Thursday, March 20, 2008

Happy Blog-A-Versary To Me!

Hey, friends! It's been a long time! Too long, I know. I will get to that in a minute.

Today is my one-year anniversary as a blogger. Woo hoo! I can't believe it's been a year. I didn't even know many of you a year ago. And now, through these blogs, and all of your great comments, it has been awesome becoming a part of this strange - and great - community.

As I read my first few entries today I got kind of sad...because I was writing so much more thoughtfully and cleverly (is that a word?). I need to get my writing groove going again.

Thank you for always listening to me ramble...even when it is about uninteresting things (which is the norm). Thanks for visiting as often as you do.

OK...back to why I haven't blogged in like two weeks. Remember when you all were praying for me because I was out of the country and feeling sick? That was the week beginning Monday, March 3rd. I left for Puerto Rico on Wednesday the 5th, feeling like I had the beginning of the flu, but not sure. I had just started taking some medicine that the doctor had given me for reflux, and thought maybe I was just feeling a little sick because of that. But by the time I was on the plane to Puerto Rico, I knew it wasn't the drug. It was THE FLU. Fun times. Foreign country. No comforts of home. I was pretty doggone sick. And Beth sent out a plea for prayer. I was so grateful for that. I read your prayers and encouragement on her blog (and mine), and it was such an encouragement to Angela and me. And I honestly had everything I needed while I was working that week. I was doing a video shoot for the International Mission Board. I had some ups and downs...but the Lord pulled me through. And by the last day, I was feeling pretty good. I had some celebratory fajitas with the video director and crew before they took me to the airport to go home on Saturday afternoon.

The airport was a mess, and I came really close to missing my flight home. But I barely made it. As soon as I got to my window seat, I got settled in, and fell asleep before we even took off for our 3 1/2 hour flight. I woke up after sleeping about an hour and a half. And it happened.

I started coughing. And chilling. And coughing some more. The people beside me started inching away from me and putting their shirts over their noses to breathe.

Then I started thinking about those fajitas. And I started feeling REALLY sick. And I kept telling myself, "Self, stop thinking about those dadgum fajitas. Stop it." But I couldn't.

And by this time my chills had turned into jerks, and I could not sit still. I grabbed the nice little white bag and headed for the restroom. And the rest is US Airways history.

As I was puking in the restroom, I kept thinking of that New testament story when the sinful woman says of Jesus, "He told me everything I had ever done." Except I was thinking, "He showed me everything I ever ate." Truly. I was thinking that. And truly, He did. Yes and amen.

By the end of the flight, I was in such pitiful shape, they had to wheel me out of the plane. They almost did not allow me onto my flight from Charlotte to Nashville. But I was so desperate to be home and see my wife and kids, I put on an award winning performance of being healthy and well and excited to get back on a plane. They let me on (reluctantly), and I slept the entire time. Again, they had to wheel me off. Angela and the kids came and got me, and I proceeded to be useless for about 5 more days.

That was Saturday, the 8th. By Friday the 14th, I was feeling like I was almost back in the land of the living. And by Saturday, I was almost back to normal, and was able to fly to Dallas to sing (hello to my new friends at Cottonwood Creek in Allen, TX).

SO...all of that to say...I was too sick to make coherent thoughts for nearly two weeks. And I have spent this past week catching up on life...and hanging out with the fam for spring break. I am finally back to pseudo-normal.

I still have some post-flu cough that I just can't seem to shake. Which is so much fun for a singer. Fun times.

Again, thank you so much for your prayers for me while I was sick. I am so grateful for you.

I am off to waller with the kids and then wrestle them to bed. I promise to be blogging again very soon. There is a lot to talk about...like American Idol, March Madness, the return of Frydaddy, and my newly self-diagnosed OCD.

Blessings...

TC

32 comments:

Angela said...

Glad you are feeling better. I don't like it when I see what I ate either. I'm pregnant and it happens more than I would like. Never on a plane, which I'm sure it was a lovely experience. Can't wait to read more from you on your blog.
I also think I lost my (your) CD. I just can't seem to remember where I put it. So, I guess I'll buy another one this weekend. I really miss Travis in the car, but an old Watermark CD has been doing the trick.
Take care.

Anonymous said...

What? You watch one episode of Monk with me and now you're OCD?

Heidi said...

Welcome back to the land of the living...or at least the land of the blogging!
My 2 1/2 year old daughter has designated "Stand and Shout" from my SongDiscovery CD as "HER" song. We play it everytime we're in the car (sometimes multiple times)and she now sings along. Needless to say I have almost every nuance of that song memorized! Our praise band debuted it at church last week. Good times!

Holly said...

At first I thought Waller, TX instead of waller with your kiddos :)

Welcome back to the land of the living! The Smith's were praying for you and your wife and kids.

