Posted by justinfox on Mar 25, 2009
OOOOHHHH, CAAANNNNAAADDDAAAA!
I made it! I’m here in another country…across the river. Today started awesome with a lively Christian school chapel concert at 10am. They were actually shouting for CDs by song 3! That’s never happened…and it’s the one gig that Samme told me NOT to bring any CDs! The Chinese food was really good, though.
I picked up the borrowed car, and it’s a beauty; a soulfully vintage ’95 Ford Aspire. The speedometer doesn’t work so I can go as fast as I want! Oh yah, and here’s the promised picture…2 words;
MOTORIZED SURFBOARD!!!
This thing is sitting in a NY garage on the Lake Ontario coast, and Louie will fire it up for you – It’s ready to roll!!!
I crossed into Canada this afternoon, stopped to catch a glimpse of the Niagara Falls, and headed to lasagna with a friend I haven’t seen in…gulp…25 years! Our families lived in Bangkok, Thailand together. He’s now a worship leader here and was able to sneak me into the youth gathering. Here’s the rundown; Canadian audiences are quite reserved – I misplaced my capo somewhere – my voice took a dive in the middle of the show – I nursed some tea afterward – inhaled some steam – and…well…it was kind of a challenging night. I’m thankful for my friend’s warm hospitality, his capo, his family’s generous support, and the comfy bed that’s calling my name! How cool to have a friend like that; a brother in Christ, reunited from around the world!
I pray God used my feeble ramblings somehow in the lives of teenagers today. I pray my voice recovers for tomorrow. If you’re the prayin’ type, keep me in mind…
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Posted by justinfox on Mar 24, 2009
Yaaaahhhh, what a day! It started with the ‘ol free hotel breakfast, but it went down well, and I had some good solitude with God with Psalm 41 as the soundtrack…”You never fail to stand me tall in your presence so I can look you in the eye” (v. 12 – The Message). I am so thankful for God’s faithfulness and nearness, especially on these solo trips. I hit the hotel gym and then got to work on the concert scheduling, a little web maintenance, and writing and returning emails.
Samme’s mom had to have stress-tests at the hospital, so he’s there with her and I’m on my own for lunch. I decide to walk a few blocks through the bright, blinding, bitter cold. I am the ONLY person outside. No one else is walking…anywhere! There are no sidewalks. Anyway, I survive lunch, work some more back at the hotel, get through #10 on Blender’s new song list, watch all the U2 Letterman performances on YouTube, and get picked up for the service tonight; Oasis Christian Fellowship’s Tuesday night Bible study. Samme is back. His mom is doing better. Everyone shares prayer requests. After prayer, Samme introduces me with the same introduction he gave me 10 years ago at GMA week in Nashville; “If you just got here…you’re just in time…for Justin Fox!” It was a flashback in the best way. It’s so great hanging out with Samme again! His Tuesday night group is a warm, responsive, welcoming crowd, and I had an amazing time worshiping with them, sharing my songs and singing together. It felt like a big living-room. I was honored to be a part. Afterward, I was blown away by everyone’s generosity at the “tent” table (Samme called the merchandise “tents”…like, along with the apostle Paul, I’m a tent-maker and these CDs, DVDs, shirts, beanies, etc…are my tents…so he encouraged everyone to check out all my camping items…I LOVE IT!!!). I even met a guy; Lou, who decided to let me borrow his car this week, so I wouldn’t have to rent one (“forgettaboutit” he said)! He also has a motorized surfboard…for reals…I will see it tomorrow and try to take a picture.
—dinner with the team at Uno’s and hoping to get rest for my early chapel service tomorrow morning, the drive into Canada, and another evening concert…
Day 2 down!
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Posted by justinfox on Mar 23, 2009
I thought I’d try to write a little bit of my day to day adventures, each day of this week-long tour. I’m out here in upper New York, solo, and I’ve never done such a thing before, so I thought I’d give it a shot. Anyone up for a few SNAPSHOTS of the road life? If there’s anyone out there who has the time and interest to follow along with me this week…I’m thankful for your company!
OK, so it takes ALL DAY to fly to a place like this from sunny California. It’s now midnight here, and I just got in. It’s 20 degrees. Pastor Samme Palermo is my gracious host, picking me up at Rochester airport, swinging by Applebee’s for a late-night chicken salad, and dropping me off here at the Fairfield Inn. Samme is the best – a total New Yorker, a ROCKER, and a give-the-coat-off-his-back lover of people. I’ll be at his church twice this week, and I can’t wait! PLEASE PRAY FOR SAMME’S MOM; He found out moments before he picked me up that she is severe flu-like symptoms and being rushed to the hospital! He dropped me at the hotel and headed straight over there…may God’s peace comfort him and his family…
Besides a tiny nap, and some quiet reflections in prayer, I mostly read today on the flights, as I love to do…1st Corinthians, 2 magazines (American Way and Blender), and 2 Henri Nouwen books (Making All Things New and Letters to Marc About Jesus). Henri is awesome! I was really inspired today, too, by Paul’s encouragement in Corinthians to “run the race to win”. Of course, I’ve heard that a million times, but isn’t it like the Spirit to use something familiar to capture your heart in a fresh way? This week, I want to run the race to win…not just “finish well”…but actually to WIN it, you know? May God hear my prayer!
I’m fighting against the 3-hour time difference, so I’m going to attempt to listen to all 20 new songs from Blender’s “Download These” column, and then hope sleep comes soon…
Until tomorrow-
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Posted by justinfox on Mar 4, 2009
The band and I tried to hold it together last Sunday morning at The Outlet [ROCKHARBOR’s Junior High gathering] but it was impossible as my 12 year old took us all to SCHOOL with her rockin’ chops and killer voice! The last time she joined me on stage in Richmond, VA they all chanted “Hannah! Montanna!” and she, of course, signed way more posters than me…
I’m so proud of her!!! Here’s a few more pics of this historic paring. I can’t wait for the next time!
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Posted by justinfox on Feb 26, 2009
This is definitely under-the-table, and Randy doesn’t even know I’m writing this, BUT…
My favorite hobby, as many of you might know, is surfing, and I couldn’t have a better friend out on the water than Randy French! I just love Surftech surfboards so much that I’ve GOT to make a shout-out! Randy and his awesome team have created these amazingly indestructible surfboards that handle all my klutzy drops and road trips, plus they’re so light and responsive that surfing is always fun! My brothers and I have all surfed these great boards, and Randy has been a generous, supportive friend for years now. I visited the factory last week in Santa Cruz and got hoooooked up! Here was Randy in the shaping room…
I ride a ‘9″8 David Nuuhiwa longboard, and it is MAGIC! Surftech is branching out in tons of adventurous designs, and I totally admire Randy for taking the many leaps of faith required to start and sustain a company like this!
If you’re ever in the surfboard buying situation, consider a SURFTECH. You’ll be stoked!!!
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