Downhere and Rush of Fools!

I won tickets..again! From KLove radio station. Here in Chicago it's 94.3FM. This time it was for Downhere and Rush of Fools.

 

I was excited about Downhere, because a friend of ours from church moved away, and he now drives the bus on some occasions for the band, Downhere. I started listening to some more of their music, and really liked it! I also heard songs like "Here I Am" and "How Many Kings". 

Rush of Fools I had only heard on the radio, but we loved hearing them as well. A song you may have heard would be "Undo". It was the only one I knew, but a lot of fun to hear their other songs. 

This time, it was my youngest turn to go to a concert with me. She had a blast and even found a little friend to giggle and plug her ears with. They told me "it sounds normal when you do this!" 

After listening to them, hearing their hearts, and being ministered to by their music, we got to meet them! They patiently signed autographs and talked with people. Even more patiently signed for my daughter as she went through the line again after buying a t-shirt. :)

They also showed a slideshow of their recent trip to the Dominican Republic and passed out some photos of children that needed sponsoring through World Vision. A fun story about my mom, she has sponsored a child from there for many many years. He was just a small child when she grabbed his name. He just graduated from medical school this year! He is on his way back to the Dominican Republic to work. Love it!

We had a great night, I enjoyed watching the smile on my daughter's face while she got her shirt signed, and sprinted through the church to catch up to "the one I missed". Yep.. she got it. More importantly, I want our kids to experience music that glorifies the Lord. She is just as thrilled going to a Christian concert, as she would be any others. I appreciate these groups sacrificing family time and play to minister to our hearts, and giving our kids someone to look up to that can share God's love and truth with them.

I also got to talk with the area promotions manager, Jennifer, from KLove. I explained how guilty I felt being a winner.. again. But she said, it's pulled at random, and I must be on a lucky streak! Yay! I enjoyed her stories of traveling with some bands, telling about the hard work it is and having to "wait" (if you know what I mean) until the next stop to go... that was hours and hours away.  While we talked about how awesome it was to hear the bands speak, and to clearly see where their hearts were, she told me about the Rush of Fools recent bus breakdown. How people came to their rescue, but at first hit a few "bumps in the road" as far as travel arrangements. This band didn't waver, stayed steadfast, and kept on going when it looked pretty bleak. Their faces radiate their faith, their voices sing God's promises, and our hearts were blessed as a result. 

Blurry picture with some of Downhere

another blurry one with some of Rush of Fools

I did try to take a good photo of the bands, but I realized afterwards, I had it set my camera to manual focus (ugh!), and it didn't do so well when I tried to focus in a hurry as people were in line. Story of my life! hah I really think I need glasses. No, honestly. I will schedule an appt. this month! Stay tuned.. ;)

More Artists Announced for Girls Get Away Cruise!

In addition to Lysa TerKeurst, the following amazing ladies were just confirmed. I'm excited to announce:
Chonda Pierce, Shari Braendal, Angela Thomas, and JJ Heller as being special guests sharing with us on the Girls Get Away Cruise! 

See my previous introduction to Lysa and some links to her website here.

Let me start with Chonda Pierce. She is one funny lady! She is a Christian comedian, and is from Tennessee. She has won numerous awards, has several DVD's, and you can see some clips here on her website. I am excited to see her in person. Looks like we're in for a such a good time! I'm extra excited to exercise my stomach muscles when I see her. I fully believe this will count as my work out for the day.   

I'll share a little about Shari Braendal. She sounds like one to see! She is a fashion coach, Christian speaker, and author. She works hard to teach women and girls of all ages to appreciate their beauty as God sees them!  Check out her latest book called, "Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad." I would love to see how she can teach me to dress up my jeans more! Jeans are my favorite, I just usually rock the boots during the winter, then the sandals (flip flops) any time I can get away with it! Isn't it funny how before we had kids, we'd spend every last cent on our wardrobe, now I'm just happy to find something clean to wear..even if it means sweatshirt and jeans! I run off to the store, or take kids to and from,  and am completely happy.

Angela Thomas will be another one speaking. She is currently working with Matthew West on a new book project.. She has written several books including her newest, "do you know who i am?" Questions women ask that are real! I will definitely be reading this one! Another thing that excited me about finding her, was her teen magazine called, Wild About You. As the mother of a teen girl, with another one not far behind her, we need all the resources we can get, don't we?

Finally, we have JJ Heller. JJ's album "When I'm With You," and current single "What Love Really Means" reached new levels this week on multiple Billboard Magazine charts. "What Love Really Means" reached #14 after 22 weeks on the Christian Songs Chart.  I love this song! If you haven't heard it, look it up! Or grab her CD. 

Her story really hit me when she told about how she started really being serious about her singing. We have a similar situation where our talented one (in the singing department) sometimes tries her hardest to be amazing at everything, but where she is really amazing, is her singing abilities. When I heard JJ's story, I heard it on KLove radio. I stopped short, turned it up and listened to every word. I just wanted to hug her as it was just what I needed to share with my daughter. God has blessed some people with an amazing gift, and I'm so happy that JJ has a great story of encouragement to tell! What is her story? Find out, here!

Do you have a story about any of these artists that you could share? I'd love to hear what you have to say about your experience listening to songs, or attending a conference where one of them spoke. Have any of them spoke to your hearts in any way? Do tell!

