It has been a day!  We’ve been working from early this morning, beginning with running to Lowes and The Home Depot with Dad to get more supplies and return others.  I’ll tell you what, take a man into one of those stores and it’s like trying to take a little kid out of a toy store! )  We had fun, making the most of it as Dad shared with me ‘dreams’ of tools he’d like to own.  We even texted Travis once while in the store saying we were gonna buy something of astronomical amount and he said, ‘Okay, bring it home!’  Could you imagine that?  Ha, ha.  Once I finally pried my drooling dad away from the coveted toys, we returned home and begun taking the now painted booth apart at it’s hinges so we could affix the supports to the top of the doors and glue the acoustic foam panels to each door.  (Say that sentence 10 times fast!)  We had the ceiling and floor boards to cut too, insulation to put in the flooring, and lots of vacuuming so saw dust wouldn’t stick to the somewhat tacky painted doors nor keep the foam adhesive from sticking.  I’ll tell you what … who would have thought this would take so much brain and man power to construct?!!  I think the craziest part of the day was gluing the foam to the doors, as the time instructed on each adhesive bottle was extremely limited from the time the glue left the gun to the time the foam was secured into place.  Travis and I really had to tag team it!

All was fun … and here are some more wacky pictures of the process.  We had hoped to have it completed by tonight, yet with the 1-7 days drying time for the foam’s adhesive, that doesn’t look to be the case.  Dad’s plannin’ on coming over again Monday.  Hopefully we’ll have exciting completion news to share with you shortly thereafter!  The saga continues …

A friend of ours gave us three free tickets to the Pirates vs. Yankees game tonight, so I had the privilege of going out with the two favorite men in my life: Travis and Dad!  We ventured out there and had a ball (no pun intended!), and we thoroughly enjoyed the entire two innings the game was in play even though the Yankees were in the lead.  Once the thunderstorm hit, we knew the game would be called off. 

It was quite humorous though as we waited there in our rain ponchos, then transfered ourselves to standing in the tunnels protected from the thunder and crazy lightning, then hitting the stands once the rain stopped only to be driven away at 9pm by the lightning and rain once again.  Oh well, things could have been worse.  We sure had one fun night, nonetheless.  And hey, we didn’t have the horrific traffic to deal with after the game … now that’s positive!  Tomorrow it’s off to finish the vocal booth …

Saw dust, paint fumes and lots of mess best describes the environment of my office these past few days!  Then, there has been the countless trips to The Home Depot and Lowes too, not to mention Dairy Queen for my dad’s occasional chocolate malt fix!  Yes, it’s construction of the Recording Both time, so my dear dad and hubby tackled this project with me beginning early yesterday morning.  I’m so thankful for their help!  Dad’s amazing handy-man skills especially blow me away, and his love blesses me to the core.  Thanks, Dad!

Here are some pictures from our days of work from the basic construction to some of the painting.  There’s still lots of work to do, yet we’ll tackle that over the next couple days.  It’s all falling into place nicely!  Obviously, there is exhaustion, but the excitement and joy of seeing this all come together faaaaaaaaaar outweighs the pain my fingers and even toes have been experiencing!  And here I woke up yesterday morning feeling rather guilty that I skipped my work out at the gym … needless to say, that feeling no longer resides. )   

Oh, I am so stinkin’ tickled right now!!! I managed to make it through a couple big boxes, tons of tape and oodles of twist-ties as I unpacked my recently ordered recording gear for my home office recording booth! I’ll be recording original music demos with the help of this equipment … I feel so ‘official!’ Yes, today’s adventures have been fun … I’ve been like a little kid on Christmas morning while discovering such professional material I’ve only ever Once Upon A Time dreamed about having. Sure, I’ve seen this stuff before in recording studios, and used much of it myself, yet I’m so tickled to now be entrusted with this gear of my very own. I’ll be working on the actual booth construction later this week with Travis and my Dad and will make sure to write more then too! 

Hey everybody!  Kris sent me this letter and said I could share it with you all as a testimony of how God so powerfully worked at her mom’s funeral.  Thanks for praying, Team!

