his first show

me and chase at the show.


my lovely sisters

so last week, i took chase to his first "real" concert at merriweather post pavilion to see hillsong united. my fam went as well and we had great seats with perfect weather. chase was not digging the volume the first 3 songs-he was kicking and screaming. i was sweating, stressed out-what to do? be a good mom and take him out somewhere further so it's not so loud? tell him to suck it up and try to enjoy myself? we were in the middle of our row, and i hated to disturb people in the middle of their worship time! but he had to go to the bathroom, so i took him.

we came back, and he got upset all over again. i was frustrated. i didn't want to be selfish, but i was really looking forward to having some worship time and i honestly thought he was going to love it. well, my dad had chase sit on his lap. now my dad has this super-calming effect to him. he has helped me all throughout my life to calm down when i have needed it most. he's amazing! i look over and there is chase just resting on my dad, feeling safe and secure. chase eventually was getting into the show, clapping and singing. it was wonderful for everyone involved i think :)

about the show itself....wow. God has His anointing on that group by far. i was trying to perk up after chase's tantrums, even though i noticed brooke fraser wasn't there and that we also were not going to be able to meet them. i was there to meet with God, and we so did. as a worship leader, it's not very often you can be ministered to without finding something to critique in the worship. i don't care who you are, if you lead worship, you know what i am talking about. you also love to just observe how everything is done and you just don't get the chance to really worship yourself.

fortunately, every single person around me and in that place was on full throttle towards the throne, fully seeking the Lord that night. i have never been in such an environment-i was surrounded by every race, age range, style, and personality...nobody was sitting-every hand was raised-every voice crying out-i can't even document the passion. it was beautiful. and i wanted to go for the ride. they did a great job at remixing some of their songs, introducing a couple new ones off the album, and really just allowing the Spirit to lead many of the songs. i personally am a total fan of when worship goes "off script" and is truly Spirit-led. that's when i hear Him most.

there was one point (and i can't even remember what song it was)where they just were having open worship. i just wanted to really seek God and just completely rid myself of myself. crying is usually the first indicator of the Spirit just on me...so that was to be expected. but to feel free in those tears, to be filled with Him through those tears, i can't explain it. solid sobbing and then i fell mute. i couldn't even sing the song if i wanted to--what came out of my mouth next only He could understand....but it was everything that has been on my heart that i could never put into English eloquently in the first place. it was just me and Him, my heart and my soul just pouring forth in a way that no one else would ever get or fathom. it was intimate, personal, stunning, refreshing, and just beautiful. i'm in love with my Savior and to be given that opportunity to spend with Him through worship is just priceless.

as a worship leader, it is my desire for others to experience God fully. you don't make it about yourself, you just can't. i pray the Spirit to fall and have His way every single time I lead people. that they will see, hear, feel, taste, and even touch Him- that they would feel comfortable enough to just release everything in their life and just desire to meet with God, to praise Him, to glorify Him, and to allow Him to work in their life through healing, confirmation, release, and everything in between. worship is surrender. surrender is beautiful when you know the outcome will only be what's best for you. who wouldn't want that?

ok, went off on a tangent. i'm just passionate about worship :) when you're called to it, you gotta be! but anyway, i could totally critique some of that show too, but i will not. no need to. we all had a blast. nothing made me happier than worshiping with my family and my son!

we then went to double T diner with a bunch of my relatives (a lot of them went to the show too!) chase absolutely adored staying up late with the grown ups and ordering chocolate chip pancakes at 1am. i love being able to order scrapple and pancakes in the middle of the night! it was a blast and a night i will never forget---and hopefully chase won't either :)

chase konked out on my dad towards the end of the show.