Life in the Bristolwood

No, I’m not talking about frying pans. Nope.

This is a (very, very rowdy!!!!) group by the name of Skillet.  The kids were all so excited about hearing this group  the elderly; well….not so much!  Can you say LOUD?  Well, perhaps it didn’t help we were sitting far too close to twelve speakers. Prepare for the following photos, including pyrotechnics!

I gotta hand it to Panasonic. That little point and shoot captured movement incredibly well!  I was amazed at the results.  Believe me when I say this group is very high energy. They are described as “hard rock”,  “industrial rock”, and “symphonic rock”.

Yes, violin and cello as I have never heard it before, including elevated!

The last song…..

And the encore.

Wow. This concert certainly made me feel alive!

Before the Skillet show, we did see a (much, much milder) group from Canada called Down Here.  It was so hot, I only got a photo of the lead singer, not wanting to even leave my seat!

We also saw and loved (as always) from New Zealand, Phil Joel.  Phil told the audience that for the last year and a half,  he had been working on a “special project”; and, in June this year, he became an American citizen.

We also enjoyed Reggie Dabbs. What a powerful speaker Reggie is, indeed! He was accompanied by a group of young actors and actresses from Oklahoma. Their presentation was so intense, I didn’t take any photos at all.

All in all, a rather remarkable Tuesday!  Tonight is Toby Mac on the big stage.  Toby always packs the house and give a very high energy performance.  This is the day when the kids get all melancholy and recall all the events they have taken in.  This is the last day of Kingdom Bound…..

Yes!  We are enjoying our time here at Kingdom Bound!

The only problem that is hindering my total enjoyment is the }heat{!  Oh my. It is so warm and humid.

Sunday night,  we got to see The Newsboys in concert;  all I can say is, WOW! Last year when we saw The Newsboys, it was shortly after Peter Furler had announcd he was no longer going to be touring with the group.  Michael Tait was working in his new capacity as lead singer and he seemed just a little subdued.  This year,  Michael  looked as comfortable and at home as he could be.

On Monday evening, we went to a concert to hear NewWorldSon.  This group, from Niagara Falls, Ontario, is one of Mark’s favorites….they have a “bluesy” sound that Mark really appreciates.  We had bought one of their CD’s the previous night, so I brought it along with me. Yes! They had an autograph session following the concert so I waited in line for about 45 minutes to get their autographs on the CD for Mark.  Surprise, surprise!

The big show of the night was Mercy Me.  Well, Bart Millard was as fabulous as ever and we enjoyed yet another concert! 

All throughout Kingdom Bound, there are a few different stages and one can choose just where they would like to go to hear what they like. The kids generally come and sit with us during the big concert of the night so we can all leave together.  It is quite late when we get back to the camper and sleep seems rather diminished.  All is well, though!  Only one more day to go after tonight. Then the kids will begin counting the days down until Kingdom Bound 2011!

On day three of Kingdom Bound, We got to see DecembeRadio and then the big show was Israel Houghton.  (AKA Israel and New Breed)  Both groups were fantastic! 

I was so psyched about Wednesday,  and seeing the Newsboys, I failed to realize how quickly the time was passing and that Kingdom Bound 2009 was coming to a rapid close. I personally think the festival should continue on for the entire week, but  I guess that would be quite hard to accomplish.

When Wednesday finally rolled around,  we spent the day as usual, dropping the kids off for “doing the amusement park”,  then Mark and I wandered around a bit.   One of the kids’ friends’ parents asked if we wanted to join them for dinner at a little local restaurant. We decided to go, but when they said they were leaving at six,  Mark told me to take the kids and go, as he wanted to see one of the performing groups.

We had a nice dinner with the Whites and then made our way back to the park.  By the time we arrived, the entire parking lot looked like nothing more than a sea of shining vehicles!  Thankfully,  we have a handicapped placard and I was able to secure a spot rather easily.

I made it back to see Natalie Grant.  After her, there was a very personable fellow from New Zealand, named Phil Joel performing.  He was excellent!

Finally, it was getting close to 9:30 and the NEWSBOYS!!! Woohoo!   The questions that remained in my mind was How on earth will the Newsboys ever be the same without Peter Furler at the lead?  How could Michael Tait  of DC Talk fame ever fill in for the wonderful Australian voice we had come to know and love so?

Well, let me tell you…..

