Fireflight, Williams and His Beautiful Woman & Winter Jam Tour

December 29th, 2009: Momma-T (aka...My Beautiful Woman), are on our way to Louisville, KY! Did I mention I have been reCALLED by God (Yes...God called me...His voice was undeniable...I mean, you can hear Him right? If you can't let me know and I'll try to help!) and the ROCK BAND "Fireflight" to drive their bus for yet another tour? This time it's The Winter Jam Tour! Forty-five cites throughout central and eastern United States...beginning January 8th! No...Momma-T has not quit teaching "yet"...and she will only be on the bus December 29th, 2009 through January 2nd, 2010; however, she was very interested in catching a glimpse at what my life as her husband (the "Rock-N-Roll Roadie), is really like! So with the tour not beginning until January 8th, you might be wondering (wonder is a very cool thing to do...and I'm convinced many have ceased this necessary and God ordained exercise of their mind), why did you leave so soon! Well...let me explain! Fireflight is scheduled to play a Youth Conference in Louisville on December, 30th and another Youth Conference/New Year's Eve Party at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, on December 31, 2009, with a number of other bands including Skillet...OH YEAH! So...as we hit the Interstate out of Florida, the skies are extremely clear and the temperature is almost perfect...mid 50's! This would not be the case for long though! Fireflight blew off the cob webs in Louisville, after only playing a few International Shows (Finland and Germany), since the fall season Hope Tour! The weather is overcast and in the mid 30's...but nothing like what we were headed for! The road trip from Louisville to Lynchburg was extremely nerve racking...snow, ice, snow, ice, snow, ice...did I say snow, ice? What should have taken 8 hours took approximately 12...and I was exhausted! Momma-T spent a large percentage of the time keeping me company and I had to wake her up to enjoy the slow unveiling daylight...as the scenery was unquestionably beautiful! There are only two ways you might not have enjoyed this part of Creation...1) if you have never given credit to the truth that it was created by a Creator when He spoke it into existence...or 2) you are in such a negative state of being you miss it! Truly, the invisible God of Love (YAHWEH), is the only one who could have created these majestic moments! Momma-T's description is probably closer to what it was really like...so here it is...she titled it "Journey"...

"Awoke this a.m. around 8 with Les (driving the tour bus) saying "Oh sssshhhh! This ice and snow is no fun to drive in!" I rolled off the couch I was sleeping on to see a world of white with only chocolate covered toothpicks with arms reaching up to the heavens...branches laden with layers of what joyfully appeared as if cotton balls had been carefully placed out to the very tip of each. The only vibrant colors to be seen were the occasional green, yellow, or blue road signs...and must I say a passing vehicle or two in various shades of the rainbow. The sun poked its glimmering face through the clouds above, ever so briefly and has since hidden itself again. It's been fun, but this is my last day and evening with Les and Fireflight. Once New Year's comes in, I will then begin my journey home with Nate, Amanda, and the teens. God has blessed us the whole way so far...awesome God He is!! Love to you all!!! Tres, T, Momma T. (call me what you will) Oh my Gosh....can't forget Aunt T.....Jamie, you will slap me again if I do!!!"

Bus drivers get hotels...so upon arrival in Lynchburg, Momma-T and I took off for the hotel! I took a nap while she ironed (you know she's gotta look ironed...lol), and did some computer related stuff! We met with Nate, Amanda & their unborn gift, Dani, Kinsey, Sarah, and Paige at the venue as they had made a special trip to see the show and let the girls preview the Liberty Campus! We watched Fireflight and then Skillet bring in 2010 with an extremely cool pyro show! Although we rocked in 2010, I vividly remember the first word I spoke in 2010 in my mind was "Jesus!" I'm not sure why I desired that to be the first word I constructed in my mind this year, other than John Cooper of Skillet was basically preaching about this world's need for Him, but that's what I conscientiously remember having a desire to do! One other very cool experience for me was while some of the other bands were playing, Coop and Company (Skillet), came on board our bus and sat and listened to Fireflight's entire new record which has since released! It was kinda surreal for me to be sitting in a casual living room setting with two of my favorite ROCK BANDS! I'll say no more for fear I might be rubbing it in...oh but wait...it was FREAKING awesome! Momma-T and I said a teary good-bye the next morning and we (Fireflight and I), headed for Nashville!

