Summer travels

Wow! It's been almost two months since I updated the blog, and SO much has been going on since then. We've had an extensive summer tour during the month of July and are finally having some down time. Basically, Brett and I met up with a girl from TN on our way to TX 3 weeks ago. Brett had an event at a church the day after we left, one more the next morning, and a full stage show plus the first camp session at Highland Lakes camp that night. Four events in 24 hours. Whew!

Our 3rd crew member, Jessica, did a wonderful job relearning a lot of the routines. She's got so much energy on stage! It really shines. So it was exciting to teach and work with someone who is so eager to learn!

We spent 10 days total on the TX tour, and I felt like we were running the whole time! One of the highlights for me was showing up to an event, realizing that we were helping with a VBS family night at a Hispanic church...then realizing we were staying in host homes that night. Oh, happy day! I'm not sure if Jessica enjoyed that night as much as I did, but I got to have some wonderful conversations with the wife of our host family.

The kicker for the TX trip was the drive back...all the way to MD...straight through. It was a 26-hour drive, and, while we did stop to rest on the way, that kind of trip is just draining. We arrived in MD just in time to catch a nap then set up for another full-stage show. The event went really well, and we were able to work with Genae and Patrick since the event was in the Northeast. Brett parents even drove out for the event. But, honestly, I don't remember all the details from that day. I felt a bit foggy for sure. :) I do know that it still felt like TX weather! Over 100 degrees with crazy-high humidity. But thank God for air-conditioning! Seriously, I'm spoiled. But it did feel so good to step inside after being out in the trailer unloading.

After that event, we went out to Dallas, PA, for our 2nd camp of the summer. This was a week-long camp with 6 sessions overall. The kids were great, and we were able to build relationships with some of the staff from Camp Orchard Hill, but one thing that really stands out from that camp was the Wednesday morning service. There were over 50 kids that came forward to either commit or recommit their lives to Christ! Brett claims that it was his first time giving an altar call (though he has presented the gospel countless times). But whether it was or not, I'm so proud of him, and I'm thankful to God for allowing us to serve in a way that fills us with life and makes a difference on an eternal level. What a way to live!

So the summer has been exhausting at times, invigorating at others, and overall quite fulfilling. I really will try to update more frequently so that these posts aren't so long and fact-based. But thanks for reading! Love to all :)

Chambersburg, PA

This weekend we had one of the most unusual events I've ever been a part of. We partnered with several music acts to do a full stage/concert event this past Saturday night. It was put on to support Save the Babeez, an organization to help teen centers across the US. And the event was called Saving a Sinner's Soul Bash. Most of the people that showed up were friends and family of the different artists that were performing. We were just one of seven groups on stage that night, but we kind of acted to transition between the various acts. There were all varieties of music! From contemporary to gospel. Lol, it was definitely unique!

I did enjoy getting to talk with several of the other performers. It made for a fun mix backstage. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling the most social this weekend due to a cat allergy. Hopefully no one took offense! :) But when you're struggling to function in natural light, avoiding the stage lights as much as possible becomes a goal. Oh well! I made it through one of my recent fears and survived! Thank God!

Also, I LOVED the location of the event. We performed at the Capitol Theatre, a historic theatre in Chambersburg, and it was beautiful! It had a old-theatre feel with a chandelier in the main auditorium, gorgeous detail in the walls and edging, and an antique front curtain that could hang down over the main. Haha, the backstage is always less that glamorous. But the audience view was amazing.

We also got to debut our new opening Saturday! We've added one new illusion to the intro, and it was a lot of fun! Genae did a great job with it, and I'm excited to see how it gets even better with more time.

Now, we're about to head down to TN for some shows in the Southeast. We'll be there for two weeks (just in time to celebrate by b-day with my fam!) then head back up here for a couple shows in OH. The summer frenzy is about to start, and I'm getting SO excited. Here's to lots of sunshine!!

Video Blog Numero Uno :)

I've never claimed to be technologically savvy. Nor have I claimed to be artsy in any way when it comes to photography or videos. But here's my attempt at documenting the laughs and adventures from the Fort Wayne show I wrote about a few days ago. It's really rough. You've been warned. ;)

Snow in the balmy gulf town of Vancleave, MS

Below I posted a short clip I was able to sneak in at the end of the Upward event we did in Vancleave, MS last night. It kind of gives an idea of how pumped up the kids were by the end of their awards ceremony. By this point, they had already received their Upward awards, and this effect was the last part of the event before they headed home.

Fort Wayne, IN - Vancleave, MS

Back in PA now after one of the most interesting road trips I've ever had.

The Indiana event went super well. We were able to join the church on Sunday morning for their worship service before setting up that afternoon, and I was genuinely impressed by their heart to reach out into the community and make a difference by serving others. It was only a 45 minute show, and we had so much time to get prepared. It was probably the first time in months that I felt I had a chance to clear my head and shift gears from setting up to walking on stage...which really doesn't sound like a big deal. But for me, it helps to be able to remind myself of our purpose being there as well as to take time to mentally rehearse things before the opening music starts.

That night was when the craziness started! We started our 8-hour drive back to PA after loading out, and we headed right into thunderstorms and the thickest fog I've ever driven in. We seriously couldn't see but a few yards in front of us at times, and this weather stayed with us over half the drive. God was awesome, and I'm thankful He kept us all safe. But a few hours into the trip, Brett hit something dark on the highway. Still not sure what it was, but it was large enough to puncture two of the trailer tires. And...as soon as Brett got out to replace one of them with our spare, it started POURING rain again. Lighting everywhere. After the draining drive we'd already been through, this extra punch put that drive into the surreal category for me. Again, we could have had a huge wreck. The trailer could have flipped with something that large in the road combined with limited visibility. But no one was hurt. Sure, it took several hours to fix, and it was pretty inconvenient to have to stop. But we made it back safe and sound - in one piece. :)

That Monday afternoon, we had a flight to catch to MS. And the oddities continued! Our 6:50 flight was delayed about five times until we finally took off a few minutes after 10 pm. ...Meaning we missed out layover in ATL and had to catch another plane Tues morning. All due to a huge weather system in GA that closed down the ATL airport for a few hours. But the wait was so worth it.

