A number of years ago I started writing a song named I Choose You.  But before I could get very far, I bought the new Point of Grace CD and discovered that the CD and title track were - you guesed it - I Choose You!  (go figure)  Without a doubt their version was better than mine was ever going to be, so I moved on.

 

Fast forward to the spring of 2006.  I was in Nashville and was asked to see what I could come up with that I thought Point of Grace might sing, because they were looking for songs for their upcoming CD.  I was told to think about them as a group, what they've sung in the past, where I thought they were headed, style, vocal range, etc.  AWESOME!  I love doing stuff like that.  ....  So I came up with a song called Press Play.  The chorus lyrics were:

 

 

The song didn't end up being something this publisher thought they could use, but all was not lost.  Press Play ended up taking third place in my small group competition at Write About Jesus that fall. 

 

Fast forward to today.  I eagerly purchased Point of Grace's new CD entitled How You Live.  One of my first thoughts was, "I wonder what kinds of songs Point of Grace DID end up choosing."  So get this.  The title track is How You Live (Turn Up The Music.  (It immediately reminded me of my chorus lyric of "turn up the volume"!)  And the chorus lyrics begin:

 

 

Woo-hoo!  My song didn't make the CD, but at least I was somewhat on the right track!  They say you should celebrate every cut as if it's your first.  Well, this didn't end up being my first cut - but I'm still celebrating the fact that at least I was brainstorming in the right direction.  Who knows?  Maybe next time!

 

And in the meantime, I'm excited that a bevy of some of my songwriting heroes contributed to this CD!  How can you beat this - Nichole Nordeman, Tony Wood, Joel Lindsay, Twila LaBar, Cindy Morgan....and the list goes on!  There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I am going to LOVE this project.

 

Signed,

Trigh Uh Genn!

 

 

 

I've walked around the house the last two days repeating a certain word over and over.  Worship.  Worship.  Worship.

 

For today, worship's definition was:

 

Worship = driving carpool.

 

Worship = returning shelves that didn't work for my son's dorm room.

 

Worship = buying guitar strings for child #2 (at an outrageous price).

 

Worship = watching child #4 do "just one more" bike trick.

 

Worship = helping our daughter with her latest hair-do.

 

Worship = changing the sheets and folding the towels.

 

Worship = encouraging my sister who only got to host their newborn foster baby for 3 days.

 

Worship = dropping off a UPS package for my husband.

 

Worship = listening to a webcast by a successful songwriter (even if today it overwhelms me instead of encourages me).

 

Worship = doing yet another rewrite, even though it took me a week to face the propect.

 

Worship = paying the bills.

 

Worship = proofing a document via email for my husband at work.

Worship = reading a friend's blog.

 

Worship = writing my own.

 

Worship = my morning quiet time when God surprises me with insight and encouragement.

 

Worship = my morning quiet time when God nails me about something I'd rather not face.

 

Signed,

 

Own Lee Skratch Ing Thuh Sir Fuss

 

 

 

We got back last night after bringing our oldest away to Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa.  Dordt is a Christian college founded in 1955, so that means I attended when it was 20-some years old.  Now, another 25 years down the line, it's unbelievable how much has changed.  A gorgeous campus, superb expanded facilities (and programs), and regular recognition from places like US News (where Dordt tied for #3 in midwest baccalaureat colleges this year).  Yes sir - no doubt about it - we've left Jordan in an exceptional place. 

 

But we've left him. 

 

One of the parent gatherings featured a panel of professors who answered questions from the moderator and from the crowd.  When asked for a piece of advice for the parents, one of my favorite professors observed that we are a generation of helicopter parents.  So the challenge for us was to leave our students alone.  "Let 'em live.  Let 'em be.  They'll be fine."  I've avoided being a helicopter mom for years.  I've been critical of moms who were doing that (hovering around their children - doing everything for them - trying to fix everything for them).  Of course, the fact that I noticed likely means I have that natural tendency myself and was still doing it.

 

Anyway, I'm bound and determined to "love" Jordan by giving him space.  He texted me yesterday/Sunday (we were half-way back to Denver) and he said it was a pretty slow day for him - with a lot less stuff planned than he had experienced on Saturday.  Oh my, how I wanted to text back a bunch of suggestions of things he could do!  But I didn't!  (pat on the back)  I simply responded with "They must think it's a day of rest or something."  And even though Scott and I have only been back home for 12 hours, I've already noticed myself parenting the next three a bit differently.  After all, it really won't be all that long at all before they'll be off to college - on their own - leaving behind these formative years in our home. - and discovering just who God made them to be. 