Once in Nashville, Fireflight completed two new music videos for songs "Desperate" and the title track for the new record "For Those Who Wait!" This was another extremely cool and educational experience for me to be able to observe the filming of both videos! Each video will rock, but for me, the video "For Those Who Wait" is gonna be extremely cool as it was filmed at an old Nashville train station! After the video shoots, Fireflight put in some rehearsal time for the rapidly approaching Winter Jam Tour!

Our first of the forty-five cites on the tour, a short trip to Chattanooga, TN! Since then we have done 23 shows in AL, FL, GA, IA, IL, MO, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, and VA...with 22 shows remaining in AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MI, MS, OK, TX, and VA! Tickets are $10, at door only...and are 1st come 1st serve! Some shows have sold out with as many as 800-1000 people turned away at one show by the Fire Marshall! All of the venues on this tour are indoors and are in either sports arenas or large civic centers which range in seating capacity from 4,000 to 25,000. FYI...Winter Jam is the largest Christian Tour in the U.S. This year there are three semi-tractor trailers (loaded and unloaded daily with all the production equipment: stage, audio, and lighting), and eight very large touring buses (like the one I drive), many with trailers (like the one I tow)! The total number of personnel, including band members, truck drivers, bus drivers, stage setup/breakdown personnel, road Pastor, tour Pastor, and more...is over 120. When you see the final product, I can only characterize the entire tour process as artwork!

HEY...I said HEY! If you haven't purchased one or more of Fireflight's new record "For Those Who Wait" which released February 9, 2010, shame on you...you are missing the next "Rock Album Of The Year!" Seriously...it's their best yet...it totally ROCKS...it has ENORMOUS ministry potential, and you can get it on iTunes for $6.99!

So, we are now just over half-way through the tour and I have been privileged to a number of blog worthy experiences which include the opportunity to hang out, worship, and eat meals with music artists I have followed and respected for years! The bands/artists on this tour are Third Day, Newsboys, Fireflight, Tenth Avenue North, Sidewalk Prophets, Newsong, Revive, and Robert Pierre! Sunday mornings we are provided with the opportunity to attend a Tour Jam Church Service which includes music related worship led by the touring band members! A few more highlights include: beautiful scenery of Creation while driving the bus, a complimentary trip to the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH, a chance to have a conversation with former front man of the Newsboys Peter Furler and his wife Summer...daughter of whom some consider the music legend Mylon Le Fevre! The reality...musicians/artists like Peter are people just like you and me...who are on the same spiritual journey that we are...including significant battles while attempting to discover and fulfill what God has destined for their lives! Another very cool experience was something I have wished for...for a long time...and that was to meet TobyMac's 11 year old son, Truett (aka: Tru-dog)! Well...mark that one off the bucket-list...as last Sunday night the tour played in Nashville and Toby came to sing the song Jesus Freak (another cool experience), with now front man of the Newsboys Michael Tait! So, just before Toby went on, he was backstage with Tru-dog and I had the opportunity to say hello and shake Tru-dog's hand! I told him I really like his stuff! He thanked me! One last...very cool experience (blessing), I have been privileged to while on the road is to be a part of the Fireflight Family! I believe, for this time, God has called me to serve them, encourage them, believe in what they are doing with their lives, and love them! It is so cool to hear stories of lives being influenced and inspired by their ministry! This calling has also led me to search out a local Church (group of followers of Jesus), that the band might be involved with while they are in the Nashville area for brief periods of time while on tour! The search was not without effort but I honestly believe to be much more God directed than Les directed! The Church I was led to is called Journey Church of Franklin, TN, and is Pastored by a young man by the name of Jamie George. I have listened to twenty plus of his pod casts and am convinced God has his fingerprints all over his ministry! I highly recommend you check out the website at www.journeyfranklin.com and read the Philosophy Section under the drop down titled Communication and tell me what you think! I also highly recommend you listen to the pod casts which you can find on iTunes under Jamie George or Journey Church. Seriously, this young man gets it!

Well...I suppose this is more than enough for one blog...and for the length of it I sincerely apologize...maybe I won't wait so long next time! Until then...PLEASE continue to pray for Fireflight's Ministry and my ability as their bus driver to keep them safe, serve them, encourage them, believe in them and love them! Also, PLEASE pray for Momma-T, my family and my friends I am separated from for this period of time!

I miss you...I love you...and last but not least...live out the mystery of your faith by loving everyone, even your enemies, unconditionally! I dare you!

Williams out!

Stay The Course...Stay In The Story!

