Hey everyone….wow. I forgot that I should probably blog since I have this blog and well, no one will care about it unless I CARE ABOUT IT…so I figured today I care and will blog!
(has it really been YEARS since my last blog post! Dang!!)
So today is a special day for me. Today is my son’s 14th birthday! My first son….but let me tell you a story before I go any further.
My name is William Lage. I am the 5th (that I know of) William Lage in a row. My dad’s name is William Lage…my grandfather’s name is William Lage and the next 2 above them….yep…William Lage. As a kid I was called Billy and my dad was Bill. I always enjoyed that we had the same name. I was very proud of this tradition and I prayed I would be able to continue the tradition on.
I was married in 1998 and 9 months later we found out that we were expecting our first child. I remember smiling and being so very excited and saying things like…”Life cannot get better than this!” At 20, weeks along we were to find out the sex of the child and make sure all was good. I remember it very clearly. I was going to leave for a show out in Bismarck, ND but we first had to have the ultrasound. I took the day off and we went. The lab tech was doing her thing and I was doing mine…joking and smiling and being a fool. She said that we are expecting a boy! I was so excited. We can name him William and he will be the 6th in a row! Then she stopped and left and said she would be back in a minute. I had not gone through an ultrasound before but this seemed odd. Heather and I joked and said what happened….is there a third arm growing out of my son’s head? We thought nothing of it.
She had gone to get another doctors 2nd opinion. She said something didn’t look right…
Our joy quickly turned to concern. What is going on? This cannot be happening to us. We are young, excited to be parents, feeling open to each and every blessing…the doctor came in and gave us some more info but we had to come back for a Level 2 ultrasound.
The level 2 ultrasound discovered 2 birth defects. Here they are…if you want to know more…feel free to Google these…
1. encephalocele (part of his brain was forming outside of the skull)
2. onfalocele (where his internal organs were forming in the umbilical cord)
So…it did not look good but we prayed and told God that He was in control. We named him right away William Christopher Lage (the 6th William Lage in a row) and we promised to give his precious life a chance.
All was ok…Will was an active baby inside the womb but at 30 weeks along…he stopped kicking. Our worse fears came to life…Will had passed away.
Will was still born to us on December 20, 1999. We had 2 funerals. One in Shakopee at the church where Heather worked and one in Hillsborro, ND where Heather’s parents lived.
Will is buried there. Here is his picture of his final resting place….
Since Will we have had a healthy son (Austin who is 12) and a healthy daughter (Megan who is 8) and we did have a miscarriage between the 2 of them who we refer to lovingly as “Baby #3″. (Megan tells us it was a girl….just because!)
So today I celebrate his life. We got to know him in the 30 weeks of his existence here on earth while he was inside the womb. Today in his memory, I donated some gifts to Toys For Tots and they were ones that Austin and Megan helped to choose. Ones THEY WANTED!
Will changed my life and he is the last William Lage in a row (unless Austin has a boy..then maybe…) but his life meant the world me! I have been blessed to have 4 kids and 2 are in heaven and I look forward to meet them someday! A part of me is already in heaven. I feel at peace with that!
So please, this Christmas…love your family, hug your kids, tell your parents you love them and know that LIFE IS PRECIOUS.
Yes…I honestly think that if I was to have a youth rally and get a bunch of youth from around the diocese excited about it….I would want to name it “Going Banana’s for Jesus” as well!
I had an opportunity to serve 650 Catholic youth from around the Diocese of Grand Island, NE this past weekend. It was quite an amazing event. My responsibility was to do a workshop and a keynote. Once for the Jr. High then once again for teh Sr. High. Then at the end of Saturday night, do what I do and bring the Catholic Dance to the entire 600 plus in attendance!
I was amazed at how the day flew by and how things just kept building to a huge explosion of praise, dance and fun. Some of my highlights were…
1. Working with Jesse Manibusen – he is my friend and mentor in this industry. I am honored to have worked with him and now we are both suffering from “Post Banana Potassium Deficiency” now!
2. Watching the youth be the stars of the show. I had asked for 5 boys to come up on stage (and ironically had 8) and played a classic N’Sync song “Bye, Bye, Bye”. I said that they should be the next awesome boy band…well one guy walked to the front of the stage and lip synced the whole song. It was fun…I think he was channeling Justin Timberlake a little. Lots of fun!
3. Watching the Bishop do “If Your Happy And You Know It” and then “The Catholic Dance” – nuff said!
I was honored to have an opportunity to share with everyone about my stillborn son William Christopher. Anytime I get a chance to talk about him it makes it helps me remember him a little more than before. Even after 9 years I miss him terribly and look forward to seeing him in heaven!