 

 

(Thanks for giving voice to my heart, Tony and Mark.)

 

And so I pray Jordan will soar on wings like an eagle, savoring the expanse of the sky around him, eagerly exploring just how much he can do with those newfound wings- minus any helicopters hovering around him.

 

Signed,

Lann Ding

 

 

 

Most of you know that my brother, Harv, went into isolation today.  RADIOACTIVE isolation, no less.  This is cutting edge technology for sure.  Experimental too.  Seattle is the only place this is performed in the US.  And the only other place in the world is Germany. 

 

Anyway, I was chatting with him this afternoon and asking lots of questions.  Among other things I learned that:

 

1.  Everything is covered in plastic.  The curtains, the tables, the toilet seat, everything.

 

2.  Whatever food comes IN to the room has to STAY in the room until your 10-12 days are up.  So if you don't finish what you eat, you will have to live with the decaying food until you get out.  (Now there's some motivation to "clean your plate"!)

 

3.  You're basically getting an entirely new immune system.  So all of your vaccinations go away.  (This makes it tough to choose a new job!)  After a year, he will have to return to Seattle and start the vaccination process all over again.  And then a year later return for more.  (good grief)

 

4.  Harv is going to receive his own stem cells.  But if they had decided to use my sister Judy's, then Harv's new immune system would telegraph "female".  Here's a possible, but unlikely, ramification. If Harv decides to commit some terrible crime later in life...the detectives would discover that the perpetrator had the blood of a female and the hair of a male.  Wierd.

 

All of this amazes me.  Someone has actually figured out how to do this stuff!!  And not only that, but God created the world in such a way that it would appear we will never run out of things to explore and discover.     (And just why does that surprise me?.....)

 

Signed,

Enn Dless Possih Billih Teez

 

 

 

One of the items at the top of my prayer list each day is a prayer to NOTICE God.  Notice His character in the simple things around me.  Notice what He's doing in my life, or in the life of others.  Simply notice HIM.  So I love these quotes I just found....

 

Frederick Buechner:  "There's no event so commonplace, but that God is present...leaving you room to recognize Him, or not."

 

William Barry:  "Whether we're aware of it or not...every moment...we're encountering God...who is trying to catch our attention...to draw us into a reciprocal conscious relationship."

 

I've always believed that there are hundreds and thousands of song ideas "floating out there".  Well, really not so much floating "out there" as "right in front of my face"!  Every day!  I believe God has storehouses of creativity that He's eager to dispense to whomever is willing to stop and pay attention.  Of course, paying attention isn't enough.  I also have to develop my craft to a level where I can communicate to others through my song what it is I happen to "see" at a particular moment. 

 

Ya know - seeing it and feeling it is one thing.  (And it's no small thing!)  But helping the next guy to feel the same thing is quite another.  That's hard work.  That's a gift.

 

And if you succeed?  Those are rare and blessed moments indeed.

 

Signed,

Know Tiss

 

 

 

I saw a bunch of hot air balloons on our way to church this morning.  This actually isn't unusual, since Chatfield Reservoir is a popular place for hot air ballooning.  In fact, they have a hot air balloons festival there every fall, and it's happening next weekend.  But no matter how many times I see this sight - which is almost every Sunday morning - I never grow tired of it.  There's just something I love about those balloons suspended in mid air, although I'm not totally sure what it is.  Maybe it's the combination of bright colors, blue skies, and the illusion of escape.  Escape from the forces of gravity.  Escape from earth.

 

Ah yes.  Escape.

 

Today, for some raeson, those balloons also reminded me of a Sunday School project our kids did years ago.  In the weeks leading up to Ascension Day, the kids had all decorated kites. - with crayons, markers, and whatever other supplies their particular Sunday School teacher decided to supply.  These were not real kites, mind you.  Just some paper cut in the appropriate shape, with colorful tails stringing along behind.  Then when the congregation walked into church on Ascension Day, all of these kites had been hung from the ceiling of church.  What a sight!!  Dozens and dozens of them.  Maybe hundreds!  The sight of those kites apparently "floating" in the air was such a strong visual for Ascension Day as we celebrated the fact that Christ not only rose from the dead, but ascended into Heaven! 

 

Escape.  ....  No, more than escape.  Triumph!!

