[deacon blues]

Okay folks, sorry for the delay. Its been non stop since we started.

We arrived at G-burg about 12:00 midnight on Mon/Tues. There were lots of Pennys all over the place! Lots of folks had the same idea: spend a few days of fun at G-burg before NAYC. We met some kids from Witchita Falls, TX, Deleware, OH and some folks from Louisiana. We went to one of the outley malls (as if we had not packed too much already) and then we all split up to do our own thing. My family and another chaperone went to the Ripley's Aquarium.

The drive through the Smoky Mountains was beautiful and not very long from G-burg on Wednesday. We arrived in Charlotte at about 3:30 pm and checked in to the hotel. Pentecostals everywhere. We got down to Bobcats Arena at about 6:30 pm, registered, and got seats in the "nose bleed" section.

The service began with a cool "countdown video" that gave the appearance that we were running in a race on a track in one lane. Every so often a scripture relative to the idea of running the race, fighting the good fight, etc. As the countdown wound down to zero the finish line came into view. By that time kids were screaming and cheering when the NAYC Praise Band came in with "I Am Free" led by Jonathan Dean. Powerful music, powerful worship. The stage is set in the middle of arena, so there is not a bad seat in the place.

The band was all dressed in casual, jeans, untucked shirts, jackets over collared shirts, etc. All male, all talented, all very worshipful. I can't remember seeing an Apostolic band worship more with the music at any venue. They certainly were NOT performing for the kids----they were for the King!

Todd Gaddy greeted the YC, he and all the preachers and singers were dressed in full Sunday best.

More later, I've got to do a donut run for our youth group!