We made it! Atwood Lake here we are! Stew with 37 hours and only 2 short cat naps & me, 34 hours no sleep, we are ready to check this place out. We had arrived 2 days before any concerts would begin, so we could relax & enjoy the area. Little did we know that we would spend a good part of the week at Walmart & a gas station names Sheetz.
Why would anyone take 2 1/2 weeks off with no pay, & spend over $2000 to hang with people & hear music? I would! Especially if it is for the USA Festival Tour!
After reading this & the next few blogs, you will either think I'm a fool, envy me or you will know I'm a fool & wish you were just as foolish! Or better yet, you will want to join me for next years USA Festival Tour. Dates & cost will be posted soon.
This has been a much thought out event that actually starts at the end of the Festival last year. Now that all the plans have been set & the money saved, come with me, at least through this blog, on a life changing adventure!
This IS my morning!Stewart & I met last year on the way to Cornerstone Festival in Bushnell IL & by God's Grace just seemed to hit it off from the beginning. This was Stew's 2nd trip to CStone & he lives in Brisbane Australia. (If he can come to CStone, so can most of you) We had spent most of the Festival talking & ministering to people. There are a lot of needs in this World & most people have the answers (Jesus) but they just want people to listen. They are hurting & want to know if someone tangible cares! We must be the Love of Christ in their life! Every morning I would have coffee & read the Word and await Stew. When he got there, we would talk about what I had read & what I love about Cornerstone is as people hear conversations they will ask to be part of it. This is how we met Brian, Gene & a few others who's names escape me right now.We had some great conversations & this helps me to grow. Iron truly does sharpen Iron!
Stew & I kept in contact thru out the year planning this year's CStone.
So now Nancy (My Beautiful Wife) & I pick up a rental car & were awaiting Stew's plane to come in. I got the call that he had arrived & we headed his way (DFW Dallas) I don't know if any of you have been to DFW, but to me it is huge! I have found out that as I age I become a little more directionally challenged. This just adds to the excitement in my life!
Nancy is following me with 3 Wonderful, but very normal toddlers under 4. I have Stew on the phone, then Nancy, then Stew, then back to Nancy, just trying to find out where he was at this airport. It's a 13 hour flight to the States from Australia & then 2 plus hours from LA to Dallas, this boy was tired & I am sure was ready to get on the road. I finally found his gate & airline, but missed the turn & had to go all the way back to the front of the airport & try all over. Made it this time & there was Stew looking tired but had the goofiest happy face going on. I knew what he was thinking! We are about to embark on an incredible journey!
Plans are simple, pick up Stew, get a relaxing dinner, then get on the road for a 20 hour trip to Ohio. Those of you who have children will understand that dinner was anything but relaxing. Reaching, grabbing, crying & showing out in front of our guest. Welcome to my reality Stew! It was good though, and the meal, Grilled chicken salad was great! Ok, Time to go. Long hugs, kisses & more hugs & kisses and we are on the way.
The start of the trip was as you would expect, a lot of talking about the events ahead, catching up on what's been going on preparing for the trip & listening to our very loud favorite music! Oh & our conversation volume was raised above this!
Well with the frequent stops, our 20 hour trip turned into 24, but it was great! Excitement fuels you along. It's amazing how the closer you get to your destination the more the tiredness fades away.
We made it! Atwood Lake here we are! Stew with 37 hours and only 2 short cat naps & me, 34 hours no sleep, we are ready to check this place out. We had arrived 2 days before any concerts would begin, so we could relax & enjoy the area. Little did we know that we would spend a good part of the week at Walmart & a gas station names Sheetz. We had no phone service, so Wallyworld was the place to be!
First morning & we were hit by a major thunderstorm! Lightning, major crashing thunder & torrential rain & wind! I loved it! Most everything stayed dry (I have done these trips long enough to know what to do) This would be my first year at Alive Festival, but my 16th year at CStone. Stay with me for my next blog about what happened at Alive, along with some great pics!
There Are Giants In The Land! Maybe We Should Feed Them…
Only two of the scouts (Joshua & Caleb) came back with a positive report. Yes, there are giants in the land, but our God is with us & Greater is He... "Two out of Eleven!! I guess that proves the 80/20 rule!!
What Is Cornerstone Festival?
This is my 15th year going to a well known Festival, well known to the Christian Underground that is! If you listen to bands like Underoath, Demon Hunter, Haste The Day, Devil Wears Prada, then you would know. After reading this don't be surprised if you feel the urge to go get your ticket!
Getting Paid To Workout!
My life will never be the same! Imagine doing the very thing you enjoy & getting paid for it! Come into the "Mind of Bill" and see a different way of looking at weight loss & nutrition.