Michael Tait was FABULOUS!  He is a great singer.  A great performer! A great person!

About midway through their show,  the Newsboys came back into the crowd where they had a small stage (stage B) set up in the crowd to do a few songs!  Michael led the way just a Peter had done before him.

And I got to see MY favorite drummer of allllll time.  Another Aussie….Duncan Phillips.

Sorry that photo is fuzzy, but I have come to the realization that Duncan must never, ever, sit still!  See those colorful drumsticks?   Even when the band wasn’t playing, he was using them as shakers….yes, they seemed to have built in shakers!

Towards the end of the show, I think my heart nearly came to a grinding HALT when….. 

Peter Furler nonchalantly walked out onto the stage!!!  Peter and Michael performed a song together and Peter kinda “passed the mantle” on to Michael.

When the  show ended, the crowd went nuts, clapping and asking for another song.  Of course, as they do every year, the band obliged!  This time, they came out and Michael grinned, saying they had a song specially prepared for this.

The band burst forth in a DC Talk song called Jesus  Freak. The crowd roared with excitement and everyone loved it.

And then, it was over.  Kingdom Bound 2009.  Only a memory. But OH what a good one!!!

Instead of recalling the events of yesterday, I will give you an artistic shot of the moon I took the night before last.

Yes, that is just as the photo came off the trusty little Panasonic camera…no modifications!

We did have a very busy day yesterday that ended “with a splash”!  We were under a severe thunderstorms watch yesterday afternoon but the storms didn’t arrive until around 11 pm.  The kids had their friends come over and they stayed until 12:30. The rain was pretty heavy….memories of last year when our awning broke from the weight of rain on it! (also during Kingdom Bound)

It is a pretty windy but suhshiney day this last day of Kingdom Bound 2009. It has truly been yet another year of fantastic music and fun! Cannot WAIT for Newboys this evening.  I must admit though,  I cannot imagine the “new” Newsboys without the presence of Peter Furler.  Michael Tait has taken his place on the road and it just seems like it is going to be a whole new group!!!

Greetings from Kingdom Bound.  This is one of the highlights of our family each summer! And speaking of summer,  this is the first summer of the three we have been attending, that I have had to put on a sweater or sweatshirt! Wow!  This weather (cool) has been just perfect for the event. 

Here is a photo of the  “PAC”….Performing Arts Center. It is a huge tent where a big name band ends the day with a concert.  There are also smaller concerts going on at other locations during this time.

When I glanced through the schedule yesterday,  there was a time inserted for Communion. Hmmm….How on earth could Communion be served to thousands of people? Well, we didn’t get the bread part….not sure why. Guess someone goofed!

But we did get tiny servings of grape juice!

Before Communion, we had heard a band called Blues Council. They were, well…blues artists! Their music was very good, ending with a unique bluesy rendition of Amazing Grace.  After Communion, they were joined by a couple of local worship leaders to play for a bit.

After this, Mark and I wandered through the amusement park for a while, just to stretch my legs. 

We returned for the big act of the night, Salvador.  They are a great band with a Latin slant.

Darien Lake has a laser light show at nights and for non-Kingdom Bound attendees, the show was going on. It includes fireworks, which we could see from the PAC!

As an aside,  Murphy got sick during the night on Saturday/Sunday.  He wandered around, unable to settle down. His stomach rumbled and he just didn’t feel well.  I was up for a few hours with him, so I was majorly tired yesterday. Thankfully, he is fine now!

Last night’s concerts were the final ones of Kingdom Bound, 2008.  We arrived at about 5:00 and were able to catch a group called 33 Miles. We have heard them on the radio, and they were great. Next came another fabulous artist named Matthew West.  Matthew recounted events of last year in which he had to have surgery on his vocal cords last May. Doctors were uncertain as to the outcome….whether he would sing again, or not, but he is  fantastic!

After Matthew West, one of the “big draws” was the British group Delirious? One of the band members has asked to be dismissed from the group, as he wants to work for Compassion, International, as well as spend more time with his family. The group decided that perhaps this was the time to retire, so we were thrilled to see one of their last concerts….they will continue concerts through 2008. Here are some photos of the group…

Now, mind you, these fellows were all dressed “to the “T”. Their suits were amazing and they were wearing what looked like very nice dress shirts. Mark and I just looked at each other and giggled when the lead singer removed his suit jacket and turned around…..

