Still Coming Off GMA Cloud Nine

WOW!! That's about all I can say about our week in Nashville. Working at GMA week was about THE COOLEST thing I have ever experienced in my entire life - truthfully!

Quick run down...
The Gospel Music Association puts on a convention for all Christian music artists, managers, promotors, retailers, radio and industry people. They ALL come out to Nashville for a few days and have a 'family reunion' where there are concerts, showcases, worship sessions, workshops...you name it! We had the incredible privilege of helping make the week a success by working registration and helping everything to run smoothly. So we were there in the thick of it meeting and greeting everyone and anyone in the Christian music industry. I can't tell you how many cool people I met - artists, radio personalities, big-name producers and managers. And the best part was that they were all outstanding people and wonderful Christians! They are just like you and me and love Jesus just as much we do - that was my profound finding for the week!

I was pretty starstruck the first part of the week - seeing people like Michael W. Smith, Mark Schultz, Mercy Me, Ginny Owens, Jeremy Camp, David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, Steve Curtis Chapman....how could you not be excited!! Then, it all came to a screaching hault when Sunday night's worship event came about. We packed the Ryman Auditorium and sang praises to our God all night. Sure, some big name artists filled the stage, but at that moment we were all on the same playing field...it seemed we were all equal before God (profound I know...but it's the way it is supposed to be, and unfortunately the industry has made it seem otherwise). The Holy Spirit flooded that auditorium and we worshiped like I have never worshiped before. I felt free to express emotions before God, free to pray and shout, and even free to weep before my Maker. I gave my all without holding anything back and expected nothing in return...and the ironic thing was that I felt more filled that night when I left than ever before. My Heavenly Father and I had intimately connected that night - and no one could stop us!

The week went by...I met lots of people and experienced some cool moments, but God still wanted to give me that "cherry on top". Becca and I were asked on Tuesday afternoon if we wanted to help backstage at the Dove Awards on Wednesday and our obvious answer was "YES...are you kidding me?" So we headed to the Grand Ole Opry House where we eventually were assigned the group SELAH for the evening. We were basically their glorified babysitters, making sure they were on stage and in their seats when they were supposed to be there. But it ended up being so much more than that. The whole evening spent with them and their choir was a blessing. We got to know them and they were wonderful Godly people. I became an even bigger fan of Selah! So we hung out backstage with them all night and when they were in their seats we hung out in the dressing room of....GET THIS....David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman and Watermark!!! yeah, that's right...you read it clearly! I seriously couldn't believe it even while I was sitting in the same room with these people. I sat on their couches and schmoozed with their managers and producers. It was so fun! And for those of you who know me...I finally got to meet and talk to Chris Tomlin (and members of his band)in person and not just in my dreams!! hehe Plus, I am a new fan of Watermark - sweet couple. Also got to talk to Louie Giglio and his wife Shelley and didn't even know it was them until later. Matt Redman - incredible songwriter ("Here I am to Worship" "Blessed Be Your Name" etc) was an amazing and humble guy. And for those of you who are David Crowder fans you will appreciate this - he is the most humble and genuine guy in the music industry...Hands down! Just thought I would throw that in.

Okay, I could go on typing story after story, but my hands are hurting. So, if you want to hear any of them - just ask me and I will tell you:)

The Verdict is In!

The glorious call came Monday of last week after I had my interview with the staff team from Southeast on Friday morning. (On a side note - we went to Cracker Barrel for a delicious breakfast (I personally recommend the Old Timers Breakfast). I met 4 members of the team and they were all fantastic!) So...back to the call! It was a call that was completely unexpected and quite frankly had me jumping around looking like a fool in front of everyone at the Nashville Convention Center. I wasn't supposed to hear any kind of news from them for about a week or 2 at the most. So, when a call came 3 days later saying they wanted me to start packing my bags to move to Kentucky...I was pumped! I actually missed the stinkin call because my phone was under the registration desk, but there was a message from Steve. Steve was the guy who hooked us up with a place to stay on our trek thru Louisville and who is incredibly cool. And now, Steve is going to be my boss! Really pumped about working with him and the rest of the team. They all seem passionate about ministering to children and I know I will learn so much from working with them.

After the interview over breakfast, Steve took us on a tour of Southeast's campus...yeah, it took over 1.5 hours! This place was unbelievable and I know for the first couple months I will just be lost in there - it's crazy! I was amazed, but at the same time humbled to know that NO ONE is going to have a clue as to who I am when I get there! With 18,000 members and 300 on staff - I will be another Suzie Q in the sea of people. I don't expect anyone of staff to know who I am except for the few that I will be working with. Nevertheless, it will be an incredible experience and I am looking forward to it.

I am waiting for the "official call" from Barbara in Human Resources and after that, I am planning to head down to find a place to live. I believe I will be starting the first of June. So PLEASE PRAY that I can find an affordable and nice place to live, PRAY that God will provide some wonderful roomates for me to live with and share expenses, PRAY that my heart will be ready to go when it's time, and PRAY that I will allow God to mold me in such a way that HE will be able to use me in ways I never thought possible! I covet your prayers during this transition time and appreciate you all:)

Exciting Week Ahead!

So I think with all this worrying I have developed an ulcer! I think the last post was telling about the upcoming phone interview with Southeast CC and since then, I have had the conversation with the lady from Human Resources. It went okay in my opinion. I didn't walk away feeling really confident about the whole thing, but rather really overwhelmed! She told me the reality side of being a part of a church body of 18,000 people and truthfully it scared me. I started to rethink and doubt, but then kicked myself in the pants and said 'get over it...it would be a great opportunity!" A few days later Steve Young, the elementary director guy, calls me back and sets up a time with me to meet the staff team. So, I am heading out to Louisville tomorrow to meet with them Friday morning for breakfast!! Then, after breakfast, Steve will take me back for a tour of the church and for a more "formal- sit down" time to chat. I am praying that the staff team and I will have great chemistry.

Another awesome God thing just happened as I was in the midst of typing this entry...
The place we were staying in Kentucky on Thursday night fell through about 30 minutes ago. I tried to hook us up with another place to stay, but that was a dead end too. I was down and out thinking I was going to have to cancel my interview and find another time to go down when I would have more time to meet with them. So I called Steve back at Southeast and told him my sob story and that we didn't have a place to stay. He replies, "you guys can stay with me, it will be great! I have a 3 bedroom house and I only use one of them because I'm a single guy." I said "are you sure you want to do that on such short notice?" He didn't mind and now the crisis is averted!! AAHHH (sigh of relief)...God is good! So the interview is still on and they are excited...and now, so am I!

The other cool thing I am pumped about is that in a couple days I will be working at GMA week. The Gospel Music Association puts on this convention for all Christian music artists, agents, radio people etc. and they all meet in Nashville for an incredible week of concerts, workshops, worship sessions...and me, Sara Mitchell, gets to be a part of it!! Working and meeting incredible Christian singers and songwriters all week long:) Needless to say...WOW! My friend, Caleb Butler hooked us up with jobs for the week - THANKS! So tomorrow around 2pm, Becca Farlow, Monte Hunt, Kyle Butler, and myself will all be heading out on the road for what I hope will be a week I will never forget. Prayers for safe travel (and prayers that we don't get lost:))would be much appreciated! I'll keep you posted about upcoming plans.