Saturday, February 27, 2010

The South

We visited so many family and friends on this last trip. I tried to tell Barbara about the South before we left. I told her that the people in the South enjoyed having you over for dinner. They have lots of food and want you to eat a lot! That's exactly what happened. We ate over at 5 people's houses while we were gone. They fed us well! We had gumbo, jambalaya, baked chicken, corn pudding, potatoes, lasagna, and all kinds of desserts. I think I gained a few pounds, but it was worth it! Thank you everyone whom put us up and fed us. We appreciated it!

Brock performed some magic for his 91 year old grandma. She had a good time! She is funny. It was great! Brock's uncle said that they had not laughed that much in a while.

Pray for our show tonight here in Nashville. We are performing at a benefit for Haiti.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Show at ETBU

It was so surreal last night and yesterday. We performed in the chapel where I went hundreds of times while in college. ETBU in Marshall, TX was where Brock and I met. It held many memories for us. The funny thing about college is that nobody stays. You go there for 4 or 5 or however many years and then you leave. Therefore, we only knew a few people whom were still there. It was great to see them, though.

The missionaries living on campus were great friends of mine. She was my roommate back then. I got to meet her two children. There were some other friends and staff that we knew in Marshall. It was very interesting. I am at a loss for words to describe everything that went through my mind and the emotions I felt while being there on the campus that used to be so familiar to me.

Brock performed in chapel yesterday morning (every student must go to chapel every Wednesday and Friday morning), and he entered the building on his dirt bike. He was loving that! He rode up onstage and paused for a minute. Then, he said, "Welcome to chapel." I know they were thinking that this was not going to be a typical chapel service. He did a few more illusions and shared some of our journey over the last 11 years or so. It was cool.

The show itself went really well last night! We introduced a new show. Usually, new shows don't go very smoothly for us. This one did, so I was pleased.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Show in Springdale, AR

We have performed in Springdale, AR on a Sunday morning for the last 3 years. I normally don't enjoy doing a magic show on Sunday mornings because it's so difficult to get the crowd involved and having fun. I don't mind it so much in Springdale, because I know that is when they can get the most visitors in attendance.

This last Sunday was no exception. The place was packed. Whenever Brock gave the gospel, I noticed many senior high guys respond. When this happens, I really love it! Sometimes, I wonder if people are really serious about Jesus when they say they are ready to follow Christ. However, when senior high boys respond, I know they are not doing it for show. I later found out that there were 10 guys from a troubled boys home whom gave their lives to Jesus Sunday. This is what it's all about!

We have two shows in Marshall, TX at the college Brock and I graduated from tomorrow. Pray that they go great!

Friday, February 19, 2010

Barbara Sees Snow

It snowed again this week, and it was the most snow Barbara had ever seen. Neither she nor I had made a snowman, so we tried to...
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Thursday, February 18, 2010

A Valentine Love Story

I heard a real Valentine love story this year. It's very encouraging to know that romance still thrives after being together for a long time. Keep in mind that this couple has been married for 37 years. Here is the email:

When I came home from work Thursday after a really hard day I found a classic looking ceramic pitcher filled with flowers on my cleaned off dining room table. Of course I was thrilled with an early Valentine's gift of flowers. My husband asked if I noticed anything about the vase (pitcher). I said no. He prodded me a bit more but I came up blank. He reminded me of the pitcher I had admired at Hubble and Hudson probably one or two months ago. Even I had forgotten it. But my husband took noticed and remembered. Who says men don't listen? Do you think he is still trying to impress me? Love, Mom

Yes, the email was from my mom and it was about my dad. How sweet!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

The Purpose for the Party

After everyone ate, we gathered the table from the bedroom and living room into the dining room area and Brock spoke to them a little. He talked about Haiti and what we saw while we were in the Dominican Republic. We chose to give through Compassion International because we trust them so much. The president of Compassion lived in Haiti for 4 years. Also, they have been raising up children there for the last 40 years. Wess Stafford, the President of Compassion, said that these leaders and Christian pillars of the community that have been raised up are poised and ready "for such a time as this." He also said, "The media will leave, but we will stay."

The day before, on my way to make the big grocery run, I was thinking about everything that had happened that month. We had a pipe burst. We had a leaky roof that had to be fixed. Plus, some other things that we did not count on happening. The thought ran through my mind that maybe we should not give as much as we had alloted to give toward Haiti relief. Then, I caught myself! I had a roof and pipes to complain about. Many people in Haiti had lost everything. Then, I heard the Lord's gentle prodding to give more. When the time came to contribute, I was so excited! There is something about giving sacrificially that gets my blood flowing! I had not done that in a while.

