I woke up this morning frazzled, not quite all there and had to stop for something strong enough for me to wake up. After leaving Star*bucks I remember I'm the one opening up the office today... nice. Walk in, everyone's in the hall waiting. Not a good way to start my day. So I put on some music, sipped my Caramel Machiatto and tried to forget the morning disaster.
In preperation for this weekends baby party - I'm making something like this tonight... fingers crossed that it comes out looking like this and not like a five year old craft project. I have no backup.
My nephew Cristian has his own taste in music. He's three years old and knows the words to "Poker*Face" and "Apologize". He is adamant about not listening to any other channel but Hip Hop and he knows when Michael Jackson's music comes on... I don't even know the words to the songs he knows... some songs I'd never heard of. Kids now days are growing up WAY too fast!
This was way too cute to not share... haha.
This is one of the songs that my nephew sings and now I know the words too. LOL MUST watch the kid in the red...
The past couple of months I've filled myself with uplifting music about the greatness of God, His love, mercy, grace and care for me. The moment I get settled in at work each morning, I turn on my music - "Blessed in the City" "You're Grace is Enough" "From the Inside Out" "Mighty to Save" "I'd Rather Have Jesus"... this music rings in my ears all day long and gets me through the days. Sometimes I am so moved at my desk that I feel it bubbling inside me to the point that I just want to have some church right there!
I was listening to one of my playlist from long ago and heard the words from an old song by Nikki Leonti. I listened to this song over and over as a teenager. For some reason today it spoke to me and I heard things that I'd hadn't heard before. It became new and fresh and made my soul long for that Everlasting Place.
I can see beyond
The meadows and the fields
I can see forever
I can tell you now
That His love is real
And holding me together
And I won't tell you that
Life is always easy
But I've found better days
Waiting there for me
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I can't count how many times I've seen dark days that seemed like they would never end. There was no light at the end of the tunnel. But it always, always came to end. God never left me there. There were always better days around the corner.
Don't you wanna come with me
To an everlasting place
No tears And no pain
Forever we'll remain
Forever in the arms of love
Sheltered in the wonders of
Such a beautiful place
It's an everlasting place
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When you're in the middle of the dark days, it's so easy to forget that it's all for a purpose. This is only temporary. One day soon those dark days will be over... forever. No tears and pain? Can you imagine that?
If it's hurting you
Choices that you've made
Regret is your companion
Just lift your eyes and pray
He'll receive you now
You are not abandoned
I don't care about
Things you used to do
Cause I see better days
Are waiting there for you
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One thing I choose to remember, no matter how far I fall, how far I drift, how much I ignore Him - He stand waiting with open arms. Ready to wipe away all the wrong and let me start new and fresh. What a loving God we have!
My soul has one goal. To see this Everlasting Place, to get everything I can out of the dark days and be forever with the One who picked me up more times than I could count.
We had a girls night out last night, my mom, grams, sister, and sister-in-law went to see The Phantom at a dinner theater that we frequent.
I've never seen a show quite like this one and didn't know what to expect. It was opening night and there were some technical issues with the backdrops moving like they should, but all in all I liked it. The story line is heart wrenching and a little on the scary side, every time there was a rumble I'd scoot down in my seat.
The singing was good and of course the food was delicious! I had prime rib and my favorite dessert there, custard. So. very. good.
My Gram has been down the past couple of weeks, losing the love of your life for 60 years is no easy thing to bear. She enjoyed herself and gave a standing ovation at the end and had her picture taken with the Phantom. =)
There's been a different feeling in the air these last few weeks... a feeling of preparedness. Getting ready for the fall, sending the kids back to school, getting back into a routine, no more prolonged vacations, no more beach outings, no more swims... things are changin'.
I've often felt the change in my own life when God begins to stir things up. His voice is so soft at first that I sometimes miss it. Okay, not sometimes, let's be truthful here, 95% of the time. There's just way too much noise today. Too many distractions, too many of life's loads to carry. We often go throughout our day with no ear to hear, no clear mind to comprehend, no focus to see.
My brother and his band, Down to Earth, performed this past weekend at an amusement park and they did an incredible job. He wrote this beautiful song with some help from my sister called "Coming Back". My brother is a minister, an accomplished drummer, guitar player, and singer. My sister has been writing songs for years and it seems that my brother is picking up that skill as well.
This song is anointed and ministers to me right now, the need to come back to the basics of living for God. We spend so much time trying to change the methods and improve, yet we lose the basics.
I'm sure this video will touch you as much as it's touched me. Enjoy!
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd... I Peter 2:25
For those of you who don't read my sister's blog, she posted her demo today. This isn't the final draft, but still sounds great! Head on over and let her know what you think. Catherine's Demo
My brother and his band are recording in the studio today and tomorrow. My sister is also recording for her CD, so excited for them both! Hopefully I'll be able to share some clips next week.