An appropriate title for what was to come next!

Just a reminder! In my last blog...we were in Gillette, WY, awaiting the repair of our beloved bus after our Saturday show in Moorcroft, WY! No, we have not named our bus yet but I have voiced my interest in doing so! The part we need for the repair was supposed to be in Monday morning and we were hoping to hit the road by Monday evening for a show in Salt Lake City on Wednesday! The part didn't come in, imagine that...well it was actually shipped to the wrong location...so we wait, and wait, and wait!

It is now Wednesday...we have canceled the Salt Lake City Show :(( and we are scrambling to locate transportation to be in Las Vegas on Thursday. The band and crew leaves me in Gillette on Wednesday headed for Las Vegas! Eleven (11) peeps in a fifteen (15) passenger van for hundreds of miles...OH MY! The Pastor from Moorcroft, WY, and his wife are towing our trailer loaded with sound and light equipment with their pickup truck! The plan is to pick-up a Rental Tour Bus in Las Vegas until our bus is repaired! We are told the part will be in on Thursday and we can make plans then where I will meet the band! Gillette, WY, by myself...hummm? Prairie dog hunting? Probably not...but maybe! :)) So, now it's Friday! Supposedly...the bus has been repaired and I roll out of Gillette late Friday afternoon with intentions of meeting the band in Tempe, AZ, by Sunday afternoon! In the meantime the band who has already rocked Las Vegas, have a couple shows to play in California! It is early evening when I decide to stop at a Love's Truck Stop...one of many chains of Truck Stops I have become familiar with...this one in Cheyenne, WY! As I pull into the truck stop...I hear the same terrible noise that was supposedly repaired in Gillette! Except this time...it sounds like it is getting worse! I reluctantly phone our Tour Manager, mainly because I know the band is getting ready to rock a show and this is not super news! She provides me with instructions to stay in Cheyenne for the night and they would give me further instructions the next morning! Did I mention I'm in a truck stop...nice...and it is supposed to snow tomorrow? OK...mark another one off the Bucketlist...that is sleeping in a truck stop! No that's not on my Bucketlist, maybe someone else's, but not mine! lol So, I attempt to sleep in a truck stop...not easy with all the noise of trucks in and out but I managed to get a couple hours of rack time! The next day brings another diagnosis...a different diagnosis, IMAGINE THAT! However, the mechanic is convinced I can make it to Tempe, AZ, with no problem and we can have the repair made there! I then proceed to Tempe! Scenery along the way is once again crazy ("wow," "crazy" is an "interesting" word...maybe I use it too much...maybe i use all those words to much? lol), cool! Between Cheyenne, WY, and Denver, CO, I see an bodacious herd of Buffalo and as I travel south to Colorado Springs a beautiful sunset! However, the wind is cranking and challenging me to stay on the road...so I'm really trying to focus on the road! Once I traveled through the wind, I really thought I would get sleepy and have to stop for a while...but I didn't and was greeted by a very cool Arizona sunrise! The mountains between Phoenix and Tempe are freaking huge and require a great number of runaway truck ramps...YIKES! Not having to test one of those ramps, lol, I roll into Tempe early Sunday morning! Now it is clear...another incorrect diagnosis! The rear wheel of the bus...called the tag wheel...is in the process of coming off the axle...as the outer wheel bearing is completely gone! Thank you again Aslan! Fireflight rocks the show in Tempe, AZ, Sunday night and here we are again making plans for "the" repair! Finally, after three days in Tempe and literally thousands of dollars later...by the way I really like Tempe...even ate at a Chick-fil-a on the Arizona State University Campus...repaired and on the road to our final shows in Texas we roll through some snow flurries in New Mexico but arrive safely and with no terrible noises from the bus! In Texas Fireflight rocks Uvalde, Amarillo, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio (home of the opening band, Abandon), and Lake Jackson! Dallas was very interesting in a number of ways! Shortly after our arrival we eat at a place called Angry Dog...which had really good hamburgers; however, the topic is up for debate as to whose burger is better...Angry Dog or at the competition right down the street! A place called The Twisted Root! Maybe next time around! So, shortly after we eat we are involved in an automobile accident on our way to a local radio station for an interview! No, I'm not gonna be interviewed, I'm the bus driver...remember! The "runner" (definition of "runner:" the driver of a vehicle that transports the band and crew, including me, to and from various locations once at the venue), does quite a job evading a serious pile up that had just occurred in front of us after we entered onto the Interstate! No injuries...and only minor damage to the vehicle! A very interesting text dialogue between me and Justin (lead guitarist), though during our ride! Ask me about it sometime!

