Lubbock, TX United Spirit Arena Blessed Among Shows!

I have posted over and over what a blessing this entire tour has been, and I have shared so often with close friends that Scott’s dearest and greatest gift to me “in this moment” was just to see him so complete, joyful, and wholly restored, and to witness the transformation and newness within the whole band. All of that and more was manifested for me in Lubbock, and so, so much more than I could have dreamed! Over the last 10 years, I have been blessed to see Scott five times and CREED five times, but from now on and forever, Lubbock will be the fondest place in my heart, for the music and the memories… I have never been more blessed, or more thankful to God.

If you're not up for the whole story, stop and go to another thread, because I cannot leave out a single, sweet moment. Every one means something to me….

As soon as we got back from the Dallas show, Paul said—yes, he said, we should go to Lubbock, of course, KNOWING how much it would mean to me. I could never physically or financially manage strings of shows, or even 3 in a row, like we did in 06, my sweet sisters, but I always have said that the first show, your area show, and the last show would be a dream. When Lubbock was added, Paul said how much easier that trip would be for us than Dallas, and when we came back from Dallas, he told me to make plans. That would almost be 2/3 of that dream. How precious he is, because he tells me every time how much he would rather be home training for a race rather than going with me, but go he does, and when he does, he proves not only his love for me, but that he knows my love for him, and that he understands what I feel for CREED and Scott—such a powerful evidence. I could not have had this blessed time without him…nor would I have wanted it without him.

I got a message from ILAA last week that there would not be a pre-show party, and that absolutely made no difference to me, because I could not care less about those parties—that’s NOT the thing for me at all, but I felt that it meant the opportunity for meet and greet would either be VERY RUSHED to get it done, or maybe have a little more time. Paul right away said he thought it meant less people, meaning better for us!

Last weekend, I made snowball cookies, one of Paul's favorites, and he said I should make some for CREED. I said I would love to, but I was positive there was a rule about NOT accepting anything made by a fan, and then we laughed about it! I only wanted to give thanks to all of CREED for this wonderful gift, and to give Scott and Jaclyn the gifts I was not able to give them in Dallas—Scott’s sterling Cross with the inscription of the verses in Job that he shared from his testimony, and the serenity prayer bracelet I made for Jaclyn. I always have a knowing within myself that what is meant to happen is what happens at shows, and that is just how I felt this time. I never want to be a rule breaker, so I planned to ask our host to give the gifts for me. I just wanted to know they got them.

God’s touch was so real to me in another way as I prepared for this show. Last year, in the hospital, when it was again a time of God, me, and Scott in the dark, no doctors or therapists had any options or answers. I said to God, “No one knows anything but You, but You made me, and even if I’m broken, You know how to fix me.” And I made a vow to move forward no matter how tiny the step, no stopping, no giving up, with Scott’s words and songs never leaving me. One night, I just wondered how I ever had such a strong connection with Scott, and once more, just ended up thanking God that it was there, and for giving Scott to this world. Last week, when I read that Scott had broken his hip in his terrible fall, I just melted in tears—he even knows what a broken hip, like mine, feels like, mine just stays broken. Simultaneously, I broke into praise, that God and Jaclyn and the love of family pulled Scott from the brink, and saved his life! I really cannot express how powerful that revelation was.

