Hey, everybody...hope you all are having a great week. I am in Houston. I have been here since Wednesday. I am singing in a Christmas program at a church down here. We have two performances on Saturday and one on Sunday. I am excited about it! Nobody throws a Texas-sized Christmas program like Dick Hill. Dick is the worship pastor here at Champion Forest Baptist. Dick is also my "worship daddy." He has had, over the years, more influence on me as a worship leader than anybody else. He is THE BEST. And I love spending this time with him.
This is my second year in a row to do their Christmas program with them. And Dick does a really smart thing: after rehearsals all week, he gives everybody Friday off to rest. Smart, huh? So nobody has to sing or do anything involving the program, in order that we can all rest up.
I love coming to Houston...some of my best friends in the world live here. So it's a great chance to see them, eat some great food, and have a fun time.
Angela and the kids are coming here on Saturday to join me. And they are going to love the program. We don't have these huge production-kind-of-Christmas programs in Nashville. The kids are going to flip out when they see one of the kings ride in on an elephant. Yes I just said that.
OK...some random stuff from the past week:
- My family and I have discovered the joy that is Marble Slab Creamery. Oh, yes. Thank you, Lord. Even my no-dairy wife has developed a thing for the sweet cream flavor. Run, don't walk. Unfortunately, you will likely see the fruit of this new love the next time you see me. Ouch.
- Lily Kate prayed for Miss LaToe last week. Think about it. Say that name fast.
- I stood in the checkout line at Hobby Lobby beside Carrie Underwood last week. She bought a Christmas tree and 3 scarecrows (which were 90% off for the post-Thanksgiving Day sale). Even idols love a good bargain.
By the way, I went to Hobby Lobby 3 times that day, fighting with Christmas lights. Christmas lights are beautiful. And evil. And no man should ever have to go to Hobby Lobby 3 times in one decade, much less one day.
- Speaking of American idol...our very own Mandisa was nominated for a grammy yesterday! Can you believe it? I am so excited!! I will never get a grammy nomination myself...but I can say that my former secretary did!! Woo hoo!
- I start work on a Christmas CD in January. We are busy picking songs...new and traditional. Dang. I have TOO MANY songs I want to put on this project. Christmas music is my favorite music.
- Speaking of Christmas music, I just found another new Christmas cd that I love. It's Mel Torme, and it's called Christmas Songs. My friend Brad Day (worship pastor at a church in Mississippi where I did a Christmas concert last weekend) got me hooked on it. It's awesome. If you can, go to iTunes and download it.
I also just downloaded the soundtrack to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, featuring Burl Ives. It's awesome.
- Everybody PLEASE watch The Next Great American Band tonight on Fox (8 eastern, 7 central). My buddy Denver and his band, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra are STILL ON. They are in the top 5. We find out tonight whether or not he makes it to the final four. According to the spoilers on the web, he does (cough, cough). So please watch, and PLEASE VOTE more than usual tonight. If they make it to the top three, they are in the finale.
- My alma mater, Appalachian State University, is in the semi-finals of the Division 1-AA national tournament tonight. Go APP!
You guys have a great weekend...
TC
31 comments:
Riding in on an elephant! OH man! I would love to see that too! Nothing like that here in Boise! What a blast that would be!
And you stood by Carrie Underwood? Did you talk to her? I love her first album and really rooted for her in competition. Haven't hear her 2nd one yet - hoping it's just as good and decent. :)
First Target and now Hobby Lobby. You're becoming quite the shopper!
We are loving that Denver is still in this, as well as the 3 brothers. (I'm drawing a blank on their name) It's so fun to watch the judges react to both of these groups. They can't quite figure out what the difference is. But we all know don't we! It's Jesus!
Can't wait to hear more about that Christmas collection. I've been asked to write a new piece for next Christmas and I'm having a hard time. What do you do when you get writer's block? I thought writing Christmas music during the season would be easy, but I am stuck, big time.
have a wonderful weekend!
stephanie
Hey Travis!
How about those Apps! I heading to Boone in a couple of hours to catch tonight's game. I am so excited I can hardly stand it! It's going to cold, but oh so much fun. Love reading your blog and hearing from you.
Right now I'm listening to your "the deep" cd. Every time I hear you sing Moses I rememeber the time you sang it at the BSU conference at Ridgecrest. (Just a few years ago, :) ) I still get chill bumps every time I hear you sing it.
Take care.
Hey Travis,
It doesn't get any better than the Marble Slab! The fire department where my husband works is just down the road from one. If they don't leave the station all day long on a call, you can be sure they do take a ride to visit the Marble Slab in the evening after supper.
Carrie Underwood! How did you ever stand it? Did you get a chance to talk to her?
Can't wait for your Christmas CD for next year! Who said it has to contain only one CD?
My daughter Rebekah (one of my girls who requested you sing 'Moses' at a church just outside Greenville, SC a couple of months ago) turns 10 on Sunday. She says she is going to be 10teen. :o)
Hope you have a wonderfully Blessed Christmas holiday!
Merry Christmas!
Cindy
I meant to send this to you earlier but I forgot. Thought you might get a kick out of it.