Anyway...God calls us to "Stay The Course...Stay In The Story" which we do and we finish the tour in Lake Jackson, TX! "Stay The Course...Stay In The Story" is Biblical, right? Actually, it well may be the bottom line when it comes to our faith! So, was/is our faith real if we fail to "Stay The Course...Stay In The Story?" If we fail to persevere to the end? If we fail to endure no matter the cost? I know this thought could be taken many different ways and I do not mean that we can lose our Salvation once we "really/actually" receive it...so I will clarify and conclude my thoughts with what is unquestionably correct, God's Word! Then, if you have questions, you can see for yourself what God says and what I mean by, "Stay The Course...Stay In The Story!"

2 Timothy 4:5-9 NIV, Paul's words just before his death...! No...I do not want myself or the band to die...but this is such a smoking good passage about how myself and many believers long to live out our faith...as Paul did! "But you keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing."

I love to read the same passages in other Bible translations, versions, or paraphrases...so here is 2 Timothy 4:5-9 in The Message Paraphrase..."But you...keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep The Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant. You take over. I'm about to die, my life an offering on God's alter. This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that's left now is the shouting...God's applause! Depend on it, He's an honest Judge. He'll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for His coming."

God has plans for those who "Stay The Course...Stay In The Story!" Need I say more?

So guys...as I conclude this blog of MY FIRST ROCK TOUR...which totally ROCKED FOR ME...well over 12,000 miles behind the wheel...I would like to thank you for all YOUR PRAYERS...! I am convinced THOSE PRAYERS were a crucial part of why we were able to "STAY THE COURSE...Stay In The Story!" Also, a shout out to Dawn, Glenn, Justin, Phee, and Wendy...THANKS SO MUCH for letting me be part of "The Story" God is writing with your lives! It is an absolute privilege!

Consume His Love my friends...because His Love Always Wins!

MORE OF THE STORY: Fireflight's NEW SONG "Desperate" is available for preview on their website...www.fireflightrock.com and their myspace!

Desperate is going straight to THE TOP guys...MARK MY WORDS!

Fireflight will be performing a number of shows of which they will fly to between now and the end of December...check www.fireflightrock.com or myspace for details...and then Fireflight will be back on the road for the Winter Jam Tour (45 Cities), with Third Day, Newsboys, Newsong, Tenth Avenue North, Sidewalk Prophets, Robert Pierre, and Revive, beginnning January 8th, 2010!

The word "HOPE!"

The "Hope" Tour...think about the word "hope" for just a few minutes and I'll come right back to it!

So...since my last blog...we have played shows in Naperville, IL, Richland, MI, Peshtigo, WI, Grand Forks, ND, Belle Fourche, SD, Billings, MT, Moorcroft, WY,...ah that's where we have been since Saturday and where I am now! Actually, we played the show in Moorcroft, WY, on Saturday night and had plans to have a repair made to the bus in Gillette, WY, on Monday as we did not have another show scheduled until tonight, in Salt Lake City, UT...however...they sent the wrong part and it has not arrived as of today...Wednesday! Needless to say, we had to cancel the Salt Lake City show :(( but have been blessed with a number of God's peeps from Moorcroft who have stepped up to help us in getting the band and crew...except me...to Las Vegas for the show Thursday night! The Pastor who brought us to Moorcroft, WY, his wife, and some of his congregation have been more than servant oriented...as they also believe in the power of God's truth coupled with the medium of music! Thank you Aslan!

Before I go on...let me highlight a few points along the way!

So...Naperville, IL...imagine...are you imagining?...a well maintained downtown area, very quaint, similar to downtown NSB but larger(with a bit more character), surrounded by small homes built most likely prior to 1950 in absolutely great shape...and get this...a Starbucks and a Apple Store smack in the middle of it all...imagine that! It's kind of a Yuppie Town...I suppose because it's a suburb of Chicago...but it's also kinda cool if you ever get a chance to check it out!

