Embracing the Miracle of the Moment
Monday, September 21st, 2009
I’ve had a reoccurring theme in my life these past few days …embracing the miracle of the moment. From a sweet Facebook friend (first picture) who encouraged me in a message, to the privilege (thanks, Kevin!) to attend Steven Curtis Chapman’s concert in Pittsburgh this past weekend with my sweet friend Kim, to church and lunch with teen sweetie, Hanna (pictured next), to another sweet fella in a pic with me here (Jackie), who helped and gave Travis and I numerous hugs at the Teens For Christ event last night. One busy weekend, for sure …one in that God was subtly and not so subtly communicating from all directions, ‘Embrace the miracle of the moment, Judy!’ Each day, each person, each activity; each ‘moment’ is such a great gift where God is speaking to us and doing so far beyond what we ask or think. Is your past keeping you from noticing the miracle of the moment today? Let’s not forget that God knew us even before He created us in our mother’s womb …He’s got our pasts in His hands. And He promise us a hope and future with Him, so the days to come need not be our worry. How are you making the most of this very moment? Are you embracing it for the miracle it is?
Beside me in this picture is Lisa, another Incubator Records recording artist whom God connected me with while at the Songwriting Retreat over Labor Day Weekend. Lisa’s story is closely linked to mine, though from very different walks of lives. The pain from our pasts, ministry focus, and how God worked specifically on our hearts while at the retreat was nothing other than all too similar …and nothing other than what only He can do! God stretched our hearts and awakened how our past stories were even effecting us today in this co-writing process, of all places! From powerful past feelings resurfacing themselves where we felt inadequate, unimportant, unloved, …you name it, fears and pains from our past seemingly snuck onto the scene as we were writing together. Now, this may not seem like all that big of a deal on the onset, but God was really taking us back into our pain from the past so that we could see how it was effecting us today and so that He could show Himself faithful and strong as our God, Father and Hope …and then communicate all the more powerfully in our songs that were created thereafter. I’ll tell ya what, I am not the same songwriter today, just a mere week later. 
A NEW HALLELUJAH WORLD TOUR
Well, I’ve safely returned from my travels to the West Coast! What an irreplaceable time I had with my songwriting coach, producer, artists and execs at the record label! As I am trying to process it all and venture in this next part of my songwriting saga, I’m telling ya, words can’t accurately describe how blessed I feel! The Songwriting Retreat was more than amaaaaaaaaaaazing …and I have tried to put some words on paper about it in my Songwriting Retreat Ministry Update! If you haven’t gotten your copy of this special update, click the Contact Judy link at the bottom of my 
It was a GREAT day …though I feel as though I’m now recovering from the entire weekend AND the fun day off! I find every reason to celebrate when it comes to a birthday, so we jam packed the day with fun (after sleeping in, of course …this night owl does appreciate that!) Music, traveling with my honey, lunch with a dear friend, the park where Travis took me the day we got engaged, and sweet time with the folks filled our day. Thanks to all the love and wishes from so many of you on Facebook and abroad. The onslaught of love put such a deep smile in my heart …and still does. Bless you, and here are some pics for you to enjoy too!