Welcome to Jennifer's Blog

Just so you know, only crazy people, like myself, stand outside starting at 3:30 when doors don't open until 6:30. Oh yes--between all the texting I did to DJ and Nancy, my fingers were numb by the time I got in the door. I normally rely on DJ to entertain me while we are in line, so I didn't let him off the hook just because he wasn't physically there.

The first person I saw after entering the church was Doug. He looked refreshed and ready to get back into the swing of things. No tie, open collar, spiky hair, and a smile I drove 8 hours to see! Hugs and small chit-chat were exchanged and I couldn't have been more excited! Ryan was also sporting the no tie, open collar look along with some pretty snazzy purple threads. I gave him my approval and lets face it...as long as you've got that, you don't need anything else! :P Nah, seriously, I like the new look. They looked more comfortable but still very Siggy-dressy! I didn't see Tim to begin with, but I saw him afterwards at the product tables. He seems to be doing well and by the sounds of it, he IS doing well--all kind of showing out--from ALL of them really.

Frank was working hard, or is it hardly working?? They need to go on vacation more often if this is what we get in return

I am always happy to see David sitting up there on stage! Just seeing him in the spotlight is exciting! Can you tell I was ready for a concert or what? Wayne sounded great on his verse of Reason Enough (but that's a given--they always sound great). Greg is so fun to watch! When I was younger, I always wanted to play the drums, but unfortunately, my hand/eye coordination is somewhat....less than acceptable, and there is no way I could do all that and not sound like a mass slaying of kitchen equipment. I think the "band" really adds to the concert. O What A Savior is really something (more so than usual) when the bass and drums kick in there at the end and Ernie does his show-out thing!! Goosebumps all around!!!

I never get tired of hearing the Influenced material...never. I listen to it on my way to work, at home, in concert--you'd think I'd be just a little tired of it--not the case. Ryan still makes me laugh when he does Old Fashion Meeting and he wows me more and more every time I hear Climbing Higher. Doug, well, we all know what he does to Swinging on the Golden Gate--could anybody top that? Nope. Tim and Ernie still show out on He Made A Change and the "hello darlin" is pretty, um...deep! They sang Walk With Me, which I hadn't heard in a while...perfect! They've made some changes to it here and there, but it's even more beautiful now than before. Ernie really put some umph into it! Just talking about it is making me concert-hungry again. The bad part is I start missing them before I even get into the parking lot, so there's really no hope for me. I'm forever a SSQ fanatic.

During Since Jesus Passed By, Ernie stopped Tim in the middle of his verse and started talking. I can't tell you word for word what he said, and I'm sure I'd butcher it even if I tried. There was something in the way he worded himself, the way he phrased the sentences that had the sanctuary so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Meanwhile, a tearful baritone and a lead singer with eyes closed and head toward heaven stood in the background and Tim was looking directly at Ernie. Then it came--I always forget to bring Kleenex in and I always regret it. Tears started streaming down my face and as Ernie looked at me (or in my direction anyway) he said, "it doesn't matter what you've done" and continued on in his heart wrenching speech. I've done some pretty bone headed things before and every now and then I think about how I could have become so complacent in my life. God was there that night--I know that for sure. He gave those words for Ernie to speak--and trust me--everyone was listening. The night could never be properly described, but it will never be forgotten. Thanks Ernie

Photos are posted under the Concert Photos tab...enjoy!