Monday, June 30, 2008

Burgers and a Zip Line

Wow! Yesterday was one of the funnest days of my life! Everybody came over yesterday after church. There were 18 of us in all. We ate burgers and chocolate chips cookies (some sides as well) and then, we chatted with Michawn and Joel on skype. That's so fun to be able to talk with someone and even see them in Brazil. We prayed with them. That was so special to me. I could feel the sincerity of the prayer within the room.

After that, we went on our 320 foot zip line!!! It was a surprise to our party friends. That was so fun!!! It was actually a little scary at first. That thing goes fast! Even the bmx riders and motocross racers were a little leery of it at first. Our neighbor, Billy, was out there helping cut down trees and limbs that were in the way. He's always funny. Our friends got a kick out of him.

After that, we watched the movie "Nacho Libre" because Barbara had seen it in Spanish and didn't think it was funny. She thought it was hilarious in English. Many of us took the movie time to take a nap. Then, we pulled out all of the food and ate again. By this time, it was getting dark, so we built a bonfire. We also set off fireworks. What a great day!!!

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Party with a Purpose Barbecue

We are home for a short time. Today, we are having a Party with a Purpose. Brock's grilling out. Actually, he already grilled the burgers and chicken yesterday. I made cookies yesterday, so after church, all we have to do is heat everything up! It's going to be an easy and fun day. However, it's raining right now. Hopefully, that will clear up.

We are having a party for Joel and Michawn. They are missionaries in Brazil. Joel flies missionaries into the Amazon so that they can share the gospel with ones who have never heard of Jesus. You can go to the link that says "Michawn's blog" in order to go to her blog and find out more about them.

Pray that lots of people come despite the rain!

Friday, June 27, 2008

Week Two of Superwow

This week was absolutely wonderful! The crowd was great just like last week. Brock brought his air horn and we continued the freeze whenever he blew it. It was so fun! Before we began the service last night, we started a sort of congo line down the aisle and people joined in. In the middle of it, the horn blew. Everybody froze and the music stopped. When the horn blew again, everybody picked up where they left off and the music began again.

My favorite day was the day that Stephanie shared. So much healing went on. It was so absolutely needed. We got to watch the Lord move and heal and counsel in such a big way. There was one girl whom everybody had been praying for since she was 5 years old. Her father had died and her mother abandoned her at that point. Now, she's 16 and after years of professional counseling was still hurting so badly. The Lord allowed her to release on Wednesday and the ultimate Counselor worked in her heart. She was able to forgive her mother. That's just one story out of the several that we heard.

Last night was a wonderful time, too. We had another chocolate tasting with the adults. We raised money for Hands and Feet. This is an orphanage down in Haiti whom Mark Stuart's parents manage. We got Mark (the lead singer of Audio Adrenaline) on speaker phone for everyone to hear. That was cool. What we raised money for was for an orphanage prevention program that they are doing in Haiti. So many mothers want to keep their babies, but they cannot afford food for them. Therefore, Hands and Feet are providing them with $25 worth of food a week. They have 20 of these children that they are feeding. That's $500 a week for all of them. We raised $1,300!!! That's great! Hopefully, we can help keep these babies alive and in their mothers' care.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Stephanie

Yesterday was an awesome time at camp. Brock created a storm onstage and talked about Jesus calming the storm. Then, he began to talk about storms in our lives. He said that Jesus can either calm your storm or hold your hand and walk you through it.

Then, he brought out Steph. They did an interview style type of testimony. Steph told everyone about the storm in her life with her father. So many people can relate to her story. She said that sometimes you cannot help the things that happen to you, but you can effect how you respond to it. You can allow the storms in life to make you bitter or better. After she shared, Brock had a time of ministry. He had the youth leaders stand in the four corners of the room. Then, he told anyone who needed prayer to go to them.

I cannot even describe what happened at this point. It was an amazing time of healing. Many people went to the corners, but just as many stayed in their seats and people around them came to them to pray for them. I saw a high school big guy go to his youth pastor, lay his head on his shoulder, and bawl. I could hear people releasing and forgiving and healing. I stood in the back of the room praying for everyone. I could almost hear the Lord weeping. His heart was broken for His people.