 

It was a cool way to start today.  And now I'm wondering why the hot air balloons never reminded me of the kite project before today, especially after living here for so many years.  That just goes to show you that the Holy Spirit never runs out of ways to touch and inspire our lives.  So many lessons, so many inspirations, so little time.  Am I listening?  Or am I usually too distracted.  Maybe He's been trying to show me this one for a long, long time!

 

Signed,

Fligh Ying Hi

 

 

 

Subject of the day:  High School Musical 2 airs tonight.  And if you aren't aware of that, just what planet are you living on?  Man oh man.  There are parties happening all over the place.

 

Okay, I'll admit it.  I'm a fan too.

 

Signed,

I Luv Mew Zi kullz - ahl Kynz

 

 

 

Here's a key line from our praise team devotions earlier this evening.  I liked it so much that I asked the woman leading devotions if she would re-read that part again for me:

 

 

It's probably something I've heard many times before, in one way or another.  But tonight it hit me again.

 

So what kind of recognition are you and I after - on a Sunday morning up on stage, or in any area of our lives for that matter?  Don't answer too quickly.

 

Signed,

Hoo R Wee Rill E?

 

 

 

Most of you know that we traveled to Lake Powell with the Gunnink family - minus Paul.   So, early in the week, we made a wreath out of weeds and grasses that are native to Lake Powell, and then each of us tied our own bow or knot somewhere on the wreath using a length of hemp.   A couple of days later, when we were leaving the arm of the Escalante River and were back at the main channel, we turned off the houseboat engine in the middle of the channel and floated for a bit.  We all went to the back of the boat with the wreath in hand.

 

So don't you think that would be a nice time for one of us to have some incredibly heartfelt and healing words to say?  Words of wisdom?  Words of hope?  But as we made our way to the stern, we were speechless.  I asked Judy (Paul's wife) if she had something she would like to say.  She definitely didn't, and I can't blame her.  So the "service" proceeded in total silence, except for the sound of a few waves lapping around us.  So very, very quiet. 

 

Judy and her three kids stood together on the back deck, all of them holding onto the wreath.  Then together they tossed it out into the water.  It floated gently away, as we stood quietly by.  Watching.  Waiting.  Silence.

 

And really...when you think about it...what was there to say?  Every single one of us had so desperately prayed that Paul would be healed between last year's Lake Powell trip and this year's.  We had envisioned Paul well again - celebrating miraculous health - jumping off cliffs - hiking up a canyon in the searing heat - making his famous cinnamon rolls for breakfast - shampooing and "showering" out in his floatie - having super soaker wars with anyone who was up for it.  

 

But God knew it would turn out differently.  God is never surprised. 

 

After awhile Scott went back up on top and started the engines.  One by one, each of us went back inside, or up on top.  I had been taking pictures the whole time.  But as long as I live, I'll never forget the last one I took that morning.  Paul & Judy's 13-year-old daughter Leesha was sitting on the slide, legs tucked up inside her folded arms, watching...watching...watching....  She wasn't about to leave her post until her dad's wreath was totally out of sight.  She even stood up toward the end, just to see it a bit longer.

 

No words of wisdom.  But somehow the silence seemed right that day.  Sorrowful?  Yes.  But also reverent.  Yearning.  Loving.  In remembrance.

 

Perhaps that kind of thoughtful silence is something we need more of in our lives.  I certainly do.

 

Signed,

Know Wrrdz 4 Thehm

 

 

 

It's Tuesday night.  We got off the boat Sunday morning.  That means I've been off the houseboat and ski boat for nearly three days.  But when I'm brushing my teeth and lean over the sink, the house still rocks back and forth.

 

Great.  Seems like I used to recuperate faster than this.  Could be my age.  Or maybe I just wanna go back....

 

Signed,

Uh Voy Ding Ree Alitee

 

 

 

Random thoughts upon coming home:

 

1.  Lake Powell isn't quite as "peaceful" as I remembered it - so many crazy teenagers around!  Still the perfect vacation.  (Except for needing to cook.)

 

2.  Listening to music from all of their iPods is hilarious.  Talk about variety!  And when there's a song they just LOVE and it turns out to be an oldie that all of their parents can sing along with word-for-word...well...the look on each face is priceless.

 

3.   Nicole Nordeman is no longer writing her "Loose Ends" column in CCM.  I miss that.  Maybe I'll have to re-read her old ones, which I have in a file.  [That's not as random as you might think.  I had some CCM issues along on vacation.]

