BST's Blog

Tulsa was amazing. I have many stories. Many. I will post some pictures and tell more about the event itself on Tuesday. The event was fantastic and Max and Bob were incredible...not to mention Mike on Sat morning. Working with Mike is like driving an old familiar road back to the home where you grew up. It just feels right.

Now for the other stories...

First of all, we had a hilarious "international themed" trip out. I can't even go there. But it was hilarious, complete with the completely terrifying flight attendant on the commuter jet. The man was of international flavor and never blinked. He had these wild eyes that just made you want to take a parachute and jump for it. Jason does a great impression.

Then there was the shower at the hotel. I couldn't figure out why the conditioner was so dense when I was showering and why it wouldn't seem to rinse out. Finally, as I was trying to fix my hair and it looked like that episode of Seinfeld where they all had flat hair due to the lack of water pressure I decided to check the conditioner bottle. Turned out to be body lotion. Brilliant.

Our driver got lost driving us to the fair grounds and so our sound check was really late and to a house full of people (nearly 6000). For the love.

The opening 30 minute worship time was ok--but just felt a little off for some reason. I wish we had had more time to settle. But, once the 7pm hour hit and we went into the Max Lucado/Bob Russell time, it seemed to come together a little more. Max and Bob absolutely hit it out of the park. It was a historical night and I am SO thankful I got to be there.

The Saturday morning time with Mike was, as I mentioned, so wonderful and so familiar. I love getting to work with him and am so thankful for my brother.

After the Saturday morning time, we crashed Greg Taylor's family reunion luncheon. I was walking with my plate towards the table when a woman asked me if my name was Brandon. I knew immediately when I looked at her who she was. Arlene and I had gone to camp together a couple of summers and then one or two retreats. She and Holly Sanders were some of my big buds in high school. Arlene's claim to fame was that she went to her prom with Matthew Conaughey. No lie. Anyway--I hadn't seen her in almost 20 years. We lost contact after she went to Harding and I went to ACU. It was the CRAZIEST moment! So surreal. How can we be this old? Her husband, Shawn, was the nicest guy. I felt like I had known him for years too. They have 4 beautiful children. What a blessing!

We flew home and on our layover in Memphis we got to watch the very sad defeat of TX by LSU. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

On the last leg of our flight, I was seated next to two returning Spring-Breaking high school seniors. Ugh. Here's a conversation that took place next to me.

HS girl 1: I wanna know how the pilot, like, knows where he's going when it's dark or when he's above the clouds and can't, like, see the ground.

HS girl 2: I think he, like, uses a compass or something.

Brandon: (inward groan wishing for a number of people...namely Stephen Bailey...to be sitting next to me witnessing this.)

We made it home safely and Sheryl had already left for her beach vacation. I have the girls til Wed and she took Sam. Mr. Mom is my name.

This morning was so amazing. Doug did great, Sonya's monologue as the woman at the well was fantastic, Angela shared perfectly and from her heart about her recovery from drugs and alcohol, and the response time with the shepherd's and wives was moving. It was a great day to be at the Creek.

This afternoon I took Maddie to a birthday party and Lea Brown took Ella to play. (Ella and Lea are birds of a feather and they adore each other.) The girls collapsed into bed and I haven't heard a peep from them. Ahhhhhhh. Rest for all.