Filming Our Live DVD - July, 2008 - 07/18/08
Sunday, July 6, we were making our first live HD DVD at the "Tent Church" (Pine Grove). The video crew had driven up from North Carolina the night before and was ready to go. They were going to record the practice along with the live performance Sunday to ensure they had enough footage. Dad, Dale, and the older boys went with them immediately after morning church to set up. We arrived a little bit later hoping to start our practice at 2:30. This, of course, didn't happen as there were some technical issues first with the mikes and then with the cameras. Once everything was running smoothly, the practice went fairly well! It was a nice day but under the tent with huge lights beaming down on you it got really hot! Fortunately the plants on stage had big leaves which worked as great fans! The kids were impressed with Damon (one of the camera guys) and his "flying" camera and had to frequently be told to NOT look at the camera. Other than my accidental theological heresy in reading a verse incorrectly and a couple attacking bugs, we made it through all the songs. After practice we ate supper made for us by some amazing ladies from the church and managed to make it through with no major spills! The concert started at 6 and the place was packed! Everyone was excited about the cameras and ready to forsake their Dutch ways and get "southern". We made it through with no problems or glitches until we got to the song "Whole Lot of Nothing". For some reason our CD player decided to take a break halfway through the song! Our amazing sound-guys, Matt and Uncle Craig, quickly tried everything to get it working again. Dad improvised and got everyone singing "Amazing Grace" while they grabbed the back-up CD. When the back-up CD did the same thing we were worried the concert would be ended early. Thankfully, after singing the beginning of "Whole Lot of Nothing" a total of about 4 times, we moved on to the next song and it worked perfectly! On the last song, "Just Can't Keep It to Myself", Jordan and Malachi grabbed Grandpa Valk and Chuck DeBoer to help us on the "dooo-ahs". The concert ended with a high energy level and a standing ovation! We were swamped at the product table and got to meet many new people. Meanwhile the camera guys decided they needed a couple more shots and announced they needed some volunteers to sit in the audience while we redid parts of songs. Our cousins and many others rushed to the front row and sang along. After a long day we went home and everyone was dead tired! Overall it was a very fun experience and we can't wait to see the DVD! It was great to praise the Lord in word and song and to be able to have that recorded so others may also hear the good news of the gospel! Courtney