Minneapolis, MN...Rev Kev's previous mission field! We traveled from Peshtigo, WI to Minneapolis, MN, for a day off before a show in Grand Forks, ND. And, as some of you know...Williams has never seen snow :(( ...at least snow that could be made into a snow ball :)) ...or fresh snow falling so heavy it was falling in piles as it was bending the tree branches! Well guess what? It's almost daylight when we roll in to Minneapolis and boy did I get to see snow! It was crazy...I'm all by myself up front in the bus...of course I am I'm driving...dowee...and everybody else is asleep! So, I just have to tell someone about what I'm experiencing for the first time...so I call My Beautiful Woman (aka Momma-T), who is just getting ready for work and give her a play by play of the wonder I'm experiencing...the kid in me again! :)) Anyway, I finally get the bus parked in the parking lot of the hotel I will be sleeping in...and then the fun begins...I start making snow balls and smashing them everywhere! The funny thing...ha ha funny...is that it's not really making my hands wet...very cool! Everybody else is asleep, so I don't have anyone to have a snow ball fight with :(( ...I suppose that will be another time :)) surely God wants me to have a snow ball fight with someone...but oh did I have a blast for a little while! Late afternoon/early evening we paid a visit to the Mall of America, which is kinda like an amusement park surrounded by hundreds of stores, very cool too...but nothing compared to snow and snow balls! :)) My stay in Minneapolis was topped off by a visit from the young man I'm praying will become our Youth Worship Leader at EAC, Wade Anderson, who lives very close! Laughing is good...and I always laugh when I'm with Wade! I think I love Wade!

So back to now...here I sit in another hotel room...yep...just me and Aslan! For those of you who don't know, the bus driver always gets a hotel room to sleep before driving to the next show! It's for the safety of the band...good rest = alert driver! :)) But this is a little different! We are praying and "hoping" that the bus will be repaired by tomorrow so I can catch up with the band as soon as possible! Please pray God's will be done!

Now getting back to the word "hope!" Justin Cox, our lead guitarist, mentioned early on in this tour that he had been advised by someone he respects, that we should be prepared for difficulty due to naming the tour, "The Hope Tour"...as the kind of hope we are proclaiming is very much "hated" by the enemy of the human heart, Satan! Every night Dawn, our lead singer, reads 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, which has become her life's verses, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." The hope that all the bands are proclaiming on this tour, Abandon, Remedy Drive, and Fireflight is mentioned in Romans 5:1-5, where it is proclaimed by Paul to be a hope that does not disappoint! I'd say that rocks...a hope that does not disappoint...I like it! Glenn Drennen, our rhythm guitarist, recently placed the following quote by Jean Kerr on the marker board in our bus, "Hope is the feeling you have that the feeling you have isn’t permanent." I think that rocks also! And remember, Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see!" God's word gives me an energy I can't escape! I like it!!!

One more thing before I close! You should definitely check out the other band's music on this tour...Abandon and Remedy Drive! These guys are real and I have already developed a cool relationship with them all! You can listen to them on myspace or their websites! It is so worth your time! And don't miss the last song on Abandon's record...it's called Hero! Wow!!!

Until next time...I love you all! Thanks to all you prayer warriors, but please continue to lift us up as we continue to deliver God's word, Psalm 107:20 "He sent forth His Word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave!"

Consume His Love...Williams out!

Metallica...not!

OK...so I know you're thinking...what's up with the title of this blog...Metallica...not? My point exactly! I knew it was time for a new blog when this Chicago burbs toll booth operator (35-40 years old), at about 3 this morning asks...do you have a band in there? I responded hesitantly...yes! He then asks if it is Metallica and goes on to explain how Metallica is his favorite band and he was hoping that I chose his isle because it was them! Go figure! Anyway, I went on a rant about how good Fireflight is and how he should come check out the show tonight! He got interested, but only when I told him Fireflight's lead singer is a female! lol

Now I know it's been a long time since my last update...but you have no idea what the last 7 days have been like for a gray bearded rock 'n' roll roadie like me! So here goes my attempt to give you that idea!

We started the HOPE Tour last Friday...which includes 25 cities during October alone! We left Nashville on September 30th and traveled to our first venue of the tour, a Baptist Church in Brookland, Arkansas! On October 1st, Fireflight conducted a Production Rehearsal(Fireflight's Label has provided them with a magnificent light show for this tour, including video panels, etc.), and totally blew it up (that means rocked the house) the next night! It was another surreal moment for me..watching what God has done with 5 gifted and committed young people! I still get goose bumps and shed a tear or two when I stop myself and realize what I am actually a part of!

