. In the past 7 years that we've been in ministry together, we've had 2 trailers stolen-one having $20,000 worth of equipment and the other having $6,000. We've had 2 sets of tools stolen-one out of our garage and one out of the back of our truck. A couple of hundred dollars was taken out of Brock's wallet, our website and business phone number was pirated, our laptop was stolen from backstage. Brock's skateboard was taken right offstage during the show. Our townhome flooded; our truck caught on fire and burned up. Our rental truck was broken into and we lost another $4,000 worth of stuff. I'm probably forgetting some things, but you can see that when Satan attacks us, he attacks us financially. I believe that Satan attacks in the same way over and over again so that he can push our buttons.

He's not anymore original in his tactics right now. The difference is that it's the largest financial attack to date. Also, in the past, things happened and we dealt with it. This has been ongoing for several months. It's causing huge amounts of stress and distraction. Brock would get a phone call reguarding this situation just as he was about to walk onstage or offstage. It was always something that needed his attention immediately.

However, Satan is not winning. Our ministry is more powerful and impacting than ever. Apparently, the distractions are not working or the Holy Spirit is working overtime because Brock is so "on" in ministry right now despite all of the chaos. In the past, most of the attempts that Satan took to tear us down only backfired. That might be the reason that he's so persistant.

Please pray for a miracle in our lives right now. Pray that we would have the strength to walk thru yet another attack. Pray for us.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

A Spiritual Connection

Yesterday, as we were in between meetings, we saw a guy walk past us carrying a cross. Brock practically dropped his phone and said, "That's Arthur Blessit!" He followed him out of the building and I tried to keep up. Brock went up to the man and introduced himself. Something about the look in the man's eyes said that he was full of the Holy Spirit. Not only that but there was a connection between him and Brock.

Usually when people see Brock for the first time, they don't peg him as an evangelist. In fact, a lot of times, Brock doesn't get any respect until after he speaks. However, Arthur saw right down to Brock's heart. I watched as the two men shook hands and met. It was a moment for sure.

Arthur told us that his wife goes everywhere with him because they are a team. That's just like Brock and me! Then, Arthur prayed for us...it was a cool time. If you want to know more about Arthur Blessitt, go to www.blessitt.com.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Colorado

Yesterday was great. The shows went as well as could be expected. It's difficult to go from a camp of 1,400 people screaming Brock's name to a show at a booth in an exhibit hall. It keeps you humble though. Brock did an excellant job in circumstances that were not very conducive to a magic show. He performed two new illusions. They went really well!

We hung out with our friends that live outside of Denver and saw their new baby. We also ate at one of our favorite places, Marlowe twice. It was fabulous! Their salads are the best I've ever had.

Today, we have some interviews and meetings until around noon. Then, we will eat lunch with another friend. Then, it's off to Colorado Springs for another show!

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Christian Book and Retail Conference

When you think about it, please pray for us today. We are at a Christian retail conference promoting The Miracles of Jesus DVD. We'll be doing a couple of shows today. Pray that they go well and that Brock will speak from the Lord. Pray that the new illusions go well. Pray that I choose the best illusions for the show. Most of all, pray that both of us will be dripping with the Holy Spirit at this conference. Thanks for your prayer and support. We really appreciate it!

Monday, July 10, 2006

A Message Entitled "Living Faith In Real-Time and Real Trouble"

The message at church yesterday seem to be just for me. The preacher was talking about faith. He said that when we go thru tests of faith, we want to either fast forward past it, pause and not deal with it, or rewind and redirect the situation. I think that I fall into every single category right now. He also said that there is no such thing as faith in the past because that's history. Faith in the future is really dreams. True faith is right now admist the confusion and trying times.

"The highest purpose of faith is to change me, not my circumstances," spoke the pastor. You want to know why the Lord doesn't always come swooping in on His white horse to save the day? It's because that's not His ultimate purpose. His purpose is always us...our hearts, our souls, us.

Therefore, while we are going thru this trying time where we are unsure about our financial situation for now and years to come, I'm going to choose faith. I'll probably have to choose faith everyday and maybe minute by minute at times, but that's what I'm going to do. I CHOOSE FAITH!

Sunday, July 09, 2006

College Age People

We had a girl stay with us this weekend that I know from my parents' church. I led her in a Disciple Now when she was in 7th grade. Now, she is 22 and possibly moving to Nashville.

These last few weeks, we've been around people that are college age...the Superwow staff and Stephy and Jessica. I really love that age. They have their whole lives stretched out in front of them. I'm a very dreamy person, and at this age is when dreams seem to be at its peak.

