In Case You Missed It!

Hey Everyone, due to some blogspot issues we had to create a new blog right after the first post. As a result the first post is not on this blogspot. So, this is the post from March 17, soon after the CD released. ...in case you missed it.
-Daniel






The CD release concert was exciting! We had a ton of friends and family come out. We kicked it off with a worship set- featuring some of our congregational tunes from the record. Then we had an acoustic set where Richard Davis and Alison McKelvey joined us on strings. Ron and Chad came out and prayed for us. I got to share for the first time about World Vision and how we have recently partnered with them. Then we closed with "Love Like Rain" and "Blessed is the One". Here are some pics from the event. The black and white photo is backstage with our pastors, musicians, and production people- what a great team!

Mom and Fredericktown

Tonight was special, mom was there. We were in Fredericktown, MO and had some friends up from the area as well. I was born only an hour away in Cape Girardeau and lived there till I was four. The only people I remember are those my parents have stayed in touch with over the years. After the show, those that came were standing together with the band and I was able to get a picture real quick.

Many of you have been praying for my mom, well the most recent report (yesterday) was that the tumors have shrunk just a bit more. They have shrunk 96% total from their original size! The treatment has been tough on Mom and they are giving her a break from treatments for a couple of weeks. Please continue to pray for her.

There's a song we do each night called "Blessed is the One." It is track 5 on the record and our favorite tune as a band. The bridge of the song says "I will trust You in the pain, when I can't see past today. When it's hard to life my hands to praise You, I will trust You." Dad has quoted that line in Mom's caringbridge blog. It is a prayer they have to pray too often these days. It was tough to sing it tonight, with them being there and all. I am inspired by my parent's faith as they weather this storm.

The Psalms

Sometimes my soul is thirsty. When I'm dry I go straight to the Psalms. Psalm 32 is one of my favorite. A transformation of David occurs within the psalm. Go check it out and notice the progression of a confessed sinner. If you've been at one of the worship events I lead, sometimes I will open the night reading Psalm 32:1-2. I read it over and over until the people listen and truly respond. We are blessed, our sins our covered, we have reason to celebrate!

What are some Psalms or scripture that quench your thirst? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

The Beach

We got a chance to hit the beach one afternoon. We usually arrive at venues in the mornings. The band goes and gets ready for the evening. On rare occasions we get enough free time coupled with a local attraction to have a fun afternoon. On this day you see- we found the beach for a couple hours- thanks to some great new friends in Shallotte, NC! You might be wondering who the fourth guy in the photo with the band is...well, it's our friend David Browning. He is the music director for the tour. Bryan couldn't make it to the beach that day.

Friends and Family

One of the coolest things about being out here on the road is meeting people. I've gotten to see some old friends and meet a lot of new people. One of my best buds from high school, Ben is a student pastor in Valparaiso, IN. He brought his pastor and friends out to the show in Mt. Vernon, IL. It was so cool to meet all of them- we went out afterwards. Here's a pic with all of them.
If seeing my buddy from High School was not enough of a blast from the past, the Reubels made their way to the Mt. Vernon concert as well. Susan kept me in the nursery when I was an infant at FBC Cape Girardeau, MO. She is here with Larry, my Dad, and I.

My brother, Dad, and a couple of buddies from U.C. were at the Mt Vernon show too! My Mom, although unable to make it to the concert, made my Dad come out anyway since it was close to home. She'll hopefully be out to one soon when we're close by again. I got a picture of Chuck and Dad with Michael English.


Mt. Vernon was a special night for me- it was so cool to see so many friends and family!

Tour pics

Today is an off day. We are hanging out in Charlotte, NC. It's been a relaxing day just hanging out. We are staying in some suites that have a kitchen, so we enlisted Joe to cook. He's our resident cook- a very good one. I love watching Joe get tunnel vision when we starts to cook. Apart from playing drums I've never seen him so focused for so long... : ) We walked to Harris Teeter and got all the groceries we needed and he is now fixing our dinner. I think our whole bus will be dining together, 12 of us.

I took some pics before a recent concert...

Good morning! It's Cold in Florida.

Good morning! I wish I was on the roof of the bus. It's cold. Real cold. And we're in Florida. So, I'm up because I can't sleep. So here's what I'm doing. And, I just wanted you to see this hot mirror. This flugelhorned mirror really makes me feel like a musician!

I saw a great movie the other day, twice actually. I did not realize "Dan in Real Life" was a chic flick, so I popped it in on the ride home. Some of the other guys and I watched it. I got done with it and said, "Well I guess I'm gonna have to watch that with Emily, but I don't mind it was good." Well, we get home and she wants to rent a movie. I could feel it coming before she said it...you're right...she wanted to see "Dan in Real Life." So I decided not to tell her I'd seen it just to be a nice husband for a day. We went and got it and watched it the next day or so. It was good...again. We both really like the movie. It is well acted and not as forgettable as most movies like it. Steve Carell just cracks me up.

Well I'm gonna go buy some gloves, a ski mask, a scarf, electric socks, electric blanket and hope I can sleep tonight.

The Tour: Week 3 Begins

Back on it. We're driving through Atlanta right now. Joe and I spent some time writing as we barreled down I-75. I think it's time for bed. We are heading to Florida. I'm having a great time on this tour. I wasn't sure if I would or not. I tend to prefer my comforts, but I can roll with the punches pretty well, too. I've had the chance to meet some awesome people and hear some amazing stories these past two weeks. I look forward to these final five.

I've got some really sweet news about my Mom. A week ago Sunday she played piano at church for the first time in several months. She has been going through Chemo treatments ever since she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. The chemo has been very effective, and playing at church was a special blessing for her and my Dad. I imagine it's been decades since she has missed church or playing at church that many weeks in a row. I just had to tell you, it was so sweet to hear that.

On a lighter note. I'm typing this blog on my recently repaired macbook pro. My keyboard and trackpad went out. I was lost for a week or so. I managed okay, I 0nly missed a couple things, which is not bad for me. : ) I have enjoyed my mac ever since I got it and I was quite impressed with the timely and easy repair. I hope to keep everyone updated more often now.