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1129610620
Just read Beth's blog about her camera woes. Maybe since you're in Houston this weekend, maybe you could swing by and give her hand.
Cindy
Travis, while you are in Houston, please help Beth with her new camara and teach her how to download her pictures to her blog!!
With love and hugs and being forever grateful for your help to Beth, Yoli ")
Ha! Miss LaToe, I get it! haha
Hope you have great shows this weekend!
Hobby Lobby too!! Dang, I'm impressed. Since they don't sell Christmas lights at the CO-OP, I usually end up with that job, at least my husband can get the TREE at the CO-OP. (hehe)
I would love to see you in the Christmas program and won't it be fun for Angela to watch your kids react to the festivities!! I am taking my girls to their first Living Christmas Tree tonight....I am so excited!
I love watching D&MHO and the Clark Brothers on Fox. I so hate I won't be home to vote tonight but I have it recorded. I was a big fan of the Clark Family Experience when they were in country music. Also love D&MHO's christmas cd...thanks for the info!
GO MANDISA!!
That's what she said.
Maybe you can help Beth out with her camera!
We wish we could see the program...nothing like a King riding on an elephant?! The kids would be amazed!
Your wife has a beautiful voice...I was blessed this week by her (either on the Patriarchs or VOF).
Blessings,
holly
That sounds like a wonderful experience for you and your family in houston. I can not even imagine what kind of mega performance would require an elephant - too cool! I wish we lived closer so we could come see that - my boys would love it I am sure!
I love Marble Slab too but I also have to watch any dairy intake. That is why I love me some lactaid and MSC is soo worth it :)
Oh and I had to say Miss Latoe about 5 times before I got it and then I cracked up - mistletoe - HAHA!!
So funny!!
I am so excited about your Christmas CD I will be praying that God gives you the wisdom to choose just the right songs to put on the CD. I will also pray that all goes well with producing it :)
What a wonderful honor for Mandisa to be up for a grammy nomination. She seems wonderful and her testimony has touched so many people. God is really using her :)
Have a great time in Houston. Thank you for the update.
May God bless you and your family during this wonderful Christmas time!
Kim
I'm so bitter that I'm not in Houston this weekend. Bitter and jealous! I would so love to see the whole Cottrell clan!
Travis,
I can't believe y'all are getting the privilege to eat ice-cream this time of the year. Ridiculous!
Secondly, I have no common sense. Did you not know this? I can love me a good exegesis book, but can't get a joke. So Miss LaToe is over my head :( Still...and all you out there reading this can laugh and it's totally okay!
Have fun in Houston! Nate's in Ft. Worth today! I wonder if he's heading that way?
Travis,
Hobby Lobby 3X in one day? You are still da man. We don't have Marble Slab here in St. Louis, but I think we have it's equivalent--Cold Stone Creamery. Oh my!! I'm convinced heaven will have ice cream probably mixed on cold gold slabs!!
Enjoy the time with your family in Houston. I've got to admit, like Amanda I'm a bit jealous too. And tell Lily Kate already have our own Miss LaToe.
Much love from the "Baugh"humbug household!
~Cheryl
P.S. Watch out for the elephant. They can leave behind BIG surprises!!
LOL! Okay...I'm near tears (again, after reading Beth's need for camera instructions...)
Someone explained in comment what the Miss LaToe was all about. "bless my heart..."
giggling...Lily Kate's heart is like my own. I say bless Miss LaToe is just fine!
Travis,
I thought you were MIA, it's been so long since the last post. Now I know why, ice cream!! I like it too.
Laura
Apex, NC
Can't wait for your Christmas CD to come out. I agree with one of your bloggers - why limit it to one cd? I hope you put O Holy Night on it - your voice and passion combined with that song - WOW! We'll all be on our knees praising our Father for sending His Son to save us!
Blessings to you and your precious family during this Holy Christmas Season!
P.S. Can't wait to see you and Beth in San Diego in April!
WOW, I watched tonight and I couldn't believe my eyes. Kenn Hughes is in the orchestra! I know him from FBC Lakeland when he was the orchestra director. He was the youth choir director too (oh the days of Higher Call) and three of his kids were born there and I babysat etc. I voted for them three times, never voted for anything on TV before. Thanks for the reminder to watch, I will be tuning in again next week.
voted til my finger fell off...
i have so far managed to stay away from marble slab and coldstone...(not so much with the coffee shops)
how do i not know what a hobby lobby is? i'm going exploring tomorrow...
I miss you and love you SOOO MUCH my friend! I don't think you can make it to the finale, but I wish you could if we make it....by the way.....YOU WERE AT THE HOBBY LOBBY 3 TIMES IN ONE DAY????? NUTS!! Carrie Underwood buying scarecrows....that's pretty random. Also, GOOOOOOO Appalachian STATE! They're gonna win their second title in a row! I just feel it!!!!
Love you my Best friend...
Denver
WOW!! You are the king Miesta of randomness and I know random because I am the queen of randomness, check out my blog. :o)
I would love to see this Christmas program. I wonder if they will broadcast this via the web?
