Hey Everybody!

Sorry I haven't been writing much lately and posting mostly videos. I guess I've been in a "video" mood or something. I thought I'd sit down on this stormy Saturday and see what the Lord brings to mind as I type this time.

Just to give you a picture of what's happening at the moment...I often put my laptop on the floor, lie on my stomach, and work at the computer that way. Saves me from sitting at my desk all day. Well, my cat Jovie loves to come and sit right in front of me and lie on my arms while I type. Never fails to crack me up. Here she is today, as always...though she's all black, so all you can really see is her eyes. At least on a cold & wet day like today she's like a little heating blanket keeping me warm!

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On another subject, I just got back from a wedding at our church. As I was telling some friends, I'm such a sap; I always cry at weddings. I think mostly because I think about what it felt like to wait for God to bring Joshua into my life, and I'm just so happy to see God do the same for two other people. Love is such a gift. I think I also see God's love so clearly at weddings, since it's such a poignant picture of Christ's love for us!

They so confidently spoke their vows today, so certain of their love for each other. They glowed as all their friends and family came through the receiving line with hugs and congratulations. They enjoyed digging in to the huge, beautiful wedding cake, complete with smiles, laughter, and kisses. They are ready to walk into this new life together, this new season, and they have joy in their journey. Love it!

I think subconsciously I haven't been writing as much in the blog world lately because I feel like I'm entering a new season myself, and really have no clue what God is up to! I like to have it all figured out before I share it with the world, you know? Anybody else out there know what I mean? But here I am, humbly bumbling through. :)

I shared with you all about a month ago that I feel like the Lord has been stirring my heart to find more ways to get involved musically in my own town. I've been on the road so much these past few years that I haven't really been able to "dig in" to life here. Sure, I can help out with worship at my home church once in a while, or for our women's ministry, but it's even more than that.

God is stirring my heart to reach outside of the church to our community, and to find new ways to share my musical "art" with others. For example - to play cover songs at a local restaurant on a Friday night or even something as basic as karaoke at the neighborhood bar and grille. The goal is to get involved in my community, to get to know more of my "neighbors" around me, and to use the talents the Lord has given me for more than just singing hymns on Sunday. Don't hear me wrong, there is certainly a huge value to singing those hymns on Sunday...but I feel like I'm entering a season where God is calling me to more than that.

This is also really a first in my life to find myself not just learning the latest worship songs to lead for my next worship set...but to be digging in to some of my favorite secular artists and learning some of their amazing songs that I think are well worth sharing, and will be well received in multiple environments. I feel so intimidated, though!

To tell you the truth, I feel like the Church is a pretty easy crowd to sing for, and I think I have this underlying fear that I simply won't be received in that "secular music world" out there. It's so competitive, and I feel like there are so many other local artists doing it so well - better than I ever could! And yet, I feel God calling me, nonetheless.

It's much different to sing at a restaurant, coffee house, or concert theatre - when people are expecting to be entertained or wow'd - than it is to lead a song on Sunday morning when everyone is encouraged to sing along. However, I realize that for me, one thing is the same - my goal will be, whether in a church or in a pub, and whether singing a worship song or a popular secular cover tune - to have people somehow see Jesus, and not me.