Brock asked if this type of thing happens every time she shares her story. Stephanie said that, unfortunately, it does. There are so many broken homes. There's so many people that are carrying the burden of unforgiveness. We heard so many wonderful stories of restoration and forgiveness. What a wonderful day at camp!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Barbara

Let me tell you about Barbara. Some of you may remember this from last year. She lives in Mexico and first came into contact with us after seeing Brock on the Spanish Discovery Channel. The Miracles of Jesus was playing with Spanish subtitles. She liked the way Brock spoke very clearly and wanted to learn English. After that, she began going to Brock's blog. She would translate his blogs into Spanish. Then, she would comment in English. Ladies and gentlemen, this is how she learned English! Can you believe it??? She's very good, too!

Last August, she came all the way from Mexico to Houston to see our show. We absolutely fell in love with her and invited her to come out on the road with us. So, here she is!

While we were with her in Texas last August, she met some people at the large church we were performing at only to find out that they were coming to her city in Mexico the following week on a mission trip. They were only a couple of blocks from her house. Barbara was able to interpret for them.

Personally, the coolest part of this story is that in April of 2006, the Lord told me that he wanted me to give my Bible to someone. After a year and a half, that someone ended up being Barbara. I wondered why he told me so far in advance. Then, Barbara pointed out that April of 2006 was the time she first encountered us on the Discovery Channel. It was as if the Lord wanted to let me know that there was someone out there whom He wanted me to pray for and minister to. I love Barbara!!!

Monday, June 23, 2008

Fun Memories from the First Week

The chocolate tasting with the adults.
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This crazy group who made a sign for Brock.
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Eating at Dewey Destins, a restaurant right on the water.
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Confusing Barbara and Steph at a restaurant restroom.


Running back to our hotel from the convention center a couple times a week.
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Saturday, June 21, 2008

Fun With Superwow Staff in Destin

We had a blast last night with the Superwow staff. After such a big week at camp, we went out and had some fun. Our fun consisted of going to Destin Commons and being crazy! We played follow the leader and duck, duck, goose. We took pictures with strangers. The best was when Brock got an air horn. Any time he blew the air horn, we all froze until he blew the horn again.







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Thursday, June 19, 2008

Chocolate Tasting on the Fly

So, I told you that the chocolate tasting was a rather spontaneous thing. The adults decided that they wanted to do one today on Tuesday evening. We had our friend, Emily, overnight the chocolate to us in order to make it here in time for the tasting tonight. We had everything that we needed for the tasting except the chocolate. That's the most important part, really. The first thing I did when we got here this evening at about 5:30 was to look for the package of chocolate. I asked everyone in the building for it. Nobody had seen it. I got on the phone with FedEx. I gave them the number that Emily gave me to track it, and it said that it should be a 9 digit number, but I had a 12 digit one. Plus, the computerized voice couldn't understand what I said half of the time. It was 6pm by this time and we were supposed to begin at about 7pm! My frustration was beginning to grow by the minute! Obviously, Satan did not want this tasting to take place.

We got online and finally found out that it had been delivered at 2pm this afternoon. We went all over the place asking if they got it. When we saw who signed for it, we realized that it didn't come to the Convention Center where we are but the Civic Center down the street. The only problem is that the Civic Center closed at 5pm. The wonderful people in the Convention Center here spent 15 minutes on the phone trying to track somebody down who had the key to the place. We HAD to have that chocolate by 7pm or we couldn't do it. Brock began to speak at about 6:55pm and got the missionaries whom we were focusing on tonight on skype. We got the chocolate at 6:57pm! Steph, Barbara, and I broke the chocolate into pieces while Brock led the group in a chat with Joel and Michawn. It was a wonderful time.

Then, we were able to do the tasting in time. We were talking with people after we were done and I realized that it was 5 till 8pm. We were supposed to start onstage at 8pm. We ran from the conference room onto the stage. Everything went great and now we are done with our first, wonderful week of camp!

Big Day

Brock spoke for about 10 minutes in the adult seminar the other day. (After the services, they break out into seminars.) He told them about the chocolate project and Parties With a Purpose. They decided to do one tonight during their seminar! How cool is that?

Therefore, today is a big day. We are doing a couple of new illusions, and that's always more difficult. It takes more practice and time to set up. Then, we need to go to the store to get the supplies for the tasting. We also have to film our part in the end of the week video. We have to get in touch with Michawn because we are raising money for the missions that they work with. Then, we have to do the tasting and perform in the last service tonight.

