Another Amazing Homecoming Concert - 5-99

Hey, y'all! I know many of you are waiting patiently for my detailed letter of the concert, and you know it will be detailed!! :) As for the rest of you, I just wanted to share what an incredible time I had, and to let the performers know what their concert is like from a fan's point of view. God opened the right doors for me, once again. Now, it's in God's hands. Just pray His will be done. I will let you know if I get any responses. Well, here's what happened!! Guy told me Bill Gaither said something so nice about me! It's at the end of the letter.

First, I'll get two dissapointments out of the way....Mark Lowry did NOT ask if there were any ReMarkables in the audience! What kind of a ReMarkable is he! :) He tells us to wear our shirts, but we want to show them off and show our support for him! Ok, the second was that Jake Hess was not at his table and I didn't get a Jake Hess hug. :( I was soooo sad. I just love that man so much.

NOW, drum roll.....for the concert....

Ok, we parked the car, walked...okay, I won't get that detailed. :) I met my friend Rebekah for the first time. We've known each other over the internet for over a year, and it was so nice to finally meet in person. She and I are very much a like and BIG fans of the Gaithers, especially the vocal band. :) 

I also went with my two sisters, Ann and Madeline. We all had an incredible time. Madeline loves Jessy Dixon. She thought he was great, we all did. He had us all fired up singing "I Saw the Light". We were practically dancing!

LOL I got lots of pictures, of them on stage and also with them!! They came out great!!! Ok....

Let's see, I first met Candy, who knows me now from the internet. Since she just came out with a new album, and she's not looking for new material, she told me that she saves all the music she gets from people, so she can look them over for her next album. SO, maybe someday I will be honored to have Candy sing one of my songs. She is very talented and soooo beautiful, inside and out. What a most exquisite person.

Then I met Bob Cain, who is just such a precious man. You can see a real genuiness about him. I met Jake, Jr., who is one of the nicest people I've ever met. He was extremely gracious. He told me where dad would be and to go say hello (which I never got a chance too. He was sitting in a chair about 10 feet from me, but didn't want to go down there and get in trouble with the crew). At the end of the concert, I told him goodbye, and asked for his autograph and a picture just because he's so nice, and I love his father. :)

I told him to give Jake a big hug and tell him I love and miss him. I met Ben Speer, who was very sweet and enjoyed taking a picture with me and my friend Rebekah. ;) Jake was the same way last time I met him. They are hysterical those guys. :) Then it was concert time. If you've ever been to one of their concerts, nothing needs to be said. If not, you NEED to go to one!!! They are the most incredible experiences you'll ever, uh, experience. :) Just so uplifting. Mark was hysterical as usual, and everyone's singing was just incredible. I was clapping, waving my flahslight, singing, crying, laughing, and just having a grand ol time! We had THE best seats too. We had first row, artist circle bleacher seats. You're up a little and you're not peering over anyone's head, and the stage is smack dab in front of you!! I waved to Mark twice and he waved back!! :) I was sitting next to two older gentlemen, in their 70's maybe, and I had such a nice conversation with them. We talked about the concerts, they noticed I was an enthusiastic fan. hee hee, that's an understatement. :) They were so sweet and I had a nice time talking with them. After the concert, I was able to meet Mark. You all know I am his biggest, uh second biggest (sorry mama) fan, so I was just thrilled to see him again. He liked my t-shirt (ReMarkable t-shirt). I told him it was my favorite one. My sister Madeline was the only not wearing one and Mark asked why. She said he has to make it in black then she'd wear one. Black is her favorite color, in case you don't know. :) I met David and he remembered me too! Then I met Bill, the legend. What a sweet man. I asked if he remembered me, the one who gave him my music last time. He said he sure did and gave me the biggest hug!! He asked how I was doing, what I was up to. I was able to give him Laughter in My Soul, plus my testimony (since he has a major impact in it), and he was gracious enough to take it and tell me to keep up the enthusiasm. I told him I was taking English courses at home and seeing a vast improvement. I told him about my newsletter and how God has taken me real far since I last met him. I really hope he likes that song I gave him. I think he will. We shall see. Then I met the Martins. Three of the nicest, sweetest people you'll ever meet. They were soooo gracious. I gave my songs to Jonathan and he was so nice about taking them. I told him there were three copies in there, since they all don't live in the same house. He was grateful for that. I asked Judy if Jake was ok. She said he was doing fine, but pray for him cause he's having problems with his eyes. So, please pray for him.

Also, we found out Joyce is pregnant with her first child!!!! I told them congratulations and also that I am a big fan of theirs and what a wonderful group they are. They were so thankful for that. Just a sweet family. Judy gave me the nicest hug, something I didn't expect. I didn't even ask for one. She did it on her own. I love them! So sweet. Finally, I met Guy again. I told him I tell everyone he is one of the sweetest people I know and how gracious he is all the time. He was thankful, and told me he remembered me from Johnstown and that Bill Gaither was impressed by me! Bill said, "I met this young lady with a lot of enthusiasm. She knows what she wants to do and where she wants to go." Guy said Bill was impressed by that. I remember Bill telling me I remind him of a young Bill Gaither. What a compliment. So, Guy said to keep up the good work, I'm making a name for myself! :) I'll keep you all posted if any of them contact me about my songs. What a joy that would be!!!

Believe it or not, that's it!! Part of me feels I'm leaving so much out. If I feel there is anything else I wanted to share with you, I'll let you know as soon as I remember it. I had a fantastic time and I'm already looking forward to the next concert!! :) So, keep me in your prayers that God's will be done with my songs. Thank you all for letting me share. God bless, Elisa