 

4.  We're home and I'm unpacking.  And doing laundry.  And.  And.  And.   ....  Sigh.  Tonight I feel anxious.  And overwhelmed.  And inadequate.

 

5.  On our WAY home yesterday I felt empowered, and creative, and eager to get back to my writing schedule.  It's amazing what a difference 24 hours can make.  Let's hope the next 24 hours do a similar "about face".

 

6.  I'm gradually rediscovering important items.  Very gradually.  So tonight I can wash my face with the proper "product".  And I located Scott's sunglasses.  And I've found my cell phone, but still not the charger - it's a good thing I have no place to go.

 

7.  Zucchini grow so large when you're out of town that you could make Chocolate Zucchini Cake for a year and never run out. 

 

I'll stop now.  I could transcribe random thoughts all night long.  But that wouldn't help me get these bills paid.

 

Signed,

Foh Kuss Behv!

 

 

 

Tomorrow morning we leave for our family's favorite vacation in the entire world - a week on a houseboat in Lake Powell.   Sizzling sunshine, long fingers of mirrored water that twist and turn ahead of you, intense blue sky to match, sun-baked canyons to explore, geckos to catch, skiing, knee-boarding, jet skis, tube wars (3 or 4 tubes at a time behind the ski boat, if you can believe that!), lounge chairs on deck when you're ready for a good book (or a nap), the scent of sunscreen and steak on the grill, long lazy hours for entertaining deep thoughts (or no thoughts at all), and cool nights sleeping on the top of the boat as you count falling stars (or the bats that insist on flitting just overhead).  And for the less adventuresome, there are all the amenities of home - dishwasher, ice-maker, air conditioning, queen-size beds, TV, showers.  (This is NOT a "roughing it" kind of vacation.)

 

Getting ready to go can discourage the faint of heart.  But once you're there...it just doesn't get much better than that.

 

I'm thinking this is exactly what we need right now.  Paul's family too - minus Paul.  (I pray we are able to give them just the right balance of "space" and "distraction".)

 

Signed,

B Bakk Sune - 2 Sune

 

 

 

"Just put on a happy face."  That's sort of what you do when you're at a funeral - at least if you're up front.  And I've been doing some of that all week long here at Estes, as I try to stay focused.  Today's "the day".  I'm sure I'll be exhausted by the time I get back up here late tonight. 

 

On the other hand, I DO have a happy face - or at least a happy heart.  God has been speaking clearly to me this week.  In my morning devotions, in the worship music I've listened to on my way in, via the morning worship sessions and speakers, in my classes, in my thoughts and heart, in the mountains, in the morning mist.  Everywhere.  It's CLEAR.  (Which is a good thing, 'cuz if God decided to get subtle with me, this knuckle-brained songwriter would probably miss what He was saying.)  Maybe I'll share some of this with you later....

 

Signed,

Gah Duh Runn

 

 

 

Fabulous concert last night.  Kate Hurely opened, and I found myself wondering if she might be a bit edgy for the "older" couple who had just sat down beside me.  After the first song, the gentleman leaned over and said, "That's our daughter.  We're so proud of her."  How cool is that?!!

 

The Crabb Family made me cry - because they're awesome of course, and also because this was their second-to-last concert ever.  The day has arrived.  They're moving on with lots of cool adventures - but in different directions.

 

Mark Schultz - incredible, and the audience always seems to know every word of every song.  Before he sang Letters From War, he had all the military-types in the audience stand up for some well-deserved applause.  An older man was near me, and I watched him a bit during the song.  He was crying.  I SO wanted to catch him on the way out to say "Thank you for serving our country" - but I didn't get to.

 

David Phelps - takes my breath away (probably because he's using all of the air in the room for his powerhouse vocals!).  Tammy Trent - how does she move like that?  There was also a great comedian - but I don't remember his name.

 

And when Sandi Patty had her Italian husband come out on stage to sing The Prayer duet with her (remember Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli's version?), I wondered if he could even sing.  WOW!!  I'm not wondering anymore.  I just loved that moment.  ....  I can't remember the last time I saw Sandy so energetic and happy and vibrant.  She was shining!  Almost every single song ended up with a standing ovation.

 

On a side note - I had a nice little surprise when I checked email this morning.  A song I submitted for evaluation to SongU.com received a "Best of" nomination.  [warm fuzzies]

 

Signed,

Daze R. Full