One of the key words that is to be used from the stage for this tour is obviously HOPE...but another one is RESCUE! Dawn (Fireflight's lead singer), reads from God's Word every show! So...I'm doing my Devo the day before the tour begins and what treasure do I discover in Psalm 107?...I discover..."He sent forth His Word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave." I think this is exactly why Colossians 2:1-4 is most likely my favorite passage! In that passage, Paul explains that the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ! And remember in John 1:1 Christ is referred to as "The Word!" :)) So...my final comment about my favorite passage...I can't remember it's original source...but someone made the statement that those treasures of wisdom and knowledge are not hidden FROM US but FOR US! Now that ROCKS!

Anyway...we traveled from Brookland, Arkansas to Washington, IN to Canton, Ohio to Erie, PA to Cadillac, MI to Greenville, IL to Clermont, IN over the past 8 days and are in Naperville, IL tonight! The travel included passing very close to the Browns, Colts, and Titans Stadiums which of course are huge! :)) I have various stories relating to our travels thus far but for he sake of time I'll only share one for now and maybe come back to the others later...

So, I'm driving listening to some old school...Newsboys...off the Step Up To The Microphone record (probably their best record, well worth purchasing if you don't have it), which brings back memories from another road trip with my family! I'm driving I-77 from Washington, IN to Canton, OH and I'm well into Ohio's mountainous hills when I start to observe the beautiful fall colors mixed in with super green pastures spotted with cows and sheep...it was picturesque to say the least!(I know...that was a long sentence!) If you ever get a chance...it is a beautiful piece of God's creation to experience! I was in awe! I suppose it pays to be a kid at heart...at least a large percentage of the time we have!

So, that's it for now...other than to let those of you who read this know...I am beginning to experience times when I really miss you and my family! :(( Please know that I continue to pray for you and love you! I would also ask you to please continue to pray for us as we travel and Rock the Nation for King Aslan!

Hey Guys! The Hope Tour Rehearsal...what an experience! Wednesday and Thursday of last week Fireflight worked extremely hard from 4 P.M. to 11 P.M. rehearsing for the Hope Tour! The rehearsal was held in Nashville at a place called Soundcheck...a studio designed specifically for rehearsals and where the majority of mainstream artists also do their rehearsals! The studio rocks...memorabilia from some of the greats was everywhere! I was like a kid in a candy store! Fireflight practiced one of their new songs...scheduled to be played on tour! I love it...can't wait to see how the peeps respond to it! The cut is titled "Desperate" and has a very cool "sassy" attitude! Now...let me tell you about one of the coolest parts of Fireflight...they answer all of their Myspace and E-mail messages...mostly from youth and 5-10 a week whom are seeking spiritual advice/counsel. They have been talking with one youth for over a year now and we spent some time last week trying to discern what we can do to "be Jesus" to that young person! I'm so excited to be a part of that aspect of the ministry...as well as...The Hope Tour kicks off in Arkansas this Friday and includes 25 shows in the month of October! :)) We will have a member of Dawson McAllister's Ministry on board our BIG BUS, yeah it's still BIG but I'm definitely getting use to it now, traveling on the tour with us! They will be dealing with youth at the shows who are requesting help/hope! I have been informed that it is very possible that I may also be called upon to assist! Please pray for our Myspace/E-mail ministry as well as each show and the ministry of each bands music and poetry! You can check out Dawson McAllister's Ministry at: www.dmlive.com We left Nashville Friday for Du Quoin, IL...a show scheduled for Saturday with Pillar, KJ-52, and 7 other bands! Saturday was a long day waiting to go on right before Pillar, with a 1 1/2 hour rain delay...but Fireflight blew it up...they are on such a sweet roll! Before we did anything else Sunday morning, I led us in an hour devotion which focused on our view of God! A.W. Tozer says, "It is impossible to keep our moral practices sound and our inward attitudes right while our idea of God is erroneous and inadequate. If we would bring back spiritual power to our lives, we must begin to think of God more nearly as He is. ...What comes to mind when we think of God is the most important thing about us." It was a very powerful time together...as we continue to get to know each other better! Can you imagine what they are thinking now that they've experienced Williams for over a week! lol-hhf We traveled back to Nashville Sunday afternoon...the weather and day was so beautiful! Back in Nashville I experienced yet another "Walmart parking lot adventure"...oh yeah! I slept well...the bus bunks are really very comfortable...seriously! We awoke to an absolutely beautiful day in Nashville! It is so good to choose to see and experience "the beautiful" God has gifted us with! He is not only the lover of our souls, but a giver of great and mighty gifts! :)) My love to all and thanks to those of you who continue to pray for me! Consume His love! Williams out!

