Someone once said, "It's the journey, not just the destination."
I believe that journey should be filled with heaping spoonfuls of love, laughter, music and Jesus.
Let's walk this road together!
Lots and lots of Homecoming Friends all piled onto a bus and behind the wheel was none other than Bill G. himself. There were also loads of little kids that I've never seen before in my life.
We drove for a couple of hours and I kept trying to make conversation with all the kiddies by asking them, "Have you seen the new Shrek Movie? It's great!"(IT WAS!) They just looked at me like I was crazy.
Before long we entered a tunnel and headed underwater--yes--underwater. Seems the location of a very unique Homecoming shoot was to be a brand new luxury hotel that was located UNDERWATER in Atlanta... Oh he was driving us all around the complex, they also had a SeaWorld, a TCBY and Saks 5th Avenue, all underwater. The dream ended before I saw us all suited up for the occasion, I'm guessing scuba gear?
I have no idea WHAT prompted this cinematic "REM-fest". Maybe dinner? Oh wait, I didn't have dinner last night. I did have a cupcake and a piece of bologna. Naah, that couldn't have been it...
Our friend Mark Lowry invited Michael and me to tag along on a quick trip to Charlotte, NC this weekend. Much laughter, singing, reminiscing, and eating ensued. What there wasn't much of was sleep. But that's quite alright, we had a blast!
Mark playing with his new iPad. Is it still a sin if you only covet a teeny bit?
Another LOONG time friend, Norman Holland. We go back at least 30 years!
Also present, Norman's adorable pooch, Bella
Mark mesmerizing the crowd as usual.
Bob and Jeannie Johnson stopped by to say hello. Jeannie of course is as beautiful as ever!
Texas Steakhouse
The aftermath...
Um, were the ribs good Michael?
Mark and Me
I did manage to squeeze in about 2 hours of this Saturday night...
Of all the songs I have sung in my lifetime, Look for Me is definitely the most requested. Some time back, I was asked to write about it for Homecoming Magazine's "The Song Says It," so I decided it to share it here with you.
After you've been there ten thousand years, a million, maybe two, look for me, for I will be there too.
When my father first penned those words in 1982, I was barely out of my teens. To me, they were just further evidence that my dad could paint a lovely picture with his words. They would make a nice addition to the new recording we were working on.
What a difference 20 years can make. In the time that's transpired, my father has moved from this world to the next, joined by his siblings and countless other friends and family members. Since then, I've stood over many of them and sung the words to this song. On more than a few quiet evenings alone, I've found myself turning those bitter sweet lyrics over and over in my mind. They hold sweet promise for all of us who know what it is to be separated from those we love. Someday soon, we'll be reunited.
When we were taping the Heaven video, my Uncle Howard said to me, "When we sing about heaven, we're not longing for our past, we're just excited about our future."
Amen, Uncle Howard, amen.
LOOK FOR ME
When you finally make your
entrance to that city
Of jasper walls and bright
golden avenues
As you behold all its beauty
and its splendor
Remember there's just one request
I make of you
Look for me, for I will be there too
I realize when you arrive
there'll be so much to view
After you've been there
ten thousand years
A million, maybe two
Look for me, for I will be there too
As you go down your list of first things
there's no question
You'll want to see your loved ones
waiting there for you
And when you feel you've
shared your story with the last one
That wants to hear you tell
just how you made it through
Look for me, for I will be there too
I realize when you arrive
there'll be so much to view
After you've been there
ten thousand years
A million, maybe two
Look for me, for I will be there too --Rusty Goodman
Growing up as I did, in a gospel music family, I was surrounded by a very colorful cast of characters. There were singers, musicians, writers, music executives, bus drivers, concert promoters and booking agents, but to me, they were all a part of my wonderful extended family. I remember sharing bowls of soup with Uncle Les (Beasley, founder of the Florida Boys Quartet) from the hot soup machine at WSIX where my family was taping The Gospel Singing Jubilee. Ms. Dottie (Rambo) was always so glamorous and her voice was like warm syrup. I would sit on her lap for hours listening to her stories while she made me baby dolls out of her hanky. But one of my most unforgettable experiences took place on a cold winter’s afternoon in Nashville, Tennessee.
My family had been called to Nashville for some meetings about their upcoming recording project with Canaan Records. Mom and I tagged along and spent the afternoons doing a little shopping and relaxing at the Travel Lodge Motel while dad was working. While we were in town, another business matter cropped up and my mom and dad needed to attend to it. Unfortunately, there was no one available to keep an eye on their rowdy 5 year old while they were out for an hour or two. Uncle Marvin, a family friend, kindly volunteered for the job. He offered to hang out with me at the motel while my parents were away and then we’d all get together for dinner later. Mom and dad rounded up a few things to keep me entertained and reminded me to be on my best behavior and off they went. Uncle Marvin stretched out on the bed to watch a little television while I occupied myself with some story books. Just about the time that Marvin dozed off, I got a little bored. I decided it would be much more exciting to jump on the bed, an activity that was forbidden at home, but hey, we were in a motel! Suddenly, Marvin’s nap was cut short when I bumped into the huge picture hanging over the bed and it came crashing down on top of him. Suddenly, Uncle Marvin was WIDE awake, and thankfully laughing his head off! When my parents returned, he told them all about my antics with the condition that I didn’t get in trouble. Oh, did I forget to mention that Uncle Marvin was Marvin Norcross, the Vice President of Word records and the President of Canaan Records? I guess it’s a good thing they’d already signed those recording contracts…
So, last night I had the weirdest dream ever! 
