Because Kristin and I are leaving (way too early) for El Salvador. I may not be blogging for the next week or so, but you can keep us in your prayers. We’ll be ministering in San Salvador and in a small village about two hours outside the city. Here are a few things I’d love for you to remember in prayer:

• Travel
• Favor in the schools
• Good response to evening meetings
• Ministry worker’s conference
• Health
• Team unity

Tony Morgan got me thinking about the major U.S. cities that I’ve never visited. I consider myself pretty well traveled. I’ve been out of the country over a dozen times and traveled all around the United States. That’s why I was surprised how many major U.S. cities I’ve never visited. So here’s the “Top Ten” (in no particular order):

1. Boston, MA – So close, yet so far away. Every year since I was young my family has visited my uncle in Litchfield, CT. Kristin and I are going to Connecticut the first of the year…We’ll have to make it happen!
2. Houston, TX – I’ve actually never been to the longhorn state…I’ve passed through the airports, but that’s it.
3. Dallas, TX – Again, never “Messed with Texas”. I recently almost missed a flight out of Dallas. We actually only made the flight by 60 seconds.
4. Chicago, IL – I’ve had a connection with this state ever since Bozo the Clown.
5. San Fransisco, CA – I would love t o see the Golden Gate Bridge in person. I hear San Fransisco is beautiful, and I believe it. Plus, I really want to see the Tanner’s town house from “Full House”.
6. Phoenix, AZ – No real reason, just want to go. I’d love to catch a Sun’s game.
7. New Orleans, LA – I’d love to check out the jazz scene. There’s nothing better than sitting in a little whole-in-the-wall listening to some unknown totally rock it.
8. Detroit, MI – I’ll go in the fall, when it’s not quite so cold.
9. Miami, FL – Quite honestly, I don’t have a huge desire to visit Miami. I just feel like it has to make the list because of it’s status.
10. Honolulu, HI – Never been to Hawaii, but I love the water so I’m sure it would be amazing!

UPDATE – Apparently I’ve been to Dallas…At least that’s what my dad says.

Seven hour ride in this with 3 people, 3 guitars, 1 keyboard, 1 amp, 1 pedal board, two suitcases, backpacks, and bedding….

Wednesday morning me, my sister, and Kristin went to the church where the funeral was held to sound check. On a side note, the church staff was amazing and extremely well prepared for the funeral. When we finished I overheard my dad asking if anyone had a video camera, because they wanted to video the funeral. Apparently my brother forgot to bring his video camera…So, I offered to make a quick run to Wal-Mart and purchase a video camera. At this point, the funeral is supposed to start in about 25 minutes. I ask the sound guy for directions to the nearest Wal-Mart. He says, “It’s kind of far away. You need to get on 240 and head north and then catch I-40 heading west, take the first exit and turn right.” So, I follow his directions only to find out that the Wal-Mart is a little further off of the exit than he said it would be. I run in and buy a video camera and then ask the lady if she knows the quickest way to get back to Butterfield Assembly of God. After all of the twists and turns I was a bit unclear on how to get back. She says, “Oh sure, just take a left out of our parking lot and it will be on the left in about five miles.” That’s right. Five miles. The sound guy sent us in a complete square around Ft. Smith in torrential rain to get to a Wal-Mart that was five miles up the road. At least we made it back in time! After the funeral the whole family had lunch at Ed Walker’s. Ed Walker’s is the home of the five pound hamburger…Five pounds. The food was really good.

Then some of us went across town to my great aunt DoDo’s pie shop. She doesn’t own it any more, but they still use her original recipes and the pies are still amazing.

After the pies, we took Zack, Ashley and Bobby to the airport. We dropped them off and then took Taylor to ride the train. A local park has a pretty cool train that circles the park. My nephew loves trains (understatement) and asked about it all week. We rode it three times. Later that afternoon Kristin and I were delayed out of Ft. Smith. We literally made our connecting flight in Dallas by 60 seconds. At least that’s what the counter lady said. It was crazy.

This week Kristin and I made a very quick trip to Ft. Smith, Arkansas, to be a part of my great grandfather’s funeral. I am really glad that we were able to go. We flew out Tuesday and had to be dressed and ready for the viewing. It was a non-stop two days, but we fit in a lot of great family time. On Monday, I realized that we needed to carry-on everything that we had, so I went out and bought some top-of-the-line luggage from Goodwill. I got a pretty sweet rolling carry-on bag for only $6.00.

The next morning we were on our way. Tuesday we woke up in Lakeland, ate breakfast in Tampa, lunch in Dallas, and dinner in Ft. Smith. On the flight I was reminded of some of the amazing products available only in Sky Mall magazine. Check out this toaster that cooks weenies and buns at the same time!!!

It was a long day. As soon as we arrived in Ft. Smith we went straight to the viewing where we spent about two hours with family and friends. Then we had dinner with the family. Kristin, Ashley, and myself squeezed in a quick late night practice. We were asked to sing “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” at the funeral on Wednesday…We finally got to bed around midnight. I was delighted at the air conditioning in our hotel room…It was freezing!