Hey everyone!!
I hope you have enjoyed beginning a new year of life. I'd like to look back on the last year and just take a few moments to reflect on things. Please join me, won't you?
This time last year, we were in Australia and New Zealand, somewhere I definitely want to return to. About 2 weeks after we got back, my wife and I had been confirmed by her doctor that we were having another baby. Shortly after that, Andy Williams went on to minister in Soul Sister Sally with his wife and bandmates. Brian Scoggin jumped in on the drums, and he and I have become great friends, as well as he and the rest of the Crowns folk. At the later part of March, my grandfather passed away. I still have such a peace knowing that because he knows and loves Jesus, he is with him now. We went to N. Korea for the 2nd time, and it was just as great as the first visit. Shortly after our return home, we began the writing/recording stages for the new Crowns record "Until The Whole World Hears." There were a lot of trips out West and Northwest this summer. In the middle of nowhere, I came across what is now one of my favorite burrito restaurants. As the summer days blew by, my pregnant wife was very sick and as the fall tour was being planned, I began to realize that our due date was right around the week of the first show. The moment I realized that, I began praying. Long story short, God answered my prayers about someone to play bass in my spot, for me not to miss the birth of my 2nd daughter Hannah Ruth, and for me not to miss any of the tour shows. I'm still blown away by how amazing and loving God is, especially to me. Hannah was born on September 10th, 2009 at 10:10pm weighing 7lbs. and 18 1/2 inches in length, 3 days before the due date and 1 week before the "Until the Whole World Hears" Tour began. This tour was incredible! We got to hang with Matt Redman and his band for 3 months. Before the tour even started, I was having some doubts in myself and if I'm really doing what God has called me to do. In the middle of the day of the first show, when we almost didn't make it to Albuquerque, New Mexico, God encouraged me and reminded me yet again what He has me here for. That changed me. God renewed my passion for playing bass and I have a new excitement for this ministry. I could type endless stories of experiences I had on the tour, and I will try to keep everyone up to speed on this Spring tour with Kutless, Tenth Avenue North, and Caleb. It's going to be a blast!! As I type this blog, it is now 1 week before the road beckons us back to begin this spring tour. I look forward to hanging with old friends and making some new ones as we travel our country again. I'll close out this blog by saying that my New Year's Resolution is to blog more often and I need some people to hold me accountable to that. Thanks for reading and please keep coming back to visit. Blogs need friends too!
In Christ,
Chuffy
Hannah at 3 months old. :-)
Comments
Birthday bro, good blog! Happy to hear that you have a renewed passion and faith. I can tell you that I did sense that something was amiss with your playing and was praying for you. It was such a great time talking with you, Hector and Juan at Akron, your new found passion was showing through. Can't wait to see you guys & gals again at Mellon Arena. Til then God bless and keep the faith.
Lon
hey chris
love you cris
hey cris what are you doing from heidi
i like burito restraunts too!!
Hi Chris!
Thanks for the "Year in Review" blog. If you went through a period where you weren't feeling encouraged, then I wasn't doing my job as a prayful supporter of the Crowns ministry. So, brother, I'll be praying a special prayer for you and your family in the coming week as the new tour kicks off.
If you ever need to know if you're touching lives through CC, just think of me, because at some point during most every day, God uses your music to speak to me. Most often it's in the morning on the way to work. I have a few challenges that I deal with at home and many days Satan tries to use those circumstances to distract me. But my Crowns music always helps re-center and strengthen me. So, on most any given weekday around 9am, you can count on there being a guy driving down the road in NC, often in tears, as God grabs me by the heart and says "this is for MY glory" or "just love them like Jesus," or "every tear you've cried, I hold in my hand," or "I'm 'Always Enough'." I only wish I could adequately give you guys back the encouragement you give me.
I'll be seeing you in Michigan and in North Caroilina. Hope to hear you play "Holy One" live as the bass is awesome in that song!
DavidRLee
First, your Hannah is just precious. Look at those eyes!
Second, thanks for the re-cap. What an exciting year for you & the Crowns. I am so glad to hear that your passion was renewed. You all make such an impact on people like me. Plain, simple folks, just living life and honoring our Lord.
May God bless you abundantly for what you are doing. All of you.
Dina
a.k.a @dinadoo
What a great recap of a whirlwind year! Very excited about taking the family and some friends to see you guys in Birmingham in February. I pray God continues to bless Casting Crowns in this amazing ministry. Always praying for the entire Casting Crowns family's safety, health, commitment to music and youth ministry, and for all your families while you are away from home. God bless you - see you in two weeks.
Your daughters picture is ADORABLE!!! LOVE HER EYES! So glad you are all back on the road and headed our way! We can not wait to see you all face to face again and blessed by your work! We ARE going to hold you accountable, so blog on!!! God Bless you all and please have a safe trip inbetween cities.
My daughter and I came to see you in Virginia Beach. Loved it!!!!
Congrats on your beautiful baby girl!! :o) Look forward to reading more about life on the road, and all that God is doing in your lives.
Andrea
http://4blessed.blogspot.com/
Hey guys, just wanted to say how blessed we were to have you at Parachute Festival last year and can't wait for the chance to see you again. I'm a long time fan of yours, in fact I preached once in church and had my husband sing your song "praise you in the storm" after as it was that song that had helped inspire my sermon.
My dad was a youth pastor when I was growing up and I guess in a way thats why I am drawn to your message and your band, you speak truth and life into youth and adult alike and each of your messages is backed by the true message of the word of God.
God bless you all in your journey and our family dconties to pray for your work and your families as well.
Loral Morrison
New Zealand
Congrats to you and wife on the birth of your 2nd. She is adorable. Valdy and I miss being out on the road with all of you. Tell all hello.
Fran and Valdy
Your old truck drivers