I am so excited that Jesus was praised and people across Nebraska are now doing the Catholic Dance. Amen!
Feel free to comment and post your favorite memory of GBFJ XV!
So today I am happy to share with you that I have been married for 9 wonderful years. The sacrament of marriage is an interesting one and I have to admit I am still learning as I walk with my beautiful wife through this world.
I remember like it was yesterday. With Heather in her beautiful white dress, not being able to stop smiling ear to ear. She truly was and still is a vision. Her heart is pure and her love is constant. I can honestly say I am a lucky man to be blessed with her love.
Not every year over the past 9 years has been all wonderful and dreamy…we have had our share of disagreements and times when we do not see anywhere close to eye to eye but through it all, she has remained my best friend, the one who supports me with all my crazy thoughts and ideas and the one who has always loved me.
Next year will be year 10 and maybe I will finally give her that honeymoon I have always promised her but this is year 9 and I hope and pray she enjoys the flowers, the dinner with me away from our beautiful kids and that she just knows that above all I love her completely and unconditionally!
Please pray for the sacrament of marriage. May all marriages stay strong and last through all the struggle that may arise. What God has joined may no one separate!
I love my job. I love being able to have experiences and be with amazing people who are seeking Jesus.
I was blessed to be a part of the Diocese of Crookston’s JPII Junior High Leadership Camp this past week. Instead of coming in and just doing a dance, I was able to help MC and be a part of the entire week. It was a great time and I was honored to work with some of the most faith filled high school students and together we were able to share Jesus with the Junior High students who came as campers. God was truly present!
One of the days was focus on being “The Hands of Jesus” and focused on Catholic Social Justice. The presenter was Sal Solo who is a good friend of mine and his presentation was amazing. During his presentation, he was mentioning a bunch of different organizations that help people in different ways. One organization he mentioned was Compassion International. Compassion gives people an opportunity to sponsor a child and donate some money every month so that the child can get an education. My wife and I have always wanted to do this and after Sal’s presentation I knew in my heart it was time to ACT.
After the camp, I went to a Christian Music Festival in Minnesota called Sonshine. I went for only Thursday night and got to jam out to TobyMac and Newsboys. I knew from year’s past that Compassion always had a booth there and this year was no different. I walked over, looked at the table with all of the pictures of kids in need and after talking with the people behind the table I chose one of the kids labeled as Priority Child which means he needs an immediate sponsor!
His name is Leonel and he is from Columbia. He will be 8 years old in August and we are very excited to have him as our sponsored child. The guy from Compassion said that we will get a letter from him and that we are encouraged to write as well. The one thing that they always want is a picture of the people who are sponsoring them because they want to “see a picture of Jesus”. Knowing that something so small can mean so much to someone else is quite an amazing rush. It is quite the feeling of being the Hands of Christ.
Please keep Leonel in your prayers and please consider helping out a child in need. America has 35% of all the wealth in the world. We can be that change. It does not matter if you are young or old, God wants to use you to help change the world. He is just waiting for you to ask Him in what way.
Wednesday April 25th 2007, 1:54 am
Filed under: DJ Bill's Faith
May 2nd is only one week away! Mark your calendar now!!
My guess is that you are like…ok DJ Bill. Why am I marking my cool calendar on May 2nd? Well, that is an easy answer. I am going “Inside the Youth Minister’s Studio” to be interviewed! There will be a 10 minute podcast that will allow people to get to know a little more about who I am, why I am a DJ who does National things and what the toughest things that face my ministry and youth ministry as a whole.
My friend Scott Miller who works out in Baltimore for the Archdiocese of Baltimore made a New Year’s resolution to post a weekly podcast of youth ministers, youth leaders and Catholic entertainers on his blog. So far, into May he has kept his resolution and I am who will be on May 2nd!
Check it out, let Scott know that you are thankful that he is doing this and continue to support him by checking out all of the posted interviews!
Finally..I found a video of the Catholic Dance on YouTube! I did a search for my friend Jesse Manibusan and found 2 videos. Once was him in Las Vegas during a “Dance Off” and the other one was some people who were in attendance of the show who filmed Jesse dancing to the Catholic Dance! It is me up on stage and my crazy voice over the main speakers. Crazy!! The thing is that this video shows a large group of people doing the Catholic Dance. Check it out…
I am still going to do a video of the Catholic Dance at some point but until then this is a small taste of what the Catholic Dance is. It is silly, it is fun, it is something that a group of people can do to celebrate their joy and love for Christ! It is all about Full, Active, Conscious Participation in your Catholic Faith!
