Pictures from Thursday

Brock cooks turkeys the best!


Isn't it pretty?


Look at all of that food!!!


Manuel likes ketchup on everything!


There were 13 of us for lunch. Some sat in the kitchen area...


and some sat in the dining room.


Then, we all watched the movie Elf


It's so funny!


Shane watched football in our bedroom.


After the movie, some of us took a walk.


We were all bundled up.


The girls

Thanksgiving Cooking

I've got to tell you that I'm not the most exceptional cook. I follow recipes very well. However, I cannot do several things at once especially if cooking is involved. I must follow that recipe to the letter and if I'm distracted, things go wrong. Therefore, I get flustered if there are tons of people talking to me while I try to cook. I simply must cook by myself. To add to this, my kitchen is tiny. At one point, I had to tell Brock and Lucas to give me some space or else none of the food was going to turn out. I literally kicked them out of the kitchen.

Also, if you can remember some of my "Lucille Ball" moments, there have been plenty that have happened in the kitchen. I've dropped the whole container of sugar and flour before. I've used salt in the cookies instead of sugar. I remember one time in college I was helping mom cook something. She left for a minute and came running back. Her comment was, "I didn't want to leave you in the kitchen by yourself." She knew that disaster could strike at any moment. Brock has found that out a few times himself.

I am getting better. I only burned myself two times this weekend. I didn't have a complete melt down, just got overwhelmed yesterday at lunch (that's why we went out to eat last night...I needed a break and we ran out of food). I cooked two new desserts, and one of them turned out exceptional. The other was just okay because I used goats evaporated milk instead of the regular. It was eaten up though!

Thanksgiving Weekend

The party continued yesterday. The ones who stayed overnight just chilled out with us. We had leftovers and turkey sandwiches for lunch. Then, a friend and his parents stopped by yesterday afternoon. I took a nap while the others went around the yard picking up sticks and cutting up branches for the fire.

Last night, more people came over for dinner. Brock made a gumbo. Some people had never had gumbo before, but they loved it! Then, we had a HUGE bonfire. Brock brought in our sound system that we use for some of our shows. We played music on it all night. We even turned on a little Group 1 Crew and danced like we do at FX. It was fun! After that, we came inside and Brock did a little magic. What a perfect night.

So far, we've had 23 people come over this weekend. Seven of them have stayed overnight like a slumber party. We are going to do it again today, and Kristin will be here!

Thanksgiving Day

Yesterday was wonderful! We had so much food! I was proud of our community. They brought some really good things that they actually cooked. Single people ordinarily buy things and bring them when we have pot luck at our house, but many of them treated this special. There were 13 of us at lunch time.

We ate until we were stuffed. Then, we watched the movie "Elf." Everyone was passed out all over the living room. One guy went into our bedroom to watch a football game. Then, a few people had to leave. After the movie, we took a walk. It was chilly, but it felt good to walk after such a huge meal.

After watching another movie, we pulled out all of the food again. It was great the second time too. A couple more people came over. After dinner, we played two truths and a lie. You have to tell two true things about yourself and one lie. Everyone else must figure out what the lie is. It was fun! Brock's mom called and she even played. Brock put her on speaker phone.

I cleaned up a little and talked with Brock and Stephy (our former road manager) who had stopped by. Some of the people who had to work the next day left while others began another movie. A few people stayed the night. There's more to come...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

I love Thanksgiving. You don't have the stress of buying the perfect gift for everyone, and it's centered around food...one of my favorite things! I spent all day yesterday cooking and cleaning. I cannot believe how long that takes! However, once people get here, I won't have to do much cooking. I already have most of it out of the way.

We have people coming over from all over. Our friends that live here that were unable to go home are coming...about 10 of us. Then, we have some of our friends from the road coming. Group 1 Crew is in town working on their new album, so they will be here. Tomorrow, Eleventyseven is going to come hang out because they leave Saturday for Punk the Halls tour. Today, we have a couple of people that we know from SuperWow staff coming in from Florida. Saturday, Kristin (or crackhead as Brock calls her because she's so crazy) is going to come stay with us. Friday, a guy from Atlanta who was with us for FX is coming. It's going to be a party!!!

