Saturday, December 23, 2006

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Just wanted to wish everyone who has read here a Merry Christmas and a very happy holiday season. Thank you all for taking time to stop and read my thoughts and listen to my new "Ponder Casts" this year.

I am doing a quiet Christmas weekend. As far as I'm concerned, I've already done my major Christmas celebration. You just can't get much better than the time at Senior Trip in Asheville. My relative family is scattered and dwindling, so I was thankful to celebrate with my many friends in the family of God.

Stay tuned for some big news from me after the holidays. Some will already know it...but the rest of you will have to stay in suspense. Sorry.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Post Senior Trip Thoughts

I'm sitting in the Asheville airport right now on what is supposed to be a two hour flight delay, but who knows for sure.

I got to thinking about some of the songs heard over the weekend about how it will be when we are all together in Heaven. Many of us believed it just might feel like it did these past few days. Now we find ourselves heading home, going back to our "regular" lives. Some of us might have workplace challenges to return to, others stressful home situations. If we get caught up in those stresses that go with it, it may be hard to retain that glow that we all felt during Senior Trip.

The challenge is keeping that spirit with us as best we can. What can we do? We can remember to keep in touch with that person we exchanged contact information with to help lift us up in those trying moments. Maybe we can take a closer look at where we work or where we live and try to bring some of that spirit to those around us. Granted, sometimes that's way easier said than done. But what would happen if we tried?

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I want to thank Mark and Penny for linking this blog to Mark's website for the Senior Trip reports and those who kindly took time to stop and read my thoughts on Senior Trip.

I have now summarized the Senior Trip Asheville reports on this page.

For all you Mark fans, if you would indulge me a short shameless plug, I have an episode on a podcast I do called "Wendy V's Ponder Cast" --it's the episode "3MLs" where I talk about three of my favorite artists with the initials ML. Chances are you will know at least one of them. Here is the link if you are interested: http://www.cyberears.com/index.php/Show/audio/163

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Mark Lowry's Senior Trip Asheville - Day 3

Morning:

This morning we witnessed examples of the effectiveness of Mark's and the other artists' ministries both when they are in true worship form and having a good old time in the Lord. Mark and LordSong kicked it off with some songs from "Be the Miracle" like "Whatcha Need", where Mark shared personally how he dealt with his faith while awaiting word on his nephew when he was missing for 26 hours some years back. Woody Wright and Joy Gardner set a powerful musical stage with songs of God's grace. By the time Joy sang "He's Been Faithful", there was no doubt that God was in the house...we were all deep in the worship spirit.

All of the above set it up for the message by Christ Church's pastor Dan Scott. His message centered on the three wise men. Pastor Dan's focus was the wise men were who they were because they were able to see the full picture--the cross as well as the star. His touching story of his wife's illness and recovery, with a word of faith spoken by a hospital cleaning lady, was an inspiring message of hope. The word has long been out that Dan Scott's a great preacher. What I didn't know was that he's also a great singer. I bought his CD, Serve Somebody, during the break.

Then the fun began. Woody Wright hosted this trip's version of the Truly Wed Game. Now, if you can imagine Woody as host and Mark as the "color commentary" person, then you would not be shocked to hear that it was an absolute hoot. Michael and Kim Lord, Barbara Fairchild and husband Roy played with two audience couples who were married at least 50 years. Both of those couples got free tickets to the Branson shows.

Like I said earlier, some of the best stuff happens before the shows start. If you could see all the people hugging, taking pictures, exchanging addresses and contact info, you would soon see that this is much of the true magic of this event.



Evening:

I'm not sure I can come close to adequately describing this. But here goes.

The evening began with a few songs from Mark and LordSong, including, of course "Mary Did You Know." Which, of course, Mark sang incredibly. Next up were extended sets from the other two featured acts. The Lee Singers, of Lee University in Cleveland, TN, did a solid program of Christmas songs in varying styles, including a salute to the troops. They are personable young people, some stopped to chat with us. Not all are music majors--some, for example, are business majors who enjoy the choral experience. And by the way, they are their own roadies.

The Annie Moses Band, a family group, covered just about every genre at some point in their set, ranging from bluegrass to opera with many songs from their Christmas projects.

The last part was billed as a "singalong" with Mark, LordSong, Woody Wright, Joy Gardner, Austin's Bridge and Barbara Fairchild. It started out that way until, as Mark might put it, God came along and hijacked it. It then went from a bunch of friends sitting around taking turns singing songs to a worship that was even more powerful than the one this morning, if you can imagine that. Mark just opened up to God and drew us all into the experience.

That's the best I can do.You just had to be there.