Last night, we ended up hanging out with a couple of single people in their 20's at the Cocoa Tree. It was fun! The Lord seems to be placing us around people in this age group.

I realize that I have a heart for people this age as well. They are at a time when they are seeking the Lord's will for their lives and making big decisions. I enjoy seeing and talking through this process. I hope that the Lord brings more people in this spot in life to us!

Saturday, July 08, 2006

Home Again

I'm home! Last night, I actually had trouble finding the bathroom in the dark. I forgot my own home! When I woke up, I didn't quite know where I was at first. After having the same hotel room for 3 weeks, it became like home.

It feels good to be here though even if only for a couple of days. I cracked open my curtain this morning, and a deer was looking at me eye to eye. Of course, it didn't take long for him to run away. It's so quiet here. No elephants walking around upstairs or kids yelling outside my door. There's nothing quite like home.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Family Force 4

It's the last day with Family Force 4. That's what we call Brock, Stephy, Jessica, and me. We've been a nice little family this last month. We eat meals together at our little table in front of our TV. We fight off the roaches in our hotel room together...well, not Jessica. She screams and runs away. We wear our ninja suits everyday under our clothes. We go to Barbara Jeans as much as possible and share the chocolate stuff and pig out on pumpkin bread. We jam in the car to Family Force 5 or "Hot Summer Nights." We laugh and laugh in the Winn Dixie.

As we were driving over a bridge one day, Jessica made the mistake of saying that she didn't like bridges. So, the car starts slowing down and Brock starts saying, "There's something wrong with the car." He pulls the car over to the side, gets out, and crawls over the edge of the bridge. Apparently, there was a ledge on the other side that he was able to stand on. Jessica was quietly freaking out. It's been fun!

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Fireworks

Jessica got hit by a firework. It came down out of the air and hit one of the Superwow staffers' legs. He kicked his leg and it flew in Jessica's face. It barely missed her eye! We went to the ambulance to get them to look at the blister that was festering on her face, but the paremedics were nowhere to be found. There was just an empty ambulance. After about 15 minutes, Brock called 911. They showed up very quickly. Jessica was fine...just a little blister on her face and a cool story.

Brock sat in the ambulance with her while they filled out paperwork and gave her ice. However, the only person you could actually see sitting in the ambulance was Brock. So, lots of students were walking by asking what happened to Brock.

This morning, Brock played it up by coming out onstage with his head completely wrapped in bandages. It was hilarious! His face was all mummied up. He only had one eye exposed. Everybody got a good laugh.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

My Favorite Holiday

The 4th of July is my favorite holiday. Today has been great. Brock spoke this morning and it went great! Then, we had Wes Hamilton over to eat burgers. I went to the pool with some of the girls. Then, we had a birthday party for one of the staff girls. Brock went out to eat dinner with Wes and some of the girls came over and ate burgers with us. Brock's quick set tonight was fun and now I'm sitting in the green room. After the service, we'll go out to watch the fireworks. How fun!

Monday, July 03, 2006

Rough Start

We are totally distracted by all of the things going wrong in our lives. Tonight, we began a new camp. It has half as many people as last week, so it seems to have so little energy anyway. Then, we messed up every trick because we were so distracted. Brock's message did not flow very well. Please pray that this week will go better. In fact, pray that it is just as powerful or more than the last couple of weeks. Pray against distractions. Pray for us.

Deion's Teeth

Last week after Brock spoke about the miracles of Jesus, a 12 year old boy named Deion came up to him pleading with him to fix his teeth. His teeth were crooked and one in the front was missing. At first, Brock thought he was kidding, but after his persistance, Brock realized that the boy was serious. He actually thought that Brock could fix his teeth.

We felt so sorry for him because he was an inner city kid who had no resources to get his teeth worked on. Deion said that many people made fun of him because of his teeth. Brock began to share about this boy and the adults began to put their minds and hearts together and found a possible dentist in his town that would fix Dion's teeth for free. I hope that this happens.

Brock said that he felt so helpless. He actually felt like Jesus because this kid was so desparate to be healed. The only difference is that Jesus could have healed him on the spot. It took prayer and resources to heal Deion now. However, when Deion gets his teeth fixed, it will be a modern day miracle. Jesus is still moving and doing miracles. It may look a little different than it did in Bible times, but it happens.

Saturday, July 01, 2006

2 Corinthians 4:7-12, 16-18

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed on every side, but not in dispair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body...

Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."