They're adapting pretty well
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Gospel Log March 2012
I have such a bad memory that the recording of important events along the way is going to be "a must" for me. I can easily remember what time my doctor's appointment next week, exactly where Blake placed his keys, and even the exact email address of a random pastor in Roanoke TX...but I can't remember life events as they come and go. Special words and stories will be lost for all time if I don't record them. So here is my attempt to start logging our lives as "Gospel Singers". If only just for myself. Since I am sure to forget it by tomorrow.
This month we traveled to churches we have been to before, and some we have not. This month (March 2012) is a miracle month. In January, I had not a single event scheduled and we braced ourselves for the impending 31 days of being "sticks in the mud", saying no to hanging out with friends, and eating popcorn for dinner. But low and behold, 6 events ended up being scheduled for which I can take no credit. The Lord provided and we were able to pay our necessary bills and even have frivolous fun. *Gasp!* This month was a month of sticky situations and unexpected blessings; words of gold and words of great discouragement; feelings of warmth toward children...and feelings of horror!
I will try to keep my recaps as anonymous as possible. Who knows who will ever discover my little writing pad here. I have to say, we have been mightily sheltered from the strangeness that populate the Gospel circuit. Just the other day I saw on Facebook a fellow soloist to his "stalker". I giggled as I read his post:
Things have been much better with my "stalker" this month. But today, she sent me an email with an attachment about Inflammatory Bowel Disease. "Because you travel so much.... Please take good care of yourself." How thoughtful.
This is especially entertaining to me as we continue to travel and have repeat events. We will have people come up to us who apparently follow us online and will comment about what we had for dinner two nights previous...it's pretty disconcerting until you realize they only know this since you, yourself, have divulged it.
Now, for some stories. The beginning of this month began with a big event: Blake sang with Greater Vision and the Mark Trammell Quartet in Decatur TX! He was just an opener, but it proved to be a wonderful opportunity. He gained many fans and also the respect from these groups as a valid performer. He sang flawlessly and delivered with sincerity and anointing. One friend, D, from the MTQ did comment though that he was frightened when Blake began to sing "Moses". As any singer should be when they see another stand full front, grab the microphone and hiss "Oh Mosessssss..." as their opening line.
But some wonderful things that happened this month were the kind words from the original tenor of The Kingsman, Johnny Parrack. He attended our concert in Van Buren at his home church. He and his wife after the concert told Blake, looking back over their years of travel and children and singing, that it was "all worth it, every bit of it." To hear a wife say that after living the "gospel singer wife life" was priceless for me. That was really neat. Especially when we are often told we must give up our itinerant lifestyle if/when we decide to have children. I can easily get caught up in the fact we can't put away as much savings as we'd like and that we can't contribute regularly to a 401k or the like...it can be daunting to look at the future. But her comment reminds me that the Lord's work is sweet and we are to do what He's told us to do. Right now, He's told us to travel and sing full time. Who knows how long it will last, but while it does I will be grateful that we get to do something we love.
I still have to document one event, the jewel of March, our spur of the moment, unadvertised and greatly regretful gospel sing I committed Blake to be a part of. But, that hopefully will be tomorrow. I'm sleepy and Jay Leno is calling my name. And the cats are wrestling in the back bedroom.
But one picture:
This was handed to us right before Blake sang at FBC Jolly TX, drawn by the Pastor's granddaughter I believe. Note that Blake is the one with the flowing locks of curls.
This month we traveled to churches we have been to before, and some we have not. This month (March 2012) is a miracle month. In January, I had not a single event scheduled and we braced ourselves for the impending 31 days of being "sticks in the mud", saying no to hanging out with friends, and eating popcorn for dinner. But low and behold, 6 events ended up being scheduled for which I can take no credit. The Lord provided and we were able to pay our necessary bills and even have frivolous fun. *Gasp!* This month was a month of sticky situations and unexpected blessings; words of gold and words of great discouragement; feelings of warmth toward children...and feelings of horror!
I will try to keep my recaps as anonymous as possible. Who knows who will ever discover my little writing pad here. I have to say, we have been mightily sheltered from the strangeness that populate the Gospel circuit. Just the other day I saw on Facebook a fellow soloist to his "stalker". I giggled as I read his post:
Things have been much better with my "stalker" this month. But today, she sent me an email with an attachment about Inflammatory Bowel Disease. "Because you travel so much.... Please take good care of yourself." How thoughtful.
This is especially entertaining to me as we continue to travel and have repeat events. We will have people come up to us who apparently follow us online and will comment about what we had for dinner two nights previous...it's pretty disconcerting until you realize they only know this since you, yourself, have divulged it.