Judy,

I am so glad to receive your message.  I’ve been wanting to tell you that everyone has been coming up to the family and calling and saying how beautiful and inspirational the service was, and what an awesome voice you shared with us in praising our sweet Jesus and helping to welcome my dear mother into His Kingdom.  Many people who I didn’t really know, but knew my mother came up to me and said how wonderful your music was, and they didn’t want to leave the service but wanted to listen to the rest of My Redeemer Lives.  

My mother always loved powerful and inspirational songs, in addition to the traditional Catholic songs.  I know she was with us, along with our dear sister Anita, her daughter, and my dad, smiling on us.  And I know that the Dear Lord brought us together to help make the day so special for my mother and her loving family and friends.  Over the past 6 months, when my mother was sick, I was living in Maryland and doing a lot of traveling to Pittsburgh.  So I went to a Christian bookstore and bought up a few Christian CDs, and would play these songs over and over again for inspiration, healing, and comfort.  Little did I know that I would be so blessed as to find someone who would have expressed the music and lyrics so eloquently at this time, than you.  And now, I find myself singing those songs in my mind and heart, over and over again.  And this continues to give me peace, knowing that my Mom is no longer suffering, and ‘dancing with Jesus’ in heaven. 

I thank you again, for your trust in God, for coming all this way for a funeral service, never knowing or meeting me, my Mother, and my family.  I do believe the hand of God orchestrated that day, to commemorate my mother’s eternal life in such a beautiful way and to witness to everyone who attended her mass.  I understand from Deb and Doug that there were tears and singing, which I wanted for her.  Death is sad for non-believers but bittersweet for believers in Christ, knowing that we should also be joyful because she is happy now..  My mother was Catholic, but she was also a Christian, and the mass and songs all flowed so perfectly in her memory.

Thank you for sending me materials on your ministry! I would love to stay in touch with you, and so much appreciate your continued prayers for my family.  And I will be praying for you and so comforted knowing that you were doubly blessed with this experience. 

In Christ’s love,
Kris

I’m sitting here, thinking about the Funeral Mass yesterday and absolutely marvel at God’s amazing handywork, timing and pefect provision at the deepest levels to meeting our most basic needs.  I remember praying years ago that God would open a door to enable this Protestant girl to minister in a Catholic church setting, to those who may or may not really understand Jesus’ saving grace and have a realrelationship with Him.  He heard that prayer and knew how to perfectly make that happepn; Kris called me with the invitation to sing for her mother’s funeral, as the Lord opened the way with having me sing truly perfect songs to minister to the brokenhearted and bring His truth with magnificent hope.  

As we arrived, I was reminded how the setting was indeed vulnerable, so I stepped into the moment and prayed God would do His thing. 

During the sound check, people came in from outside, realizing this was something different.  A few hundred people eventually were seated when the organist filled the room with the opening sounds of music.  My sweet hubby prayed from a pew in the back and I provided the processional of Another Time, Another Place as the casket was carried down the isle.  God’s presence really seemed to saturate the place.  At first, I noticed the ‘looks’, as a singer with contemporary songs as such isn’t their ‘typical’ norm for church, yet those looks were all but condemning.  Each note and each word seemed to set a tone of hope in rejoicing that Nancy was in the presence with our Lord, face to face. The onlooking people became like dry sponges, soaking in the water God provided through the song.  I kept thinking, “Wow God, what are You doing?!!  Thank You for letting me be a part of it!” 

As Travis and I observed what followed in the moments thereafter, we prayed, and I did my best to follow when to respond corporately after the Priest, with the Cantor, etc!  God was gracious to me …

I Can Ony Imagine was my next song to sing during Communion.  I was really struck, personally, with the line, “Will I dance for your, Jesus or in awe of you be still?”  as the words rolled off my tongue.  Again, each note and phrase were embraced by those in attendance.  God’s presence was richly felt.

As I stepped up to the mic one final time as the casket made it’s way up the isle and the rest of the people made their way to the burial site, Nicole C. Mullen’s song Redeemer couldn’t have made a more powerful statement.  At it’s beginning, before I even sung a word, one endearing elderly woman affectionately nodded in my direction, kissing her hand and motioning to me as a “God bless you” gesture.  I sung from my core at that moment as the sound resounded in the acoustically pleasing room, and I could all but not notice the crowd of people who remained waiting in the back of the sanctuary as they listened to each phrase and note before exiting.  Several pallbearers approached me with great thanks, one of the priests too(!), and a sweet couple who thanked me with tears of joy in their eyes.  And after much thanks to the sound man too, I walked out, hand in hand with my hubby knowing God’s goodness and with such a grateful heart.