Wow! Pray for us to do all of that well. We're already a little worn out from the week that we've had.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

A Nightmare Come True

Last night was the first night of Superwow camp. We went on at 9pm. I thought that we had so much time, and Stephanie got in at about 6:30. We went to eat when she got in. Then, we went by the store to pick up some stuff for the show. When we got back, we weren't finished setting up our illusions when the speaker was done. They were going to take a 10 minute break.

I freaked out a little. I had much more than 10 minutes' worth of stuff to do. I have a dream often where I don't have our illusions set up, and a large crowd is waiting for us to begin. This was just like that dream!

I frantically began to get everything ready. I never do that. I'm always over prepared. Brock does extremely well on the fly. I don't do so well like that. Brock stepped out onstage and did great! The crowd was awesome and everything went off without a hitch.

Monday, June 16, 2008

A Shower and Travel

We flew back to Texas Saturday afternoon. Then, we rushed me to Kay's baby shower. I made it in time. They moved the shower back to 4:30pm in order for me to make it. I was praying that our flight wouldn't be delayed and me miss it despite the attempts of the hosts. Speaking of hosts, those ladies know how to put on a shower! I told mom that they were professionals at it! It was so special to be able to be a part of it.

Then, I went back to my parents' house and packed up. We went to bed rather early because we had to get up at 5am to drive to Ft Walton Beach, FL yesterday. We got here just in time to pick Barbara up from the airport at 6pm. She was tired too, because she came all the way from Mexico. She is spending the next two weeks with us here in Ft Walton Beach (I'll tell you more about her later).

So, we are here. After a big weekend of travel and such, we are finally here in Ft Walton where we will stay for two weeks. I slept 10 hours last night, so I feel rested.

We have been at this camp, Superwow, for the last several years in a row. It's always so great! This year, we're staying in a condo right on the beach!!! I love the beach! Pray for us this week that lots of ministry goes on.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Show in Lima, OH

Yesterday, we flew from Houston to Fort Wayne, IN. Then, we grabbed a very late lunch and drove an hour and a half to Lima, OH.

The show was going to be outdoors, but due to the bad weather, we had to move it inside a church. Considering the circumstances, the show went really well. Everyone had a good time.

I am studying the book of Romans right now. During Brock's message, it struck me how much it sounded like something Paul would say. I then began to think about Paul and how he took advantage of every opportunity to share Christ. Even though the show was partially rained out and I wished that I could have spent a little more time with my family, there's no other place that I needed to be than right there sharing the gospel with whoever would listen.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Bible Storying

Many missionaries (like my sister) are going to unreached people in other countries and doing Bible storying. That's when you give an oral presentation of the scripture instead of reading it. Most of the people that they are trying to reach are illiterate.

Dad went to some type of training here on how to reach people in the United States. They said that they were using some of the same strategies as the missionaries are using in other countries. One of these is Bible storying. Did you know that 40% of Americans are illiterate? That's crazy! So, dad has begun an awesome ministry right here in Texas. He tells Bible stories every Thursday evening in a portable chapel to anyone who wants to come. (It's a trailer that they take out to this neighborhood.)

We went with him tonight, and Brock did some magic tricks for them. They loved it! They watched with amazement and responded to everything dramatically. It's definitely not a dead crowd! What a very cool ministry!!!

When Roosters Attack

Last night, we were walking in the neighborhood where my parents live and this happened:



The rooster didn't quite get Brock but he came close. Unfortunately, I was turning off the video as soon as he attacked, so I barely caught it.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Another E-mail from Someone at Camp

I was at Camp WOW this week with Henderson Hills and I just wanted to thank you, because you really opened my eyes. I was saved because of that. I saw change automatically and I was amazed how my life changed. I still have changing to do but knowing how I was before I listened to what you had to say and knowing how I am after I listened, there is a big difference. My life fell apart a couple years ago. My mom got fired from her job, which was the building block of our entire lifes. After that my dad, brother, and sister moved out. we couldn't pay the bills and my real dad didn't pay child support like he was supposed to. Things started getting shut off, electricity and phone and everything else. I was having troubles in school. I just hated it. I didn't like anyone there and no one liked me. Since I had nothing to go to I started cutting myself. I don't know why I did it. I think it was because I was empty and lost. The bills got so far behind that it came to a point we couldn't pay for anything. So our house went into foreclousure and we had to move. We moved into our new house about the time my uncle got out of prison. He came to live with us and living with him isn't very fun. He steals, does drugs, and eats
constantly. We still can't pay for our bills and I don't know how we still have a house but it was really hard. Life was was unbearable for me and I didn't have anyone to go to. But now I have God thanks to you. I just wanted to thank you for that because it's just going to get tougher and if I wanted to die then who knows where I would have ended up. You helped me realize life is worth living. Especially when you live for God.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Some Messages from People Who Were at Camp Last Week