Now, for some stories. The beginning of this month began with a big event: Blake sang with Greater Vision and the Mark Trammell Quartet in Decatur TX! He was just an opener, but it proved to be a wonderful opportunity. He gained many fans and also the respect from these groups as a valid performer. He sang flawlessly and delivered with sincerity and anointing. One friend, D, from the MTQ did comment though that he was frightened when Blake began to sing "Moses". As any singer should be when they see another stand full front, grab the microphone and hiss "Oh Mosessssss..." as their opening line.
But some wonderful things that happened this month were the kind words from the original tenor of The Kingsman, Johnny Parrack. He attended our concert in Van Buren at his home church. He and his wife after the concert told Blake, looking back over their years of travel and children and singing, that it was "all worth it, every bit of it." To hear a wife say that after living the "gospel singer wife life" was priceless for me. That was really neat. Especially when we are often told we must give up our itinerant lifestyle if/when we decide to have children. I can easily get caught up in the fact we can't put away as much savings as we'd like and that we can't contribute regularly to a 401k or the like...it can be daunting to look at the future. But her comment reminds me that the Lord's work is sweet and we are to do what He's told us to do. Right now, He's told us to travel and sing full time. Who knows how long it will last, but while it does I will be grateful that we get to do something we love.
I still have to document one event, the jewel of March, our spur of the moment, unadvertised and greatly regretful gospel sing I committed Blake to be a part of. But, that hopefully will be tomorrow. I'm sleepy and Jay Leno is calling my name. And the cats are wrestling in the back bedroom.
But one picture:
Monday, June 20, 2011
Goodbye Sticker
Blake and I had a very hard day yesterday. Our cat Sticker died. We found her Sunday morning in our garage when we were on our way to church. I noticed her when we pulled out of the garage. She was laying up against the side wall and I thought that was odd because I've not ever seen her lay there. I got out to check on her and discovered she was torn up by some animal attack, probably a coyote. She was very bloody on her back end and had puncture wounds in her side. We took her to the Emergency Vet praying she wouldn't die before we got there. She was very weary but would raise her head to look at me while Blake was driving. We sped all the way there. We got there and handed her over to the tech. They took her and gave her a big dose of pain medicine and then proceeded to examine her. They came out and said they could sew her up but she had a very badly broken hind leg that they wouldn't know until they x-rayed it if they could cast it or if they'd have to amputate. They said I could wait to make the decision until her bloodwork was ready from testing and I said I'd wait 10 minutes for those results and then decide. They came back and told me she was negative for Feline Leukemia Virus, but positive for Cat AIDS. This meant that her recovery would be very hard since she wouldn't really be able to fight off any infections, and that ultimately she was terminal anyway. This took the decision out of our hands, really. We were (and are) so broken up. They wrapped her in a towel and met us in a private room so we could say goodbye for a while and hold her. She was crying when they brought her in but calmed immediately when they put her in my arms. Blake and I petted her and loved on her and we each got to hold her for several minutes. Then we let the vet give her the shots. Blake got to hold her as the shots took effect.
I am so broken hearted about her. Every time I go outside I'm used to looking for her and checking on her throughout the day. It feels like a big void right now. We loved her very much and will miss her so much.
I am so broken hearted about her. Every time I go outside I'm used to looking for her and checking on her throughout the day. It feels like a big void right now. We loved her very much and will miss her so much.
On our roof
Watching Blake rehearse
In my brother's coat
In our tree, getting on to the roof
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Blake's Billboard and VTN TV Venture
Then, Blake had a TV recording slot scheduled. They filmed him singing 3 songs and will air them at a later date. It was cool! Very nice studios at www.VTNTV.com
Monday, May 23, 2011
Our Living Room Journey
Transformation of our "Cave" Living Room
(from mud brown to happy yellow!)
BEFORE
This is after we got some lighting in the room.
I thought it was pretty, but mostly pretty just in pictures and not really in person.
Now, the yellow is prettier in person than in pictures.
PLANNING THE COLORS
(from mud brown to happy yellow!)
BEFORE
This is after we got some lighting in the room.
I thought it was pretty, but mostly pretty just in pictures and not really in person.
Now, the yellow is prettier in person than in pictures.
PLANNING THE COLORS
I helped too! In between photos. :)
Now the Shelves...
3 coats of paint later...
Listening to Pandora Radio - Gaithers :)
New Rug is cat-approved
The room is not really this dark of a yellow...
it's a lot softer in person than in the photos.
Only 3 more cabinets to go!!
This is more the yellow that it looks like to me
And just for kicks...he's too cute not to post
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