As the doors to outside waited in front of us, Kris waved to me and several hugs and sweet smiles were exchanged with she and a few members of her family outside of St. Colman’s Catholic Church.  “It couldn’t have been any better, etc.” resounded from lips, and upon our final ‘good-bye’ Kris said, “Judy, you made this time bearable for us.” 

We all know Who was at work in each tender heart.  I am so thankful … to Him, and to all of you who prayed.  YOU are making an eternal difference with each prayer you pray … even in this not so ‘typical’ ministry venue the Lord placed in my lap!  Thank you so much.

This picture is of Nancy with her daughter Kris, sons Anthony and Joe, and great-grandbaby Tatiana.  Please pray God’d continue to meet their needs and encourage their hearts in Him.
 

I received a phone call today from a woman by the name of Chris.  Chris’ mother just passed away, and was referred to me after calling Cornerstone Television, looking for a singer.  I am now scheduled to sing for the Tuesday 10am funeral mass.  What’s so sweet about this, are the songs she’s chosen – Redeemer by Nichole C. Mullen, Another Time, Another Place (an old song remade) by Avalon, and I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me.  Chris is encouraged by the fact that her mother knew the Lord and is with Him right now, and wants these songs to be a tribute to her mom. 

I ask that you’d please pray the words of these songs would really reach deep into hearts and souls present who may have only known the ‘tradition’ of going to mass, but not necessarily the relationship with Jesus, Himself.  Please pray that each person leaves the funeral having met Jesus and having been enlightened by His truth.  God’s up to something good here …

This simple, yet amazing, song really struck a chord with me (no pun intended …) as we sung it for the worship night at church this past weekend.  One of those songs that have just stuck with me – yes, one that I’m glad it’s stuck!  I could just sing it over and over and over and over …

Beauty Of The Lord
Words and Music by Jared Anderson

Verse
Jesus, Your love has come one step closer
I will trust that You will never let me go
Jesus, Your love has won me over
All my trust has found no other

Chorus
I will declare the beauty of the Lord
For nothing compares to the beauty of the Lord
Jesus, Your love takes my breath away
Now I’m living everyday for the beauty of the Lord

Bridge
Jesus Your love, it takes my breath away

*Click on this link to watch a short video interview of Jared about this song: Jared Anderson Story Song – Beauty Of The Lord.  Jared is one of Integrity’s Vertical Music artists.

*Click on this link to hear a 30 second audio clip of this song as recorded by Desperation Band: Beauty Of The Lord sound clip.  You can find the full version on Desperation Band’s album From The Rooftops. 

It’s Travis and my day off today … he’s passed out on the love seat, and I’m lounging here on the couch, recovering from all the sweet work at church this weekend. God did so much; my brain is spinning and my heart is so thankful that I just HAVE to share this with you!

Most of you know that worship and worship leading is a HUGE part of my life.  It’s something God’s birthed in me from when I was a little girl.  And it’s something that brings my heart great joy.  This month of June especially, I’m thorougly blessed and encouraged by being a part of leading worship at church.  This past weekend was weekend one of two lined up for this month.  Little did I know what God had in store this Sunday though!

Rehearsals were numerous and long, as it wasn’t just our ‘typical’ Saturday and Sunday services … we had a special worship night lined up for Sunday night too.  The body was weary, yet God provided the strength, and I can’t say enough good stuff about how He showed up each service.  (I have to say, the jumping during the worship last night was a complete blast … to see the majority of the congregation – and Pastor David – jumping reminded me of the sweet, fun times we had with the Student Ministries Worship Band!  Oh yeah!)  Anyway, God showed up in two surprisingly special ways, involving young Jessica and Noah.