When all was said and done, we raised $1,050 for Haiti relief Saturday night. Praise the Lord! I beg you not to be like the press. Let's keep praying for Haiti. We've been praying for Haiti for years. They are so close and so desperate. It was a quicker flight from DR to Miami than Miami to Nashville. They really are our neighbors.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Valentine Party with a Purpose

We transformed the house into an elegant restaurant Saturday night donned with white Christmas lights and candles. We had 4 tables set up with 31 chairs. That was perfect since we had 31 attendees (not including Brock, Barbara, and me). The tables were in our living room, dining room, kitchen area, and bedroom. We draped a curtain in our bedroom hiding the bed. We also curtained off the kitchen. It was romantic and elegant.

We served a 5 course meal. I have to admit. I thought that I had it all planned out. However, it was way more difficult than I thought it would be. Brock hosted everyone by seating them and entertaining them with a little magic. He even had them circle what they wanted from the menu and mix all of the menus up before giving them to us. Then, he was able to deliver the right orders to the right people. Barbara ran around being waitress the whole night. I was the cook and stayed in the kitchen most of the time. It was crazy! I have a new respect for cooks and waiters. I will be the best tipper in the world from now on!

Here are some pictures...
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Saturday, February 13, 2010

Preparing for Party

We are having a Velentine's Party with a Purpose tonight. We are dressing up and serving a 5 course meal. Our house is being transformed today into a restaurant with candle light and white Christmas lights. We will use curtains to partition off certain areas of the house like the kitchen.

I got a couple of great cooks to help me with the entrees. Brock is going to be the host tonight and Barbara the waitress. I will be working as chef. Here is what is on the menu:
Appetizers-french bread to dip in olive oil and spinach and artichoke dip
Salads-Caesar and house salad (spinach leaves, walnuts, feta cheese, pears, avocados)
Entrees-chicken & rice, vegetable lasagna, or beef stroganoff
Cheese tasting-goat cheese, a blue and cheddar cheese, a unique aged cheese
Chocolate tasting-5 of our favorite chocolates

Our purpose is for Haiti. We are giving through Compassion. Pray that it goes well, and many are moved to contribute.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Chick-fil-A Church


I heard Dan Cathy, the president of Chick-fil-A speak yesterday. He told about a time when he was sitting around a table with some of his college age employees and asked them what they were going to do vocationally. One of the guys said that he was going into the ministry. Dan smiled and said, "So you are going to work at Chick-fil-A!" The guy said that no, he was thinking about working in a church. Dan frowned and simply said that it was disappointing to hear that. When questioned why, Dan said, "Why would you want to go and stand behind a 2 foot pulpit for 2 hours a week, when you could stand behind a 40 foot pulpit (as he pointed at the counter) for 40 hours a week?"

I feel like Dan has the right idea. He calls his store managers "pastors," because he knows that they are pastoring the people that walk thru the doors of the restaurant whether to clock in or purchase a sandwich. He knows that the church is not a building but the body of Christ. He knows that you can have church anywhere as long as the Lord shows up!

I have a feeling that a lot of you are pastors and you don't even know it. You pastor your family or coworkers. Maybe you are a worship leader at your job by uplifting the Lord as much as possible throughout the day. You are sitting at desks or standing at "pulpits" where the preacher at your church may never go. Therefore, maybe the Lord is calling you to be a "pastor" in that place.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

A Very Nashville Day

Yesterday was what I call a very Nashville day. Adam the lead singer of Stellar Kart came over for lunch. He lives just down the street and was trying to catch up with us before he left for tour with BarlowGirl. It was good to see him and hang out.

Then, we went to the Re:Create conference going on in town and saw a concert by Big Tent Revival. This was the first time they had performed together in about 10 years. I expected them to be so out of practice and not in sync. Wow, was that not the case! They never missed a beat literally. They sounded as if no time had lapsed much less 10 years!

We have a couple of friends in the band, but had met them after they played in Big Tent. It was cool to see a part of their lives that we had not really known. We were impressed to say the least!

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Snowing

We got home at 4:30pm Sunday night, and Brock and Barbara and me ran over to a couple of Super Bowl parties. Barbara had never been to a Super Bowl party (it's not a big deal in Mexico like it is here). She thought it was funny how we got together to "watch" the Super Bowl, but we really just talked and hung out the whole time. There was not much watching going on.

