Posted by justinfox on Mar 26, 2009
Oh man, thanks for your prayers, everyone!!! My voice recovered and my singing at tonight’s concert was totally fine! A real miracle. I tried to stay quiet all day except to answer the U.S. Border officer’s questions…as he pulled me out of the car and SEARCHED IT! I didn’t know what was going on. I just tried to stay calm and not look guilty or nervous…but that’s when you look the most guilty and nervous, right?! They finally let me go, and I was sure happy to be back in America.
The Aspire is running like a champ!
My hosts tonight put me up at this really nice hotel overlooking a giant lake. I was so blessed! The concert went well. I’m just super relieved that my voice held up and seems to be getting better and better. Another big miracle: I was unable to schedule a Sunday night service on this trip, but still booked my ticket for Monday morning by faith that something could come up. Well, God’s plan unfolded…A pastor of the local Assemblies church was in the audience tonight and BOOKED ME for this Sunday!!! Amazing. I’m so stoked.
I uploaded a new video clip the other day. It’s a fun piece in the middle of our DVD documentary, including interviews with three of my brothers. They are STUDS! Oh yah, and I step in dog doo-doo…
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNfOeGlTvws[/youtube]
Tomorrow I will sleep in for sure…and buy a capo after breakfast. The Albany youth group concert tomorrow is 3 hours away. It’s a benefit for the church’s food pantry. May hearts be touched, motivated, and inspired!
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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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