In Jayhawk Country

Thank you to everyone for their happy birthday greetings. It was a good one. Tonight, I'm in McPherson, KS. We sang at the Bethel Mennonite Church in Inman, KS earlier in the evening. Packed house. Unfortunately, I have developed a full-blown case of laryngitis. I have never experienced vocal problems like this. Ever. I struggled mightily this evening. The cool thing is that in spite of my inabilities to hit the notes, 2 people gave their hearts to Christ. God is good.

If you think about it, please pray that God helps me. I'm serious about this. I've never had a cold so severe and debilitating. We have 3 more concerts before we head back to Boise. I'm praying for a miracle.

It's Official: I am no longer a 20-something

The big 3-0. Thirty. I'm here. It's great to be here. I thought that by 2006 we would have our own personal rocketships, cruising around the galaxy. Nope, instead I'm on a grey bus somewhere in Nebraska. But, hey, life is good.

I'm 30, bald, and enjoying life. I wondered if it would be kind of depressing turning 30. It's not really that bad. You know, maybe I'm graduating to a new plateau of maturity. I'm feeling a strong urge to put on a black tie. I don't know...

We were in a Freemont, NE tonight. We got on the bus last night around 7:30 and drove straight through. That was a long trip! Fortunately, I'm getting used to sleeping on the bus. I even drove about 6 hours on this trip.

Lori surprised me by sending a balloon bouquet to the church. The pastor brought it up to me in the middle of the concert. Many middle-aged women wished me well back at the product table.

I have been fighting an awful cold. I hate these pre-summer colds! It started out as an extremely sore throat Monday morning and has expanded into a head cold. I was very concerned about this evening's concert, but many people were praying for me and God came through. Keep me in your prayers this weekend.

Tonight, 3 people gave their hearts to Christ. You can't beat ministry!

I'll have to write later about the Brian Free and Assurance concert at Grace. Man, those guys are great!

I'll touch base later on. 30 and holding, for now.

Kids

The other night we had Taylor and Courtney over to play with Trey and Kassady. They had a blast!

The kids loved playing in the sand. Taylor wasn't real sure about having Kassady in his personal space in the top picture.

Bam-Bam is at it again. Kassady has so much more energy than I do. She is beginning to talk and jabbers incessantly. Her vocabulary is expanding and includes some weird words that I wouldn't think would be first to be pronounced. She could say egg before she said "da-da". Go figure.

TNT

Nampa's explosive cowboys ride again. Trey and Tyler love to play Cowboys and Indians when they get together. I feel sorry for the horse, myself.

The Thursday Update

Well, it's back to prison for me. You knew that sooner or later this would happen. Actually, Liberty is privileged to sing at the Idaho state prison this evening. It will be a different type of concert, but I'm looking forward to it.

We've been practicing like fiends this week trying to get ready to tomorrow's studio session. Hopefully, we will walk away tomorrow having recorded the vocals for 3 tracks: "Jericho Road", "I Found it on My Knees", and "Hold to God's Unchanging Hand". My voice feels shot due to allergies, but I'll see if I can muster up enough ummph for 3 songs.

I'm also in the midst of working on AYC stuff (that's Appalachian Youth Camp). Unfortunately, I can't be there this year due to a schedule conflict, but I still have to get the communications department up and running. Man, I hate to miss it. We were hoping to do a live DVD/CD with the choir and AYC praise team this summer, but I guess we're putting it off until next year. Tony Mac will be directing the choir in my absence, which means I'm probably out of a job. You know how that goes: ya' miss one year and you're back to rookie status.

I'll try to have some pics up tomorrow of the recording session. We'll see how disciplined I am.

Reds 9 Nationals 6

Oh yeah, and by the way, the Cincinnati Reds beat the Nationals tonight to hold on to a precarious 1/2 game lead over St. Louis in their division. Whew...

Finally...

Finally, I am able to post pictures on here. I hope they are worth the wait. All of the pictures from last weekend were taken by a great friend of Liberty, Lem Miller. You will readily ascertain his knack for capturing us at our best.

These pictures were taken at our Saturday night concert in Twin Falls, ID at the Magic Valley Gospel Opry and our Sunday night concert at the First Church of the Nazarene in Twin Falls, ID.

We're going into the studio on Friday to work on the vocals for our new recording coming out in June. I'll try to get some insightful Kodak moments, if you know what I'm saying. It's all good.

Royce can't help but beam at Doran's beautiful baritone licks inserted into "Jericho Road". He looks on with proud admiration. Doran, of course, is oblivious.

Confident in his ability

Our veiled looks of apprehension no doubt encourage Doran as he plays his new jazzy arrangement of "Jesus Is Coming Soon". Sure, Doran. We believe you can do it.

Rated R for disturbing images

OK, this pose will cause nightmares. Parachuting midget clowns weilding spider egg-filled needles can't compare with this picture (I just mentioned several of my phobias).

I try to grunt out a low note on this number. I don't know why we are all leaning in like that. We're a little unbalanced, if you know what I mean.*

*self-deprecating humor (I've always wanted to type self-deprecating. It felt good.)

You know, I'm really the wrong guy to be giving the sales pitch at our concerts. I think of so many witty things to say (as reflected so clearly on Doran's countenance) and take forever. However, it does beat the alternative (see exhibit A, Doran's hat advertisement at the anniversary concert).

I get wound up every once in a while. Royce looks on in amazement.

I'm thinking that it's a sad commentary on our concerts when our most-requested song is our bluegrass take on "The Gospel Plow". It's commonly referred to as the "teeth song".

During our rendition of the classic bass solo "Happy Rhythm", Dan attempts to show Doran and I how to dance. Dan comes from the Assemblies of God church; they are born with the dance gene. I can tell you right now that Doran and I were never cut out to cut the rug. My face pretty much gives away my impression of his advice.

Charlie

Royce does a pretty mean Charlie Chaplin impersonation.

I'm Red-faced and embarrassed

You know, just when I get to thinking that the Cincinnati Reds might be legit, they go and get spanked by the Washington Nationals. Yes, the Nationals (MLB's only big-league minor league team)! Pathetic. Oh well, this first place stint has been nice. We haven't had this for a while.

I hate getting a page that looks like this; so much for my pictures

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