ADORE 2097 Worship Tour Blogs

Josh Helps Kick Off ADORE 2097 Worship Tour in California

Anaheim Blog

January 17, 2008, 11:00pm-ish
Tonight we had 2097 in Los Angeles (Spanish for "The Angels"). It was unbelievable. Hands down, just an incredible night! We had around 800 people at Servite High School in Anaheim. They sang crazy loud and got crazy excited. It was awesome.

This was our day today: We left Fresno at about 7am, got to Anaheim around 11:30, loaded in, started the night around 6:30, and loaded out. Somewhere in there we ate, took showers, and sound checked, but honestly, its all a blur in my headball (ask Kemi Ndolo) right now.

I thought for tonight's blog I could list a few things that we have learned are funny/quirky about each other. Here goes . . .

Matt — has a secret passion for Kenny G. (I mean his music, not Kenny G himself.) We know this because when he snores it sounds like a desperate attempt to recreate "The G's" music.

Kelly — Don't ask her where she keeps her in-ear monitor body pack. Scaaaaary.

Me (Josh) — Apparently, my sleep mask (which I find effectively keeps out the sun on a well-windowed RV) is a source of comedy for the rest of the group.

Kenny — laid completely across the dashboard of the RV . . . in traffic . . . on a California highway . . . at 60mph. There's a picture to prove it.

Kemi — uses the words "head" and "headball" interchangeably. Also, he has bought over 4000 songs on itunes. I didn't even know there were 4000 songs.

Dan — has a collection of classy hats that you wouldn't believe. And it's not just a phase. It's an identity.

Kristin — has been needing a cheeseburger for the past 5 days. She finally acquired her cheeseburger tonight.

Maureen — actually becomes invisible when she takes pictures. (She doesn't really, we've simply managed to convince her of it. It's worth it for the close-ups).

Jamie — thinks "Tantum Ergo" is a verse from "Deck the Halls." "Down in Adoration falling, fa la la la la, la la la la."

Kurt — has Chronic Halitosis of the head. HJis words, not mine. Also has a penchant for "keeping time from behind."

Nick — has a glowing finger of fury. It's best not to make him angry lest he smite you with it.

Paul — likes to welcome people to the wrong city:

Paul: Hey, everyone! Welcome to 2097 in San Jose, California!
Crowd: Hey, Paul! We're in Fresno!
Paul: Oh yeah, right. Hey, everyone! Welcome to 2097 in Fresno, California!

Well, that's it for me tonight. God Bless.

Peace,
Josh Blakesley

Fresno Blog

January 16, 2008, 11:00pm
Here's the deal with these 2097 nights — and this was true with the last leg of the tour — each night just gets better. I'd hate to blog every night simply about how great all the gatherings are. I think I'd be leaving out a lot of really important details. Not to mention it would get boring really quickly. But I think it's worth noting that this is a worship mission that we are on. Our motivation is to "make disciples of all the nations." So, if we're doing that right, it HAS to get better every night.

So just a quick story that makes tonight different than the others. Every crowd is different. For example, last night, in San Jose, all the really excited people were on the left and all the not so excited people were on the left... its not a bad thing, its just that every crowd takes on its own personality. Tonight, in Fresno, all the excited people were in the back. But there was one guy kind of in the front to my right that obviously had a powerful experience with the Eucharist. He stepped out into the aisle and knelt there by himself.

My exact thought was: That is why I'm here. In whatever way God spoke to him, whatever experience he had, whatever way God moved in his life tonight, it happened. God happened. And while I know God can do that with or without me, I feel so blessed to have played some small part in it.

All right, tomorrow night I'm writing a ridiculous blog. I'm gonna be as stupid as I possibly can. These last few have been entirely too serious.

Peace,
Josh Blakesley

San Jose Blogs

January 15, 2008, 11:00pm
Back in the saddle! It's so good to be playing music and immersed in ministry again with my "road family." Tonight was great. We just finished our first 2097 event in San Jose, CA.

We started the morning by playing music for the school Mass at Holy Family Church (since the stage and equipment was overtaking the sanctuary anyway). It was an inspiring way to start the day because they sang so loud and participated so passionately. It was a glaring reminder that God asks us to come to him as little children.

It's amazing to me how much hard work and effort everyone puts in, especially the host cities. Each venue provides several volunteers (too many to try and name) to help load in and load out, to drive us around, to run errands, and countless other thankless tasks. So let me just go ahead and say it now . . . Thanks!!!!! Special props to Scott and John Thomas who video'd the whole night. They're sending it this week so we can post it!

I'm stinky and tired. So I'm going to take care of both those issues. Stay tuned!

Peace,
Josh Blakesley

January 15, 2007:
Today we begin the Adore 2097 tour of California. Our first city to worship in is San Jose. We spent yesterday morning "loading in" and setting up. Its part of preproduction: getting to know the equipment, rehearsing, and catching up with one another. It's always great to see what new gear Matt and the band have acquired and Kelly's singing gets better every time I see her. Paul's messages are always inspiring so I can't wait to hear what he's got prepared.

It was tough to leave Heather, Sophie, and Sutton (my wife and kids). This is my first trip back on the road since before Christmas. I had lots of family time, which was good, but it definitely made it harder to get on the plane.

I'm looking forward to tonight, to the next week, and to all that God has in store. I'm always humbled and inspired when I think of how small but vastly important our role in building His Kingdom is. He has entrusted these servants, Paul, Matt, Kelly, Dan, Kemi, Kenny, Nick, Jamie, Maureen, Kurt, Kristin, and me, the most unworthy and broken of all, with this great task and we are journeying forward with a resounding "Here I am Lord, send me."

Pray for us and for the lives of those whom God will touch this week.

Peace,
Josh Blakesley

Check spiritandsong.com daily for the latest blogs, photos and other surprises from the California ADORE 2097 Worship Tour!