It's this simple. If you have not experienced a Senior Trip, you absolutely must do so. This is not just a group of concerts. This is a soul experience. I mean, so many of us were in tears because it was just too difficult for us to leave after all the love and fellowship that came out of this.

Thank you, Mark, for answering the call God put on you to go into music ministry so we all could be blessed by you and the magnificent, beautiful gift of a voice God gave you (God's so smart, isn't He?).

See you in Branson...if not before.

Monday, December 11, 2006

Mark Lowry's Senior Trip Asheville - Day 2

Today we got a good look at the grounds of the Grove Park Inn. You can't beat the beautiful mountain setting while eating breakfast or just walking along the inside of the building and gazing out its many viewpoints. Most of us also spent time at the Biltmore Estate. The tour was very extensive. Some of the artistic detail you find in these rooms and the sense of history was just amazing.

Of the "God Is Crazy About You" shows that I've seen, tonight's show has to be in my top 5. Mark was just on it...starting from his accident, going down some rabbit trails that were hilarious (why women have babies so much for example --if he had morphine drip in the process, he'd "birth a nation") but also profound when he talked about trying to understand the accident he had at 19 where he broke 11 bones or sharing how he was led into music ministry (thank you, God!).

Personally, it was sort of my night musically. Mark gave me my Christmas wish and sang "The Christmas Song" and in between working in a story about not believing in Santa Claus ("that's when the presents dried up"). And, like I did last trip, I got to "dance" with Mark once again, this time during "Jingle Bell Rock". But there is a curse on me somewhere. Last time, no one was able to get a picture with me dancing with Mark, and this time it didn't work, either. Well, you'll have to take my word and the crowd's for it. (But if you took one and you have it, please send it to me!)

Other musical humorous highlights: Barbara Fairchild, the "Sr. Trip mascot" was back with us again, celebrating her wedding anniversary with a duet with her husband Roy. She also did her 70s hit "Teddy Bear" after sharing an hilarious story about once donning a reindeer costume to sing the song (since it's about wanting to be a teddy bear, getting a teddy bear costume and singing it wouldn't quite work). Woody Wright shared the story of how he and Mark wrote the song "What Were You Thinking?" which Mark sang on the Gaither Australian Homecoming video. The inspiration: a case of chiggers Woody and his dog dealt with!

Austin's Bridge came back to do a great acapella number. LordSong and Stan Whitmire, well, they always do what they do so well. They are a beloved part of the "ReMarkable family". But this particular night it was lots of Mark and lots of singing, including one of my favorites I haven't heard live, "I Don't Belong" -that was a great treat.

The "Geri-oke" at the end was really more of a "ReMarkable Idol". We heard from a great variety of talented singers and players among the audience.But I'm going to give a special shout-out to my friend Roxie Adrian who wowed the crowd with her piano rendition of "Jesus Is the Sweetest Name I Know." You know, there's nothing cooler than to be able to witness those kind of moments.

Though I am not a big fan of general admission events and it can be a little inconvenient to line up at the door hours ahead of time for the best seats, this is where a lot of the fellowship happens here and you meet a lot of great people. I found that it helps to wear a red hat, or have some sort of recognizable picture out there. :) In fact, someone borrowed my hat for this picture.




Stay tuned for day 3.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Mark Lowry's Senior Trip- Asheville Day 1

The journey to this first night concert didn't go in the smoothest way. We were re-routed an hour or so on our way to the Grove Park Inn due to a massive tractor-trailer accident. When I got to the hotel, they didn't have my ticket package for me. I am not the person to skip--not getting something when others got theirs freaks me out (it goes back to childhood). Then I could not get back into my room and there was a couple outside that claimed it was supposed to be their room.

But it all got resolved, and when the concert doors opened, none of that mattered.

Here's the greatest thing about Senior Trip. It's not just a concert or getting to hear the best male singer. It's a time of building friendships and camaraderie. I'm not the only one who noticed that after the Gaylord Senior Trip. Mark mentioned this from the stage as well and encouraged the bonding among us audience members (and yes, that happened from the get go). I can testify to Mark's hope that lasting and life-impacting friendships come about on this occasion, but I'll elaborate more on that at a later time...

On to the music:
Mark was incredible on "Let There Be Peace on Earth". One of the most consistent musical acts around, LordSong, were also in great form. Stan Whitmire was on the injured list this time, sporting a broken foot having hit a sinkhole on the beach, but it didn't hurt his playing any.

We heard from a talented new act, Austin's Bridge. Barbara Fairchild was back with us again and told us a funny story about getting in the wrong car after pumping gas--with a passenger who appeared to hardly notice.

