What a joy and honor to get to participate in Praisefest again this year!
Last weekend, I got slammed with a respiratory infection. Scott had battled it and was feeling better Sunday morning just in time to lead worship for his first time ever! I woke up with very little voice. But God is so good and we were able to pull off the worship without Dave. It wasn’t vocally stellar but as God continues to teach us, that isn’t what matters! It was testimony Sunday and we felt an intimacy with the congregation as they were all pulling for us. They sang really loud! And Scott shared his testimony of what a miracle it is for him to be up there singing! For both of us!
Sunday after singing, like a nut, we went to Arkansas to see Dave’s Midwest Meets Manhattan concert. I was sooooo sick! I slept most of the way there in the way back of Fred’s van, rested in the hotel, went to the concert and for food, slept over in the hotel and then rested all the way back. It was a long week trying to get well and see clients but by Thursday, I cancelled everything and went to the doctor. He put me on antibiotics and prednisone so I could get well to sing!
Alll week as I was sick, I trusted God to make my voice better. I had very little voice and coughed pretty much every time I took a breath. God is so much bigger than any small issue like a voice. He is healer and He knows my heart.
I slept Thursday and Friday then we got up and dumbly decided to go to the Billy Joel concert at Royals Stadium that we had bought tickets for. I slept while Scott drove. We hit a huge traffic jam and then had to park and walk from the boonies. We were 45 minutes late into the concert. When we got to our seats, we couldn’t see anything! If I sat down, which I needed to do, I couldn’t even see the big screens! I think I saw Billy Joel’s tiny bald head once. We listened for about half an hour and I kept falling asleep. Everyone was drunkly loudly conversing around us so we couldn’t even hear the music. Scott said, let’s take you home. I rest all the way home and then all the way til getting ready on Saturday.
Every year I make Praisefest so much bigger in my mind that it is. The band works hard and I had missed vocal practice on Thursday. But I just had peace. Mom and Scott had a few little freak out moments on the way walking in. But I just knew.
The crowd size was better than last year but a tiny part of me was disappointed that most of the people I had invited didn’t come. Oh well.
What a beautiful day for Praising God in the park! I will try to describe what it is like to stand on the stage with your great friends and worship God openly in a public park. First of all, my sweet Homestead girls walked right up and put out their sheet to sit right in front of us. They love God so much and their worship is so inspiring to me. I just grabbed that mic and let it all go. Dave and I smiled at each other on and off throughout. I’d look over and see Scott, eyes closed, singing his heart out. The Holy Spirit just flowed. My voice was really straining and it didn’t matter at all! I was just singing to Him! When we sang the line “like a rushing wind, Jesus breathe again…” the wind picked up and blew straight into our faces. It was an amazing feeling.
After singing, Mom and I joined the Homestead girls on their sheet now in the shade. Veronica joined us and brought her jewelry which we bought tons of and left blinged out.
Scott and I took a nap then headed back to see the giant, impressive crowd and hear the big acts. We sat on the hill on a blanket and it was so fun.
I cannot wait for Praisefest next year. Thank you, Father, for this privilege!
dianegclark 