BTW, WE LOVE Monk! Have you watched Psych? It's a great show--they always have an 80's flashback at the beginning. It's pretty funny, too.

Praying for you all and looking forward to the LPL conf. in Colorado Springs--bring some O2 :) Can't wait to go and see what God brings--a feast for sure!
Blessings,
holly

PS My Chris got a job! Woohoo!!! Praise God with us--His timing is perfect.

Profbaugh said...

Travis your BACK!!! And Happy Blog-A-Versary to you.

I was just thinking about you yesterday when I posted "What's your Favorite Easter Song." I've got a you-tube clip on the side bar of a church singing, "Alive Forever Amen." It's not a Travis Cottrell rendition, but it's still pretty good.

All this to say, I'm glad to have you back in the blogging world again. Enjoy your time at home and rest your pipes! That cough is nothing to mess with. (Oh man, do I sound like a mom or what?)

Much love,
~Cheryl

Oliver said...

Good grief, Travis! So sorry to hear about your ordeal -- what a bad deal! But I'm glad to hear you're feeling better. There's nothing worse than feeling bad when you are far away from home and the people who really love you! I will lift up another prayer for you.

Seriously, who is your fave on American Idol this season? I can't wait to hear what you have to say about everybody.

I hope you get lots of more wallering time with the kids. My daughter turned five back in January. Good times! Take care!

Brenda said...

If only I knew what to get you for your one year blog-a-versary!!! Is it paper or plastic that first year? We plan to see DMHO next week as they travel "Back Home Again in Indiana". Would love to see the likes of you two in concert together one day! Hey, a girl can dream.
Glad to hear you are feeling better-the flu stinks--okay-I walked into that one--but I'm not touching it...
Blessings to you and your family this Resurrection Sunday!
Brenda in Indiana

JulieMom101 said...

Oh my word! I know this is really cruel, but I HAD to laugh when you paraphrased scripture. She may have been the woman the the well, but you were the man in the restroom :-)
But we're so glad you're back and feeling better! And Happy Anniversary! Don't worry about blogging the small stuff. If you were deep and spiritual all the time, you wouldn't be human. It's the fact that you can show you are human striving for personal holiness that helps to motivate the rest of us to keep going as well. Thanks for all you do - and not just musically.

ocean mommy said...

WOW!!! That sounds like our house the last 2 weeks or so!

Happy Blog-A-Versary to you!

Blessings on this Easter weekend!
stephanie

Todd Benkert said...

Happy Blog-a-versary!!!

Blogging has allowed me to get reconnected to a lot of old friends. I am happy to read about the great things God continues to do in and through you.

-- Todd

P.S. Thought of you last night when the Bruins almost knocked off Duke. Vince Gill and I are disappointed. :-)

Big Mama said...

Happy Blogaversary, Frydaddy.

I will never experience stomach flu again without thinking about "he showed me everything I ate". Classic.

Dionna said...

Oh - that just sounds so miserable,Travis. You'll never forget that experience! ---UGGGH. I 'm so sorry you had to endure and go through all of that. It feels so amazing to gain strength and health back after a long dose of being sick like that doesn't it?

Just Call Me Grammy said...

When I read "I had some celebratory fajitas" I sucked in some breath and thought "what a brave man so soon after flu." Maybe brave was not the right word ;-) Glad you are feeling better.

MC said...

Hey Trav -- it has been so long since i blogged i think i have forgotten how! I have been praying for you and Ang much -- lots for your voice. Jim has had the same crud and starts to cough when he sings. But we are headed to Hawaii in a week, so that should make us all much better. You have been on our hearts much lately. Have a blessed EASTER. Praise the Lord for all He has done. HE IS RISEN INDEED.

PS I remember when Jim and I were teens (a LONG time ago). We were on a flight with the drum corps we belonged to on our way to play for the governor's inaugeration. It was a small plane and VERY rough WYO weather. The "bags" on that plane were clear so when our sweet girl friend ate cheetos we ALL got to see the bag blow up a nice bright orange. Jim couldn't eat cheetos for YEARS. Yours truly never has trouble eating -- but I will NEVER forget the sight.

Our worship team is doing the At The Cross medly from one of your CD's at Easter. Come sing with us!

We love you guys!
MC

Kelly S. said...

Happy Blog-A-Versary

Glad you are feeling better. So sorry about your ordeal on the plane, but I must admit I was laughing WITH you at your award winning performance and then being wheeled through the airport. Praise God that He sustained you through the video!!

I hope you enjoy this Easter weekend and that you and your family stay healthy!!

Anonymous said...

Travis...so glad you are feeling better! I did pray for you while you were doing your IMB stint. I think your travels and getting sick in the airplane bathrooms will cure you of "your OCD" (or aggravate it, not sure)ha, ha. I have some very similar travel stories!
Looking forward to the LP in FL next week. I'm bringing my mom.
Have a great Easter.