Sunday at 2:00 AM, I was awake doing my Bible study, because I did not want to miss that time, even on a CREED day! The focus of the messages was on living in the moment and self-acceptance, so amazingly in sync with all that is happening now with CREED. The trip was so easy, and we made sure we knew how to get to the arena before even checking in! It was wonderful to give Lisa a big hug when she came into the room with Paul and his fancy $20 burger! (My hubby the athlete is always hungry!) She had no reservation, so she waited with us while she got a room! It was time to get ready, and time already was FLYING! I wore my 8-yr-old crest that had never been worn—this day was worthy of that debut. I was thrilled to put it on!
Going just one mile wasn’t hard, but finding just where to meet was a little tough, since no one we asked had anything to say but “ getting ready for the show”! Finally we met our host, and she was as friendly and kind as ever, saying “Here you are again!” to us. When we sign in, we see that there are only four names for our group. I ask if either Ann or I can somehow get my gifts to Scott. She smiles and says, “Well, you can give it to him yourself since this group is so small,” I thought I was going to shoot from my chair! She then tells us that we are going to tag along with a radio contest group and go into soundcheck! At that point, I was already out of body! Lisa just beamed a huge smile, and Paul was great, saying “Ok, sounds great!”
like it was something he did everyday! She leads us through corridors and elevators to the floor—and we sit in the seats stage left seeing the guys check out their stuff! Jaclyn and a sweet blonde girl were across the arena floor from us! They were talking intently, like “girl talk” and at one point, they put their heads together, and Jaclyn took a picture with the girl's camera, the sweet, goofy way all friends do. It was so sweet, and I really felt like I was part of something sacred—the whole thing! The children were not there-- they were probably off with their grandma or another relative doing something more fun! Scott had on jeans, a brown short-sleeved shirt and a leather jacket at first. I wondered if he was cold—I certainly wasn't! They played parts of 3 new songs during the check, I am not absolutely certain of what they were because I am waiting to hear the whole songs from the album, but I think one was “Time” and another “Away in Silence” and I'm not sure about the other-- it may have been just for practice, but it had a real gospel kind of feel! It was so lovely seeing them all so real and relaxed—just amazing. Scott thanked everyone for coming to band practice, and said how much they all appreciated it. Some of the radio folks were taking pictures, but I was soaking it in and singing along, even then!

Soundcheck ended and all of them got into place for the radio meet and greet. We were going last, so it is always so fun for me to see everyone have their special moment—I truly love it! Ann reminded me to take all the packaging away from the gifts to have them ready, and I already did. I knew there was no time to explain about them both, so I kept the bracelet in my lap to the side—hard choices. I love just watching the guys together, and just before it was our time the two Scotts were laughing and joking, it was wonderful seeing such easy moments again! Lisa went before me, and I could tell Scott and she shared something special because Scott gave her the cutest look, very animated, and was talking away! I came to Brian first, before I even came to him, he said “Hello again!” in such a sweet voice. I took his hand and said, “You are a true Southern gentleman!” and he smiled back even bigger! I took Eric’s hand and just said “Welcome!” he just glows with energy! Scott knelt down slightly as I approached, I took his hand, saying “I tried to give you this in Dallas—it has the verses from Job you shared in your testimony,” I put it in his hand, and his eyes became so intent and focused, on it first, then on me. He said “Oh, darlin’” and reached to me for a hug—a REAL hug, and I hugged him back with all the love I could pull from my soul! It is hard for me to make gentle movements. My muscles are always tight and rigid to some degree, all over. I said to him then, “You are a TREASURE. You have taught me so much. I love you…we love you.” He stayed with his head near mine for a long moment—he did not just break away, and I felt that he really wanted that hug. The moment was more precious than I ever could hope for, because I could feel I was giving back to Scott for once---then he looks at me again and asks, “Tell me about this?” For the life of me, I could not think of the exact Scripture, as in numbers, but I told him it was the verses about God sending an angel, a mediator, to ransom man from the Pit (Grave), and how Scott had rescued me so many times. Immediately, his eyes gleamed, and I said “Scott, Job is not about the trouble, it’s about RESTORATION!” He said “Thank you so much for those words of encouragement” Then Scott stood and asked Paul “Who are you?” and Paul replies, “I’m Tresa’s husband!” I couldn’t believe that! Flip was leaning down to speak to me, with his bright eyes and smile, and I told him, “Flip, you know in the Wal-Mart interview when you said it was fun to see the same people over and over—is it OK that I’m one of those? He chuckled and said “Absolutely!” They were trying to get the photo, so I had only time to wave and say “Hi Mark!” to Mark, but he waved back with so much expression in his eyes! As we take the photo, I hear Scott behind me saying, “How amazing she did that!” I cannot look behind, so I thought he was talking to Paul, but Paul said he was showing Flip and Mark! Paul was so touched by Eric, just bouncing his greeting with everyone, and he said he’d like to have a beer with Flip!