Basically, we are just going to hang out at our house this whole weekend and let people come to us. We are going to eat a lot of food and have bombfires and such. I'm so excited!!! What are you guys doing for Thanksgiving?

College Campus

As we were driving to Brock's mentoring meeting yesterday morning, Brock made the comment that downtown Franklin was like a college campus. We parked at a little restaurant downtown where Brock meets every week called Merridee's. I met one of my friends there for coffee to pass the time while he was in his meeting. After a while, we walked down to the Starbucks to visit a friend that was working there. She was walking out and met us on the sidewalk. She happened to be on her lunch break and was going to the tea shop to visit with our other friend who worked there. We all went in the tea shop and pulled up a chair to hang out for a while. After she went back to work at Starbucks, another friend came in and hung out with us.

I told them all about Brock's statement earlier and everyone decided that he's right. There are all kinds of old buildings in downtown. Everybody knows everybody. You walk everywhere. The "police" give stupid tickets like backing into a parking spot. We decided that Merridee's is like our cafeteria and our friend that works there is on "work study" in the cafeteria.

If you've ever wished that you could stay in college forever, live in Franklin. It's just like a college campus!

A Date!!!

After Brock had a long day of meetings yesterday, we ran at the park. Then, we stopped by our friends' house. One of the girls told me that she was about to go on a date as I was standing in her room watching her try on different clothes. I ran out to Brock to warn him not to embarrass her in front of her date. (He enjoys picking on this girl in particular.)

We all waited in the living room for her date to come. Brock said that he'd never waited on a date to come and pick anyone up before (because the guy does that!). It was exciting!

When the date knocked on the door, Brock said, "Hide!" and he jumped on the floor crouching down in a ball. I thought that he was going to surely embarrass her, but he didn't. After he picked himself off of the floor, he introduced himself. The only thing he said was, "Drive safely!" as they were on their way out the door. That was slightly dadish, but our friend said that he did "fine."

The Work Continues in Grundy, VA

At our show in Virginia the other night, a guy from Grundy, Lee, who helped bring FX there a couple of months ago came. He told us more wonderful things that have happened in Grundy, VA. After we left, the sheriff, police officers, and the state troopers have all said that the crime rate has noticeably gone down. Even the number of speeding violations has gone down. They said that there is no other explanation because in the surrounding counties, the crime rate has continued to escalate, but not in Grundy. Lee said that revival is happening there!

There was one lady in town whose picture had been all over the newspaper the week before we got there because she was involved in a huge drug bust. Apparently, she came to FX. A week after FX, she was saved by Jesus Christ.

Lee said that people are still getting saved after the fact. The work of Freedom Experience is still continuing. That was so exciting to hear!

Pray for our ministry today. Brock is having meetings all day today and we need wisdom on how to do the administrative side of the ministry. Nothing bad is going on. We simply need to know what needs to change and what needs to stay the same.

Show in Roanoke, VA

I went into the show last night in not the best of moods (remember I woke up at 4am). However, the people were so nice when we got there that they lifted my spirits. I was able to set up everything fairly easily and quickly.

The show began at 9pm. It was after the service at the conference. I thought that the audience might be too tired to enjoy a show. Man, was I wrong! They all had a blast! They were ready to have a good time and they did. Brock was on too. He was extra funny. What a fun show!

On the Road Again

We are heading out on the road again. We leave early this morning and drive 7 hours to do a show in Roanoke, VA tonight. For some reason, I woke up at 4am this morning. Maybe it's because I'm anxious about this show. In some ways it's more reassuring to drive to an event as opposed to flying because we have more control of it. However, this is going to be a long drive to make the day of the show. Pray for a smooth drive.

Last night, we hung out with our friend, David Nasser. He happened to be in town. It was so good to see him. He is an excellent speaker and a man of God. I'm always inspired when I'm around him. I wish that we got to see him and his precious wife more.

