It seems that last weekend held a lot of “firsts” for me. I participated in my first 5K walk-run. And I got to go to my first concert!
Really…I’d never been to a live concert before. Why? Well mainly because I didn’t think I would really like it. I guess I felt like I’d be paying good money to have my ears blasted out by loud speakers and that I’d feel uncomfortable in a setting like that.
I’ve always really enjoyed Christian music on the radio. But I tend to be kind of private when I’m “belting it out for the Lord”. Now, put me in my mini-van with a CD cranked up when I’m by myself on the way to the store and I’ll jam out, but with others around me – even my family members who I am, of course, very comfortable around – I tend to be much more reserved.
Goodness, let’s all just pause for moment and have a nice belly laugh that I used the words “CD cranked up”, “jam out”, and “mini-van”, all in the same sentence. Not that any of you thought I was very cool before, but after that sentence, all of my coolness credibility just flew out my mini-van window.
Hey. I’ll have you know that our mini-van has a very sweet stereo system, thank you very much.
(My guess is that trying to defend my mini-van speakers is not increasing my coolness level even a little bit, is it? I’ll stop now.)
Well anyway, last Christmas, our boys received the “God is Not Dead” Newsboys CD. We have it playing in (you guessed it) our mini-van. The more I heard the CD, the more I loved it. For the first time, I actually found myself wishing that I could go to a Newsboys concert, because jamming out (don’t picture it) with the Newsboys live and in person sounded awesome.
All concerts in our area were sold out, so it seemed that it just wasn’t going to happen. I decided to just be satisfied with enjoying the CD, playing my favorite songs over and over.
And then, a Newsboys concert opportunity came about right around Matt’s birthday. (You’ve got to love it that I planned something I really wanted to do for his birthday. Don’t worry. Matt loved it too and was in full agreement that we make these plans.)
Last Friday night, as a family, we got to experience the best concert ever. I loved it more than I ever thought I would. In fact, when they sang their final song and the lights came on, I looked at Matt and said with incredible disappointment, “Wait. It’s over already? But they just started.” Matt smiled, showed me his watch, and told me that we had been there for three hours. I had no idea that much time had gone by. But I am admitting to you right now that this 39 year old with the not so coolest mini-van in town felt like crying like a baby that it was over already.
I figure I’ve already solidified your decision that I’m terribly uncool. Might as well let you know that I was also a big cry baby because (wah) I wanted more songs.
It’s all good though. We turned the Newsboys CD on and jammed out as a family in our mini-van all the way home. ;)
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Jill Roper says
I am so glad you finally went to a concert. My boys love Newsboys and all the other Christian rock bands. My very first concert was with Bobby Sherman waaaaaaayyyy back in the day! My second though was with son Daniel when he was just 7. I won tickets to a Ray Boltz concert and knew he would love to go since he is a music lover.
My Gratituesday will be up at midnight on my blog. I also wrote about my very first home birth as a student midwife. Awesome!
I have much to be grateful for.
Melody says
Saw them a few years ago while Peter Furler was still the lead singer and pretty much sang myself hoarse that night. I was a very enjoyable night.
Gertrude says
It’s awesome that you got to do a 5k walk-run for the first time. Congratulations on that ! I am working my way there right now. God willing next year I want to run a 5k. I will let you know how that goes !
Have a beautiful day and may God bless you for hosting this link-up !
Anne Kimball says
Oh Laura, stop being silly. Of course we all think you’re cool! Mini-van or not. So glad you enjoyed your first concert!
Kendra says
So glad you enjoyed it :) Never been to a Newsboys concert but I love them!
Amy says
I love Christian concerts! I’ve been blessed with having gone to several. I bet you’d really like Creation – I grew up near Creation East – and on Saturday night there’s 35000 people there, belting it out with the Newsboys and waving candles. Awesome!
Abby at Foodiesaurus Rex says
I have always wanted to go to a Christian concert! That is all I listen to on the radio! Glad you had fun!
My post is about asking the Lord to change me. Sometimes we feel as though we need to change before turning our lives our to him and so we hide. Do not hide, we do not need to change because he will accept us as we are and then change us. God bless!
CathyG says
We just saw Tenth Avenue North on Sunday evening. They are AWESOME and do a great show and always share the Gospel. Winter Jam is another good one to go to as well as you get to see several bands and it’s cheap. We went in 2009 when it was at Council Bluffs.
Hannah says
We have several Newsboys favorites … my younger brother LOVES “God Is Not Dead” and my mother LOVES “He Reigns”!
Joy says
So glad your first concert experience was a good one! The Newsboys are a band with such integrity and passion for God; it just oozes out of them on CD and in person! ( I rock out to their CDs in my mini-van, too) :) Bless you, Laura!
Melinda Johnson says
I’m so glad that you picked Newsboys as your first concert experience! I have followed them for over 15 years now and they still rock the house! They are some of the best entertainers in the business, as well as keeping their message at the forefront. Tait is awesome, too, but I do prefer the old school Newsboys a touch better. I was a groupie way back when. I’m sad to say that not all concerts are as much fun as the Newsboys. But I’m glad you had a great time! I hope it won’t be your last!
Patty says
I LOVE the Newsboys! I saw them in concert a few years back, when Peter Furler was the lead singer, and I will admit that I sang and screamed louder than most of the teens there! It was awesome!
Congrats on your 5k! You are such an inspiration to me! Ever since you started sharing about how you’re exercising, etc, I have been motivated to do the same!
Linking up today…..
K Quinn says
We need to find a good concert to go to. We missed when Randy Rothwell was in town. Peanut would love to go to a Gaither concert. Have to look into this. Thank you for the reminder.
Kristen @ Smithspirations says
So sorry! I goofed my name in the link-up and entered twice since I couldn’t remove the first. Please feel free to delete my first entry (#28).
I’m sharing a post I wrote about how the Lord really convicted me recently regarding the amount of spare time I spend online and on my phone. As I’ve tried to commit to being more accountable with how I use my time, I’m finding my children are more diligent as well.
This is my first time joining your link-up. Thanks for hosting!
Myra says
“Goodness, let’s all just pause for moment and have a nice belly laugh that I used the words ”CD cranked up”, “jam out”, and “mini-van”, all in the same sentence.”…you are too funny, Laura! I did have a good laugh, especially because it reminded me of myself! :)
Brooke says
LOL! You totally cracked me up Laura :)
I am so grateful for my hubby! We are celebrating our 9 year anniversary on Thursday! I thank God for him and pray that we have many many many years together :)
Lori says
I have always heard the newsboys were the best concert to go to. I saw a video of one of there concerts about 10 (maybe 15, I may be getting old and not ready to deal with it, lol) years ago. I always wanted to go, but it has never worked out.
Holly @ My Plant-Based Family says
We love the Newsboys but haven’t made it to one of their concerts yet. Last weekend my daughter got to go to Winter Jam with Toby Mac, Chris August, Sidewalk Propets, Kari Jobe, and a bunch of others. I was slightly jealous!