A quick pic after scrumptious ice cream sundays!

The concert at New Stanton Alliance church took place last night.

My top three favorite moments:

1. Hearing someone come up to me before the concert say, “I hate rock music!” and after responding, “Um, well … you might want to go home then!” watch him plop right in the front row anyway!

2. Watching and listening to the row of teens and young adults singing at the top of their lungs during the first song … yeah, you guys were GREAT!

3. Ice cream after the concert … need I say more?!!

Thanks for the pic, yet even more so, thanks for listening and responding to Jesus through the concert, guys. The best truly is still unwritten with your lives!

Like my new hat??? When I found it, I knew it was more than something simply to camoflage my lazy day hair.It proudly displays, ‘Traveling in Myrtle Beach … a Fascinating Story’ on it’s front. And that couldn’t be more true. I’m writing this from some well needed down time in South Carolina. Much of my fam hopped in two cars and began our trek here Monday morning. Before the journey south, my days were unusually crazy and insane … the typical work load was enough on it’s own, never mind the stressors which seemed to fly at me like flaming arrows I’d much rather dodge. The most recent ‘arrow’ was when I lost 150+ booking contacts. Here, I thought I was only deleting ONE contact from my address book when ‘voila’ they all seemed to disappear like a horrifying magic trick. I cried and cried at all that hard work down the drain. So, when I hopped in the packed car Monday morning, I knew that ‘work’ would need to be part of this trip, though I really longed for a break.

Typing information into the lap top helped make the drive go faster, yet since we’ve been here other stressors have seemed to fly. Complications where we are staying, taking a trip with my sister to the ER last night which didn’t turn out positively – (although it was only a ‘minor’ injury, the stitches were all but successful.) We got lost and had other ‘difficulties’ on our way to the beach this morning. My mom’s failing knees kept her from venturing to the beach today. And I didn’t get work done as planned…

I read the front of this hat which read, “Traveling in Myrtle Beach:  A Fascinating Story!” and realize something. These travels in Myrtle Beach truly are a fascinating story though. I think of the visit to the ER last night and how that gave me some enjoyable bonding time with my 82 year old Aunt, whom one on one time spent with her is a rare blessing. From getting lost this morning with my sister Linda, we had some sweet connecting and ‘girl’ time that seemed to take place of the time we really didn’t have growing up together since our ages are 15 years apart. The beach was chilly today, yet because of the insane wind, we have some silly pictures and text messages sent around the country that will put a smile on my face in the most challenging of circumstances. The tons of candy and junk food our bodies seem to inhale too must have it’s good side, though I’ve yet to find it … The stress of life seem to constantly taint our days. The unexplainable and unfathomable also tend to perplex us. And yet through it all, God writes a fascinating story as we journey. I happen to be in Myrtle Beach this time. Yet when I hit the road again on Saturday to venture back north, I know the story will only continue. I’ll keep my eyes open and try to not let the stress overwhelm me. Maybe I’ll put on this hat to remind me that God’s got a fascinating story in the insane moments which lie ahead.

It’s Easter Sunday … 10:30pm, and I’m tired!  I don’t know about you, but this time of year is so busy for the church musician in me, as there’s so much on my plate with the worship ministry at church.  It’s good stuff,.. stuff I’m okay with getting worn out from!

Of course, as a Christian, this Easter weekend means a lot to me, and yet I think about how, over the years, that story can tend to be just something told and retold … something that might have lost it’s ‘pizazz’ – for lack of better terms.  And I think of all those folks who wouldn’t typically set foot in a church – except for Christmas and Easter time, who came to church today.  What was going on in their hearts and minds? As I opened up the services this weekend singing ‘What If?’ by Nichole Nordeman, it seemed to resound in me deeply, as it provoked the mind especially. 

What if you’re right and He was just another nice guy?
What if you’re right?
What if it’s true?
They say the cross would only make a fool of you. 
What if it’s true?
What if He takes His place in history with all the prophets
And the kings who taught us love and came in peace
But then the story ends … What then?

But what if you’re wrong?  What if there’s more? 
What if there’s hope you’ve never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump and just close your eyes …
What if the arms that catch you catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough? 
What if it’s love?

What if you dig
Way down deeper than your simple minded friends. 
What if you dig?
What if you find 
A thousand more unanswered questions down inside
And that’s all you find?
What if you pick apart the logic
And begin to poke the holes?
What if the crown of thorns was no more than
Folklore that must be told and retold?So I ask, where do you stand today?  Are you really resting in that love?  Has the Easter story become old to you?  What kind of story is your life telling because of it?  Do you really belive in this One who loves you beyond your wildest imagination? I was challenged today to live more and more in His love, tossing the doubts aside and running with absolute abandon to that One who loves me so much that he died and made a way in eternity for me.  I’m thankful for knowing that there’s more ahead … hope that I’ve never dreamed of hoping for.  He is more than enough. 

But what if you’re wrong?  What if there’s more?
What if there’s hope you’ve never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump and just close your eyes …
What if the arms that catch you catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough? 
What if it’s love?

You’ve been runing as fast as you can
You’ve been looking for a place you can land for so long
But what if you’re wrong?

What if you jump and just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough? 
What if it’s love?

What if it’s love?
What if it’s love?

How about you?  Think about it …

3 very special sweeties with great promise and big dreams for Jesus Tonight’s concert at Chicora Alliance Church was definitely ’sweet’. It was amazing though, after the day – or shall I say week – I had! It seemed like everything that could go wrong did go wrong today … even before the concert my mind and body seemed to really struggle. So I prayed … and prayed … and prayed some more. I know God had led me to this place for a very special purpose tonight, so I went and gave it my all. And yes, it was an amazing time, to say the least. God really did show up powerfully as indicated by numerous sniffles, raised hands, smiles, claps, words and let’s not forget hugs! The ’special’ ministry I saw taking place tonight though was with a hand full of little girls. Sweetie after sweetie came up to me after the concert tonight … these three pictured especially captured my heart, and I felt as though God was saying to really pay attention and love on these girls tonight. So that I did! We chit chatted about how they loved to sing, dance, Bible quizzing, school, and on and on and on and on. God reminded me how special these little girls were tonight, as well as their moms – who once too were little girls. I’m so thankful these sweeties know Jesus and have a heart after Him. This day which began sour sure turned sweet!

We’re so thankful God protected us during this rainy day collision!

Our car died … yup, the last ride of ‘Mighty Blue’ took place Friday, February 29th 2008. Although this hasn’t been our desired preference for the car we drive, God literally ‘gave’ this car to us three years ago, and he’s been a trooper, to say the least! Mighty Blue has been a blessing to our ministries with the lack of maintenance it needed and it’s low mileage, not to mention great gas mileage!

Anyway, it didn’t quite reach ‘antique’ status, as Travis was going through his typical routine that day last Friday when a driver pulled out from an adjacent street and collided into our car. More of a shock than anything to Travis, who hit his head on the windshield, yet there were not drastic injuries, Praise God! If another second occurred before he was hit, it could have been fatal. This has shaken us up a bit, yet we’re so thankful we have our lives and see God’s awesome provision in all this. He is good! We’re just investigating, meanwhile praying, for a new car!