Ryan and Rain

I found out yesterday that my cousin, Ryan, died in a motorcycle accident Tuesday night. He was in his early twenties and was newly married. My uncle (who is Ryan's grandfather) had a brother who just died in a car accident a month ago. What a blow for this family. They are very solid in their faith. In fact, Ryan's mother made a comment yesterday that the Lord "is still good." She definitely has a peace that only comes from the Lord. Nobody can say something like that within 24 hours of their child's death unless the Lord is giving them strength. However, this is still so devastating. Please pray for my family right now. My mom is flying from Texas to Florida to go to the funeral.

Death is such a weird thing for us humans. Ryan is in heaven. We don't mourn for his sake but for ours. It's so difficult for us to wrap our minds around death and heaven and such.

All day yesterday I was rather down. It simply seems so senseless for Ryan to die. As I sat on my hammock in the strangely warm weather contemplating this, it began to rain. Instead of running inside to avoid getting wet, I stayed right where I was and let the rain come down on me. It really felt good. I realized that there were a lot of things that I don't quite understand about the Lord. Rain is one of them. As I sat there feeling the rain on my skin, I just knew that the Lord is in control. I was seeing a picture of how He controls the whole earth. Even when the wind and rain strengthened, the Lord was commanding it. What a mighty God! How can I think that I can understand everything about Him?

More Pictures from Corpus Christi FX

The Outcast bmx team


Eleventyseven guys


Team Faith freestyle motocross guys


Some of the Boarders for Christ skate team at their table


Tim Byrne


Group 1 Crew


Brock's parents and the director of FX Kim


Our very own Shannon at our table


Kyle (whom I gave the MVP award for FX because he's the hardest worker I've ever seen), Lindsay (Brad's wife), and Brad (who is our emcee/production director, etc.)

Pictures from Corpus Christi FX

The crowd on the second night


The rest of the crowd on the second night


Group 1 Crew and Eleventyseven join forces to perform an amazing number! It's difficult to see, but all of those little lights in the crowd are cell phones that people were holding up and swaying from side to side


This is where we ate lunch everyday


This is the view we had at lunch


These are our hospitality ladies. Lily is on the right if you read her comment the other day.


This is where we ate dinner after the show each night.


Here is Brock's dad, Roger, blowing out his candle on his birthday cake. Happy Birthday!!!!


Krista and her daughter


Krista's son who was saved at the show


Brock signing autographs after the show.

Show in Dacula, GA

Our show last night went very well. My toe and sinuses were much better. Although we were all tired, the show didn't reflect our weariness. It's like adrenaline kicks in and takes over for the entirety of the show. I was surprised at how many people attended---over 2,000. We all laughed together and had a great time...they were a fun crowd.

We saw some of our friends from the SuperWow staff. That is such a wonderful group! A couple of them got to watch the show for the first time without having to man a camera the whole time.

Today, everyone is sleeping in (except me because I don't know how to). Then, we are going to eat lunch at Pappasitos and head home for some rest and relaxation. We did it! This was an amazing week of ministry, but I'm ready to come down off of the high and chill.

Show in Elizabethtown, KY

I was extremely tired and sickly at the show last night, but Shannon picked up a lot of the slack. Also, I slammed my pinky toe against the wall yesterday morning while pulling out a mattress for one of the FX team members to sleep on. I don't know if I broke it or what, but it hurts! I ripped part of the nail off. Sorry to make you cringe but it is painful. I am still limping.

The show was great though! It was standing room only and 31 people gave their lives to Christ. It was worth bearing the pain to see that!

Pray for our show in Georgia tonight.

FX Stories

One of the ladies who was feeding us great food told me about her husband on the last night. He is not a Christian and will not participate in any church functions even though she is very involved. He came to the show a couple of nights. On the last night, he told her that what Brock said made sense. He didn't respond to the invitation, but according to her, that was a big break through. Please pray for Jack.

Also, Brock's dad witnessed to one of the security guards. His name is Robert. He didn't physically respond to the invitation, but he was extremely giddy the last night. He's close if he didn't already make that decision.

There were many adults that did respond though. One of my friends talked with a 53 year old woman and her daughter. Both of them became a true Christian one night at FX.

After telling one of our friends that more than 1,200 people were saved this week, she said, "That will be a whole neighborhood in heaven!"

