Gaither Concert, Part 1

There are only 18 parts to this concert report.

I'm KIDDING.

Saturday evening, I worked the Gaither Homecoming Concert in Fort Wayne. You can imagine how that broke my heart.

Unlike the Crowder/Story concert, this one was at the Coliseum in Ft Wayne. (Seats about a billion. Or at least it feels like that many.)

Let's start with wardrobe, shall we? We had to wear these button down shirts, and mine used to belong to Jamie. (Jamie, who is WAY littler than I am.) I elected not to go on a week-long fast prior to the concert, so I thought I better get a cami to wear under it so I didn't have to have it buttoned at all times. I was once again assigned t-shirt-tossing duty, so I knew heels were out. Better get some flats (with skid proof bottoms so I didn't wipe out in front of everyone). Unfortunately all my jeans were purchased to go with heels, so I had to get new flat-friendly jeans. Figured while I was at it, I might as well get some festive new jewelry. Good grief. Such a girl.

My first task of the day was to pick up the station van and drive it to the Coliseum. I have not driven a van in about 15 years. My biggest fear was that I'd accidentally activate the yellow flashing light on top, get pulled over, and have to explain to a cop that I didn't know how I'd turned it on and wasn't sure how to turn it off. (You roll your eyes but if you only knew the things I've been pulled over for - that I was NOT doing - you'd understand this fear.)

My second biggest fear was crashing the station van. It is a bus compared to what I usually drive. Add to that the fact that I never found the lever to scoot UP the seat so I could reach the pedals, plus the steering wheel being twice the size of my car's wheel, plus the decor covering the rear van windows...and this was my feeling:
Jesus and Cal (my GPS) got me to the Coliseum all in one piece. I met up with my friends Marsha and Amy, and we unloaded all our stuff and headed inside. Marsha and I took the elevator with the cart of stuff, and we accidentally spent so long talking, we forgot to push the button to actually go UP! (I thought it was an awfully slow elevator!) Lynne joined us, and the four of us were the official WBCL greeters!

Proof that I was there. :)

Our table was just outside the door by the stage, so when we walked past to set up, the GVB was inside doing their sound check. DAVID PHELPS WAS RIGHT THERE!!! I totally squealed and did a little jig right in the hall. And I got caught. By Mark and Michael. Oh well. They should feel appreciated. We set up and then wandered right in to find our seats - sound check still in progress. So fun!! Talk about a GOOD night!

When the people started coming in, it was fun to meet people who listen to Mid-Morning. Two or three of them said to me, "Oh you're the new girl!" LOL!! Yep! I am! It was also fun to see people I knew...like my friends Cheryl and Angie.

About 5:30, we all went inside and Lynne made some announcements from the stage while the rest of us threw the t-shirts and fling rings. I think I was successful! WHEW!! After that, it was time to buy a $3 pop (good night nurse) and big ole bag of popcorn and head inside to find Miss Ronda and watch the concert!! (Come back tomorrow. I bet you'll NEVER guess who you'll see pictures of...)