Yesterday, we had our meeting with John in the morning. After he left, we sat down for lunch. Just then, our friend, Joy from Australia, came over to get her notebook that she'd left at our house last weekend. She had lunch with us. We had such a good time that she decided to come over for dinner as well. Joy wanted to cook that meal (she's a good cook).

By the time she came over for supper, it had begun to snow a lot. Barbara was taking videos and pictures. She'd never seen that much snow before! We ate the wonderful meal Joy had prepared and watched a movie. What a great day with our multicultural friends!

Monday, February 08, 2010

Shows in Madison, MS

I came alive this weekend! I think that I am meant to do these shows with Brock. Friday night and Saturday morning, we performed a couple of times for the youth group. Then, Saturday night, we did a big show that was opened to the whole community.

Friday night right before we were to take the stage, the emcee had some of the leaders come onstage. We had our props set just right onstage. I was worried that someone would back into our prop, so I stood by them. Then, it happened! The students were instructed to throw these balls at the leaders. People were running around everywhere and balls were flying through the air! All I could do was place each hand on the two props so that they would not fall over. In the process, I got pelted with balls! It was funny! That's never happened before.

Saturday night we did a new stunt, and it was amazing! We thought that maybe it would be a "filler" trick. We also thought that it would be rough the first time doing it. On the contrary, it was a big hit!

Friday, February 05, 2010

On the Road Again

I have some exciting things about to happen. First of all, I picked up Barbara from the airport last night. She is staying with us for a few months. I am so glad about having her here with us.

Also, tonight, I will be doing my first show in a while. When I got off of the road, I wondered if I would ever want to go back. However, I am dying to get back out there. Please pray for our shows this weekend in Madison, MS.

I also want you to pray for me. I feel like the Lord allows you to go through difficult times spiritually in order to grow you. I am going through one of these growing times. It's definitely hard, but I am beginning to see the light at the end of this tunnel. Also, I can feel the Lord pruning some bad fruit out of my life.

Thursday, February 04, 2010

Last Snow Day

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We thought that by Sunday the roads would be better. However, they were worse than ever! When we went to the store that morning, there was someone in the ditch right by our driveway. Brock got out to help the lady and next thing you know, his feet were up above his head and he was on the ground. I got out of the truck to go and help him, and I began sliding. So, I clung to the truck and got back in.

Luckily, we had a masseuse at our house. When Brock's neck began to stiffen up due to the fall, he just had Sherri work on it.

For lunch, another group of people came over and we all ate together. Then, we watched youtube videos for a few hours. What a fun weekend!!!
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Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Snow Days

On Saturday, in the wee hours of the morning, I woke up freezing cold. Sure enough, the electricity had gone out. I went to each person staying with us and made sure that they were sleeping okay and had enough blankets. Everyone seemed to still be asleep, so I went back to bed and snuggled up under the covers.

By 9am, everyone was awake and moving. Brock started a fire on which we made coffee and eggs. The guys were absolutely loving roughing it! Just when we were getting the hang of no power, it came back on.

Then, we all suited up in our warm clothes and went sledding down our big hill on trash can lids. It was fun! After that, we went on a nature walk.

After that, we all went to Cracker Barrel and sat by the fire and ate a late lunch.
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Monday, February 01, 2010

Snowed In

I am going to take a break from the pictures from vacation to tell you about our fun weekend! We heard about a big snow and ice storm coming our way. However, when we left our house Friday morning, it looked like there was no chance of snow. It was clear and not that cold. We had a meeting to go to in Franklin. Then, we were driving to Chattanooga (about a 2 and 1/2 hour drive) to make a surprise appearance at a youth pastors' convention.

During our meeting that morning, it began to snow hard. We drove about half an hour down the road and stopped for lunch. By the time we got out of lunch, the traffic was backed up and the snow storm was in full effect. Brock called the people we were working with in Chattanooga and decided it was best not to go this time.

So, we turned around and headed back home. Along the way, we pulled a few people out of the ditch with our big 4X4 truck. Brock was so excited to use his 4 wheel drive. It was such a man thing! Plus, he saved people a $200 tow bill.


Then, we picked up several of our friends and took them to our house for the weekend. Due to the bad roads and traffic of everyone trying to get home, we did not get back until after 5pm. We ate taco soup and homemade chocolate chip cookies. Then, we watched movies and youtube videos all night.