We are leaving today to drive to Kentucky to do a show tonight. Tomorrow, we will drive to Georgia where we will perform again. What really stinks is that I'm feeling very sick. Our room at the hotel we stayed at was very moldy, so my sinuses got all worked up this week. Add all of the hard work and not too much sleep and that's a recipe for sickness. Please pray that I can make it through these two shows. Brock is doing well and Shannon will be with us, so that will help.

Night Three of Corpus Christi FX

I cannot even describe last night!!! First of all, the arena was HUGE. I was trying to have faith that the Lord was going to fill it up, but I wanted to be realistic too. I didn't want to have too high of expectations because I've heard that the cause of stress is unmet expectations. We have enough stress at FX as it is. I was trying to have some sort of balance between faith and reality. However, I've learned that where Freedom Experience is concerned, the Lord tips the scales so much that reality is not a factor. The place was packed! I didn't want to have to fill up the highest level of seating because it was such a nosebleed, but we were forced to because they were standing in the back of the section in front of it. What a night! The Lord is good.

I don't know how many people were there last night, but over 1,200 people made a decision for Christ this week. Wow!

We saw one of our friends from college here. She is married now with three kids. She actually assisted Brock some at the start of this ministry 10 years ago. Her oldest child gave his life to Christ at FX this week. Isn't it amazing that the ministry that she believed in and devoted her time to would be the same ministry that would lead her son to the Lord 10 years later?

Night Two of Corpus Christi FX

I cannot begin to explain last night! There is no way to tell you about the energy there is at an FX. You must experience it to get it. Brock's parents are here and they are absolutely loving it. Last night, we brought out a cake and sang "Happy Birthday" to Brock's dad while the whole gang was eating dinner. He couldn't believe it! He was a little late getting to dinner because he was witnessing to one of the security guards. Pray for this security guard tonight. We believe that tonight is his night to turn his life over to Jesus.

Thank you for your prayers for protection. I had a feeling that something was going to happen involving security problems this week. Last night, there was somewhat of a fight. Basically, a guy sitting up close to the stage was asked to leave by the sheriff during the intermission. He had such an attitude problem that he swung at the police officer. The cop took him down quickly. Then, our security guys came in to help handle this guy. He was removed from the building, and that was the end of that.

I'm hoping that was the bad feeling that I was having, but let's continue to pray for protection. Lucas did something to his neck, so he was all stiffened up last night. Brock does an illusion where he jumps from several feet in the air. He didn't land right and thinks he may have hyperextended his hamstring or something. He's having a lot of pain. A couple of us are feeling sick, so we need the Lord's protection all around.

Night One of Corpus Christi FX

The Lord heard your prayers about helping us be able to do this event physically. At the school assemblies that we did, some of the people from the local churches provided the sound equipment allowing us to only have to plug in instead of set our sound all up each time. Then, when we got to the HUGE arena, everything was all set up and ready to go. Our friend, Brad Fogarty, and his guys pulled this thing together so well. They are lifesavers! I actually wasn't running around like a chicken with his head cut off before the show. He also stands beside me during the show and helps out with directing it.

There were over 2,000 people there and over 350 people gave their lives to Christ last night!!!!! Praise our Lord!!!!!

At the alternative school that we performed at yesterday, one of the guys threatened us. He went so far as to ask Brock what he was driving so that he could find him after the assembly. One of the teachers removed him from the room. Please pray extra hard for our protection. This is a rather rough area if the schools are any indication.

Hard Day

I thought that we were going to have some time off yesterday. However, that didn't happen. We worked from 8am until 9pm only taking a break to eat lunch and dinner. Also, remember that I've told you that 30 minutes onstage is equivalent to an eight hour work day? Well, we were onstage for a total of 3 hours yesterday...that's six work days. We did 3 school assemblies and led a prayer service last night. Brock's voice was gone by the end of the day. Then, he had to go and do an interview for a video.

Also, throughout the day, as problems arise, Brock is problem solving. In between shows, he was on the phone dealing with one problem after another. He had to go by the venue and figure out where we were going to place everything.

Wow! What a day, and we haven't actually begun the shows at night yet. Today is going to be a killer because we have two school assemblies, go to the venue and set up, and then do the show tonight. Pray for us because Freedom Experience is not humanly possible.