I see Lisa talking to Jaclyn for quite a few moments as we were being led away, and I was so GLAD! NONE of Jaclyn’s photos even approach her beauty! Her soul radiates through her! She and Scott are so grounded in Love that it simply flows all over them! I ask Paul to please just give the bracelet to Jaclyn for me, that he did not need to say anything. He answers “I WILL NOT” very firmly, but just then I hear Lisa say, “and this is Tresa” and motion for Paul to turn me around QUICK! I take her hand, and say “I made this for you” putting it in her hand, “and I want you to know you are an angel”. She said “Ohh”! and reached her arm around me. She absolutely bubbles with goodness—and she is completely genuine. You could bear your soul with her! I glance back for a last look. She and Scott are talking, eye to eye, and I’m happy to see Scott applying hand sanitizer! She catches my eye, and lifts up her arm, wearing the bracelet! Sheila can tell you that I have described how lovely I think Jaclyn’s hands are so often, and just to think I got to put something into those hands….. BOTH their hands!

I am so floating after all this, I FORGOT for a minute that we still had a show! Paul takes me outside, but I really did not see a point in loading up going back for an hour. Paul walks to the hotel, we find out later! I tell Lisa to go, but she stays to talk! I will let her share the lovely comments Jaclyn made. We again talked about how blessed we were by this special time, what a blessing Jaclyn was, how blessed she and Scott have been. We talked about how nice it would be to have time to put EVERYBODY in a big room and say all our THANK YOU’S! Lisa bragged on Paul, too, and I know I’m blessed! Lisa called Lora, too. I felt bad that Lora did not come, but she will have other times!

Show time came, and I got right to my preferred spot on Mark’s side. We had met a nice couple from Odessa, and a nice local young man. Paul tells several people how CREED is way better now than before—makes me proud! So many were seeing CREED for the first time—what a thrill! It was my first time seeing Like a Storm, and I really LIKED them—great energy and music—and they can ROCK, too! Saliva never has been my cup of tea, but they have a lot of TX fans, so they got the crowd pumped. Paul liked them better than Staind! I was clock-watching for most of their set, sorry! CREED came to the stage, the crowd roared and never stopped the WHOLE show! No, the place wasn’t full, but the place was INTO EVERY SONG, even OVERCOME and A THOUSAND FACES. They never stopped singing, they pounded the floor over and over for MORE, MORE, MORE and CREED, CREED, CREED! Scott, as ever, gushed with gratitude, and told everyone how special TX was to CREED, even telling the story of driving with Mark in a van to Lubbock in ’97. He told a full story of how Mark came to write TORN, and gave his long intro for SAY I, with all its spiritual meanings. WHAT IF and SAY I were truly highlights for me again, because they really go with improv—I LOVE IT! Scott jumped on Flip’s riser, and got him going on a 5-8 minute drum bit—so great! It is more than special to see how they each support and bring out the best in each other. I love how Mark can use his eyes and expression to interact so much with the crowd—he has some really fun “Mark in the Dark” moments as I playfully call them, and he and Scott were so connected with each other—again! Scott pours SO MUCH into every note, every move, every word, and gives ALL his soul, but he is not the only passion of CREED now. They all play with such joy and fire now! Brian did a funny thing, following each tissue paper bit with his eyes as he played on a visit to stage right! They did not do UNFORGIVEN or NEVER DIE, but one of the most beautiful times was FACELESS MAN, because so many around me closed their eyes, soaking it in as a prayer—it was sacred. You sensed how much it meant to so many. After Scott’s introduction, I yelled out, “most beautiful song ever written” For me, it is. RAIN was the last song before encore—and it was SO INCREDIBLE to see live! They seemed so relaxed and at ease. For me, it is a praise song, and it spews with hope! Mark was having fun with his acoustic, too—LOTS of smiles! When the last pyro ember was gone, and the notes only echoed, a young couple behind me said in unison, “I could listen to them play all night”! I could not have agreed any more! There was never a hint of a hiccup in the entire show!

Of course, I could not sleep, but my memories kept me while hubby snored—he got some NICE shots, too! The next morning, I wheeled down to say goodbye to Lisa before she raced back. It was so wonderful to share ALL THIS together, and I’m so thankful Dean MADE her come. She needed it. I more than needed it, and the world needs SCOTT and CREED! God is SO GOOD. We have this place and each other because of them all!