This is why we do what we do:

I was part of the church which you spoke to and you were amazing!!! You have really made a difference in my life and I thank you so much for that. I'd already been saved but I had not heard of most of the things you said at the end of the week. Like I thought it was okay to sin a little but turns out it's not! I am definitely going to take a huge step in my life to be a better christian. If you had not come then I would still be living a really sinful life and not really following God. Thanks a TON for coming to speak. And your illutions were awesome!!!

Dear Brock,
I was a student in the church that you spoke for this week, in fact you even used me on stage this week. I think that you really were needed in all the lives of the students at camp this week. You are an amazing peoson, not only in who you are but in what you do for others. Thank you for coming this week!!!!

Brock,
I was one the students you came to speak to and I am so amazed at what you did! Your illusions and lessons couldn't have been done any better! You really spoke to me this past week, I'm stunned at all the things I didn't know. But, now that I do I will be a better christian and help others to become a christian. I want to be the one who is saving those who are drowning, and I want to listen to God no matter the task. Thank you so much for taking the time to come and speak to us, I hope you opened the eyes to others as you did to me!

Hey Brock!
Wow....what an incredible week. It was great to see you again man! Chris and I both were so pumped to get to hang out with you and for you to bless our students. Thank you for allowing God to speak through you..and for not being afraid to walk off the stage Monday night. Our kids needed that. Chris and I watched the Miracles Documentary as soon as we got home (didn't even take a nap! That shows you how cool it is :). It was awesome. We had a friend over who is shaky in their faith and it opened up the door for us to have many conversations. We are praying for you and your wife.

Sunday, June 08, 2008

Church and a Wedding

Today was a big day! I sang at my parents' church. I was so nervous. I haven't sung regularly in 10 years. It's not something that I want to do either. However, on this occasion, the Lord asked me to. So, I did and it went okay. I will say that it will take another act of God (telling me to do it) in order for me to sing again. It was such a beautiful song that I had trouble controlling my emotions, so I tried to simply look up. That was difficult too because they had a picture of Jesus on the cross up on the wall. With the Lord's help, I made it through.

Then, Brock spoke a little and did one beautiful illusion that perfectly illustrates the living water that you can only find in the Lord. Dad also baptized three men and led us in the Lord's supper. It was a great service.

This afternoon, we went to a wedding of one of the girls whom I used to lead in Disciple Nows and such. I remember taking her and some of her friends to help me out with Backyard Bible Clubs here around town. She was about 12 when we did that. Now, she's all grown up. Wow! Time just slips away, but it's a good thing. She was a beautiful bride. I guess that's my word for today...beautiful.

Family Time

We went from Oklahoma down to Ft Worth, TX Friday. In Texas, we met up with Brock's brother, cousin, sister, brother-in-law, and niece. We went to a great mexican restaurant and then back to our hotel to hang out. We had received a gift basket at the camp full of toys. We let our niece, Eva, play with many of the toys. She had a blast and we had a ball watching her. It was so good to see them.

Yesterday, we drove down to Houston to stay with my parents for the week. The cool thing is, my sister is in from South America visiting!!! Her husband is coming to the states to do some training, so Kay decided to take this opportunity to come here as well. After living in South America for a year, she has a list of food request while she's here. It will be interesting to watch her have culture shock here.

We will go to Galveston on Monday and Tuesday for a little getaway. Brock is going to his parents' house for those two days. He won't get to see them all summer, so he's going to take advantage of only being a couple of hours away from them. I would go, but I want to spend as much time with my sister as I can. I don't know when she is going to visit next. Plus, she is pregnant, so it'll be fun to see her at this time.

