NJ Concert and WTC Attack
September 12, 2001

For those wondering and concerned, I and my family are ok! We are about an hour and a half from where it all occurred, on Long Island. I know people who knew people in the trade center, or on planes...it's horrible. My sister used to work in the city...my other sister (I think) almost got a job at the trade center. Everyone's very emotional here, and I am just floored this is going on. It's a scary thing. I was actually more worried about those in the city...Please pray for them...and for Long Island, and all of the United States. This is a scary time, but we know Who is still in control. Thanks for your concern!

First let me tell you there are some new pics on my site at www.elisasjourney.com of Mark Lowry and Anthony Burger's concert in Lancaster, PA. Instead of scanning all my pictures, I made up my scrapbook pages and scanned those in. Go to photo album, and click on "Mark Lowry/Anthony Burger Lancaster Pictures". NJ pics are posted on picturetrail and you'll find the link at the end...And now, on to NJ!!!!....

OH MY LORD...what a line-up of artists...and what an incredible night!!!!! I arrived at the concert early, where I was able to go in, cause we were volunteers. We all headed over to Anthony's table, and as we were walking, I met up with the Martins and Jake Hess. I was so happy to give him a hug and say hello. What a sweet man!! He's "Nothin but fine!" The Martin's children are just precious too!!! They hung out with dad, Jake, Jr. while he worked his dad's table. I also got to talk to Ernie Haase for a few minutes. Can we say TALL?! Nice too!! I expected to see him again later on for a pic and autograph, but when I finally got back there he was gone. I was a bit disappointed. Oh, well. I met up with Anthony at his table and we chatted for a few minutes til the crowd poured in. I also got to meet and chat with Jessy Dixon, and Ben Speer. My mom was asked to work Reggie and Ladye Love Smith's table, so she headed on over there while my sister and I waited for Jon(Gaithernet webmaster, and my tour guide) to go backstage.

He finally arrived and off we went!! No one was back there when we first arrived, but Jon showed us some of the rooms where artists go to do whatever it is they do. You will see in some of the doors in my pics. I took more, but the first 6 or 7 pics got messed up and didn't come out, so I only got two.

Anyway, Reggie and Ladye showed up and were in a rush, because they were the first singers to go out, but were gracious enough to stop and chat!! They both loved my mother too!! They were so cute!! Well, Jon then showed us the cafeteria, where we also caught David Phelps heading towards. When he came back, I got to snap a pic with him and tell him I just love his voice!! Then Russ Taff showed up and I welcomed him to the vocal band. I turned around for a few seconds, and then Russ was gone, so I didn't get a pic with him, but he was so nice to meet!!!! Then the Martins came out of their room and I talked with them. They are just the sweetest family and extremely gracious. Jonathan is also doing some producing work, so I gave him a copy of my demo and he gave me his card. They also took a look at my scrapbook…all of the artists enjoy looking at it and are impressed by the many pages and autographs I have gotten. God has been good to me at these concerts!! Couldn't have done any of it without Him opening up the doors He has!!

After that, my sister and I sat down to the most incredible line-up of artists of any concert I have ever been to!!!! Reggie and Ladye, Lynda Randle, Aaron Wilburn, who is extremely funny, The Hoppers, Old Friends Quartet, The Martins, who ROCK, The Happy Goodmans, Janet Paschal, Kevin Williams, The Easters, Jesse Dixon, Ben Speer, Ivan Parker, and of course the Gaither Vocal Band and our own Anthony Burger!!! It was incredible!!!! The concert lasted from 6-10:30 and it was still too short!!! The artists sang awesome songs, made you laugh, cry, and praise the Lord!!! I had so much fun!!! Russ ROCKED with the vocal band!!! He blended so well!! Glad he has joined them!!! And Anthony, he was amazing as always!!! He got a standing ovation!!! As if he deserves anything less!!! You go Burger Buddy!!! OH, and for those wondering who provided that comic relief…besides Aaron Wilburn, and a few jokes between George and Jake…Kevin Williams is an absolute RIOT!!!!!

He interrupted Bill at one point to read this poem about Mark leaving the vocal band and Russ joining them. He had us in stitches!!! I might try and find out if someone has a copy of it posted on a website or if I can get it…you have to hear it. It's hysterical!!!! He and Bill went back and forth too…and he helped Bill right before the intermission, like Mark used to do. It was great!!!

Well, soon intermission came, then the second half. Jonathan Martin got seated right where we were sitting, and he was so funny. He either smiled at me or would make a funny face. You will see one of them in my pics. During this time, he was chewing a piece of gum. He took it out, and it dropped on the floor. He proceeded to pick it up and place it on the drummer's cymbals in front of him. I was cracking up. Then he took it back and had no where to put it, so I ran up and gave him a tissue. He was quite thankful! Jonathan is an absolute angel too!! He is one of the nicest artists to talk to. Ernie was right there too and I got a little wave. :o) lol Well, the concert soon ended after that, and I was then able to say hi to Aaron Wilburn who remembered me from the Philly concert. He had written in my scrapbook, "Here I am in Mark's book. I've made it! I've made it!" LOL and remembered me from that. It's apparent from the pics in my book who my favorite artist is. Ha ha. I also met up with Lynda Randle who is a sweetheart!!! Her husband is on my poetry list, so she told me she gets my poems all the time and really enjoys them, and was happy with Who I write about. She gave me great encouragement and was just as sweet as could be!!! And then, we left…the night was over!! This was one of the best concerts I've ever been too. The only thing that would have made it perfect, was to meet my other gaithernet friends, and also had Mark been there. :o) I did miss him, but like I said…time to close that chapter and open a new one!!!

Hope you've enjoyed my concert review!! You can view my pics by clicking below or copying the link and going to the NJ one. Enjoy!!!!!

http://www.picturetrail.com/EEElisa