Well, as always, I'm a little behind. There's so much to do and not enough time to write it all down. So I'm recapping my best experiences from Sunday night and Monday starting... now!
BANDS
Sunday night's main event was the worship concert with Jared Anderson and Israel & New Breed. And I want you to know, it was great. Jared was engaging and got the crowd energized. Which was a good thing, because Israel is so high-energy! He mellowed it out after a little bit with a really lovely and introspective set of songs, all flowing together to keep the worshipful mood afloat.
But what I REALLY want to brag about is the Nathan Arnold Band , who opened the night. The group was one of our HearItFirst winning bands and their prize, along with registrations and housing at MIR, was the chance to play two of their songs on the main stage. They did so good and I was so proud! Afterward I got to meet them and eat dinner with Ben & Tyler and just talk. I have to tell you all - we really do love to meet you and talk and get to know you and hear about what God is doing with you here. After months of back and forth over email and phone here you are and here we are together. And it is great, and it makes the long nights and the hard days worth it.
BANDS
Sunday night's main event was the worship concert with Jared Anderson and Israel & New Breed. And I want you to know, it was great. Jared was engaging and got the crowd energized. Which was a good thing, because Israel is so high-energy! He mellowed it out after a little bit with a really lovely and introspective set of songs, all flowing together to keep the worshipful mood afloat.
But what I REALLY want to brag about is the Nathan Arnold Band , who opened the night. The group was one of our HearItFirst winning bands and their prize, along with registrations and housing at MIR, was the chance to play two of their songs on the main stage. They did so good and I was so proud! Afterward I got to meet them and eat dinner with Ben & Tyler and just talk. I have to tell you all - we really do love to meet you and talk and get to know you and hear about what God is doing with you here. After months of back and forth over email and phone here you are and here we are together. And it is great, and it makes the long nights and the hard days worth it.
BRANDON
On Monday afternoon I had the privilege of going and sitting in Brandon Heath's teaching concert. If you're not familiar, the artist teaching concert is where an artist or group takes the stage and then performs a few songs while telling about their journey as an artist. Brandon was so incredibly candid and real about his struggles transitioning from a songwriter to an artist/songwriter. He talked about the different record and publishing deals he'd had, not just in vague terms but with helpful details. He gave advice, not pat answers that people might want to hear but earnest and honest thoughts about writing, creativity, working with A&R, what makes a great song, and more.
The sweetest moment was when someone asked who his song "I'm Not Who I Was" was about. And openly, and emotionally, he revealed the story behind that song. Because he asked everyone in the room not to, I won't say what he revealed. But the important thing was what he talked about as he brought the story to a close. In a choked voice, he talked about God using one of the darkest times of his life to glorify Himself through that song. It was a really special moment.
BEARS
Fast forward to this morning, and we've got possibly the best story of the week developing in the cabin of one John Mays, Academy Council member and long-time MIR teacher and friend. It's definitley better if he tells it, but in summary: a black bear invited him (or her?) self into his cabin by ripping off the window screen and surprising the unsuspecting Mrs. Mays as she was getting ready. SCA-RY! Thankfully said bear hopped right back out the window without harming anything or anyone, but what a way to start a morning! Kind of reminds you the wildlife around here isn't all cuddly little chipmunks and benign elk!
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