Concert / "Event"

Two nights ago, Rachel and I had the privilege of attending one of David
Crowder Band's last concerts ever (as they are disbanding). Honestly just the fact that we were able to go was pretty amazing to start with, and someday I may tell that story as well.

Three artists opened up for DCB including John Mark McMillan (songwriter for current contemporary church standard "How He Loves"), Chris August (think "7 Times 70" or "Starry Night"), and Gungor ("Beautiful Things" was Grammy nominated).

McMillan presented a very raw style that was a little un- comfortable at first - mostly because

I had no clue what to expect. Also, his vocals were very difficult to understand. Still, his band definitely kept things very lively with some awesome riffs and mad skills on all parts. I look forward to getting to know more of his music.

Chris August provided not only a pleasant break from the bigger band by leading us in worship with himself, a guitar, and one light, but he also provided the comic relief for the evening. He actually performed solo twice - each time before and after Gungor. His music was definitely worshipful though it sparked of some of the more popular solo artists of my days. I couldn't help

but think of Michael W. Smith or Chris Tomlin as he played! Still, he was a lot of fun and his songs were very well received (probably because of the air time the stations provided as well as their proliferation among contemporary churches).

Gungor was the surprise of the evening for me. More and more I am trying to expand my musical interests beyond Third Day (though the boys still rank #1 in my book). I've grown to enjoy Bebo Norman, Andrew Petersen, Casting Crowns, Jeremy Camp, and this summer - David Crowder Band. Yes, I know that I may have picked up on those folks awfully late in the game, but still - I'm here and thankful. I might have jumped on the Gungor bandwagon just in the nick of time... This "collective," as they call themselves, is comprised of a wife/husband duo and several other instrumentalists/vocalists who did not appear. Instead, they had a cellist/beatboxer named Kevin Olusola (KO). Besides being out-of-this world talented, the lyrics penetrated the soul and reminded us of our weary and weak state and the fact the only Jesus Christ has to capacity to restore us and make us worthy of sharing God's company. I encourage you to look them up.

Now this was my first (and more than likely last) DCB concert, and like I mentioned, they are disbanding - for some admirable reasons - and I will not have another opportunity before their last show in Atlanta. Being the last chance I would have to see them live, I was very thankful that we had an opportunity after the event to shake their hands and thank them personally for their ministry and for sharing their talents. For that was exactly what we witnessed over the course of the evening - ministry coupled with talent. It was so refreshing and exciting. It made me want to get out my guitar and sing out (which is what I did tonight with the kids - that was even more refreshing and exciting!) God used DCB music to sustain me during my recent Afghan tour and I was blessed to share a couple of their songs with the chapel service I was leading, so I am thankful that I had that opportunity to see them.

David's Telling of the Trip

Our recent tour of America's heartland is over and we racked up some serious miles and lasting memories. I am continually in awe of the great land that we inhabit and of the Americans who keep it great. Some facts from the trip:

States traveled through: Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana.

Friends/Family visited in: Sedalia, MO; Rapid City, SD; Albuequerque, NM; Clovis, NM; and Bossier City, LA.

Interesting detours: Bellevue Bridge over the Missouri River in Nebraska (my Grandfather's A/E firm designed/built that bridge over sixty years ago); Minuteman Missile National Historic Site (my AF Squadron forged the path to turn these facilities over to the National Park Service during my time at Ellsworth in the early 2000s); New Orleans, LA (we followed a driving tour of the significant Katrina event locations - a very sobering glimpse of a very devastating time)

The route we took was 4,000 miles even (by Google standards) and we actually covered a little over 4,700.



Seen throughout New Mexico and Texas, these wind generators dominated many of the horizons during several long drives.



The South Dakota Air and Space Museum at Ellsworth AFB replaced a previously displayed 1/3rd scale B-2 Stealth Bomber model with this full-scale B-1B Bomber, retired when the B-1B consolidation took place.

One of our huge tasks as the cabin was to replace a set of two 12-foot blinds with canvas coverings - the job was a huge one and Rachel was well up to the task to make it happen; we even lugged her sewing machine all the way from Florida specifically for this.

Crazy Horse Memorial, a monument to all Native American tribes still in the making after over fifty years, is an awe-inspiring carving of an entire mountain. The picture doesn't do complete justice to this massive project but to give you an idea of the size - imagine a four-story building fitting inside the hole in the mountain, because it could if they tried it.

The mountains of Southern Wyoming loom high at the end of a long two-lane highway that took us through the quaint town of Lusk.



No, it's not Las Vegas - this is the Memphis Pyramid Arena, aptly designed as a reminder of the town's Egyptian namesake.

Andrew and Hannah rake up leaves at their Great-Grandmother's house in Sedalia, MO.

The massive door, adorned with the art from previous crews, would seal off the missileers during the Cold War alert days at this Launch Control Facility for the Minuteman II Intercontinental Ballistic Missile outisde Rapid City, SD.

I loved the contrast from this picture take on the interior loop of Bandlands National Monument.

Distance signs from Wall Drug have adorned wooden signposts all over the world and here the kids are, riding a Jackelope at the infamous watering hole on I-90.

I took several pictures in the Badlands, but none were as seemingly "set up" as this one - the Bighorn Sheep is framed perfectly by the Badlands and the horizon - all I had to do was take the picture.

The Shrine of Democracy (known as Mount Rushmore) is one of my favorite attractions in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I've been visiting my whole life and it's a wonderful thing to share now with my own children.

Of course, nothing worth sharing is worth sharing without my favorite travel companion of all-time - Rachel. She has put up with my "detours" and crazy mileage days beyond my understanding.

Interestingly enough, it's not over yet - though we are back in Florida, we will leave in one week again to drive to San Antonio where we'll spend a month while I'm on temporary duty at Randolph. The fun never stops!