Again, if you want to book this cruise, click on the link below, and save $100.00 just by booking under my name!

Who is Lysa Terkeurst?

Some people have been asking me about her since she's going to be speaking on our Girls Get Away Cruise, so I thought I'd do a little introduction to Lysa TerKeurst. By the way, are you going too? Click on the button under my banner or at the end of this post to save $100 by booking under Group KARA! 

I first heard her subbing in for KLove Radio's morning show. She was talking about her blog post being featured on CNN and the firestorm that ensued as a result. There were many comments for and against her convictions. She talked about her faith, and how many people have now heard her story and what she believes, that may never have heard from anywhere else. You can read it all here from her blog titled When the fat girl got mad at God.


I also heard the tail end of her story about how and why she adopted two children from Liberia, Africa. I couldn't stop listening as I drove up to my house, how these adoptions led to over 45 boys in that orphanage being adopted to families in her church and community. It just takes a leader, doesn't it?

Lysa’s amazing story led to appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, The 700 Club, USA Today newspaper, Woman's Day magazine, and Focus on the Family radio! Her story on Oprah can be read here called Love Knows No Color.

Lysa is also the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries. I was a fan of her page on facebook before I even knew who she was.  
Proverbs 31 encourages nearly 400,000 women through their daily online devotional. In addition, she co-hosts a 1-minute inspirational radio program aired on more than 1,200 stations around the world. Lysa’s blog averages over 70,000 avid readers per month. Plus, she touches hearts through their monthly magazine, P31 Woman.

Something else about Lysa that I love, is that we both have an Ashley and a Brooke! :) I said, "No way!" when I read it. How cool is that? This is her Ashley and Brooke (and family) on the left, and this is my Ashley and Brooke (and family).

Lysa's book, Made to Crave, is number 9 on the New York Times Bestseller List for paperback advice books! She has also written 14 other books. I am going to pick one up this week! Probably Made to Crave, that's what I need most help with I think! Because, wow.. I love sweets and treats, coffee with cream and sugar, and other fattening things that my mother taught me how to cook. This was directly passed down from my paternal grandmother as she taught her how to "cook southern!" Gotta love that Alabama cooking! Even though I'm from the Pacific Northwest, I have roots as a "southern belle!" Ask my husband about these arguments we've had over this. :)

I am excited to hear her speak on the cruise! Anything that I can hold onto to help me get through the day in a positive way... is my kinda speaker!  


Don't be left behind! Book your cabin now while they are still available and save $100.00 when you use this button (link). Book under Group KARA if asked the affiliate if they double check, and be sure to use this button! 

Hungry For Love tour!

I checked my email the other day, and found a Congratulations from KLove Radio. I opened it and was shocked to find out I had won 2 VIP Gold Tickets to see Sanctus Real! Remember? I had blogged about them a while back! This was great, the family we had been praying for, I was going to meet! The tour was called Hungry For Love also with the groups, The Afters and  Leeland.
My husband and I got a date night. Much appreciated, KLove! We had a great night of worship with all 3 of the bands. They were full of stories and experiences with countries and children needing help. And, what a little bit of our money does for one kid! Needless to say, we walked away with 2 sponsor kids from Bangladesh! Our kids were thrilled when we came home (at midnight). They posted them up on the fridge immediately. They were bouncing ideas off of each other about how they would write them, and maybe one day we could meet them. That may be another blog.. another day, but hmm... maybe we could meet them...

Sactus Real! Great photo - only, the person taking the picture cut off the lead singer, Matt Hammitt! :(

Sanctus Real! Okay, in all fairness.. I wasn't ready! I'm pretty sure the guy in the plaid (Pete Prevost) wasn't either. ;) There he is! Lead singer, Matt Hammitt, on far right.

Left: The Afters, Middle: Leeland, Right: Sanctus Real

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3Q-R4esGf4 Light up the Sky
Lead singer, Josh Havens, The Afters. He shared a miraculous story of their car accident with 3 kids in the back. Someone pulled out in front of their family and they wound up hitting him at 60 mph. The impact made them roll over. As they were upside down, thinking it was all over, he heard his wife talking, and each child start crying. He said it was as beautiful as the day they were born to hear they were all ok.The officer said this was the worst wreck he had ever seen with no fatalities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ajIFfSaEzE Follow You
Leeland is the lead singer of Leeland. :) He and his brother started the band. He looks like Shaun White! This band has a beautiful heart for the Lord that shines through as the night goes on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZg-HrclQPY Lead Me, Sanctus Real - not the best picture, but at least I got one.

Fireproof

I would have to say this movie really touched me. The kids were watching it and laughing in the backseat of my van as I was driving them all around God's green earth last night. It reminded me to post this to my blog. It has a great message of hope and reconciliation. It is a family friendly movie, although it still addresses some questionable issues. If you haven't seen this yet, watch it and tell me what you think!

After my son saw this at age 11, he looked up with his face beat red and said, "I will NEVER treat my wife like that!"  I'd say the movie touches every age out there in a positive way.

There is also a way to apply this to your life with the 40 day Love Dare book. I did this "dare" through KLove's challenge they had on the air every day with Lisa and Eric's morning show.  I couldn't believe how each and every day my husband and I were faced with almost every obstacle they were talking about. I am so thankful I was smack in the middle of this and didn't want to give up. Today I think we are stronger because of this challenge. I dare you to take it!