Erica from Maine
Russ and Angela's friend

Edwards Family said...

Travis, that is TERRIBLE!

Praise God you are feeling better....I have to tell you how much our small group ENJOYED your music on Stepping Up! What a powerful addition to Beth's study!

My friends and I listen to your CD's all of the time...claiming that each one is our "new favorite!" :~) There is no doubt that your talent is a GIFT FROM GOD!

May your Easter be a blessed time to honor Our God and enjoy your family..

Blessings,
jen

Darlene R. said...

I wondered when I read the whole fajita thing if you might be sorry for that!
Glad that you are feeling better now.

Anonymous said...

As a fellow singer, I hate to tell you, but it took me 4 weeks to get over that cough/crud mess. IT's the first time in about 15 years I have had the flu and it is terrible. Glad you are feeling better.

Your music blesses my socks off!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Blog-O-Versary, Travis! So glad you're feeling better ... many thanks for sharing your airplane lavatory "revelation". Haven't laughed that hard in a while :-)

Just wanted to let you know I tackled grocery shopping last night (my LEAST favorite chore in the world) with my iPod and a whole bunch of Travis, and man, I nearly had me a Jesus-Fest right there on the chip aisle. An elderly couple looked at me sideways, and I know they must have thought I was intoxicated. If they only knew ...

Just wanted to thank you for completely transforming my thoughts on grocery shopping ... I can't wait till the pantry needs to be stocked again!

connorcolesmom said...

Well, Happy Blog-A-Versary and gracious me I am glad you are on the mend!
Man, we siestas prayed for you and then we heard you were much better. I can not imagine being that sick on an airplane that must have been excruciating!
I look forward to seeing who your fav on American Idol is :)
There are so many good ones this year.
See you next Friday in Jacksonville!
I can't wait!
Blessings on this Holy weekend!
Kim

Anonymous said...

Several years ago I was en route to London to study for the summer. My friend Lauren got crazy airsick. I saw her heave a few times and braced myself thinking it would be projectile vomit toward the people in front of us. Thankfully she remembered the little white bag. She filled it up and then handed it to me. Handed it to ME. Like what am I supposed to do with a pukebag?! So I just kinda sat there and held it and then I realized why she gave it to me - because she was filling up another one.

So on behalf of other passengers, I thank you for filling your pukebag in the bathroom (to be fair, we were landing so she couldn't make a run for it). Friendship knows no bounds, truly.

Glad you're feeling better!

jennyhope said...

PLEASE tell me someone got a pic of you in the wheelchair? I am sorry you were sick and you still manage to crack me up even with the flu! Angela is quite a woman home schooling and taking care frydaddy with the flu!

Charity said...

You are so stinkin' funny! I am so sorry you were sick!! HOW AWFUL: To be on a plane, all by yourself, and puking! That is just terrible!!

Glad you are feeling better now!

Yes...AI has been very good!

Hope y'all have a GREAT Easter weekend!

Patty said...

I have been praying for you and I am so glad you are feeling better. I am so gald I read this post before I ate breakfast. LOL. Good for my diet so I thank you. :o)

Happy Blog-A-Versary to you!!! It is so much fun getting to "visit" with you all here and to think if God had not blessed us with the wonderful world of blog we would not have Frydaddy!

laura said...

Travis, I am so sorry you got sick on the plane! Ugh, no fun. We were praying for you and for healing...guess you won't be eating fajitas for a while. :( I hope you are continue to get stronger--we will pray for that. Have a wonderful Easter!

Anonymous said...

So at what point will fajitas sound like a good idea again? Hey! I just noticed my blog is on your list. I'm so honored!

Fran said...

Just back from Spring break at the beach and I'm here to wish you
"Happy blogaversary!"

I know we all say this 101 times, but Travis, you really have changed my heart and my life toward worship through music!! I'm forever grateful and I pray that you have a glorious Easter morning with your family!

"In Christ Alone" baby! :)

Shelley B. said...

oh my Travis that is horrible but I laughed and laughed at the same time. I could so see you with your white bag and thought back to many years ago on a small airplane with many of us to Michigan. But your story is so much worse!

hope you are good and we miss you guys!

Real Life Sarah said...

Happy blogaversary. Glad you're feeling better! My blogaversary is today and I almost forgot.

Cecelia said...

Travis,
I am so glad you are feeling better ! I too have prayed for you. Sorry about the sickness on the plane.
Happy Easter !
Blessings,

Cecelia

Unknown said...

I stop by occasionally, but don't always leave comments--but when you wrote about Jesus showing you everything you had ever eaten I about fell out. I mean, of course I feel just awful for your pain, I do; but since it's in the past I'm getting quite the chuckle. I have to say thanks for the update and keepin' it real. I haven't watched AI this season, but your blog on that has me curious--they should pay you for this service. Have a great week!