Friday, June 06, 2008

Back to Civilization

Well I'm back to civilization. We had no cell phone coverage or internet access or anything while we were at camp. It was a little bit of culture shock. (It was great for the students, though...to get away from everything.) I had a little bit of a hard time this week. Even though I ate very healthy (we brought our own food to cook instead of eating camp food), something there irritated my sinuses so much that I got an infection. Also, I got bit or stung by something on my face. (There were lots of bugs. One guy from the band even got stung by a scorpion.) The bite made the right side of my face swell up yesterday. It went down some, but it's still swollen today as well. Also, we didn't have anything in our room but a bed and bathroom. Since I didn't have any cell service, I couldn't set my alarm clock. Therefore, I had to rely on my internal clock to wake up in time for the service every morning. That along with my sinus attacks caused for a rough time sleeping all week.

However, the camp went rather well. It started off rocky. The first night, Brock had only got two sentences into his message when he simply stopped. He told the students that this wasn't going to work. They weren't ready for the Lord to move at all. He led them in prayer and told them to come back the next day ready. I was nervous about this at first. Most camp pastors don't do that. The Holy Spirit calmed me and let me know that Brock was only following His directions. It sounds funny, but that was the best thing that Brock could have done. The next morning, those extremely churched kids came ready to listen even if it was just out of curiosity.

It got better from there. On Wednesday night, we really had a breakthrough. That's no surprise to me because Wednesday nights are often powerful. Wednesday nights churches are having their prayer services that night. They are praying for us. As we all know, prayer is powerful!

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Summer

I am so excited that summer is here! I love that time of year when you pull out shorts and sandals. Growing up in Florida, that's what I'm most comfortable in.

I'm so glad the Lord gave us seasons, though. I'm the type who gets bored easily, so I'm always ready when it comes time to go on to the next season.

Fall is my favorite season. It's so beautiful in Tennessee. Also, the temperature seems to be perfect! What is your favorite season?

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Exercise

Since we got back from our vacation in January, I've exercised every week! I haven't exercised that regularly since college.

I do some sort of aerobics (usually running) for 30 minutes and then I do some weight training on my upper body and abs. I try to do it three times a week, but sometimes I can only get in two times during the week. When we are on the road, I figure that twice is good enough, because I'm getting a lot more exercise just with our work.

I feel great when I do it, and I sleep better on the nights that I've exercised. However, I don't think that I've lost any weight. That's probably due to all of the chocolate tastings!

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Camp in Oklahoma

Pray for us here in camp in Oklahoma. Brock is not only doing illusions, but he's the speaker for the week here at camp. Please pray that lives are changed. Pray that we don't go crazy out in the boondocks here. We brought books and stuff. Also, we brought a lot of snacks (cafeteria food isn't always the best). I don't know if I'll have internet access or not. We started last night and go through Friday.

Monday, June 02, 2008

Hide and Seek

We had one happy fun night with our friends before we left. First, we went to eat at Cozymels. Then, we got some gelato (that's Italian ice cream and I like it better than American ice cream). It was a great night for ice cream.

After that, we went to the park. It was dark by then, so we played hide and seek in the playground. It was so fun! There were so many places to hide. It got really fun when we played sardines. Brock and Emily had the best hiding places. Brock hid in plain sight. He was laying flat on the ground over in a corner. It took us forever to find him! Emily hid up in one of the roofs of the playground equipment. She looked like she was in a spy movie up in the rafters like that. It was awesome!

We were swinging after we were so tired from the hide and seek. I felt like a little kid. One of our friends said that she felt like a little kid whose best friends were going away for the summer. Some of them are going to come visit us, though. Stephanie is going to be with us for the 3 weeks in Florida. I think that the rest of the gang (Lindsey, Emily, and Jacob) might come to Florida for the last week. It will be fun!

Sunday, June 01, 2008

Back in the Saddle Again

Today is the big day! We leave today and head to Oklahoma to do our first camp. This summer, we will be going to OK, TX, Fl (for 3 weeks), CO, MN, TN, and GA. Luckily, we are flying to CO and MN. We do come back here for a couple of days at the beginning of July. However, it's so few days and we are doing one camp here and one Party with a Purpose during that time. Therefore, I'll only be able to wash some clothes and get back on the road.

I hope that we have everything that we need. Yesterday, I worked from 7am to 6:30pm just on packing and getting everything ready to go here at the house. Friday, we spent the whole day running errands for this summer. Do you want to know how long it takes to get ready for a big summer? Several days.