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Below is a rough draft demo that my brother did in the studio a couple months back. This is a song by another artist that he loves to sing... enjoy!
It looks like the playlist is having some issues... click here.
I am going to brag for a minute or two... My brother, Peter, is in an awesome band, Down to Earth. He's always loved music and tried to get a band started more than once. I remember in high school he had a band called the Puffs. All the guys wore Afro wigs, why? I have no idea but it was popular with the girls, I guess that's what they were aiming for.
Now he has the real deal. He sings very good, sometimes it boggles my mind. He is an outstanding song writer and musician. He has been playing the drums since he was four and the acoustic guitar since he was... 20 or somewhere around there. Never professionally trained yet he has won several drum contest.
On Friday night he was in charge of the music for a crusade that we have for our local churches in Los Angeles County and Orange County. I was scared to death for him, not knowing how it was going to turn out. Our first practice, I sang with the group, was a few days before the actual event. Hearing the music and singing you would think we sang together before, but this was the first time. God had his hand on us and the band and I knew that something great was going to come of it.
Friday night rolled around and service begin with the band singing and playing first then the singers joining in. We sang, Rescue by Desperation Band, Say So and I Know Who I Am by Israel and New Breed, Blessed Be Your Name by Newsboys, and Word of God Speak by Mercy Me.
God moved in that place and touched so many people and opened the door for the preaching by Rev. Lee Stoneking. It was so awesome. The spirit of unity that was in that place was so thick. It all goes hand in hand, the prayer before service opens the door for worship, worship opens the hearts for the word of God. It was a night when everything came together.
The band will be recording for their demo this weekend, I can't wait to share the sound of their playing and singing. Keep on the lookout for D2E!
It's been a blast having Julie Lessman around here! I'll be doing an interview with her on March 14th and giving away a book, thanks to Julie!
Speaking of book giveaways, I stumbled on Julie Carobini's blog a few days back and left a comment to be in a drawing for her new book, Truffles by the Sea. I've never read a book by her, but I have heard great reviews. Stop on over, she has a beautiful blog. I believe today is the last day to be in the drawing for the giveaway...
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Is anyone else an American Idol fan? I know Shauna is, we seem to have the same taste in singers. Last night was a great night in my book. I find that I am pretty fickle where the girls are concerned, but my heart is set on David Archuleta for the guys. This kid is amazing. Below is a video of him singing for the first season contestants in a hotel lobby.
This is one of my favorite performances so far this season, loved it!
Another great singer is Brooke White. Her tone is beautiful. She can sing anything, according to me, and make it interesting.
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I made some changes to my blog. You'll notice that there is a new set of links to the right, Daily Photo Blogs. I want to do this so bad, I just don't have the time or the camera. Maybe someday I'll be able to show the OC through my eyes.
I also added my "bookshelf" from Shelfari. At the bottom is my favorites. You can click on this to see what I'm reading, what I own, my wish list... if you want to that is. lol. I just like to look at it. Me and my book obsession.
I came across this picture of my nephew and had to share... He's actually my cousins baby, but she is like a sister rather than a cousin, so he is my nephew =). He was a screamer when he was a baby. Not just a normal baby scream, this was a "I'm mad and I won't give in" scream. I don't know anyone that has a pair of lungs like him. He would go for hours and not give in even though you could tell he was exhausting himself. Now he's 1 1/2 and gives his lungs a little rest.
Let me start this next section with a disclaimer: I am not responsible for any offense taken from this point on *cough* Peter *cough*. Your actions were caught on camera, my camera, therefore they can be shown on my blog, *cough* Peter *cough*.
Here is another screamer. Okay, maybe not a screamer, but he can be loud. He plays his music LOUDLY in the house. He sings LOUD. He does not like to be shushed, I learned this the hard way. He got a gift card for Christmas and went shopping at Guitar Center, what does he buy? and amp! So he can be even louder if that's possible. I can say though that his voice is very soothing, at times. He writes great music and can play anything he puts his mind to. He has no professional training. This talent was self taught.
Ladies and Gentleman I bring you *drum roll* - My brother Peter
(note: in his defense, he was in the wrong key but just went with it. He actually does sing good.)
Okay, here's another one...
My sister is a type of screamer too. Maybe my nephew got his lungs from her... She has never needed a mic, she can belt out and people can hear her in the back of the building. We both sing in a trio at our church, I sing soprano, she sings alto. My mic is pushed up as high is it can go on the sound board, while her mic is not so high. I hear it all the time "Your so quite and your sisters so loud", drives us both crazy.
She writes music too and is in the process of making her first CD. Here she is, messing around with Peter on the guitar.
Are you done with videos? Well, since it's MY blog, here's one more... lol, =)
My sister thought that I was taking a picture and not recording. My brother got caught semi picking his nose, he wasn't too happy. You can tell this by what he says to me...
