The Week Before Christmas

On Sunday, I gave away my shoes at church . . .

Soles for Souls is an organization that donates gently worn shoes to individuals who do not own shoes. We partnered with this organization and Pete challenged us to donate the very shoes we had on our feet that day. By Sunday evening, 1,000 pairs had been donated!

It was a humbling reminder that even after the flood (I was able to save plenty of shoes) I have already replaced my "boot collection" and own FAR too many shoes. There are people who do not own 1 pair of shoes. Think about that for a moment. I gave away a full trash bag and I wish I could see the lady who receives my knee-high, tan suede boots! 

:)

Monday began one of the longest and toughest weeks of my year.

The week before Christmas.

Two weeks of work to be done in one and 3 nights of Christmas Eve rehearsal/services.

My 2 page checklist:

I’ve joked that I’m going to frame this to remind myself that I made it!

On Tuesday, I had an appointment with a new neurologist. I get really nervous and insecure about doctor’s appointments. I’ve had many doctors blow me off and have run into so many dead ends that I fret when I have to go explain myself. I also had to leave our staff potluck and secret gift exchange to go to my appointment! I cherish that family time so it was hard to step away.

On my way to the appointment I was reminded of my life verses Philippians 4:6-7: 

⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

I prayed this prayer:

 "Lord, I won't be anxious about this doctor's appointment. I thank you for giving me the opportunity to see this doctor. I pray your peace and comfort would fill my heart and people would see You in me today."

I made sure I said "Merry Christmas" to every nurse and person who helped me get around the hospital. I asked them how they were doing. I kept a smile on my face as I walked the halls.

So in the midst of a week where I feel overwhelmed and have already lost my cool many times, I had the opportunity to be a light. It reminded me what Christmas is all about. Jesus was born to die to save:

*Jackie, my nurse.

*Dr. Klienfield

*The lady who drew my blood.

*The sweet women at the help desks who showed me where to go! 

He was born to die to save me and you.

Merry Christmas! Thank you for reading my blog in 2010. I'm excited to see what plots develop in my musical in 2011!  

God bless.

Proud Choir Nerd

Jason and I LOVE The Sing Off. We wish the series would last longer than 3 weeks.

As I listen and watch these talented a cappella groups sing, I am reminded of my favorite choral moments:

*Performing with the 1998 Marshall High School chorale, "And So It Goes"

My heart swoons for Billy Joel's writing and voice. To hear and perform all the intricate parts a cappella, this soon became one of my favorite songs.

"So I would choose to be with you
As if the choice were mine to make
But you can make decisions too
And you can have this heart to break"

*2000 Texas Girls All State Choir singing, "There Is No Rose Of Such Virtue"

A female choral moment of perfection. I was in awe and sat motionless as tears poured from my eyes. 

"There is no rose of such virtue
As is the rose that bare Jesu; Alleluia."

*Performing with the 2000 Texas Mixed All State Choir, "Chichester Psalms"

Leonard Bernstein is a genius. The writer of West Side Story composed this Hebrew choral work from Psalms 108, 100, 23, 2, 131, 133. My choir teacher helped us translate some of the passages. As I practiced I would see these truths across the top of my page, 

"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness."

"Surely goodness and mercy
Shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever."

*My entire experience with the Ouachita Singers from 2001 through 2003

I cannot pin point one ultimate moment. I heard overtones for the first time in this choir. My range was stretched (I sang alto 2!) Our choral director, Dr. Charlie Fuller knew how to make a group of singers blend so well. We traveled to China my sophomore year and I had some health issues while we were there. I had to sit out on one of our performances so I got to watch and hear this talented group from the audience. I cried the entire time and appreciated the opportunity to be a part of such a special group.

If you have been a part of a choir or appreciate choral groups, what is your favorite moment or performance?

Snapshots

My friend Joe Gomez is the talented photographer that captured the feature profile photo on my blog. It embodies my blog's theme so beautifully.

He has a strong eye for this craft and I have loved watching him learn and expand his creativity.

He recently sent me this edited shot from our last shoot. Makes me miss my dancing days.

He also caught this moment at our worship night.

 

He shot my sister Alissa's bridal portraits. They are all so pretty and fun! (I could only post this one cause it doesn't show the dress!) :)

Check out his blog and keep an eye on this dude.

I'll Sit This One Out

I named my blog, "My Life is a Musical" because I have a song in my head ALL the time, whether I am singing it or not.