Since moving back to the Nashville area my family has been going to Christ Church. Talk about a choir....they are beyond words. Of course I am prejudice because I have a few friends in the choir. They rock my face off and I hope that is okay to say about a church choir. If you will watch the View this week you will see one of their members singing a Christmas song. Thats all I am going to say.
They had their Christmas concert last weekend and it was awesome. No elephants, but it was good. I have written this on my blog but it bears repeating: Faith Hill and her hubby sat in front of me at the concert. I say this because it is funny how funny God is in my life. I can't sing, good, and we had to sing caroles and try singing while sitting behind them! I did and I am sure Faith and Tim need therapy to get my voice out of their heads!!
Seeing Carrie at Hobby, too cool!!! I have a friend who has a son who absolutely loves her!! If you see her again, tell her Brandon says hi and thinks God has ordained her to be his wife. LOL!!!
Good grief this turned out to be to long. Sorry about that.
Hoping you and your sweet family have a Merry Christmas and I can't wait to get your Christmas cd!!
Blessings,
Patty
Loved your randomness. When I clicked on High School Musical, Denver's "Breathe On Me" was playing in background (my computer is messed up playing random music) I think God needed to breathe on the high school musical :)---Denver so brings God to me...loved the Drummer Boy and I'll tell EVERYONE I see to vote for him. They're INCREDIBLE! Went to our church's Christmas program last night, Point of Grace Winter Wonderland Tour AND Heather just had her baby 3 weeks ago. Hope your elephants cooperate...I was attacked by a horse at an Easter celebration where King Jesus was riding in, no broken bones though...now those elephants might cause a little more damage...
hey just finished laughing at Beth on her blog sge is camera challenged and is trying to compete with her daugher for photos on her blog.
I just wanted to wish you and your wife and children a very Merry Christmas. You rock and should be nonimated for an Emmy. It's funny we moved from Asheville NC in September to Washington State and how much I have to educate the people in the West about you and your music, it's pretty sad. I look forward to your new album. At least I can order your music in the small town we now live in.
Did you see Beth in Houston?
Blessings - Sarah - Washington State
Aw, man, I wish I could be there for that program tonight or tomorrow. But y'all have a blast - I know it will be great. Didn't know Champion Forest had such big productions. I think I know a choir member there - she should be bursting getting to sing on the same stage with you.
Wow! Travis! There's alot going on with you! If you would BLOG MORE OFTEN you wouldn't have to get it all in on one post!!! ;-)
I'm thrilled that Denver is still in the running! Hubby and me are voting like crazy for them! Wouldn't it be awesome if they won?! I don't like how that one Dicko judge always finds something to pick on him about.
And Hobby Lobby...great store! How cool is it that you were in line by Carrie Underwood?!
Yea for Mandisa!
Have fun in TEXAS!!! Post some pics if you can!
Wow-lots of stuff!
I would love to see pics too!
And yeah, go Mandisa!
Just had to let you know how thrilled I am to read that you will be working on a Christmas CD -- that is exactly what I was looking for in your "store" today.
Although I truly cannot carry a tune, yourt music leads my heart to cry out in worship to the One who is worthy. I am so thankful for your ministry and talents.
Many blessings to you & yours,
Michelle in MD
LOVE Mandisa! Great bolg. Good luck on the CD! Funny you mention Carrie...I was with Bo last weekend (See my blog, search BO) two very humble folks. Glad they have made it!
Marble Slab, Mandisa, DMHO are all awesome.
Marble Slab - coffee ice cream with hot caramel and pecan is the bomb!
Mandisa- my daughter had the priviledge of singing one of Mandisa's new Christmas songs at church Sunday. For those of you reading that have not heard "Christmas Makes Me Cry", you have got to check it out. It is an awesome song.
DMHO- lost count of how many times I voted, but it was A LOT!
Stephanie (ocean mommy)said,"It's so fun to watch the judges react to both of these groups. They can't quite figure out what the difference is. But we all know don't we! It's Jesus!"
I agree - they just don't get it!
Just another random comment:
My daughter got to meet you, Travis, at the Point of Grace Winter Wonderland program last night, and she was so thrilled. She is a senior this year, trying figure out what the next step should be. She admires what you and your ministry team do, and has her heart set on traveling a similar path. I just wanted to say thanks for speaking to her.
I'm just catching up and had to say Miss LaToe about 10 times. I know I sounded ridiculous, but at least I finally get it!! Too cute!!
And, I am so sad I missed the huge performance at CFBC, I live about 10 minutes from there and was actually home so I SO could have seen it..oh well!!
Marble Slab is simply divine. Sweet Cream is just delightful...and my absolute favorite!
And, did you see Carrie Underwood in a Houston Hobby Lobby, or a Nashville Hobby Lobby?! I am guessing Nashville, but just wondering!!
Fun post!!
Lindsee
I will be looking forward to your Christmas cd. I think you and Angela should write a new song for this cd. Something about a little shepherd boy...and you'll need a choir in the background singing like the angels announcing Christ's birth!
Hey, just random thoughts, okay!
I love you, Travis...really. I hope you know how much all of us women love you for all you have done to minister to our hearts in the name of Christ.
Merry Christmas!
Post a Comment