He will never be called spineless!!! 

The final performance of the evening was by the Australian group, The Newsboys.  If you have ever seen one of their shows,  you will remember it…..vividly!

One of the Newsboys’ most famous songs was their recording Shine.When Peter Furler began singing the song, a most amazing thing happened! Suddenly, the air was FILLED with confetti!!!

There was also smoke….

And more smoke….

But the highlight of the concert is when drummer Duncan is hoisted into the air, hyraulically….

Turned on his SIDE, then SPUN!

Duncan is one of the most phenomenal drummers I have ever heard. He is full of energy and WOW!

Needless to say, the last concerts were great! We enjoyed every minute. ALL of the concerts we attended each day were TERRIFIC! This was another one of “the best, ever, Kingdom Bounds”. Now all we need to do is wait again until NEXT Kingdom Bound!

The kids were so nervous about meeting up with one of their friends yesterday, they made Mark and me nervous as well! They had planned to meet their friend at noon, so we scrambled off to make it just in time.

We had to stop by a table to have the tickets we bought online scanned….then we were each issued a “lovely”….did I ever say I REALLY don’t care for the color orange that much?…..bracelet. The orange designates that we are “full event” attendees. 

Mark and I looked at one another after receiving our lovely bracelets. Since I had been so sick in the wee hours of Sunday morning, I wasn’t sure I was up to a full day of walking about in the sun at Darien Lake.  The temperatures got up into the 80′s, and with the sun, it would be too hot.

Mark and I took a little drive and went to lunch.  We brought the Scottie boys with us, and parked them in the shade of an enormous tree.  Mark worried they might be baking and when he went out to the truck, was amazed they were cool and not even panting!

We kept in touch with the kids all day via the cell phones. Really convenient, that was!

Mark and I were back at the park by about 4:30. Last year, one of the lessons we learned is that in order to secure a decent parking place, one needs to arrive long before the concerts begin….particularly the big names.

The photo below is the “PAC” as it is called….an acronym for Performing Arts Center.  This is where the most “famous” Christian artists perform at night. Don’t tell the kids that…they love the rowdy younger-set  “stuff” and think their groups are the biggest!

We found our seats and Mark was delightfully surprised by the music of Vicki Beeching, a wonderful young British worship leader. (http://vickybeeching.com/ )  If you click on the link and read her entry about her trip to the US from England, it will make you truly grateful for every smooth air trip you’ve taken!!!

After Vicky’s performance, we were introduced to another new-to-us band from Cananda, called New World Son. ( http://www.newworldson.com/newworldson/index.html ) Wow, they were a very lively and refreshing band!  We thoroughly enjoyed them!

The lead singer did have one “slight” problem, however….where did he get that jacket?

Following New World Son was a group from Texas, called Leeland.  (http://www.leelandonline.com/oppositeway/main )  We were familiar with their music. By the time they were on stage, the sun was beginning to fall in the sky, and it was turning chilly!  I love this photo I captured of the lead singer with the sunset behind him….

The big draw and closing act for the night was a group called Third Day. ( http://www.thirdday.com/ ) 

This proved to be a very entertaining night and the music was great. We enjoyed it and it seemed liked each artist had something unique and wonderful to say!

Note to self: remember jacket tonight….or FREEZE! Hmmm…even that  Union Jack would be WARM! hehehe…

Greetings, and may you be in good health! Strange salutation, huh? Well, yesterday, I spent hours and hours, getting our camper prepared for a little trip….yes, it is once again time for Kingdom Bound, and the kids are nearly silly with excitement!

We left home and drove to the campground, setting up and getting things in order. After setting up, we drove off to Buffalo for some dinner and to pick up a few things on our shopping list.  We had stopped by our local convenience store on the way and picked up a sub for lunch.  By dinner, I was so thirsty, I just wanted water. Mark stopped by McDonald’s for a snack, and I ordered a little hot fudge sundae.  After shopping, Mark and the kids ate at a taco place, but I really wasn’t hungry at all.

After arriving back at the camper, I felt sick. My stomach looked bloated and it hurt! I went in to lie down and hopefully sleep, but ended up being awake the entire night. I got violently ill around 1 am.  No idea what it was….flu? Food poisoning?  I spent most of today sleeping, feeling like I was burning up and as though I had been the victim of a hit-and-run. Mark called a pharmacy this afternoon, as my head felt as though it was clamped in a vise. The pharmacist advised that I take some Tylenol or Ibuprophen and also that I should drink Pedialyte to replenish electrolytes. Mark went out and bought some Pedialyte ice pops for me….they are so tasty!