Brett was able to go into the public middle school in Vancleave, MS Tues afternoon, and he shared a portion on the Journey beyond the Natural show with the students. What was crazy? They wanted him to be completely open about his faith. No avoiding Jesus' name here. It was just as direct as any church youth event I've been to. And by the time Brett was sharing his life story, the kids were completely silent, locked in and listening to every word. The night event at the church went just as well. Got to try out several new routines and some twists on a few older ones. Plus we were working with an awesome host that Brett had worked with last year, and it was truly a pleasure getting to spend time with him and his family both before and after the shows. I'm hoping we get to go back and see them as we head to TX this summer. :D

So I'm not writing all this to sound like we had a horrible time this week. In fact, I had a wonderful time and am so thankful that we all are safe and that the events went so well. God is good and I'm amazed by how close He holds us even in the middle of uncomfortable life surprises. I think I was reminded this week now only of how deeply He loves us, but of how much He longs to love through us as well. Good times!

On the road again

Ok, so I totally slacked off there on my CPC updates. Still have pics and video I hope to post. But right now, we're about to hit the road for Indiana. After about a month with my family in TN, we're off, ready to face the spring madness head on! (I hope)

Today will be a 7 1/2 hour drive to meet Roger, Patrick, and Genae in Fort Wayne, IN. They're also driving a good 8 hours from PA. The event won't be until tomorrow night, so we're all hoping to get to catch up and just enjoy time as a team tonight. The last time that really happened was our legendary snow tubing trip last month. Here's to another great night of friends and fun :)

This Indiana event will be the first in about 13 for Brett of the next 30 days. I'm excited that we'll be able to start it with a full-stage show. Great way to jump back in the tour after a month of downtime and planning!

For a better idea of where we'll be in the next few weeks, you can check out bammagic.com. Or, if I actually stay focused on the plan, I'll post updates from the events as they come.

CPC Orlando 2011

I love sunshine! And I love Disney. Especially in January when Florida is the PERFECT temperature (high 60s/low 70s). Brett and I have met up with Sue, Sharon, and Richard from For His Kidz and have been hanging out at the villa/house we're all sharing during the Children's Pastors Conference this year. Several of the other FHK entertainers are staying with us, and so far, we've just been having fun getting to know everybody.

I'm pretty excited about the next few days. Apparently, David and Teesha Laflin are getting to come to the conference and will have a booth set up about 4 exhibits down from Brett and me. So I'm definitely looking forward to talking with them and hopefully getting to know more about them than what I've heard from Mary and Duane. :)

I'm going to try to figure out how to post videos and/or pics that I'll be taking with Brett's camera. Ha, we'll see how that goes. The knowledge that I'm not super computer savvy and that I always tend to take my camera but never use it tends to put a damper on my goals. But I'm at the most magical place on earth, so anything is possible I guess! Haha. For now, the Olive Garden meal we shared earlier is settling in my stomach, and I'm thinking that my newly adopted bed is calling for me. Better luck figuring out how to upload pics tomorrow!

New Year News

This weekend we had our first full-stage show after several weeks off the road, and it was also our last show of 2010. Brett, Genae, Patrick, and I all traveled to Somerset, PA on Friday, arriving about 5 hours early in order to set up the new lights and everything else for the event. My first highlight of the trip? The stage was clear. Completely! Not a chair, not a guitar, not even leftover cords to push to the side. It was beautiful. :) I know we should be flexible and willing to work around whatever the churches have set up, but it's such a nice treat to have plenty of backstage space and not to worry about tripping over anything but our own stuff. Haha

Brett's parents and grandmother made a special trip out to see us as well. The drive was a little over 2 hours, so it was especially nice of them to make the drive. We were able to get food all together after the event and celebrate the New Year as a family.

Overall, I feel the show went well. We used the front lights for the first time this event, and I was so not expecting the difference it made. We weren't able to see the audience at all. ...Not that that was a good thing. I'm sure there were many beautiful people there. :) But it does make it easier for me to feel the energy of a performance when the atmosphere has that theatrical feel.

Sunday was another fun show, though it was one Brett performed solo. I was able to go along to help set everything up and be his moral support. And we had some more familiar faces in the audience yesterday too. Sharon, Richard, Sue, and Sue's children drove out to Beaver, PA to come to the event. (They are the ministry coordinators, For His Kidz, that book all of Brett's events.) The church was having a special family service where parent and kids came together for a time of worship. Brett was able to share his testimony as well as the pure, gospel message. And it was a treat for me to get to sit back and enjoy the show with the rest of the audience.

Now, we have a few more weeks in between shows. But we're glad for the down time to get ready for the Children's Pastors Conference in Orlando. Our flight leaves (early!!) next Tuesday, and I'm looking forward to meeting other people that travel in ministry along with hopefully connecting with people who are plugged into their local church. One thing I've been struggling with lately is how to balance a traveling lifestyle with the need for deep, meaningful relationships within the body of Christ. I feel one of the best ways to grow in this area is to talk to other people who have the same concern and to hear their story. Aside from that, it's just a treat to hang out with people who have a similar vision and passion. Looking forward to a time of relaxation as well as growth in the next couple weeks. :)