So why were people laughing during the Mike Bowling Group's set? When they performed the title song from their CD "Graceland", "Elvis" entered the building. That would be Mark, in Elvis specs and sneer.

The angel has made a triumphant return. Janet Paschal gave a wonderful performance and testimony, and is as ever beautiful inside and out (though Mark felt her stilletto heels were "not saved").

Brian Free and Assurance rocked the house in their extended set, with a rousing finale singing the praises of King Jesus.

(By the way...I did not read Mark's Ramblings on the concert before I wrote this. He must have been writing his the same time I was. Great minds think alike!) :)

Friday, December 08, 2006

Nashville Day 1: Comin' To Your City

Ordinarily, sitting at the gate for my flight and wondering where the heck the plane or the gate attendant is a short time before the flight was scheduled is stressful for me. But today, there was a little pleasant distraction. I saw a tall fellow in a black hat sit in the row behind me at the gate and I thought "hmm, he looks a lot like Cowboy Troy." Not 10 minutes after that who arrives but one of country music's most successful songwriters today: John Rich, half of Big and Rich. So that answered the Cowboy Troy question. He was the real deal. Minutes later, the other half, Big Kenny, sits a couple of rows back working his laptop.

This was, after all, a flight to Nashville. I guess you do have a shot of seeing famous folks.

Now my sister will probably think I am completely insane when I tell you that, even though these guys are among my big favorites in country music these days, no, I did not approach them or ask for an autograph at the gate. I've been around musicians so long that I know that this was a time when they need their space to work their phone calls, computers or whatever. Besides, no one else was doing it. I just thought it was pretty cool that they were on the same flight. I do hope it did not mean that I missed them at some gig in MN--hopefully they were here just connecting through. When my friend picked me up, I did see Cowboy Troy again as we were walking to baggage--so I did quickly say "hey I love your music", and he said thank you.

Tonight's event was, of course, the Gaither Homecoming concert in Nashville. It was a terrific show. I won't give a detailed song by song rundown but just give you some of my personal highlights.
-Because I worked tables at the last couple of Homecoming shows I missed the "Lean On Me" opener, so it was really nice to see this time with the artists walking among the crowd. Our gang managed to get Mark's attention so he came over when he spotted us.
-Lynda Randle blew the roof off the place with her version of "Eye Is On the Sparrow", as did Sonya and the Isaacs on "It Is Well". They were in the spirit on those.
-I really liked Russ Taff's version of "What A Wonderful World."
-Showing again what super fine singers they are (as well as two of the nicest people EVER), Reggie and Ladye Love Smith were terrific in a Christmas medley.
- Ivan Parker, Ben Speer and Jeff and Sheri did their songs from the latest Christmas videos.
-Both the Vocal Band and Signature Sound were on their game last night. They picked a winner when they picked Wes Hampton. He did an excellent job with "O Holy Night".
- Bill seemed to be doing well, and it was very nice to see Gloria and Kevin Williams.
- Actually there was relatively little interaction between Mark and Bill compared to in the past, but he got his zingers in there (Rory Rigdon did most of the usual humor, complete with priceless expression). But Mark was in good spirits and did "Whatcha Need", the Piper story, I Call Him Lord with Charlotte Ritchie and Becky Bowmann, and of course the Mary raising Jesus story leading up to "Mary Did You Know." Which leads me to a slight objection. Bill and the Vocal Band do their thing at the end of "I'll Tell It Whereever I Go" and Bill says "eat your heart out Mark Lowry". Sorry Bill. I don't think Mark has to eat his heart out for anything. He is still the greatest male singer I've ever heard and he proves it by me with every rendition of "Mary".
- Gordon Mote was terrific and I spotted him and his wife Kimberly on the way out. I got to tell Kimberly that she needs to record an album. She is as strong a vocalist as any I've heard of in my opinion and I believe if she releases a project she could be very major in the business. Gordon hearily agreed.

So a long but lovely day for me. Another day in Nashville for me Saturday then it's on to Asheville and Mark Lowry's Senior Trip on Sunday.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Quit Yer Whining...

Believe it or not, here in Minnesota we have folks who are whining because this big snowstorm of the past week missed us. Yes, we do have some dry conditions here, but I would prefer wet precip. Everyone else wants snow (until, of course, they try driving in it). I do not want any until I am back from traveling. Then, it can snow all it wants. My car is off the road for the most part this winter and I may have one more trip which will not be dependent on any event and can be flexible.

Oh, I mentioned I will be blogging from Mark's Senior Trip next week. If I have time and bring my microphone,I may even do a quick pondercast from Asheville, too. We'll see.