How The Journey/Adventure Began!

Hey Guys! I know...I always use the word "guys" to describe everyone, but please...just love me for who I am and I'll do the same! Anyway...what a ride this has already been! It all began last Saturday when My Woman (aka: Momma-T), Em, and Jerm delivered me to Glenn and Wendy's house in Central Florida! One gaze at THE BUS, and all I could think of was...it looks bigger than a Greyhound with a 16' trailer in tow! I didn't let on that I was intimidated...not to My Woman, Em, Jerm, Glenn or Wendy but on the but inside, freaking out is probably a good way to describe it! We said our good-byes (hugs and kisses, no real tears...it seemed we all knew this was my God ordained destiny), and then Glenn took me on a test run which went much better than I had already attempted to imagine! :)) We (myself, Glenn, Wendy, Phee, and Ken-Fireflight's sound guy), left Central Florida around 6 P.M., me behind the wheel! Justin, Jess (Justin's Wife), and Dawn were scheduled to fly into Oklahoma City the day of the next show on Monday, September 21! Within minutes, a lengthy time prior to me becoming comfortable with keeping THE BUS within the lines a PO-PO (yep a POLICE OFFICER), pulled in behind me and must have followed us for 5 miles...all the time me thinking...great...pulled over within 5 minutes of being behind THE WHEEL, yep it's real BIG too! He never stopped us...but oh what a mind game! We then made our first stop at Trucker Haven...we have to gas up at truck stops because THE BUS is so BIG, you can't maneuver it about at a regular gas station! Another new learning experience...oh yea...but we got it done! We then traveled from Florida to Georgia to Alabama to Mississippi, mostly in the dark...very interesting to say the least! Glenn (as well as others), and I talked about everything (well, a lot), which included my understanding of why I was now a intimate part of their family and ministry! It was a simple yet lengthy process....maybe 15 years...which concluded with God's voice clearly saying NOW GO, and with the faith HE PROVIDED ME, I went! And wait till you hear where I went...we decided to stop in Mississippi at approximately 6 A.M., as we had traveled through considerable inclement (yeah bad), weather! God was good though...I didn't wreck us! lol-not Next...a check mark on the bucket list! Nothing more appropriate for a Buckethead than to put another check on the bucket list! Now remember, we've stopped to sleep...but where did we sleep...a Walmart Parking Lot! I never knew how much that meant...to sleep in a Walmart Parking Lot...still don't totally...but check it off the bucket list! lol Up and back on road by 5 P.M. after a hearty meal of chicken stripes from Walmart...oh yeah! Now remember, we're still two states away from our destination! We then traveled through Arkansas and arrived in Oklahoma City safe and sound! I drove all the way...WOW! We must have pulled into the Oklahoma State Fair Grounds around 2-3 A.M...and what do I have to do next...back the BIG BUS (trailer in tow), up near the stage...oh my...but it went really smooth...so this is what all those boats I use to back up was preparing me for. :)) We got some shuteye (that's sleep, dowee)...but I was up and ready for the show by 10 A.M. Of course they didn't go on until 7:30 P.M. and the weatherman was predicting heavy hail right in the middle of Fireflight's set! Can you imagine the weatherman was wrong...they ROCKED Oklahoma State Fair...probably 400 in attendance...pretty good for a Monday night! The audience was amped and loved the show! After we loaded back up, we headed straight for Nashville! I drove approximately 12 hours...well...including a couple of stops for Java (no Dunkin though...just hard core trucker coffee)! Arkansas & Tennessee are beautiful...but I'm reminding everybody up here that we live in a Tebow-Nation! :)) Oh Yeah!!! We arrived in Nashville about 12 Noon on Tuesday...and the rest of they day was pretty much a blur for me...I slept! I'll start with the Hope Tour Rehearsal on my next blog!

Hey Guys! Don't have but a sec...we're off to a Tour Rehearsal in Nashville! Just wanted to say that I do miss guys! I am having an absolute blast...up all night...sleeping "some" during the day, and getting to know my Fireflight family better! I would ask you to continue to pray for me in the following way...1) when provided the opportunity I would be able to provide them with quality spiritual counsel, 2) that I would keep them safe as I drive them from show to show, and 3) that God will provide the needs and desires of those of you whom I have left behind! Update to follow! My love to all! Williams out!