I just waltzed around the kitchen singing the Christmas carol, "The Christmas Waltz" because it was snowing outside. :)

But there is one song I have trouble singing,

"You walk with my through fire and heal all my disease
I trust in You
I believe You're my healer . . . 
Nothing is impossible for You" 

Sometimes I sit and pray when this song is in the set list. I have to fight back tears when I lead this song. I doubt these lyrics. I want to believe healing of my physical body will come but in the back of my mind I don't think it will ever happen.

Today I was able to float to several campuses and experience Cross Point as an attendee. I chose to sing these words. I chose joy over sorrow. 

As I was leaving the Bellevue service an older gentleman stopped me and said,

"Your enthusiasm during worship inspires me. I needed that today."

It reminded me that my attitude, my body language, my words, my actions and the song of my heart can make a difference in someone's life. 

Healing is in Your hands God.

"How high, how wide

No matter where I am, healing is in Your hands
How deep, How strong,
And now by Your grace I stand, healing is in Your hands"

A Time To STEAL!

Every year my friends Jenni & Jessica throw an ornament exchange party. 

These two sisters bake lots of goodies including their grandmother's sugar cookies. My hands down favorite cookie of ALL TIME! 

We get to catch up with sweet friends and have a little fun stealing ornaments from each other! 

My favorite stealing moment in action! Poor Jess!

At the end of the night my friend Brooke pulled me aside and gave me a very special ornament.

This thoughtful gift represents my blog and my life. So I ended the night in tears. :)

It is on nights like these that I'm very grateful to have lots of wonderful friends in my life. I do not take it for granted.

Character Make-Over

Two weeks ago I asked a question, To Cut or Not To Cut?

On Monday night I scheduled an appointment for highlights and a fun side bang. Kind of like Reese Witherspoon. 

My hair dresser Kate made me dinner. I was on the fence about what I wanted so I told her when I finished eating I would have a verdict.

 And now I've been sporting this sassy new do! 

 

I LOVE IT! A big thanks to Kate for making me look good! 

Another Blonde in My Musical

I met Jarrod Morris 9 years ago in Theory I class on my first day of college.

He says the first thing I said to him was, "I think I forgot to put deodorant on today. . ."

I don't remember that. :)

Later that day we had another class together, Ouachita Singers, an elite choral group. Who did I get assigned to stand by? 

Jarrod. 

After college, life moved both of our families to Nashville and I've been working with Jarrod at Cross Point for the past 3 1/2 years. It has been a joy to watch my friend grow vocally and musically through the years. He is a passionate worship leader, a gifted musician and a great song writer.

Recently, he wrote a Christmas song with Clint Lamberth. You can listen to it HERE. We sang it at all 4 of our campuses this Sunday and got a great response!

We are giving away this song for churches to use during the holiday season. You can download the files HERE.

Let me know if your ministry or church decides to use the song! ENJOY!

You Talkin' To Me?

We go to sleep with the TV on. I love it when the last channel we watched is Bravo and I wake up to "The West Wing" reruns. 

Today I woke up and caught the end of the Kymaro Body Shaper infomercial. :) Next up was a program called Believers Voice of Victory with Jeremy and Sarah Pearsons. I know nothing about this ministry or this couple but I decided to watch and hear what they said about Jesus. And if they begged for money. :)

They spoke about strength and beauty in the presence of the healer, which is the title of Sarah's latest album. They read from Psalms 96:1-6. They said people try to work to receive their healing but healing has already been provided for us. It is in us now. God wants to restore and heal what is invisible (soul) and what is visible (body).

While I am watching I am thinking about my head, neck and shoulders hurting. Do I have a sinus infection? My ears hurt. I need to blow my nose. All of the sudden Jeremy says, "For you that has a sinus infection, that pain in your head and neck, that whole part of your body that has been creating tension and pain, close your eyes and picture Jesus on the cross and you see that pain on Him, not on you."

Who me? He even pointed to his shoulders and up which is my pain area!

So I closed my eyes and did what he said. 

Nothing miraculous happened. But my soul was encouraged and quieted. Today I will remember that healing is in His hands and that Jesus carried that for me on the cross.

A couple of minutes later, Jeremy did ask for money, but he didn't beg. :)

I'm glad I fell asleep watching "Friends" last night. God had a plan to speak to me through channel 14.