I am almost all better now. Not too bad. 24 hours…I can deal with that! Poor little Michelle looked at me with her incredibly expressive brown eyes and asked if we should just go home. I asked which was better…..being sick at home, or here in the camper. I explained that since everything I need is here in the camper, we could just wait this thing out.

Living in the woods, I am always amazed by nightime skies when I can see them….cannot see much through all the trees we have! So, last night, while in Buffalo, I took these photos:

Kingdom Bound began today, and there were some bands i really wanted to see. But, I am resting and getting better so tomorrow will be a GREAT day!

I was going to add some pictures from a concert Mark and I attended with the kids at Kingdom Bound, but I forgot! Yikes!

The name of this group is Stellar Kart. They are, I am told, from Canada. When I won the tickets from the radio station , I also won a Stellar Kart CD.  They are quite good, but the volume was *just* a tad bit loud for my old ears!

 Wow! These guys are not only loud, but full of energy, as well! hehehe

As I panned around the crowd, I found this forward-looking couple with their little one protected from the *loud*. Did I mention the music was L-O-U-D?

 Yes, this concert was held right next to the wonderful (no, I did not ride it, nor will I ever!) Superman roller coaster. So, of course, I *needed* to photograph this group on the vertical drop….wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

 The concert was very good, although the temps were soaring into the 80′s, making it too warm for me. I needed to (sulk) trudge off to the Dippin’ Dots stand to take cold refreshment and revitalize my poor hot self!!!!

We also saw a few other concerts that I didn’t photograph, but it sure was a fun, albeit TOO hot,  few days! What a terrific way to spend some family time!!!!

The Newsboys is a group that hails from “Down-under”.  If you have listened to Christian music, you have probably heard them. If you have little children that enjoy the Veggie Tales videos, you might have heard them sing “In the Belly of the Whale”!

This concert, I had already recovered from my “blond” moments and attended with my trusty old Olympus camera in hand. I was so excited that I finally remembered I *could* take pictures!

The Newsboys appeared in concert on Wednesday, the final day of Kingdom Bound. Earlier in the day,  I went to the park with the kids so they could ride some of the rides before the concerts started later.  Just after walking into the park, wondering how I was going to spend 3 hours in the sweltering heat, I ran into a dear friend and past roommate with her son!

Laurie told me that her son had spent money to bring himself and his mom to Kingdom Bound….When we had to leave the park to go back to the campground for dinner, I kept thinking I wished there was some way we could bless Laurie and Nate.  Before leaving, I told Laurie we would be seated way down in the front so please look for us. Well, she did, and as the concert started, she and Nate were given chairs to sit with us!  Nate *loves* the Newsboys, so he was thrilled to be getting such a good view!

Here are some random photos I took of the concert.

Laurie told us after the concert that Nate had wanted to camp, so they were going to see if they might find a place to pitch a tent. Well, back at our campground, there were literally hundreds of tents pitched all over! We told them they could stay on our site, as we had so much room on the grounds.  They followed us back to the campground and decided since it was so late (midnight) they would fold the seats in their van and sleep in there instead.

The next morning, I ran to the store before everyone was up and I was able to make breakfast for everyone. It was such a special time, as Laurie and I had not seen one another in years. We had so much fun!

As I was preparing breakfast, Laurie called for me to look….I had taken my Fuchsia plant along with us. (so silly I know) The plant had nearly no flowers on it, as I had placed it in too shady a spot on the front porch. About a week before we left, I placed the plant in a much brighter spot, and it was overflowing in beautiful flowers! Since it needs more frequent watering than most other plants, I saw no option other than to take it! Well, as I was bustling about, a little hummingbird appeared from nowhere and was visiting the Fuchsia plant!  I was too busy to stop and try to photograph the little hummer, but thought I would surely do it on Friday.

I did sit for a few hours Friday morning at the picnic table, camera in hand. The little hummer never made an appearance! So,  we were able to bless Laurie in several ways with her little visit.

Although I felt a sadness at the close of Kingdom Bound, I also felt so blessed and happy that the day ended with a wonderful concert, and a visit with my friend.