I met Jessica several years ago, before I was even Judy ‘Deans’.  I did a worship concert at her church on March of 2002 and her mom (Christine) purchased one of my CD’s, and Christine emailed me, telling me how 3 1/2 year old Jessica simplly laid on the floor with her ear pressed up to the speaker as the one worship song I had recorded played over and over and over and over.  She seemed drawn to it and asked her mommy such questions about faith and giving her heart to Jesus.  Well, Travis and I, a few months after this concert, returned to Christine and Jessica’s church to teach a High School event, so a private ‘concert’ was arranged before hand with Jessica.  We went into a side room before it was time for the High School Ministry to meet, and on the old piano, I played and sung away as Jessica was sitting there beside me.

Years passed and the memory of Jessica remains.  Her picture she drew me is even in my office.  Well, after the Worship Service this Sunday morning a sweet woman approached me and asked if we could talk.  She introduced herself; Christine, Jessicas’ mother!  With tears in her eyes, she told me the story of how Jessica (now 8 1/2!) has asked Jesus into her heart since and how Jessica couldn’t sleep last night, all excited to come to church in the morning.  Jessica told her mommy that she couldn’t sleep Saturday night because of the ‘praises in her head’.  Christine said that she should write them down, and that she did!  Here, Jessica (who has Asperger’s – and can’t typically even write a complete sentence) wrote a complete worship song, echo’s and all! Wow!  Christine wanted me to know how I’ve played a huge part in these happenings in Jessica’s life.  I was beside myself, to say the least.

Then there’s a little fella by the name of Noah.  I met 5 year old Noah back in May, after leading a Saturday night worship service.  Noah’s mom (Jen) came up to me last May exclaiming how Noah just looooooooves it when I sing.  She was part of the Easter Choir and commented how Noah consistenly had to listen to and sing along with the song I sung as a solo that weekend on the worship team.  I met him, and he told me how he sings all the time.  I remember telling him what a gift it is to be able to sing, and to keep it up. 

This past weekend Noah’s Uncle Chris was on the worship team with me.  Chris told me how Noah was planning on coming to the Worship Event Sunday evening, and was soooooooooooo thrilled when he learned that his Uncle Chris was playing his electric guitar right beside Judy!  As Chris and I talked more, I learned that Noah actually recorded a CD of himself singing to the song I sung at Easter time … he just had to have a CD with him on it!  Well, Jen came up to me with tears in her eyes after the Worship Event last night.  She went on and on how Noah really has been impacted from my singing.  She went on to say how it blesses her heart, as his mom, to see him raising his hands in the air, worshiping God!  She asked me if I’d say hello to Noah, so as I looked out of the corner of my eye and motioned for him to come up, he charged to the stage and gave me a BIG hug!  He was so excited … and so dear.  We talked about his CD that he recorded and how I can’t wait to hear it.  Meanwhile, after hearing that Noah was telling everybody that he was gonna sing with me someday (ha, how cute is that?!!) I said to him, “You know what, I think we should sing together sometime.  What do you think?”  I don’t think you could wipe the smile off his face just then if you tried.

Why did I just write all this?  Well, I hope to encourage you that GOD IS AT WORK even in the minute things you do.  When you do what brings you joy – what God has created you to do – HE does AMAZING things!  He puts dreams in little people’s hearts, and helps bring His healing and strength to big people’s hearts.  And just wait … He’ll surprise you some day and tell you about it!  Keep serving Him with everything you’ve got.  You never know when somebody’s watching!

Phase One is now underway in the construction of my portable, vocal recording booth.  I’M SO EXCITED!  Yes, another dream of mine is coming true!  And it’s because of the faithful gifts of Vision Team members that this recording studio in my very home is even possible … I am so humbled, and extremely thankful.  And it’s the perfect time to have this underway too, as I’m working on writing original material for my Once Upon A Time concerts!  Oh, God blows me away with His timing in all things …

Two very special Team Members, Dennis and Lauren Martin, have decided to bless me BIG TIME by providing me with the actual ‘walls’, insulation, supports and hinges for this booth.  Travis, Dennis, and Dennis’ son Owen ventured up to the Hardware Store this evening and brought back the treasure, using their man power to haul the materials in the garage.  THANKS SO MUCH, DENNIS AND LAUREN … I’m blessed beyond measure by you!

This is getting fun … the next phase will be underway soon too.  I’ll keep you posted!