Thursday April 12th 2007, 3:00 am
Filed under: DJ Bill's Faith
It is very true. I am more than a DJ. In fact, in certain ways I am not a DJ at all. I do not use LP’s or Records. I do not “Scratch” or “Mix”. What I do is entertain! I create an environment for groups of youth that is fun, inviting, free and very much God focused. I do use music and yes…most of the things I end up doing resemble “exercise” but above all I connect with youth and adults by allowing them to be themselves. I perform and speak and have fun. Through it all I allow kids to be kids but challenge them to look differently. Look differently at the music they listen too. Also challenge them to look at the skills that God has given them and how they can use them to better themselves, their family, their parish and their world.
I have branded myself as “DJ Bill” so people can remember who I am and that I can provide music, entertainment and dancing…but I am much more than just a DJ.
Don’t take my word for it…if you look at my “rave review” section of this website you can read what some of the people who have seen me have said. The title of this blog entry is from my friend Kevin who I worked for in Nov. 2006. He is a great Diocesan Youth Leader and said some very nice words about me. (Thanks Kevin!) I also have a few more to add over the next few days so check back often.
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME! Now believe it and LIVE IT!
The one thing is people are a little confused as to what it is exactly what I do. So I am going to try to the best of my ability explain what I do.
1. DJ Bill Entertains – I am not your local mobile DJ. I am a complete high energy, interactive show. I use a stage, get kids involved, teach them dances, play games, give away prizes, spray them with toilet paper, etc,. It is more of a concert feel then your run of the mill dance. Normally I provide a 2 hour show that will hold everyones attention and we will make sure everyone leaves thinking that they had the best time ever.
2. DJ Bill Tells Stories – I love to share my faith and my heart with youth. I have a passion for Jesus and the Catholic church and I love telling people how I embrace being different then the norm and how it is important to not be like everyone else. When I am able to keynote, I focus a lot on how important my faith and pray life is to me. I also love sharing how the Holy Spirit can be the “spiritual lighter fluid” to set our hearts on fire!
3. DJ Bill Is Present The Whole Day – At most youth rallies I attend, I always make sure to be there and participate during the whole day. I think it is important for the youth to see this example but also to be available in case someone needs a prayer or assistance. I believe it is important to live in the moment and be a part of the whole community. Also, if you need an emergency filler up on stage…I am just a few steps away. My goal is that your event goes smoothly and that everyone not only is entertained but has an amazing time!
4. DJ Bill Warms Up The Crowd – If your event starts at 10:00am…then get me on stage at 9:30am! I think it is very important to set the right tone and have people arriving into something happening instead of an empty room with nothing going on. Energy breeds energy. Having kids up and doing something will attract people arriving and will make them want to join in.
5. DJ Bill Knows Youth Rallies – I have been involved in all different stages of planning and organizing youth rallies for over 20 years now. I am always available for advice, thoughts or any questions that people have. In fact, some of that knowledge
So….that is me in a nut shell. I hope you agree that what I offer is something that is fun, exciting, different and unique.
I have to admit…I don’t think of myself as a salesman. In fact, I find it fun talking to people and sharing with them what I do.
I am not a big fan of calling people and having to sell what I do. I like to see what they are currently doing and how my participation can help or assist. For example, today I called someone from Virginia and it was fun just talking to them and finding out about what they are doing for the youth of their diocese.
So in order to keep connected with everyone I am trying to start a Newsletter. My goal is to make friendships with youth leaders on all levels, parish and diocesan, and keep in touch with them. My hope is to have a monthly newsletter with some information on things to do to ensure your events (especially dances) will be a success.
If you would like to sign up for the newsletter, their is a place to do so just left of this post…yeah…right over there!
< ----- At the top where it says Catholic Dance Newsletter!
All I need is your name and email. That is it. Again, if you receive the newsletter and do not want to get it anymore, there will always be a link at the bottom to unsubscribe. I do not like SPAM just like you so I will not do that to you. I PROMISE!
Thank you for signing up and be on the look out for news about a new promotional video being made and all the places I will be in 2007!
Happy 2007 everyone! I pray that the Lord blesses you abundantly over the next 365 days. I have a feeling that 2007 is going to be an amazing year with a lot of Hope and Promise for a renewed fire! The Spirit will be moving in 2007!!
I am looking forward to seeing everyone and traveling all across the nation over the next year and continue to teach the Catholic Dance to the world.
